The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-06
RESIGNED UNDER DURHSS.
Sndianola, Miss, People will not Get Any
Nail Until They Accept Colored Post
master.

Washington, January 2. - The
feature of the cabinet meeting today
was the decision to close perma,
nently the postoffioe at Indianola
Miss., from which the postmaster
Minnie RI. Cox, oolored, resigned un
der compulsion, few days ago,
since which time the office has been
closed. The bondsmen have brought
tho matter to the attention of the
authorities here, with the view OF
being relieved Of the responsibility
OF the accumulated mail. The post.
master general has had a thorough
investigation made and has become
satisfied that the woman was obliged
to resign under duress-in fact, that
her life was endangered. Having
represented this state of affairs to
the cabinet, after a long discussion
the decision above noted was reached
and the Office will not be reopened
until the people in the district are
ready to accept this woman as their
postmaster.
During the afternoon the Presi-
dent discussed with several members
OF the cabinet other features of the
case Of Mrs. Cox, Postmaster General
Payne being in conference with the
President for an hour or more. It
was decided finally to issue formal
statement concerning tho Indianols
case. Secretary Cortelyou, for the
President, made public the follow.
ing:
"The postmaster at Indianola,
Miss, is Mrs Minnie M. Cox, a col
ored woman. She served three years
as postmaster under President Herri.
son. When President Mckinley
came in she was again appointed, in
1897, nearly six years ago. Her
character and standing in the com
munity are endorsed by the best and
most reputable people in the town.
Among those on her bond is the
present Democratic State Senator
from the district, together with the
leading banker of Indianola, and an
OK State Senator from the district,
aleo q Democrat. The postmaster
and her husband own from ten to
fifteen thousand dollars worth of
property in sunhower County. The
reports Of postofice inspectors who
have investigated the office from time
to time show that she has given the
utmost satisfaction to all the patrons
OF the Office; that she ,e at all times
courteous, faithful, competent and
honest In the discharge of her du. ies.
Her moral standing in the commu-
nifty ie of the highest. Her reputs.
ton is Of the best. Few offices of
this grade in any State are conducted
better.
"The postmaster recently for.
warded her resignation, to take effect
on January l, but the report Of in
spectors and information received
from various reputable white olti.
gems OF the town and neighborhood
show that the resignation was forced
by a brutal and lawless element
purely upon upon the ground of hes
color and was obtained under terro,
OF threats of physical violence. The
mayor OF the town and the sheriff O,
she county both told the postoffice
inspector that IL she refused to re-
sign they could not be answerablt
for her safety, although at the same
time not one word was said apeins
her management Of the Office. Or
January l the bondsmen of the post
master telegraphed that the post
Office was closed; that the postmaste
claimed that her resignation was il
the hands of the President, to tax,
effect January |, and that there hst
been no advice Of the appointment O
her successor. The telegram CLOSED
with this statement: Prompt actior
necessary for relief OF business in
terests.' Ia the view of the Presi
dent the relief of the business inter
ests, which are being injured solel,
by the action of the lawless elemen
OF the town, is wholly secondary t,
the preservation of law and order
and the assertion of the fundamenta
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