Administration Quote by Rutherford B. Hayes
“One point in my public life: I did all I could for the reform of the civil service, for the building up of the South, for a soundcurrency, etc., etc., but I never forgot my party… I knew that all good measures would suffer if my Administration was followed by the defeat of my party. Result, a great victory in 1880. Executive and legislature both completely Republican.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Presidential Address, 1880
He prioritized party loyalty over policy success, fearing that a loss would undo reforms.
In simple terms: He put party first, even if it hurt progress.
Balance party loyalty with policy goals.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaign planning
- legislative negotiations
- policy implementation
- election strategy
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you weigh party loyalty against effective governance?
- What safeguards can protect reforms from partisan turnover?
Focusing on party may compromise long‑term reforms.