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The Compromise of 1877The Compromise of 1877

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The Presidential Nominees of 1876The Presidential Nominees of 1876 The Centennial presidential The Centennial presidential

election of 1876 sparked a fire election of 1876 sparked a fire of controversy. of controversy.

Republican nominee Republican nominee Rutherford B. Hayes and Rutherford B. Hayes and Democratic nominee Samuel Democratic nominee Samuel Tilden found themselves in the Tilden found themselves in the midst of a disputed election. midst of a disputed election.

The Democrats, eager to both The Democrats, eager to both rid the south of the military rid the south of the military presence left over from presence left over from Reconstruction and make a Reconstruction and make a mark once again in federal mark once again in federal politics. politics.

Tilden, the Governor from New Tilden, the Governor from New York was nominated in St. York was nominated in St. Louis alongside Indiana Louis alongside Indiana Governor Thomas Hendricks Governor Thomas Hendricks

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Meanwhile, the Radical Meanwhile, the Radical Republicans were giving way Republicans were giving way to a more liberal Republican to a more liberal Republican presence. presence.

Despite this gradual Despite this gradual transformation of the transformation of the Republican party, the basic Republican party, the basic tenets which inspired the tenets which inspired the Republican backing of Republican backing of Reconstruction policy were Reconstruction policy were still alive.still alive.

Hayes, Governor of Ohio and Hayes, Governor of Ohio and a former Congressman was a former Congressman was nominated for the presidency nominated for the presidency by the Republican party in by the Republican party in Cincinnati at the Republican Cincinnati at the Republican National Convention, with National Convention, with New York Congressman New York Congressman William Wheeler nominated William Wheeler nominated as his running mate. as his running mate.

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Campaign SlanderCampaign Slander

The presidential The presidential campaign of 1876 was campaign of 1876 was difficult from the onset. difficult from the onset.

Campaign slander was Campaign slander was rampant, with smear rampant, with smear tactics used in order to tactics used in order to bolster support for bolster support for opposing candidates. opposing candidates.

While neither candidate While neither candidate was unfamiliar with the was unfamiliar with the sometimes malicious sometimes malicious world of politics, the world of politics, the attacks were still difficult, attacks were still difficult, and at times taken and at times taken personally. personally.

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The Initial OutcomeThe Initial Outcome It appeared initially as November 7th came to a close that Tilden It appeared initially as November 7th came to a close that Tilden

was winning the Electoral College vote with 184 electoral votes to was winning the Electoral College vote with 184 electoral votes to Hayes' 165. Hayes' 165.

The popular vote too appeared to favor Tilden with 51% or The popular vote too appeared to favor Tilden with 51% or 4,284,020 for the Democratic candidate, while Hayes received 48% 4,284,020 for the Democratic candidate, while Hayes received 48% of the popular vote, or 4,036,572. of the popular vote, or 4,036,572.

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The Contested ResultsThe Contested Results News of contested election results began to circulate News of contested election results began to circulate

around the country in the early hours of November 8. around the country in the early hours of November 8. The Electoral vote, 184 for Tilden and 165 for Hayes was The Electoral vote, 184 for Tilden and 165 for Hayes was

a close one, and 20 electoral votes in dispute. a close one, and 20 electoral votes in dispute. Three southern states, South Carolina with 7 electoral Three southern states, South Carolina with 7 electoral

votes, Florida with 4, and Louisiana with 8, as well as votes, Florida with 4, and Louisiana with 8, as well as Oregon (with only one of the three electoral votes Oregon (with only one of the three electoral votes contested) were contesting the results of their electoral contested) were contesting the results of their electoral vote. vote.

The states, with the electoral votes given to Hayes, were The states, with the electoral votes given to Hayes, were historically democrat, and interestingly, the only southern historically democrat, and interestingly, the only southern states still with Federal troops present enforcing states still with Federal troops present enforcing Reconstruction laws. Reconstruction laws.

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The returns from the electoral boards of the The returns from the electoral boards of the southern states were the main source of dispute, southern states were the main source of dispute, with both the Republicans and the Democrats with both the Republicans and the Democrats claiming victory. claiming victory.

The Oregon contested results were rather unique. The Oregon contested results were rather unique. The debate centered on the legitimacy of one of the The debate centered on the legitimacy of one of the electors. electors.

The following article from Harper's Magazine The following article from Harper's Magazine published on December 16, 1876, demonstrates the published on December 16, 1876, demonstrates the sentiment of the country concerning the disputed sentiment of the country concerning the disputed returns.returns.

““Will any decent Democrat sayWill any decent Democrat sayupon his honor that he believes there wasupon his honor that he believes there wasno designed and general intimidation of theno designed and general intimidation of thecolored vote in any of the disputed Statescolored vote in any of the disputed Statesfor the purpose of securing Democratic success?”for the purpose of securing Democratic success?”

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Political CartoonsPolitical Cartoons The disputed election resulted in numerous political cartoons The disputed election resulted in numerous political cartoons

dedicated to the crisis. dedicated to the crisis. The cartoon entitled "A National Game That is Played Out" The cartoon entitled "A National Game That is Played Out"

represents the discontent of the cartoonist over the apparent gamy represents the discontent of the cartoonist over the apparent gamy nature the disputed election was being handled. nature the disputed election was being handled.

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““Compromise Indeed!" represents the perceived bullying on the part Compromise Indeed!" represents the perceived bullying on the part of the Democrats in their plight. The popular press was particularly of the Democrats in their plight. The popular press was particularly critical of the Democratic effort to get Tilden elected.critical of the Democratic effort to get Tilden elected.

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"A Jewel Among Swine", presents a rather scathing view "A Jewel Among Swine", presents a rather scathing view of the electoral boards of the disputed southern states, in of the electoral boards of the disputed southern states, in this case Louisiana. this case Louisiana.

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Election Violence and the Red ShirtsElection Violence and the Red Shirts Violence and coercion were Violence and coercion were

suspected to have occurred suspected to have occurred during the election. during the election.

Of particular note was the Of particular note was the supposed Red Shirts of South supposed Red Shirts of South Carolina. Carolina.

These staunch southern These staunch southern Democrats were known for Democrats were known for their bullying and intimidation their bullying and intimidation of African American voters. of African American voters.

Accusations abounded which Accusations abounded which claimed the Red Shirts were claimed the Red Shirts were both forcing African both forcing African Americans to vote democrat, Americans to vote democrat, and even preventing them and even preventing them from voting altogether. from voting altogether.

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The Electoral Commission The Electoral Commission The dispute continued into 1877 with a resolution yet to The dispute continued into 1877 with a resolution yet to

be reached. be reached. The U.S. Constitution was ill-equipped to solve the The U.S. Constitution was ill-equipped to solve the

dilemma, stating merely that it was up to the Congress to dilemma, stating merely that it was up to the Congress to find a resolution. find a resolution.

Thus, in January of 1877 an Electoral Commission Bill Thus, in January of 1877 an Electoral Commission Bill was proposed which called for the establishment of a was proposed which called for the establishment of a committee to count the returns from the disputed states committee to count the returns from the disputed states and determine the proper victor. and determine the proper victor.

The act, called for a 15 member commission consisting The act, called for a 15 member commission consisting of 5 members each from the Supreme Court, the Senate, of 5 members each from the Supreme Court, the Senate, and the House of Representatives.and the House of Representatives.

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The partisan make-up of the Commission was never The partisan make-up of the Commission was never envisioned to be entirely even to avoid deadlock. envisioned to be entirely even to avoid deadlock.

Initially the Democrats wanted David Davis, a Initially the Democrats wanted David Davis, a Democratic Supreme Court justice on the commission, Democratic Supreme Court justice on the commission, which would ensure a 3-2 Democrat majority among the which would ensure a 3-2 Democrat majority among the Supreme Court representatives. Supreme Court representatives.

However, this was not to be. The very nature of the However, this was not to be. The very nature of the dispute, coupled with his political aspirations caused dispute, coupled with his political aspirations caused Davis to decline to accept the position. Davis to decline to accept the position.

Thus, Joseph Bradley, a staunch Republican got the Thus, Joseph Bradley, a staunch Republican got the seat, rendering the Supreme Court representation 3-2, seat, rendering the Supreme Court representation 3-2, favoring the Republicans. favoring the Republicans.

The Senate representation was also 3-2, favoring The Senate representation was also 3-2, favoring Republicans, with the House representation standing at Republicans, with the House representation standing at 3-2 favoring the Democrats. 3-2 favoring the Democrats.

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Despite the clear Republican advantage, a congressional report released in early February of Despite the clear Republican advantage, a congressional report released in early February of 1877 sings the praises of the "non-partisan" committee.1877 sings the praises of the "non-partisan" committee.

Of note is Congress's realization within the report as to the lack of rules or provisions established Of note is Congress's realization within the report as to the lack of rules or provisions established prior to the election of 1876 to safeguard against such an event. prior to the election of 1876 to safeguard against such an event.

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The Compromise The Compromise The Electoral Commission's results began to stream in The Electoral Commission's results began to stream in

the spring of 1877. the spring of 1877. While favorable to Hayes, the findings of the commission While favorable to Hayes, the findings of the commission

did not however bring about a resolution, considering the did not however bring about a resolution, considering the rules stipulated in the Electoral Commission Act. rules stipulated in the Electoral Commission Act.

The act itself stated that both Houses of Congress had to The act itself stated that both Houses of Congress had to approve the commission's findings in order for them to approve the commission's findings in order for them to be legitimate. be legitimate.

This became evident when the results began to come in; This became evident when the results began to come in; the Republican controlled Senate approved the the Republican controlled Senate approved the commission's findings just as quickly as the Democrat commission's findings just as quickly as the Democrat controlled House rejected them. controlled House rejected them.

Filibusters ensued, threatening the speedy resolution Filibusters ensued, threatening the speedy resolution envisioned at the creation of the commission. envisioned at the creation of the commission.

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While Democrats were hopeful, the reality of the While Democrats were hopeful, the reality of the situation was becoming all too apparent. situation was becoming all too apparent.

Negotiations began to take place between top Negotiations began to take place between top Democrats and supporters of Hayes. Democrats and supporters of Hayes.

It was decided that the Democrat-controlled Senate It was decided that the Democrat-controlled Senate would accept the findings of the commission, would accept the findings of the commission, ushering in the Presidency of Hayes under certain ushering in the Presidency of Hayes under certain conditions. conditions.

Most importantly, the Southern Democrats wanted Most importantly, the Southern Democrats wanted Federal troops out of Florida, Louisiana, and South Federal troops out of Florida, Louisiana, and South Carolina, giving the states ultimate control over Carolina, giving the states ultimate control over their own political affairs. their own political affairs.

Also desired by the Democrats were Federal posts Also desired by the Democrats were Federal posts for leading Democrats.for leading Democrats.

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A Final Outcome A Final Outcome

On March 2, On March 2, 1877, Rutherford 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes was B. Hayes was declared declared President of the President of the United States, United States, bringing an end bringing an end to the four month to the four month debate. debate.

Three days later, Three days later, on March 5, on March 5, Hayes was sworn Hayes was sworn in as President. in as President.

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The Results of the Compromise The Results of the Compromise The Compromise of 1877 is The Compromise of 1877 is

often perceived as the end of often perceived as the end of Reconstruction. Reconstruction.

Because of the negotiations Because of the negotiations reached in order to ensure a reached in order to ensure a Hayes presidential victory, Hayes presidential victory, certain concessions were certain concessions were promised to the South which promised to the South which essentially put an end to the essentially put an end to the progressive reforms that were progressive reforms that were attempted by previous attempted by previous presidential administrations presidential administrations and Congresses.and Congresses.

While both in private and While both in private and public, Hayes insisted on his public, Hayes insisted on his continued commitment to the continued commitment to the African American cause, African American cause, particularly in the South, his particularly in the South, his administration's actions administration's actions seemed to indicate the seemed to indicate the changing tide of the changing tide of the Republican party.Republican party.

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The following map portrays the Reconstruction military The following map portrays the Reconstruction military redistricting of the south which came to an end with the redistricting of the south which came to an end with the Compromise of 1877 Compromise of 1877

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The appointment of The appointment of leading Democrats in leading Democrats in Federal office was Federal office was another agreed upon another agreed upon point prior to Hayes' point prior to Hayes' victory. victory.

Tennessee Democratic Tennessee Democratic Governor David Key was Governor David Key was to be appointed to the to be appointed to the coveted position of U.S. coveted position of U.S. Postmaster General, Postmaster General, ushering in the revived ushering in the revived era of Democratic era of Democratic affluence in politics.affluence in politics.