The Indianapolis journal., 1903-01-25
President Roosevelfs Course Conn
mended and Action of Missis-
sfppians Criticised.
MINNIE Coxs RESIGNATION
wRoNGFULLY FORCED At A MASS
MEETING OF CITIZENS.
woman iEtimidated Because of Her
Ceior-Letters Read-RepIy by
Senator McLaurfn.

the statehood Dill was to-day as usual,
before the Senate, but as matter of fact
the admission Of the Territories was scarce
Iy mentioned in the course of the days pro-
ceedings AS soon as the bill was laid be-
fore the Senate a number of senator's were
afforded an opportunity to call up and
secure the passage OF number of bills 20
which there was no objection. After the
passage Of number of such bills the
statehood bill was again called up, and
Mr.. spooner took the floor. He candidly
confessed his intention not to sepak on the
statehood BILL and. then discussed the Pres
ident's action In disseminating the postofice
at Indianola, Miss. and refusing to receive
the resignation OF the negro postmistress,
Mrs. Cox. He defended the President, and
was responded to by Mr.. McLaurin, of
Mississippi, who said there had been no
threats against Mrs. Cox. but who admit
ted that she was Objectionable because of
her color. The session closed with the pass
age Of a number of private pension bills.
A bill increasing the limit OF cost of the
public building at Indianapolis to the ex-
tent of 100000 was passed.
The Senate also agreed TO a resolution
introduced by MIR. Jones, of Arkansas. In
structing the committee on naval affairs
to inquire whether it is not practical to
use other oils than naphtha and gasoline
on war vessels.
BILLS PASSED.
On Mr.. Quay's motion the omnibus state
hood bill was then taken up but Mr.. Quay
gave way while the following bills were
passed: Extending the time for the COM
pietion OF an incline railway on West
mountain at Hot Springs. Ark; authorizing
the construction of a bridge across Clnch
river, Tennessee. Extending the time for
the construction of TIE Akron, Sterling &
Northern Railway in Alaska; placing Capt.
T. l.. Bailey on the retired list; conferring
jurisdiction upon the District and Circuit
courts OF South Dakota I'm criminal cases
arising within Indian reservations; relat-
ing TO town sites on ceded lands in Mime
sofa; authorizing the detail OF officers of
the army as chief and assistant chiefs of
the Philippine constabulary: providing for
the compulsory attendance of witnesses be-
fore registrars and receivers of the land
office; authorizing the construction of a
Charles by the Iowa * Missouri Railroad
Company; appropriating 100000 for appro-
pirate headstones for the graves of Con-
federate soldiers who died In Northern
prisons; placing Lieutenant Commander
Arthur r. Osborn on the retired list of the
navy as commander; providing for monu-
Nash and William Lee Davidson. of North
Caroline both revolutionary soldiers.
At 30 the statehood bill was again called
up and Mr.. Spooner took the floor. He said
he did not propose to speak to the pending
bill and began discussing the Indianola,
had no criticism to make of Mr.. McLaurin
whose remarks had been respectful and
well tempered, but that he appeared to
eral and the President. He eontended that
there was not i'm Secretary Cortelyou's an
nouncement of the Presidents attitude in
the case anything TO justify the inference
of Mr.. McIAurin and that 1t was intended
to denounce the entire population of In
dianola as iawiess and brutal. No man is
less likely than the President to enter upon
such O. wholesale condemnation of the peo-
pie of Indianola, he said"
MRS. Cox's RIGHT
Mr. Spooner said the Presidents action
had been caused by the course of the
minority in the vicinity of the postofice.
Mrs. Cox had. Mr.. Spooner declared, as
much right under the Constitution and the
laws to hold the Office without restraint
and duress as has any member Of the Sem
ate 10 hold his seat in the Senate chamber.
Detailing the proceedings at the mass
meeting at which Mrs. Cox's resignation
was requested, Mr.. Spooner said the cir
cumetanees were such to convince any
one that she was not a free agent in the
been left TO a local mass meeting to ac-
Sept the resignation of federal office
noider and nix the time within which II
on the part OF the meeting had indicated
the presence OF lawless and brutal ele-
ment depended, the senator said, on the
point OF view. He called attention to the
fact that the sheriff of the county was
among the participants in the meeting.
Re ksSspyins TO to Mr. Tiliman Mr. spoone.
OF the Deace-up North"
To this Mr. Tillman responded that he
had net observed that generally sheriffs
as bodyguards for the people.
Proceeding. Mr.. Spooner said the sherifi
mad not denied the statements credited to
him. He again referred to the sheriff :
participation I'm the mass meeting and
asked whether Mrs. Cox would have re-
sisnsd OF her own free will but for ,rf the
pressure thus brought upon her. The
woman's compliance with the request for
her resignation was attitude of fear
He appreciated the delicacy OF the situa-
ton OF the people OF the South. he said
and sympathized with them in their diff
hculties. IL must. however, be borne IN
mind that In this case the objection was
OF her sex, the senator though, went fan
toward justifying the charge that the
eonduet OF the meeting was brutal
Mr. Spooner read letter TO the post
once inspector from Congressman-elec'
Humphrey bearing upon the Indianols
case IN which he stated that "a majority
10 the course of the minority insisting
upon Mrs coxs resignation" This state
ment. he said. confirmed the charge ol
undus pressure and or lawlessness.
CLOSED BY THE PEOPLE.
Proceeding. Mr.. Spooner said the Pres
ident knew that Mrs. Cox did not wish tc
resign and he had accordingly refused t.
have the office vacated. The people them
selves. 20 all intents and purposes. hat
closed the ONCE. In pursuing the course
he old the President had acted upon
principle gital TO the strength and yirility
OF the preservation of the government
namely, that the federal government shal
be allowed 10 conduct It's own affairs with
out regard 10 local pressure The main
tenance OF this principle. Mr.. Spooner said
was essential. and he declared that tn,
President had acted upon this principle II
refusing to accept Mrs. cox's resignation.
Mr. Spooner read two letters from A b
Weeks. one OF which caused considerable,
amusement, as Weeks was candidate FOL
the ONCE, He also read a letter from j.
Davis. mayor or Indisnola. who wrot,
the inspector that he thought the best wal
out was for Mrs. Cox to resign. adding tina
he wanted no unpleasant affairs to dea
with as mayor. The mayor was "A part
uer and brother-in-law of Weeks He ais,
read a portion OF the report OF Inspector
fitzgerald. detailing an interview with tn
sheriff and mayor. The former acknowl
edged that he had been correctly reported
IN the Inspectors report concerning th'
Dostof1ce affair.
NJ Spooner, reyerting 10 the President
AUIA b. h. hi.