The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1903-01-09
Democratic Ticket.
For Circuit Judge:
s. G. KINNER,

A colored woman, Minnie W.
Cox, has been postmaster Of In
dlanola, prosperous town in Mis-
sippi, and the white residents have
been making such kick about 1t
that she sent in her resignation a
few days ago. President Roose-
welt Instructed the Postmaster
General TO not accept the resigna-
tlon. The woman closed up the of.
flee, refusing to serve longer, and
the President has ordered all mail
for that place to be sent hereafter
to Greenville, town % miles dis
tant. Indiancla is the county seat
OF Sunflower county, while Green
vile is the county seat OF Wash
ington county. The rule in case
OF the dIscontinuance OF an Office is
to deliver the mail to the nearest
office. There are several offices
nearer than Greenville and on the
same line OF railroad, but Teddy
evidently intends to punish the
white people of Indianola severely
for kicking about having a colored
postmaster to handle their mail.
He claims that she is compe-
tent postmaster and that her res.
ignation is forced by the demands
and threats of the white people.
The cabinet had long discussion
over the matter and the Presi-
dent announced this action after
ward.
A later dispatch from Washing
ton says:
"President Roosevelt's action in
the Indianola, Miss, post-otiice
case Is regarded by Southern mem
bers of Congress today as closely
bordering upon the outrageous.
The idea OF closing up post-office
and denying TO the citizens of a
town the use of the United States
mails simply because a few mis-
guided men have scared the negro
postmaster out Of the office hardly
seems credible. II a case can be
made out against those who have
intimidated and threatened, there
would be no objection to legal pros
ecutiOn, but to make a whole COM
munity suffer on account OF the ac-
tion OF few members OF the So
called "lawless element,p passes
the understanding of intelligent
citizens.
Unquestionably the President
had no more right TO practically
discontinue the Indianola post
Office than he would to close the
New York City post-office. Had
a similar case arisen in the latter
city, the President would have
promptly designated some one to
act in the postmaster's place, and
this is what he should do In the
smaller Mississippi town. The
White House statement also tries
to make ii appear that the post
master has the support OF citizens
OF high standing in the commune
ty, but a Mlssissippian in the city
tonight, and one who ought to be
familiar with conditions there, says
that there is practical unanlmity
among the white citizens for the
appointment OF white postmas.
ter, as the papers on file at the de-
partment will show
Indianola, Miss, Jan. 5.-Minnie
Cox, accompanied by her mulatto
assistant, left tonight for Birming.
ham. She denied that any vic.
lence has been threatened. but al.
firms that she would not accept
the postofllce again under any cir
cumstanoes. Her husband, Wayne
Cox, railway postal clerk, gave
out statement this afternoon, in
which he says that the people here
are his friends, aud have offered
neither him nor hiswife any iadig-
mites.
"Two prominent citizens came
T. me and advised me that my wife
10 ign,' he said, 81 understood the