Letter from J. J. Bradford to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; June 3, 1871

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Letter from J. J. Bradford to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; June 3, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Benson, Unknown Bordage, Unknown Bradford, J. J.Campa, Unknown Hewson, H. F.Johnson, Unknown Saucier, Unknown Sauls, B.Seal, J. J.Ulman, Unknown Wilkinson, Unknown

Events

Appointment to office Political elections

Organizations and Businesses

Mississippi. Executive Department Political Parties--Democratic Party (U.S.)Political Parties--Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )

Occupations

City Council Members Clerks Judges Mayors Politicians Secretaries

Places

Gulfport (Miss.)Hancock County (Miss.)Jackson (Miss.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Historically free and newly freed African Americans

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[seal]

Shieldsboro'. 3^d,, June 1871.

His Excellency
Gov. Alcorn
Jackson.

Dear Sir.

In accordance with the re-quest made by you of me recently I would state that I have advised with some of the leading citizens of this place, and it is thought that a partial change of our City Officials would not only be productive of good, but that a more general satisfaction would exist among all classes. Mr Wilkinson whom I recommend for the appointment of Mayor is a leading and staunch republican of this Coun-ty, of acknowledged ability and well capacita-ted to fill the position; he was a strong friend in your election and has been greatly abused and persecuted in consequence of his avowed republican principles, and I feel no hesitan-cy in giving it as my opinion that he merits a position within the gift of the appointing power; he is the gentleman to whom you re-ferred in our last interview as having received a letter from &c. Messrs Benson and Johnson whom I recommend for Aldermen are colored men, possessing fair capacity and whose char-acters for integrity, sobriety and honesty none can deny. Mr Benson formerly held a position on the Board as an Alderman and was removed on the 7^th March (with others) upon charges proferred by the Honl. J J. Seal, upon an examination of which you will fail to perceive that I gave them my indorsement. In the regard to Mr Ulman the present Mayor & Mr Campa

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an Alderman, both of whom it is proposed that you remove—I have nothing to say against them—Your party here, however, claim that they are Ultra democrats & that they have equally as competent parties to fill the positions. And moreover, they claim that they are entitled to at least an share of republicans upon the Board. They make no objections in allowing Messrs Saucier and Bordage, (both of whom are democrats) to re-main as Aldermen. I have no other motive in this matter. Than with a view of harmonising the two opposing elements—That I suggest the above changes I feel assured that it is desired by your friends here and I have only to say that the parties herein recommended are good and competent men and leading republicans of this County. I am censured by some colored men here for the appointments recently made for this town upon Mr Seal's recommendation and if you are so inclined you will greatly oblige me by writing me in regard to the matter, giving the facts as they exist, in order that I may set myself right before them & that they may know where the responsibility should rest—and how certain parties were appointed. I had nothing to do with any one's removal save that of Mr B Sauls former Clerk and it is exceedingly unpleasant to meet such accu-sations when the responsibility should rest elsewhere I sincerely trust you will favor me with the desired statement—

Very Respectfully,
Your Obdt serv't.

J. J. Bradford

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PRECIS.
[gap]

No'. [gap]

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of County of Hancock

From J. J. Bradford
Address Shieldsborough
Dated June. 3. “71.
Received —
Answered —

Wants statement to the effect that he had nothing to do with any removal but that of Mr Sauls the Clerk

Recommends officers for Shieldsboro

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.