The Election of 1876
The Election of 1876 was one that held many people in confusion. Republican nominee Governor Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, ran against Democrat Governor Samuel J. Tilden, of New York. Tilden received 250,000 more popular votes than Hayes. Yet, the Republicans refused to admit defeat, so they demanded a recount of the total votes in the Electoral College. Tilden had acquired 184 unchallenged votes, which is one less than what is needed to win. Hayes, however, only received 165 votes. The problem was that a dispute had broken out over 20 votes from Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon. The deadlock continued into 1877 when Congress moved to settle it. An Electoral Commission was composed of five senators, five representatives, and five Supreme Court justices; 8 of which were Republicans and 7 of which were Democrats. The commission awarded the Presidency to Hayes. Infuriated by this decision, Democrats threatened to block Hayes inauguration.
English: A certificate for the electoral vote for ...
English: Rutherford B. Hayes (October 4, 1822—Ja...
The election was hotly contested, as can be seen b...A compromise was arranged in February between Democrats and Republicans over the matter. In exchange for Hayes to become President, the Republicans promised to be more appropriate with money for Southern internal improvements, to allow a Southerner to Hayes's cabinet, and to pursue a policy of noninterference in southern affairs