New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-26
4 RECORD or STITESUANSHIP.
| PRESIDENT HAYEs'S CAREER STRETCHED DY THE
HON. CARL SEIZURE.

PRESl HAYES CAKII.is ShIINui-D la
HON. CARL SEIZURE.
From IIarper's Weekly.
1t may be said without cxaggeration that public
station In this country has seldom II ever been ere
by man Of purer character or higher and more con
,centiOus conception OF duty aud more lmtTlouc
motives. HIS career In private well rs in public
life throughout that of model citizen. lie wa
born In Ohio in 1929. Having received a liberal
education, he devoted himself to the practice OF Tho
law and the general esteem OF the profession ana
Of the public by the sOlidity VI his abilities ana ac
Qurements and Il conscientious performance Of hl'
duties. lie sought and found congcnia cOmpanionslp
among persons Of culture and high character. Ill-
principles and sympathies made MIN an anti-savcry
ment, the National Government called for defenders
he promptly abandoned his pro.pcroa, professional
ceved attested his valor BY gallant aud mcrionous
conduct In battle and by giving evidence Of the
rank ana command Of general Officer and place
among the bravest and ablcst of our citizen soldiers
he was elected while serving In the field. In 500 he
was nominated for the Governorshlp OF ohio and
creasng majorics. one canvass turning upon tIc
reconstruction measures and the other upon the inan
became Of the sturdiest and most uncompromisng
champions. His administrations as Governor Were
Nominated for Congress IN 1872 lie was defeated by
strong combination Of opposing forces and then re.
lie was called forth again by a nomination for the
Governship in 1879 which he reluctantly accepted,
money! the victorious issue Of which sealed the
final defeat Of the paper-i Inn. movement.
public place had often sought instead q hi, seeking
It, who by meritorious service had to such degree
without making enemies, and who ndd become 80 con.
spc,ous representative OF public integrity and sound
Republican Convention. OF 1876 a safe man 10 lead
the partyhen seriously discredlted by the exposure
minstIniioi-oncc more to victory The doubtful
result Of the election and the dangerous contest that
followed and finally settled In favor OF Mr. Hayes
well remembered. President Hayes assumed the
duties OF his office under circumstances Of unusual
tftatlty Had h.. ha.n C.1f t.lfffa
OF more than ordinary measure of moral Courage
he wond have sought The favor OF The most powerful
for him. This he did not do. lie had nothing In
view but The great Interests OF The country. In his
long entertained, laid great stress upon the necessity
OF thorough reform Of the civil service In his in
mnation 10 carry on that reform. He formed his
Cabinet not with view TO please the party potcnates,
work 10 be done. He had hardly entered the White
House when he began his preparations for the with.
rebcon'-ttnC great and wise measure OF pacilcaiOn
which relieved the Southern people Of the curse Of
government. and became the siartngp0lnt OF that
prosperous development which We now behold. The
the resumption OF spccic payments and IT, reduction
and funding of the National debt at lower rate Of
public officers against meddng with party politics and
hT eyyns Of political n@s n
resumed in several of the departments in Washington
and the gNat Government Offices in New York, and
officers In Nc.lork We're removed on the ground that
they had made their Offices headquarters Of political
msnagemcnt-an act highly offensive to powerful party
leaders.
While these measures were received with favor by
the Intelligent patriotism If the country they aroused
the resentment Of the practical politicians. high and
lOw-the withdrawal OF the troops from the South. BE-
cause II would turn Republican into Democratic
States the Civil Service Reform measures. because
they cnrtailed the patronage domain Of the members
Of Congress and the party maenae. Thus the opposi
lion 10 the President In Congress and In the party
councils grew steadily In strength and violence. The
made by the President and the herds
II Depart ments contemptuOusly thrown aside
Even the financial OF The Administration were
hampercd. and silver bill passed the President
Veto But he stood firmly by his principles The
southern policy maintained. the resumption OF
specie payments successfully effected aud the financial
honor Of the country preserved 1t Is true that the
practical reform Of the Civil Service fell short Of the
original programmed but. considering That his prrdc
,essor had abandoned the whole svstcm that PIc
lent Hayes and the heads OF the Departments under
him had to work without any appropriations for the
and at every step obstructed and nssaied
Jy hostile Congress. II Is remarkable not that not
more. but that 50 much of permanent value ac-
.ompshed II President Hayes did not carry through
complete reform of the Civil Service he certainly
aved that reform from inter annihiiaon and gave II
lew and vigorous impulse. without which Its subsequent
progress would hardly have been possible.