The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-18

| NaSHinbton, Ice. iof-tHarles Emory
Smith OF Philadelphia has rendered to
the president his formal resignation as
postmaster general, TO take effect early
next month. and Henry G. Payne of Wis
| consin. vice chairman OF the Republican
national committee has accepted the ten
der Of the office, TO which he will be
nominated Immediately after holiday re-
cess Mr.. Smith has agreed 90 remain un-
| I'll Jan. 10. IL necessary. but will return
| Immediately thereafter TO Philadelphia TO
resume the editorship of the Philadelphia
| Press
This change I'm the cabinet was formal
ly announced at yesterdays session of
the cabinet All OF the members Of the
cabinet expressed their profound regret
and the president paid a very impressive
tribute TO the services and personality OF
the retiring member OF the official fam
ily. He said that he had sought TO per-
suade Mr.. Smith 10 alter his determine
tlon and TO remain in the cabinet. but
without success. and he had finally ac-
cepted Mr. smiths reasons as decisive.
HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION
Mr. Smith announced TO the president
the latter part or last month. that he
had decided "a return 10 his editorial
duties. The president at that time urged
him "a remain MIR. Smith. however. had
been frequently reminded by his business
associates Of the editorial duties devolv-
Ing upon him and was anxious 10 return
to them.
MIR. Smith has been Postmaster general
Sin Anr t.pS IA
Gary OF Maryland, virtually st the out
set or the Spanish war. MIR. Gary had
been one OF President McKinley's original
cabinet appolntees. but felt himself physi-
cally unable TO bear the strain of cabinet
duties during the war
lie had several talks with President
Roosevelt on the subject and finally on
Saturday afternoon last formally tender
cd TO the president the following letter OF
resignation:
washington, Dec IL, 1901.
MY Dear MIR. MISUNDERSTANDING my
verbal communication OF some time ago,
| beg 10 tender my resignation OF the Of
fee OF postmaster general, TO take effect
al your early convenience on the appoint
ment and qualification OF my successor.
This step Is taken In fulilment OF a
plan long since formed for purely per-
sonal reasons tho execution OF which has
been delayed until IL could be carried out
without embarra ssing your declared pol
ICY and until the department. measures
In which am deeply interested, could be
satisfactorily advanced and assured,
In laying down the trust committed
90 my hands ] want 20 thank YOU most
sincerely for the confidence you have re-
posed I'm me and for the great pleasure
have found I'm an association which has
deepened my esteem for you personally
and my admiration for the spirit and
aims OF your administration.
with my best wishes that YOU may
have the largest measure of success, re-
main
Faithfully yours.
(Signedl CHARLES EMORY SMITH"
To the President.
Mr.. Smith DELAYED the formal tender un-
til the president had chosen his successor. |
MIR. Payne is now at his home IN Wiscon-
sin. His name will go into the senate for |
confirmation the first week Of January. |
He liz expected 10 be ready 10 take charge |
Of the office by the middle OF next month |
AT the latest
IL is stated that no other changes in the |
Cabinet are AZ present contemplated.
All of the assistant postmasters were |
by Mr. Smith late this after |
noon. and his announcement or his change |
was A distinct surprise TO them. lie gave /
ssurance that his action meant no |
THE NEW OFFICIAL.
In appointing Henry c. Payne as Post
master General. President Roosevelt /
sra tifies an ambition Mr.. Payne has cher /
shed ever since 1896. aud at the same 1
lime secures n postmaster general, who /
Is, az the beginning better equipped for |
he service than any other in the record !
pf the department except Postmaster
General James. Moreover he secures
political manager who di-
yides with Senator Hanna the honor OF
conducting two campaigns
'or the election OF a Republican president.
BORN IN MASSACHUSETTS.
Mr.. Payne was born I'm Ashheld. Mass
Nov %, ls43 lie was refused admission 20
he Union Army because or his dminu-
i've stature. and went TO Milwaukee when
ne. was ~ years old. He began organizing
Republican clubs I'm that city i'm 1872. and |
lss been st it ever since. lie is a success
ul business man. and a railway manager. I
~ present at the head Of the Milwaukee
Electric Railway and Light company, |