The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-04

the South encountered the active hostility
| OF some OF his most influential Rerubli-
can supporters. and that any additional
| concessions were threatened with opposi-
| tio, that would be felt. As illustrative
| OF his sound views In reference TO Federal
Office holders the letter below Is given:
! Executive Mansion.
Washington, June %, 1871.
"Sir-I desire to call your attention to
the following paragraph In letter adj
dressed by me to the Secretary Of the
| Treasury on the conduct to be observed
by officers of the general Government in
| relation to the elections;
"'No officer should be required or per-
| mitted TO take part I'm the management
| OF political organizations, caucuses. con-
| ventions or election campaigns. Their
right to vote and to express their views
through the press, is not denied. provided
Il does not interfere with the discharge of
their official duties. No assessment for
political purposes on officers or subordi-
mates should be allowed
This rule is applicable to every de-
partment Of the civil service. IL should
be understood by every officer OF the
general Government that he is expected
to conform his conduct to its require
ments. Very respectfully,
"R. b. HAYES"
During his administration | had occa-
sional letters from him, and he kindly
rendered me two or three inferior posi-
TONS which were proofs Of his good will,
in connection with the mint and the naval
academy. on the 30th OF October 1877. on
invitation OF the City Council and the
Agricultural Society. he visited Richmond
to attend the State Fair, and was accom-
panied by Mrs. Hayes and Messrs.
Evarts, Sherman, Thompson and Devens
Of his Cabinet. Those who witnessed the
cordial greeting which the assembled
thousands gave him. and heard his manly
patriotic utterances and saw his courte-
Gus, gallant bearing, will recall the occa-
sion as one of the most impressive Of their
lives. II was my privilege to entertain
him and his wife and Cabinet and Cen
eral Morgan, of the Senate and Governor
Kemper and Generals Johnston, Lee and
Wickham and Judge Meredith at break
fast.
When Judge Watson, Of Tennessee. died
the Hon. A. II. II. Stuart nominated Mr.
Hayes as trustee OF the Peabody Educa-
ton Fund. saying that the nomination
of a member from the South would. under
ordinary circumstances. have been pro-
per; but there was man OF Northern
birth, so eminent at that moment for
patriotism and for wise craftsmanship.
and so honOred In the South for his we'll
directed endeavor TO restore peace and
prosperity in the nation, that his name
seemed naturally suggested" From that
time TO the day of his death he was a
faithful and punctual member OF that
great trust; took the deepest and most
intelligent interest In Southern education:
gave TO our people in their struggles to
establish free schools his useful sympa-
thy and counsel and-I violate no rule Of
the board, for Mr.. Hayes himself made |
public declaration OF the fact-he was |
earnest and influential in having Florida |
and Mississippi reinstated to their former |
position as benefciaries of the fund
When l was unanimously elected gem |
eral agent of the fund in February. 1881. |
President Hayes. as / learned. bore en- |
phatic testimony as to my fitness, and |
when presented myself and accepted the
weighty responsibility he greeted me |
with old-time college cordiality. Ever
since he has been most helpful by his |
wisdom and enthusiasm and his friend
ship. When | became trustee and gen
eral manager Of the princey benefaction
Of John F. Slater it was largely at his
suggestion and through his influence as
the president Of the board.
l should like to give an account OF the
ilOSl interesting WISH we maze together
through the South I'm 1891, for then his
excellent qualities OF head and heart
shone most clearly, and I was admitted
into the penetralia Of his thought and
opinions. but I have already transcribed
the space you can afford
What 10 do with an ex-President is n
speculative question which has interested
many people. Some have thought that he
should be a Senator for life, that the
might not lose the benefit OF his
large wisdom and varied experience. John
Quincy Adams became a Representative
In Congress and died I'm his seat Cleve-
land quietly resumed the practice Of his
profession, and was so engaged when the
people, contrary TO the advice and ma
chnations of machine politicians, sum-
moned him from his retirement 10 the
head OF affairs. Hayes gave himself 10
public charities. TO lifting up the ignorant
md degraded 10 large educational meas
Tres and to private study He led a quiet
lignifiod, useful life. with malice toward
none. charity toward all. Without osten-
ation, never seeking display, with mod
,sty and gentlemanliness. with unusual
Intelligence and much practical wisdom.
le gave himself to home entoyments and |
o the good OF others. Our country has |
lad few better, more discreet, more pa
riotic, more useful men.
Yours truly,
jim. CURRY.