Omaha daily bee., 1903-01-03
Attempt to FOrce Oolored Woman Out Of
Postofhoe Meets Rebuke.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT ISSUED ON THE CASE
Incumbent is Shown to Be Of Irreproach-
able Character.
COLOR AROUSED SOUTHERN PREJUDICE
ResignatiOn Forced by Threats of viO.
Ience and such Condition Causes
Closing Of once Until Attor-
nsy General Can Act.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The feature OF
the cabinet meeting today was the decision
TO close permanently the postofice at In
dianola, Miss. from which the postmaster.
Minnie NJ. Cox, coltred, resigned under
compulsion a few days ago. since which
time the office has been closed.
The bondsmen have brought the matter
TO the attention Of the authorities here
with the view OF being relieved of the
responsibility OF the accumulated mail.
The postmaster general has had a thor
ough investigation made and has become
satisfied that the woman was obliged to
resign Under duress; in fact, that her life
was endangered.
Having represented this state OF affairs
TO the cabinet, after a long discussion, the
decision above noted was reached and 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 cabinet
other features OF the case of Mrs. Cox,
Postmaster General Payne being in confer
ence with the president for an hour or
more. It was decided finally to issue a
formal statement concerning the 1ndianola
case. Secretary Cortelyou, for the presi-
dent, made public the following:
Statement from white House.
1.-THE postmaster at Indlanola, Miss is
Mrs. Minnie w. Cox, a colored woman.
She served three years as postmaster under
President Harrison. When President Nc
Kinley came in she was again appointed, in
1897 nearly six years ago.
"Her character and standing in the COM
munity are endorsed by the best and most
reputable people in the town. Among those
knr L. he q l.
state senator from the district together
with the leading banker OF Indianola and
an ex-state senator from the district also
democrat.
THE postmaster and her husband own
from $4,000 to $4,000 worth OF property
In Sunhower county. The reports OF post
Office inspectors who have investigated the
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. competent and
honest in the discharge OF her duties Her
moral standing in the community is of the
highest Her reputation is of the best
Few ofices OF this grade in any state are
conducted better.
1.-THE postmaster recently forwa rded her
resignation to take effect on January l.
but the report of inspectors and informa.
tion received from various reputable white
citizens OF the town and neighborhood show
that the resignation was forced by a brutal
and lawless element purely upon the ground
of her color and was obtained under terror
OF threats. The mayor of the town and
the sheriff OF the county both told the
postofice inspector that II she refused tc
resign they could not be answerable for
her safety. although at the same time not
one word was said against her.
BOndsmen Ask Relief.
ION January l, the bondsmen OF the post,
master telegraphed that the postofhce was
closed; that the postmaster claimed thai
her resignation was In the presidents hands
to take effect January /. and that there
had been no advice of the appointment o
her successor.
THE telegram closed with the state,
ment: Prompt action by the president
necessary for the relief OF business inter,
ests, which are being injured solely by tn,
action Of the lawless element OF the town
is wholly secondary to the preservation o
law and order and the assertion OF tn,
fundamental principle that this governmen
will not connlve at or tolerate wrong ant
outrage OF such fragrant character
by direction of the president the fol
lowing was sent to the bondsmen:
The postmaster's resignation has beel
received, but not accepted In view Of tn
facts. the postofice at Indianola is closed
All mail for that place will be forwarde,
to Greenville. The case will be referre
to the attorney general"
Talk of Foreign Affairs.
The remainder OF the meeting was con
sumed in the discussion OF foreign affairs
chiefly the conditions in Venezuela. Secre
tary Hay presented statement shown
that no definite responses have been re
oeived from any OF the allied powers I
President Castro's last communication.
Is evident that further negotiations will b
required to bring the parties to a hnJ
agreement but Il is not doubted that thi
will succeed.
Cuba was the other subject which en-
crossed the attention OF the cabinet an
there was an anxious discussion OF th
prospects of the pending reciprocity treat!
the decision finally being reached TO pres
the treaty forward on the same lines towar
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