1890–91 United States Senate elections

The 1890–91 United States Senate elections were held on various dates in various states. As these U.S. Senate elections were prior to the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment in 1913, senators were chosen by state legislatures. Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1890 and 1891, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.[1] In these elections, terms were up for the senators in Class 3.

1890–91 United States Senate elections

← 1888 & 1889Dates vary by state1892 & 1893 →

29 of the 88 seats in the United States Senate (as well as special elections)
45 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
 
LeaderGeorge F. Edmunds[a]
(retired)
Arthur Pue Gorman[b]
PartyRepublicanDemocratic
Leader sinceMarch 4, 1885March 4, 1889
Leader's seatVermontMaryland
Seats before3837
Seats won1214
Seats after4739
Seat changeIncrease 9Increase 2
Seats up1612

 Third partyFourth party
 
PartyPopulistIndependent
Seats before00
Seats won11
Seats after11
Seat changeIncrease 1Increase 1
Seats up00

Results of the elections:
     Democratic gain      Democratic hold
     Republican gain      Republican hold
     Populist gain      Independent gain
     Legislature failed to elect

Majority Party before election


Republican

Elected Majority Party


Republican

The Republican Party lost four seats, though still retaining a slim majority. That majority was increased, however, upon the admission of two more states with Republican senators.

Results summary

Senate party division, 52nd Congress (1891–1893)

  • Majority party: Republican (47)
  • Minority party: Democratic (39)
  • Other parties: Populist (2)
  • Total seats: 88

Change in Senate composition

Before the elections

After the admission of Montana's new senators in January 1890.

D1D2
D12D11D10D9D8D7D6D5D4D3
D13D14D15D16D17D18D19D20D21D22
D32
Ran
D31
Ran
D30
Ran
D29
Ran
D28
Ran
D27
Ran
D26
Ran
D25D24D23
D33
Ran
D34
Ran
D35
Ran
D36
Retired
D37
Retired
R47
Retired
R46
Ran
R45
Ran
R44
Ran
R43
Ran
Majority →
R33
Ran
R34
Ran
R35
Ran
R36
Ran
R37
Ran
R38
Ran
R39
Ran
R40
Ran
R41
Ran
R42
Ran
R32
Ran
R31R30R29R28R27R26R25R24R23
R13R14R15R16R17R18R19R20R21R22
R12R11R10R9R8R7R6R5R4R3
R1R2

After the class 3 elections

D1D2
D12D11D10D9D8D7D6D5D4D3
D13D14D15D16D17D18D19D20D21D22
D32
Re-elected
D31
Re-elected
D30
Re-elected
D29
Re-elected
D28
Re-elected
D27
Re-elected
D26
Re-elected
D25D24D23
D33
Hold
D34
Hold
D35
Hold
D36
Hold
D37
Gain
D38
Gain
D39
Gain
V1
D Loss
I1
Gain
P1
Gain
Majority →R43
New seat
R33
Re-elected
R34
Re-elected
R35
Re-elected
R36
Re-elected
R37
Re-elected
R38
Re-elected
R39
Re-elected
R40
Re-elected
R41
Hold
R42
Hold
R32
Re-elected
R31R30R29R28R27R26R25R24R23
R13R14R15R16R17R18R19R20R21R22
R12R11R10R9R8R7R6R5R4R3
R1R2

Beginning of the next Congress

D1D2D3D4
D14D13D12D11D10D9D8D7D6D5
D15D16D17D18D19D20D21D22D23D24
D34D33D32D31D30D29D28D27D26D25
D35D36V1
D seated late
V2
D elected late
V3
D died
Later D
I1
Later P
P1V3
D died
Later R
R46
New seat
R45
New seat
Majority →
R35R36R37R38R39R40R41R42R43R44
New seat
R34R33R32R31R30R29R28R27R26R25
R15R16R17R18R19R20R21R22R23R24
R14R13R12R11R10R9R8R7R6R5
R1R2R3R4
Key:
D#Democratic
I#Independent
P#Populist
R#Republican
V#Vacant

Race summaries

Elections during the 51st Congress

In these elections, the winners were seated during 1890 or in 1891 before March 4; ordered by election date.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral
history
Montana
(Class 1)
New stateMontana admitted to the Union November 8, 1889.
First senator elected January 1, 1890.[2]
His election was challenged based on the legitimacy of the nascent state legislature.
The Senate resolved the dispute in his favor April 16, 1890, and he was seated that day.[3]
Republican gain.
Montana
(Class 2)
Montana admitted to the Union November 8, 1889.
Second senator elected January 2, 1890.[2]
His election was challenged based on the legitimacy of the nascent state legislature.
The Senate resolved the dispute in his favor April 16, 1890, and he was seated that day.[3]
Republican gain.
Kentucky
(Class 2)
James B. BeckDemocratic1876
1882
1888
Incumbent died May 3, 1890.
Winner elected May 26, 1890.
Democratic hold.
Y John G. Carlisle (Democratic)
[data missing]
Wyoming
(Class 2)
New stateWyoming admitted to the Union July 10, 1890.
First senator elected November 15, 1890.
Republican gain.
Y Joseph M. Carey (Republican) 39 votes[4]
George W. Baxter (Democratic) 7 votes[4]
Wyoming
(Class 1)
Wyoming admitted to the Union July 10, 1890.
First senator elected November 18, 1890.
Republican gain.
Y Francis E. Warren (Republican) 29 votes[4]
Henry A. Coffeen (Democratic) 9 votes[4]
M. C. Brown 7 votes[4]
John McCormick 3 votes[4]
H. R. Mann 1 vote[4]
Idaho
(Class 2)
New stateIdaho admitted to the Union July 3, 1890.
First senator elected December 18, 1890.
Republican gain.
Y George L. Shoup (Republican)
[data missing]
Idaho
(Class 3)
Idaho admitted to the Union July 3, 1890.
First senator elected December 18, 1890.
Republican gain.
Y William J. McConnell (Republican)
[data missing]

Races leading to the 52nd Congress

In these regular elections, the winners were elected for the term beginning March 4, 1891; ordered by state.

All of the elections involved the Class 3 seats.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral
history
AlabamaJames L. PughDemocratic1880 (special)
1884
Incumbent re-elected in 1890. Y James L. Pugh (Democratic)
[data missing]
ArkansasJames K. JonesDemocratic1885Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y James K. Jones (Democratic)
[data missing]
CaliforniaLeland StanfordRepublican1885Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y Leland Stanford (Republican)
[data missing]
ColoradoHenry M. TellerRepublican1885Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y Henry M. Teller (Republican)
[data missing]
ConnecticutOrville H. PlattRepublican1879
1885
Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y Orville H. Platt (Republican)
[data missing]
FloridaWilkinson CallDemocratic1879
1885
Legislature failed to elect.
Democratic loss.
None.
GeorgiaJoseph E. BrownDemocratic1880 (special)
1885
Incumbent retired due to illness.
Winner elected on an unknown date.
Democratic hold.
Y John B. Gordon (Democratic)
[data missing]
IdahoWilliam J. McConnellRepublican1890McConnell was elected only to finish the term, see above, and thereafter retired.
Winner elected December 18, 1890.
Republican hold.
Y Fred Dubois (Republican)
[data missing]
IllinoisCharles B. FarwellRepublican1887Incumbent not renominated by the Republican caucus.[5]
Winner elected on March 11, 1891, after 154 ballots.[6]
Democratic gain.
IndianaDaniel W. VoorheesDemocratic1877 (Appointed)
1879 (special)
1885
Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y Daniel W. Voorhees (Democratic)
[data missing]
IowaWilliam B. AllisonRepublican1872
1878
1884
Incumbent re-elected March 5, 1890.[7]
KansasJohn IngallsRepublican1873
1879
1885
Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected in 1891.
Populist gain.
KentuckyJoseph C. S. BlackburnDemocratic1884Incumbent re-elected in 1890. Y Joseph C. S. Blackburn (Democratic)
[data missing]
LouisianaJames B. EustisDemocratic1890 or 1891Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected in 1891.
Democratic hold.
Y Edward Douglass White (Democratic)
[data missing]
MarylandEphraim WilsonDemocratic1884Incumbent re-elected in 1890, but died February 24, 1891, before the beginning of the next term.
Seat remained vacant until November 19, 1891.
Democratic loss.
Y Ephraim Wilson (Democratic)
[data missing]
MissouriGeorge G. VestDemocratic1879
1885
Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y George G. Vest (Democratic)
[data missing]
NevadaJohn P. JonesRepublican1879
1885
Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y John P. Jones (Republican)
[data missing]
New HampshireHenry W. BlairRepublican1879
1885 (Appointed)
1885 (special)
Incumbent lost renomination.
Winner elected in 1891.
Republican hold.
Y Jacob Gallinger (Republican)
[data missing]
New YorkWilliam M. EvartsRepublican1885Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected January 21, 1891.
Democratic gain.
North CarolinaZebulon B. VanceDemocratic1879
1884
Incumbent re-elected in 1890. Y Zebulon B. Vance (Democratic)
North DakotaGilbert A. PierceRepublican1889Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected in 1891.
Republican hold.
OhioHenry B. PayneDemocratic1884Incumbent retired.
Winner elected January 15, 1890[9]
Democratic hold.
Y Calvin S. Brice (Democratic)
[data missing]
OregonJohn H. MitchellRepublican1885Incumbent re-elected in 1890. Y John H. Mitchell (Republican)
[data missing]
PennsylvaniaJ. Donald CameronRepublican1877 (special)
1879
1885
Incumbent re-elected January 20, 1891.
South CarolinaWade Hampton IIIDemocratic1884Incumbent lost re-election.
re-elected in 1890.
Democratic hold.
South DakotaGideon C. MoodyRepublican1889Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected February 16, 1891.[10]
Independent gain.
Winner later became a Populist.
VermontJustin S. MorrillRepublican1866
1872
1878
1884
Incumbent re-elected in 1890. Y Justin S. Morrill (Republican)
[data missing]
WashingtonWatson C. SquireRepublican1889Incumbent re-elected in 1891. Y Watson C. Squire (Republican)
[data missing]
WisconsinJohn C. SpoonerRepublican1885Incumbent lost re-election.
Winner elected January 28, 1891.
Democratic gain.

Election during the 52nd Congress

In these elections, the winners were elected in 1891 after March 4; ordered by election date.

StateIncumbentResultsCandidates
SenatorPartyElectoral
history
California
(Class 1)
George HearstDemocratic1887Incumbent died February 28, 1891.
New senator was elected March 19, 1891.
Republican gain.
Florida
(Class 3)
VacantLegislature had failed to elect, see above.
Predecessor re-elected May 26, 1891.[12]
Democratic gain.
Virginia
(Class 1)
John W. DanielDemocratic1887Incumbent re-elected early December 16, 1891 for the term beginning March 4, 1893.[13]

Idaho

Senator George Shoup
(class 2)
Idaho class 3 senator
William J. McConnell
(December 18, 1890 – March 3, 1891)
Fred Dubois
(March 4, 1891 – March 3, 1897)

In July 1890, Idaho became a state. In November, Fred Dubois helped engineer a plan for the Idaho Legislature to effectively elect three people to the U.S. Senate: Governor George Shoup to the class 2 seat up for election in 1894, state constitutional convention member William J. McConnell to serve for the remainder of the Fifty-first United States Congress, ending in March 1891, and Dubois himself to succeed McConnell and serve a full six-year term in the class 3 seat beginning in March 1891.

Maryland

1890 United States Senate election in Maryland
← 1884January 18901892 →

80 members of the Maryland General Assembly
 
CandidateEphraim King Wilson II
PartyDemocratic
Legislative vote-
Percentage-%%

Ephraim King Wilson II was re-elected by an unknown margin of votes, for the Class 3 seat.[14]

New York

Senator David B. Hill

The New York election was held January 20 and 21, 1891, by the New York State Legislature.

Republican William M. Evarts had been elected to this seat in 1885, and his term would expire on March 3, 1891.

At the State election in November 1889, 19 Republicans and 13 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1890–1891) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1890, 68 Democrats and 60 Republicans were elected for the session of 1891 to the Assembly. The 114th New York State Legislature met from January 6 to April 30, 1891, at Albany, New York.

The Democratic caucus met on January 19, 74 State legislators attended, and State Senator John C. Jacobs presided. Governor David B. Hill was nominated by acclamation.

The Republican caucus met immediately after the Democratic caucus ended, Assemblyman James W. Husted presided. They re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator William M. Evarts unanimously.

On January 20, both Houses of the State legislature took ballots separately. The incumbent U.S. Senator Evarts was the choice of the State Senate, Governor Hill the choice of the Assembly. On January 21, both Houses met in joint session, and comparing nominations, found that they disagreed and proceeded to a joint ballot. Governor Hill was elected by a majority of 2, every member of the Legislature being present.

HouseDemocraticRepublican
State Senate
(32 members)
David B. Hill13 Y William M. Evarts19
State Assembly
(128 members)
Y David B. Hill65William M. Evarts58
Joint ballot
(160 members)
Y David B. Hill81 William M. Evarts79

The seat became vacant on March 4, 1891. David B. Hill remained in office as Governor of New York until December 31, 1891, and took his seat only on January 7, 1892, missing actually only one month of session. There were no special sessions during the 52nd United States Congress and the regular session began only on December 7, 1891. Hill served a single term, and remained in the U.S. Senate until March 3, 1897. In January 1897, Hill was defeated for re-election by Republican Thomas C. Platt who had been a U.S. Senator briefly in 1881.

Pennsylvania

Senator J. Donald Cameron

The Pennsylvania election was held on January 20, 1891. J. Donald Cameron was re-elected by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to the United States Senate.[15]

The Pennsylvania General Assembly, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, convened on January 20, 1891. Incumbent Republican J. Donald Cameron, who was elected in an 1877 special election and re-elected in 1879 and 1885, was a successful candidate for re-election to another term. The results of the vote of both houses combined are as follows:

State Legislature Results[15]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanJ. Donald Cameron (Incumbent) 144 56.69
DemocraticChauncey F. Black9437.01
RepublicanAustin L. Taggart72.76
RepublicanTheodore L. Flood31.18
DemocraticJ. C. Sibley10.39
RepublicanHarry White10.39
N/ANot voting41.57
Totals254100.00%

See also

Notes

References

Further reading