JAMES A. FARLEY - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 10/13/1942 - HFSID 86040

JAMES A. FARLEY
Name-dropping N.Y. Governors, former Democratic Chairman wants money for Bennett's campaign against Dewey for Governor.
TLS: "Jim", 1p, 8½x11. New York, 1942 October 13. To Ashley T. Cole, New York. Farley has crossed out "Mr. Cole" and handwritten: "Ashley". In part: "Believing that you wish to continue the same type of good government in the State of New York as you have had under the administration of Alfred E. Smith, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Herbert H. Lehman, I feel that you will want to have your part in contributing toward the election of the Honorable John J. Bennett, Jr., and his associates on the Democratic State ticket. In order that the issues may properly be brought before the people and that the careers of the candidates may be fully publicized, it is necessary to have sufficient funds to provide for the expenses of a campaign...." JAMES A. FARLEY (1888-1976) was appointed Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1932) and Postmaster-General (1933), holding both posts until disagreeing with FDR about running for a third term in 1940. Farley resigned both positions in 1940 but remained active in party politics as is evidenced by this letter. JOHN J. BENNETT, JR. was the Democratic nominee for Governor of New York in 1942. Farley mentions Democratic New York Governors Alfred E. Smith (1919-1920, 1923-1928), Franklin D. Roosevelt (1929-1933) and Herbert H. Lehman (1933-1942). Lehman had resigned as Governor to become the head of the newly formed United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration. On November 3, 1942, New York District Attorney Thomas E. Dewey defeated New York Attorney General John J. Bennett, Jr. to become Governor of New York. Slightly creased. Fine condition.