campaign will not become warm until after the nomination of the State tickets. More depends on the wisdom of the Republican convention in their nominations than on any speeches that can be made. As soon as I am once in the campaign I shall stay in with the exception of a few days which I shall have to devote to my children.
Private.
I hear from two friends that you feel “gloomy” as to the
prospects. Your influence is large. You can influence many
minds. It is too early to make figures. Let me urge you to
great caution in this regard.
I have stopped all the practices you complain of within my reach. Some are denied. Some are explained. I would write more fully, but money has corrupted one P. O. clerk, and I do not feel safe.
TO RUTHERFORD B. HAYES
Next Thursday night I am going to make a speech at Cincinnati which I expect to have some influence on the tone of the campaign. I shall have it ready to print on Tuesday evening, so that it may be mailed in slips to the members of the Associated Press East and West on Wednesday. In that speech I take up the Democratic gauntlet and devote myself exclusively to the reform question. Your letter of acceptance with its reform program is, of course, the principal theme of discussion, and I should be glad to submit at least a part of the speech to you before it is printed. I do not find it possible, however, to run over to Columbus from Dayton, where I am
