The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-13
From the Alaha milan

FROM the AiaDamlan.
IT HE trouble at Indianola, Miss,
W over the postoffice being held by
5eaA a negro woman and the appoint
ment of w. D. Crum, a negro, as sur
veyor of customs of Charleston, S. c.,
as well as the possible nomination of the
negro Wick as postmaster of Wilson. N.
G.. brings the south squarely face to face
with the Presidents alleged southern
policy. The issue has not been so clearly
defined since 1870 In the case of Mrs.
Cox the postmaster of Indianola, it was
alleged in a dispatch to the postal au-
thorities at Washington that she rendered
her resignation on account of intimida-
ton and possible danger to herself,
whereupon the President ordered the
postoffice at that place closed It is
stated that the i'll threats against the
woman were purely on the ground of her
being negress. The appointment was
made on the ground that she was duly
qualified to fill the position and a demo-
cratic state senator went on her bond.
1t is on these grounds that the admins
tration, so the President signifies, makes
appointments in the United States, the
applicants color being no detriment.
From the point of view the south takes,
the President has a distinct southern
policy and appointments are made on the
ground that the applicant is negro, and
is made also to heap humiliation on the
south. The issue is clearly defined Pres
ident Roosevelt Is not the kind that backs
down, and the south seems determined
that the negro shall neither vote nor
hold office. The President cannot go be-
hind the states constitution until de-
clared unconstitutional but he can make
appointments. 1t Is a good time for the
conservative element to keep cool and
assert itself. We make no Roadway by
rash deeds and threats of violence. Fiery
speeches in congress and boasts of kill
ing niggers do not help our cause. If
wise councils are needed whatever is best
for the south will prevail.
From the Selma Times.
The extremists of the north are taking
advantage of the Indianola incident to
make it appear that there is great antag-
onism between the two races in the south.
There is nothing of the kind. 1t is true
lstipathy to negroes holding office where
they come in contact with the whites.
Sensible negroes recognize this and if
they would act as Minnie Cox has done,
decline to hold position that they know
Is distasteful to the whites, little Incl
dents like the Indianola affair would not
spring up to give the northern fire-eaters
chance to malign the south This people
claim the right to govern themselves, and
they are going to do it in spite of the
waving of the bloody shirt
From the Huntsville Mercury.
1t looks very much like President
Roosevelt is trying to humiliate the peo-
pie of Mississippi by forcing them to
accept negro postmaster at Indianola.
He very likely has a double purpose. He
can make friends with negroes by giving
them a few cheap postoff1ces, and by such
means he can have their solid support
| two years hence for the Presidential nom
nation. 1t is unfortunate for all parties
| concerned that the successor to Minnie
| Cox was not named without further adj
vice. 1t would have saved the people
of much annoyance and would have left
| the present administration in. a much
more favorable light with the people.
| From the Bessemer Workman.
| We have been unable to see that any
| great crime has been committed by the
people asking the postmaster to resign.
There is no law on he'statute books that
|