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25 of the 66 (8 vacant)/74 seats in the United States Senate (with special elections) 34 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 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.
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.
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.
Senate Party Division, 41st Congress (1869–1871)
D3 | D2 | D1 | V4 | V3 | V2 | V1 | |||
D4 | D5 | D6 | D7 | D8 | V5 Readmitted | V6 Readmitted | V7 Readmitted | V8 Readmitted | V9 Readmitted |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R44 | R45 | V17 Readmitted | V16 Readmitted | V15 Readmitted | V14 Readmitted | V13 Readmitted | V12 Readmitted | V11 Special | V10 Readmitted |
R43 | R42 | R41 | R40 | R39 | R38 | R37 | R36 | R35 | R34 |
Majority → | R33 | ||||||||
R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | |
R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 |
R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 |
R3 | R2 | R1 | V18 | V19 | V20 | V21 |
D3 | D2 | D1 | V4 | V3 | V2 | V1 | |||
D4 | D5 | D6 | D7 | D8 | D9 Gain | R57 Gain | R56 Gain | R55 Gain | R54 Gain |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R44 | R45 | R46 Gain | R47 Gain | R48 Gain | R49 Gain | R50 Gain | R51 Gain | R52 Gain | R53 Gain |
R43 | R42 | R41 | R40 | R39 | R38 | R37 | R36 | R35 | R34 |
Majority → | |||||||||
R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 |
R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 |
R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 |
R3 | R2 | R1 | V5 | V6 | V7 | V8 |
After July 16, 1868 readmission of South Carolina.
D3 | D2 | D1 | V4 Seceded | V3 Seceded | V2 Seceded | V1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D4 | D5 Unknown | D6 Retired | D7 Retired | D8 Retired | D9 Retired | R57 Retired | R56 Retired | R55 Unknown | R54 Unknown |
R44 Ran | R45 Ran | R46 Ran | R47 Ran | R48 Ran | R49 Ran | R50 Ran | R51 Ran | R52 Ran | R53 Unknown |
R43 Ran | R42 Ran | R41 Ran | R40 | R39 | R38 | R37 | R36 | R35 | R34 |
Majority → | |||||||||
R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 |
R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 |
R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 |
R3 | R2 | R1 | V5 | V6 | V7 | V8 |
D3 | D2 | D1 | V4 Seceded | V3 Seceded | V2 Seceded | V1 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
D4 | D5 Hold | D6 Hold | D7 Gain | D8 Gain | D9 Gain | R57 Gain | R56 Gain | R55 Gain | R54 Hold |
R44 Re-elected | R45 Re-elected | R46 Re-elected | R47 Re-elected | R48 Hold | R49 Hold | R50 Hold | R51 Hold | R52 Hold | R53 Hold |
R43 Re-elected | R42 Re-elected | R41 Re-elected | R40 | R39 | R38 | R37 | R36 | R35 | R34 |
Majority → | |||||||||
R24 | R25 | R26 | R27 | R28 | R29 | R30 | R31 | R32 | R33 |
R23 | R22 | R21 | R20 | R19 | R18 | R17 | R16 | R15 | R14 |
R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 |
R3 | R2 | R1 | V5 | V6 | V7 | V8 |
Key: |
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In these elections, the winners were seated during 1868 or in 1869 before March 4; ordered by election date.
State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
Kentucky (Class 2) | James Guthrie | Democratic | 1865 | Incumbent resigned due to failing health. Winner elected February 19, 1868. Democratic hold. | √ Thomas C. McCreery (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Maryland (Class 3) | Vacant since March 3, 1867 when Senator-elect Philip F. Thomas failed to qualify. | Winner elected March 7, 1868. Democratic gain. | √ George Vickers (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Florida (Class 1) | Vacant since January 21, 1861 when Stephen Mallory (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected June 17, 1868. Republican gain. Winner did not run for election to the next term, see below. | √ Adonijah Welch (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Arkansas (Class 2) | Vacant since July 11, 1861 when William K. Sebastian (D) was expelled. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected June 22, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Alexander McDonald (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Arkansas (Class 3) | Vacant since July 11, 1861 when Charles B. Mitchel (D) was expelled. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected June 23, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Benjamin F. Rice (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Florida (Class 3) | Vacant since January 21, 1861 when David Levy Yulee (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected June 25, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Thomas W. Osborn (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Louisiana (Class 2) | Vacant since February 4, 1861 when Judah P. Benjamin (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 8, 1868. Republican gain. | √ John S. Harris (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Louisiana (Class 3) | Vacant since February 4, 1861 when John Slidell (D) resigned. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 9, 1868. Republican gain. | √ William P. Kellogg (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Alabama (Class 2) | Vacant since January 21, 1861 when Clement Claiborne Clay (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 13, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Willard Warner (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Alabama (Class 3) | Vacant since January 21, 1861 when Benjamin Fitzpatrick (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 13, 1868. Republican gain. | √ George E. Spencer (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
North Carolina (Class 2) | Vacant since March 6, 1861 when Thomas Bragg (D) resigned. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 14, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Joseph Abbott (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
North Carolina (Class 3) | Vacant since March 11, 1861 when Thomas Clingman (D) resigned. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 14, 1868. Republican gain. | √ John Pool (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
South Carolina (Class 2) | Vacant since November 10, 1860 when James Chesnut, Jr. (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 15, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Thomas J. Robertson (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
South Carolina (Class 3) | Vacant since November 11, 1860 when James Henry Hammond (D) withdrew. | State readmitted to the Union. Winner elected July 16, 1868. Republican gain. | √ Frederick A. Sawyer (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] | ||
Delaware (Class 1) | James A. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 1851 1857 1863 1864 (Resigned) 1867 (Appointed) | Incumbent appointee elected January 19, 1869 to finish the term. [1] Winner did not run for election to the next term, see below. | √ James A. Bayard, Jr. (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
In these general elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1869; ordered by state.
All of the elections involved the Class 1 seats.
State | Incumbent | Results | Candidates | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Senator | Party | Electoral history | |||
California | John Conness | Republican | 1862 or 1863 | Unknown if incumbent lost re-election or retired. Winner elected in 1868. Democratic gain. | √ Eugene Casserly (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Connecticut | James Dixon | Republican | 1856 1863 | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1868 or 1869. Republican hold. | √ William Buckingham (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Delaware | James A. Bayard, Jr. | Democratic | 1851 1857 1863 1864 (Resigned) 1867 (Appointed) 1869 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1869. Democratic hold. | √ Thomas F. Bayard, Sr. (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Florida | Adonijah Welch | Republican | 1868 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1868 or 1869. Republican hold. | √ Abijah Gilbert (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Indiana | Thomas A. Hendricks | Democratic | 1862 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1868. Republican gain. | √ Daniel D. Pratt (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Maine | Lot M. Morrill | Republican | 1861 (Special) 1863 | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1869. Republican hold. | √ Hannibal Hamlin (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Maryland | William P. Whyte | Democratic | 1868 (Appointed) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1868 or 1869. Democratic hold. | √ William T. Hamilton (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Massachusetts | Charles Sumner | Republican | 1851 (Special) 1857 1863 | Incumbent re-elected in 1869. | √ Charles Sumner (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Michigan | Zachariah Chandler | Republican | 1857 1863 | Incumbent re-elected in 1869. | √ Zachariah Chandler (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Minnesota | Alexander Ramsey | Republican | 1863 | Incumbent re-elected in 1869. | √ Alexander Ramsey (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Mississippi | Vacant since January 21, 1861 when Jefferson Davis (D) resigned. | Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1870. | None. | ||
Missouri | John B. Henderson | Republican | 1862 (Appointed) 1862 | Incumbent retired. Winner elected in 1868. Republican hold. | √ Carl Schurz (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Nebraska | Thomas Tipton | Republican | 1867 | Incumbent re-elected in 1869. | √ Thomas Tipton (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Nevada | William M. Stewart | Republican | 1865 | Incumbent re-elected in 1869. | √ William M. Stewart (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
New Jersey | Frederick T. Frelinghuysen | Republican | 1866 (Appointed) 1867 (Special) | Incumbent lost re-election. Winner elected in 1869. Democratic gain. | √ John P. Stockton (Democratic) Frederick T. Frelinghuysen (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
New York | Edwin D. Morgan | Republican | 1863 | Incumbent lost renomination. Winner elected January 19, 1869. Republican hold. | √ Reuben E. Fenton (Republican) Henry C. Murphy (Democratic) Henry S. Randall (Democratic) |
Ohio | Benjamin Wade | Republican | 1851 1856 1863 | Incumbent lost renomination. Winner elected in 1868. Democratic gain. | √ Allen G. Thurman (Democratic) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Pennsylvania | Charles R. Buckalew | Democratic | 1863 | Unknown if incumbent lost re-election or retired. Winner elected January 19, 1869. Republican gain. | √ John Scott (Republican) 58.65% William A. Wallace (Democratic) 38.35% Hiester Clymer (Democratic) 0.75% |
Rhode Island | William Sprague IV | Republican | 1862 | Incumbent re-elected in 1868. | √ William Sprague IV (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Tennessee | David T. Patterson | Democratic | 1866 (Special) | Incumbent retired. Winner elected early in October 22, 1867 for the term beginning March 4, 1869. Republican gain. | √ William G. Brownlow (Republican) 63 William B. Stokes (Republican) 39 [2] |
Texas | Vacant since March 23, 1861 when Louis Wigfall (D) withdrew. | Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1870. | None. | ||
Vermont | George F. Edmunds | Republican | 1866 (Appointed) 1866 (Special) | Incumbent re-elected in 1868. | √ George F. Edmunds (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Virginia | Vacant since January 2, 1864 when Joseph Segar (U) was not seated. [3] | Legislature failed to elect during Civil War and Reconstruction. Seat remained vacant until 1870. | None. | ||
West Virginia | Peter G. Van Winkle | Republican | 1863 | Unknown if incumbent lost re-election or retired. Winner elected in 1868 or 1869. Republican hold. | √ Arthur I. Boreman (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
Wisconsin | James R. Doolittle | Republican | 1857 1863 | Unknown if incumbent lost re-election or retired. Winner elected in 1868 or 1869. Republican hold. | √ Matthew H. Carpenter (Republican) [Data unknown/missing.] |
There were no elections in 1869 during this Congress after March 4.
The election in New York was held on January 19, 1869 by the New York State Legislature. Republican Edwin D. Morgan had been elected in February 1863 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1869. At the State election in November 1867, 17 Republicans and 15 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1868-1869) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1868, Democrat John T. Hoffman was elected Governor, and 75 Republicans and 53 Democrats were elected for the session of 1869 to the Assembly. The 92nd New York State Legislature met from January 5 to May 11, 1869, at Albany, New York.
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.
Edwin Denison Morgan was the 21st Governor of New York from 1859 to 1862 and served in the United States Senate from 1863 to 1869. He was the first and longest-serving chairman of the Republican National Committee. He was also a Union Army general during the American Civil War.
The caucus of Republican State legislators met on January 16, Assemblyman John H. Selkreg presided. All 92 legislators were present. They nominated Ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton for the U.S. Senate. The incumbent U.S. Senator Edwin D. Morgan was very keen on his re-election, but was voted down. Speaker Truman G. Younglove had held back the appointments to the standing Assembly committees until after the caucus, and subsequent election, of a U.S. Senator, and was accused by the Morgan men to have made a bargain to favor the Fenton men with appointments after the election was accomplished. After the caucus, comparing notes, the assemblymen discovered that some of the most important committee chairmanships had been promised to a dozen different members by Speaker Younglove.
John Hopkins Selkreg was an American newspaper editor and politician from New York.
Truman Giles Younglove was an American civil engineer and politician who served four years on the New York State Assembly.
Candidate | First ballot | Second ballot |
---|---|---|
Reuben E. Fenton | (50) | 52 |
Edwin D. Morgan | (42) | 40 |
blank | (1) |
Note: On the first ballot, 93 votes were cast, one too many, and it was annulled without announcing the result. The above stated result transpired unofficially. The blank vote caused some debate if the result was really invalidated by it, but it was finally agreed to take a second ballot.
The caucus of the Democratic State legislators met on January 18. State Senator Henry C. Murphy was again nominated, like in 1867.
In the Assembly, Republicans DeWitt C. Hoyt (Saratoga Co.) and James O. Schoonmaker (Ulster Co.); and Democrats James Irving (NYC), Lawrence D. Kiernan (NYC), Harris B. Howard (Rensselaer Co.), James B. Pearsall (Queens), John Tighe (Albany Co.) and Moses Y. Tilden (Columbia Co.); did not vote.
In the State Senate, Republicans Matthew Hale (16th D.) and Charles Stanford (15th D.); and Democrats Cauldwell, Thomas J. Creamer, Michael Norton (5th D.) and John J. Bradley (7th D.); did not vote.
Reuben E. Fenton was the choice of both the Assembly and the State Senate, and was declared elected.
House | Republican | Democratic | Democratic | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
State Senate (32 members) | Reuben E. Fenton | 15 | Henry C. Murphy | 10 | Henry S. Randall | 1 |
State Assembly (128 members) | Reuben E. Fenton | 73 | Henry C. Murphy | 46 |
Notes:
The election in Pennsylvania was held on January 19, 1869. John Scott was elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. [4] The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 19, 1869, to elect a Senator to serve the term beginning on March 4, 1869. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | John Scott | 78 | 58.65 | |
Democratic | William A. Wallace | 51 | 38.35 | |
Democratic | Hiester Clymer | 1 | 0.75 | |
N/A | Not voting | 3 | 2.26 | |
Totals | 133 | 100.00% |
Although the 17th Amendment was not passed until 1913, some states elected their Senators directly before its passage. Oregon pioneered direct election and experimented with different measures over several years until it succeeded in 1907. Soon after, Nebraska followed suit and laid the foundation for other states to adopt measures reflecting the people's will. By 1912, as many as 29 states elected senators either as nominees of their party's primary or in conjunction with a general election.
The United States Senate elections of 1908 and 1909, some states elected their senators directly even before passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913. Oregon pioneered direct election and experimented with different measures over several years until it succeeded in 1907. Soon after, Nebraska followed suit and laid the foundation for other states to adopt measures reflecting the people's will. By 1912, as many as 29 states elected senators either as nominees of their party's primary or in conjunction with a general election. The Republicans lost two seats overall.
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 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 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 1885 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 20, 1885, 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 1896 and 1897 were elections in which the Democratic Party lost seven seats in the United States Senate, mostly to smaller third parties.
The United States Senate elections of 1856 and 1857 were elections which had the young Republican Party assume its position as one of the United States's two main political parties. The Whigs and Free Soilers were gone by the time the next Congress began.
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 1874 and 1875 had the Democratic Party gain nine seats in the United States Senate from the Republican Party. Republicans remained in the majority, however.
The United States Senate elections of 1902 and 1903 were elections which had the Democratic Party gain three seats in the United States Senate, but the Republicans kept their strong majority.
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 1884 and 1885 were elections that coincided with the presidential election of 1884. Both Republicans and Democrats lost seats in the United States Senate due to the failure of three state legislatures to finish elections in time. Republicans, nevertheless, retained majority control and the Readjusters joined their caucus. By the beginning of the first session, in December 1885, Republicans had won all three vacant seats, increasing their majority.
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 1866 and 1867 were elections that saw the Republican Party gain two seats in the United States Senate as several of the Southern States were readmitted during Reconstruction, enlarging their majority.
The United States Senate elections of 1860 and 1861 were elections corresponding with Abraham Lincoln's election to the presidency. The nascent Republican Party increased their Senate seats in the general elections, and after southern Democrats withdrew to join the Confederacy, Republicans gained control of the United States Senate. To establish a quorum with fewer members, a lower total seat number was taken into account.
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.
The 92nd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5 to May 11, 1869, during the first year of John T. Hoffman's governorship, in Albany.