 The Supreme Court gave a tortured interpretation to federal legislation that sought to protect black voting rights, declaring that the legislation was not “appropriate” as a basis for the prosecution of state officials who had flagrantly prevented blacks from registering to vote (U.S. v. Reese 1875). And after a backroom deal enabled Rutherford Hayes to win the contested presidential election of 1876, his administration instructed federal troops to end their efforts to protect the rights of blacks. With the consequent demise of Reconstruction, the path was opened for Southern whites to turn the 15th Amendment into a dead letter. 