To amend H. R. 712 so as to limit hereafter the number of surgeons in the navy to seventy-nine and of assistant surgeons to ninety. (p.1521, col.3)

On Mar 1, 1859, the Senate voted 19–30 (HR 712). Result: failed. By party: Democrats 17–15, Republicans 1–14, Others 1–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 16 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: 19
No: 30
Did not vote: 24
Date: Mar 1, 1859

By party

Democrats17 yes · 15 no · 15 didn’t vote
Republicans1 yes · 14 no · 6 didn’t vote
Others1 yes · 1 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Clement Claiborne Clay Jr. D-AL voted no
Robert Ward Johnson D-AR voted no
David Colbreth Broderick D-CA voted no
Lafayette Sabine Foster R-CT voted yes
Robert Augustus Toombs D-GA voted no
George Wallace Jones D-IA voted no
Judah Philip Benjamin D-LA voted no
Charles Edward Stuart D-MI voted no
Henry Mower Rice D-MN voted no
James Stephen Green D-MO voted no
Trusten Polk D-MO voted no
David Settle Reid D-NC voted no
George Ellis Pugh D-OH voted no
Joseph Lane D-OR voted no
Andrew Johnson D-TN voted no
Robert Mercer Taliaferro Hunter D-VA voted no

How each senator voted: Yes

How each senator voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend H. R. 712 so as to limit hereafter…: Senate Vote, Mar 1, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/35-S-662/to-amend-h-r-712-so-as-to-limit (accessed 2026-10-17).