The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-09-23

| LuOob SohoplSuOuotN bShOiN t1As>'
body as its candidates for the Presiden.
cyl Was it not, Blaine, Moron and
Conkling, recognized enemies OF Re-
form, men who have been prominent
actors in all that has brought reproach
upon he Republican party, who are
! inseparably connected with all its mis-
government, and who have given char
acter to all its policy? 1t is true neither
of these men were nominated. MIR.
Blaine came within few votes OF the
nomination, and lost it perhaps because
of the then tendency OF an investiga-
| ton into some OF his acts by commit
| tee of the House OF Representatives.
The personal jealousies OF these con-
fiicting rivals caused them to pursue a
cut-throat policy towards each other.
The result was the nomination of Ruth
erford B. Hayes, a comparatively OBJ
scure man, and who is indebted for his
nomination not to any prominent
merit in the eyes OF the people, but be-
cause his want of prominence made
him inotfensive to the personal jeal-
ousies of the three mighty leaders, who
ruled that convention. Does the selec-
ton of Gov. Hayes give to the country
any assurance that the convention was
in search of reformer? Why, they
had the name of reformer before
them in the person OF Bristow, the late
Secretary OF the Treasury, whose nom
nation would have given some aSsur-
ance to the country that reform might
have been the order of his administra-
ton. But Bristow was treated i'll that
convention as an interloper and in
truder, and so was Jewell; and in
short time afterwards they were both
dismissed from the cabinet, as were
also Wilson and all the other bureau
officers who were associated with them
in their efforts at reform. Now what
assurance has the country that Gov
ernor Hayes will be reformer OF ma
tional abuses? He is but the mere
creature of party; he has no claim to
his present position independent OF his
party nomination; if his party should
be for reform, he might carry out its
views; if his party is opposed to re-
form, he will yield implicit obedience
to its wishes his administration was
intended to be, by the convention
which nominated him, a mere prolong-
alton OF Grants executive policy. The
convention 50 declare in their platform
and Hayes accepts the nomination with
the platform annexed.
There is another fact which cannot,
at this time, fail to make its deep inl-
preston upon the public mind. In
1874, many Republicans, shocked by
the exposures made of the corruptions
of the party, as disclosed by the Credit
Mobilier plumber, the Sanborn con-
tracts, the salary grab and the custom
house frauds, united with the Democ-
racy in the elections of that year.
General b. F. Butler, then the leader
OF his party in the House OF Represen-
tatives, and one OF the most thoroughly
recognized anti-reformerS in that body,
was defeated by Il thousand majority in
his district. But what do we now wit
ness? Gen. Butler is renominated by
the Republican party of bis district
under circumstances that leave not Il
shadow of doubt about his election.
He returns to the House of Representa-
tives As the leader OF his party in that
body, and his opinions cannot fail to
exercise controlling influence on their
action. Mr.. Buffers opinions are not
subject of conjecture; he is openly
, and avowedly hostile to all reform in
the civil service OF the Government ;
and here quote one OF the leading in
dependent journals OF the country, and
which is an earnest supporter OF the
Republican ticket, when | add: Not
only is he (Mr Butler opposed to it i'll
practice, but he openly scouts the
idea OF reform; denies there is any
need of it; and upon all occasions ridi-
cules and derides the whole business
as visionary. silly and impracticable."
With tuch leader in the House Of
Representatives, what conld Hayes ac-
complish, if he had even the courage
and inclination to grapple with his
party?
The past history of Gov. Hayes
shows very satisfactorily that he is not
possessed OF those stern qualities OF
mind which are essential to Il reform
er. He is either without an adequate
perception OF the duty which he owes
to the people, or he has not the nerve
to array himself in opposition 10 the
clamors Of his party. This was signally
illustrated while he was Governor OF
Ohio, and when he was favored with
one of the finest opportunities ever
presented to statesman to array him.
self on the side OF the people against 4
horde of office holders, and the VOra-
cious demands OF hungry ring. Yet
he failed upon that great occasion to
discharge his duty to the people, and
he has left a monument OF imbecility
and subserviency to party dictation,
which throws an important light upon
what may be expected from him ii he
should be elected President of the
United States.
During the four years OF Gov. Hayes
administration and the subsequent ones
of Gov Noyes, an abuse OF most OPP
pressive character prevailed in Ohio,
bv which the per9uisites OF the county
offices, under a system of constructive
fees, had grown to such proportions as
to aggregate more than five times the
entire executive, legislative and judi
cial expenses of the government. 1t
was burdensome to the whole people
and particularly eXtortionate upon
widows and orphans. Instances exist
ed OF Probate Judges increasing their
compensation from the estates OF wild
ows and orphans to double the salaries
paid to the Governor and Judges of the
Supreme Court. Notwithstanding the
tagrancy of this abuse, Gov. Hayes
never, during the four years OF his first
administration called the attention OF
the Legislature to it, for the ring OF
office holders over-awed him, and held
him subject to their will. When, how
ever, Gov. Allen and Democratic
Legislature were elected, the attention
OF that body was promptly called to
this crying abuse, and on the oath OF
March, 1875, law was passed which
corrected this enormous evil, and saved
the people of that State the payment
of an annual unjust and iniquitouS
burden OF S2S5,00O. Gov. Hayes was