Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-11
ALL PARTIES OFFER
TRIBUTE TO PAYNE
"Father of the House," Who
Died Alone in Hotel Last Night,
SignaIIy Honored.

WASHINGTON, Dec. u.-Tribute
from all parties and among the most
sincere, from former and most bitter
political foes was paid today to Rep
resentative Serene E. Payne, of New
York, Father" of the House, who
died suddenly last night alone in his
hotel room from heart failure.
Democrats, Republicans and Pro-
gressives today united in testimonials
of esteem. Flags on the capitol were
ordered at half-mast- The House ar
ranged to adjourn early in respect
TO the memory of their colleague who
had the distinction of being the oldest
In point of continuous service in the
House. He had served since March
g. 1888. He was seventy-one years
old.
The House today took charge OF
funeral arrangements through its
sergeant alarms. Speaker Clark ap-
pointed a committee to escort the
body to Auburn, n. Y. Vice-Presi-
dent Marshall will appoint commit
tee to act for the Senate. A day viii
be set aside soon for a service OF
eulogy in the House.
Serene E. Payne. author of the
Payne tariff law and the Oldest MEN,
ber In Congress in point of service.
was born in Hamilton, N. Y, on juno
! rs, 1S43 He was the son of William
| wallace Payne, a farmer and legis-
| lator, and Betsy Sears Payne.
| He attended the University OF
Rochester, and graduated In 1864. He
commenced the study OF law, and in
| 1866 began to practice in Auburn,
where his family moved when he was
| h. f<S
office of city clerk of Auburn. in
which position he served two years.
When his term expired he was elected
district attorney of the county or
Cayuga.
Mr.. Payne early in life took an
active part in politics, espousing the
cause of the Republican party. His
first public appearance as speaker
was in the national campaign of 1864,
when Mr. Lincoln was a candidate
for reelection. He displayed ability
as an orator from the first, and his
services as campaign speaker have
been in demand in every succeeding
national and State contest.
Mr.. Payne began his congressional
career following the election of 1882,
and at once took prominent position
at Washington. He Immediately
familiarized himself with par
liamentary law and the rules govern
| ing Congress, and he was active and
! effective in debate.
From his first appearance on the
floor of the House Mr. Payne had
been a strong advocate Of the pro-
tective tariff system, and as mem-
ber of the ways and means commit
tee almost continuously during the
last twenty years he has had much
| to do with the tariff schedules that
| have been placed on the statute
books.
He was closely associated with Mr..
Mckinley in the preparation OF the
Mckinley bill and was equally active
In forming the Dingley tariff bill.
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 po-
sition leader OF the Republicans on
| the floor Of the House.
! With the exception Of one term Mr.
Payne served in Congress continu-
ously since his first election. In 1899
President Mckinley chose Mr.. Payne
to represent the United States gov
| ernment as q member OF the Amert-
can and British Joint High Commits
! sion, which was assembled in Wash
| ington In that year. for the purpose
of formulating a commercial treaty
between the two countries.
Mr.. Payne passed the climax OF his
ambition when Mr.. Cannon was chos-
en- speaker. Mr.. Payne's great aspi-
ration was to become speaker when
David B. Henderson retired from pub
lie life. In waging his losing fight the
New York delegation was split be-
tween Mr.. Payne and James s. Sher-
| ,1 NFx oh na
q compromise.
! On Monday. at the close of brief
session of Congress, Mr.. Payne an.
nounced the death OF his colleague,
| Edwin A. Merritt, jr., Of St. Lawrence
county, and offered resolutions in re-
spect to his memory.
Mr.. Payne left son. William
Payne, who at one time held a posi-
tion in Congress.