The Presidential Election of The Presidential Election of 18761876

The Presidential Election of The Presidential Election of 18761876* THREE DIFFERENT LEVELS

*1)Republicans vs.

Democrats

2)North vs. South

3)Both sides were corrupt

4)Personalities of the candidates

Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes Born October 4, 1822

Received his degree from Harvard Law School in 1845

Appointed him to the rank of major in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry

In 1864, while still in the army, he was elected to Congress

Ohio voters elected him governor in 1867

Samuel J. TildenSamuel J. Tilden Born on February 9, 1814

Admitted to the bar in 1841 from Yale University

Tilden never married

A loyal favorite of the South who did not join the new Republican Party

Elected to the New York Assembly in 1846

Became chairman of New York's Democratic Party in 1866

Tammany HallTammany Hall

Boss Tweed’s Canal RingBoss Tweed’s Canal Ring

Election DayElection Day

The Fix Begins…The Fix Begins…

General Daniel E. Sickles

The Unbiased MediaThe Unbiased Media

Republican controlled newspapers refused to believe that Hayes had lost

Results were then subject to review by Republican-controlled returning boards

These boards were badgered by both sides

The Power of PersonalityThe Power of Personality

• BOTH MEN WERE VERY PASSIVE

• HAYES DIDN’T THINK HE SHOULD WIN

• TILDEN DODGED CORRUPTION ACCUSATIONS

A Balanced Electoral A Balanced Electoral Commission?!?Commission?!?

Judge David Davis

““Tilden or Fight!”Tilden or Fight!”

1877 Compromise1877 Compromise

Tilden Concedes…finally!Tilden Concedes…finally!“Everybody knows that, after the recent election, the men who were elected by the people President and Vice President of the United States were ‘counted out,’ and men who were not elected were ‘counted in’ and seated.”

~ Samuel Tilden on June 13th, 1877