On passage of S. 84 (app. 6-16-60,12 stat. L 41), facilitating communications between the atlantic and pacific states by electric telegraph. (p. 1345-3)

On Mar 26, 1860, the Senate voted 28–15 (S 84). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 13–13, Republicans 15–2. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 15 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: 28
No: 15
Did not vote: 27
Date: Mar 26, 1860

By party

Democrats13 yes · 13 no · 15 didn’t vote
Republicans15 yes · 2 no · 10 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Benjamin Fitzpatrick D-AL voted no
Clement Claiborne Clay Jr. D-AL voted no
Robert Ward Johnson D-AR voted no
Willard Saulsbury Sr. D-DE voted no
Alfred Iverson Sr. D-GA voted no
John Slidell D-LA voted no
Zachariah Chandler R-MI voted no
Albert Gallatin Brown D-MS voted no
Jefferson Davis D-MS voted no
John Conover Ten Eyck R-NJ voted no
James Chesnut Jr. D-SC voted no
James Henry Hammond D-SC voted no
Andrew Johnson D-TN voted no
James Murray Mason D-VA 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, “On passage of S. 84 (app. 6-16-60,12 stat. L…: Senate Vote, Mar 26…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-126/on-passage-of-s-84-app-6-16-60 (accessed 2026-10-17).