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, …showed first 75 words of 198 total…

…showed last 75 words of 198 total…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. 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