The 1876 Presidential Election was one of the most contentious ever….

NY Democrat Samuel J. Tilden won the popular vote over Ohio Republican Rutherford B. Hayes.

Fort Scott Tribune (Kansas); Nov. 9, 1876

But…. 20 Electoral Votes (Florida, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina) were in dispute.

Am I the only one experiencing Deja Vu over these historical facts?

Mahogany boxes containing the electoral certificates of the 2020 US Presidential election, after they had been removed from the Senate floor by staffers on 1/6/ 2021. These ceremonial boxes have been used since 1877.

Election fraud was suspected. Democrats were accused of refusing to count African American votes as well as outright voter intimidation. And there were Suspicions regarding Republicans misusing their majorities on election boards.

Need more on Election law — try a Nutshell… available @ NYLI

Congress, unable to reach a resolution, created a temporary Electoral commission. Leading the Republican team was none other than former NYLI President and future founder of the NY State Bar Association William M. Evarts…..

William M. Evarts Medallion — you’ll see this as you enter our offices located @ 120 Broadway

Arguing for Democrat Tilden’s cause was NYLI benefactor  and former NYLI President Charles O’Conor.

The New York Public Library. “Charles O’Conor.”

By March, the Commission recommended Hayes. Congress was in turmoil, and backroom deals with Democrats resulted in the Compromise of 1877. Reconstruction ended in exchange for a peaceful acceptance of Rutherford B. Hayes as President.

Candidate Tilden doing research at NYLI… overdue notice for Louisiana Laws– one of the states in play!

Our Library Collection — and members — were part of the 1876 Election.

Use this ProQuest Congressional–guide — available @ NYLI — to learn more about the still controversial Electoral College…

NYLI members continue to use our e-books, print, and expertise for all their research needs…..

1870s Louisiana Laws — still part of NYLI’s collection

including anything on election law !!!