The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-10-05

others, built up IN Wisconsin one OF inc
most perfect political machines that this
country has ever seen. In all those years
II worked with little friction. until Gov.
La Toilette set out few years ago to smash
It. II isn't smashed yet, and Mr.. payne's
fr1e.ds say II n all the stronger for the ioi's
La Toilette has given to II.
But his political activity did not pre-
vent Mr.. Payne from succeeding equally
we'll in business. Az the time OF his death
he was counted one OF the wealthiest men
Wisconsin Telephone Company, and de-
veloped Its business in very short time to
such an extent that the Bell Telephone
Company acquired 1t at price that netted
large returns to the original stockholders.
From 1890 to 1895 he was receiver OF the
Northern Pacific Railway. In 1889 he
consolidated all the street railways and
electric lighting plants Of Milwaukee, into
the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light
Company and was president OF the COM
he was president Of the American Street
Railway Association.
For many years Mr.. Payne had the
ambition to I've Postmaster ienerai He
sought the appointment from Arthur again
from Harrison and then from Mckinley
1t remained for President Roosevelt TO
crafty the ambition. When the Presi-
dent announced the appointment It was
set down as skiful politics. in that it re-.
moved United States Senator SpooneN Of
Il was said OF Mr.. Payne that he could
make more friends and hold them than any
man in the State Of Wisconsin. Payne
reported to have said. have made more
friends and converted more enemies than
"a similar combination ever won Tor public
man in America.
Mr.: Payne's reputation as practical
Republican preceded him 10 Washington
and may be said to have lost nothing on
the tourney. Before he had been sworn in
as the head of the Post Office Department he
was held UP as the chief political adviser OF
the g. o. p, the pilot who guided the party
to victory over the rocks and shoals OF cam
naign danger, the master mind of the
Tuner circle. whose deliberations and de-
,sisions meant peace and harmony, victory
and tranquility In four year PERIODS, ano
he WAS credited with carr ing around the
Republican strength of n dozen or so West
ern States in his pocket.
II was reported that President Roosevelt
desiring reelection and seeing trouble
some times ahead. had secured MI. Payne
as a political pacifer, to make his road
as smooth as possible. Mr.. Payne wa,
immediately christened The Politician o.
the Cabinet aud throughout his term O
service the title stuck TO him, although
at times IL was rather in the nature OF
misnomer.
While personally President Roosevelt
aud his Postmas ter General worked to
gether in harmony and friendship through
out their official association, their We've
very often differed on questions OF politica
expediency, and il was not always MIR
Payne's ideas which prevailed.
Nr. Payne was perhaps better know
to the public generally by, reason OF the
fact that he was at the head OF his Depart
scandal inquiry. And in this connection
il is only fair to say that Mr.. Payne never
received his share of the credit for tn
expose that followed as result OF the
Investigation. When the number!ess charges
ginning Of public know ledge OF the scandal
were made. Mr.. Payne had already beer
at work for some time, trying to determine
the real situation. y
cation to a close. determine the guilty per
sons, correct the faults OF the Administra
ton and complete a report on the matter
without anything previously. becoming
known. Then Mr., Payne would have mad'
an announcement OF the inquiry, it's de-
removal and arrest OF the guilty persons
MIR, Payne did not have a chance to put hii
ideas Into effect. The wave Of publ. ity
picked him OF his feet and carried hin
made. the biggest mistake Of his offlcia
career in Washington just at this time
Instead OF floating with the current. III
tried TO stem il alone and practically un
aided, he 0ellttleu the scenoAFs a1e loT UAh
publicity in his Departm ent and tool
every means in his power to keep the dali.
deyelopn ents OF the investigation a pro
found secret. =.
When MIR. Payne came to Washington i,
was his ambition to nee the one cent STANDARD
Of postage established before he retired
again to private life. But he had not beer
here long before he learned that he would
he disappointed In this hope. The rura
fres delivery service was the doninan
branch Of tho postal service under Mr.
Payne Personally, he was OF the belle
that one cent postage and the star rout
system would give the greatest beneh
10 the greatest number Of people and tina
be left to develop slowly.
Mr. Payne was extremely popular II
Washington, both among his official aeso
ciates and those whom he met socially
He was courteous and kind, unahecte'
and democratic in his manner and dress
and according TO those who knew him hae
"A great big beart.
On several occasions last summer, wher
Mr. PAYNE was called upon in the die
charge Of his official duties to notify so m
old and formerly trusted employee OF the
postal service that he had been removed
for dishonesty, he was visibly affected ant
IN. one we'll remembered occasion, brok
down completely.
And he was easily affected by the othe
extreme A good story, or some humor
Gus remark would bring on his high, clea
and merry laughter. As friend OF MI
PAYNE once remarked. Its better tina
indigestion medicine to me to hear Henry
tenor when something has pleased him
And when I want somebody to svmpsthiz
with me, l always go straight to him