Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-10


ysst"rdav was the decision to close per-
manently the post-office at Indianola,
Miss, from which the postmistress.
Minnie NJ. Cox, colored, resigned under
compulsion few days ago, since which
time the Office has been closed. The
bondsmen have brought the matter TO
the attention of the authorities here,
with view to being relieved of the re-
sponsibility of the accumulated mail
The postmaster General has had q
thorough investigation made and has
become satisfied that the woman was
obliged to resign under duress-in fact,
that her life was endangered. Having
represented this state of affairs to the
Cabinet, after long discussion, the de-
clsion above noted was reached and the
office will not be reopened until the
people in the district are ready to ac-
cept this woman as their postmaster
During the afternoon the President
discussed with several members of the
Cabinet other features of the ca % of
Mrs. Cox, Postmaster-General Payne
being in conference with the President
Tor an hour or more. 1t was decided,
finally, to issue a formal statement
concerning the Indianola case. Secre-
tary Cortelyou. for the President made
public the following:
FAITHFUL SERVICE,
1.-THE postmaster at Indiauola, Miss,
is Mrs. Minnie M. Cox, a 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 indorsed by the
best and most reputable people in the
town. Among those on her bond is the
present Democratic State senator from
the district, together with the leading
banker CT lndianola, and an ex-State
senator from the district. also a
Democrat. The postmaster and her hus
band own from SO. 900 To Sis, 600 worth
os property in Sunfiower County. The
reports of post office inspectors who have
investigated the Office from time TO time
show that she has given the utmost sat
lsfactlon to all the patrons of the office;
that she is at all times courteous, faith
full, competent, and honest In the dis
charge OF her duties. Her moral stand
ing in the community is of the highest.
Her reputation is of the best Few Of
fees of thi- grade in any state are con-
Quoted better.
"The postmaster recently forwarded
her resignation TO take effect January
1st, but the report of inspectors and in
formation received from various reputa-
bic white citizens of the town and
neighborhood show that the resignation
was forced by a brutal and lawlsss ele-
menJ purely upon the grounds of her
color, and was obtained under terror of
hrs Nf fy@l,x IL
HER LIFE IN DANGER.
"rhe mayor of the town and the
sheriff of the county both told the post
Office inspector that if she refused to re-
sign they could not be answerable for
her safety, although at the same time
not one word was said against her man
agement of the office.
"On January 1, the bondsmen of the
postmaster telegraphed that the post
office was closed, that the postmaster
claimed that her resignation was in the
Presidents hands to take effect January
], and that there lad been no advice of
the appointment of her successor. The
telegram closed with this statement;
prompt action necessary for relief of
business interests In the view of the
President the relief of the business in
OOAVSSSf WAllOn SIS Softly
by the action of the lawless element of
the town. is wholly secondary to She
preservation of law and order and the
assertion of the fundamental principle
that this government will not connive at
or tolerate wrong and outrage of such
f1agrant character.
by direction of the President the
following telegram was sent by the post
master General to the bondsmen;
The postmaster's resignation has been
received, but not accepted. In view of
the fact that the office at Indianola is
closed, all mail addressed to that Office
will be forwarded TO Greenville.
1.-The papers ih the case have been
sent to the Attorney General for action"
L.. ko1tr - 4, Do1