The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1876-07-13

4. Howard, Hon- jossph III EAinsy
and others. Committee ~ the Repaid
lifau NationAl Conyeution--G G,atlsuasn..
In reply TO your official communication
Of June 18th. by which am informcd
of inv uominsiis,ti far the Office of Pres
,.isut OF the United States by the Re-
publican convention at Cincinnati. |
acc.pt ,h. nomination with gratitude
and the ho;e that under Providence
.hau lie able if elected, TO execute the
duties of the high office. a. trust for
the benefit VI sll the people ! do not
deem il necessary 20 enter upon any ex-
tended examination of the declaration
of principles made by the convention
The resolutions are IN accord with my
views ard heartily concur In the piin-
cipirs they announce. IN several of
the resolutions, however. questions are
copsidcrcd shich are of such import
ance that I deem il proper TO briefly
express my convictions in regard To
them. The 5th resolution adopted 10y
the convention is Of paramount interest.
More than forty years ago system 1t
,nsking appointments 10 Office grew up.
based upon the maxim: To the vlctors
belong the spoiis. The old rule. the
true rule. that honesty. capacity and
fidelity constitute the only real quali.i-
cations for Office, and that there Is no
other claim, gave place to the idea that
party services were To bs chiefly con-
siderud All parties in practice have
adopted this system. II has been
essentially modified since its frs. in
PRODUCTION. 1t has not, however, been
improved. At first the President.
either directly or through the heads OF
departments. made all the appoint
menss; but gradually the appointing
power in many cases passed into the
control of members of Congress. The
Offices In these eases have become not
merely rewards for party services. but
rewards for services To party leaders.
This system destroys the independence
Of the separate departments of the
government 1t tends directly TO ex-
,ravagapce and Official ine.pacity: It Is
IL temptation 10 dishonesty; it binders
aud impsirs that careful supervision
and strict accountability by which alone
faithful and efficient public service can
be- secured; it obstructs the prompt re-
moval and sure punishment of the nh
worthy IN every way; it degrades the
civil service and the character of the
government, il Is felt, i atm confident,
by Q large majority Of the members Of
Congress to be an intolerable burden
( and an unwarrantable hindrance TO the
proper discharge of their legitimate
I duties. aud it ought TO be abolished.
The reform should be thorough, radical
and complete. We should return to
the principles and practice of the found
ers Of the government. supplying by
legislation. when needed. that which
WAS formerly the established custom.
They neither expected nor desired from
the public officer any partisan service;
they mean, that public officers shsuld
owe their whole service to the govern
mcut and TO the people; they meant
tha, the officer should be secure in his
tenure as long rs his personal character
remained un,Arnishod and the perform
ance Of his duties satisfactory. Ii
elected. / shall conduct the administra-
tion Of the government on these princi-
plcs, aud oil constitutional powers
vested in the executive will bo EN-
ployed 10 establish this reform.
/ The declaration of principles by the
Cincinnati convention makes no an.
nouncement in favor of single Presi-
DENTAL term / do not assume In add
In that declaration; but believing that
the restoration of the civil service TO
the system established hy Washington
and followed by the ea ~ly President.
can he best accomplished by an execu.
tive who is under no I n ptation To Use
the patronage of his OH, c 10 promote
his own election. | desire to perform
what regard as duty in stating now
my inilexible purpose, If elected, not to
be candidate for election tn second
term.
On the currency question, | have ire.
quently expressed my views in public,
and | stand by my record ON this SUBJ
iect. regard NIL the laws of the Uni.
ted States relating To the payment OF
the public indeh,edness-the legal
tender notes included AS constituting
pledge ard moral obligation of the
z, vernment which must in good faith
bc kept, II is my conviction that the
feeling of ure r,ainty. inscp.rahle from
any redeemable paper cuirenFy with its
iiuc,u,t .ons of value, ~ one oi the great
obstacles to revival of confidence and
business and Ia return Of prosperity.
/ That uncertainty can be ended in but
one way--the resumption of specie pay.
/ ments But the longer the Instability
connected with our present money sys-
/ tenn is permitted In continue, the greater
will he the injury inflicted upon ctr
+ economical interests and all classes of
I society. III elected. l shall approve
every appropriate means to accomplish
the end desired. and shall oppos. any
( step backward
/ The resolution with respect tn the
public school system Is one which
should receive the hearty support of the
( American people Agitation upon this
/ subject i 10 he apprchended until by
constitutional amendment the schools
are placed beyond all danger Of sectsri-
+ sn caairoi ar interference The Repnb-
lican party is pledged To secure such an
amendment
The resolution Of the Convention on
the subject of permanent paesticasion
/ of tho country and the complete pro-
lection OF all its citizens in the free en-
( iovmens of all their constitutional
nights i. timely and If great import
ancr. The condition Of the Southern
States attracts the attention aud com-
manis the synpsthy Of the people 1t