Republicans stole the presidency from Democrat Samuel Tilden in the hope that Rutherford B. Hayes would continue the failed “reconstruction” of the Southern states, whose secession had brought on the Civil War. That produced less of an uproar at the time than the forced resignation of Cox because it was little over a decade since the terrible war had ended, and Hayes disappointed his supporters by ending “reconstruction.”

The one constant between the 1876 presidential theft and the bargains Senate Democrats of today have engaged in to pass “Obamacare” is the New York Times. In 1876, the NYT supported the theft of the presidential election from Tilden; today’s Times supports the corrupt bargains in the Senate.

The notion that self-proclaimed high-minded “moralists” are above corruption is just a myth.

Seymour Kleiman

Baltimore

On vouchers, voters already made their choice

Re: “GOP should push education and pro-family tax reform,” Jan 2

Michael Barone and Karl Rove urge the GOP to push a voucher plan for tax support of private and faith-based schools. This is a bad idea, a real loser.

American voters by the millions have made it abundantly clear in more than 25 statewide referenda passed by an average 2-to-1 margin that they do not want tax money to go to nonpublic schools in any way, shape or form.

The GOP should push to make public schools better and more equitably funded.

Edd Doerr

President, Americans for Religious Liberty

Silver Spring

Washington Humane Society is doing its best

Re: “PETA claim abuse, ineptitude at D.C. animal shelter,” Jan 7

The article about The Washington Humane Society was disturbing, but not in the way one might think. Its inaccuracy was the disturbing part! I continue to volunteer at the New York Avenue facility because I believe in the work being done there even though there are improvements to be made. But what organization doesn’t need improvement?

There are highly motivated people making the best decisions possible for the animal population as a whole, working in an old, drafty, rodent-populated city building. Quite frankly, I’m amazed at how clean the kennels are kept with the limitations the staff has to work with.

I would bet the comment about Nick Gilman euthanizing animals in an inhumane way was taken out of context. What is he supposed to do if an animal in an emergency situation has to be euthanized right away to end its suffering and a vein cannot be found?

I hope this article sheds light on the problems faced by animals in the D.C. area, and rallies more help to the people who dedicate their careers to helping them. Foster homes keep animals out of the shelters while permanent homes are being sought.

Beth Barritt

Laurel