Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-07-15
Gov. Hayes Accepts.
A Manly, straightforward Letter.

CoLuMnus, O., July 9, 1876.
Hoeard, Hon. Joseph H. Raimey and oiheri
ofthe Committee cfthe Republican Nasio"a
COmrention:
Gentlemen-In reply to your official
communication Of Juno II, by which
am informed OF my nomination for the
Office of President of the United States
by the Republican National Convention
ut Cincinnati, accept the nomination
with gratitude, hoping that under Provi-
dence shall BIO able II elected, to exc
cute the duties of the high Office Us a
trust for the benefit of all the people.
do not deem It necessary to enter upon
any extended examination Of the decla.
ton of principles made by the Conven-
ton The resolutions are In accordance
with my views, and l heartily concur in
the principles which they announce. In
several of the resolutions, however,
questions are considered which are OF
such Importance that deem 1t proper
to briefly express my convictions in re-
gard to them.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The fifth resolution adopted by the
convention is of paramount interest.
More than forty years ago Il system OF
appointments to office grew up,
based upon the maxim, "To the victOrs
belong the spoils." The old rule. the
true rule, that honesty, capacity and fl
deity constitute the only real qualiiica-
tons for office, and that there is no other
claim, give place to the idea that party
service were to be chiefly considered. All
parties in practice have adopted this sys-
tenn. 1t has been essentially modified
since its first introduction. 1t has not
however, been improved. At first, the
President, either directly or through the
Heads of Departments, made all the APP
but gradually the appoint
ing power in many cases passed into the
control of the members of Congress.
The offices in these cases have become,
not merely rewards for party service, but
rewards for party leaders. The system
destroys the independence of the seperate
of the Government; it tends
directly to extravaganza and official in
capacity; it is temptation to dishOn-
esty; it hinders and impairs that careful
and strict accountability by
which alone faithful and efficient public
service can be secured; it obstructs the
prompt removal and sure punishment of
the unworthy. In every way it degrades
the civil service and the character of the
1t is felt, l am confident,
by large majority of the members of
Congress to be an intorable burden
and an unwarrantable hinderance to
the proper discharge of their legitimate
duties. 1t ought to be abolished. The
reform should be thorough, radical and
We should return to the prin-
ciples and practice of the founders ofthe
supplying, by legislation
when needed, that which was the former
ly established custom. They neither ex-
pected or desired from the public officers
any partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their whole
service to the Government and to the
people; they meant that the officer should
be secure in his tenure as long as his
personal character remained untarnished
md the performance of his duties salts
factory. If elected, shall conduct the
of the government upon
;hese principles, and all the constitution
u powers vested in the executive will
De employed to establish this reform,
THE PRESIDENTIAL TERM.
The declaration of principles by the
Cincinnati Convention makes no an
in favor of single Presi-
lential term. / do not assume to add
hat declaration, but, believeing that the
restoration of the civil service to the sys-
EN- established by Washington, and fol-
owed by the early Presidents, can be
accomplished by an executive who is un-
Ter no temptation to use the patronage
If his office to promote his own re-elec-
ion, l desire to perform what ] regard
IS duty in stating my inflexible pur-
pose, if elected, not to be candidate for
election to a second term.
THE CURRENCY QUESTION.
On the currency question have fire.
luently expressed my views in public,
md stand my record on this subject.
| regard all the laws of the Uuited
states relating to the payment of the
public Indebtedness, and legal tender notes
included, as constituting q pledge and
moral Utilization of the Government
which must in good faith be kept. 1t is
ny conviction that the feeling Of uncer-
ainty and insecurity from an irredeema-
lie paper currency, with its fluctuations
# value,is one of the greatest obstacles
0 revival of confidence and business
nd to a return to prosperity. That I'M
orto;pt,y oop bo ondad l., hit ooo xyo1
he resumpti on of specie payment; but
he longer the instability connected with
ur present money system is permitted
0 continue the greater will be the injury
Inflicted upon our economical interests
nd all classes of society. If elected, !
hall approve every appropriate measure
0 accomplish the desired end, and shall
ppose any step backw ard.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.
The resolution with respect to the pub
C school system is one which should
eceive the hearty support of the Ameri-
an people, Agitation on this subject is
o be apprehended until, by constitution
| amendment, the schools are placed
bay and all danger of sectional con-
'ol and Interference are passed. The
epublican party is pledged to Sc
ure such an amendment. The resolu-
on of the Convention on the subject,
the permanent qualifications of the
ountry and the complete protection of
II its citizens in the free enjoyment of
II their constitutional rights is timely
nd Of great importance.
THE CONDITION OF THE SOUTHE
STATES,
Attracts the attention and commands
lie sympathy of the people of the whole
Mon in their progressive recovery from
lie effects of the war. Their first neces-
ty is an intelligent and honest admin
tration of the Government which will
roteot all classes of citizens in all their
olitical and private rights. What the
outh may need is "peace," and peace
spends upon the supremacy of
w. There can be no enduring peace
the constitutional rights of any por-
on of the people are habitually disre-
arded. A division of political parties,
sting merely upon distinctions of race,
: upon sectional lines, is always unfor-
nate, and may be disastrous. The
elfare of the SOufh alike that of everv