To recommit H. R. 161, a bill to abolish the franking privilege, to the committee on the post office and post roads, with instructions to report the bill back;

On Jan 14, 1862, the House voted 58–88 (HR 161). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 13–72, Democrats 31–8, Others 14–8. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 21 members voted against their own party.

During the 37th Congress (1861–1862), Abraham Lincoln was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 58
No: 88
Did not vote: 53
Date: Jan 14, 1862

By party

Republicans13 yes · 72 no · 25 didn’t vote
Democrats31 yes · 8 no · 13 didn’t vote
Others14 yes · 8 no · 15 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Steele Holman D-IN voted no
Albert Smith White R-IN voted yes
Martin Franklin Conway R-KS voted yes
Henry Laurens Dawes R-MA voted yes
John Noble Goodwin R-ME voted yes
Samuel Clement Fessenden R-ME voted yes
Cyrus Aldrich R-MN voted yes
Francis Preston Blair Jr. R-MO voted yes
Elijah Hise Norton D-MO voted no
Gilman Marston R-NH voted yes
Thomas McKey Edwards R-NH voted yes
Elijah Ward D-NY voted no
Socrates Norton Sherman R-NY voted yes
George Hunt Pendleton D-OH voted no
Chilton Allen White D-OH voted no
Warren Perry Noble D-OH voted no
James Remley Morris D-OH voted no
Thomas Buchecker Cooper D-PA voted no
Thaddeus Stevens R-PA voted yes
James Tracy Hale R-PA voted yes
John Winfield Wallace R-PA 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 recommit H. R. 161, a bill to abolish the…: House Vote, Jan 14…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/37-H-85/to-recommit-h-r-161-a-bill-to-abolish (accessed 2026-10-16).