The Contentious and Controversial Presidential Election of 1876.

The 2020 Presidential election results were plagued by accusations of fraud, rigging, miscounting and other causes that resulted in an incorrect result. But was this Presidential election unique in this issue? It may be useful to read these three 1877 papers dealing with the Presidential election of 1876 decided in a fiercely contested battle of the Electoral College. The papers are:

• "Counting the Electoral Votes" -- Speech of Hon. Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, January 24, 1877
• "Counting of Electoral Vote" – Speech of Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, January 9, 1877
• "The Constitution, and Presidential Elections" – Speech of Roscoe Conkling, in the Senate of the United States, January 23 and 24, 1877.

The United States presidential election of 1876 was one of the most contentious and controversial presidential elections in American history. There is no question that Samuel J. Tilden of New York out-polled Ohio's Rutherford B. Hayes in the popular vote. After a first count of votes, it was clear that Tilden had won 184 electoral votes to Hayes's 165, with 20 votes unresolved. The question of who should have been awarded these unresolved electoral votes is the source of continued controversy. Actually, an informal deal was struck to resolve the dispute: the Compromise of 1877, which awarded all 20 electoral votes to the Republican Hayes and, in return, the Republicans agreed to withdraw federal troops from the South, ending Reconstruction.

"Counting the Electoral Votes" -- Speech of Hon. Allen G. Thurman, of Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, January 24, 1877

The speech is contained in a string-bound16 page single-column booklet. The first sheet (title page) and last sheet (pages 15 & 16) are detached, dirty (soiled?), and ragged at the binding edge. All the pages are tanned, but the text is clear and easily read. The overall condition of the item is good.

"Counting of Electoral Vote" – Speech of Hon. John Sherman, of Ohio, in the Senate of the United States, January 9, 1877

The speech is contained in a 40 page booklet, without covers, that measures approximately 5 ½ x 8 inches.The pages are tanned, with occasional mild foxing, but the text is clear and easily read. The overall condition of the item is good to very good.

"The Constitution, and Presidential Elections" – Speech of Roscoe Conkling, in the Senate of the United States, January 23 and 24, 1877. "Justice is law executed"

The speech is contained in a 48 page booklet, without covers, that measures approximately 5 ½ x 8 ¼ inches. The pages are tanned, but the text is clear and easily read. The overall condition of the item is very good.

The illustrations accompanying this description show the first page of text for each paper. The overall combined condition of the three papers is good/very good.