The Detroit times., 1909-03-17
SERENO {. PAYNE IS
4 PLOODER WHO
HAS GONE FAR
NEW TARIFF TO EEAR NAME OF
MAN WHO is SLOW, PONDER.
Gus, COLD AND FoReIoolNG
OF DEMEANOR.

WASHINGTON, March l7.-Sereno
+. Payne, OF New York, chairman OF
the ways and means committee.
whose name will be attached TO the
next tariff bill, is living exemplifica.
ton of the old fable concerning the
race between the hare and the tor
toise. He is a plodder lie accomp-
fishes little at time, but finally
catches up with success
During the "a years he has repre-
sented the thirty-first New York dis
trict Ia the house Mr.. Payne has slow
ly but surelyFclimbed the ladder rung
by rung Not brilliant. not dashing.
not enthusiastic. not energetic. he has
just plodded along until the prize
was reached II required nearly a
what others might have done in much
less time. But perseverance and keep
ing at It brought results.
Mr.. Payne is not sociable or popu-
lar. He is not mixer. or Il jollier, or
a good fellow. Primarily and above
all things else he is "A smiler. He
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 nXn--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
been elected by vote OF his asso-
ciates He Is lackinS In the magne'
tism necessary to secure such an cleo
tive Office.
From the day that Uncle Joe"
Cannon took the gaycl until this min
ute Mr.. Payne has stood beside Mr.,
Cannon like a stone fence. He reflects
the speaker in all possible ways. and
in tfIat ffes his strength and pruwess.
The big Five" OF the house have
always worn red carnations, as a
badge of authority, 1t is said. and
every day Messrs. Cannon. Payne,
Sherman. Dalzell and Tawney aD-
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\a and not quick at
repartee. He is slo3, heavy, even pom
derous. He makeY few speeches and
says nothing that is unnecessary
Every time he mas opened his mouth
since assuming the duties OF leader /;
has been a~sfgnal for John Sharp vii.
To ,tI nj tvit n
upon MIN and make fun for the house
Even his Republican associates al
ways take fling at Mr. Payne When
the opportunity is presented. Mr.
Payne depends largely upon his i'm
pressive and massive dignity to make
good stroke when occasion demands
It, He 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 a committee which
Iapportloned It's rooms. Mr.. Payne was
bent on remaining in the same rooms
that 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 were then given to the
speaker. Mr. Payne sought TO crowd
out the appropriations committee and
take squatter's rights on It's rooms
And then came on 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. He has
never since been the same. man. II
put "A wrinkle in his pride and pres
tige that cannot be snoothed ont. He
still broods over this defeat and seeks
revenge.
His Manner Oominecrlng.
During the tariff hearings recently
concluded Mr.. Payne manifested that
arbitrary and dictatorial manner
which ordinarily characterizes him.
He displayed the domineering spirit
for which he has sacrificed popularity
and genality Andrew Carnegie was
the only witness who held his own and
went him one better. Mr.. Carnegie
frankly and bluntly told Mr.. Payne
that he and his committee knew moth
lnR al all ABOUT IThInlnk ldTlH Dill,
that they-N-Fe- Missionaries. not -praC.
teal and were depending on bunch
OF figures the meaning OF which they
did not In the least comprehend.
At the same time Mr. Payne is a
tariff expert lie has made that sul-
ject study since beginning service
many years ago on the ways and
means committee He not only knows
all the ms and outs OF The tarlff but IL
personally acquainted with all manu-.
facturers and importers who make
complaints TO the committee. liz
knows In advance their grievances
and their arguments. His thorough
knowledge OF all things pertaining -
the tariff il not disputed. The only
weak spot inthis- educatioH-wa thai
protection became fis Bible
Mr.. Payne has passed the climax
OF his ambition. II disappeared when
Mr. Cannon was chosen speaker, and
probably will never appear again on
his political horizon. Mr. Payne 8
great aspiration was TO become speak
or when David y. Henderson retired
from public life In waging his losing