dent Hayes--Request to Become his Secretary of
the Treasury.

The Republican national convention of 1876 met at Cincinnati on
the 14th of June of that year. After the usual organization the
following eight nominations for President were made: Blaine,
Morton, Conkling, Bristow, Hayes, Hartranft, Wheeler and Jewell.
The total number of delegates was 754. Blaine was greatly in the
lead, receiving on the first ballot 285 votes, some from nearly
every state. Morton received 124, Bristow 113, Conkling 99, Hayes
61, Hartranft 58, Jewell 11, and Wheeler 3. There were 7 ballots,
in which Blaine steadily held his vote and slightly gained, receiving
on the final ballot 351 votes. The vote for Hayes increased at
each ballot until on the seventh ballot he received 384 votes, a
majority over all.

Undoubtedly Blaine was the favorite of the convention, but the
antagonisms that existed between him and Conkling probably defeated
his nomination. I still believe that the nomination of Hayes was
not only the safest, but the strongest, that could be made. The
long possession of power by the Republicans naturally produced
rivalries that greatly affected the election of anyone who had been
constantly prominent in public life, like Blaine, Conkling and
Morton. Hayes had growing qualities, and in every respect was
worthy of the high position of President. He had been a soldier,
a Member of Congress, thrice elected as Governor of Ohio, an
admirable executive officer, and his public and private record was
beyond question. He was not an aggressive man, although firm in
his opinions and faithful in his friendships. Among all the public
men with whom I have been brought in contact, I have known none
who was freer from personal objection, whose character was more
stainless, who was better adapted for a high executive office, than
Rutherford B. Hayes.

Governor Hayes wrote me the following letter in recognition of my
aid in his nomination.

"Columbus, O., June 19, 1876.
"My Dear Sir:--I trust you will never regret the important action
you took in the inauguration and carrying out of the movement which
resulted in my nomination. I write these few words to assure you
that I appreciate, and am gratified for, what you did.

"My kindest regards to Mrs. Sherman.

"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman."

His opponent, Samuel J. Tilden, was a man of singular political
sagacity, of great shrewdness, a money-making man, wh