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First of the long-sitting chairmen of Ways and Means, Sereno E. Payne (R-NY) took the helm of the Committee in 1899 and held it for 12 years, a record at that time. One of the first bills introduced under Payne's leadership resulted in the repeal of all Spanish-American War taxes. The clamor for tariff reform grew louder after the war, and Payne conducted extensive hearings on the issue. The Payne-Aldrich Tariff, passed in 1909, fulfilled his dream to have his name attached to some law of lasting importance. |
