Letter from Eldridge McArthur to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; April 21, 1871

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Letter from Eldridge McArthur to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; April 21, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Arnold, Benedict Hewson, H. F.McArthur, Eldridge

Events

Appointment to office

Organizations and Businesses

Clubs and Secret Societies Clubs and Secret Societies--Pioneer Central Republican Club (Hancock County, Miss.)Courts Mississippi. Executive Department Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

City Council Members Clerks Constables Politicians Secretaries

Places

Gulfport (Miss.)Hancock County (Miss.)

Page 1

Shieldsborough April 21^st 1871

James. L. Alcorn
Governor of the State of Mississippi

Dear Governor

at the solicitation of many of my Republican friends I avail myself of the favored moment to pen you a few lines of inquiry in reference ^to^ the wholesale removal of the Shieldsborough aldermen & other county Officials & appointing in their steads the bitterest political oponents, the republican party in this county had to contend with in the campaign of 1869,, if said aldermen were not equal to the emergency in your opinion, why not suggest the same to the leading republicans of Hancock so that they might recommend the nomination of others more competent before, removing them upon the flimsy & frivolous charges of a set of men. whom in 1869—did not hesitate to apply the name or epethet of renegade & traitor to your self,, and were loud in their declarations,, "that the name

over

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of Benedict Arnold" ought to occupy a more exalted and honorable a position in the annals of american history than that of J. L. Alcorn,, now let us take a look at the political situation. Every office in the county except one are held by this class of men whom to give the more might to their nefarious instruments,, head them "We the Republicans of Hancock County—have those men become republicans so suddenly,, it seems more like fiction to any rational thinking mind than reality,, well back to the situation. I am digressing,, the only republican holding an office in the county is a constable & no doubt expects to lose his official head every day if it is not already off,, do not construe this to mean any malcontent-edness, engendered by disappointment but rather a sense of Justice vs injustice,, and as to myself I have no political prefer-ment or favor to ask of the State administration yet my friends tell me that they have submitted my name to you upon (2) occasions for appointment. as clerk of courts for this county without my Knowledge of the proceeding—though, let that be as it may,, you will oblige me & many other Republicans

over

Page 3

by Transmitting me a copy of the charges preferred against the Shieldsborough city officials to my address

I am Very Respectfully

Eldridge M^c,,arthur

Secretary of Pioneer Central Republican Club of Hancock County Miss—

Page 4

PRECIS.
[gap]

No'.

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Hancock

From E McArthur
Address Shieldsboro
Dated Apl 21—71
Received [gap]
Answered [gap]

Wants to know why so many Republicans have been removed from office

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.