Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to William Henry Smith, May 6, 1869

COLUMBUS, May 6, 1869.

DEAR S——:— The use of the phrase, "the man you dislike," in my note to you, was unfortunate. I am sorry for it. No meaning containing an imputation on your motives was in my mind—none whatever. Your letter shows a dislike for one of the gentlemen named, as I thought, but it did not, and does not occur to me that therefore you opposed him. You named another and a solid reason—a reason which deserves to be considered. The part of your letter enclosed in brackets contains what I refer to as showing "dislike." The last sentence in your letter of the 5th will, I trust, on reflection be reconsidered.*

Sincerely,
R. B. HAYES.
WILLIAM HENRY SMITH.
_______________

*Mr. Smith had written: — "I am not in the habit of letting my personal dislikes enter into the consideration of public matters, and I am not aware of having indicated to you any dislike for any one among the candidates for school commissioner. . . . I endeavored to answer your inquiry as a friend who is not afraid to speak the truth at all times, and to give you the inside view among the best of the teachers. As this effort has been construed as an expression of my likes and dislikes, I would suggest that hereafter you apply elsewhere for information."

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 62

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