To pass H.R. 986, a bill to abolish the franking privilege. (p. 828-1)

On Jan 27, 1870, the House voted 174–14 (HR 986). Result: passed. By party: Republicans 131–3, Democrats 43–12, Others 0–1. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted yes. 15 members voted against their own party.

During the 41st Congress (1869–1870), Ulysses S. Grant was president, and Republicans held majorities in both the House and Senate.

Yes: 174
No: 14
Did not vote: 66
Date: Jan 27, 1870

By party

Republicans131 yes · 3 no · 44 didn’t vote
Democrats43 yes · 12 no · 17 didn’t vote
Others0 yes · 1 no · 5 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

William Crawford Sherrod D-AL voted no
Logan Holt Roots R-AR voted no
Anthony Astley Cooper Rogers D-AR voted no
Thomas Boles R-AR voted no
James Augustus Johnson D-CA voted no
Benjamin Thomas Biggs D-DE voted no
Daniel Wolsey Voorhees D-IN voted no
Frederick Stone D-MD voted no
Henry Augustus Reeves D-NY voted no
Fernando Wood D-NY voted no
John Ashley Griswold D-NY voted no
George Washington Woodward D-PA voted no
Richard Jacobs Haldeman D-PA voted no
Roderick Randum Butler R-TN voted no
Charles Augustus Eldredge D-WI 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 H.R. 986, a bill to abolish the…: House Vote, Jan 27, 1870,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/41-H-122/to-pass-h-r-986-a-bill-to-abolish (accessed 2026-10-17).