Colonel William A. Phillips

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The 1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1859. Incumbent Senator Henry Wilson, who had been elected in 1855 to fill the unexpired term of Edward Everett, was re-elected easily to a full term as a member of the Republican Party.

At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a majority vote of each separate house of the Massachusetts General Court, the House and the Senate.

Background

At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was dominated by a coalition of Republican Party and American Party supporters, united in opposition to slavery.

Election in the Senate

On January 11, the State Senate convened and re-elected Wilson overwhelmingly, with 35 votes.

1859 U.S. Senate election in the Senate[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Wilson (incumbent) 35 87.50%
Republican George S. Boutwell 3 7.50%
Constitutional Union Edward Everett 1 2.50%
Democratic Caleb Cushing 1 2.50%
Total votes 40 100.00%

Election in the House

On January 12, the House ratified the Senate result, electing Wilson to a full term in the U.S. Senate.

1859 U.S. Senate election in the House[1][3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Henry Wilson (incumbent) 199 84.69%
Democratic Caleb Cushing 25 10.64%
Others Scattering 11 4.68%
Total votes 235 100.00%

References

  1. ^ a b "United States Senators Elected". The Maine Farmer. January 20, 1859. p. 2.
  2. ^ "Re-Election of Senator Wilson". The New York Times. January 12, 1859. p. 1.
  3. ^ "Re-election of the Hon. Henry Wilson". The New York Times. January 13, 1859.