The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1920-09-03
SAYS GOV. DORSEY
REPLACED HIM
WITH A NEGRO
ITO THE WHITE VOTERS OF THE
STATE OF GEORGIA:

u 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. 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
ern0r, Brown, by Governor Slaton and
by Governor Harris. For short time
during this period | left of my own
accord to do some private work and
was then reappointed to do this work
for the State. / am a white man, fifty
years old.
Sin July, 1919, was notified that
my services were no longer needed, as
Governor Dorsey thought he could
have the work done by man who
would not charge as much. | was
drawing at that time 500 a month.
AS soon as l 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 had, and is to be seen
by any one who watches work being
done, on the capitol grounds.
"He is drawing $21.25 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
/ have a letter from Governor Dor.
sey's keeper of buildings and grounds
saying that my services were satisfac-
tory to them. The notice discharging
me gave as the reason that the Work
could be done by q lower price man
] have already said that this did moi
save any money to the state, because
the negro who took my place had t.
have an assistant employed to do his
work. But if it was necessary to gel
lower price man to save money fol
the state, l am sure some deserving
white man could have been found t.
take the position.
"This is simply a statement of thu
exact facts in connection with thi.
matter.
CRANK GRANT,
"21 Mathews Ave-, Kirkwood, Ca
This is copy of the letter which
Gov. Dorsey's custodian sent to Mr.
Grant. You will see that Gov. Dorse!
said Mr.. Grant was the most capabl,
man he could get. The state did no
save any money when Mr.. Grant wa
discharged to make a place for 1
negro who was family servant O
the Dcrseys from his old home Il
Fayette County, because 1t was nee
essary 70 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 letter from the Governor toda,
he informs me that he will dispens
with your services after July LIST, o
florist at the State Capitol. He fur
Their states that you are q capable
man, and that we could not get
aS ShPaDtc man IVE the pOSitlon
but that the amount paid for tn
work to be done at the Capitol Il
your line will not warrant the wage
we are paying.
Ii you can obtain work before tn
time mentioned that would be com
Ratible with your desires we woul
ave no hesitancy in relieving you.
Yours truly.
(Signed) T. z. Massengals.