1876

The state and national elections on this day will prove to be the beginning of the end of an era. Louisiana becomes the center of attention as the presidential race between Samuel J. Tilden and Rutherford B. Hayes becomes a deadlock
In Louisiana even more controversy and emotion is stirred by the gubernatorial election. Carpetbag Governor William Pitt Kellogg, was ending his term by pushing fellow Republican U. S. Marshal Stephen B. Packard toward the executive position to extend Reconstruction's grip over the state.
The reluctant, democratic candidate is former Confederate Army Brigadier General Francis T. Nicholls. He has an overwhelming majority of the state’s white vote, but more than half of the registered voters were not white.

Questions arise about the Democratic bulldozer tactics in some parishes and the validity of Republican registration in others.
The Republican controlled State Returning Board cites irregularities and declares Stephen B. Packard the winner. The members of this powerful board will play a part in the fate of the gubernatorial election and ultimately the presidential election as well.
Nicholls takes his seat, establishes a defacto government and uses money from the nefarious Louisiana Lottery Company to pay salaries to Democrats who join his legislature. He is later recognized as governor by the federal government as part of the Compromise of 1877. Louis Alfred Wiltz is Lt. Governor
The results are arguably the most controversial elections in U.S. history, ending with the Compromise of 1877 in which Nicholls is recognized as the legitimate governor of Louisiana and Rutherford B. Hayes takes the presidency over Tilden.
As part of the compromise outgoing governor William Pitt Kellogg is given a seat in the U. S. Senate where he serves without distinction.
This great compromise also signals the end of Reconstruction of the South as the Federal Government begins to withdraw troops.

Go to the year 1877

Go to the year 1877