The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-11
CHEAP TALK.
Gov. Hayes Letter Of Acceptance.
HE END0RsEs THE PLATFORM WHICH
ENDORsIs GRANTS ADMINS
TRATI0N.
CiViI Service-The ''BlOedy Shirt
One Term Enough for Him.

COLUMBUS, o., July 9.-Ihe following |
Is the letter of Gov. Hayes, accepting the
Republican nomination for the Presi-
dency:
COLUMBUS, o., July, 1876.
Hon Edward Mcpherson. Hon. VIM. A. How
ard, Hon Joseph II Rainey and others, Com
mittee of the Republican National Conyen-
tion
GENTLEMEN In reply to your official
communication OF June IL, by which l
am informed of my nomination for the
office of President of the United States,
by the Republican National Convention
at Cincinnati, accept the nomination
with gratitude, hoping that under Provi-
dence shall be able, if elected. TO exc
cute the duties OF the high ONCE as
| trust tor the benefit Of all the people. |
| do not deem il necessary to enter upon
any extended examination Of the declara-
ton OF principles made by the Conven-
| ton. The resolutions are in accord with
my views, and heartily concur in the
principles they announce. In several OF
the resolutions, however, questions are
considered which are OF such importance
that deem it proper to briefly express
my convictions in regard 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 Ito the victors
belong the spoils." The old rule, the
true rule, that honesty, capacity and fidel-
ity constitute the only real qualifications
for office, and that there is no other
claim, gave place to the idea that party
, services were 10 be chiefly considered.
All parties in practice have adopted this
| system 1t has been essentially modi-
fled since Its first introduction II has
not, however, been improved. At first
! the president, either directly or through
, the heads of departments, made all the
!. appointments, but gradually the APP
| pointing power in many cases passed III
: 10 the control OF members OF congress
r The offices in these cases have become
not merely rewards to party leaders.
+, This SYSTEM destroys the independence
Of the separate departments OF
4 the government. 1t tends directly TO eX.
e trayagance and official incapacity. 1t i:
o a temptation TO dishonesty. Ii hindert
and impairs that careful supervision ant
strict accountability by which alone faith
iul and efficient public service can be Sc
l. cured. IL obstructs the prompt remova
!, and sure punishment of the unworthy In
. every way. 1t degrades the civil servic,
e and the character OF the government. L
" is felt, am confident, by large major
l. ity OF the members OF congress, to be al
!. intolerable burden and unwarrantabl,
u hindranee 10 the proper discharge of thei
, legitimate duties. il ought TO be abol
r, ished. The reform should be thorough
A radical and complete. We should return
!. to the principles and practice OF the found
" ers OF the government, supplying by leg
islation when needed that which wa
$. formerly established by custom. The
neither expected or derived from the pub
lie offices any partisan service. The
meant that public officers should owe thi
As whole service to the government and
st the people they meant that the office
as should be secure In his tenure as long q
), his personal character remained untaI
" nished and the performance vi his dutie
e. satisfactory. II elected. ! shall cOnduC
Vi tbs administration OF the governmer
10 upon these principles, and all constitr
tiOnal powers vested in the executive wi
I've be employed to establish this reform
H. The declaration vi principles by the CiI
ee cinnati convention makes no aMspdmeI
"A In favor OF single presidential term.
Az do not assume 10 add TO that declaration
n bat believing that the restoration OF II
ais civil service to the system establishe
IN by Washington. followed by the earl
" presidents, can be best accomplishe
10 By an executive who is under no tenn
ne taliol 10 use the patronage OF his ofilc