To pass S. 169, a bill to authorize the President of the U.S., in certain cases, to take possession of railroads and telegraph lines, and for other purposes.

On Jan 29, 1862, the House voted 113–28 (S 169). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 83–4, Democrats 17–16, Others 13–8. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 20 members voted against their own party.

During the 37th Congress (1861–1862), Abraham Lincoln was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 113
No: 28
Did not vote: 58
Date: Jan 29, 1862

By party

Republicans83 yes · 4 no · 23 didn’t vote
Democrats17 yes · 16 no · 19 didn’t vote
Others13 yes · 8 no · 16 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

James Falconer Wilson R-IA voted no
Anthony Lausett Knapp D-IL voted no
James Carroll Robinson D-IL voted no
John Law D-IN voted no
William Steele Holman D-IN voted no
Martin Franklin Conway R-KS voted no
Elijah Hise Norton D-MO voted no
Elijah Ward D-NY voted no
Alexander Samuel Diven R-NY voted no
George Hunt Pendleton D-OH voted no
Clement Laird Vallandigham D-OH voted no
William Allen D-OH voted no
Chilton Allen White D-OH voted no
Warren Perry Noble D-OH voted no
James Remley Morris D-OH voted no
George Knox Shiel D-OR voted no
Charles John Biddle D-PA voted no
Sydenham Elnathan Ancona D-PA voted no
Philip Johnson D-PA voted no
Portus Baxter R-VT voted no

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 pass S. 169, a bill to authorize the…: House Vote, Jan 29, 1862,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/37-H-100/to-pass-s-169-a-bill-to-authorize-the (accessed 2026-10-17).