Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
Spooner Justifies the Admin
istration's Attitude.
DENOUNCES BRUTALITY
SAYS THAT ONLY THE LAWLESS
ELEMENT Is TO BE BLAMED.
Mr.. Quay Allows Several Bills to Be
Passed in the Senate-House on
the Agricultural Bill.


when Mr.. Quay, in charge of the omnibus
statehood bill, moved that when the Sen
ate adjourn today 1t adjourn to meet at IL
O'Clock Monday, an hour in advance Of the
usual time He gave as his reason for this
motion the fact that the diplomatic appro-
priation bill is to be taken up Monday
Mr. Hale of the committee on apprpria-
lions objected to the motion as being OPP
posed to the real expedition of business and
the request was withdrawn by Mr.. Quay,
who said he did so in Difference to the
wishes of the appropriation committee
A bill increasing the limit of cost of the
public building at Indianapolis to the eX-
tent of 800 900 was passed.
The Senate also agreed to resolution M
PRODUCED by Mr.. Jones (Ark), instructinS
the committee on naval affairs to inquire
whether it is not practical to use other
oils than naphtha and gasoline on war YES
sells.
On Mr.. Ouay's motion the omnibus state
hood bill was then taken up, but MIR. Quay
gave way while the following bills were
passed.
Extending the time for the completion of
an Incline railway on West Mountain, at
Hot Springs, Ark; authorizing the con-
struction of a bridge across Clinch river.
Tennessee; extending the time for the con-
struction of the Akron. Sterling and North
Bailey on the retired list.
Mr.. Spooner on Indianola Post Office.
At 1:3O the statehood bill was again
called up. and Mr.. Spooner. who has been
known to be cooked and primed for several
days for a broadside on the 1ndianola post
mastership case, opened his batteries. He
announced that he did not propose to say
one word about the statehood bill, but had
another subject winch
he would address to the Senate.
Senator Spooner was in fighting trim. His
aggressive manner and serious tone warned
senators that his remarks would be of
vigorous character. The word quickly
passed around that Senator Spooner was on
deck and prepared for action, and senators
came trooping into the chamber.
Senator McLaurin of Mississippi and Sen
ator Tillman of South Carolina, each OF
whom has troubles In connection with col
ored office-holders, were In their seats and
gave close attention.
Before entering upon his Indianola speech
however. Senator Spooner paused long
enough to take pot-shot at Senator Quay.
He said it was a humillatfng attitude In
which the Senate found itself when the
public business had to be done in the
present way-meaning by grace of the SEN
ator from Pennsylvania.
Senator Quay looked up at Senator Spoon
er and seemed about to reply, when Sem
ator Mason of Illinois spoke. He suggested
that Senator Spooner was chairman OF the
committee on rules. and for six years
proposition had been pending before that
committee which would enable ma jorfty
of the Senate to do business.
Mr. Spooner replied that 1t had been pend
ing for nearly sixty years, and said that
the Senate could and would do business
without the aid OF such a rule.
1t was at this point that Senator Quay in
an undertone suggested something to Sem
ator Spooner, who nodded acquiescence and
diverted his remarks from the alleged fill
clustering tactics on the statehood bill.
Justified the Administration.
Senator Spooner said that he justified en-
tirely the attitude of the Postmaster Cen
eral and the President in regard to the In
dianola post office case. He caused to be
read the statement given out at the White
House at the time the post office was
closed. Mr.. Spooner said 1t was not con-
troverted that the people of Indianola are,
as claimed by Senator McLaurin, law
abiding. thrifty, chiyalrous and Intelligent
community. The statement from the White
House did not intimate to the contrary.
But he claimed that there was a brutal
and lawless element In that community
which was responsible for the present sit
uation. He said 1t was a rare thing to find
any community. north or south. Of 1850
people where there is not a brutal and law
less element.
Mr.. Spooner declared that the resignation
of the postmistress was forced. He had
the highest authority for the statement that
a large majority of the people Of that town
deprecated the action of the minority, and
that Senator McLaurin was aware Of the
existence of that authority.
Senator McLaurin protested that he was
not aware of the existence Of such author
ity.
Senator Spooner said several things would
clear In this situation; namely, that the
postmistress desired to serve out her term,
which would not expire until year; that
she did not desire to resign, and that she
continued to discharge her duties as an
agent of the federal government Of the
United States.
He declared that Senator fcLaurn in
furnishing evidence to exculr tie the mass
Of the people Of Indianola m a charge
which had not been made against them
showed the efforts to secure what might be
called voluntary resignation from the
postmstress The postmistress was in the
discharge of her duties. She was appointed
first by President Harrison, was out Of
Office In President Cleveland's term was
reappointed by President Mckinley and
that appointment still has one year to run.
No Complaint of Neglect.
She was confirmed by this body" said
Senator Spooner. duly commissioned, her
bonds signed by white gentlemen, chival-
rous men and just men. and during all her
years of service from the day she entered
upon the discharge of her duties there has
been no complaint OF neglect nor Of any
incivility in office such as We sometimes
find In Washington among white persons
who hold small Offices"
He said that all her patrons commended
her in the highest degree for competence
and politeness. She had as much right,
under the Constitution. as federal office
holder to hold her office without duress
as any member of the Senate had to sit In
the Senate without intimidation.
Mr.. Spooner continued to anayze the
Indianola case from the printed record and
testimony that has been accumulated. Mr..
McIaurin OF Mississippi was in his seat,
and beside him was Mr.. Carmack of Ten
nessee. The senator's from Mississippi and
Tennessee frequently exchanged remarks
the argument proceeded.
The Indianola Mass Meeting.
Mr.. Spooner referred TO the meeting Of
October OF citizens of Indianola. when a
committee was appointed to circulate petit
lions that Minnie Cox should resign
THE only request made in connection
with the resignation" said Mr.. Spooner,
reading-"Think OF it-think OF it-she was
not TO resign when she chose she was not
at liberty to resign according to her will or
to define the terms of her own resignation.
The only request made in regard to the
resignation, read Mr.. Spooner was that
Minnie Cox should have time to settle her
nttrfs and IN rel iax har han