***(Editor’s Note: In conjunction with the Inauguration of America’s 44^th President, “The Thirsty Quill” is publishing a series entitled “Ranking The Presidents.” There is no ‘exact science’ to these rankings other than personal opinion based on such factors as policy, performance, popularity, perseverance, integrity, and legacy. Aside from those Presidents ranked in the top 25% and the bottom 25%, there is a great deal of ‘wiggle room’ for discretionary placement and movement. These rankings are strictly the personal opinion of the Editor of ‘The Quill,’ and should not be regarded as an academic survey of any type. Debate of these rankings is highly encouraged and appreciated.)***

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

“Lemonade Lucy,” the nickname given to Rutherford’s wife and First Lady Lucy Hayes, would be happy to have us plop right down and learn a little something about her hubby. The nickname was bestowed upon her because she and Rutherford refused to drink alcohol, and neither would serve it at any White House functions. So, while we sip our lemonade with Lucy, let’s discuss why it’s so difficult for me to rank Hayes anywhere other than “the middle.”

Hayes, a native of Ohio and a Union General during the Civil War, narrowly captured the Presidency in one of the most controversial elections in American history. The Republican “Dark Horse” won the Electoral College by a count of 185-184 over Democratic favorite Samuel Tilden. However, Hayes lost the Popular Vote by over 250,000 votes, and it took an Electoral Commission to decide the fate of 20 Electoral votes that were being contested in four states. Before the Commission had decided in favor of Hayes (by a count of 8-7 no less), the Electoral ‘scoreboard’ had Tilden ahead 184-165, with the 20 remaining votes hanging in the balance. When Hayes was declared the winner, Southern Democrats cried foul and resorted to referring to Hayes as “Rutherfraud.”

Hayes had the unenviable job of following up Ulysses S. Grant’s corrupt administration, which had followed Andrew Johnson’s impeachment. Yet he did so with a great deal of respectability and integrity. As President, Hayes’ tenure was scarred by some controversy as well. The Compromise of 1877 assured Hayes the Presidency, but it effectively ended Reconstruction in the South as he promised to pull all federal troops out of the region. There was also the Great Railroad Strike, in which Hayes used force to suppress uprisings in several cities, going so far as to order troops to open fire if necessary. In the end, more than 70 protesters were gunned down.

However, despite the controversy that surrounded his election and the few hurdles during his tenure, Hayes did restore order and credibility to the Oval Office. This was no small feat considering the enormous pressures still surrounding the White House in the 1870s. He is also remembered for having a significant impact on foreign affairs, especially in Central and South America. 

Notable Quotations: “He serves his party best who serves his country best.”

“Fighting battles is like courting girls: those who make the most pretensions and are boldest usually win.”

“I know that I’m going where Lucy is,” (his final words).

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes

#25: John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

Like Hayes, I find it extremely difficult to rank John Quincy Adams anywhere other than “the middle of the road.” How else do you measure the man who penned the Monroe Doctrine, yet was also well-recognized for frequent skinny dipping in the Potomac River?

As the 6^th President, Adams was only the 2^nd Executive to be elected to a single term in office. Guess who the first was. Ironically, it was his dad, John Adams.

The younger Adams had quite the political career. When he was only 14, Adams was sent on a diplomatic mission to Russia. Later, he would serve as a statesman to Portugal, Prussia, and Great Britain. Even after he lost his re-election campaign to Andrew Jackson in 1828, Adams was elected to the House of Representatives, a feat accomplished by no other President in our history.

A staunch opponent of slavery, Adams served as Secretary of State under James Monroe. He was instrumental in the aforementioned Monroe Doctrine, and was a driving force in settling the Adams-Onis Treaty that allowed the United States to obtain Florida from Spain.

Yet Adams was a rather strange character. In the Election of 1824, Adams ran against multiple opponents, including Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay among others. None of the candidates were able to capture the majority of Electoral College votes needed to become President, although Jackson had won more Electoral votes and the Popular vote. Still, the House was forced to determine the winner, and Adams was selected. At his inauguration, he insisted on taking the Oath of Office on a Law book as opposed to The Bible. Adams wanted to send a strong message about his belief in the Separation of Church and State.

While Adams was overwhelmingly successful in his pre- and post-Presidential political life, he was not very effective during his lone term as the Executive. It seems that his controversial selection, especially in the face of Jackson’s apparent victory (by taking the Electoral and Popular votes), came at a great price. The selection was marred by a supposed “Corrupt Bargain,” which earned Adams a large number of political enemies, and ultimately cost him any chance at a successful Presidency. His ideas and proposals lacked substantial Congressional support, a fatal blow to policy, and the kiss of death for Adams’ re-election campaign in 1828. 

Notable Quotations: “To believe all men honest would be folly. To believe none so is something worse.”

“Always vote for a principle, though you vote alone, and you may cherish the sweet reflection that your vote is never lost.”

“In the turbid stream of political life, a conscientious man must endeavor to do justice to all, and to return good for evil, but he must always expect evil in return.”

“By the laws of nature and nature’s God, man cannot be the property of man,” (his thoughts against slavery).

#25: John Quincy Adams

PRESIDENTIAL RANKINGS SO FAR: 

#25: John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

#26: Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

#27: Gerald Ford (1974-1977)

#28: Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)

#29: Zachary Taylor (March 1849-July 1850)

#30: Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

#31: Chester Arthur (1881-1885)

#32: Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)

#33: John Tyler (1841-1845)

#34: Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877)

#35: Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

#36: Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

#37: James Buchanan (1857-1861)

#38: Richard Nixon (1969-1974)

#39: Bill Clinton (1993-2001)

#40: Warren Harding (March 1921-August 1923)

#41: Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)

#42*: James Garfield (March 1881-September 1881)

#43*: William Henry Harrison (March 1841-April 1841)