Letter from Dabney Lee to Mayor Watkins of Farmville

Letter from Dabney Lee to Mayor Watkins of Farmville

On September 10, 1963, Executive Director of the University of Richmond Young Democratic Club, Dabney Lee, wrote the Mayor of Farmville, Virginia, William Watkins, on behalf of a black minister, Rev. L. F. Griffin, in Farmville. Lee began the letter by expressing the importance of having an increase in both the quantity and quality of public accommodations in Farmville. He believed that Farmville officials should already know that businesses shouldn't be able to discriminate, and should treat all customers equally, regardless of race. Lee then made a list of requests to the administration of the Mayor: remove discriminatory practices in hiring, "the immediate hiring of colored policemen," end segregation, conduct a study to facilitate better housing for all citizens, and to construct "bi-racial committees...to make progress towards a truly American community." The University of Richmond Secretary-Treasurer, Charles Wheeler III, notified President Modlin of this letter on October 4, 1963. Wheeler had previously had a conversation with Dabney Lee, and Lee claimed that the letter was his idea and the Young Democratic Club did not approve the letter, "but he was sure that was the feeling of the Club."

Letter from Dabney Lee to Mayor William Watkins, 10 September 1963, RG 6.2.4 Box 29 Folder 13, University Archives, Virginia Baptist Historical Society.

1963-09-10

Wheeler III, Charles H.

English

UA6.2.4.3.29.13-19630910.pdf

Richmond (Va.)