The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-25
DEBATE ON
 INDIANOLA SpOOner the Champion of
 Roosevelt. MR. McLAURIN REPLIES Thinks Presidents Action Ab- SOlutely Without Warrant. Foraker's Bill Providing for Head- stones for Confederates Who
 Died in Northern Prisons
 Passes the Senate.

Washington. Jan. 24,-Constructively the Statehood bill was today, as usual, be- fore the Senate, but it was scarcely mem toned during the days proceedings. A number Of Senators were afforded an opportunity to call up and secure the passage of bills to which there was no objection.
 After the passage of number of such bills. the Statehood bill was again called up, and Mir. spooner took the floor but discussed the Presidents action in dis continuing the postoffice at Indianola. Miss. and In refusing to receive the res ignation of the negro postmaster-Mrs Cox. He defended the President and was responded to by Mr. McLaurin (Miss.) who said there had been no threats against Mrs. Cox and who admitted that she was objectionable because of her oolor
 At the opening of the Senate, Mr. Quay moved that the Senate convene at Il o'clock Monday but withdrew the request and the Senate agreed to resolution in- uoduced by MT. Jones (Ark) instructing the Committee on Naval Affairs to in- quire whether it is not practical to use other oils than naptha and gasoline on war vessels.
 Foraker Bill Passes.
 Bills were passed extending the time for completing an incline railway on West Mountain at Hot Springs Ark; author izing 8 bridge across Clinch river in Ten nessee; placing Captain E. L. Bailey on the retired list; authorizing the detail of officers of the army as chiefs of the Phil ippine constabulary: appropriating $200,- 0O0 for appropriate headstones for the graves of Confederate soldiers who died in Northern prisons: placing Lieutenant Coumander Arthur P. Osborne nn the re- tired list of the navy as commander; pro- viding for monuments to the memories Lee Davidson of North Carolina, revolu- tionary soldiers.
 At 1:3O the Statehood bill was called up and MT. Spooner took the floor, but be- gan discussing the Indianola. Miss. post office case.
 MT. Spooner said he had no criticism to make of MT. McI4aurin, whose remarks had been respectful but that he appeared to justify the attitude of the Postmaster General and the President. He contend ed that there was nothing in Secretary Cortelyou's announcements of the Pres idents attitude In the case to justify the inference of MT. McLaurin that 1t was intended to denounce the entire popula- tion of Indianola as lawless and brutal.
 Condemns the Minority.
 
 dent to enter upon such wholesale con- demnation of the people of Indianola." he said.
 MT. spooner said that the Presidents action had been caused by the course of the minority in the vicinity of the post office. Mrs. Cox had, Mir. Spooner, de- clared. as much right under the consu- tution and the lawG to hold the office without restraint and duress as has any member of the Senate to hold his seat in the Senate chamber.
 Detailing the proceedings at the mass meeting at which Mrs. Cox's resignation was required, MT. Spooner said the cir cumstances were such as to convince any one that she was not a free agent in the matter. When befores% he asked. had 1t been left to a local mass meeting to accept the resignation of a Federal of UCtHOlutE anu TX IhC SAAAAC "AsAAA NAANh 1t should take effectT'
 Whether this course on the part of the meeting had indicated the presence of a lawless and brutal element depended, the Senator said, on the point of view. He called attention to the fact that the sheriff of the county was among the par ticipants in the meeting.
 Replying to MT. Tillman, Mir. Spooner said: ''Nhe sheriff is the conservator of the peace up north"
 To this MT Tillman responded that he had not observed that generally sheri1fs devote themselves. to the duty of acting as bodyguards for people.
 Proceeding Mir. Spooner said thc sheriff had not denied the statements credited to him He again referred to the sheriffs participation in the mass meeting and asked whether Mrs. Cox would have re- signed of her own free will but for the pressure thus brought upon her. The woman's cOmplianca with the request for her resignation should be asserted, an at- titude of fear.
 Sympathizes With South.
 He appreciated the delicacy of the sltua- ton of the people of the South he said, and sympathized with them in their diff ficulties. It must however, be borne fin mind that in this case the. objection was to a woman of good chaarcter. The fact of her sex, the Senator thought, went far toward justifying the charge that the conduct of the meeting was brutal.
 Mr. spooner read letter to the Post office Inspector from ConRressman-elect bearing upon the Indianola case, in which he stated that "a major ty of the people of Indianola are oppos- cd to the course of the minority insisting upon Mrs. Cox's resignation" This state ment. he said. confirmed the charge of undue pressure and of lawlessness
 Proceeding. Mir. Spooner said the Presi- dent knew that Mrs. Cox did not wish to resign and he had accordingly refused to have the office vacated. The people to all intents and purposes, had closed the offlce. Tn pursuing the course he did. the President had acted upon a principle vital to the strength and virility of the preservation of the government, namely. that the federal government shall be allowed to conduct It's own affairs without regard to local The maintenance of this prin-