To amend an amendment to S. 239, so as to fix minimum population requirement for admission as a state. (p. 955-1)

On Feb 12, 1859, the House voted 16–191 (S 239). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 2–115, Republicans 5–74, Others 9–2. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 7 members voted against their own party.

During the 35th Congress (1857–1858), James Buchanan was president, and Democrats held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 16
No: 191
Did not vote: 38
Date: Feb 12, 1859

By party

Democrats2 yes · 115 no · 18 didn’t vote
Republicans5 yes · 74 no · 14 didn’t vote
Others9 yes · 2 no · 6 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Ezra Clark Jr. R-CT voted yes
Robert Bernard Hall R-MA voted yes
Calvin Clifford Chaffee R-MA voted yes
Isaiah Dunn Clawson R-NJ voted yes
George Robbins Robbins R-NJ voted yes
Horace Francis Clark D-NY voted yes
William Smith D-VA voted yes

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend an amendment to S. 239, so as to…: House Vote, Feb 12, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-H-451/to-amend-an-amendment-to-s-239-so-as (accessed 2026-10-16).