The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-10
Gov. Hayes Letter Of Acceptance.

for the presidency
COLUMBUS, July 8, 1876.
Hon. Edward Mcpherson and Others
committee of the republican national con.
vention, gentlemen In reply to your Of
fetal communication Of June 17th, by
which am informed of my nomination
for the office of president of the United
States by the republican national conven-
ton at Cincinnati, accept the nomination
with gratitude, hoping that under Provi.
dence / shall be able, if elected, to execute
the duties of the high office, as trust, for
the benefit of all the people. l do not
deem 1t necessary to enter upon any ex-
tended examination of the declaration of
principles made by the convention. The
resolutions are in accordance with my
views and heartily concur in the princi.
pies they announce. In several Of the re-
solutions, however, questions are consider
ed which are of such importance that |
deem it proper to briefly express my con-
victions in regard to them.
civil SERVICE.
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 upon
the maxim-''to the victors belong the
spoils." The old rule, the true rule, that
honesty, capacity and fidelity constitute the
only real qualifications for office, and that
there is no ether claim, gave place to the
idea that iparty services were to he chiefly
considered. All parties, in practice, have
adopted this system. Ii has been essenti-
ally modified since its first introduction; it
has not, however, been improved. AT FIRST
the president either directly or through the
heads of departments, made all appoint
ments, but gradually the appointing power
in many cases passed into the control of
members of congress. The offices, In
these cases, have become merely rewards
to party leaders. This system destroys the
independence Of the separate departments
Of government. 1t tends directly to extrava-
gance and official incapacity, is a temptation
to dishonesty. 1t binders and impalrs that
careful supervision and strict accountable
ty by which alone faithful and tffl cient
public service can be secured. 1t obsUucts
the prompt removal and sure punishment
of the unworthy. In every way it degrsdes
ha MI nd ha oka ,io
government. 1t Is felt, am confident, by
a large majority of members of congress,
to be an intolersble burden and unwarrant-
able hindrance to the proper discharge of
their legitimate duties 1t ought to be
abolished. The reform should be thorough,
radical and complete; we should return to
the principles and practice of the founders
OF the government, supplying by legsla-
ton when needed that which was formerly
established by custom. They neither ex-
pected nor desired from public officer
any partisan service. They meant that
public officers should owe their
whole service to the government and
tothe people. They meant that such
officer should be secure in his tenure
as long as his personal character remained
untarnished, and the performance of his
duties satisfactory. If elected, l shall
conduct the administration of the govern
ment upon these principles, aud all consti-
tutional powers vested IN the executive
will be employed to establish this reform.
ONLY ONE TERM.
The declaration of principles by the Gin
cinnati 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 civil
service to the system established by Wash
lngton and followed by the early presidents
can be best accomplished by an executive
who Is under no temptation to use the pat
ronage of his office to promote his own re-
election, l desire to perform what regard
as my duty in stating now my infexible
purpose, if elected, cot to be candidate
for election to second term.
IMMEDIATE RETURN TO SPECIE PAYMENTS.
On the currency question have fire..
1uently expressed my views in public and
stand by my record on this subject. |
regard all laws of the United States relat-
ing to the payment of the public indebted
ness, legal tender notes included, as con-
pledge and moral obiga-
lion OF the government which
must ia good faith be kept. 1t is
my conviction that the feeling of uucer
tainty, inseperable from an irredeematle
paper currency, with its fluctuations of
values, is one of the great obstacles to the
revival of confidence and business and TO
The return to prosperity. That uncertainty
can be ended but in one way the resump-
lion OF specie payments. 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 interests and all classes OF
If elected, shall approve
every appropriate measure to accomplish
the desired end, and shall oppose any step
backward.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The resolution with respect to the pub
lie school system is one which should re-
ceive the hearty support Of the American
people. Agitation upon this subject is to
be apprehended until, by constitutional
amendment, the schools are placed beyond
all danger of sectarian control or interior
ence. The republican party is pledged to
secure such amendment.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.