Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1876-07-13
CnLrNpus. O., July s.

COLUMBUS, o., July s.
Hon. Edward Mcpherson, Hon. Nm. a.
Ho,card, Hon Joseph II. Rainey and Others,
Committee Of the Republican National Con-
veati0R
GENTLEMEN In reply to your official COM
munication of June l7Lh, by which | am in
formed of my nomination for the Office of
President of the United States by the Repub-
lican National Convention, at Cincinnati, ac-
cept the nomination with gratitude hoping that,
under Providence, shall be able, il elected,
to execute the duties of the high Office as a
trust for the benefit of all the people. | do
not deem it necessary TO enter upon any ex-
tended examination of the declaration of prin-
ciplcs made by the convention. The resolutions
are in accord with my views, and l heartily
concur in the principles they announce.
In several of the resolutions, however, ques.
tions are considered which are of such import
ance that deem it proper to briefly express
my convictions in regard to them.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The fifth resolution adopted by the Conven-
ton is of paramount interest. More than
forty years ago system of appointments to
Office grew up, based upon the maxim ito the
victors belong the spols." The old rule, the
true rule, that honesty, capacity and fidelity
constitute the only real qualification for office,
and that there is no other claim, gave place to
the idea that party services we're to be chiefly
considered. All parties, in practice, have
adopted this system. 1t has been essentially
modified snceits first introduction 1t has not
however been improved. At first the Presi-
dent. either directly or through the heads of
departments, made all the appointments but
gradually the appointing power in many cases
II -, rJ.or5 g ffNFa
The Offices in these cases have become not
merely reward for party services, but rewards
for services to party leaders This system
DESTROYS the independence of the separate de-
partments of the Government. Ittends direct
ly to extravaganza and official incapacity; it IS
temptation TO dishonesty It binders and inn
pairs that careful supervision and direct ac>
countabilty by which alone faithful and efficient
public service can be secured it obstructs the
PROMPT removal and sure punishment of the un-
worthy. In every way it degrades the civil
service and the character of the Government.
It is felt, am confident by large majority
of the members of Congress, to be an intolera'
BILE burden, and an unwarrantable hindranoe
| to the proper discharge OF their legitimate
duties. II ought to be abolished. The reform
should be thorough, radical and complete we
should return to the principles and practices
when need, that which was formerly an estab-
| lshcd custom. They neither expected nor
desired from the public officer any partizan ser.
vice they meant that public officers should
owe .heir whole service to the Government
and to tie people. They meant that the officer
should be secure in his tenure as long as his
personal character remained untarnished, and
the performance of hfs duties satisfactory. If
elected, shall conduct the administration of the
Government upon these principles and all con.
stitutional powers veated in the executive will
be EMPLOYED to establish this reform.
The declaration ofprinciples bp the CIncln-
natl Convention makes no announcement in
favor of
SINGLE PRESIDENTIAL TERN.
do not assume to add to that declaration ;
but. believing that the restoration of the civil
service to the system established by Washing
ton and followed By the early Presidents, can
be best accomplished by an executive who ls
under no temptation to use the patronage OF
his Office TO promote his own reelection.
desire to perform what regard as dnty, in
stating now my infexible purpose, if elected.
not to be candidate for election to second
term.
ON the CURRENCY QUESTION
have frequentlyexpressed my views in pub