Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-03
THE OFFICE CLOSED.
IndianoIa, Miss, Objects to Its
Colored Postmistress.
Washington Notified That Her Life Is
in Constant Danger.
Office Promptly Closed Until People
Come to Senses.

| Washington, Jan. 1.-THE feature OF
the cabinet meeting, Friday, was the
decision to permanently close the post
office at Indianola, Miss, from which
| the postmistress, Minnie H. Cox, COL
| ored, resigned under compulSiOn a few
| days ago. since when the office has been
closed. The bondsmen brought the
matter to the attention of the author
tiles here to be relieved of the respon-
sibiity for the accumulated mail. The
postmaster general has had thorough
investigation made and has become sat-
isfied that the woman was obliged to
resign under duress-in fact that her
| life was endangered. Having explain
ed this state of affairs to the cabinet
and after a long discussion the decision
above noted was reached. The office
will not be re-opened until the people
in the district are ready to accept this
woman as their postmaster,
| During the afternoon the President
discussed with several members of the
| cabinet other features of the case of
Mrs Cox. 1t was decided finally to is
sue a formal statement concerning the
Indianola case. Secretary Cortelyou
for the President made public the fol-
lowing:
1.-The postmaster at Indianola, Miss,
is Mrs Minnie H. 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 endorsed by the
best and most reputable people in the
l,o,, Ior, &c Ia
present Democratic state senator from
the district. together with the leading
banker of Indianola and an eX-state
senator from the district, also a Demo
crat The postmaster and her husband
own from $4,000 to $4,000 worth of
property in Sunhower 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 the pa
irons of the office: that she is at all
times courteous, faithful, competent
and honest in the discharge of her du-
ties. Her moral standing in the COM
munity is of the highest Her reputa-
ton is of the best. Few officers of this
grade in any state are conducted bet
ter.
THE postmaster recently forwarded
her resignation to take effect on Jan.
1st but the report of inspectors and
information received from various rep
utable white citizens of the town and
neighborhood show that the resignation
was forced by a brutal and lawless ele-
ment purely upon the ground Of her
color and was obtained under terror of
threats of physical violence. The mayor
of the town and the sheriff of the
county both told the postoffice inspect
ors that if she refused to resign they
could not be answerable for her safety,
lathough at the same time not one word
was said against her management of
the office.
"On Jan. list. the bondsmen of the
postmaster telegra phed that the post
office was closed. that the postmaster
claimed that her resignation was in the
Presidents hands to take effect Jan.
LIST. and that there had been no advice
of the appointment of her successor.
The telegram closed with this state
lment: Prompt action necessary for re-
lief OF business interest.
In the view of the President the re-
lief of the business insterests which are
being injured solely by the actions of
the lawless elements of the town, Is
wholly secondary to the preservation of
law and order and the assertion of the
fundamental principle that this govern
ment will not connive at or tolerate
| wrong and outrage of such fragrant
lcharacter.
.'By direction of the President the fol-
flowing telegram was sent by the post
master general to the bondsmen:
The postmasters resignation has
been received but not accepted. In
view of the fact that the office at In
dianoa is closed. all mail addressed to
that office will be forwarded to Green
Iville.'
'"The papers in the case have been
sent to the attorney general for ac-
ton
| The remainder of the meeting was
consumed in the discussion of foreign
affairs. especially in Venezuela. Sec
rotary Hay presented a statement
showing that no definite responses have
been received from any of the allied
| powers to President Castro's latest
| communica ton. That is evidence that
further negotiations will be required to
bring the parties to a final agreement
but it is not doubted that this will sue
coed
/ Cuba was the other subject which
engrossed the attention of the cabinet
| There was an anxious discussion of the
| prospects of the pending Cuban reci-
procity treaty, the decision finally be-
ing reached to press the treaty forward
| ON the same lines towards ratification
/ Senator Platt Wants Reelection.
i New York, Jan 2.-The following
I statement was made. Friday. by
| United States Senator Thomas c.
| Platt:
/ II am candidate for reelection as
United States senator and l expect to
be re-electedM There is no opposition
to me on the part of Gov. Odell, Ex-
| GOV. Black or any other persons"
Capital Notes.
The cornerstone of the army war coli
lege in Ale Washington barracks reser-
! walton will be laid the 22nd inst. The
&c..