1887 United States Senate election in Massachusetts

none March 2026 September 2023 1887 United States Senate election in Massachusetts presidential Massachusetts no 1881 United States Senate elections 1881 1893 United States Senate election in Massachusetts 1893 January 18 and 19, 1887 x160px 280 members of the Massachusetts General Court Majority of File:HLDawes (cropped).jpg Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (United States) 181 65.58% GovGeorgeDRobinson.jpg George D. Robinson Republican Party (United States) 57 20.65% John Davis Long.jpg John D. Long Republican Party (United States) 26 9.42% Senator Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (United States) Henry L. Dawes Republican Party (United States) The 1887 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1887. Republican incumbent Henry L. Dawes was re-elected to a third term over opposition from within his own party, led by former Governor John Davis Long. At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a majority vote of the combined houses of the Massachusetts General Court. Background 1887 Massachusetts legislature Massachusetts had been a solidly Republican state since the start of the American Civil War. The Senate consisted of 25 Republicans and 14 Democrats, and the House consisted of 158 Republicans, 78 Democrats, and 5 independents. Composition of the Massachusetts State Senate Mass.gov June 6, 2020 Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library https://www.mass.gov/service-details/resources-on-massachusetts-political-figures-in-the-state-library https://web.archive.org/web/20200606063917/https://www.mass.gov/doc/composition-of-the-massachusetts-state-senate-0/download Composition of the State of Massachusetts House of Representatives Mass.gov June 6, 2020 Resources on Massachusetts Political Figures in the State Library https://www.mass.gov/service-details/resources-on-massachusetts-political-figures-in-the-state-library https://web.archive.org/web/20200606064043/https://www.mass.gov/doc/composition-of-the-massachusetts-state-house-of-representatives-0/download Candidates Declared Henry L. Dawes, incumbent Senator since 1874 John Davis Long, U.S. Representative from Hingham and former Governor of Massachusetts Declined George D. Robinson, Governor of Massachusetts since 18841 Jan 1887 The Baltimore Sun The Massachusetts Senatorship 1Robinson declared on January 1 that he was not a candidate for Senate, but his denial was not so emphatic that supporters abandoned hope. Campaign On January 10, Long supporters in the legislature moved for a binding Republican caucus to nominate a single candidate and coalesce the Republican vote. Dawes supporters killed the motion and instead substituted one for a non-binding conference.A Victory for Senator Dawes 11 Jan 1887 The New York Times 1 Without a binding caucus, the candidates would be put to the whole of the legislature, where Dawes could rely on his support among Democrats and independents. Some considered the matter to be a conclusive victory for Dawes.The Massachusetts Senatorship The New York Times 4 14 Jan 1887 However, there was a chance that Long could pick up Democratic votes in the legislature, as he had in 1883.Louisville Courier-Journal 1 17 Jan 1887 On January 11, both candidates conducted separate canvasses of the legislature, and each found that they would win by around 75 votes. On January 17, Democrats caucused and determined to cast their first ballot for Patrick A. Collins, and then to divide between Dawes and Long on subsequent ballots. Supporters of Governor George Robinson also determined to cast their ballots for Dawes after voting for Robinson in early balloting, a major blow to Long.Senator Dawes Gaining 18 Jan 1887 The New York Times 1 Balloting First ballot On the first ballots, Long was well behind Dawes. However, some of his supporters intentionally cast ballots for George Robinson. No candidate was close to the required majority in either house. It was generally conceded by all but the Long faction that Dawes would be re-elected given his unexpected lead in the House and rumors that Democrats would cast their votes for him tomorrow.Senator Dawes's Hopes 19 Jan 1887 The New York Times 4 First ballot, Senate Democratic Party (United States) Patrick A. Collins 14 35.00% Republican Party (United States) John Davis Long 12 30.00% Republican Party (United States) Henry L. Dawes 11 27.50% Republican Party (United States) George D. Robinson 2 5.00% 40 100.00% First ballot, House Democratic Party (United States) Patrick A. Collins 81 34.62% Republican Party (United States) Henry L. Dawes 65 27.78% Republican Party (United States) John Davis Long 44 18.80% Republican Party (United States) George D. Robinson 44 18.80% 234 100.00% Second ballot On January 19, Democrats held a legislative conference to determine their action on the second ballot. The legislature met in joint convention to decide the election, rather than meeting as separate houses.It's Dawes: Democrats Elect Him Senator 20 Jan 1887 Boston Daily Globe 1 Second ballot Democratic Party (United States) Patrick A. Collins 92 33.33% Republican Party (United States) Henry L. Dawes 76 27.54% Republican Party (United States) John Davis Long 53 19.20% Republican Party (United States) George D. Robinson 53 19.20% Democratic Party (United States) John E. Russell 1 0.36% 276 100.00% Second ballot, after changes Republican Party (United States) Henry L. Dawes 181 65.58% Republican Party (United States) George D. Robinson 57 20.65% Republican Party (United States) John Davis Long 26 9.42% Democratic Party (United States) Patrick A. Collins 11 3.99% Democratic Party (United States) John E. Russell 1 0.36% 276 100.00% Notes References 1887 Massachusetts United States Senate