Raise the Rutherford!

Part II: Hayes, Garfield, and the Election of 1876

A six-part, slightly humorous series to erect a statue of Rutherford B. Hayes in Cincinnati.

The James A. Garfield Statue by Charles Niehaus in Piatt Park is 120 years old today. It was dedicated on December 1, 1887. I ran across this fascinating article in the New York Times from December 2, 1887, describing the statue’s dedication that was actually held not in the park, but at Music Hall due to "unpleasant weather". Ex-President Rutherford B. Hayes was not in attendance but sent a letter of regret that was read aloud along with other letters, including one from Robert T. Lincoln.

Garfield was elected in 1880 over Winfield S. Hancock. Hayes, the incumbent President, chose not to run for a second term and Garfield secured the Republican nomination. (Interestingly, the Democrats had nominated Hancock in Cincinnati at their National Convention at Music Hall.) Garfield was a key figure in Hayes’ election in 1876 that many contend was the most disputed and controversial presidential election ever. Samuel Tilden won the popular vote. But the electoral votes in four states were disputed – Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Oregon – and neither Hayes nor Tilden had a clear majority for victory. So ultimately a fifteen member Election Commission was formed to make a ruling and the eight person, Republican majority ruled in Hayes’ favor, giving him the Presidency by one electoral vote. Garfield was a member of Election Commission that "gave" the presidency to Hayes. Hayes would be dubbed "Rutherfraud" among others.

Hayes left the White House in 1881 after his one term. He retired to Fremont, Ohio, (and not Cincinnati) where he inherited a home from a relative. Biographical accounts indicate that in his later life, post presidency, he developed a much more liberal identity. He died on January 17, 1893 at his estate, Spiegle Grove, where he is buried.

Monday: Part III - Location Option A

Research for this piece came mostly from here.