New-York tribune., 1903-05-08
A NEW POSTAL OUTRAGE.
Negro Carrier Forced to ONT Ser
Uice Under Penalty of Death.
[RY rELEGRAPH 20 rHE rRIRUNE. ]


Washington May An outrage similar IN
detail to that which occurred at Indianola, Miss
was brought to the attention of the Postmaster
General to-day by telegram from GaLatln,
Tenn. announcing that John c. AIlgood. a col
ored rural free delivery letter carrier, while
making his regular trip near Ganatin, was
stopped by armed and masked men, and that ne
and his colored substitute carrier were warned
not to continue in the service under penalty Of
death. Postmaster General Payne has suspend
ed service on the route pending investigation.
and if the reports OF the affair are confirmed
summary action will follow. The telegram.
which was from Postmaster Swaney Of Gal
latin, read as follows:
Carrier rural route one while making trip to-
day, held up by masked men. Ordered not 10
make another trip. Advise
Augood was appointed only three weeks ago
to succeed Allen F. billiard. also colored who
the first carrier on the route, and VINO,
after serving less than two months, resigned
When asked why billiard resigned, Postmaster
General Payne said he did not know. but he
could make a shrewd guess He presumed 1t
was Ito avoid trouble"
Soon after the receipt OF the above telegram
a dispatch from ". F. Conger. special agent for
rural free delivery. with headquarters at Nasn-
Vile was received. 1t read follows:
Rural carrier No. l. colored, GaIIatn, Tenn.
in an interview with me tonight, advises that
he was stopped on route to-day by armed
masked men. and his life threatened If he con-
tinued in service. Threat also applies 10 colored
sub-carrier. Warmed not 10 divulse cause of his
removal but TO assign other reasons No time
allowed him wait upon appointment OF sue
cessor. Believing it hazardous. he will not serve
route tomorrow unless assurances are gwen
him that no violence will be committed Please
advise me what instructions will be issued in the
premises. An immediate answer VIII De sreatiy
appreciated
SERVICE ON ROUTE SUSPENDED.
On receipt of Mr. Conger's message Mr. Payne.
after as-ertaining such facts as could be
CLEANED in the department regarding the ap-
pointment of DiIard and Alsood, telegraPhef
to Mr.. Conger as follows:
Investigate fully case of John c. Allgood,
rural free delivery carrier who was stopped by
armed masked men yesterday and his life
threatened if he continued in the service. and
report. In the mean time service on route will
be suspended until your report upon the facts IN
the case is received.
To a. correspondent Of The Tribune the Post
master General said this afternoon that he could
not afford to take the responsibility Of ordering
Allgood to continue on his route when his life
had been threatened nor did he believe that the
government could afford to send detachment of
soldiers TO the scene to act escort and protect
the carrier from assault. Therefore he had sus-
pended the delivery Of mail on the route named
until Special Agent Conger had finished his in
vestigations Should ATgood appear TO have
been unduly frightened or to have exa ggerated
the facts the service would doubtless be re-
sumed, but if the facts were as they appeared
on the face of the advices thus far received the
route would doubtless remain suspended in
definitely.
Mr. Payne further said that. under the law, the
department had no option with regard TO the ap
pointment of rural delivery carriers. but was
compelled to take the man certified by the Civil
Service Commission. In this instance it hap
pened that the three men whose averages were
highest in their examination were colored.
Incidentally, Mr. Payne said that Nashville.
from which the Gallatin route started, was the
home of Senator Bate. and it has been suggested
that his influence, when the matter is brought
10 his attention may prove sufficient TO enable
him TO guarantee that violence will be at
tempted The Gailatin route only estab-
lished on March 1. and. stated above. Allgood
is the second carrier who has attempted to per-
form his duties under the law and is presuma-
bIv the second man 10 be deferred therefrom
by threats of violence. The Galatin route IS
in the WITH Congress District. which is repre-
sented in the House by Morgan c. Fitzpatrick
of Hartsvile-
II is said at the department that the penalties
provided by law for such cHences are covered
in Sections 1869 and 1895. OF the Revised Stat
utes The former reads as follows:
u,,Arv nerson who wilfuIy and maliciously
sauIts anv letter carrier who is in uniform while
engaged on his route in the discharge OF MS
dufv as a letter carrier. and every person VINO
vrjIfIlv aids or assists therein. shaiI Tor every
such offence be punished by a fine OF not less
than 500 and not more than sI'ooV' or oy I'm.
nrisonment for not less than one year and not
more than three years
The other section provides that amy person
vrbo shall knowingly and wilfully obstruct or
a+ord tbe passage of mail carrier shall for
-, such offence be punishable by fine OF
not more than 500
II Is POINTED out that the difference between
+besa nenaIties hinges on the wearing of the
,tforro and also that the word assault. with
in the meaning o. the law contempiates Just
such an offence as that reported
Mr.. KEENE'S ILLNESS DENIED.
lanes B. Taylor, of Talbot J. Taylor s. Co. said