To pass H.R. 823, bill to regulate payment of postage on newspapers and periodicals and for other purposes. (p. 589-2,1090-3)

On Feb 17, 1859, the House voted 94–77 (HR 823). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 78–9, Republicans 13–59, Others 4–10. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 22 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: 94
No: 77
Did not vote: 72
Date: Feb 17, 1859

By party

Democrats78 yes · 9 no · 48 didn’t vote
Republicans13 yes · 59 no · 21 didn’t vote
Others4 yes · 10 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

James Lindsay Seward D-GA voted no
Timothy Davis R-IA voted yes
Elihu Benjamin Washburne R-IL voted yes
John Franklin Farnsworth R-IL voted yes
Charles Drury Hodges D-IL voted no
Aaron Shaw D-IL voted no
Robert Smith D-IL voted no
Schuyler Colfax R-IN voted yes
Robert Bernard Hall R-MA voted yes
Daniel Wheelwright Gooch R-MA voted yes
John Bussing Haskin D-NY voted no
Abram Baldwin Olin R-NY voted yes
Orsamus Benajah Matteson R-NY voted yes
Emory Bemsley Pottle R-NY voted yes
Richard Mott R-OH voted yes
Valentine Baxter Horton R-OH voted yes
Philemon Bliss R-OH voted yes
John Hickman D-PA voted no
William Montgomery D-PA voted no
William Daniel Brayton R-RI voted yes
George Washington Jones D-TN voted no
John Vines Wright D-TN 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 pass H.R. 823, bill to regulate payment…: House Vote, Feb 17, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-H-467/to-pass-h-r-823-bill-to-regulate-payment (accessed 2026-10-16).