Editing Morrill Tariff (section)

===Renewed Senate action===
The second session of the 36th Congress began in December 1860. At first, it appeared that Hunter would keep the Morrill bill tabled until the end of the term in March.

However, in December 1860 and January 1861, seven southern states seceded, and their low-tariff senators withdrew. Republicans took control of the Senate in February, and Hunter lost his hold on the Finance Committee.

Meanwhile, the Treasury was in financial crisis, with less than $500,000 on hand and millions in unpaid bills. The Union urgently needed new revenue. A recent historian concludes that "the impetus for revising the tariff arose as an attempt to augment revenue, stave off 'ruin,'<!-- ', instead?--> and address the accumulating debt."<ref>Jane Flaherty, "'The Exhausted Condition of the Treasury' on the Eve of the Civil War," ''Civil War History'' (2009) Volume: 55#2  pp 244 ff. The historian [[Bray Hammond]] emphasizes the Treasury's "empty purse." Bray Hammond, ''Sovereignty and the Empty Purse: Banks and Politics in the Civil War'' (1970)</ref>

The Morrill bill was brought to the Senate floor for a vote on February 20 and passed 25 to 14. The vote was split almost completely down party lines. It was supported by 24 Republicans and the Democrat [[William Bigler]] of Pennsylvania. It was opposed by 10 Southern Democrats, 2 Northern Democrats, and 2 Far West Democrats. Twelve Senators abstained, including 3 Northern Democrats, 1 California Democrat, 5 Southern Democrats, 2 Republicans, and 1 Unionist from Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/36-2/s512 |title = To Pass H.R. 338. (P. 1065-2). – Senate Vote #512 – Feb 20, 1861}}</ref>

There were some minor amendments related to the tariffs on tea and coffee, which required a conference committee with the House, but they were resolved, and the final bill was approved by unanimous consent on March 2.

Though a Democrat himself, President [[James Buchanan]] favored the bill because of the interests of his home state, Pennsylvania. He signed the bill into law as one of his last acts in office.