The age-herald., 1901-12-26
PAYNE MADE FIGHT
 ON GEN. HARRISON
Wisconsin Boss ASsailed PreSi- dent Who Turned Him Down
REGENT LUCK SURPRISING
Is Said to Subject to Attacks of Illness of a Most Serious Nature.
 He Never Was
 Lawyer.

Milwaukee, December 25.-(Special)-It Is pointed out here by the anti-machine l Republicans that whenever Henry c. Payne, the new postmaster-general has been unable to dictate to the national ad- ministration he has declared war, and has used the wealth of the campaign fund of the Wilsconoin corporations against the enemies as he is said to regard all those who will not do his bidding.
 It is shown, too, that his record in making war on President Harrison be- cause the latter would not appoint him postmaster general, has made him feared by men who sit in high places, and many declare it is this that has finally put the coveted office within his grasp.
 Undismayed by his failure with Presi- dent Harrison, Payne tried to get Pres ident Mckinley to appoint him post-mas- ter general but Mckinley refused. While unfriendly to Mckinley for re-nomina- tion he made no fight against him at Philadelphia, because he realized it would be hopeless.
 His Fight on Harrison. It was in 1888 that Payne began his | brought every possible influence to bear to secure the appointment of Postmaster l General, but the dairy and farm interests | protested so strongly on the strength of what was designated as his notorious lobby record" and called attention sc forcibly to the railroad legislation he haC put through that President Harrison de clfned to appoint him, and instead gave cabinet place to Jerry Rusk, a former l Governor of Wisconsin.
 Payne had previously sent Rusk wore through friends that he must step asidt and permit Payne to gratify his great | ambition. that to be Postmaster General but Rusk could not see why he should make the sacrifice. Because he weuld not give way Payne charged him with l ingratitude and from then on made war on him. He never succeeded in harminc the ex-Governor, but he caused a lot of trouble.
 Payne immediately began to prepare for the convention of 1892. For months prior to the meeting at Mnneapt lis hc tried to organize the northwest against Harrison and for Blaine, but he found Rusk's friends too strong and his move ment collapsed. He then went into the convention to defeat the man who had refused to give him a portfolio. It Is known that he raved and fumed when Harrison was named, said the party was going to the dogs and left for Mil waukee without seeing Harrison to con graduate him.
 The campaign came on and Harrison went down to defeat. It is significant that Wisconsin, hotbed of Republican ism, went against Harrison by 1000.
 Turned Down by Mckinley.
 In 1896 Payne was up for reelection as national committeeman. The young | CT Republican element went to St. Louis | determined to rid the party of the boss | by the election of Judge Elliott Payne. | found himself in danger. and won only | with the assistance of Hanna and by | close shave. Then he laid another plan; | to get Into the cabinet. He handled the' | Western end of the campaign for Hanna, who, 1t is said. promised him the post master generalship. But the scheme | failed. Ex-Governor Hoard and other influential men went to Canton and told | Mckinley Payne's record in Wisconsin. | Mckinley repudiated him in spite of Hanna's protest, and for the second time he came back disappointed.
 Prior to the Philadelphia convention Payne organized the state. He saw there | was no possible hope of bringing any l one out against Mckinley, so he got in line and worked for his reelection. | He knew, however, that he need not | expect any favors from the administra- | tion.
 Immediately after Roosevelt was sworn in as President, Payne hurried to Wash ington, and the story came back that he | was after a Cabinet place. The rumor was discredited because of President Roosevelt's known abhorrence to politi1 clans of the Payne stripe. There was the | greatest astonishment here when 1t was | learned that he was to be made Postmas- | ter General. One Milwaukee newspaper | did not print the news at all, and the day | following the editor explained in print that he had killed" the Associated Press report of the matter believing the ap- pointment to be an impossibility.
 His Health Not Good. 1 MT. Payne Is not a well man and for | years has been subjected to z attacks of illness of most serious nature He has been seized at his desk, on the street at the theater and at his home, and so serious have the attacks been that on | more than one occasion his death has been reported. His health has been one of his greatest worries. and he has bro- ken down several times when under some great strain. While during the years he has been In politics he has become wealthy and could retire he declines to quit politics or business.
 The story circulated in Washington by MT. Paynes friends that he never lob bied there, but appeared as an attorney has aroused interest here. Payne was never admitted to the bar here He was formerly dry goods merchant and later an insurance man, and from that he went into politics and became connected with corporations. He went to Washington purely as a lobbyist and he got s5OOO for his service there. NAt Madison he never | posed as lawyer while lObbyine for rail