Why Did This Matter?
The problems with the Electoral Commission process to settle this type of dispute was changed by the passing of the Electoral Count Act in 1887. This act left it up to the state to resolve a disputed count. Florida used this new process in the disputed Presidential Election of 2000.
After the removal of federal troops from the South, the Southern Democrats took over the remaining Republican states in the South. Hayes' expectation was that the Southerners would protect the rights of the African-American citizens, but he got just the opposite. The Southerners continued to exploit African-Americans. Thus began nearly 100 years of poverty and forced segregation.
Hayes also became the first president to, after he left office, dedicate the rest of his life to noble causes. His efforts to promote education and civil rights for black people set a precedence for future presidents.
There were also a few important decisions made by Hayes that might not have happened if Tilden had become president.
The Bland-Allison Act in 1878 forced the government to
purchase bullions of silver so they could make more coins.
In 1880 Hayes made a pact with China called the Burlingame Treaty[7], which amended the Treaty of Tientsin[6], and created a formal friendly relationship between the U.S. and China. In doing this the U.S. awarded China Most Favored Nation[9] status.
Hayes was also instrumental in seeding the concept of a U.S.A.
controlled Panama Canal.
Although he did not build it, it is possible it would not have
been accomplished by the U.S. without him.
Did You Know?
Burlingame Treaty- a pact that amended the Treaty of Tientsin and was amended to suspend, but not prohibit, Chinese immigration. In 1882 this pact was reversed by the Chinese Exclusion Act.
Treaty of Tientsin- a treaty between U.S, France, the U.K, and China which opened up eleven more ports to the foreigners. Some of the major points were:
- Britain, France, Russia and the United States would have the right to station legations in Beijing (a closed city at the time).
- Ten more Chinese ports would be opened for foreign trade, including Niuzhuang, Danshui, Hankou and Nanjing.
- The right of foreign vessels including warships to navigate freely on the Yangtze River.
- The right of foreigners to travel in the internal regions of China for the purpose of travel, trade or missionary activities.
- China was to pay an indemnity to Britain and France in 2 million taels of silver respectively, and compensation to British merchants in 2 million taels of silver.
- Official letters and other documents exchanged between China and the UK are to be banned from referring to British Officials and Subjects of the Crown by the character "夷" or "yi" (barbarian).
Most Favored Nation- a status awarded by one nation to another in
international trade. It does not give particular advantag0.9em
s but does give the receiving nation will be given all trade
advantages.