To amend S. 6178 by declaring that nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize any increase of the principal of the public debt of the United States.

On Apr 6, 1874, the Senate voted 24–27 (S 617). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 17–22, Democrats 8–8, Others 3–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 25 members voted against their own party.

During the 43rd Congress (1873–1874), Ulysses S. Grant was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 24
No: 27
Did not vote: 20
Date: Apr 6, 1874

By party

Republicans17 yes · 22 no · 12 didn’t vote
Democrats8 yes · 8 no · 5 didn’t vote
Others3 yes · 1 no · 3 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

George Goldthwaite D-AL voted no
Aaron Augustus Sargent R-CA voted yes
John Brown Gordon D-GA voted no
Thomas Manson Norwood D-GA voted no
William Boyd Allison R-IA voted yes
Thomas Clay Mccreery D-KY voted no
George Sewel Boutwell R-MA voted yes
Hannibal Hamlin R-ME voted yes
Zachariah Chandler R-MI voted yes
Lewis Vital Bogy D-MO voted no
Augustus Summerfield Merrimon D-NC voted no
Matt Whitaker Ransom D-NC voted no
Aaron Harrison Cragin R-NH voted yes
Bainbridge Wadleigh R-NH voted yes
Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen R-NJ voted yes
John Percival Jones R-NV voted yes
William Morris Stewart R-NV voted yes
Roscoe Conkling R-NY voted yes
John Sherman R-OH voted yes
John Scott R-PA voted yes
Henry Bowen Anthony R-RI voted yes
James Winright Flanagan R-TX voted yes
John Warfield Johnston D-VA voted no
Justin Smith Morrill R-VT voted yes
Timothy Otis Howe R-WI voted yes

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 amend S. 6178 by declaring that nothing…: Senate Vote, Apr 6, 1874,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/43-S-109/to-amend-s-6178-by-declaring-that-nothing-in (accessed 2026-10-17).