To adjourn as it was impossible to elect a speaker today. (p. 88-2)

On Dec 10, 1859, the House voted 115–113. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 2–108, Democrats 80–0, Others 33–5. It was a party-line vote: most Democrats and most Republicans voted on opposite sides. 2 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: 115
No: 113
Did not vote: 16
Date: Dec 10, 1859

By party

Democrats80 yes · 0 no · 7 didn’t vote
Republicans2 yes · 108 no · 8 didn’t vote
Others33 yes · 5 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

George Briggs R-NY voted yes
Benjamin Stanton R-OH voted yes

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 10, 1859,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-H-8/to-adjourn-as-it-was-impossible-to-elect-a (accessed 2026-10-16).