The Irish standard., 1901-12-21
LEAVES THECABINET.
Resignation of Postmaster General
Smith Accepted.
Will Take Effect Early in January
Next-Henry c. Payne, of Wis.,
cOnsin, In Selected as Hts
Successor.

Washington, Dec. 1s.-Charles EN-
DRY Smith, of Philadelphia, has ten
dered to the president his formal res
ignation as postmaster general, to
take effect early next month, and
Henry c. Payne, of Wisconsin, vice
chairman of the republican national
committee, has accepted the tender OF
the office, to which he will be nomi-
mated Immediately after the holiday
recess. Mr.. Smith has agreed to re-
main until January Is, if necessary,
but will return Immediately there
after to Philadelphia to resume the
editorship Of the Philadelphia Press.
Announced to the Cabinet.
This change in the cabinet was
formally announced at Tuesdays ses-
sion of the cabinet. All the members
of the cabinet expressed their pro-
found regret, and the president paid a
very impressive tribute to the serv-
ices and personality of the retiring
member OF his official family. He said
that he had sought to persuade Mr..
Smith to alter his determination and
to remain in the cabinet. but without
success. and he had finally accepted
Smith first announced to the presi-
dent, the latter part of last month,
that he had decided to return to his
editorial duties. The president at that
time urged him to remain. Mr.. Smith,
however, had been frequently remind
ed by his business associates of the
duties dcvolving upon him, and was
anxious to return to them. He had
several talks with President Roose-
welt on the subject, and finally on Sat-
urday afternoon last formally ten
dered % the president his letter Of res
ignation.
The New POstmaster General.
Milwaukee, Dec. 1s.-Henry C..
Payne, who succeeds Charles Emory
Smith as postmaster general, has been
citizen Of Milwaukee for many years,
and has been prominent in political cir
cles in Wisconsin for over 25 years.
For several years past he has been re-
publican national committeeman from
Wisconsin, and during the last two ma
tional campaigns he was vice chair
man of the national republican COM
mittce. Mr.. Payne was postmaster of
Milwaukee for ten years. serving in
that capacity under Presidents Grant,
Hayes and Arthur. He was one of the
receivers of the Northern Pacific rail-
road early in the nineties, when that
property was in he courts. Later Mr..
Payne became connected with various
large interests. including the old Mil
waukee & Northern Railroad COM
pany, now n part of the Chicago, Mil
waulsec g. st. Paul system, the Wiscon-
sin Telephone company and street rail-
way properties. He is now vice presi-
dent of the Milwaukee Electric Rail-
way e. Light company. Mr.. Payne has
been in the east for several days, but is
expected to reach home to-day.
MIR. Payne Talks.
Jamestown, N. V, Dec. 1s.-Henry
C. Payne has been visiting his sis.
ter, Mrs. w. S. Cameron, in this
city, for several days. To n Morning
Post reporter he said Tuesday even
ing:
"While in Washington last week as a
member of the Mckinley memorial COM
mission, President Roosevelt rendered me
the office OF postmaster general and after
some consideration accepted, previous TO
leaving the city. ! have no information to
impart beyond that contained in the dis
patches presumably given out at the white
house. following the meeting of the cab
inct. I intended to leave for my home in
Wisconsin this CTuesday) afternoon, but
owing 10 the irregularlty of the trains, my
| departure was postponed. I shall leave for
home Wednesday and beyond that there
is nothing to make public in regard to my