Evening star., 1898-04-21

saying that did not know the nomination
| was to be sent to the Senate
/ Senator Quay was asked for some in
formation about the nomination of Mr..
! Smith and said he had nothing to saw
Favorable Report Agreed On.
The Senate committee on post offices and
post roads was polled and agreed unani-
mously to report the nomination of Mr.
| Smith favorably. 1t was reported that
| Senator Quay was going to fight the con-
| hrmation, but he told several senators that
| such was not the case. The nomination
was not recommended by him and was
| wholly personal with the President
The announcement that Postmaster Gen.
| eral Gary had resigned and that Mr. Smith
| had been nominated to succeed him came
with startling suddenness to his friends in
| the House
None of the Maryland congressman knew
of Mr.. Gary's prospective resignation Rep
resentative Mclntire was just about to
| start for the Post Office Department, where
| he had an engagement with Mr. Gary.
when apprised of the. news
None of the House leaders had had any
| intimation of the change. Mr.. Dingley ex-
pressed great surprise, as did Mr.. Grosve-
! nor. The latter said: No better selec-
tioti, ho"tNST cOulu nave Deen made. MT
| Smiths appointment is glorious one"
Resignation and Acceptance.
The following is the correspondence re-
garding the resignation of Postmaster
General Gary:
WASHINGTON. d. c., April rs. 1895
| My Dear Mr.. Pre- sideEt:
At he time you rendered me the honor
| of place in your cabinet you will re-
! member | frankly stated that my health
| had not been robust, and L expressed the
| fear that it might not be equal to the de-
| mands that would be made upon it.
Recently these fears have been realized.
The duties of the department over which /
have presided have been SO constant and
arduous, admitting of no relaxation, that
| find my health is seriously affected and
| jeopardized. 1 am admonished that TO pre-
serve 1t must AZ you to relieve me from
the position.
l tender my resignation with deep re-
gret, for l have been greatly interested in
my work, and my association with your. .ad-
ministration has been most agreeable.
May L also add that L write this letter
with special reluctance because have from
first to last been in such entire accord with
your administration, especially at this most
trying time.
Your kind personal consideration will
ever remain a pleasant memory.
Very sincerely yours,
(Signed) JAS A. GARY.
To the President
Copy EXECUTIVE MANSION.
WASHINGTON, April IL 1S9S
My Dear Mr.. Gary: L cannot express the
deep regret 1 feel that you are compelled
to tender your resignation as Postmaster
General had hoped that you would be
able to remain with me until the end Of my
term.
Your resignation is accepted most reluct-
antly, but l believe that in your condition
of health 1 not justified in asking you
| to remain longer in Office. l beg to assure
you Of nay appreciation of the value of your
| services in the exacting department over
| which you have SO ably presided and in the
| councils of the cabinet.
With pleasant recollections Of our asso-
| citation, which 1 shall always carry with
me, and with best wishes for your restored
| health, / am,
Your friend.
(Signed) WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Hon. James A. Gary.
Prompt COnfrma ton Insured.
Senators Quay and Penrose say that they
will not oppose the confirmation of Mr..
| tion was made that they would. This
| declaration insures prompt confirmation.
| 1t is said that when General Gary an
| nounced to the President Sunday his deter
! mnation to resign the President conferred
with Mr.. Smith, and it was arranged that
| he should be appointed today.
Mr.. Gnry's Statement.
Postmaster General Gary was seen at the
d.
Isave for the White House to attend a cab
met meeting. He was asked as to his resig
nation, and said:
Yes, have resigned, and Charles Emory
Smith will be my successor. The ground of
my retirement Is my ill-health, which has
bean growing worse steadily until regard
ed it as imperative that 1 should lay down
| the labors of the Post Office Department.
Some time ago / acquainted the President
! with my desires TO retire, indicating to him
1 that would, of course, await his selection
| of a suitable man as my successor.
'Hs found such one in Mr.. Smith. Ny
resignation was thereupon renewed, taking
| final form, last Sunday, when l submitted
! to the President my written resignation
expressing the deep regret 1 felt at giving
| up my work and severing agreeable rela-
| tons, and stating that my action was i'm
PEELED out of regard for my health The
| transfer of the department will be made
as soon as this can be done conveniently
| to all parties concerned. 1t has not occur
| red yet, as you will see from my going to
| a cabinet meeting.'
Mr.. Gary asked If his resignation,
| Ginning at the time of the Spanish war
| crisis, could in any way be attributed to
| that. He said: THAT has not entered into
| the consideration In any way whatever.
| have at all times supported President Nc
| Kinley's policy on the Spanish question,
| and support il now. My cabinet relations
| have been most agreeable, and there have
been no differences of policy
About five years ago Mr.. Gary was taken
with a severe attack of Bright's disease OF
! the kidneys but he finally rallied, and it
vas thought he had fully recovered OF
| late, however, the old symptoms have
again returned, complicated with heart
| trouble Recently he has had a number oc
sinking spells thai have seriously alarmed
his friends. anG Upon The ii-s.s;ent advice
| OF his physician he ccHcluded to resign.
He made two short calls at the White