To postpone H. R. 986, the franking privilege bill, in order to take up H. R. 810, a bill to enforce the 15th amendment. (p. 3479)

On May 16, 1870, the Senate voted 32–23. Result: passed. By party: Republicans 32–14, Democrats 0–9. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 14 members voted against their own party.

During the 41st Congress (1869–1870), Ulysses S. Grant was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 32
No: 23
Did not vote: 25
Date: May 16, 1870

By party

Republicans32 yes · 14 no · 21 didn’t vote
Democrats0 yes · 9 no · 4 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Orris Sanford Ferry R-CT voted no
William Alfred Buckingham R-CT voted no
James Bruen Howell R-IA voted no
Lyman Trumbull R-IL voted no
Samuel Clarke Pomeroy R-KS voted no
Hannibal Hamlin R-ME voted no
Alexander Ramsey R-MN voted no
Thomas Weston Tipton R-NE voted no
Aaron Harrison Cragin R-NH voted no
Roscoe Conkling R-NY voted no
John Sherman R-OH voted no
William Sprague R-RI voted no
Matthew Hale Carpenter R-WI voted no
Timothy Otis Howe R-WI 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 postpone H. R. 986, the franking…: Senate Vote, May 16, 1870,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/41-S-291/to-postpone-h-r-986-the-franking-privilege-bill (accessed 2026-10-17).