New-York tribune., 1908-01-20


Former Postmaster General. who died yesterday
ciety in this city. though advised by his physician
not to do so He was postmaster and aughingly
referred his Illness and his embarrassment Of
finding himself then seated near his physician
Before he had recovered from the effects OF his
first attack Mr.. Smith contracted the grip, Wilch
aggravated his heart trouble. One week ago ne
was ordered Atlantic City to recuperate- He
was accompanied by Mrs. Smith. and when he re
turned to mis- home here Saturday night he ap-
peared to be bright and cheerful except that ne
felt somewhat fatfgued by his journey.
Mrs Smith church this morning. and on
her return the house Mr.. Smith was found dead,
lying across the bed He was partly clothed ana
had apparently been stricken while on MS way 20
the bathroom, and had thrown himself on the Deo.
Charles Emory Smith, editor diplomat and Cab
met officer. born at Mansfield, Toland county
Conn, on February 49, 1872 The first seven years
of his life spent on farm and ne afterwaro
said that th1 only particular influence thls eA-
perence had on him was to make him resolve tlat
would be farmer, while from the time
when he began to read and think for himself ne
wanted to be a Journalist a lawyer and have
his among those of public men. In IS4S MS
family moved to Albany, where he began ms edu-
cation From the public schools he Went 10 the
Albany Academy and while there started his nrst
newspaper The Academy Record" which he
wrote on the model of regular newspaper
In the Fremont campaign of 1856 the schoolboy
of fourteen took deep interest and attended many
meetings and began study of politics. BY the
time his studies at the academy finished he
was able to offer to The Albany Evening iran
script editorials which the editor hked well
enough to engage him to continue writing In the
mean time he continued his studies, and in 1883
entered the junior class at Union College In the
Lincoln campaign of 1850 he TOOK an active part.
and made speeches in several counties lie was
the captain of the Wide Awakes OF Schenectady,
an undergraduate Republican Club. and he also
tha boar 0f of
the Intercollegiate quarterly The University he-
view" published in New Haven.
After his graduation in 1861, he became military
secretary to General John F. RathbOne, who was
eugaged in organizing and turning TO the gov
eminent the volunteers Of the state. He was made
Judge advocate general with the rank of major and
after year and a half of service entered the ad-
iutant generals office, where he remained until
Governor Horatio Seymour took office.
For the next year and a half he taught in the
Albany Academy writing for The Albany Ex-
press and in 1866 he purchased an interest in that
newspaper and became its editor. In 1S66 he was
secretary TO Governor Fenton. without giving up
his newspaper work In 1870 Mr.. Smith was made
associate editor Of The Albany Evening Journal,
of which George Dawson editor in chief. and
on the retirement Of the latter, IN 1916 MY ohlth
succeeded him. His connection with the newspaper
which Thurlow Weed had made power in state
nolitics gave him much influence and prestlge- III
1879 be was delegate TO the convention. ana
for six wears was chairman Of the committee that
drafted the platform of the party In IS'f ne "Hs
nresident of the State Press Association ana IN 1870
a delegate 10 the Republican National convention
In 1880 he presided over the State Repubhcah Con
,,srtion In 80 he was a Regent of the state
University. y,
II was in 1850 that Mr.. Smith severed ms rela
tions with Albany newspapers and moved 10 MIC
6atnbia IN become editor and part proprietor OF
.-rha philadelphia Press." which after q long
period of prosperity under John W. Forney had
usssed into other hands Mr. Smith succeeoeo III
restoring its oldtime influence in both state anu
national politics He became active in municipal
affairs as we'll and in 1887 was chairman OF tle
r-rior aaeue committee that selected the first
candidate for Mayor of Philadelphia under the re-
form charter 90.
In the Republican National conventions OF 1881
and 1855 he took active part and IN the cam
naieu. he made speeches in several states Presl-
dsr+ Harrison nominated him for United States
Minister 10 Russia in 1890. and he was promptly
confirmed He spent two years at 81 PETERSBURG
and had charge Of the distribution OF the money
and provisions sent 10 relief of the sufferers
from famine In April 1892. he returned 70 this
coun+rv and resigned his diplomatic post. taking
m again the editorship of The Press lie had
an acrive share in the Presidential campaigns OF
1909 and 1856 and in the latter year wrote the
larger part of the party platform. He aided Mr.
Mckinley in his campaign for Governor in OHIO IN
1893 and made many speeches for him in the Presi-
Dental campaign of the following year. Iher
strong personal friendship led President Mckinley
to make him Postmaster General in 1873 succeeding
James A Gary particularly desiring his advice IN
The SDanish War crisis The administration of his
department by Mr.. Smith marked by the estab-
ushnent OF the rural free delivery system Soon
after President Roosevelt took office upon the
death of President Mckinley. Mr.. Smith rendered
his resignation, agreeing TO stay until his sue
cessor was named. He retired in January. 1902
when Henry c. Payne confirmed for the place.
Once more Mr. Smith returned to his editorial chalr
and resumed his newspaper work
In 1871 Mr.. Smith elected trustee of Union
College for five years He delivered the honorary
chancellors address in 1888. and the degree of
IL d was conferred him. The same degree
was bestowed on him by Lafayette and Knox col
leges in 1860 and by Wesleyan University in 1901.
Once when asked what the motto OF his
career Mr.. Smith replied, Concentration and con-
stancy."
While living in Albany Mr. Smith married Miss
Ella Huntly. who died several years ago. In Oc-
tober OF last year he married Miss Henrietta Mich
ols at Elberou. \. J.