The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1903-01-03
CABINET STANDS
BY A NEGRESS
Decides That Community Must
Accept CoIored Postmistress.
OFFICE DECLARED CLOSED
THREATS DECLARED TO HAVE
FORCED A RESIGNATION.

Washington, Jan 1.-The feature OF
the cabinet meeting today was the de-
cision to close indefinitely the post
Office at Indianola, Miss, from which
the postmistress, Minnie w. Cox. col
ored. resigned under compulsion few
days ago, since which time the Office
has been closed.
The Office viii not be reopened until
the people in the district are ready to
accept this woman as their postmis-
treSs
It was decided finally to issue a
formal statement concerning the In
dianola case.
Secretary Cortelyou, for the presi-
dent. made public the following:
The postmaster at IndianoIa, Miss,
is Mrs. Minnie w. 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 en-
dorsed by the best and most reputable
people in the town.
Has Considerable Property.
Among those on her bond is the
present Democratic state senator from
the district, together with the leading
banker of Indianola. and an ex-state
senator from the district. also a Dem
ocrat. The postmaster and her hus-
band own from $4,000 to $4,000 worth
of property in Sunflower county. The
reports of pOstoffice inspectors who
have investigated the Office from time
TO time show that she has given the
utmost satisfaction to all patrons of
the Office. She at all times was cour-
teous, faithful. competent and honest
In the discharge of her duty; her moral
standing in the community is of the
highest; her reputation is of the best;
few offices OF this grade in any state |
are conducted better
The postmaster recently forwarded |
her resignation, to take effect on Jan. |
l but the report of inspectors and in |
formation received from various repu- |
table white citizens of the neighbour /
hood show that the resignation was /
forced by brutal and lawless ele-
ment, partly 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 postoffiee inspector that if she re-
fused to resign they could not be an
swerable for her safety. but at the
same time not word was said against
her.
Protest by Bondsmen.
I'll jail the DOHuSlnen 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
Jan. 1, and that there had been no
advice of the appointment of her sue
cessor- The telegram closed with the
statement: Prompt action necessary
by the president for the protection of
business interests, which are being in
Jured solely by the action of the law
less element of the town, is wholly sec
Ondary TO the preservation of law and
order and the assertion Of the funda-
mental principle that this government
VIII not connive with or tolerate wrong ! !
and outrage of such fragrant charac- !
ter
BY direction of the president the
following was sent to the bondsmen:
The postmaster's resignation has
been received but not accepted. In
view of the facts. the postoffice at In
iianola is closed. All mail for that
llace viii be forwarded to Greenviue.
rhe case will be referred to the at
Orney general -