The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-18
BACK TO HIS PRINT SHOP
CHARLES EMORY SMITH RESIGNS
AS POSTMASTER GENERAL
business Affairs of His Paper De-
mand His Personal Attention,
and He Returns to Active
Journalism.

WASHINGTON, Dec. H-Charles En-
DRY Smith, Of Philadelphia, has rendered
to the president his formal resignation
as postmaster general, to take effect
early next month, and Henry c. Payne.
of Wisconsin, vice chairman Of the Re-
publican national commit ee, has &C 2ept.
the tender of the Office, to which lie will
be nominated Immediately after the hol-
iday recess Mr.. Smith has agreed to
remain until Jan. 15, If necessary, but
will return Immediately thereafter to
Philadelphia to resume the editorship Of
the Philadelphia Press. This change was
formally announced at todays session of
the cabinet.
Mr.. 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 the time -.rged
him to remain. He, however, had been
frequently reminded by his BUSINESS asso-
ciates of the duties devolving 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 rendered
to the president formal letter Of reSig-
nation.
Mr. Payne Is now at his home in Wis
consin. His name will go into the sem
ate 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 contemplated
Mr.. Smith has been postmaster general
since April q. 1898, succeeding James A.
Gary, of Maryland, virtually at the out
set of the Spanish war. Mr.. Gary had
been one Of President McKinley'S orig
inal cabinet appointees, but felt himself
physically unable to bear the strain Of
cabinet duties during the war. Postmas-
ter General Smith In an interview spoke
as follows about his action:
AS indicated in my letter of resigna-
ton, this step has been taken in con-
formity with plan formed many months
ago. l communicated my purpose to the
president last month with the accom-
papying statement that I wished to con-
suit his convenience as to the time when
/ should go out. The president was ex-
coedipgly gracious and strongly urged
me to stay, but finally accepted my
reasons as conclusive of my duty to N.Y.
self My relations with the president
have been of the most cordial character
and have strengthened as we have work.
ed together. We have been in thorough
-
formed the highest estimate of his lofty
and patriotic standard of administration,
and it has been a great pleasure to CO.
operate with him. My resignation has
been delayed beyond my original pur-
pose for two reasons which have har-
monized. First, to consult the presi-
dents wishes and not to embarrass his
declared policy as to his cabinet, and,
second, to carry forward department pol
icies in which / am greatly interested
to a point where their success is as
sured. My successor, Mr.. Payne, Is a
man, who, by ability, experience and
knowledge of public affairs Is admir-
ably fitted for the place, and am glad
to surrender the trust to such excellent
hands. I return to active journalism
with feeling of great satisfaction
All of the assistants Of the postmaster
general were summoned by Mr.. Smith
lats this afternoon, and his announce
ment of the change was distinct sur
prise to them. He gave assurance that