Electoral Commission, a commission appointed by act of Congress January 26, 1877, to pass on disputed presidential election returns from South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida, and Oregon, and one or two other states where fraud or ineligibility was charged. Samuel J. Tilden and Thomas A. Hendricks, the democratic candidates, had a majority by popular vote. Hayes and Wheeler, Republicans, had a technical majority on the face of the returns. The Democrats controlled the House, the Republicans, the Senate, and a deadlock ensued. Both sides agreed to abide by the decision of a committee consisting of five senators and five representatives and five justices of the supreme court, two Republicans and two Democrats, the four to choose a fifth member. The commission met February 1 and rose March 1. Every contested point was decided in favor of the Hayes and Wheeler electors by a partisan vote, eight to seven, the last named justice, Joseph P. Bradley of New Jersey, siding with the Republicans on each issue. See TILDEN.