The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-01-03
MUST HAVE HER OR NO ONE
PRESIDENT ACTS ON NINDLANOLA,
 MISS, POsTOFFTCE CASE.
Fia lnly Denounces the Threats of PeE- sOnnI Violence Which Forced Mrs. Minnie H. Cox, CO!Orcd, tO Resign-A Brutal and Lnyvless Element-G0verns mens WIiI Not Tolerate Such Outragos Offenders to be Prosecuted.

nent NyIII Not Tolerate Such Outragcs
 -ORenders to be Proseculed.
 Washington, Jan. B. The feature of the cabinet meeting to-day was the de- cision to permanently close the post office at Indianola. Miss. from which the postmistress, Minnie H. Cox (color- ed) resigned under compulsion a few days ago, since when the office has been closed The bondsmen brought the mat ter to the attention of the authorities here to be relieved of. the responsibility for the accumulated mail. The post master general has had a thorough in- vestigation made and has become satis- fled that the woman was obliged to re- sign under duress-in fact that her life was endangered. Having explained this state of affairs to the cabinet and after a long discussion the decision above noted was reached. The office will not be reopened until the people of the dis tIICt dIG IGdSly dCCSPb IlAAo "OiAlSNAA oS their postmistress.
 During the afternoon the president discussed with several members of the cabinet other features of the case of Mrs. Cox. It was decided finally to is- sue a formal statement concerning the Indianola case. Secretary Cortelyou, for the president, made public the fol- lowing:
 "The postmaster of Indianola, Miss, is Mrs. Minnie NJ. Cox. colored wo- man. She served three years as post master under President Harrison. When President Mckinley came in she was again appointed in 1897 nearly six years ago.
 Her character and standing in the community 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 dis trict, together with the leading banker of Indianola and an ex-state senator from the district also a democrat. The postmaster and her husband own from ten to fifteen thousand dollars worth of property in Sunfiower county. The re- ports of postoffice inspectors who have investigated the office from time to time show that she has given the ut- most satisfaction to all the patrons of the office; that she Is at all times cour- teous, faithful, competent, and honest in the discharge of her duties. Her moral standing in the community is of the highest. Her reputation is of the best. Few offices of this grade in any state are conducted better.
 "The postmaster recently forwarded her resignati tion to take effect on Janu ary 1, but the report of inspectors and information received from various reputable white citizens of the town and neighborhood show that the resig nation was forced by brutal and law less element purely upon the ground of her color and was obtained under ter TOT of threats of physical violence. The mayor of the town and the sheriff of the county both told the postoffice 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 manage ment of the office. On January 1 the bondsmen of the postmaster telegraph 6u JfldJ tIle pOSloLlCe was ClOSeus tHdL the postmaster claimed that her resig- nation was in the presidents hands to take effect January 1, and that there had been no advice of the appointment of her successor The telegram closed with the statement: Prompt action nec- essary for relief of business interests In the view ot the president the relief of the business interests which are be- ing injured solely by the action of the l 1awless element of the towr is wholly secondary to the preservation of law and order and the assertion of the fun damental principle that this govern ment will not connive at or tolerate out rages of such fragrant character. By direction of the president the following telegram was sent by the postmaster general to the bondsmen:
 "'The postmaster's resignation has been received but not accepted. In view of the fact that the office at In dianola is closed all mail addressed to that office will be forwarded to Green vile.
 "'The papers in the case have been sent to the attorney general for &C., tion,'"