The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
DEATH OF ]. P. SMITH
DIRECTOR OF THE BUREAU of
AMERICAN REPUBLICS,
Ohio Newspaper Man and Personal
Temporary Successor Appointed.

MIAMI Fla, Feb. 5.-Joseph P. Smith,
director of the Bureau of American Repub-
lies died here at 4:4O O'Clock this morning
after a prolonged illness caused by over
work. He came to Miami early in the sea-
son in order TO recupeTate his failing health
on the shore of Bay Biscayne. For a time
his condition was so much improved as to
give his friends no cause for anxiety, but
later he suffered severe relapse. Dr. Mos
grove OF Ohio, came to attend him. Until q
lew hours ago 1t was reasonably hoped that
he would recover The Body will be taken
to Urbana, o., tomorrow morning.
Joseph p Smith was a printer and editor
by occupation. When youth he set type
and later published several newspapers. He
was at Greencastle, Ind, for a time, but
was best known in Ohio, where he lived
most of his life. After McKinleys defeat
as a member of Congress from the Canton,
o., district by reason of gerrymander, he
Immediately put the Presidents. name at
the heads of columns of his paper for the
Republican nomination for Governor. Later
he came into national prominence as one of
the men who organized the Mckinley cam
paign for President. He was a practical
politician of shrewdness and ability and en-
joyed President McKinley's confidence to
remarkable degree. While he was Governor
Mr. Mckinley conferred upon Smith the APP
pOintment of state librarian. AS the Presi-
dents personal political representative dur
ing the campaign of 1896. he is said to have
visited every State in the Union and ar
ranged the deals with politicians.
Mark Hanna quarreled with Smith and
drove him out Of the Republican headquar-
tiers. Major Mckinley then took Smith UNI
der his roof at Canton. Foraker had an
aversion for Smith, and announced that he
should not he confirmed for any office The
President appointed Smith chief of the Bu-
reau of American Republics which office
did not require the Senate's confirmation.
Foraker and Hanna were unrelenting, and
declared they would cut off the appropria-
ton and 'stalve Smith out" When the app
preparation came up in the Senate, not long
ago, there was no opposition. and several
bitter speeches directed at Smith We're UNI
delivered. Word had come to the Senate
that Smith was dying. While Mr.. Smith
was state librarian of Ohio he served Mr..
Mckinley as a sort of encyclopedia for facts
when speeches were needed and research,
into books was necessary. 1t is said that no
one in Washington stood closer to the Pres
ident than Mr.. Smith, and there was by
word among office seekers that thef first
essential thing to do in applying for an Of
fee was to see Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Smith leaves a widow and seven
children, having been married in Galveston,
Tex, in 1884, to Miss Hutches.
Mr.. Frederic Emory, chief of the Bureau
of Foreign Commerce, Department of State,
has been temporarily designated by the
secretary of state as acting director of the
Bureau of the American Republics, and
took charge OF the bureau yesterday. In
speaking of Mr.. Smiths death Mr.. Emory
said at Washington last night; Soon after
the appointment of Mr.. Smith, in March
last, l was brought into personal and Of
fetal relations with him, and / may say
that have never met man who impressed
himself more strongly upon me in short
space of time. He had traits of character
so lovable that / can readily understand
why he should have such host of warm
and steadfast friends. He addressed him
self Immediately to the discharge of his
duties as director of the Bureau of the
American Republics with an energy which,
1 am satisfied had much to do with break
ing him down. He had not been a well man
since the middle of August last, and most
of the time had been in a feeble or danger
Ously critical condition; nevertheless, he
went on with his work UP to within few
hours of the fatal attack, about a week
ago. Although he was able to direct the
affairs of the bureau on the spot for but
little more than four months, he succeeded
in giving it a greater usefulness than 1t had
ever had before. and as he described his
plans to me he contemplated line of action
which would have greatly broadened it's
dignity and scope. He was, in fact, a
vitalizing force, and his death undoubtedly
removes a strong personality from public
affairs