The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-07-11

CIVHL-SERFICEs REfOhni--fhAAoOHiA AoA, " -
/ OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SCHOOL, GU e.
u TIoN-EQUAL RIGHTS AND PROTECTION
& FOR ALL CITIZENS
The following fs the letter OF Governor
HAYES accepting the Republican nomination
for the presidency:
COLUMBUS, OHIO, July s, 1876.
Hon. Ed,pard Jefferson, Hon. Witttdne a.
Houard, Hon. Joseph II. Ra,ney, ana
Others of the Committee of the Republican
Convention:
Gentlemen,-In reply to your official COM
munication OF June 18th, by which am In,
formed of nv nomination for the ONCE OF
President of the United States by the Re
nublican National Convention, accept the
nomination with gratitude, hoping that, I'M
der Providence, shall be able, II elected,
to execute the duties OF the high office as
trust for the benefit OF all the people.
don't deem it necessary to enter upon
INV extended examination of the deciara-
tion of principles made by the Convention.
The resolutions are in accord with my views,
and heartily concur in the principles they
announce. In several OF the resoiutlons,
however, questions are CONSIDERED WHICH
are OF such importance that deem IL pro-
per to briefly express my CONVICTIONS Ill re-
gard to them.
THE CIVIL. SERVICE.
The fifth resolution adopted by the Con-
yention is Of paramount interest. more
than forty years ago system OF MAKING aP-
pointments to office grew up based upon
the maxim, "To the yictorS belong Inc
spoils." The old rule, the true rule, that
honesty, capacity, and fidelity constltute
the only real qualifications for office, and
that there is no other claim, gave place TO
the idea that party services were 70 DC
chiefly considered. All parties IN practlce
have adopted this system. 1t mas Deen es-
sentially modified since its first lntroduc-
ton. 1t has not, however, been Impr0Veo.
At frat the President, either directly or
through the heads of the departments, made
all the appointments; but gradually the ap-
nointinr mower, in many cases, passed into
fine control OF members OF Congress. Inc
offices in these cases have become not mere
" 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 extravaganza and ofhclai lncapa-
city," 1t is temptation to dishonesty: Ii
hinders and impairS that careful supervision
and strict accountability by which alone
faithful and efficient public service can be
secured. 1t obstructs the prompt removal
and sure punishment OF the unworthy.
Tn every way it degradcs the civil service
and the character of the Government. lt
is felt, T am confident, by large majority
OF the members of Congress to be an lntol-
cradle burden and an unwarrantabie nm
drance to the proper discharge OF theirs
legitimate duties. 1t ought to DeabollSnca.
The reform ought to be thorough, radical
and complcte. We should return to the
PRINCIPLES and practice OF the founders OF
the overnmcnt-supplyinS by legislation,
when needed, that which was formerly
established by custom. They neither eX-
pected nor desired from the public any par
tisan service They meant that public o1ll-
GERS should owe their whole service to the
Government and to the people. They meant
that the officer should be secure in his ten
urc rs long rs his personal character re-
NAMED untarnished, aud the performance
OF his duties satisfactory. Ii elected l.
shall conduct administration OF the Govern
ment upon these principles, and all constl-
tutional powers vested III the Executive
will be employed to establish this reform.
THE PRESIDENTIAL TERM.
The declaration of principles by the Gin
cinnati Convention makes no announcement
in favor Of single. presidential term. l do
not assume to add to that declaration, but
believing that the restoration OF the civil
service to the system established by wash
incton and followed by the early Presidents
can be best accomplished by an Executive
who is under no temptation to use the pa
tronagc of his Office to promote his own re-
election, desire to perform what L regard
rs a duty in stating now my lnfieXlble pur-
pose, il elected, not to be candidate for
election to a second term.
TIE CURRENCY QUESTION.
On the currency question havefrcqucnt-
" expressed my views in public, and l
stand by nv record on this subject. l re-
card all the laws Of the United States rea-
ting to the payment OF the public indebted
ness, the legal-tender notes included, rs
constituting pledge and moral obligation
OF the Government which must in good
faith be kept. 1t is my conviction that the
feeling Of uncertainty inscparable from an
irredeemable paper currency, with its 1lltc-
tuations OF values, is one OF the great OBJ
stacles to q revival Of confidence and bust
ness, and to 4 return OF prosperity. That
uncertainty can be ended in but one
way-"the resumption OF specic-pay-
mcnts.'' But the longer the instability
connected with our present money system
is permitted to continue the greater will be
the injury inflicted upon our economical in
terests and all classes OF society. Ii elected
J. shall approve every appropriate measure
to accomplish the desired end, and shall OPP
pose any step backward.
THE PUDLIC-sCHOOL SYSTEM.
The resolution with respect to the public
school system is one which should receive
the hearty support Of the American people.
Agitation upon this SUBJ ect is to be appre-
hended until by constitutional amendment
the schools are placed beyond all danger Of
sectarian control or interference. The Re-
publican party is pledged to such an amend
mcnt.
pACIFICATIoS OF THE COUNTRY.
The resolution OF the Convention on the
subject OF permanent pacitication OF the
country and the complete protection OF all
its citizens in the free enjoyment OF all their
constitutional rights is timely and OF great
importance. The condition of the southern
States attracts attention, and commands the
sympathy OF the people Of the whole Union
in their progressive recovery from the effects
Of the war Their first necessity is an in
tellieent and honest administration OF the
Government, which will protect all classes
of citizens in all their political and pri-
waite rights. What -. the South most
needs is "peace," and peace depends
upon the supremacy OF law. There
can be no enduring peace il the
constitutional rights OF any portion OF the
people are habitually disregarded. 4 divi-
sion OF political parties, resting merely upon
distin ct;ous NJ race or lIDon sectional lines