Rutherford B. Hayes: “Exuberant harvests, productive mines, ample crops of the staples of trade and manufactures, have enriched the country.”

The most serious obstacle, however, to an improvement of the civil service, and especially to a reform in the method of appointment and removal, has been found to be the practice, under what is known as the spoils system, by which the…

In response to the resolution of the Senate of June 21, 1879, I herewith transmit reports.

A method which has so approved itself by experimental tests at points where such tests may be fairly considered conclusive should be extended to all subordinate positions under the Government.

In my judgment we should be liberal to the verge of lavishness in the expenditure of our money to improve their condition, so that they and all others may know that, although, like all nations and all men, we may do wrong, we are willing…