The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-08-23

washington, ~. ", August SS.-FOr
SOME time rumors have appeared in print
on the probability of the early resigna-
ton Of Secretary Hoke Smith There
can now be no doubt but that he has re-
signed, and that his resignation has been
accepted. For some days past shipments
have been made to Atlanta of his books
and papers, and as it is learned that he
hasdeclined to set any department bust
ness to be heard by him for date later
than this month, it can safely be assumed
that q successor will be in charge. A very
short while after the nomination of
Bryan and Sewall it became known that
Secretary Smith was the only member of
the cabinet who announced the purpose to
support the ticket, and that this action
on his part, while not in any way affect
ing the personal relations between him
self and the other members of the Cabi-
net, seemed so material to him that he felt
constrained to tender his resignation
The. Secretary declines to discuss the
subject in any way.
Ever since the rumors of the probable
resignation of Secretary Smith there has
been more or less gossip concerning his
probable successor, and at the Interior
department the name of J. NJ. Reynolds,
the second assistant Secretary of the De-
partment, has been mentioned frequently
for the place. Mr.. Reynolds has made
anexcellent executive officer. He has had
charge of thesdifficult work of review of
pension bureau, and given general salts
faction. he is native of Pennsylvania
The new Cabinet officer will have only
little more than six months to serve,
and 1t is regarded as probable that Mr..
Cleveland would prefer to fill from the
Department rather than fill the place by
appointing some one who would be new
to the work, which involves acquaintance
with great variety of matters affecting
directly the public welfare.
The Star this evening says Secretary
Smith will propably retire either just be-
fore or Immediately after the indianapolis
gold Democratic convention. Those who
are familiar with the relations which
exist between Mr.. Cleveland and his
cabinet say that there never has at any
time been the least friction between Sec
rotary Smith and the President or be-
tween any members of the Cabinet and
thatt personal relations between the
President and Mr.. Smith are still most
cordial. Mr.. Smith has enjoyed the re-
spect and confidence of Mr. Cleveland at
all times 1t is known to all the Cabinet
and such persons as are in the Presi-
dents confidence in this matter, that it
Is with sincere regret that he sees Mr..
smith separate officially from the admin
lstratlon but the Secretary's sense of the
fitness of things would not admit of his
remaining i'll the cabinet after he found
himself not in political accord with the
President and the other members of the
Cabinet, and that he could not Weld his
opinions on account of his position or his
personal friendship for the President
Atlanta, Ga, August 22.-The rumor-
ed resignation of Secretary Hoke Smith
occasioned no surprise. 1t has been I'M
derstood among the Secretary's friends
even since he came out for the Chicago
ticket that he would sooner or later retire
from the Cabinet 1t is understood that
Immediately after his withdrawal he will
return to Atlanta and resume the prac-
tice of his profession. The law office has
been closed since his departure for Wash
lngton, his partner, Judge John II. Pen
dleton, remaining in charge The sign,
Hoke Smith," has remained on the
door, and the Secretary's desk has been
KEEP waiting his return. 1t is we'll know
that when Mr.. Smith entered the Cabi-
net he left practice which paid him
several times the salary of a Cabinet
officer, and he will return to enter upon
one which will be much more profitable
i'll. The Secretary owns a handsome
home on West Peachtree street, which
the tenant holds, to be vacated on de-
mand. His law office and home. there
fore, being ready for occupancy, Secretary
Smlth return to Atlanta need not be
delayed long after his resignation takes
place.