Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1876-07-18
THE PRESIDENTIAL CAM
PAIGN.
Letter from Gov. Hayes Accept
ing the Republican Nominal
ton Views on the Civil Ser
Vice-One Term for the
PTesidency-Currency-
Southern Affairs.

OuA
Southern Affairs.
CINCINNATI, o., July 9.-The fol-
lowing is the letter of Gov. Hayes ac-
cepting the Republican nomination for
the Presidency!
CoLUMAUs, o., July s, 1S76'-Hon.
Edward MCPHERSON, Hon. VIM. a.
Howard, Hon. Joseph IL. Rainey and
others, committee of the Republican
National Convention-Gentle In
reply to your official communication
of June II, by which 1 am informed
of my nomination for the Office of
President of the United States by the
Republican National Convention at
Cincinnati, L accept the nomination
with gratitude, hoping that under
Providence shall be able If elected to
execute the duties of the high office as
a trust for the benefit of all the people.
do not deem it necessary to enter
upoa any extended examination of the
declaration of principles made by the
convention. The resolutions are ia
accord with my views, and heartily
concur in the principles they an
| nounce. In several of the resolutions,
| however, questions are considered
which are of such importance that /
deem it proper to briefly express my
convictions in regard to them. The
fifth resolution adopted by the cOnven-
| ton is of paramount interest. More
| than forty years ago system of APP
pointments to office grew up based
| upon the maxim, ITO the victors be-
long the spoils'" The old rule, the
true rule. that honesty, capacity and
fidelity constitute the only real quail
L q aak t,,.r 70. .NfNN 4,
no other claim that gave place to the
idea that party services were to be
chiefly considered. All parties, in
practice, have adopted this system. 1t
has been essentially modified since its
first introduction. 1t has not, how
ever, been improved.
AT first the President, either directly
or through the heads of departments
made all the appointments, but gradu-
ally the appointing power in many
cases passed into the control of mem
bers of Congress. The offices In these
cases have become not merely rewards
for party service, but rewards for ser.
vice to party leaders. This system
destroys the independence of the
separate departments Of the govern
ment. 1t tends directly to eXtrava
gance and official incapaeity. 1t is &
temptation to dishonesty; it hinder'
and impairs that careful supervision
and strict accountability by which
alone faithful and efficient public ser
vice oan BE secured. 1t Obstrtucts thu
prompt removal and sure punishment
of the unworthy. In every way i
: degrades the civil servioe and th,
character of the government. IL il
felt, am confident, by large MAORI
ty of the members of Congress to b.
an intolerabls burden and an unwar
rantable hindrance to the proper dis
charge of their legitimate duties. l
ought to be abolished.
The reform should be thorough, AM
: radical and complete. We should re
, turn to the principles and practice O
: the founders OF the government, sup
, plying by legislation, when needed
, and that which was formerly establish
= ed custom, They neither expecte,
, nor desired from the public an,
: partisan service. They meant tina
: public officers should owe their Who'll
, service to the government and TO tn
} people. They meant that the Office
: should be secure In his tenure as lon
r as his personal character remained un
furnished and the performance of hi
: duties satisfactory. If elected L shall
| conduct the administration of the gov
eminent upon these principles, an
all constitutional powers vested In til
. executive will be employed to establish
, this reform.
e The declaration OF principles by tn
4 Cincinnati Convention makes no an
e nouncement In favor of a single presi
. dental term. i do not assume TO al
to that declaration, but believing tina
y the TeatuTation Of the civil service /
4 the system established by WashingtO
e and followed by the early President
a can be best accomplished by an execu
u tive who Is under no temptation /
use the patronage of his afiiOe to pre-
II mote his own reelection, / desire
II perform what / regard as a duty /
i stating now my inheXible purpose,