The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-05
BY WATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington. January 4.-(Special)-T
Indlanola, Miss, postal row continues to
agitate memberzf of congress. who are
arriving in Washington for the remainder
of the session There Is the utmost-unan-A
unity of opinion among southern members
all agreeing that the act of the Presi-
dent, in denying citizens OF the Missis-
sippi town the use of the United States
mails, is as Representative Richardson.
Alabama, expressed 1t tonight. IAN un-
pardonable outrage" 1t Is also true that
the republican members are not united In
favor of the Presidents course, though
naturally, they are not willing to go on
record against an administration policy.
Senator McLauren of Mississippi. may
introduce a resolution In the senate call
ing upon the postoffice department for
information and explanations for which
his constituents should be so punished
and interfered with. 1t is the intention of
Representative Henry who represents the
district In which the postoffice Is situ-
ated to introduce such a resolution In
the house. Senator McLauren said to-
night that he will call at the postoffice
department tomorrow to ask the post
master general to designate some one to
take charge of the office. In view of the
White House statement the postmaster
general will of course not do this, SO
the senator will go to the President for
an explanation of the departments at
titude.
Read II In Age-HraId.
IT knew nothing at all about the In
dianola matter" said Senator McLauren
tonight, until | read the press state
ment in the Age-Herald when l passed
through birmingham yesterday on my
way here. l didn't even know the town
had n negro postmaster. | must say the
Presidents act is a very remarkable pro-
cedure, and one that will need some fur
ther explanation. | know the people OF
Indianola to be law-abiding In every re-
spect. They are as much entitled to postal
facilities as any community in the United
States, and II there is any way to do 1t.
am going to have the postoffice re-es-
tablished. OF course l can't make the
President do this, but after l see him
l will know more about my future action
in the matter. I believe the resignation
OF the postmaster was voluntary, ana
when further information is received the
case will not be as serious as II looks. In
my opinion the main trouble Is that you
can't make white folks out of negroes"
Representative Richardson said tonight
that resolution of inquiry should cer-
tainly be passed by congress, calling up
the President to give more fully his
reasons for closing the postoffice, and
telling to what extent ana by whom the
postmaster has been threate "As the
matter now stands says Mr.. Richard
son, 1.-The whole community stands In
dicted of crime.
Have Right to Postoffce.
"The people have right to this post
office and the action which has been
taken is an objectionable outrage. The
President went about the matter In the
wrong way. He should have caused the
arrest of parties guilty of intmidating
the woman and punished them according
to the law In the case l am not fully
informed as to the nature of threats of
assault. but everything indicates 1t was
the result of the action of a few in9i-
viduals, perhaps belonging to an element
of the community which does not repre-
sent the best class of citizenship. The
fact that the woman had held the office
for nine years indicates that the people
were reasonably satisfied with her at
least. The President condemns himself
In his very statement issued from the
White House He makes 1t evident that
he intends to punish the whole conmuni-
ty by making them travel from twenty to
forty miles for mall"