The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1876-09-08
From the Boston Journal
Gov. Hayes's Property Returns-A Silly
SIander Refnted.

AS that useful but overburdened public OFF,
cial popularity known as the ''fool-killsr' has
never yet been able to get his work completely
done, and is likely to have his hands full till
the end of time, it is likely that there are some
people who have escaped his attention who are
insane enough to place some credence IN the
sensational slander, lately published, with re-
lation to Mr.. Hayes alleged Justification of
property returns. The enlightenment Of such
individuals is an object hardly worth aiming at
but the average reader will be interested to
see--porely as matter of curiosity-how q
charge put forward SO pretentiousy and with
SO much detail has had the bottom knocked
completely out of it. The charge was discred-
tied in advance by the obvious tact that it was
manufactured as party necessity to Offset Mr..
Tilden's evasion of just taxation. The desper-
ate strait of the party, in the absence of any
real flaw is Mr.. Hayes's record and character,
compelled the manufacture of ISLANDERS; and SO
We were treated first to the story of his abb
stracting $400 from the possession of a dead
deserter-a story which was strangled SO quick
ly that it may be said to have been stillborn--
and then to this story of false property returns
which has now joined it In the limbo of cam
paign libels.
The charge was, 6rst, that Sardes Birchard,
Gov. Hayes's uncle aud benefactor, listed
S9932 personally in 1873, exclusive of money
and credit, while Governor Hayes, with the
same personally in his possession, listed only
$1,000 in 1874.
Second, that Gov. Hayes made very small
estimate of the value of his watches, although
one of those which he had was alone worth
$500.
Third, that he has never returned his piano,
although he owns very handsome one.
Fourth, that he returned in 1875 and 1876
three horses at $500, when they were worth
$500.
Fifth, that he returned four carriages at $3.50,
when it is known that he paid $500 for one and
$3.50 for another.
Sixth, that $33,7OO was left in his hands as
bequests by Mr.. Birchard, which he was allow
ed to hold three years, but that he did not re-
turn a dollar of this money for taxation.
Seventh, that he made no returns of the prop
erty as executor.
The nature of these charges reflects world
| of credit upon the Paul Pry who worked them
up, and genius like his would be displayed to
| best advantage in Congressional invest sat-
| ing com mnittee 1t is almost pity that such
an artistic piece of campaign lying should come
| to grief. But Gov. Hayes reply to these
charges briefly summarized, is as follows:
First. Orchards return included all notes,
| credits and bank accounts. When Governor
Hayes made his return in 1874 all credits were
swallowed up in debts and the same is true Of
these notes. The personally bequeathed to Gov.
Hayes was almost wholly bank stocks, the tax
upon which was paid by the banks. The S99S2
returned by Birch ard was more than swallowed
| up by the obligations incurred to Gov. Hayes
in carrying out Orchards projects for the ben
eft of the town of Fremont. In 1874 $1,000 was
returned, which was for household goods not
subject to this deduction, and in 1876 the item
was increased to $4,000 because of an increase
in Gov. Hayes private library.
Second. Gov. Hayes never had IA watch worth
$500. The three watches returned are keep
sakes, not worth $3.50 altogether, and that be-
longing to Mrs. Hayes she had when schoo
girl, and it has not been running for twenty
years.
Third. Gov. Hayes owned no piano at the
time the return was made, and only rented one
last October for the use of niece who wa
visiting him. This summer he traded a lot fol
one.
Forth, one of Gov. Hayes horses is twenty.
seven years old and not worth anything, but he
is listed at $50; the other two are worth $50
and 500, but are returned together at $3.50.
His best horse cost him S125
Fifth, the carriage referred to was not boueh
till a year after the return was made, but ther
| it was properly listed. Two of the carriages
were buggy and a wagon, one of which sool
after sold for $40, and the other would not sci
at any price; but they were listed for SIS
The ether was secondhand phaeton, COSTING
800.
Sixth, not dollar was left Gov. Hayes will
which to pay bequests. 1t was intended tn
bequests should be paid from sales OF land
, and three years time was allowed in order Il
dispose of the land. This real estate is all taxe
by the county, without consultation with tn
| | ewner.
D Seventh, the property is all vested directly il
Gov. Hayes by the terms of the will, and tn