Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-21
WILL 60 SOUTH SOON
Postmaster = General Payne to
Take. q; Thorough Rest.
A CURRENT RUMoR
DOES NOT CONTEMPLATE LEAv-
ING THE CABINET.
Relations With the President Cordial
.Compaign Duties Might Require
His Entire Time Next Fall.
A CURRENT RUMOR

There has been no ground for any stories
to the effect that Mr.. Payne has been dam
gerously Ill or that his illness or any other
condition has caused him to contemplate
leaving the cabinet
These words were used today to q Star
reporter by an official who is closer to the
Postmaster General than any other MEM
Der Of the governmental service. It may
be further stated that as soon as his con-
dition warrants a move Mr.. Payne will be
sent south. perhaps to Palm Beach, his
physician having determined that such a
course of rest is absolutely required in or
der to drive-afrom his system the govt
with which he has been afflicted for the
past two or three weeks. At this time he
Is being given no medicine save a tonic,
and his conditions is daily improving. 1t is
noped that within a couple of weeks he will
nave advanced to that stage where he can
with safety be moved, but to take him
away at this time would probably serve to
set pack the gains made. The govt Is still
IN MS root, and it is very painful but he has
responded to the treatment of his physician
ana is on the high road to recovery.
The Postmaster General has been as hard
worked as any member Of the Presidents
caDlnei, and has refused to take a rest
wnen II was absolutely necessary in order
10 preserve his health. Last summer he
worked steadily along during the postal in
designations, although his secretaries and
oIher collaborators all took their vacations.
ms investlgation and the resultant worri-
ment OF such state of affairs in his de-
partment, together with the work connect
ed with the national republican committee.
OF which he is vice chairman, encouraged
the dlsease which has at last brought him
10 ms ped and 1t is now thoroughly under
stooo py him that he will have to take q
rest entirely free from all official duties.
Relations With the President.
There have never been at any time ar
cording to the safest authority. any but the
most cordial relations between the Presi-
oent and Postmaster General Payne and
when he is ready to leave the cabinet if will
be because he has finished his work there
anu not because he is persona non grata to
the PRESIDENT. He mas, the President thinks
conducted a difficult and painful task with
skill and thoroughnesS, and is deserving of
rest to recuperate from the constant work
ana sewers strain caused by the investiga-
tion. His work on the national committee
mas not YET fairly begun, and will not get
INTO null swing until after the openinp of
the campaign subsequent TO the Chicago
convention. 1t may be that at that time
there will be SO much for him to do that he
WIN feel it advisable to relinquish his posi-
ton in thel cabinet in order to take up the
active work of the campaign 1t is said
that this is the only condition which will
raise the question of his separation from
the cabinet
Mr.. Payne is a man of an extremely sem
sluve disposition. susceptible to adverse
criticism, yet firm of pu pose and adam
ant IN the pursuance of lis duty He has
feit, according to the friends who know
MIN pest, the lseenest sense of anxiety be-
cause Of the disclosures in the Post Office
department, ct at no time has he wavered
In the slightest degree from his purpose of
uncovering ALI of the defrauders of the gov
eminent and having them punished to the
tull extent of the law when they were
found. When the verdict of the Machen
trial was received by him he took occasion
TO say to Star reporter that he felt it to
be vindicatfon of the course he had
caused to be taken, and that he was over
joyed that the government had been sue
cessful in the case.
Unusually Severe Stroke.
At this time his appearance was that of
a man who needed rest and relief from
work, and it was soon after that verdict
that the govt with which he has been suf-
fering took him down. He has had touches
of it before, but never so severe as the
present stroke Just at this moment he is
petulant and inclined to get up and go back
strict that he sail remain in bed for
week or two longer. He could not how
ever, get up II such orders had not been
given, for the pain would hold him there.
will be taken away as soon as the dis
ease leaves him so that he can be moved,
though his destination has not vet been
decided upon by his family. 1t may be that
a sea voyage will be taken in lieu of a trip
to and sojourn in Florida.