Executive Order 271

To the People of the United States:

Henry Clay Payne, Postmaster-General of the United States, died in this city at 10 minutes past 6 o'clock yesterday afternoon.

Rising to eminence by his own efforts, successful in his enterprises, attaining to positions of high trust in private business, energetic and conscientious in his relations with his fellow men, of singularly gentle, loyal and lovable nature, inspired by a large sense of the duties of a true citizen, and winning the respect and esteem of all with whom he associated, he was called in the fullness of his powers to discharge the duties of a peculiarly onerous and responsible office in the high councils of the nation. His career is an example for good citizens to follow, and his untimely death is mourned by all.

The President directs that the several executive departments and their dependencies shall show fitting regard for the memory of this distinguished public man; that the departments in the city of Washington shall be closed between the hours of 9 o'clock a.m. and 1 o'clock p.m. on the day of the funeral, Friday, the 7th inst., and that the national flag shall be displayed at half-mast upon all the public buildings throughout the United States from now until the funeral shall have taken place.

By direction of the President.

Signature of John Hay Author:John Hay , Washington, October 5, 1904.