fficial communication of June 17, by
which I am informed of my nomination for the office of President of
the United States by the Republican National Convention at
Cincinnati, I accept the nomination with gratitude, hoping that,
under Providence, I shall be able, if elected, to execute the
duties of the high office as a trust for the benefit of all the
people.

I do not deem it necessary to enter upon any extended examination
of the declaration of principles made by the convention. The
resolutions are in accord with my views, and I heartily concur in
the principles they announce. In several of the resolutions,
however, questions are considered which are of such importance that
I deem it proper to briefly express my convictions in regard to
them.

The fifth resolution adopted by the convention is of paramount
interest. More than forty years ago, a 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 other claim, gave
place to the idea that party services were to be chiefly
considered. All parties, in practice, have adopted this system. It
has been essentially 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 the appointments. But gradually the
appointing power, in many cases, passed into the control of members
of Congress. The offices, in these cases, have become not merely
rewards for party services, but rewards for services to party
leaders. This system destroys the independence of the separate
departments of the government; it tends directly to extravagance
and official incapacity; it is a temptation to dishonesty; it
hinders and impairs that careful supervision and strict
accountability by which alone faithful and efficient public service
can be secured; it obstructs the prompt removal and sure punishment
of the unworthy. In every way it degrades the civil service and the
character of the government. It is felt, I am confident, by a large
majority of the members of Congress, to be an intolerable burden,
and an unwarrantable hind