Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-07-14
Gov. Hayes Letter Of Acceptance
DUCTIoN WHICH CLEARLY DEFINES HIS
POSITION


POSITlONs
COLUMBUS, o., July 8. 1875.
Hon. Edward Mcpherson, Hon. Will
liam A. Howard, Hon. Joseph II. Rainey,
and others, Committee of the Republican
National Convention
Gentlemen: Tn reply 10 your official
communication of June II, by which am
informed of my nomination for the office
of president OF the United States by the re-
public an national COW ention at Cincinnati,
1 acc ept the nomination with gratitude,
hoping that, under Providence, 1 shall be
able, if elected, TO execute the duties of the
high office as a trust for the benefit of all
the people.
LIDO not deem ii necessary TO enter upon
any extended examination OF the declara-
ton of principles made by the convention.
The resolutions are in accord with my
views, and heartily concur in the princi
Piles they announce. In several OF the res
olutions, however, questions are consider
ed which are OF such importance that l
deem ii proper TO briefly express my con-
victions in regard to them.
The fifth resolution adopted by the con-
vention is of paramount interest More
than forty years ago, system of making
appointments TO Office grew up, based up.
on the maxim, "To the victors belong the
spoils." The old rule, the true rule, that
/ honesty, capacity and fidelity constitute
the My real qualifications for office, and
that there is no other claim, gave place 10
the idea that party services were to be
.,l,s to a. t. Hon
have adopted this system. 1t has been es-
sentially modified since its first introduce
ton. 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 ap-
pointing power in many cases passed into
the control of members of Congress. The
offices in these cases have become, not
merely rewards for party services, but re-
wards for services 10 party leaders. This
system destroys the independence of the
separate departments of the government.
1t tends directly 10 extravaganza and Off
cial lncapacity. 1t is temptation to dis
honesty. 1t binders and impairs that care
full supervision and strict accountability
by which alone faithful and efficient pub
Tic service can be secured. 1t obstructs
the prompt removal and sure punishment
of the unworthy. In every way it degrades
the civil service and the character of the
| government. 1t is felt, am confident, by
a large majority of the members of Con-
| gress to be an intolerable burden and an
unwarrantable hindrance to the proper
| discharge of their legitimate duties. II
| ought to be abolished. The reform should
be thorough, radical and complete. We
should return 10 the principles and practice
of the founders Of the Cover nment, supply
ing by legislation, when needed, that which
was formerly established by custom. They
| neither expected nor desired from the pub.
| lie officer any partisan service. They
meant that public officers should owe theil
whole service to the government and TO the
people. They meant that the officer should
be secure in his tenure as long as his per.
sonal character remained untarnished and
the performance of his duties satisfactory
If elected, shall conduct~the admins
tration of the government upon these prin
clples, and all constitutional powers vested
In the executive will be employed to es
| tablish this reform.
The declaration OF principles by the Gin
clnnati convention makes no announce
ment In favor of single presidential term
do not assume TO add to that declaration
but, believing that the restoration of th'
civil service to the system established by
Washington and followed by the early
\ presidents can be best accomplished by at
] executive who is under no temptation Il