CHARLES EMORY SMITH - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 06/06/1898 - HFSID 26398

CHARLES EMORY SMITH
Smith signed this typed letter on Postmaster General letterhead in 1898, less than two months after he assumed the post of United States Postmaster General. In it, he apologizes for not responding to the recipient's letter of congratulations sooner.
Typed letter signed "Ch Emory Smith". With pencil marks on front and back of letter in unknown hand. 1 page, 5½x8½, 1 sheet folded, front and verso. On letterhead of the Office of the Postmaster General in Washington, D. C. June 6, 1898. Addressed to Dell Keizer, Esq., Topeka, Kansas. In full: "My dear Sir: The large number of congratulatory telegrams and letters that came to me on my appointment as Postmaster General, and the great pressure of im-mediate work incident to the sudden and unexpected assumption of the office, have delayed my acknowl-edgment of the the cordial and gratifying words which you were good enough to send. I am sure you will understand and appreciate the occasion of this de-lay, and pardon the delinquency. The kindly expressions and hearty good wishes of so many friends, among which I prize yours, deeply touch me and will ever be grate-fully cherished. I beg you to accept my sincere thanks and believe me Faithfully yours". Smith (1842-1908, born in Mansfield, Connecticut) was President William McKinley's Postmaster General from 1898 to 1901, continuing in Theodore Roosevelt's administration until 1902. Before becoming postmaster, he helped to develop rural free delivery in the United States Postal Service, in which mail carriers brought mail to rural customers free of charge. This service was instituted in 1891 and continues to this day. He was also a journalist, editing two Albany papers from 1865 to 1880 and the Philadelphia Express, in which he was part proprietor, from 1880 until his death. Lightly toned, creased and rippled. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise in fine condition.