Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1914-12-11

WASHINGTON, December 1O-Repre-
sentative Serene E. Payne. of New
York. died suddenly of heart failure at
his apartment here tonight.
Mr.. Payne had retired to his room
apparently In robust health. He tele-
phoned the apartment house clerk
about IL o'clock, asking that ply
sician be sent for. When the clerk
reached the room the Congressman was
dying, and life was extinct before the
doctor arrived.
Mr.. Payne. who was seventy one
years old, lived alone, and at midnight
his body lay waiting for the coroner.
without friend or relative near. His
wife died three years ago. and no ono
could be found tonight who knew the
address of his only son.
Members of Congress who had seen
Mr. Payne on the floor OF the House
to-day. active as usual, knew nothing
of his death for more than an hour.
a Representative from New York in
every Congress, except one, since 1888
Mr.. Payne was chairman of the Ways
and Means Committee and Republican
floor leader In 19o910, and directed the
drafting OF the Payne Aldrich tariff
bill. HeSwas born at Hamilton, N. Y,
June 20. 1s43. He practiced law and
was district attorney of CayuSa County,
and in 1883 was elected member Of
Congress from the Twenty-sixth Dis
trict. Later his district was the Thir-
tytirst and finally he represented the
Thirty-sixth. In 1898, he was appointed
to negotiate a treaty with Canada. He
had made his home at Auburn, N. Y,
for years, though most of his time was
spent in Washington.
ONE OF FOREMOST
TARIFF AUTHORITIES
AS one OF the foremost tariff authori-
ties In Congress, Mr.. Payne was a
notable figure among the Republicans
Of the House long before he became
mittee. and framed the Republican
tariG doctrine which stood until re-
pealed by the Underwood law.
When the Democrats gained control
OF the House four years ago. MIR. Payne
was succeeded as Republican leader by
Representative Mann, of Illinois, who
had been one of his lieutenants dur
ing the tariff fights.
The New York Representative. how
ever, did not give up his activities as
a party chief. During the Underwood
tariff debate, he made one Of tho no.
table speeches OF the session, and he
was heard on the Panama toll exemp-
tlon repeal bill and many OF the i'm
portant Issues In the present Congress-
His age was beginning to tell, however,
and OF late he had not infrequently
dozed quietly In his chair for few
iAoucHtS III a time during q DAY BeS-
sion. He had an office assigned to him
Just across the corridor from the House.
Though always at odds politically with
Speaker Clark and Democratic Leader
Underwood, both of them had for him
a very high opinion and personal re-
gard.
The Congressman leaves n son, VIII
Payne, who has been associated with
him In the Ways and Means Commit
tee work from time to time for years.
He was the ranking minority member
OF the Ways and Means Committee, and
last met with that committee when 1t
was called together by Chairman I'm
derwood in October to be photographed
In moving pictures
The body Will be taken to New York
State to the home city. which at the
last election returned him to Congress
with comfortable majority, after a
vigorous campaign.
Committees Will be appointed by both
houses OF Congress tomorrow to at
tend the funeral.