Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-07-11
FOR GOVERNOR,
SELDEN CON NOR
Gov. Hayes Letter of Acceptance.

Gov. Hayes Letter of Acceptance.
The letter of acceptance of Governor
Hayes OF the republican nomination for
President must strike all readers as a
frank, straightforward, sound and sensi-
BILE document. 1t has the ring of the true
metal. II neither seeks concealment nor
practices evasion in regard to the impor-
tant issues of the campaign. It is clear,
full and explicit. 1t is honesty itself.
The first point in it is in regard to the
civil service If any advocate of reform
in the civil service is not satisfied with the
position Of Gov. Hayes upon this matter he
must be difficult to please. He goes to
the very root of the matter. the old prin-
eple introduced in Jackson's administra-
ton. .'to the victors belong the spoils. y
condemns it entirely and all the evil prac-
tees which have grown up under it in the
making Of appointments, and pledges
himself if elected to conduct the admins
tration on reform principles, thorough,
radical and complete. 1--WE should re-
turn" he says. "to the principles and
practice of the founders of the govern
ment." He leaves no chance to m.under-
stand his meaning as to what he deems
the evils of the present civil service sys-
tenn, or to doubt his intention to apply the
most stringent corrective in his power if
he becomes President.
In order to give the strongest assurance
possible Of his determination to cast the
full influence Of his administration in favor
of civil service reform, he announces his IN
tention NOT TO BE- CANDIDATE FOR
A SECOND TERM as President. This of
course will relieve the appointees OF his
administration of any supposed compul-
sion or inducement to labor or contribute
for his denomination, and remove the
complaint which has existed from Jack
sons time, that the appointees of an adj
which it seeks to perpetuate itself. Such
a step as this on the part of the President
is the strongest declaration in favor Of
civil service reform yet made, or that can
be made by any candidate for the Presi
dency. 1t is evidence that what he
promises he will perform. Indeed the
work itself is largely accomplished when
the simple declaration is made in its pres.
ent form.
Passing from these important matters,
Gov. Hayes plants himself decidedly in
favor of an honest payment of the debts
and obligations of the government, and
against an irrcdeemab!e paper currency.
The latter he believes detrimental to our
prosperity. Resumption of specie pay
ment is the thing needed, and the promo
ton of this he will favor and oppose
any backward steps. These are the same
views he held in the Ohio campaign last
year. He reiterates them with frankness
and boldness.
The resolution with respect to the pub
lie school system, in the Cincinnati plat
form, receives his hearty approval. The
schools should be protected by constitu-
tional amendment against sectional inter-
ference.
In regard to the pacilication of the
country and the protection of all its ci,i-
zens his views are sound. He tells the
South that they need peace, but to have it
they must respect the laws and the rights
of all the people. There can be no en-
during peace" he wisely remarks. "if the
sensational rights of any portion OF the
people are habitually diSregarded" The
rights of all must be recognized without
reserve or exception, and then political
parties formed upon the color line will
decay, and moral and material prosperity
will follow.
The closing paragraph of his letter is
SO full of meaning and excellent ideas
that it is worthy to be read by every man
woman and child in the country, and pre-
served in every household. 1t is as fol
lows:
"With civil service organized upon a
system which will secure purity, experi-
ence, efficiency and economy, a strict rec
gard for the public welfare solely in ap-
pointments, and the speedy, thorough and
IN sparing prosecution and punishment; OF
MI public officers who betrsy official trust
with q souad currency; with education
and free to all; with simplici-