Evening star., 1902-02-25
MR.. JOHNSON TO RETIRE.
Harry S. New of Indiana Will Sue
ceed Him.

William NJ. Johnson, first assistant post
master general. has arranged with Post
master General Payne and President Roose-
welt to relinqush his office some time in
April. 1t is understood Capt. Henry S.
New of Indianapolis, who was offered the
post about two weeks ago will be his sue
cessor. Mr.. Johnsons retirement from the
department is due to the remonstrances of
his physicians that he cannot undertake
the heavy duties incident to his present po-
sition during the summer months.
After resting during the summer Mr..
Johnson will resume the pra ctice of law.
He was appointed first assistant postmas-
ter neral on Gen. HeathS retirement in
1890, and has now served almost two years.
Before that time his public service had
been limited to six years In the New Jersey
state senate, of which body he was presi-
ident during his second term and to tenn
porary service as acting governor of New
Jersey while Gov. Foster NJ. Voorhees, was
abroad in 1908. His personal interests are
very large. 1t is an open secret that his
service in the Post Office Department in
volved a marked pecuniary loss, and it is
generally believed that the temptation to
re-enter active business life has had almost
equal weight with the question of his health
in moving him to retire.
Mr.. JOhnsonS position in New Jersey
politics is regarded particularly en-
viable About two years ago he presented
to Hackensack a public library worth
$5o.0U0. The ability with which he presided
in the state senate made him one of the
most prominent men in the republican
party of the state. During the recent con-
test over the election of United States
senator his name frequently men,
toned, but was not formally presented to
the legislature. in view of Mr.. JOhnson's
decided refusal to enter the campaign and
his ardent support of former Attorney
General Griggs. In anticipation Of his re-
- al
New Jersey newspapers and prominent pol
iticians have indicated him as the most
probable candidate Of his party for the
gubcrna atorial chair. That contest is still
three years distant however and Mr.. John
son refused to discuss the matter this
morning. AS both Senators kean and Dry
den are from the southern part of the state
1t is believed TO be Mr.. Johnson's opinion
that the next governors should be chosen
from the northern part.
On perceiving that Mr. johnson was in
very delicate health last summer Postmas-
ter General Smith prevailed on him to rest
during the three hot months. and the first
assistants chair was filled by subOrdi-
nate all that time. The past winter has in
creased very largely the work of the first
assistant and Mr.. johnson has felt that he
could not intrust it to any one else. His
physicians would not hear to having him
remain at his desk all summer. The only
course open, therefore, was to resign, and
Mr.. Johnson communicated to his superiors
his determination to do so about two
weeks ago. The resignation has not yet
been submitted. An understanding prevails,
however, that the President and Mr.. Payne
will have found a successor by the middle
of April, and that Mr.. Johnson can retire
before May 1.
Capt. New Is widely known as the editor
and proprietor of the Indianapolis Journal
and member of the republican national
committee. His military title was obtained
by service at Jacksonville. Fla. during the
war with Spain. when he held the position
of assistant adjutant general. He is about
forty-two years old. When Gen. Alger re-
tired from the War Department Capt. New
was strongly urged for appointment as
Secretary of War. The only public Office
he has held is that of a member of the In
diana state senate.