The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-01-08
COLOR CAUSES KICK
Negro Woman Postmaster inI
Mississippi Casus Belli.
ORDER ISSUED CLOSING OFFICE
Affair Is Aired in Cabinet Meetln9t
and, Backed Up by President
Roosevelt, Formal State. 81
ment Is Issued. ~

| S~'>~S ~F ~ '.
Roosevelt, Formal State. 81
ment Is Issued. "a
A Washington special says: Presi1
dent Roosevelt has ordered that the
postof1ce at Indianola. Miss, be elos-i
ed until the people Of that town acquits
esce in the presence of a negro wo-
man as official representative Of the
United States government in the cold
lection and distribution Of the mails. (
For two hours and more Friday the
cabinet discusses the 1ndianola post.
Office and the pshot Of the discus,
sion came late in the afternoon in the
shape of an official statement from the
white house giving reasons why the
business interests Of the town must be-
subordinated to the administration
desire to continue the woman in Office.
Minnie M Cox was first named an
postmistress by President Harrison.
under whom she served three years.
She was reappointed in 1897 by Presi-
dent Mckinley. Investigations made
by postofice inspectors developed, so
it is claimed, that she was forced to re-9
sign. The plea Of the business mem
at Indianola that her resignation be-
accepted and somebody else appointed
in order that they may get their mails
has been turned down, and they must
accept the edict or have no postoface.
In the meantime they are Informed
that the Indianola mails will go to
Greenville, some miles away. POST
master Payne laid the matter before
the cabinet. 1t brought up the whole
southern question.
1t was decided finally to issue for.
NAL statement concerning the indiana
ola case. Secretary Cortelyou, for
the president, made public the follows
ing:
'The postmaster at Indianola, Miss,
Is Minnie M Cox, colored woman.
She served three years as postmastec
under President Harrison. When
President Mckinley cle in she was
again appointed, in 1897, nearly siz
years ago. Her character and stand.
ing in the community are indorsed BY
the best and most reputable people in
the town. Among those on her bond
is the present democratic state sena-
tor from the district, together with the
leading banker at Indianola, and an ex-
state senator from the district, also q
democrat The postmaster and her
husband own from $4,000 to $4,000
worth Of property in Sunfower eoun-
ty. The reports of the postoface In
spectors who have investigated tAe
Office from time to time show that she
has given the utmost satisfaction to all
the patrons Of the Office; that she Is at
all times courteous, faithful, ,compe-
tent and honest in the discharge pf
her duties. Her moral standing in the
community Is Of the highest. Her rep !.
utation Is Of the best. Few Offices ot
this grade in any state are conducted
better.
Allegation Of Threats.
"The postmaster recently forwarded
her resignation to take effect on Jan.
uary !, but the report Of inspectors
and information received from various
reputable white citizens Of the town
and neighborhood show that the re-.
signation was forced by brutal and
lawless element, purely upon the
ground of her color, and was obtained
under terror Of threats Of physical vio-
lence. The. mayor Of the town and
the sheriff Of the county both told the
postofice inspector that II 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 JAM
uary the bondsmen telegraphed that
the postof1ce was closed; ha.S-the J
postmaster claimed that her resigna.
ton was in the presidents hands to
take effect January 1, and that there
had been no advice Of the appointment
of her SUCCESSOR"
by direction Of the president the !,
following telegram was sent by the
postmaster general to the bondsmen:
""The postmaster's resignation has
been received, but not accepted. In
view Of the fact, that the Office at In-
dianola Is closed all mail addressed to
that Office will be forwarded to Green );
ville.'
''The papers In the case have been
sent to the attorney general for acs :