June 22 1877 Prohibition Federal Employees Political

### About this speech Rutherford B. Hayes June 22, 1877 Source (not specified) Following John Jay's investigation of the New York Customhouse, Hayes issues this Executive Order, which forbids the involvement of federal employees in political activities. The President takes such action in the hope that it will curtail corruption; the Executive Order stipulates that those in office can no longer be dismissed for political reasons. These events testify to Hayes's interest in civil service reform. [Presidential Speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches) | Rutherford B. Hayes Presidency ## June 22, 1877: Prohibition of Federal Employees’ Political Involvement ### Transcript SIR: I desire to call your attention to the following paragraph in a letter addressed by me to the Secretary of the Treasury on the conduct to be observed by officers of the General Government in relation to the elections: No officer should be required or permitted to take part in the management of political organizations, caucuses, conventions, or election campaigns. Their right to vote and to express their views on public questions, either orally or through the press, is not denied, provided it does not interfere with the discharge of their official duties. No assessment for political purposes on officers or subordinates should be allowed. This rule is applicable to every department of the civil service. It should be understood by every officer of the General Government that he is expected to conform hi
s conduct to its requirements. Very respectfully, R.B. HAYES Previous [March 5, 1877: Inaugural Address](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-5-1877-inaugural-address) Next [July 18, 1877: Message Regarding Railroad Strike](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-18-1877-message-regarding-railroad-strike) ### More Rutherford B. Hayes speeches [View all Rutherford B. Hayes speeches](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches?field_president_target_id\[19\]=19) [July 18, 1877: Message Regarding Railroad Strike](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/july-18-1877-message-regarding-railroad-strike) transcript icon [December 3, 1877: First Annual Message](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-3-1877-first-annual-message) transcript icon [February 8, 1878: Veto of Bland-Allison Act](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/february-8-1878-veto-bland-allison-act) transcript icon [December 2, 1878: Second Annual Message](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/december-2-1878-second-annual-message) transcript icon [March 1, 1879: Veto Message Regarding Immigration Legislation](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/march-1-1879-veto-message-regarding-immigration-legislation) transcript icon [April 26, 1879: Proclamation Regarding Indian Territory](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/april-26-1879-proclamation-regarding-indian-territory) transcript icon [April 29, 1879: Veto of Army Appropriations Bill](/the-presidency/presidential-speeches/april-29-1879-veto-army-appropriati
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