The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-30
.H.C. PAYNE CRITICALLY ILL.
THE POSTMASTER-GENERAL NOT
EXPECTED TO RECOVER.
He Was Taken Sick Sunday and His Illness
Developed Into q Severe Attack Of
Heart Troubie-President and Mrs.
Roosevelt Call 10 Make Inquiries.

Roosevelt Call 10 Make Inquiries.
WASHINGTON, Sept. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
eral Henry G.. Payne Is lying seriously Ill
at the Arlington Hotel here, and in view
Of his previous delicate health and en-
feebled powers Of resistance. his recovery
10 not expected. Mrs. Payne Is with her
husband and Miss Jones. his niece. has
been telegraphed to come at once to Wash
ington. Other intimate personal and busi-
ness associates have been notified Of his
precarous condition. The President and
Mrs. Roosevelt had been informed Of his
illness and tonight called to make in
quiries.
Mr.. Payne's condition last night and up
TO noon to-day was extremely critical,
but the fact was kept secret in the hope
that the attack would prove to be only
similar TO the many from which Mr.. Payne
has suffered In recent years. But this
morning the symptoms Of heart trouble
apparent last night became 80 pronounced
that II was deemed inadvisable TO conceal
the true state Of affairs any longer, and
tonight the following bulletin, signed by
DR.. G.. Floyd Magru1cr and Surgeon-Gen-
eral Rixey, U. =. N. was made public:
The Postmaster General has not been
feeling well for several days. and recently
decided symptoms OF heart trouble developed.
These were very severe during last night
and the early portion OF to-day. He responded
to the remedies employed and is resting
easier tonight.
The announcement Of the critical con-
dition OF the Postmaster General came
with the shock of an absolute surprise
to his friends and business associates in
Washington. 1t was known for several
days that he had not been feeling well,
but ever since he became a member OF the
Presidents Cabinet his health has not
been very good, and 1t was not expected
that the attack would prove to be more
than indigestion or recurrence of the
malady from which he has been q life long
sufferer
The investigation OF postal service
scandals which Mr.. Payne may be said to
have conducted in person. so close was
his application to his desk during the
progress OF the inquiry, told greatly on
his strength. the strain eliminating dur
Ing the past spring in a long and serious
illness. But after a brief vacation, spent
on the revenue cutter Onondaga In a trip
down the Atlantic coast, Mr. Payne ap-
peared to have completely recovered
Since his return from his Western trip
some two weeks go he appeared to be in the
best health he had enjoyed since taking up
his residence In Washington. His figure
was filed out, his cheeks were rosy and his
eyes clear and bright He told friends who
complimented him on his appearance that
he was never better, that he intended to
put In winter of hard work in Warrington
and felt that it would do him good.
But last Sunday Mr.. Payne complained
OF feeling badly and DR.. Magruder was
called in. On Monday he was no better,
but on Tuesday, although still sick man
he spent the day at his desk in the Post
ONCE Department. Yesterday he went to
the Department in the morning, but
returned almost Immediately to his apart
nents at the Arlington Hotel and went to
bed
DR.. Magruder saw at a glance that Mr..
Payne was a very sick man and DR.. Rixey
was called in consultation. Last night, as
stated in the bulletin, decided symptoms
OF heart trouble developed and the patient a
condition remained extremely critical until
noon to-day, when the powerful restora-
tives administered by the physicians took
effect.
little after midnight DR.. Magruder
went home. At 1880 A. NJ. Mr.. Payne was
sleeping.
Mrs. Payne is almost FRUSTRATED by the
acknowledged seriousness of her husband &
condition. Francis H. Whitney, Mr.
Payne's private secretary has charge OF
Mr.. Payne's affairs and will remain within
call OF the sick room tonight in case a
return OF the heart attack should fore
shadow the end.
Mr.. Payne came to Washington with a
reputation as a polite pacifier and was not
long a member OF the Presidents official
family before he was called "the politician
Of the Cabinet His efficiency as one Of the
Presidents advisers was greatly handi-
capped, however, by his physical condition
which made continued hard work and at =
tention to his duties a manifest impossibility
He Ia considered to have given a very
efficient administration OF the Post Once
Department and to have done the best
he could under the circumstances. He
Is popular in Warrington personally, both
among his official associates, his colleag CUES
in the Cabinet and his personal acquaint-
ances, and general and genuine regret
was expressed tonight when the news of
his serious and prob ably fate illness be-
came generally known.