The record-union., 1898-04-22
Charles Emery Smith Selected for the Va
cant Position.
Stated at the White House That
Gary's Resignation Had Moth
ing Whatever to Do With Our
Present Foreign Complications,
but Was Owing to the Condi-
ton Of the Postmaster-Ge1er
Health.

WASHINGTON, April 21.-The Pres
ident sent this nomination to the Sem
ate to-day:
Charles Emery Smith of Pennsylvania
to be Postmaster General, vice James
Gary, resigned.
The nomination Of Charles Emery
Smith to be Postmaster-Genera was
confirmed by the Senate in executive
session to-day without objection. The
doors had no sooner closed on the exc
cutive session than Senator Gear Of the
Postoffice Committee moved the con-
firmation of the nomination. Senator
Quay then suggested that the nomina-
ton had not gone to Congress- and Sen
ator Chandler moved to refer to the
Committee on Postoftices. There was no
objection to this course, and the nomi-
nation was Immediately reported back
and acted on forthwith, no opposition
being made. This expedition was rem
dered possible by the fact that the COM
mittee had previously been polled, all
the members voting for confirmation.
1t is stated at the White House that
PoStmasterG General Gary's resignation
has absolutely nothing whatever to do
with our present foreign complications.
1t was owing entirely, it is stated, to
the condition of Mr. Gary's health. He
is suffering from a general breaking
down of the system.
Charles Emery Smith, the new Post
master General, is editor of the Phila-
delphia Press" He has been Minister
to Russia. is an earnest, active Repub-
lican, and known to public men through
out the United States. He is at present
ir Washington, and was informed ry
telephone of his nomination. He Ie-
Ceived many congratulations this after
noon at the office of the Philadelphia
Press in this city.
Postmaster-Gene Gary was seen
as he was about to leave for the White
House to attend a Cabinet meeting,
and he said:
Yes, l have resigned, and Charles
Emery Smith will be my successor. The
ground of my retirement is my ILL
health, which has been growing worse
steadily, until / regarded it as impera-
tive that 1 should lay down the labors
of the Postoffice Department Some
time ago 1 acquainted the President
with my desire to retire, indicating to
him that l would of course await his
selection of a suitable man as my sue
cessor. He found such a one in Mr..
Smith My resignation was thereupon
renewed, taking final form last Sun
day, when / submitted to the President
my written resignation, expressing the
deep regret l felt at giving up my
work and severing agreeable connec-
tiOns and stating that my action was
impelled out of regard for my health.
The transfer of the department will be
made as soon as this can be done con-
veniently to all parties concerned. 1t
has not occurred yet, as you will see
from my going to a. Cabinet meeting
Mr.. Gary was asked if his resigna-
ton, coming at the time of the Spanish
war crisis, could in any way be ar
tributed to that He said: THAT has
not entered into the consideration in
any way whatever. 1 have at all times
supported President McKinley's policy
on the Spanish question, and / support
it now. My Cabinet relations have
been most agreeable, and there have
been no differences of policy"