Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-03
GOES TO GREENVILLE
MAIL INTENDED FOR THE PEo-
PIE OF INDIANOLA, MISS.
Action Of the President in the Case
Of Mrs. Cox, the Colored
Postmaster.

The administration has taken quick and
effective action to punish the people OF In
dianola, Miss, for failure to protect the
postmaster there, Minnie M. Cox, colored.
The matter was discussed at the cabinet
meeting yesterday, andiagain in the after
noon, when the President had conferences
with Postmaster General Payne and other
cabinet officials. In addition to closing the
office until the people are willing to accept
Mrs, Cox, the PRESIDENT has referred all the
papers to.Attorney General Knox, VINO VIII
attempt to begin prosecutions.
The following formal statement -fef-the
President was made .nNbiic BY .Seerftary
Corteiyou late yesterday afternoon:
THE postmaster at Indianola, Miss,
is Mrs. Minnie NJ. Cox a colored woman
She served three years as postmaster I'M
der President Harrison. When President
Mckinley came in she was again aPpolnteu'
in 1897, nearly sixiiyears ago. Her char-
acter and standing III the community are
indorsed by the best and most reputable
people in the town. Among, those on her
bond is the present democratic state sem
ator from the district, together with the
leading banker of Indianola, and an ex-
state senator from the district, also
democrat The postmaster and her hus-
band own from $4,000 to $4,000 worth OF
property in Sunf1oWer county. Inc reports
of post Office inspectors who have lnvestl-
gated the office from time to time snow
that she has given the utmost satisfaction
to all the patrons of the office, that she Is
at all time, courteous, faithful, competent
and honest in the discharge Of her duties
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.
1.-The postmaster recently forwarded her
resignation to take effect on January l.,
but the report Of inspectors and informa-
ton received from various reputable white
citizens of the town and neighborhood show
that the resignation was forced by brutal
and lawiess element purely upon the
ground of her color and was obtained UNI
der terror of threats of physical violence.
1.-The mayor of the town and the sheriff OF
the county both told the post office inspector
that If she refused to resign they could not
be answerable for her safety, although at
the same time not one word was said
against her management Of the office. On
January 1 the bondsmen of the postmaster
telegraphed that the post office was closed,
that the postmaster claimed that her resig-
nation was in the Presidents hands to take
effect January l, and that there had been
no advice of the appointment Of her sue
cessor. The telegram closed with this state
ment: Prompt action necessary for relief
Of business interests In the view Of the
President the relief OF the business inter-
ests, which are being injured solely by the
action of the lawless element OF the town,
Is wholly secondary to the 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 fragrant character.
by direction Of the President the follow
ing telegram was sent by the Postmaster
General to the bOndSmen:
1.-The postmasters resignation has been
received but not accepted. In view Of the
fact that the office at 1ndianola is closed all
mail addressed to that Office will be for
warded to Greenville."s
1.-The papers in the case have been sent
to the Attorney General for action"