SMITH, William Ernest, assistant secretary of the treasury, born in Rockton, Illinois, S June, 1852; died in Plattsburg, New York, 30 March, 1888. He was graduated at Lafayette in 1872 with the degree of mining engineer, admitted to the bar of Plattsburg, New York, in 1875, and was its mayor in 1877-'8. He was in the legislature in 1884, and became a leader of the supporters of Samuel J. Tilden. During this service he inserted in the supply bill what is known as the "Freedom of worship clause," by which an appropriation of $1,500 is paid to Roman Catholic priests for their services to prisoners in the three parishes where the New York state prisons are situated. He was chairman of the New York state central Democratic committee in 1884, and in 1885 was appointed by President Cleveland assistant secretary of the treasury, which post he held till 1886, when he resigned to become general solicitor to the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba railroad. His death was the result of overwork in that office.