Letter from J. R. McLaurin to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 31, 1871

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Letter from J. R. McLaurin to Mississippi Governor James L. Alcorn; January 31, 1871

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People

Alcorn, J. L. (James Lusk), 1816-1894 Hewson, H. F.McLaurin, J. R.Stafford, Unknown

Events

United States. Constitution

Organizations

Mississippi--Executive Department Mississippi--Legislature Schools

Occupations

Legislators Politicians Secretaries

Places

Mississippi--Lauderdale County. Toomsuba

Social Identifiers

Political Identities--Secessionists

Page 1

Toomsuba Miss. Jan 31^st, 1871

Hon. J. L Alcorn—As the Guardian of the peoples rights and interest. I presume any information⁠—though from an humble source. giving light on these subjects. would not be con-sidered by you intrusion. I take the liberty of addressing you a few words in a plain homily way. And by way of introduction re-mark. that in former years I was a politician in a small way. and sometimes honor.d by the people of Lauderdale County⁠—Whether wisely I have considerable doubts⁠—with a seat in the legislative councils of the state. as you may perhaps remember, and while my mind has under gone many changes. Yet I have never been shaken in my confidence in the honesty of the people if let alone. I believe today that nine tenths of the people of Lauderdale are true and law abiding although the Constitution and laws (an improvement I believe on the old in some things) are not as they would prefer.⁠—desire and will give their aid to the officers in executing them. From observation it is my honest conviction that a majority of the political and other troubles originate from incompetent or corrupt Officials. who neither have, nor deserve the respect of the people. I have known some of these weak crea-tures influenced by men opposed to your administration that odium my be cast upon it and them. I have no doubt as I remarked ^a few weeks ago^ to Gen^l, Stafford (whos acquaintance I am glad to have made, and from the favorable impression left among our people will do more to remove the prejudice and ill feeling than a 1,000 "Malish,, "That if the Governor. would advise more with the stanch old citizen⁠—'secesh" though some of them may be⁠—in selecting the County Officers a better and more harmonious state of feeling would prevail. The school law is defective in its present shape and unless some changes are made I believe incompetent and careless Officials will make it odious to the people. I am a friend to education and think free schools best to procure it if a good system can be inaugurated. If nothing more be done. let the people have the

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[page torn]ton. They are already murmering [page torn]hort space of 60 days and very little ^done^ towards establish[page torn] this county for illustra-tion over a hundred thousand dollars has been expended in this short period. But for fear my crude notions may be tire-some I conclude Hoping your administration may redound to the future good of the people of Mississippi

I am
Very truly

J, R, M^c.Laurin

Page 3

PRECIS.
[gap]

No'.

Executive Office,
State of Mississippi,
County of Lauderdale

From J R M^cLaurin
Address Toomsuba
Dated Jan 31 71
Received [gap]
Answered [gap]

Public Schools Board of Supervisors expenditure of County funds &c

JAMES L. ALCORN,
Governor.

H. F. HEWSON,
Private Secretary.