The Detroit times., 1909-03-17
SEREN0 {. PAYNE IS
A PL0DOER WHO
HAS GONE FAR
NEW TARIFF TO GEAR NAME OF
MAN WHO is SLOW, PONDER.
Gus, COLD AND FoReIppINo
OF DEMEANoR.

WASHINGTON, March 17.-Sereno
the ways and means committee.
whose name will be attached To the
next tarin bill is "A living exemplifica'
ton OF the old fable concerning the
race between the hare and the tor
toise. He is q plodder lie accomp-
fishes little at time. but finally
catches up with success
During the "a years he has repre-
scented the thirty-first New York dis
trict In the house Mr.. Payne has slow
~ but surely climbed the ladder rung
by rung Not brilliant. not dashing.
not enthusiastic not energetic. he has
just plodded along until the prize
WAS reached. IL :equiTed nearly a
quarter of century to accomplish
what others might have done In much
less time. But perseverance and keep
ing at Ii brought results.
Mr.. Payne is not sociable or popu
lar. He is not a mixer, or a jollier, or
a good fellow Primarily and above
all things else he is a smiler. lie
always smiles. but Is never friendly
The cold. mechanical smile covers a
manner that strangers would consider
offensive. and his friends dislike.
With the death of Nelson Dingley
Mr. Payne came into his own. He
was made chairman of the ways and
means committee. and with that posi-
ton leader OF the Republicans on the
floor OF the house He was appointed
to that place. He would never have
hann tod hp All
ciates He is lacking in the magne
tism necessary to secure such an cleo
tive Office.
From the day that Uncle Joe
Cannon took the gavcl until this min
ute MIR Payne has stood beside Mr.
Cannon like stone fence He reflects
the speaker in all possible ways, and
in that lies his strength and prowess
The Big Five" o: the house have
always worn red carnations. as a
badge OF authority. it is said. and
every day Messrs. Cannon, Payne
Sherman. Dalzell and Tawney ap-
peared with this flower on the lapel OF
their coats.
Slow, Heavy, Slightly Deaf.
As floor leader. Mr. Payne has beer
handicapped by slight deafness. He
Is not an orator and not quick at
repartee He is slow heavy. even pom
derous. He makes few speeches and
says nothing that is unnecessary
Every time he has opened his mouth
since assuming The duties OF leader /.
has been a signal foe John Sharp VIII
liams aud other nimble wits TO pounce
upon him and make fun for the house
Even his Republican associates al
ways take a fling IT Mr.. Payne When
the opportunity is presented. Mr.
Payne depends largely upon his i'm
pressive and massive dignity to make
a good stroke when occasion demands
Il. lie has all the dignity on earth
and the only silver lining TO II is his
smile
When the new house office building
was ready for occupancy Representa-
tive Mann headed q committee which
apportioned its rooms. Mr.. Payne was
bent on remaining in the same rooms
thar were occupied by Thad Stevens.
William Mckinley and other notables.
Mr.. Mann said he must go 10 the new
building The ways and means com
mittee rooms We're then given 10 the
speaker Mr. Payne sought to crowd
ont the appropriations committee and
take a sQuatter's rights on its rooms.
And then came OH Il bitter fight be
tween Payne and Tawney. At the cor.
clusion OF the nasty wrangle Mr.
Payne lost out. Tawney retaining his
comfortable rooms al the end OF the
speakers lobby and Mr.. Payne went
ever to the office building lie has
never since been the same man. II
.t..i.l -. l., rs 10
tige that cannot be snoothed out. He
stu broods over this defeat and seeks
revenge.
His Manner Oomineerine.
During the tariff hearings recently
concluded Mr. Payne manifested that