Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-07-20
as the contempt of a gfokt many
voters who believe that there is such
thing as honesty in politics that il
worth contending for.n


Hayes, accepting tho Republican
nomination for the Presidency:
| COLUMBUS, Ohio. July 10, 1876.
The Hon. Edward Mcpherson, the
| Hon. VIM. A. Howard, the Hon.
Joseph III. Rainey, and others,
Committee of the Republican Ma
tional Convention.
GENTIEAEN:-In reply TO your
official communication of June L.,
by which | am informed of my nom-
ination for tho Office OF President of
the United States by the Republican
National Convention at Cincinnati,
| accept the nomination with grati-
tude, hoping that under Providence,
shall be able, IL elected, to execute
the duties of the high Office as trust
for the benefit of all the people. l
do not deem II necessary to enter up-
on any extended examination OF the
declaration of principles made by
the convention. The resolutions are
in accord with my views, and heart
lily concur In the principles they an
nouncc. In several OF the resolutions.
however, questions are considered
which are Of such importance that /
deem IL proper to briefly express my
conviction in regard to them.
THE CIVIL. SERVICE.
The fifth resolution adopted by the
convention Is OF paramount interest.
More than forty years ago system
| of making appointments to Office
grew up. based upon the maxim,
.To the victors belong tho spoils."
The old rule, "the true rule" that
honesty, capacity, and fidelity con-
stitute the only real qualifications
for Office, and that there Ii no other
claim, gave place to tho idea that
party services were to bs chiefly con-
sidered. 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 gradually
the appointing power, in many cases,
passed into the control of members
of Congress. The offices la these
cases have not become merely re-
wards for party services, but rewards
for services To- party leaders. This
system destroys the independence of
the separate departments of the gov
ernrnent. IL tends directly To ex-
travagance and official incapacity.
1t Is temptation 10 dishonesty; IL
hinderS and impairs that careful su-
pcrvision and accountability by
which alone faithful and efficient
public service can hc secured. IL OBJ
structs the prompt removal and sure
punishment OF tho unworthy. In
every way ii dcgradcs the civil SER
vice and tho character of the govern
mont. Ii is felt, | am confident, by
large majority Of the members OF
Congress, to be au iniolerable burden
and an unwarraniablo hindrance to
the proper discharge Of their duties.
ID ought to be abolished. Tho re-
form should be thorough, radical and
complete. We should return Ia the
principles aud practice of the found.
ers of the government, supplying by
| legislation when needed that which
was formerly established 10y custom.
They neither expected nor desired
from the pni,lie officer any partisan
| service; they mennt that public OH
GERS shonld owe their whole services
to the government aud io the people;
they meant that the officer should
| .,e secure In his tenure as long ~ his
| personal character remains untar-
nished, and the performance Of his
duties satisfactory. IL elected, |
shall conduct the administration OF
the government upon these princi-
pios, and all constitutional powers
vested In the executive will bo en-
| ployed Ia establish this reform.
/ rHH PREsiDENrfAb TERM.
The declaration OF principles by
the Cincinnati convention makes no
announcement In favor Of a single
Presidential term ! do not assume
to add 10 that dcclaration; but be-
Iieving that the restoration Of tho
civil service to the system estab.
llshed 10y Washington and followed
by tho early Presidents, can be host
accomplished by an executive who
IL under no temptation to uso tie
patronage OF his office 10 promote
his own recollection, desire TO per-
form what ] regard ~ duty, In
stating now my iniiexiblo purpose,
| II elected, not to DC II candidate for
election 10 a second term. On
TIiE CURRENCY qUEsTIo%,
III have frequently expressed my
views In public, and stand by my
record Oh this subject. ] regard al
tho laws OF the United states rela
ting 10 tho payment of the public
| indebtedness, the legal tender note'
| included, as constituting pledge
| and moral obligation of the govern
ment, which must In good faith bs
kent. IL II nay conviction that thu
feeling Of uncertainty iDsepsrabl'
flom nm jrredeemablc paper currcn
cy, with its fluctuations Of value, Il
one OF the great o',siW'es to a reyi
| val OF confidence and business, anf
, to return ~ prosperity. That un
certainty ran lee ended but In on
way, 'glie resumption Of specie pay
merts," but the longer the instnbil
! ity connected with our present mon
|. ey system IL pernuiiied 10 continue
!. the greater will br ii,n injury In
fiictcd upon our economical Interests
= and all cI.s,a.s of sis.iety. III electe'
: 1 shall approve every appropriat
/ measure Ia accomplish the desires
!, end, aud shall Oppose amy step back
ward. The resolution with respect