The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-11-17

Postmaster General Smith. it vas au-
thentieaiIy stated today win be the first
member Of President MeKinley's Cabinet
70 retire According to the report he viii
resign from the Cabinet before the Christ
mas holidays and be succeeded by First As
sistant Postmaster General W a John
SOB, OF New Jersey It was learned, fur
theTmore, that MT. johnson, who vas
strongly recommended for his present pc
sitiou by PostuasteT General SmisH. gss
only Induced 70 accept the minor - l57g b
the promise OF sems1Eing befter TIE
First Assistant PostuasEer GzneTs5 S said
% be a 7eTy rich man who can essg -
ford e add tQ rs seeialas ssssasdge q the -s1z
IlifizIsation.
Postmaster General Smith. i f. assert
ed, made a personal sacrifice EheR he
consented to accept the Postoaiee port
folio and has been anxious for some
months 10 resume MS newspaper worn.
It is also said the philadelphia Press
has suffered during the period that Gr.
Smith has been unable to give his person
al attention TO the property Another
straw that adds 10 the confirmation OF the
report OF the Postmaster Generals early
retirement is the fact that the greater part
OF his annual report is completed, for the
main figures Of the report-that Is, the
estimate OF appropriations-hay already
been published Officials Of the Postofice
Department profess profound ignorance on
the subject
The President is now spending all 0f his
available time in the preparation of his
message to Congress. He has eor7menc-
ed the draft Of It, and except for Tevis-
/ ions it viii be complete by the end Of next
week In consequence of the work IL
voIyed upon It, Mr. Mckinley has been
unable to see any visitors save those
coming on the most important business
The President had long talk today
with Senator Cullcm Of Illinois and Comp
troiler Charles Dawes, who comes from
the same State. Mr. Dawes is already
planning his campaign to enter the Sen
ate two years hence in succession to Sen
ator Mason No man in Washington Is
more closely in touch with the President
than Mr. Dawes and when in town he is
almost daily a caller at the White House.
No doubt, 1t is said, is felt by Mr. Dawes
that he viii receive the entire support CT
the Administration in his race for the
Senate two years hence.
The President today signed the parcels
post agreement with Venezuela, hitherto
approved by the Venezuelan Government.
Through this treaty the retail trade be-
tween this country and Venezuela VIII be
greatly increased. These trade transac-
tioIIs can now be carried out in two weeks.
Venezuela has parcels post arrangement
with France and the retail orders from
Venezuela have hitherto gone 20 French
firms. As il takes Ave weeks to complete
these transactions, the advantage in ia
yer OF the United States is 50 great that
this trade must necessarily come 20 this
country.
Senator Harris Of Kansas is firmly op-
posed to any attempt at cutting down
Southern representation. The Senator. who
has arrived in Washington 10 attend the
coming session of Congress. paid his
respects 10 the President this morning He
said afterward:
majority in Congress this year viii not
make any attempt al reducing the quota OF
representation from tn. Southern States
that have passed legislation aimed at the
coiored vote
This would be a most unfortunate tiHIs
/ for such q disastrous venture II could
/ only END in raising the most violent sec
tionaI spirit and the Democratic minor
/ ity would fight such a proposal 10 the
! last ditch. 1 do not undertake 20 say
/ that the minority would check all legis-
/ laticn. but certainly 1t would succeed IN
! embarrassing the Republican maj ri 10
I q very great degree
"On the other hand, IL this attempt at
{ cutting down the representation Of the
gress stands ready TO give its patriotic
| assistance IL furthering legislation. The
/ minority IS not disposed 10 make any
! factious fight
I'VE face grave questions that must be
/ solved and they ought to be acted Upon
/ with all The wisdom and foresight that
/ the nation can summon II would be folly
for the Republicans 70 prevent harTnoni-
Gus action on these subjects by angering
the minority through the passage OF a e
! apportionment bill which would decrease
representation from the Southern States
do not believe the Republicans viii Try
such a thing They want harmony IN this
Congress
Senator Harris, who is a prominent
| member OF the Nicaragua Canal Commit
tee. expressed the belief that the Canal
bill will be passed at this session
| There IS much opposition in the West
TO the Ship Subsidy bill, he said. II the
shipyards are SO prosperous as We are led
to believe there is no need fer them 70
receive subsidies In any event the farmers
CT the West object to being taxed for the
support Of the shipping interests.
| Francis LOOMS, the American Minister
To Venezuela, Who is in Washington. viii
leave for Caracas early next week He
called at the White House this morning.
iIt is understood that MT. LOOMS will re-
main at his post for the coming four years.
Thu President has decided, so il is said,
that wherever possible he VIII continue the
| American Diplomatic Corps as it is now
formed.
! The President has been invited TO at
tend the banquet of the Chamber OF Com
/ merce at New York on Tuesday, but is un-
/ able to accept He viii be present on No
| vember q at the Founders Day dinner OF
the Vnion League Club of Philadelphia.