Harold Payne Seeks Treasurer Nomination, 1942

Bainbridge Man to Seek Nomination

Local Voters Urged to go to the Polls for Primary Day Balloting, August 11th

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 6, 1942

 

Harold L. Payne

 

Bainbridge voters are urged to exercise their right of franchise and go to the polls on Primary Day, August 11, where a fellow townsman, life-long resident and former postmaster, Harold L. Payne is a candidate for the office of County Treasurer.  Citizens of Bainbridge will remember Mr. Payne's many long years of service in the local post office and will cast their votes not only for a member of their community, but for a man whose record in public service speaks for itself.

 

Harold L. Payne was born in Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], one of the eight children of Frank and Jennie B. Payne.  He received all of his education in the local school and in March, 1910, on the completion of his high school course, he entered the local post office.  In July of the same year, the office was advanced to the status of second class and Mr. Payne continued his work as clerk until 1924, when he was appointed postmaster during the administration of Calvin Coolidge.  He receives his second and third appointments under President Hoover. 

 

On July 10, 1917, Mr. Payne married Mabel Thompson the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Thompson, of Towanda, Pa.  Mrs. Payne was a member of the local school's faculty for five years.  Mr. and Mrs. Payne have a daughter, Mary T. Payne, who was graduated from Syracuse University.

 

Harold L. Payne continued as postmaster in the Bainbridge post office until April 1, 1936, when he was involuntarily separated from the service.  On the first of the following month, he was employed by Percy W. Woodruff, Commissioner of Public Welfare, Preston, as Veteran Investigator of Chenango County, performing social work in the department. 

 

In the summer of 1936, he was elected County Service Officer of the American Legion, a position which involved rehabilitation work among veterans. 

 

Mr. Payne was appointed County Commissioner for the Administration of State Veteran Relief Fund in 1940 and in October of the same year was appointed a member of the Oxford Selective Service Board by Governor Lehman. In this absolutely non-paying capacity, Mr. Payne has faithfully and conscientiously carried out his duties as he has seen fit.  A thankless job at best, and always subject to criticism, the man who undertakes a job of this sort is doing his country a service that cannot be measured in dollars and cents.  a member of the Slater-Silvernail Post of the American Legion Mr. Payne has had experience and knowledge necessary to take on this task and has done it well.

 

In addition to the above mentioned offices, Mr. Payne is a member of the Bainbridge Central School Board, is also a district director of the Town of Bainbridge, elected for a term of six years, is Past Master of the Bainbridge Masonic Lodge, F.&A.M., trustee of the Bainbridge Free library, and a member of the local branch of the American Legion.

 

These facts should be considered on Primary Day, August 11, when the polls are open from 12 noon to 9 P.M.