To adjourn as it was impossible to elect a speaker of the house today. (p. 87-2)

On Dec 9, 1859, the House voted 107–123. Result: failed. By party: Republicans 1–110, Democrats 77–4, Others 29–9. It was a party-line vote: most Democrats and most Republicans voted on opposite sides. 5 members voted against their own party.

During the 36th Congress (1859–1860), James Buchanan was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Yes: 107
No: 123
Did not vote: 14
Date: Dec 9, 1859

By party

Democrats77 yes · 4 no · 6 didn’t vote
Republicans1 yes · 110 no · 7 didn’t vote
Others29 yes · 9 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Steele Holman D-IN voted no
Thomas Green Davidson D-LA voted no
George Briggs R-NY voted yes
William Allen D-OH voted no
Sherrard Clemens D-VA 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 adjourn as it was impossible to elect a…: House Vote, Dec 9, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-H-7/to-adjourn-as-it-was-impossible-to-elect-a (accessed 2026-10-16).