The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-11
WYNNE POSTMASTER. GENERAL
THE PRESIDENT PROMOTES THE
n. FIRST ASSISTANT 3 T

Temporary One-H Roosevelt H Re
elected wynne VIII Have to Make way
for the Appointment OF Mr.. Cortelyou.
WASHINGTON, Oct. lo.-Robert j. wynne
Of New York. First Assistant Postmaster-
General. was to-day appointed Postmaster
0enArd to succeed Henry c. Payne OF
Wisconsin, who died In Washington last
week. Mr.. Wynne 10 credited with having
brought about the investigation OF the
nastai service scandals which resulted In
the indictment OF thirty-one persons, and
his appointment to-day Ia considered TO
be q reward OF merit.
The appointment is temporary IN its ma
ture, but Mr.. Wynne will probably serve
as Postmaster General several weeks ana
perhaps several months. " has been
generally understood in Washington that
IN the event OF President Roosevelts re-
election. George B, Cortelyou, former
Secretary of the Department OF Commerce
publican national committee, would ulti-
mately become Postmaster-G General.
Mr. Wynne was appointed First Assist
ant Postmaster General April H. 1902
For nearly twenty-five years previously ne
had been a Washington newspaper man
and at the time Of his appointment was
Washington correspondent OF the New
York Press. He knew many public, men
and had their confidence and friendship,
and when his name was suggested tor the
Assistant Postma ster-G eneralship he re-
ceived Endorsements OF the most compli-
mentary character
Mr.. Wynne had been in the Post Office
Department only short time when he came
TO the conclusion that he was supposed 70
be q fgurehead whose sole recognized
official duty was to sign mail His Efforts
TO get grasp upon the details OF the work
If ic ~ htIrnplt resented
VI. Machen. then superintendent OF the
free delivery division, and George w.
Beavers, then Superintendent of the salary
and allowance division Of the Post Office
Department. Inquiries instituted by Mr.
Wynne were diverted from their purpc 81 and
orders given by him we're ignored. Finally
the situation became SO strained that Machen
and Beavers declared open war on the new
First Assistant, and privately announced
that thew were going after his scalp.
Mr.. Wynne himself began &c, to get busy
CATION o. his own, which shortly resulted
IN the resignation Of Supt. Beavers. Machen,
however, held on, and convinced the late
Postmaster General Payne OF his mno-
cence. The relations between Postmaster
General Payne and his First Assistant
were for time very strained. but Mr..
WINNIE continued his efforts to purify the
postal service. and finally, after Fourth
Assistant Postmaster-General Bristow had
pursued his investigations for some time,
Mr.. Payne discovered his error. and from
that time forth Mr. Payne and his First
Assistant worked in harmony
The results of the postal service inquiry
are we'll known, and 1t is now generally
admitted that to Mr.. Wynne belongs the
credit OF having begun the agitation which
resulted in the investigation, and con-
sequently the credit for the splendld re-
suits achieved. It is understood that at
the time when little credence was placed
In the reports Of grating ip the postal
administration, President Roosevelt did
not approve Mr.. Wynne's plan OF publicity
but later, in view Of the sensational de-
velopments brought about by this means,
came to see that the First Assistant Post
master General was working IN the interest
Of the public good.
Mr.. Wynne was born in New York city
in November, 1882; was educated In the pub
lie schools there; went as young man TO
Philadelphia. where he became telegraph
operator and eventually was apPo'i aat q
Telegraph Company. Philadelphia was Mr..
Wynne's residence for eight years. He
then came to Washington and engaged In
newspaper work on the Cincinnati Gazette,
under Gen. Henry v. boynton. ne wrote
msrciai Gdsette until 1891, when he was
appointed private secretary to Secretary
OF the Treasury Charles Foster Of Ohio.
On the election OF President Cleveland.
Mr.. Wynne returned to journalism as
correspondent Of the Cincinnati Tribune:
His letters and dispatches on national
politics. the tariff and finance obtained for
him recognition and exclusive engagement
with New York newspaper.
Mr.. Wynne Is member OF the Gridfron
Club, the Loyal Legion and the Army and
Navy Club His father served in the Mex
loan and civil wars. Mr.. Wynne's oldest
AZ, In n Cant ain in the Marine Corps, and
has served with distinction in Cuba. the
Philippines and China. Mr.. Wynne has
been First Assistant Postmast err General
since April 0. 1909. In his appointment as
Postmaster General he Is accredited to New
York State.
The place Of First Assistant Postmaster
General will not be filed, the und erstanding
TO that offioe when Mr.. Cortelyou becomes
head OF the Post Office Department, John
O. Howley, Chief clerk Of the First Assist
ants office, will act as First Assistant Post
for kha