To amend a resolution relating to the examination of a contumacious witness arrested by the sergeant-at-arms, by using the word, "reason" instead of "excuse", i

On Mar 6, 1860, the Senate voted 12–42. Result: failed. By party: Democrats 1–30, Republicans 11–10, Others 0–2. It was a split vote: the parties took opposite sides, with some members crossing over. 11 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: 12
No: 42
Did not vote: 16
Date: Mar 6, 1860

By party

Democrats1 yes · 30 no · 10 didn’t vote
Republicans11 yes · 10 no · 6 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 2 no

Who broke with their party

James Dixon R-CT voted no
Lafayette Sabine Foster R-CT voted no
Robert Augustus Toombs D-GA voted yes
Lyman Trumbull R-IL voted no
William Pitt Fessenden R-ME voted no
John Conover Ten Eyck R-NJ voted no
William Henry Seward R-NY voted no
Henry Bowen Anthony R-RI voted no
James Fowler Simmons R-RI voted no
Jacob Collamer R-VT voted no
James Rood Doolittle 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 amend a resolution relating to the…: Senate Vote, Mar 6, 1860,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/36-S-83/to-amend-a-resolution-relating-to-the-examination-of (accessed 2026-10-17).