Political Background
http://hollowverse.com/benjamin-franklin/
Franklin's adventure with the militia was only the beginning of his long and powerful political career. On October 4, 1748, he was elected to the town council of Philadelphia. The next year he was appointed a justice of the peace (responsible for enforcing the laws). In May 1751, he was elected to the Pennsylvania assembly. He had been a clerk in the assembly since 1736, and was familiar with how it worked. As a result, he quickly rose to power and influence. On August 10, 1753, he was appointed as a deputy postmaster general of North America.