The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-18
CABINET MEMBER RESIGNS
POSTMASTER GENERAL SMITH TO
 GIVE UP HIS OFFICE.
Formal Resig nation Rendered the Pres fdent-Henry c. Payne, Vice Chairman of the National Republican Commit tee, VIII Succeed Him-Mr. Smith to Resume His Editorial Duties in Phila- delphia.

Washington, Dec. 17.-Charles Emory Smith, of Philadelphia has rendered tc the president his formal resignation as postmaster general, to take effect early next month, and Henry c. Payne, of Wisconsin, vice chairman of the Repub- lican National committee, has accepted the tender of the office, to which he will be nominated immediately after the holiday recess. MT. Smith has agreed to remain until January 15, if necessary, but will return immediately thereafter to Philadelphia to resume the editorship of the Philadelphia Press.
 This change in the cabinet was for mally announced at to-day's session of the cabinet. All of the members of the cabinet expressed their profound regret and the president paid a very impress sive tribute to the services and person. ality of the retiring member of his off, cial family. He said that he had sought to persuade MT. Smith to alter his de- termination and to remain in the cabi- net, but without success, and he had finally accepted MT. Smiths reasons as decisive.
 MT. Smith first announced to the president, the latter part of last month, that he had decided to return to his ed itorial duties. The president at that time urged him to remain. MT. Smith, however, had been frequently reminded by his business associates of the edito- rial duties devolving upon him and was anxious to return to them. He had several talks with President Roosevelt I,. Go afternoon last formally rendered to the president the following letter of resig- nation:
 Washington, Dec. IA, 1901.
 ''Mr Dear Mr. President-Folowin my verbal communication of some time ago, I beg to tender my resignation to the office of postmaster general, to take effect, at your early convenience, on the appointment and qualification of my successor.
 This step is taken in fulfillment of a plan, long since formed, for purely per sonal reasons, the execution of which has been delayed until it could be car 1ied out without embarrassing your de- clared policy and until the department measures in which I am deeply inter- ested could be satisfactorily advanced
 
 and assured.
 ''In laying down the trust committed to my hands I want to thank you most sincerely for the confidence you have reposed in me and for the great pleas ure I have found in an association which has deepened my esteem for you personally and my admiration for the spirit and aims of your administra- tion.
 With my best wishes that you may havae athe largest measure of success, I remain. faithfully yours,
 (Sisned) Charles Emory Smith.
 ''To the President"
 MT. Smith delayed the formal tender until the president had chosen his suc- cessor MT. Payne is now at his home in Wisconsin. His name will go into the senate for confirmation the first week of January. He is expected to be ready to take charge of the office by the middle of next month at the latest.
 It is stated that no other changes in the cabinet are at present contemplat- ed MT. Smith has been postmaster general since April 21, 1898, succeeding James A. Gary, of Maryland, virtually at the outset of the Spanish war. MT. Gary had been one of President Me- Kinley's original cabinet appofntees, but felt himself physically unable to | bear the strain of cabinet duties during | the war.
 All of the assistant postmaster gen. erals were summoned by MT. Smith late this afternoon and his announcement of the change was a distinct surprise to them He gave assurance that his ac- tion. meant no changes among his as- sistants.