Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1915-09-17
New News Of Yesterday
Which One of the Chand-
lerS Was II?
By Holland

One of the curious condolences as
ISOLATED with our political campaign
history was spoken of at the time it
occurred as likely TO become tradi-
tional. In 1876, Zachariah Chandler
who had been for several terms
United States Senator from Michigan,
was elected chairman of the Republi-
can national committee Associated
with Senator Chandler in this
work was William E. Chandler, who
served his party as secretary Of the
committee. William E. Chandler in
his later career. matched in some re-
spects the earlier. career Of zachariah
Chandler. For William E. Chandler
served in the cabinet of President
Arthur as Zachariah Chandler had
served in the cabinet of President
Grant. William E. Chandler was
elected United States Senator from
New Hampshire after his service as
cabinet officer. although several years
later. He was reelected United
States Senator. Zachariah Chandler
was reelected Senator after he had
served in the cabinet of President
Grant He died a few months after
his reelection.
These two Chambers were not near
of kin. although they may have been
remotely connected Both of them
we're natives of New Hampshire.
zachariah Chambers native town
Bedford was not far distant from
William f. Chambers native town of
Concord The older politician, how
ever. moved to Michigan and in early
life was elected mayor of Detroit. Will
liam Z. Chandler has always remain
ed a citizen of Concord and, although
now in his S0th year. he is actively
occupied in the practice of his pro-
fession.
To these Chambers is attributed
the beginning Of the dispute about the
election of 1876 But to which one
of them is due the publication, about
dawn of the day after election, OF the
claim that Rutherford B. Hayes had
been elected President by a majority
of one in the electoral college has al
ways been a mystery. It is certain
that Zachariah Chandler went to bed
shortly after midnight Of election day
IN his apartment in the Fifth Avenue
Hotel. New York City. presumably be-
lieving that Gov. Tilden had beer
elected President William r. Chand-
Ter. the secretary, remained in the
Republican national committee room
An hour or two after midnight. he
learned from the late John c. Reid
at that time managing editor of the
New York Times-that If the Republic
cans carried the electoral boards il
the States. of South Carolina, Florida
and Louisiana then they had elected
Hayes by a majority of one vote.
There was hurried consultation be
tween Secretary Chandler and Chair
man Chandler, whom the secretar!
had awakened. AS a result of tina
consultation. Secretary Chandler au
thorized publication in the New Yorl
Times of the statement that the Re
publican national committee elaine,
the election of Hayes by one vote
Both of these Chambers were of tn
type of mind and temperament whicl
would justify the belief that whateve
was said in the conference between
them then there was nevertheless n
disagreement as to what should b
done. That was the beginning of tn
dangerous condition which was no
settled under the election commission
was invented as a sort of arbitration
board to pass upon the matter.
Copyright, 1915. by E. J. Edwards
All rights reserved.)
Tomorrow Mr. Edwards will tel
"Why Secretary Window Left tn
Senate"