The Oskaloosa herald., 1901-12-19

POSTMASTER GENERAL SMITH.
Who Has Just Resigned.
committee, has accepted the tender of
the office, to which he will be nomi-
mated Immediately after the holiday
recess. Mr.. Smith has agreed to re-
main until January Is, if necessary,
but will return Immediately there
after to Philadelphia to resume the
editorship of the Philadelphia Press.
Announced to the Cabinet.
This change in the cabinet was
formally announced at Tuesdays ses-
sion of the cabinet. All the members
Of the cabinet expressed their pro-
found regret, and the president paid a
very impressive tribute to the serv-
ices and personality of the retiring
member of his official family. He said
that he had sought to persuade Mr..
Smith to alter his determination and
to remain in the cabinet, but without
success, and he had finally accepted
Mr.. Smiths reasons as decisive, 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 that
time urged him to remain. Mr.. Smith,
however, had been frequently remind
ed by his business associates 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 ten
dered to the president his letter of res
ignation.
Mr.. Smith delayed the formal tender
until the president had chosen his sue
cessor. Mr.. Payne is now at his home
in Wisconsin. His name will 60 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 contem-
plated. Mr.. Smith has been postmas-
ter general since April 81, 1898, sue
ceeding James A. Gary, of Maryland,
virtually at the outset Of the Span
ish war. Mr.. Gary had been one Of
President McKinley's original cabinet
appointees, but felt himself physically
unable to hear the strain of cabinet
duties during the war.
All of the assistants postmaster gem
eral were summoned by Mr.. Smith late
Tuesday afternoon, and his announce
ment Of the change was distinct sur
~ - IL M hof
his action meant no change among his
assistants.
The New Postmaster General.
Milwaukee, Dec. 18.-Henry C.
Payne, who succeeds Charles Emory
Smith as postmaster general, has been
a citizen of Milwaukee for many years,
and has been prominent in political cir
cles in Wisconsin for over 25 years.
For several years past he has been re-
publican national committeeman from
Wisconsin, and during the last two ma
tional campaigns he was vice chair
man of the national republican COM
mittee. Mr.. Payne was postmaster of
Milwaukee for ten years, serving in
that capacity under Presidents Grant,
Hayes and Arthur. He was one of the
receivers of the Northern Pacific rail
road early in the ninettes, when that
property was in the courts. Later Mr..
Payne became connected with various
large interests, including the old Mil
waukee & Northern Railroad COM
pany, now a part of the Chica go. Mil
waukee & St. Paul system, the Wiscon-
sin Telephone company and street rail-
way properties. He is now vice presi-
dent of the Milwaukee Electric Rail-
way G. Light company. Mr.. Payne has
been in the east for several days, but is
expected to reach home to-day.
Mr.. Payne Talks.
jamestown, N. Y, Dec. 1s.-Henry
c. Payne has been visiting his sis
ter, Mrs. w. S. Cameron, in this
city, for several days. To Morning
Post reporter he said Tuesday even
ing:
"whlle In Washington last week as a
member of the Mckinley memorial COM
mission, President Roosevelt rendered me
the Office of postmaster general and after
some consideration accepted previous to
leaving the city. have no information to
impart beyond that contained in the dis
patches presumably given out at the white
house, following the meeting of the cab
met / intended to leave for my home In
Wisconsin this (Tuesday) afternoon, but
owing to the irregularity Of the trains, my
departure was postponed. shall leave for
home Wednesday and beyond that there
Is nothing to make public In regard to my
plans for the future"
The willy Poacher.
One of the latest wrinkles of the
poacher who goes after quail before
the season opens consists in taking the
forearm off his gun and leaving II at
home. This permits the barrel to
come free from the stock whenever the
gun is "broken down." The poacher
hides the two pieces under his coat un-
til he is out of sight of spectators, says
a London paper. Then he puts the two
pieces together again, which is the
work of only second or two, and is
ready for shooting. If game warden
or other suspicious person heayes in
sight the gun is instantly apart and
tucked away under the coat and the
poacher is busily engaged in hunting
OinSenR.