The Washington times., 1901-12-18
Mr.. SMITH FIRST TO GO.
ccoutiucd from First ragc.)


Mr.. Payne is a native of Massachusetts.
where he was born on November 22, 1913.
At the outbreak of the war he enlisted
in The Tenth Massachusetts regiment.
hut his youthrulness and somewhat di-
minutive stature thwarted his ambition
to become soldier
When lie was quite young man he de-
ciied to try his fortune in he West.
Milwaukee was his destination. and he ar
rived there with $50 in his pocket. He
obtained work as clerk in a dry goods
store. Within five years he was in bust
ness for himself. Subsequently he en-
tered the insurance business. He was
president of library association which
laid the foundation for the present Mil
waukce public library.
Political prominence first came to Mr..
Payne in 1872. He organized the Mil
waukec Young Mems Republican Club.
Milwaukee. Overwhelmingly Democratic,
was coaxed into the Republican fold. and
remained there as long as Mr.. Payne was
at the head of the party.
Mr.. Payne was one OF the coterie TO
whose initiative was due Garfeld's nom
gate at large to the convention in 1883
and again in 1892.
Gains National Prominence.
By 1896. when the Republican party
was organized as it was never organized
before. preparatory TO The victory in the
fol nf hot Nfr IN ha
convention at st. Louis, and with a num-
Der of others pinned the faith of the
party TO the gold standard. Then he was
made vice chairman OF tho national com
mittee and was in charge OF the entire
Western campaign from the party head
quarters in Chicago.
All during Mckinley Administration
Mr.. Payne was one Of the confidential ad-
visers OF the Administration. In 1900 he
took hold of the Western headquarters of
the party at Chicago and ran the cam
paign with even more success than he
had four years previously.
Postmaster of Milwaukee.
In 1876 Mr.. Payne was appointed post
master at Milwaukee by President Grant
and was reappointed By Presidents Hayes
and Arthur. His record has never been
equaled ih that city.
Upon his retirement from the Office OF
postmaster. In 1856 he interested hiu.seli
in large businegs interests with great
success. Ie has long been president of
the Wisconsin Telephone Company and of
the Milwaukee and Northern Railroad
Company. aud vice president of the Mil
waukee Electric Railway and Light Com
pauy. by virtue of the last position he
was. in 1893. elected president OF the
American Street Railway Association.
In August, 1893, when the affairs OF the
Great Northern Railroad were in de-
plorable shape. Ar. Payne was appointed
receiver--oRe OF the largest trusts ever
accorded citizen of Wisconsin.
Acquisition to Society.
Mr.. and Mrs. Payne Will be a most de-
sirahle acquisition TO official society.
They are wealthy. and will entertain gem
er0usly. as they have while prominent in
the social life OF the Wisconsin metropo-
lis. Mrs. Payne was. before her marriage.
in 1876 Miss Lydia W Van Dyke, mem
ber OF an old New York family She is a
most entertaining and tactful hostess. al
though not at all times in the best OF
health.
Mr.. and Mrs. Payne will both probably
be in Washington soon after the first of
January. although Mr.. Payne will proba-
bly, come TO the Capital before that time
Mr.. and Mrs. Payne have no children.
They have several nieces, however, at.e CT !
whom was abroad with them last summer
home
The passing OF Mr.. and Mrs. Smith from
official social life viii be generally re-
gretted. Mrs. Smith is one OF the most
hostezses in Washington. I
Mr.. Smith is one OF the most popular I
members OF the Cabinet. He is especially !
well liked by the newspaper fraternity.