To reconsider the vote adopting the amendment to H.R. 4414 providing for the effective date of the reduced tobacco tax as may 1879 instead of april 1897.

On Feb 18, 1879, the Senate voted 35–30 (HR 4414). Result: passed. By party: Democrats 31–3, Republicans 5–27, Independents 0–1. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 8 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: 35
No: 30
Did not vote: 15
Date: Feb 18, 1879

By party

Republicans5 yes · 27 no · 11 didn’t vote
Democrats31 yes · 3 no · 4 didn’t vote
Independents0 yes · 1 no

Who broke with their party

George Eliphaz Spencer R-AL voted yes
William Wallace Eaton D-CT voted no
Eli Saulsbury D-DE voted no
Simon Barclay Conover R-FL voted yes
William Pitt Kellogg R-LA voted yes
William Pinkney Whyte D-MD voted no
Blanche Kelso Bruce R-MS voted yes
James Donald Cameron R-PA 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 reconsider the vote adopting the…: Senate Vote, Feb 18, 1879,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/45-S-448/to-reconsider-the-vote-adopting-the-amendment-to-h (accessed 2026-10-17).