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SPECIAL ACT OF CONGRESS,

Concerning the Electoral Vote for President, 1876.

In consequence of alleged frauds and irregularities in certain States, each party claimed the election, and, accordingly, sent returns to the Electoral College, which made special legislation necessary.

The following is the substance of the bill:

The Senate and House of Representatives shall meet in the hall of the latter, on the first Tuesday in February, 1877, and there witness the opening of the certificates of the electoral votes of the several States in alphabetical order, the president of the Senate presiding. Where only one return is made the president shall call for objections; if any are presented the Senate chall withdraw, and such objections shall be submitted for its decision; the Honse shall in like manner consider the objections, and the same shall not be rejected, except on the affirmative vote of the two houses.

The electoral vote of such States as shall return more than one certificate of electoral vote shall be submitted to the judgment and decision of a commission of fifteen members, composed as follows: Five members each of the Senate and House of Representatives, appointed by their respective bodies, and five associ. ate judges of the Supreme Court of the United States, now assigned to the first, third, eighth and ninth circuits; these four shall select the fifth member. The judge longest in commission shall be the president of the same.

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RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES, the nineteenth Presi dent of the United States of America, was born in Delaware, Ohio, on the fourth of October, 1822. His ancestors settled in this country in the Seventeenth Century, and they were held in high esteem and honored as valued members of society. Some of them rendered faithful services in the war of the Revolution. The blood that flowed in their veins belonged to the world's best typethe blood of noble England and sturdy Scotland. He graduated with distinction at Kenyon College at the age of twenty.

He chose the law as a profession, graduating at Har

vard University Law School in 1845. He immediately began the practice of law in Cincinnati, and soon was recognized as one of the most accomplished and brilliant members of the profession.

In 1858 he was elected and for three years held the office of City Solicitor. At the commencement of the civil war he was on the high way to political preferment, and was a candidate for Congressional honors; but he deliberately thrust aside the alluring prize, and joined the brave defenders of the nation, in the hour of its weakness and peril. He was a positive Unionist, and boldly avowed his sentiments.

In May, 1861, he recruited the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteers, and was appointed Major.

Not having a military education, he transferred the command to Col. W. S. Rosecrans, and served as Judge Advocate on his staff. Afterwards he received the commission of Lieutenant-Colonel, and in August, 1862, with McClellan's army, soon after participated in the battles of Rich Mountain and Antietam. In the battle of South Mountain he was severely wounded, and had to be carried from the field. In the fall of 1862 his command was again assigned to service in Western Virginia.

It participated in the battle of Floyd Mountain, in 1864, and afterwards joined General Hunter's command in the Shenandoah Valley. In the battle of Winchester Col. Hayes gallantly led the First Brigade of Gen. Crook's command into action. Subsequently in the battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he displayed

great gallantry, and was accordingly brevetted MajorGeneral, for his meritorious conduct.

Before the close of the war he was elected to Congress, and in 1866 he was re-elected, but resigned before the close of his term, in order to accept the nomination of Governor by the Republican party of Ohio. In 1867 he was elected Governor of Ohio, and served his third term with marked ability and fidelity. In 1876 he was the Republican candidate for President against S. J. Tilden. The disputed vote of four States was intrusted to a commission of 15, appointed by a special act of Congress, which decided 8 to 7 for Hayes.

Mr. Hayes, as a Presidential executive, maintained his spotless reputation as a soldier and a citizen of high moral character, and discharged faithfully his duties as a statesman with unswering fidelity to the best interest of the country against opposition and adverse cir

cumstances.

WILLIAM A. WHEELER, Vice-President, was born at Malone, Franklin County, New York, June 30th, 1819. His ancestors were of English and Welsh extraction. He entered the University of Vermont in 1836, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar. In 1849-50 was elected a member of the Assembly, by the Whig party. In 1858 he was elected State Senator and President of the Senate pro tem. In 1859 he was elected to the XXXVIIth Congress, and in 1867 to the XLIst Congress, and retained his seat till elected Vice-President.

CANDIDATES FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRES. 16TH ADM.

For Pres. From | For Vice Pres. | From | Politics.

R. B. Hayes, Ohio.
S. J. Tilden, N. Y.
Peter Cooper, N. Y.
G. C. Smith, N. Y.

W. A. Wheeler, N. Y.

Rep. T. A. Hendricks, Indiana. Dem. S. F. Cary,

R. J. Stewart,

Ohio. Gr'nb'k

Ohio.

P'h'b'n.

Popular and Electoral Vote,-16th Administration.

Thirty-eight States voting. Colorado admitted since last Whole number of Electoral votes, 369.*

election.

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*The election was contested in Louisiana, South Carolina, Florida and Oregon. By a special act of Congress a Commission of Fifteen was appointed to settle the question. They decided 8 to 7 for Hayes.

THE OATH.

I, do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be), that I will impartially examine and consider al questions submitted to the commission of which I am a member, and a true judgment give thereon, agreeably to the Constitution and the laws; so help me God.

The commission was occupied from February 1st to March 2d, chiefly in adjudicating the returns from Florida. South Carolina, Oregon and Louisiana.

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