COLUMBUS, OHIO, February 4, 1870.
MY DEAR SIR: — The Soldiers' Orphans' Bill has been under consideration one day in the Senate. No serious opposition has been developed and decided support was given in quarters not heretofore relied on. I entertain no doubt of its passage within a week or ten days through the Senate, and in the House its passage is only a question of time. I anticipate the necessity of naming a board about the last of this month.
Your views of General Keifer and General Barnett are also mine. I think I gave you my notions also of Generals Buckland and Coates. Think over the good loyal Democrats for one name. A well known party man, loyal during the war but in the Democratic party, if he can be found, is preferred if friendly to the institution.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, pp. 86-7
