The Washington times., 1904-10-10
First Assistant Appointed Postmaster Gen
eral by the President to Succeed the
Late Henry G. Payne.
MAY RETIRE AFTER CAMPAIGN
IN FAVOR OF MR.. CORTELYOU
Career of Former Newspaper Correspond
ent-His Hard Fight to Convict
the s'Grafters

President Roosevelt today appointed
Robert j. VVynne Postmaster General 10
succeed the late Henry c. Payne. Mr.,
Wynne has been Acting Postmaster
General by Presidential order since Mr.
Payne's death. TOday's appointment
makes him a member OF the Cabinet.
The new Postmaster General IS a vet
eTan newspaper man, having been the
Washington correspondent Of the New
York Press" for number OF years prior
10 his appointment as First Assistant
Postmaster General two years ago. He
IS a member Of the Gridiron Club, the
famous social organization Of Washing
ton journalists and is one of the most
popular men in the profession.
A Son Of New York
Mr.. Wyune was born in New York
city IN November. 1852. and was there
educated in the public schools. He re-
moved 10 Philadelphia, and learned teleg-
Taphy, working IN the gold and stock
board. eventually becoming chief opera
tor of the Pacific and Atlantic Tele-
graph Company. After living eight years
In Philadelphia, Mr.. Wynne came TO
Washington. His first newspaper work
was on the Cincinnati Gazette" under
Gen. Henry Y. Boynton, who trained
him as Washington c0rresp sp0udent
lie wrote for the old Gazette" and the
Cincinnati Commercial Gazette" until
1Sa1. when he was appointed private
secretary to the Secretary Of the Treas
ury. Charles Foster Of Ohio
Returns to Journalism.
On the election OF President Cleve-
land. ar. Wynne returned 10 journal
ism as cOrresuOudent OF the '-Ciucin-
natl Tribune Ills letters and dispatches
On national politics, the tariff. and
finance obtained for him recognition and
exclusive engagement on the New York
Press an uItra-prOtecuon and gold
standard paper.
Mr- Wynne is the president of the
Gridiron Club. and a member Of the
Loyal Legion. and the Army and Navy
Club. His father served in the Mexican
and the civil wars. Hr. Wynne's oldest
son is a captain In the Marine Corps.
and has served with distinction in Cuba,
the Philippines, and China.
The appointment OF Mr. Wynne prob
ably means that AIr. Cortelyou. who
was promised the position last spring
when be retired from the Department 0f
Commerce and Labor 10 become chair
man Of the Republican National Com
m-tree, VIII not claim the portfolio until
The nIst or the year. or in the event
OF President RooseveIts election. tlu The
fourth OF next March
Before 1Ir Paynes death the plan
was for him 10 retire early after ths
election and be succeeded by Mr.. CorteI-
you
Mr Payne's death, occurring al the
time IL did. made necessary the appoint
menL OF a Postmaster General before
The election. the law providing that there
shan he no vacancy In the Cabinet for
more thau thirty days.
Must Remain at Post.
The President wishes Mr. CorteIvou
70 continue as chairman Of the Repub-
Icau committee until the election.
His choice for the vacancy naturally
zen upon Ar. Wynne. and the appoint
meut comes 10 him as much as a reward
for his earnest work as First Assistant.
as in the line OF promotion. II Will also
permit Mr. COrteIyou 10 take a much
needed rest after the campaign.
TO Robert j. Wynue belongs the credit
IOr the sweeping investigation OF ths
Fostofhce Department which resulted