Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-06-11
Has Rutherford ID. Hayes Really Retir-
ed From the Liquor Business?

Not long ago the public learned that
President Hayes-we refer to the Presi-
dent of the Prison Reform Association
was renting some of his Omaha
property to persons actively engaged
in the business of selling intoxicating
liquors. The saloon which will hence
forth be known as the Hayes Gin Mill
is situated at the corner of Sixteenth
and California streets. Although Hayes
has probably never stood in person be-
hind the bar, dispensing mixed drinks
to the crowds which surge to and fro
across the continent and stop at Omaha
for liquid refreshment, he has never
theless derived considerable part of
his income from the traffic carried on
in the gilded sheol at Sixteenth and
California streets.
The first public information about
Hayes's connection with the Omaha
rumshop was derived from distin-
guished statesman of Nebraska. This
gentleman complained that the value
of neighboring real estate in which he
was interested was seriously affected
by the uses to which the Hayes prop
erty was put for the sake of filthy lucre.
This led to an investigation by the
Chicago NeaUs. That newspaper as
certained and reported that the facts
were as alleged. Nobody was surpris-
ell to learn that the Retired Fraud was
surreptitiously pocketing the rental of
liquor saloon; but it did seem incred-
ible that his well-known habits of eau
ton should have been so far forgotten
as to allow the property to stand in his
own name.
Now that Hayes's ownership of the
Omaha saloon has become matter of
general notOriety, he hastens to relieve
himself of some of the Odium by trans
ferring the property to other parties.
A despatch printed yesterday an
nounced the sale of the Hayes Gin Mill
for Sal 900. The despatch added that
1.-THE property is worth much more
than the price paid" This suggests
at first sight that Hayes sold out at
sacrifice in order to get clear of the
business, and superficial minds will
jump at once to the conclusion that
his sense Of shame has not been lost
entirely. But it is well not to be over
hasty in crediting this particular pei
son with honorable motives or praise
worthy acts. Let US look at the prob
abilities of the case.
Who ever heard of Hayes's selling
anvthing-from a hydro-sulphurette
hens egg down to his good name and
person al honor-for a copper less than
it's market value? If this Omaha prop
erty represents, as it probably does,
part of the money which Hayes car
ried away from Washington, does any
body believe that he is willing to sac
rifice dollar of the investment in def
ereDce to public opinion? He is not
that sort of man. He has defed too
long in greater matters the contempt
of rlght-thinking people to carry his
concessions now to the extent of actual
pecuniary loss. No doubt Hayes
would like to have the respect and es-
TEEN of his fellow citizens; but it is not
likely that he is ready to bid very high
therefor-that is to say, very high in
cash.
Many people will refuse to believe,
without further proof, that the trans
action reported from Omaha is bona
fde sale. 1t would be easy for a man
in Hayes's position to make over the gin
mill to other parties, so far as the rec
ord shows, while really retaining the
control of the property and the bust
ness. In this way he could gain cred
it for the performance of a cOnscien-
tious act, and at the same time con-
tinue to rake in the dimes of the Oma-
ha drunkards.
If there is anything in the past career
of r. B. Hayes which forbids the as
sumption that he could be party to
such a cheat, or that he is capable of
such hypocrisy, we should like to hear
of it. We are by no means convinced
yet that Hayes has really retired from
the liquor business in Omaha.-N. Y.
Sun.