To suspend the rules so that house can resolve itself into a committee of the whole on the state of the union for consideration of public bills.

On Feb 16, 1859, the House voted 89–99. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 82–13, Republicans 4–74, Others 3–12. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 17 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: 89
No: 99
Did not vote: 57
Date: Feb 16, 1859

By party

Democrats82 yes · 13 no · 40 didn’t vote
Republicans4 yes · 74 no · 15 didn’t vote
Others3 yes · 12 no · 2 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Charles Drury Hodges D-IL voted no
Aaron Shaw D-IL voted no
Robert Smith D-IL voted no
James Bradford Foley D-IN voted no
John Calvin Mason D-KY voted no
Garnett Bowditch Adrain D-NJ voted no
Horace Francis Clark D-NY voted no
John Bussing Haskin D-NY voted no
Reuben Eaton Fenton R-NY voted yes
Matthias H. Nichols R-OH voted yes
Richard Mott R-OH voted yes
Philemon Bliss R-OH voted yes
James Landy D-PA voted no
Owen Jones D-PA voted no
Henry Chapman D-PA voted no
Wilson Reilly D-PA voted no
William Montgomery D-PA 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 suspend the rules so that house can…: House Vote, Feb 16, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-H-464/to-suspend-the-rules-so-that-house-can-resolve (accessed 2026-10-16).