Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1904-10-05
DEATH OF THE POSTMASTER
GENERAL.

Henry C. Payne, Postmaster General
of the United States, a member of the
national republican COMMITTEES, stall
wart OF his party, with the history of
which, both 10 his home State aud
nationally he has been identified for
many years, died at his apartments at
the Arlington Hotel, in Washington,
at CLIO O'Clock last night, aged 60 years.
In succession to Mr.. Payne, George
Bruce Cortelyou, ex.Secretary OF the
Department OF Commerce and Labor,
and now chairman of the republican
national committee, will become Post
master General. Mr.. Cortelyou's APP
pointment as head Of the PostOffce De-
partment was determined on several
months ago by President Roosevelt,
when Mr.. Payne indicated to the fresi-
dent his desire to retire from the De-
partment on account of The precarious
state of his health. Mr.. Payne would
have resigned the portfolio long ego, 1t
is said, had it not been for the then
penGing investigation of the affairs OF
the department. 1t is the understand
ing now that Mr.. Cortelyou will assume
the duties of Postmaster-General as
soon as be conveniently can after the
close of the pending campaign.
Mr.. Payne was born in Ashheld,
Mnss., November 23, 1S4S, OF early Bay
State settlers. He was educated in the
common schools and graduated at Shell
burne Falls Mass. Academy in 1859.
He removed to Milwaukee, Wis, in Sep
TENDER, 1868, where he had lived since.
Mr. Payne made his first active appear
ance in politics in the Grant Greeley CAM
paign of 1872, being active in organizing
the Young Mems Republican Club, OF
which he was the first secretary, and
since that time had been in continuous
service as an officer of the republican
party organizations in Milwaukee, in
Wisconsin and in the nation. In 1880 he
was elected a member of the republican
national committee, and had continu-
ously held that position TO the time OF
his death, and was a member of the ex'
ecutiye committee of the national COM
mittee during the last four presidential
campaigns. During the Mckinley cam
paigns of 1896 and 1900 he was in
charge of the western headquarters OF
the republicans in Chicago, Ills,
as ce-chairman Of the republican ma
tional committee. He was delegate-at-
large from Wisconsin to the Chicago
convention of 1888, which nominated
Harrison, and also to the Minneapolis
convention of 1892, which renominated
Harrison. He was appointed in 1876
postmaster of Milwaukee by President
Grant and reappointed by Presidents
Hayes and Arthur, holding the Office 10
years until the democrats secured control
of the national government. In bust
ness circles Mr.. Payne was quite as ac-
tive as in politics. He had been in poor
health for many months. The collapse
which resulted in his death came on
June Is, 1904, in the Auditorium An
uex in Chicago, when he was there in
the capacity of acting chairman of the
republican national committee in con-
nection with the last republican conven-
ton. Prior to that time he had not been
in good health for some time and he had
just recently taken an ocean trip for the
purpose OF recuperation. The time of
the collapse was shortly before the hour
set for the convention of the republican
national committee, over which Mr.
Payne was expected to preside.