Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-03

WASHINGTON. D. c., January L.
The feature of the cabinet meeting to-day
was the decision to close the postoffice
at Inidianola, Miss, from which Mrs. Cox,
the postmaster colored. resigned under
compulsion a few days ago, since which
time the postoffice has been closed.
The bondsrnen have brought the matter
to the attention of the authorities here.
viii a view to being relieved of the re-
sponsibility Of the accumulated mail.
The postmaster-g general has had a thor
ough investigation made, and has become
resign under duress-in fact, that her
life was endangered. Having represent
ed this state of affairs to the cabinet, af-
ter a long discussion, the decision above
noted was reached, 1.ld the Office will
not be reopened until the people in the
district are ready to accept this woman
as their postmaster.
During the afternoon the President dis
cussed with several members of the cab
met the case of Mrs. Cox, Postma ster-
General Payne being in conference with
the President for an hour or more. 1t
was decided finally to issue a formal
statement concerning the Indianola case,
Secretary Cortelyou, for the President,
made public the following:
The wemnn,s Record.
"The postmaster at Indianola, Miss. Is
Minnie NJ. Cox, a. colored woman. She
served three years as postmaster under
President Harrison. When President
Mckinley came in, she was again appoint
ed, in 1897, nearly six years ago. Her
character and standing in the community
are endorsed by the best and most repu-
table people in the town. 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 Democrat. The postmaster and her hus-
band own from $4,000 to $4,000 worth Of
property in Sunhower county. The re-
ports of postoffice inspectors from time to
time show that she has given the utmost
satisfaction to all the patrons Of the
postoffice; that she was at all times faith
full. competent ard honest in the dis
charge of her duties. Her moral standing
In the community is of the highest; her
reputation is OF the best Few postofices
of this grade in the State are conducted
better.
Resignation Forced.
"The postmaster recently forwarded her
resignation, to take effect on January LIST,
but the report OF inspectors and informa-
ton received from various reputable white
citizens of the town and the neghborhood.
show that the resignation was forced by
brutal and laWless element, purely upon
the grounds of her color, and was obtain
ed under terror Of threats of physical
violence The mayor Of the town and the
Sheriff Of the county both told the post
Office inspector that If she refused to re-
sign they would not be answ erable for
her safety. although at the same time not
one word was said against her manage
ment Of the Office. On January 1st, the
bondsmen of the postmaster telegraphed
that the postoffice was closed, that the
postmaster claimed that her resigna-
ton was in the Presidents hands. to take
effect January 1st, and that there mad
been no advice Of the appointment of her
successor, The telegram closed with this
statement: Prompt action necessary Tor
relief of business interests
Wrong Must Be Resented.
..In the view of the President, the re-
lief of the business interests. 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 fundamen-
tai principle that this government VIII not
connive or tolerate wrong and outrage
of such fragrant character
"By direction OF the President. the fol-
lowing telegram was sent by the post
master-general to the bondsmen: The
postma aster's resignation has been re-
ceived, but not accepted. In view or tne
fact that the Office at Indianola is closed.
all mail addressed to that Office will be
forwarded to Greenville.
.aThe papers in the case have been sent
to the attorney general for action.
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