[2] In 1881, he won a seat on the Select Council representing Philadelphia's 28th Ward after the resignation of Councilman George A. Smith.

A year later, despite losing the primary election, he won re-election to the council on the Democratic Party line and became president of that body.

The Republican Party, which sought to win back the mayor's office from the Democrats, nominated Smith to run against Samuel G. King.

[2] During his term, however, Smith faced an inquiry from the city controller regarding the whereabouts of $8,000 in fees that his office collected.

[3] Smith died on November 23, 1917, at his home in Laurel Springs, New Jersey[4] and is interred at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.