Talk with Rutherford B. Hayes

Rutherford B. Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881. Born on October 4, 1822, in Delaware, Ohio, Hayes was an attorney and staunch abolitionist before entering politics. He served as a major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War and was wounded several times in battle.

After the war, Hayes served in Congress and was elected governor of Ohio. His presidency is most notable for effectively ending the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. His administration worked to reconcile the divisions left over from the war and restore the Southern states to the Union.

Hayes’s election in 1876 was one of the most contested and controversial in American history. He lost the popular vote to his Democratic opponent, Samuel J. Tilden, but won the presidency through a compromise made by the Electoral Commission to resolve disputed electoral votes. This resulted in the Compromise of 1877, which pulled federal troops out of the South and formally ended Reconstruction.

During his presidency, Hayes promoted civil service reform and attempted to reconcile the divisions left by the Civil War and Reconstruction. He chose not to seek re-election in 1880 and retired from politics, focusing on educational and humanitarian causes until his death on January 17, 1893.

Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife, Lucy Webb Hayes, had eight children, but none of them had a significant influence on politics comparable to their father's impact. Their children pursued various personal and professional interests, but none had a notable political career.

Rutherford B. Hayes had a complex stance on racial equality, reflecting both progressive and conservative tendencies of his time. During his presidency, Hayes officially ended Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South, which, while it was part of a broader compromise that helped him secure the presidency in the highly contested 1876 election, also led to a significant backlash in terms of the protection of African Americans' rights in the Southern states.

However, Hayes also advocated for certain policies that would benefit African Americans. He supported education and promoted humanitarian reform in public institutions. Despite his withdrawal of troops, Hayes believed in the importance of educating freed slaves and worked to protect their civil rights, although his administration's ability to enforce these rights was severely limited after the end of Reconstruction. His presidency thus reflects both an attempt to protect African Americans' rights through educational and legal reforms and a compromising position that ultimately undermined the enforcement of these rights in the face of growing Southern resistance.

Rutherford B. Hayes's relationship with Congress was quite contentious and challenging during his presidency from 1877 to 1881. His entry into office began under a cloud of controversy, as his election involved a disputed outcome that was resolved by the Compromise of 1877. This compromise effectively ended Reconstruction by withdrawing federal troops from the South, which was a highly divisive issue.

During his presidency, Hayes faced a Congress where, for most of his term, the Democrats had control of the House of Representatives, while the Republicans controlled the Senate. This political division led to significant difficulties in getting legislation passed. Hayes often found himself at odds with Congress on several issues, including federal civil service reform and his efforts to protect the rights of African Americans in the South.

Hayes used the veto power frequently, clashing with Congress over matters such as the Bland-Allison Act, which he vetoed because he supported a resumption of the gold standard and opposed the free coinage of silver. This created further friction with Congress. His frequent use of the veto and his differences with the legislative branch led to a presidency marked by gridlock and limited legislative achievements. Despite these challenges, Hayes was committed to reform and maintaining a principled stand on his policy decisions.

Rutherford B. Hayes is remembered in modern times for several key aspects of his presidency and life. He is perhaps most noted for the manner in which he assumed office. The 1876 presidential election was one of the most controversial in American history, involving widespread allegations of electoral fraud and ending in a compromise that effectively resolved the Reconstruction era. This event, known as the Compromise of 1877, purportedly secured Hayes the presidency in exchange for withdrawing federal troops from the South, effectively ending the federal government's efforts to enforce civil rights protections for African Americans.

Beyond the election, Hayes is recognized for his efforts to reform the civil service and his advocacy for educational charities and prison reform after his presidency. He also worked towards the restoration of honest government after the scandals of previous administrations and supported the gold standard to strengthen the economy. Nevertheless, his presidency is often viewed as a part of the broader Gilded Age, a period marked by political machine dominance and economic disparity, which shadows some of his contributions.

Hayes's legacy also includes his role in promoting education and his forward-thinking stances on racial equality, though these were constrained by the political and social realities of his time. His decision not to seek reelection also helped him maintain a certain dignity away from the intense partisan politics of the era.

He is also commemorated through various memorials and namesakes, including schools, parks, and the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums in Fremont, Ohio, which preserve his home and presidential papers, serving as a resource for understanding his life and presidency.

Rutherford B. Hayes, the 19th President of the United States, took several notable actions to address corruption in government during his administration from 1877 to 1881. Most prominently, his efforts included:

1. Civil Service Reform: Hayes was a strong advocate for reforming the civil service system to reduce corruption. He believed that government jobs should be awarded based on merit rather than political connections, which was a departure from the prevailing "spoils system" where political supporters were often rewarded with government positions.

2. End of the Spoils System: One of Hayes's significant actions was initiating reforms in the New York Custom House, a hotbed of patronage and corruption. He fired officials, including the powerful collector of the port, Chester A. Arthur (who later became President), and replaced them with appointments based on merit. This move was controversial and faced strong opposition but set a precedent for merit-based public service.

3. Promotion of Honest Government: Hayes promoted honesty and competence in administration, advocating for better governance practices, which indirectly helped to reduce corruption by setting higher standards.

Hayes's stance on civil service reform was not completely successful in eradicating corruption or in fully implementing a merit-based system during his presidency, but it did lay important groundwork for future reforms, most notably the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883, which came after his term. His efforts reflected his commitment to integrity in administration and governance.

Rutherford B. Hayes dollar coins are not particularly rare. They were issued in 2011 as part of the Presidential $1 Coin Program, which features presidents in the order that they served. The Hayes coins were produced in large quantities by the U.S. Mint, making them widely available and generally not considered rare in the coin collecting community, especially in circulated conditions or standard mint states. However, coins in exceptionally high grades or those with special minting errors may be more valuable to collectors.

The Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Dollar was released on August 18, 2011. This coin is part of the Presidential Dollar series, which features portraits of U.S. Presidents in the order that they served.

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