Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-12-21
Mr.. Henry c. Payne Succeeds Mr..
Charles Emory Smith.
CHANGE CREATES SURPRISE
Retiring Postmaster General win Resume
Newspap~ Work Resignation will
Take Effect Soon After the Holi-
days-Payne's Name to Be
Sent to the Senate
Chorfiv


WashingtonsDec. lS--Charles EN-
ory Smith. of Philadelphia, has ten
dered his resignation as Postmaster
General, to take effect early next
month, and Henry 9. Payne. OF Wis
consln, vice chairman of the Republic
can National Committee, has accepted
the tender of the office. to which he
will be nominated Immediately after
the holiday recess.
Mr.. Smith has agreed to reNain un-
til January 10. il necessary. but will
return Immediately thereafter to Phil
adelphia. to resume the editorshlp Of
The Philadelphia Press This change
in the cabinet was formerly ANNOUNCE
ed at yesterdays session of the cabi-
net. All the members Of the Cabinet
expressed their profound regret and
the President paid very impressive
tribute to the services and personality
OF the retiring member of his official
family He said he had sought to
persuade MIR. Smith to alter his deter
mination and to remain in the cabi-
net. but without success, and he had
finally accepted Mr.. Smiths re ason
| as decisive.
| Mr.. Smith first announced to the
President thelatter part of last month,
that he had decided to return to his
editorial duties. The President at
the time urged him to remain. Mr. !.
Smith. however, had been frequent
ly reminded by his business associat es
OF the editoli al duties devolving upon
him, and was anxious to retur to
them. He bad several talks wit h
President Roosevelt on the sub ject,
and finally. Saturday afternoon last /,
formally rendered to the President his
letter of resignation
Mr.. Smith delayed the formal ten
der until the President had chosen
his successor. Mr.. Payne is now at
his home III Wisconsin. His name
will go into the Senate for confIrma-
ton the first of next January. He is
expected to be ready to take charge Of
the office by the middle of next month
at the latest.
Ii is stated that no other changes
in the Cabinet are at present conte m
plated Mr.. Smith has been Post
master General since April 81, 1898.
succeeding James A. Gary, Of Mary
land, virtually at the outset OF the
| Spanish war. Mr.. Gary had been one
of President McKinley's Cabinet APP
pointees. but felt himself physically
unable to bear the strain of Cabinet
duties during the war.
Postmaster General Smith in an in
terview last night, spoke as follows
about his action:
AS indicated in my letter of resig-
nation, this step has been taken in
conformity with a plan formed many
months sago. l communicated my
purpose to the President last month,
with the accom- pan ying statement,
that / wished to consult his convent
ence as to the time when / should go
out The President was exceedingly
gracious. and strongly urged me TO
stay, but finally accepted my reasons
as onclnsive of my duty to myself
M relations with the President
have been of the most cordial charae-
ter, and nave strengthened as we
have worked together. We have been
in thorough accord in all matters OF
policy. / nave formed the highest es-
innate of his lofty and patriotic
standard Of administration. and ii has
ieen p great pleasure TO cooperate
with him. NV resignation has been
delayed beyond nv original purpose
for two reasons. which have harmo
nized. First to consult the President
wishes and not to embarrass his de-
clared policy as to his Cabinet, and,
second. 10 carry forward department.
policies in which am greatly inter-
ested to point where their success
is assured. NV successor, MIR Pavne.
is a man who by ability, experience
and knowledge of public affairs is all
rnfrabyv fitted for the place and / am