Letter from John R. Hicks to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 3, 1871

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Letter from John R. Hicks to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 3, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Hewson, H. F.Hicks, John R.Pinsley, P.Schuse, D. A.Warner, Alexander

Events

Employment--Dismissal of Employees Political Office--Appointment to office

Organizations

Hospitals Mississippi--Executive Department

Occupations

City Council Members Medical Profession Medical Profession--Hospital Employees Medical Profession--Matrons Medical Profession--Pharmacists Medical Profession--Physicians Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Hinds County. Jackson Mississippi--Warren County. Vicksburg

Social Identifiers

African Americans African Americans--Historically free and newly freed Nationality--German

Page 1

Office of HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN,
Vicksburg, Miss., January 3^rd,, 1871.

His Excellency
Governor James L. Alcorn
Jackson, Miss

Governor

The Board of Aldermen of Vicksburg, have recently appointed (D. A. Schuse) as superintendent to the city Hospital, his duties are but those of steward) And have delegated to him power And Authority, second to no one at the Hospital, and fixed for him a salary. The course persued has been discourteous to me, and as the recipient of a commission at the hands of Your Excellency, I deem it my duty to acquaint you with the facts of the case, and to remonstrate against such proceeding. I stated to you last May that I needed no such officer, and that I could save largely to the state and city, by dispensing with such office. I appointed a highly respectable colored lady Mrs P. Pinsley as Matron, who has been doing the work that it now requires three to do, and costing ninety dollars additional per month, in salary, besides the boarding of three more persons. The bone of contention seems to be, that a colored woman has been occupying the place, that Indolent whites desired I have been directed by the Council, to dismiss Mrs Pinsley, and put in her place a German woman. In short, instead of exercising the authority and controll, always extended to the medical officer of a charitable institution

Page 2

Office of HOSPITAL PHYSICIAN,
Vicksburg, Miss., [gap] 18

my authority is so much curtailed and trampled upon, that my power to do good under the present management, dictated by the City Council has well nigh ceased.

I respectfully request your Excellency to appoint as Steward to the Hospital, a young man who has been associated with the Hospital as druggist for a long time, and is worthy and well qualified; He can easily discharge the duties of both offices. His name is A. Warner. Should your Excellency deem it well, a letter from you, authorising me to give the young man the position is all that is necessary

I have the honor to remain
Your Excellency's obdt Servant

Jno. R. Hicks M. D.
Hospital Physician—
City Hospital, Vicksburg—

Page 3

PRECIS.
[gap]

No'. [gap]

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Warren

From Jno R Hicks M. D.
Address Vicksburg
Dated January 3^d 71
Received [gap]
Answered [gap]

Complains of his authority being curtailed by the Board of Alderman in the City Hospital—Asks for the appointment of A Warner as Hospital steward

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.