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Rutherford Hayes - 19th President
Party: Republican
Term: March 4, 1877 - March 3, 1881
Age at Inauguration: 54
Life Span: October 4, 1822 - Jan 17, 1893 [70]
Spouse: Lucy Webb - Age at Marriage: 30
Vice President: William Wheeler

  • In one of the most bitter presidential contests in history, Rutherford Hayes was declared president in 1877 by a government panel selected by Congress
  • Similar to the 2000 election deadlock, the decision to elect Hayes came just five days before the inauguration.
  • In the election of 1876, Samuel Tilden, D-NY, won both the popular and electoral vote, but republicans challenged the returns of four states thus creating a deadlock in the electoral college
  • Rather than decide the matter in the House, Congress appointed a fifteen member panel comprised of eight republicans and seven democrats that voted partisan lines and elected Hayes by one vote
  • Afraid of violence or disruption at the inauguration, President Grant invited Hayes to the White House where he was administered the oath of office in the Red Room on Saturday March 3rd
  • Although there were no incidents at the actual inauguration held on Monday March 5 - since the fourth fell on Sunday - his administration would forever be labeled, "The Stolen Presidency"
  • Hayes was the first president to visit the west coast when he traveled to California in 1879
  • He banned tobacco from the White House during his administaration