On the 18th of January, 1877, Mr. Edmunds, of the select committee of the Senate on the counting of electoral votes, submitted a report in writing with an accompanying bill. It was, with one exception, signed by the members of the committees of the two Houses without distinction of party. The bill provided in full detail a prescribed manner for counting the electoral vote. It was adopted by both Houses and voted for by a great majority, but, believing that it was extra constitutional, I, with other Republicans, did not vote for it. The history of the electoral commission provided for in this bill is part of the history of the country, and it is not necessary to here enter into it in detail. It is sufficient to say that it resulted in the counting of the votes of Louisiana, South Carolina and Florida for Mr. Hayes, electing him President by a majority of one vote. I took an active part in the debates on the questions involved and gave in detail my view of the action of the returning board of Louisiana.
During this period I received a number of personal letters from
Governor Hayes, some of which may be of interest:
"Columbus, O., December 25, 1876. "My Dear Sir:—I have your esteemed favor, and have also met Judge Taft and Governor Dennison. There will not be the slightest difficulty growing out of the matter you refer to. You know my general course of conduct. It has always seemed to me wisest, in case of decided antagonisms among friends, not to take sides—to heal by compromise, not to aggravate, etc., etc. I wish you to feel authorized to speak in pretty decided terms for me whenever it seems advisable—to do this not by reason of specific authority to do it, but from your knowledge of my general methods of action.
"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman, etc., etc."
"Columbus, O., January 5, 1877. "My Dear Sir:—I have your note of the 3rd. I do not wish to influence the action of our friends, and do not volunteer opinions. But you have a right to my opinion. I believe the Vice President alone has the constitutional power to count the votes and declare the result. Everything in the nature of a contest as to electoral votes is an affair of the states. The rest is a mere ministerial duty. Therefore it is not right, in my judgment, for Congress to interfere.
"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman, U. S. S."
"Columbus, O., February 15, 1877. "My Dear Sir:—I have two letters from you since I last wrote. It if becomes my duty to make a cabinet I want your views fully and specifically. If possible a personal interview would be extremely desirable. Boynton writes to Smith that an assurance of my views on the southern question, which are truly set forth in my letter, with such additions as I could properly make, would be useful. I prefer to make no new declarations. But you may say if you deem it advisable that you know that I will stand by the friendly and encouraging words of that letter and by all that they imply. You cannot express that too strongly.
"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman."
"Columbus, O., February 16, 1877. "My Dear Sir:—If the issue of the contest is in our favor I shall want to see you at once if it is at all practicable. Don't you want to visit Mansfield? I can meet you there or here—or possibly at a point east of there.
"Sincerely,
"R. B. Hayes.
"Hon. John Sherman."