The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-03
MAIL SERVICE DENIED AT0WN Postoff1ee Indianaola,
 Miss Closed.
  BY PR. DENTS ORDER Negro woman as Postmaster Cause of Trouble. After Cabinet Meeting Statement is Given Out of Attitude of Ad- minisration--Character of
 Woman is Defended.

Washngton. Jan. 2.-Following a de- cision of the cabinet at its meeting to close the postofice at Indianaola, Miss on account of the resignation under com pulsion of the postmaster, Mrs. Minnie Cox. colored woman. until the people of the Indianola district are ready to ac- eept her as their postmaster, it was de- cided to issue formal statement con- corning the case.
 During the cabinet meeting Post master General Payne stated he was satisfied Mrs. Cox was obliged to resign under duress and that her life was endangered. The statement which was issued by Sec retary Cortelyou at the instance of the President after an hours conference with Postmaster General Payne Is as follows:
 The postmaster at Indianola, Miss, is Mrs Minnie w. Cox. q colored woman. She served three years as postmaster un- der President Harrison. When President Mckinley came in she was again appoint ed in 1887, nearly six years ago. Her character and standing in the communi- ty are endorsed by the best and most reputable people in the town.
 Among those on her bond is the pres ent Democratic State Senator from the District. together with the leading banker of lndianaola and an ex-State Senator from the district also a Democrat The postmaster and her husband own from $10,o0o to $1Aoo0 worth of property in Sun flower County. The reports of the post office inspectors who have investigated the office from time to time. show that she has given the utmost satisfaction to all the patrons of the ofiice; that she is at all times courteous. faithful and hon est in. the discharge of her duties. Her moral standing in the community is of the highest Her reputation is o4 the best. Few offices of this grade in any State are conducted better.
 'The postmaster recently forwarded her resignation to take effect on January 1. but the report of inspectors and in- formation received from various reputa- ble white citizens of the town and neigh borhood show that the resignation was forced by a brutal and lawless element purely upon the ground of her color and was obtained under terror of threats. The Mayor of the town and the Sheriff of the County both told the postofiice in- spector that if she refused to resign they could not be answerable for her safety, although at the same time not one word was said against her. On January the bondsman of the postmaster telegraphed that the postoffice wea closed, that the postmaster claimed that her resignation was in the Presidents hands to take ef- feet January ana that there nao been no advice of the appointment of her Suc- ceRsor. The telegram closed with the statement: Prompt action by the Pres hent,-n0cessaPY for the relief of the business interests which are being injured solely by the action of tho lawless ele- nent of ths town-4s wholly secondary to the preservation of law and order and the assertion of the fundamental princt- pie that this government will not con- nive or tolerate wrong and outrage of such fragrant character
 By direction ot the President thS fol- lowing was sent to the bondsmsn:
 The pOstmaster's resignation has been received. but not accepted. In view of the facts the postofiiee at Indianola is closed. All mail for that place will be forwarded to Greenvilie. The case will be referred to the Attorney General