The Leader, enterprise and press. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1915-1921, 1920-08-30
SAYS GOV. DORSEY
REPLACED HIM
WITH A NEGRO
ITO THE WHITE VOTERS OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA:

II wish you to consider the follow
ing statement. 1t is absolutely true
and can be proved by any number of
men. 1t will not be denied by Gov
ernor Dorsey:
Il am an experienced gardner and
florist. l was appointed under Gov
ernor Smith to look after the flowers,
grass and trees at the capitol gorunds
and at the governors mansion.
was reappointed in this work by Gov
ernor Brown, by Governor Slaton and
by Governor Harris. For a short time
during this period I left of my own
accord to do some private work and
was then reappointed to do this work
for the State. |. am white man, fifty
years old.
"In July, 1919, l was notified that
ray services were no longer needed, as
Governor Dorsey thought he could
have the work done by man who
would not charge as much. I was
drawing at that time 500 a month.
AS soon as | left my position was
given to negro from Fayette coun-
ty, who is said to be family servant
of the Dorsey family. His name is
Rufus Bennett. He, is now filling the
position that l had, and is to be seen
by any one who watches work being
done on the capitol grounds.
"He is drawing $21.25 a week
While this is little less than l drew,
there is really no saving to the state
because | had no assistant and there
is another negro employed to assist
Rufus Bennett in doing his work.
"My services were satisfactory to
Governor Smith, Governor Brown
Governor Slaton and Governor Harris.
I have letter from Governor Dor
sey's keeper of buildings and grounds
saying that my services were satisfac-
tory to them. The notice discharging
me cave as the reason that the work
could be done by lower price man
l have already said that this did not
save any money to the state, because
the negro who took my place had to
have an assistant employed to do his
work. But if it was necessary to get
a lower price man to save money for
the state, | am sure some deserving
white man could have been found to
take the position.
"This is simply statement of the
exact facts in connection with this
matter.
"FRANK GRANT,
"21 Mathews Ave-, Kirkwood. Ga"
This is a copy of the letter which
Gov. Dorsey's custodian sent to Mr..
Grant. You will see that Gov. Dorsey
said Mr.. Grant was the most capable
man he could get. The state did not
save any money when Mr.. Grant was
discharged = to make a place for
negro who was a family servant of
the Dorseys from his old home in
Fayette County, because it was nee
essary to employ an assistant for him,
Custodian
Public Buildings and Grounds
State of Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr.. Frank Grant, Florist,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Dear Mr.. Grant,
In a letter from the Governor today
he informs me that he will dispense
with your services after July LIST, as
florist at the State Capitol. He fur
Their states that you are a capable
man, and that we could not get
more capable man for the position,
but that the amount paid for the
work to be done at the Capitol in
your line will not warrant the wages
we are paying.
If you can obtain work before the
time mentioned that would be COM
patible with your desires we would
have no hesitancy in relieving you.
Yours truly,
(Sipned) T. E. Massengale