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The 1876 presidential election was fraught with bribery and corruption. The results were contended for months, ending with a special electoral commission, consisting of 5 members each from the House, Senate, and Supreme Court deciding the results. With all but one Supreme Court justice voting, the results were tied 7-7 between Hayes and Samuel J. Tilden. The last justice was originally to be David Davis, an independent. However, before the commission made its decision, Davis was elected to the Senate by the legislature of Illinois. His replacement was Joseph P. Bradley, a Republican. Thus the deciding electoral votes were awarded to Hayes by an 8 to 7 vote. The term "Old 8 to 7" is pejorative, referring to the disreputable way in which he was elected.

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Q: Why is Rutherford B. Hayes called old 8 to 7?
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