Payne, Sereno Elisha definition of Payne, Sereno Elisha in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Payne, Sereno Elisha (sərē`nō), 1843–1914, American legislator, b. Hamilton, N.Y. He was admitted to the bar (1866), practiced at Auburn, N.Y., and was active in Republican politics. He served (1883–87, 1889–1914) in Congress and was long a member of the Committee on Ways and Means, becoming chairman in 1899. Payne, a staunch though not extreme protectionist, was active in fostering Republican tariff legislation. He helped draft the McKinley Tariff Act (1890), the Dingley Act (1897), and the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act, 1909, passed by the U.S. Congress. It was the first change in tariff laws since the Dingley Act of 1897; the issue had been ignored by President Theodore Roosevelt.
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Payne, Sereno Elisha (1843–1914) U.S. representative; born in Hamilton, N.Y. A graduate of the University of Rochester, he had a law practice in Auburn, N.Y. (1866–1914) before going to Congress (Rep., N.Y.; 1883–85, 1887–1914). Focusing on protective tariffs, he became chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1899. A loyal lieutenant to Speaker Joseph Cannon, he cosponsored the unpopular Payne-Aldrich Tariff of 1906. He successfully argued for fair rates in the House but the Senate tacked on high fees.