To adopt an amendment to S. 239, which is a substitute bill. (p. 946-3)

On Feb 12, 1859, the House voted 80–133 (S 239). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 1–116, Republicans 74–10, Others 5–7. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 11 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: 80
No: 133
Did not vote: 32
Date: Feb 12, 1859

By party

Democrats1 yes · 116 no · 18 didn’t vote
Republicans74 yes · 10 no · 9 didn’t vote
Others5 yes · 7 no · 5 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

David Kilgore R-IN voted no
Schuyler Colfax R-IN voted no
Charles Case R-IN voted no
John Upfold Pettit R-IN voted no
Linus Bacon Comins R-MA voted no
Eli Thayer R-MA voted no
John M. Wood R-ME voted no
Horace Francis Clark D-NY voted yes
Matthias H. Nichols R-OH voted no
Valentine Baxter Horton R-OH voted no
Charles Billinghurst R-WI voted no

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 adopt an amendment to S. 239, which is a…: House Vote, Feb 12, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-H-452/to-adopt-an-amendment-to-s-239-which-is (accessed 2026-10-16).