The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1901-12-27

acter being given the position. More
over, the fact that Mr.. Payne has been
postmaster of a large city (Milwau-
kee) relieves him from structure as in
experienced Mr.. Smith resigns be-
cause he is poor-cOmparatively speak
ing. The salary is but $4,000 and he
can do much better in his old post as
editor of the Philadelphia Press. He
is man who has made his way, for
merly having been principal of an
academy of Albany, N. Y, and later
editor of Thurlow Weeds old paper,
the Albany Journal.
Will Payne's Health Stand 1t?
The first thought in connection with
Mr.. Payne is his health. He has long
been subject to attacks which come
suddenly, and it is likely he would be
wise to live quietly; but he has had an
ambition to go into the cabinet for
many years and at last his valuable po-
litical service and his executive quail
ity, attested in handling large business
affairs, as the Northern Pacific receiv-
ership and the Milwaukee transporta-
tion and lighting enterprises, have
won him the honor. It is a bit singu-
lar that Mr.. Mckinley, who was cred
tied with many less qualms than Mr..
Roosevelt, should have refused Mr..
Payne the post on the ground that he
could not have in his official family
one who had worked about the COM
mittee rooms of congress as pleader
for special interests, and that Mr..
Roosevelt should not be influenced by
the fact. The appointment will be
criticised in the east. AS for Wiscon-
sin it should clarity the political at
mosphere. Mr.. Payne, being under
fire, and conscious that the president
has not yet the Wisconsin situation
clearly in mind, will be on the alert
to bring this state into line as a fair
ly harmonious member Of the Repub-
ican whole. Whatever his old friends
may wish in the way Of political up
heaval, it is up to Mr.. Payne to al
lay inflammation in Wisconsin and to
make it solidly Rooseveltian and
Republican state. The elements that
make up the LaFollette forces are es-
sentially ON Roosevelt lines-for both
are reformers, and the LaFollette men
11+
however much cut up they may be by
Mr.. Payne's appointment. The re-
sponsibility is on Mr.. Payne, for the
president will more and more find that
his opponents (who are sure to devel-
OPP are among those in Wisconsin as
elsewhere, who incline to the men and
Wisconsin's governor stands for.
Visits the Bankers of New York.
| was in New York last week and
some friends got me into wealthy
environment. 1t was a dinner of 500
bankers at the Waldorf-Astoria, which
cost them so a plate. Of course, it
was a dream of magnificence. The
banquet room is one of the handsom-
est in the world In the galleries the
ladies came before the speaking, and
held receptions in their various boxes.
There were many notables there, al
though J. Pierpont Morgan, for whom
a seat was reserved at the chairman S
| left, did not come. He is the central
| figure Of the big city and although our
western country is suspicious of all
| people who form big combinations,
one of the plutocrats told me Morgan
| is entrusted with capitals millions to
do big things because they think that
he is honest. The presiding officer was
a bank president whose voice was fee
| be, a modest man who was wisely
| content to do no more than to intro
duce the speakers. Secretary Gage