The Savannah morning news., 1903-01-27
THEY WERE FORGED
WEEKS DISCLAIMS THE LETTERS
sPOONER READ IN SENATE.
He is GOING TO WASHINGTON
TO MAKE INVESTIGATIONS AND
PROVE HIS CASE.

white Republican Applying for
Hns Thrown New Light Upon the
Case Democratic Senators are
Given a Strong Theme-They Will
Criticise spoOner and the Admin
istratiOn Severely VIII Inyesti-
gate the Forgeries.
Washington, Jan. 26.-A. B. Weeks
of Indianola, Miss, two of whose let
tiers Senator Spooner read in the Sen
ate on Saturday in his defense of
President Roosevelt's Southern policy
has telegraphed Senator McI4aurin of
Mississippi that both letters were for
geries, and that he is on his way to
Washington to investigate and prove
his case.
This has thrown a new sidelight on
both the Indianola and the general
Southern situation, and has given the
Democratic minority in the Senate
what they consider new reasons for
continuing their campaign against the
Presidents attitude toward the negro
officeholders.
Senator Spooner read the two letters
from Mr.. Weeks as throwing light
upon the Indianola case and showing
determination to force the poStnis-
tress, Minnie Cox, from her office.
Both letters, said the Senator, were
written on paper bearing the letter
head Davis & Weeks" The first
letter was dated Sept. 10, 1902, and
addressed to the fourth assistant post
master general 1t said:
Dear Sir-There is a determined eff
fort of the people of this town to make
the present postmistress resign or give
up the Office in some way. They only
do this because she is colored. l do
not indorse and shall not take any
hand in it, as 1 would be powerless to
defend her against the whole town and
community.
'They will be satisfied with my ap-
pointment or any other white persons
appointment, but they do not want
colored person in the office. hope the
excitement will blow over, but if it does
not l will be glad for you to remem-
Der my application for the office. You
will do me quite favor if you will put
my application before the President as
| think he has to appoint the postmas-
ter at this place. Anything you will
do for me will be very much appreciat-
ed. / made application for appoint
nlent TO this office about four months
ago. ss. - Alb Weeks -
The other letter, alleged to come from
Weeks, is addressed to His Excellen-
cy, President Theodore Roosevelt,
Washington, d. c." and says:
Esteemed Sir.-I hope you will bear
with me, but as the time draws near
for Mrs. Minnie NJ. CoX's resignation,
to take effect as postmistress at this
place. / am anxious about the matter,
as want the office. I
know that 1 am the only
good friend your administration
has here among the white people, and
feel sure if you will investigate you
will appoint me. I think that those
who are Republicans should hold the
office, but l will frankly say that
should 1 not get the office I will still
be a good Republican and will feel
unkind towards no one. 1 hope you
will give this matter your kind con-
sideration and give me the appoint
ment Yours very obediently,
"a B. Weeks"
Senators Tillman and Carmack will
reply to Senator Spooner's speech and
criticise the Administrations position
from the Southern standpoint. Both
senators will investigate the charge of
forgery made by Weeks and will fur
thermore criticise the administration
for giving out such documents for Re-
publcans to read in the Senate. while
denying them to Democrats, The
Southern Democrats say that Senator
Spooners defense of the administration
on the floor of the Senate has given
them the opportunity which they have
been seeking, and the whole Southern
question, including the appointment of
Dr. Crum at Charleston. will receive
vigorous discussion.