The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-02-17
Tile NepotIsm and NiggardllneSs Of the
Retiring Presidents

As the end Of Mr. Hayes's administra.
tion approaches il sinks lower in public
estimation. Even those who have hith-
erto attempted TO defend it at last give
up the attempt, and confess that il has fal-
len to almost as low piano as Grants.
The Fresdent's appointment Of Stanley
Matthews. his kinsman, to place on the
Supreme bench for which he would not
have been thought Of except for their
relationship, is universally considered
about as bad as anything Which Grant
was guilty Of Nor is this an isolated
case Of such favoritism. Repeated in
stances have occurred where army off
GERS have been promoted over the heads
of scores Of men their superiors in train.
ing and experience, solely because Of
their relationship to or intimacy with
the Hayes family. One case of this sort
which recently occurred is especially
fragrant. 1t has Just leaked out that
after Gen. Hancock's s dcfent last Novem-
Der he wrote letter to Mr.. Hayes in
which he made n personal request that
he would grant to friend of his (Col
Mitcheln who has been long associated
with him in war and peace aud is now q
member Of his staff, the appointment Of
assistant-inspect0r general, for which he
was every way qualified by length and
fidelity of service. Gen. Hancock, in
his letter, modcsty referred to the fact
that the fortunes Of political wa- had
forbidden him an opportunity to recog
nize Col. Mitchell's merits, adding that
he had no complaint TO make for himself
but would consider it great favor if
Mr. Hayes could grant this, his sole re-
quest. 1t was Of no avail, however. A
Capt. Breckenridge, zone Of tho junior
captains in the service, had married
niece Of Mrs. Hayes, and when Mr..
Hayes became President. he found his
reward. He was iirst jumped over the
heads ofa dozen eenior captains to the
charge of the artillery at the Washing.
ton Arsenal, which is one Of the snuggest
positions il: .he army, and not long ago
he was appointed assis,ant.inspec.or-
general, with the rank and pay Of maio-,
though to reach this place he bird to be
lifted over forty officers Of higher rank,
each of whom was better entitled 10 the
place.
No Prosi,. ut whom We have over had
mot even Grant with all his favor;tism-
has done moro to dcmoralize the army
than Mr. Hayes. Coming into tho office
with loud professions ON tho subject of
temperance, he has become notorious for
the wholesome manner in which ho has
overruled the verdicts Of courts martial
dismissing and suspending officers for
drunkenness. Some of these cases have
been as bad as any on record, and had
not one redeeming feature; yet political
influence, or something else, has availed
to secure the restoration of the offenders.
Mr.. Hayes is reported as telling recent
caller that he had got beyond the point
OF caring what the newspapers said abou:
him, and he certainly acts so.
One of the questions most discussed in
Washington just now is the policy of the
new administration on the wine question.
Mr. Hayes's course in regard to this, rs
most other matters, has been inconsis.
tsnt, and it may be doubted whether he
has mt harmed the cause of temperance
more Than, he has helped it. People can
understand mud respects o E:an who de-,
clines to drink wine himself and refuses
to set it before his guests. But nobody
can have mrch respect for a man who
fails to provide wine for his guests--es,
pecaliy .7hen as at state dinner they
are not 30 much his guests Us those of the
country whose hospitality he dispenses-
and yet goes to other peoples tables and
drinks their wine. 1t gives color for the
story that the real reason why no wine is
furnished Mt tho White House is not
because Mr.. Hayes has any moral pYeju-
dice against it, but because he wanted to
snve til9 expense. 1t certainly Is o fact
that nc occupant of the White House
ever descended to such petty and even
discreditable shifts to saya money as MIR.
Hayes. Gen Gar6sld ia not q hypocrite,
and the general expectation is that he,
ners. He is fond of good lim'ngs himself,
and he is not the sort Of man to nritils3
wine at other peoples tables aud shen
refuse to set it before them, al his own
table.