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25 of the 74 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections) 38 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The United States Senate elections of 1874 and 1875 had the Democratic Party gain nine seats in the United States Senate from the Republican Party (the party of incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant). Republicans remained in the majority, however.
The Democratic Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. Tracing its heritage back to Thomas Jefferson and James Madison's Democratic-Republican Party, the modern-day Democratic Party was founded around 1828 by supporters of Andrew Jackson, making it the world's oldest active political party.
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, which along with the United States House of Representatives—the lower chamber—comprises the legislature of the United States. The Senate chamber is located in the north wing of the Capitol, in Washington, D.C.
The Republican Party, also referred to as the GOP, is one of the two major political parties in the United States; the other is its historic rival, the Democratic Party.
As these elections were prior to ratification of the seventeenth amendment, Senators were chosen by State legislatures.
The Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution established the popular election of United States Senators by the people of the states. The amendment supersedes Article I, §3, Clauses 1 and 2 of the Constitution, under which senators were elected by state legislatures. It also alters the procedure for filling vacancies in the Senate, allowing for state legislatures to permit their governors to make temporary appointments until a special election can be held.
A state legislature in the United States is the legislative body of any of the 50 U.S. states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 25 states, the legislature is simply called the Legislature, or the State Legislature, while in 19 states, the legislature is called the General Assembly. In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the legislature is called the General Court, while North Dakota and Oregon designate the legislature the Legislative Assembly.
Colored shading indicates party with largest share of that row.
Parties | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Republican | Liberal Republican | Anti- Monopoly | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Before these elections | 19 | 52 | 2 | 0 | 73 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not up | 14 | 32 | 2 | — | 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 2 (1870/71) | 9 | 15 | 1 | — | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class 3 (1872/73) | 5 | 17 | 1 | — | 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Up | 5 | 22 | 1 | — | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
General: Class 1 | 5 | 20 | — | — | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special: Class 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Special: Class 2 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent retired | 2 | 11 | — | — | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Held by same party | 1 | 4 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Replaced by other party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 8 | 4 | — | 1 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent's intent unknown | 1 | 4 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Held by same party | 1 | 2 | — | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Replaced by other party | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 3 | 2 | — | — | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Incumbent ran | 2 | 5 | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Won re-election | 2 | 2 | — | — | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost re-election | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Lost renomination but held by same party | — | 2 | — | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 3 | 4 | — | — | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total elected | 14 | 10 | — | 1 | 25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net change | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Result | 28 | 42 | 2 | 1 | 73 |
After the April 17, 1874 special election in Massachusetts.
D7 | D6 | D5 | D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | |||
D8 | D9 | D10 | D11 | D12 | D13 | D14 | D15 Ran | D16 Ran | D17 Unknown |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R48 Retired | R49 Retired | R50 Retired | R51 Retired | R52 Retired | LR1 | LR2 | V1 | D19 Retired | D18 Retired |
R47 Retired | R46 Retired | R45 Retired | R44 Retired | R43 Retired | R42 Retired | R41 Retired | R40 Unknown | R39 Unknown | R38 Unknown |
Majority → | R37 Ran | ||||||||
R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 Ran | R34 Ran | R35 Ran | R36 Ran | |
R27 | R26 | R25 | R24 | R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 |
R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 |
R7 | R6 | R5 | R4 | R3 | R2 | R1 |
D7 | D6 | D5 | D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | |||
D8 | D9 | D10 | D11 | D12 | D13 | D14 | D15 Re-elected | D16 Re-elected | D17 Hold |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D27 Gain | D26 Gain | D25 Gain | D24 Gain | D23 Gain | D22 Gain | D21 Gain | D20 Gain | D19 Gain | D18 Hold |
D28 Gain | AM1 Gain | V1 | LR2 | LR1 | R42 Hold | R41 Hold | R40 Hold | R39 Hold | R38 Hold |
Majority → | R37 Hold | ||||||||
R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 Re-elected | R34 Re-elected | R35 Hold | R36 Hold | |
R27 | R26 | R25 | R24 | R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 |
R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 |
R7 | R6 | R5 | R4 | R3 | R2 | R1 |
D7 | D6 | D5 | D4 | D3 | D2 | D1 | |||
D8 | D9 | D10 | D11 | D12 | D13 | D14 | D15 | D16 | D17 |
D27 | D26 | D25 | D24 | D23 | D22 | D21 | D20 | D19 | D18 |
D28 | AM1 | V1 | R44 Change | R43 Change | R42 | R41 | R40 | R39 | R38 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Majority → | R37 | ||||||||
R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 | R34 | R35 | R36 | |
R27 | R26 | R25 | R24 | R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 |
R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 |
R7 | R6 | R5 | R4 | R3 | R2 | R1 |
Key: |
|
In these elections, the winners were seated during 1874 or in 1875 before March 4; ordered by election date.
State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Kansas (Class 2) | Robert Crozier | Republican | 1873 (Appointed) | Interim appointee retired February 2, 1874. Winner elected February 2, 1874. Republican hold. | √ James M. Harvey (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Mississippi (Class 1) | Adelbert Ames | Republican | 1870 | Incumbent resigned March 17, 1873 to become Governor of Mississippi. Winner elected February 3, 1874. Republican hold. Winner did not run for the next term, see below. | √ Henry R. Pease (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Massachusetts (Class 1) | Charles Sumner | Liberal Republican | 1851 (Special) 1857 1863 1869 | Incumbent died March 12, 1874. Winner elected April 17, 1874. Republican gain. Winner did not run for the next term, see below. | √ William B. Washburn (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1875; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.
State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
California | John S. Hager | Democratic | 1873 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1874. Anti-Monopoly gain. | √ Newton Booth (Anti-Monopoly) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Connecticut | William Alfred Buckingham | Republican | 1868 or 1869 | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. Winner elected in 1874 or 1875. Democratic gain. Incumbent died February 5, 1875 and winner was then appointed to finish the term. | √ William W. Eaton (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Delaware | Thomas F. Bayard | Democratic | 1869 | Incumbent re-elected in 1875. | √ Thomas F. Bayard (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Florida | Abijah Gilbert | Republican | 1868 or 1869 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Charles W. Jones (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Indiana | Daniel D. Pratt | Republican | 1868 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1874 or 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Joseph E. McDonald (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Maine | Hannibal Hamlin | Republican | 1857 1861 (Resigned) 1869 | Incumbent re-elected in 1875. | √ Hannibal Hamlin (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Maryland | William P. Whyte | Democratic | 1874 (Appointed) | Incumbent retired to run for Maryland Governor. Winner elected in 1874. Democratic hold. | √ William P. Whyte (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Massachusetts | William B. Washburn | Republican | 1874 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1875. Republican hold. | √ Henry L. Dawes (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Michigan | Zachariah Chandler | Republican | 1857 1863 1869 | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1874. Republican hold. | √ Isaac P. Christiancy (Republican) Zachariah Chandler (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Minnesota | Alexander Ramsey | Republican | 1863 1869 | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. Winner elected in 1875. Republican hold. | √ Samuel J. R. McMillan (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Mississippi | Henry R. Pease | Republican | 1874 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in February 1874. Republican hold. | √ Blanche Bruce (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Missouri | Carl Schurz | Republican | 1868 | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1874. Democratic gain. | √ Francis Cockrell (Democratic) Carl Schurz (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Nebraska | Thomas Tipton | Republican | 1867 1869 | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. Winner elected in 1875. Republican hold. | √ Algernon Paddock (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Nevada | William M. Stewart | Republican | 1865 1869 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected January 12, 1875. Republican hold. | √ William Sharon (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
New Jersey | John P. Stockton | Democratic | 1864 1866 (Lost election dispute) 1869 | Unknown if incumbent retired or lost re-election. Winner elected in 1875. Democratic hold. | √ Theodore Fitz Randolph (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
New York | Reuben E. Fenton | Republican | 1869 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected January 20, 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Francis Kernan (Democratic) 87 Edwin D. Morgan (Republican) 68 John T. Hoffman (Democratic) 1 |
Ohio | Allen G. Thurman | Democratic | 1868 | Incumbent re-elected in 1874. | √ Allen G. Thurman (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Pennsylvania | John Scott | Republican | 1869 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected January 19, 1875. Democratic gain. | √ William A. Wallace (Democratic) 49.8% John Allison (Republican) 46.22% |
Rhode Island | William Sprague IV | Republican | 1862 1868 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1875. Republican hold. | √ Ambrose Burnside (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Tennessee | William G. Brownlow | Republican | 1867 (Early) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected January 26, 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Andrew Johnson (Democratic) Candidates included Johnson, John C. Brown, William B. Bate, William Andrew Quarles, John H. Stephens, John Houston Savage, and Gustavus Adolphus Henry Sr. Johnson won after the 54th ballot. He attained 47 votes before switches, four short of a majority, and won with 52. [1] |
Texas | James W. Flanagan | Republican | 1870 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected on January 28, 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Samuel B. Maxey (Democratic) Democrats regained control of the state government following the end of Reconstruction, so Flanagan was not a candidate. In a joint session of the state legislature, Maxey received 59 first ballot votes to 40 for James W. Throckmorton, and 13 for Republican Edward T. Randle. [2] |
Vermont | George F. Edmunds | Republican | 1866 (Appointed) 1866 (Special) 1868 | Incumbent re-elected on October 20, 1874. | √ George F. Edmunds (Republican) The Vermont Senate voted to re-elect Edmunds with 28 votes to 1 for Democrat Edward J. Phelps. The Vermont House of Representatives cast 151 ballots for Edmunds, with 48 for Edmunds and 13 Republican votes going to Charles W. Willard. [3] |
Virginia | John F. Lewis | Republican | 1870 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Robert E. Withers (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
West Virginia | Arthur I. Boreman | Republican | 1868 or 1869 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1874 or 1875. Democratic gain. | √ Allen T. Caperton (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Wisconsin | Matthew H. Carpenter | Republican | 1868 or 1869 | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected February 1875. Republican hold. | √ Angus Cameron (Republican) Matthew H. Carpenter (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
There were no special elections in 1875 to the 44th Congress.
The New York election was held on January 19 and 20, 1875, by the New York State Legislature.
The New York State Legislature consists of the two houses that act as the state legislature of the U.S. state of New York. The New York Constitution does not designate an official term for the two houses together. It says only that "legislative power is vested in the senate and assembly." The session laws are published in the official Laws of New York. The permanent laws of a general nature are codified in the Consolidated Laws of New York. The legislature is seated at the New York State Capitol in Albany.
Republican Reuben E. Fenton had been elected in January 1869 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1875.
At the state election in November 1873, a Republican majority was elected for a two-year term (1874-1875) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1874, Democrat Samuel J. Tilden was elected Governor, 75 Democrats and 53 Republicans were elected for the session of 1875 to the Assembly, and Democrat Albert P. Laning was elected in the 31st District to fill a vacancy in the State Senate. The 98th New York State Legislature met from January 5 to May 19, 1875, at Albany, New York.
Samuel Jones Tilden was the 25th Governor of New York and the Democratic candidate for president in the disputed election of 1876. He was the only individual to win an outright majority of the popular vote in a United States presidential election but lose the election itself, though four other candidates have lost a presidential election despite garnering a plurality of the popular vote.
The caucus of Democratic State legislators met on January 15, State Senator Albert P. Laning, of Buffalo, presided. All but one of the legislators were present, only Assemblyman John M. Roscoe, of Schoharie County, was sick. The caucus nominated Francis Kernan for the U.S. Senate. Kernan had been the Democratic/Liberal Republican candidate for Governor in November 1872 but had been defeated by John Adams Dix. Now Kernan was the choice of Tammany boss John Kelly who had succeeded the corrupt William M. Tweed. Kelly was opposed by John C. Jacobs, who proposed Ex-State Senator Henry C. Murphy, Jacobs's predecessor from the 3rd District, and the Democratic candidate who had lost the U.S. Senate elections in 1867 and 1869 when the Democrats were the minority. Kelly stood firm in his intention to dominate the Democratic Party, and had the caucus nomination made by viva voce vote instead of the more traditional secret ballot. Jacobs and Murphy had expected to get votes from many legislators who would not dare to cross Kelly openly, but had to abandon their hopes when the secret ballot was voted down 74 to 13.
Buffalo is the second largest city in the U.S. state of New York and the largest city in Western New York. As of July 2016, the population was 256,902. The city is the county seat of Erie County and a major gateway for commerce and travel across the Canada–United States border, forming part of the bi-national Buffalo Niagara Region.
Schoharie County is a county in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,749, making it the state's fifth-least populous county. The county seat is Schoharie. "Schoharie" comes from a Mohawk word meaning "floating driftwood."
Francis Kernan was an American lawyer and politician. A resident of New York, he was active in politics as a Democrat, and served in several elected offices, including member of the New York State Assembly, member of the United States House of Representatives, and United States Senator from 1875 to 1881.
Candidate | First ballot |
---|---|
Francis Kernan | 77 |
Henry C. Murphy | 9 |
John T. Hoffman | 1 |
The caucus of the Republican State legislators nominated Ex-U.S. Senator from New York Edwin D. Morgan.
On January 19, the Democratic majority of the Assembly nominated Francis Kernan, and the Republican majority of the State Senate nominated Ex-U.S. Senator Edwin D. Morgan. On January 20, both Houses met in joint session to compare nominations, and finding that they disagreed, proceeded to a joint ballot. Francis Kernan was elected, the first Democratic U.S. Senator from New York since 1851 when Daniel S. Dickinson left office.
House | Democrat | Republican | Democrat | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Senate (32 members) | Francis Kernan | 13 | Edwin D. Morgan | 16 | ||
State Assembly (128 members) | Francis Kernan | 74 | Edwin D. Morgan | 52 | John T. Hoffman | 1 |
Joint Ballot (160 members) | Francis Kernan | 87 | Edwin D. Morgan | 68 | John T. Hoffman | 1 |
Note: The vote for Ex-Governor of New York Hoffman was cast by Reuben E. Fenton's brother-in-law Samuel Scudder, a Democratic Assemblyman from Cattaraugus County.
The Pennsylvania election was held on January 19, 1875. The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, elected William A. Wallace. [4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | William A. Wallace | 125 | 49.80 | |
Republican | John Allison | 116 | 46.22 | |
N/A | Not voting | 10 | 3.98 | |
Totals | 251 | 100.00% |
The 1863 United States Senate election in New York was held on February 3, 1863, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1867 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 15, 1867, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1869 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19, 1869, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1873 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 21, 1873, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1875 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19 and 20, 1875, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1879 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 21, 1879, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1881 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 18, 1881, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1887 United States Senate election in New York was held from January 18 to 20, 1887, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1891 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 20 and 21, 1891, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1893 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 17, 1893, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1897 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19, 1897, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1903 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 20, 1903, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1909 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 19, 1909, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The 1911 United States Senate election in New York was held from January 17 to March 31, 1911, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator to represent the State of New York in the United States Senate.
The United States Senate elections of 1872 and 1873 were elections which had the Republican Party, while still retaining a commanding majority, lose two seats in the United States Senate. By the beginning of the Congress, however, they'd lost three more: two as defections to the Liberal Republican Party, and one a resignation of Henry Wilson to become U.S. Vice President. These elections also coincided with President Ulysses S. Grant's easy re-election.
The United States Senate elections of 1868 and 1869 were elections which had the Republican Party maintain their majority in the United States Senate. However, six former Confederate states were also readmitted separately from the general election, each electing two Republicans. This increased the Republicans' already overwhelming majority to the largest number of seats ever controlled by the party.
The United States Senate elections of 1878 and 1879 were elections which had the Democratic Party retake control of the United States Senate for the first time since before the Civil War.
The United States Senate elections of 1880 and 1881 were elections that coincided with the presidential election of 1880, and had the Democratic Party lose five seats in the United States Senate. The newly elected Readjuster senator caucused with the Republicans, and the Republican Vice President's tie-breaking vote gave the Republicans the slightest majority. All of that changed September 19, 1881 when the Vice President ascended to the Presidency and the Senate became evenly-divided.
The United States Senate elections of 1886 and 1887 were elections that had the Republican Party lose two seats in the United States Senate. At the beginning of the 50th Congress, therefore, Republicans had the slimmest possible majority due to a vacant Democratic seat: 38 out of 75 seats. Once that vacancy was filled, Republicans maintained control as the single Readjuster Senator caucused with them.
The United States Senate elections of 1862 and 1863 were elections during the American Civil War in which Republicans increased their control of the U.S. Senate. The Republican Party gained three seats, bringing their majority to 66% of the body. Also caucusing with them were Unionists and Unconditional Unionists. As many Southern states seceded in 1860 and 1861, and members left the Senate to join the Confederacy, or were expelled for supporting the rebellion, seats were declared vacant. To establish a quorum with fewer members, a lower total seat number was taken into account.