BACKGROUND FOR

SPEAKING IN PRAISE OF
RUTHERFORD  HAYES
 a song about the 19th president of the US

Rutherford Hayes was President from 1877 to 1881. During his time in office, Reconstruction came to an end.  

Hayes was progressive whose efforts ultimately led to civil service reform. He had many good ideas, but there was so much political opposition that it was difficult to get much of what he proposed approved. 

There was bitterness over the election. His opponent,  Samuel Tilden won the popular vote. The  Presidential election system in the United States involves electoral votes.  There were some electoral votes in dispute. A Congressional committee awarded Hayes these contested electoral votes, giving him the majority and the Presidency. In return, Hayes agreed to end military occupation in the South.

Rutherford Hayes' wife, Lucy, believed in Temperance (abstaining from liquor) and convinced him  not to allow any alcoholic beverage in the White House. She was given the nickname, "Lemonade Lucy."