To amend the resolution by inserting into the preamble that the U.S. Has the right to choose the form of currency to pay off its national debt.

On Jan 25, 1878, the Senate voted 17–43. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 7–25, Republicans 12–19, Independents 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 19 members voted against their own party.

During the 45th Congress (1877–1878), Rutherford B. Hayes was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 17
No: 43
Did not vote: 18
Date: Jan 25, 1878

By party

Republicans12 yes · 19 no · 12 didn’t vote
Democrats7 yes · 25 no · 6 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

Aaron Augustus Sargent R-CA voted yes
William Henry Barnum D-CT voted yes
William Wallace Eaton D-CT voted yes
Thomas Francis Bayard Sr. D-DE voted yes
Henry Laurens Dawes R-MA voted yes
William Pinkney Whyte D-MD voted yes
Hannibal Hamlin R-ME voted yes
Isaac Peckham Christiancy R-MI voted yes
Bainbridge Wadleigh R-NH voted yes
Edward Henry Rollins R-NH voted yes
John Rhoderic Mcpherson D-NJ voted yes
Theodore Fitz Randolph D-NJ voted yes
Francis Kernan D-NY voted yes
Roscoe Conkling R-NY voted yes
John Hipple Mitchell R-OR voted yes
Ambrose Everett Burnside R-RI voted yes
Henry Bowen Anthony R-RI voted yes
George Franklin Edmunds R-VT voted yes
Justin Smith Morrill R-VT 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 the resolution by inserting into…: Senate Vote, Jan 25, 1878,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/45-S-108/to-amend-the-resolution-by-inserting-into-the-preamble (accessed 2026-10-14).