The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-03
SAYS UNLAWFUL ELEMENT
 BROUGHT ABOUT ACTION
Citizens of lndlanola, Miss, Ahe With out Mail Service and Have to De- pend on GreenviIIe Until the
 Nepress Is Reinstated.
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington, January 2.-(Special)- Practically the whole of today's session of the cabinet was devoted to discus- sion of the Indianola, Miss, postofnce' The present postmaster is Minnie w. Cox a negress. It is claimed that the white residents of the town have, on account of her color, forced her to tender her res ignation to the postmaster general, who has been instructed by the President not to accept the resignation. The postmas- ter however, has closed up the office ana the department has therefore directed that all mail matter go to the nearest town, Greenville. The incident has fur nished material for another White House statement, which was given out tonight In 1t the statement is made that the woman's resignation was forced by brutal and lawless element purely upon the ground of her color"
 It is understood that decision has been reached not to appoint another postmaster for the town, and unless the citizens are content with Minnie Cox's administration of the affairs of the of- flee it will remain closed regardless or the business interests. It is added that the papers in the case have been refer red to the attorney general for action, which is taken to mean that If proper proof of a conspiracy to close the office can be found the parties connected will be prosecuted.
 The statement which was issued by Secretary Cortelyou at the instance of the President, after an hours conference with Postmaster General Payne Is as fol- lows:
 White House Statement.
 "The postmaster at Indianola. Miss, is Mrs. Minnie w. Cox, a colored woman. She served three years as postmaster un- der President Harrison. When President Mckinley came in she was again ap- pointed in 1897, nearly six years ago. Her character and standing in the community are endorsed by the best and most repu- table people in the town.
 Among those on her bond Is the pres- ent democratic state senator from the district together with the leading bank CT of Indianola, and an ex-state senator from the district also democrat The postmaster and her husband own from $10000 to s15,O0O worth of property in Sunhower county. The reports of 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 office; that she is at all times courteous, faithful and hon est in the discharge of her duties. The moral standing in the community Is Of the highest Her reputation is of the bast Few offices of this grade in any state are conducted better.
 sThe postmaster recently forwarded her risignation, to take effect on January l. but the report of inspectors and infor- nation received from various reputable white citizens of the town and neighbor- hood show that the resignation was forced by brutal and lawIess 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 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. On January l the bondsmen of the postmaster telegraphed that the postoffice was closed; that the postmaster claimed that her resignation was in the Presidents hands to take er- feet January l, and there had been no advice of the appointment of her success sor The telegram closed with the state- ment:
 T Prompt action by the President neces- sary for the relief of the business inter- ests, which are being injured solely by the action of the lawless element of the town; is wholly secondary to the preser- vation of law and order and the asser- tion of the fundamental principle that this government will not connive or tol- crate wrong and outrage of such fragrant character
 By direction of the President the fol- lowing was sent to the bondsmen:
 ""The postmaster's resignation has been received but not accepted. In view of the facts the postoffice at Indlanola is closed. All mail for that place will be forwarded to Greenville. The case will be referred to the attorney general"