Letter from J. A. Hendrix in Marion, Alabama, to Gov. B. M. Miller in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dublin Core

Title

Letter from J. A. Hendrix in Marion, Alabama, to Gov. B. M. Miller in Montgomery, Alabama.

Subject

Scottsboro Trial, Scottsboro, Ala., 1931; African Americans--Civil rights--Alabama; African Americans--Imprisonment--Alabama; Miller, Benjamin Meek, 1864-1944

Description

J. A. Hendrix, a "friend and well wisher" of Governor Miller, congratulates the Governor on his performance in office so far and praises him for having great courage. He writes in detail that he agrees with the Governor on the "school" issue. He also asks the Governor to continue to have courage and to commute the Scottsboro Boys' sentence to life imprisonment, as the execution charges seem harsh and possibly not justified based on the evidence. Governor Miller's response to J. A. Hendrix thanks him for his "good counsel."

Creator

Hendrix, J. A.

Source

Alabama Governor, Scottsboro Case appeals to the Governor, SG004237, Folder 4, Alabama Dept. of Archives and History

Date

1932-05-23

Format

Letter

Language

English

Coverage

United States--Alabama--Marion

Text Item Type Metadata

Transcription

May 25, 1932. Mr. J. A. Hendrix Merion, Ala. Dear Mr. Hendrix: Your letter of May 23 received and appreciated. Am always glad to hear from you. I often think of my good friends in Perry County. Wish I could see more of them. The matters mentioned by you will be given careful study by me. Am always glad to have the benefit of your good counsel. With kindest personal regards, I am Yours sincerely, B. M. MILLER. Marion, Ala May 23, 1932 Gov. B.M. Miller Montgomery, Ala Scottsboro Dear Sir: I am your friend and well wisher. I think you have done remarkably well in your office so far. I have confidence that you will continue to do so. Never before has that office regarded such an amount of eval judgment and courage. Frequently I hear the expression "Old Miller is so bull headed". Well if Bull headed means courage, and I think it does, we want you to be bull headed. I think you are perfectly right in your stand on the school question. The schools ought to be hell down to the amount of taxes collected for shool purposes. But that cant be down as long as a group of "Educators" are allowed to have control of the state financial affairs. Now that that They are going out to put the matter before the people wich the verdict (unintelligible) of prejudicing the people against the administration and state government a campaign of Education against then ought to be started right away in order that they may not require the state and tax payers further. I hear quite a number of people, not school people of course, speak very favorably of the suggested closing down of the several normal schools over the state claiming they are not a great unnecessary expense, not (unintelligible) at all. Here is a thing I feel would be a wise thing for you to do. Commute the death sentences of the Scottsboro negroes our to life imprisonment. A lot of ^ people are of the opinion that the sentence is rather harse and under the circumstances not justified. Of course there are people now who, if such action were taken, would attribute it to fear of some of the threats. That is why it would take more courage to commute then it would not to interfere. With best wishes, Your friend T.A. Hendrix No reply expected. (notes: shool -- school, wich -- which, harse -- harsh)