The times., 1897-03-21

Henry C. Payne, national eommitteemas
Of Wisconsin, has declined to accept anJ
of the diplomatic appointments rendered to
him by the President, and viii remain in
this country.
Mr.. Payne arrived at this conclusion after
several days consideration, and announced
his ultimatum late yesterday afternoon
tits said that President Mckinley, shortly
after his induction into office, rendered
Payne the position as ambassador to Ger
many.
Payne held the matter in allegiance fol
some time, and the President wrote him
letter, again urging him to accept t he place
When Payne made known his determinations
not TO accept, the President. thinking per
haps that he did not desire to go to Ger.
many, gave him the refusal OF several Of
the other important foreign missions.
Payne mind was made up, however, and
he refused to consider any OF the other ap-
pointments offered him
The wisconsin politician has been dis
grUntled ever since Mr. Mckinley refused
TO make him a member OF the Cabinet ,
and it is said has taken this step to show
his displeaSure-
Payne wanted to be Postmaster Gen.
eral, as he believed the prestige he would
gain by holding the position would Offer
him a substantial stepping stone to the
Senate This is according to Wisconsin
precedent, for Villas and Howe and Randall
were all Postmaster Generals Payne haa
for a long time gaZed with longing looks.
upon seat ia the highest branch of the
national legislature, and it is said viii use
every effort TO obtain the coveted prize.
For this reason he deemsit wise to remain
upon his native heath which he regards
as the best vantage ground to direct his
campaign for the Senate in S99.
1t is rurnored that President Mckinley
also offered Payne several appointments
in this country, all OF which carried with
them lucrative salaries, but the Wisconsin
man turned a deaf ear to all overtures
made in this direction Times reporter
saw Mr.. P ayRe at the Arlington last night.
In answer to an inquiry on the subject, hs~
said:
Yes, it is true that I declined to 90
abroad In any official capacity, and L
have so notified the President
Questioned as to his reasons, Mr.. Payne
said. simply, that after thinking the
matter over 1 cannot bring myself to
agreeto along sejournin an y other country,
The ties and associations which bind me to
wisconsin and Milwaukee are very strong
Life abroad, for me. has never had any
attraction I feel that / could not be
tod r- haD OF this
and away from my friends, for any great
length of time 1 gratefully appreciate
the consideration which the President has
shown1ne n this matter. While cannot of
course. give in detail the conversations
have had with him on the subject, may
properly say that no man could ask for any
stronger or handsOmer evidence Of the
President confidence, than was afforded
by the tender which 1 have had under :
consideration, and which 1 had not so-
Iictied''
1T has been suggested that you might
be Influenced in your action by pro-
posed candidacy for the Senate, to sue
ceed Mr. Mitchell Do you care to speak
OF this?''
That suggestion is without foundation
l have given You, without reserve, the
reasons for my action l have no plans.
except to attend 10 my business, to help
my friends, and to aid the party and the
Administration to the very best OF m7>
ability"
Mr. Payne expects to leave for his
home in 5ifI 1aulzee in few days He
has been in this city for I he past ten days,
during which time he has been a frequent
visitor at the White House, where he
held many protracted conferences with
praSident Mckinley