Hayes Administration - Career

Career

Upon graduation from the Harvard Law School in 1845, Rutherford B. Hayes had returned to his uncle's town of Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), Ohio, and began his law practice, which never attracted much business. Hayes moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he opened another law practice that was eventually more successful.

Always interested in politics, Hayes attended lectures and occasionally gave speeches on the issues of the day. In September 1853 Hayes defended his first runaway slave case, and because of his concern about the spread of slavery into the western territories, Hayes joined the newly formed Republican Party.

In December 1858 the city solicitor (attorney) of Cincinnati was killed in a railroad accident. The city council chose Hayes to replace him because of his competence as a lawyer and because of his moderate positions on the issues before the city. This post would be the first of several for Hayes due...

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