Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24


ton to take effect?''
The sheriff's Duty.
He said that the sheriff of the county,
whose business under the law was to con-
serve the peace and to protect life and
property in the community and to safe
guard the rights Of the people within his
bailiwick, was present at that meeting He
was a part of that meeting. and he was
the only man to whom Minnie Cox could
look for protection in the event of trouble.
Mr.. McLaurin called attention to the pa
per from which Mr.. Spooner was reading.
the latter saying that 1t was in the state
ment Of the Secretary of the Treasury.
Mr.. McLaurin said there was nothing IN
that statement to show that the sherin was
called upon for denial OF any statement
to the effect that II Minnie Cox did not re-
sign he could not protect her.
Il have evidence" said Mr.. Spooner, that
the sheriff knew that 1t had been reported
to him that he had made this statement"
Mr.. Tillman suggested that 1t was not the
duty of sheriff to constitute himself q
bodyguard Of citizens or execute the laws
unless there were criminal acts
Mr.. Spooner said the sheriff is con-
servatOr OF law ''up north. ---5...
Senator Spooner read letter from the
sheriff Of the county describing the mass
meeting Of citizens which demanded the
resignation of the postmistress.
THE only thing we stand charged with,
IL.
ercised their right to demand the resigna-
ton OF the postmistress."
Resigned Under Duress.
49, cried Senator Spooner. I'VE have
here not only the citizens, in mass meeting
assembled. demanding the resignation, but
we have the sheriff of the county, the peace
officer of the county, present at that meet
ing and acting in unison with 1t. was II
duress, or was it not? Would the woman
have resigned of her own wil?'' 4.
She did resign OF her own Will, sug-
gested Senator McLaurin of MISSISSIPPI.
Would she have resigned of her will
but for this mass meeting?" demanded SEN
ator Spooner. Her husband brought her
resignation to that meeting and asked that
to the President. Hers was an attitude of
fear, of suppication. and her petition was
addressed to what was in her mind su-
perior power. ,-
Mr.. PRESIDENT cried Senator Spooner.
passionately, lit is as idle as the winds to
cavil upon the proposition that this was not
forced resignation. 1t is altogether eva
siye to dwell upon the polfteness of the de-
mand for the resignation. 1t was the power
behind that polite demand which constitut-
ed duress" --4
Senator Spooner said that the law recog-
nized the difference In the Interpretation
of duress. Where both powers are equal
it is one thing; where one power is stronger
not be duress In the case Of two strong
men would be duress in a gathering Of
strong men against one weak woman. If
it was not duress, what was it? She must
quit her position, not when she chose not
when the federal government 81 the Pres
ident of the United States chose, but when
that mass meeting chose.
He said that once he had been asked by
a southern senator, whom he dearly loved
and whose memory he revered, how he
would like to have his wife and daughters
receiving mail from the hands of lacivious
eyed black man.
From Any Standpoint Brutal.
THAT is one thing said Senator Spoon
er. but here was a woman of stainless
character, who had been tried not once,
but twice in her term of office. 1 have
thought 1t brutal thing for the strength
of numbers to coerce a woman as for
man to strike a woman. This case was
lawless, and from my standpoint was
brutal.
Mr. Ifllman inquired of Mr. Spooner as
to the paper from which he was reading,
and the latter said that 1t was a letter writ
ten by a member-elect from Mississippi,
and In response to further inquiry gave
the name.
Mr.. Tillman said that there was no need
for concealment, and Mr.. SpoOner respond
thing, and that he was perfectly willing to
give the name OF the writer. 4.
The Presidents Action.
Continuing his remarks. he said that the
President declined to accept the resigna-
she had resigned against her will. and I'M
der duress of threat. He called attention
to the fact that no interference with a
federal office can be tolerated from local
authorities.
Mr. Spooner, reading another letter, said
= no thar of hn n
Indtanola. Mr.. Tilman Inquirer as to the
politics of the writer.
He has always been a democrat" said
Mr.. Spooner.
democrat?" asked Mr.. Tillman. rs he a
democrat because he can get job?'
He is an honest money democrat, at
least" responded Mr.. spooner.
II hope the excitement continued Mr..
Spooner, reading from the letter from the
brother of the mayor of Indianola, F" will
blow over without anything being done, A"
AS this letter was read Mr.. Spooner looked
at Mr.. Tillman Significantly, an dthe latter
nodded his head a dozen times to indica tie
that he fully appreciated the situation.
Then. continuing to read from the letter,
Mr.. Spooner said:
But il it does not will be glad to have
you remember my application for the Of
flee"
These words, divulging the fact that the
writer was an applicant for the Office of
postmaster, called forth general laughter
throughout the Senate.
Mr.. Spooner read a letter to the President
from Mr. Weeks, a citizen Of Indianola:
''As the time draws near" wrote Mr..
Weekes, for the acceptance of Minnie
Cox's resignation, l am getting anxious
about it. as I want the Office I am the
only good friend your administration has
in Indianola.
Il honestly think the republican party is
the party for the farmer, and that as the
party is in power the republicans should
hold the offices. But will frankly say that
IL / do not get the office, l will still con-
tinue TO be a republican
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
Rev. Harold NJ. Rider of Baltimore de-
livered the invocation in the House today.
After some routine business the House