The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1876-07-10

COLUMBUS: o., July 10.-The following
is the letter of Governor Hayes accept
ing the Republican nomination for the
Presidency:
COLUMBUS. o., July s, 1876.
Hon. Edward MCPHERSON, Hon. VIM. A.
Howard, hon. Joseph H. Rainey and
others, Committee Of the Republican
National Convention:
GENTLEMEN-In reply to your official
communication OF June II, by which l
am informed OF my nomination for the
cffice OF President of the United States
by the Republican National Convention
at Cincinnati, l accept the nomination
with gratitude, hoping that under Provi-
dence shall be able, IL elected, to exc.
cute the duties of the high office as
tIust for the benefit OF all the people.
l do not deem IL necessary to enter
upon any extended examination of tha
declaration of principles made by the
Convention. The resolutions are in ac-
cord with my views, and l heartily con-
cur IN the principles they announce. In
several OF the resolutions, however,
questions are considered which are OF
such importance that l deem it proper
to briefly express my convictions in re-
gard to them.
The fifth resolution adopted by the
Convention is OF paramount interest.
More than forty years ago system of
making appointments to office grew up
based upon the MAXIM: $40 the victors
belong the spoils." The old rule, the
true rule, that honesty, capacity and
fidelity constitute the only real Quallfi-
cations for office, and that there is no
other claim, gave place to the idea
that party services we're 10 be chiefly
considered. Ali parties, in prac-
tice, have adopted this system.
1t has been essentially modi.
lied since its first Introduction. 1t has
not, however, been improved. At first
the President. either directly or through
the Heads OF Departments. made all the
appointments, but gradually the ap-
pointing power i'll many cases passed
into the control OF members Of Congress.
rhe offices in these cases have become
not merely rewards for party services,
but rewards for services to party lead-
ers. This system destroys the inde-
pendence OF the separate Departments
of the Governments. 1t tends directly to
extravaganza and official incapacity. 1t
is temptation to dishonesty. IL hin.
ders and impairs that careful supervis-
ion and strict accountability by which
alone faitE fui and Efficient public service
can be secured. II obstructs the prompt
emoval aud sure punishment OF the un-
worthy. In every way it degrades the
civil service and the character Of the
Government. 1t is felt, am confident,
Dy q large majority of the members OF
Congress to be an intolerable burden
aud an unwarruntable hindrance to the
proper discharge OF their legitimate
duties. 1t ought to be abolished. The
reform should be thorough, radical and
complete. We should return to the
principles and practices Of the founders
Of the Government. supplying by legis-
| alton, when needed, that which was
formerly an established custom. They
neither expected nor desired from the
public officer any partisan service. They
meant tnat public officers should owe
their whole service to the Government
and to the people. They meant that tue
ficer should be secure in his tenure as
Tong as hls personal character remained
untarnished and the performance Of his
duties satisfactory. III elected, l shall
conduct the Administration Of the Gov
ernment upon these principles, and all
| constitutional powers vested In the En-
eoutive will be employed 70 establish
this reform.
The declaration OF principles by the
Cincinnati Convention makes NO an.