To agree to an amendment to H.R. 1438, which amendment provides to levy a tax, of 35 cents per hundred feet on carbon for electric lighting if made from petrole

On May 21, 1909, the Senate voted 43–36 (HR 1438). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 44–11, Democrats 0–27. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 11 members voted against their own party.

During the 61st Congress (1909–1910), William Howard Taft was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 43
No: 36
Did not vote: 21
Date: May 21, 1909

By party

Democrats0 yes · 27 no · 13 didn’t vote
Republicans44 yes · 11 no · 8 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Albert Baird Cummins R-IA voted no
Jonathan Prentiss Dolliver R-IA voted no
Albert Jeremiah Beveridge R-IN voted no
Charles Curtis R-KS voted no
Joseph Little Bristow R-KS voted no
Knute Nelson R-MN voted no
Moses Edwin Clapp R-MN voted no
Elmer Jacob Burkett R-NE voted no
Norris Brown R-NE voted no
Coe Isaac Crawford R-SD voted no
Robert Marion La Follette 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 agree to an amendment to H.R. 1438, which…: Senate Vote, May 21…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/61-S-23/to-agree-to-an-amendment-to-h-r-1438 (accessed 2026-10-17).