To amend H.R. 917 by providing a shorter route. (p. 318-1 to 3)

On Jan 10, 1861, the House voted 68–89 (HR 917). Result: failed. By party: Republicans 18–76, Democrats 33–2, Others 17–11. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 20 members voted against their own party.

During the 36th Congress (1859–1860), James Buchanan was president, and Republicans held the House majority and Democrats the Senate majority.

Yes: 68
No: 89
Did not vote: 87
Date: Jan 10, 1861

By party

Democrats33 yes · 2 no · 52 didn’t vote
Republicans18 yes · 76 no · 24 didn’t vote
Others17 yes · 11 no · 11 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

Williamson Robert Winfield Cobb D-AL voted no
James Wilson R-IN voted yes
Charles Russell Train R-MA voted yes
Eli Thayer R-MA voted yes
Ezra Bartlett French R-ME voted yes
Gilman Marston R-NH voted yes
John Thompson Nixon R-NJ voted yes
George Briggs R-NY voted yes
Rodolphus Holland Duell R-NY voted yes
James Mitchell Ashley R-OH voted yes
Benjamin Stanton R-OH voted yes
Harrison Gray Otis Blake R-OH voted yes
Sidney Edgerton R-OH voted yes
John Armor Bingham R-OH voted yes
Edward Mcpherson R-PA voted yes
Samuel Steel Blair R-PA voted yes
William Montgomery D-PA voted no
Chapin Hall R-PA voted yes
Christopher Robinson R-RI voted yes
William Daniel Brayton R-RI voted yes

How each representative voted: Yes

How each representative voted: No

Did not vote

Other votes

From Voteview roll call records.

Cite or embed this page

Capitol Receipts, “To amend H.R. 917 by providing a shorter…: House Vote, Jan 10, 1861,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-H-338/to-amend-h-r-917-by-providing-a-shorter (accessed 2026-10-17).