The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-18
SMITH RESIGNS
PAYNE is NAMED
Postmaster-Genera| to Return to
Editorial Work and Mr.. Payne
Succeeds Him.
(By Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, Dec. l7.-Chas.. Emory
Smith, of Philadelphia, has rendered TO
the President his resignation as POST
master-General, to take effect early next
month, and Henry c. Payne, ofsSSViscoIl-
sin, vice-chair,nan of the Republican Ma
tonaI Committee, has accepted the en-
der of the office. to which Ee5zwil Z be-
nominated Immediately after. ta.siiois,fEss-k
recess. Mr. Smith has greed TO re-
main until January 18th, but will return
Immediately thereafter to Philadelphia
to resume the editorship Of the Phila-
delphia Press.
This change was announced at to-day's
session Of the Cabinet. All members eS-
pressed their profound regret, and the
President paid a very imp essive tribute
to the services and personality Of the
retiring member.
Mr.. Smith first announced to the Pres
ident 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
LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
On Saturday afternoon last MT. Smith
rendered to the President the following
letter of resignation:
Washington, December IA, 1901.
my Dear Mr. President:
Following my verbal communication
Of some time ago, l beg to tender my
resigna ton Of the Office OF Postmaster
General to take effect at your early
convenience on the appointment and quail
ication of my successor.
s'This step is taken in fulilment of a
plan long since formed, for purely per-
sonal reasons, the execution of which
dol, Ia "a r.,
ried out without embarras ssing your de-
clared policy. and until Department
measures in which am deeply interested
could be satisfactorily advanced and as
sured.
In laying down the trust committed
to my hands, I want to thank you most
sincerely for the confidence you reposed
in me and for the great pleasure l have
found in an association which has deep
ened my esteem Tor you personally and
my admiration for the spirit ana aims of
Your administration.
with my best wishes that you may
have the largest measure OF success,
remain,
Faithfully yours,
"CH. EMORY. SMITH,
'"ro the President
NO OTHER CHANGES EXPECTED.
Mr.. Smith delayed the formal tender
unit the IrSSlucllt listtt CiloSell ms sue
cessor. Mr.. Payne is now at his home
in Wisconsin,. His name will so into the
Senate for confirmation tho 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.
1t is stated that no other changes in
+,,a Cabinet arc at present contemplated.
Mr. Smith has been Postmaster-Gen
since April q. 1888, succeeding James y.
cary. of Maryland, virtually at the outset
of the Spanish war
POSTMASTER General Smith, in an inter-
view to-day said:
MY relations with the President have
hen of the most cordial character and
have Strengthened as we have worked
together. We have been in thorough ac-
cord in all matters of policy. l have
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 poll
cies in which am greatly interested to
a point where their success is assured
- F.. oSr,tr~ at nnf -