How did Texas state government change as a result of the 1872 elections? Why are these elections considered especially significant?

The election was held on November 5, 1872. The State voters chose eight electors to represent the state in the Electoral College. The election was conducted to choose the president and vice president.

The people of Texas voted for the Liberal Republican nominee Horace Greeley, who received 57 percent of the vote. He however died before Congress could certify the results.

This made Texas electors together with the electors of five other states free to vote for who they wanted. All the right electors voted for Thomas A. Hendricks.