Senators were elected over a wide range of time throughout 1878 and 1879, and a seat may have been filled months late or remained vacant due to legislative deadlock.

Republican Roscoe Conkling had been re-elected in January 1873 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1879.

Present were all Republican legislators except State Senator Louis S. Goebel[9] (6th D.) and Assemblyman James W. Wadsworth.

The protest was substituted by a resolution to appoint a committee which would elaborate an address on the apportionment at a later date.

Ecclesine then marched out, and the remaining legislators nominated Lieutenant Governor William Dorsheimer for the U.S. Senate.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly convened on January 20, 1879, to elect a Senator to serve the term beginning on March 4, 1879.