To remove the injunction of secrecy from the text of the treaty providing for the construction of an interoceanic canal through the territory of the republic of

On Jan 8, 1885, the Senate voted 9–45. Result: failed. By party: Republicans 3–27, Democrats 5–18, Others 1–0. It was a bipartisan vote: majorities of both parties voted no. 8 members voted against their own party.

During the 48th Congress (1883–1884), Chester A. Arthur was president, and Democrats held the House majority and Republicans the Senate majority.

Yes: 9
No: 45
Did not vote: 24
Date: Jan 8, 1885

By party

Democrats5 yes · 18 no · 13 didn’t vote
Republicans3 yes · 27 no · 10 didn’t vote
Others1 yes · 0 no · 1 didn’t vote

Who broke with their party

John Stuart Williams D-KY voted yes
Benjamin Franklin Jonas D-LA voted yes
Randall Lee Gibson D-LA voted yes
Omar Dwight Conger R-MI voted yes
James Zachariah George D-MS voted yes
Zebulon Baird Vance D-NC voted yes
Charles Henry Van Wyck R-NE voted yes
Henry William Blair R-NH voted yes

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 remove the injunction of secrecy from the…: Senate Vote, Jan 8…,” https://www.capitolreceipts.com/vote/48-S-278/to-remove-the-injunction-of-secrecy-from-the-text (accessed 2026-10-17).