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Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref>

Dawes ran for U.S. House in 1856, facing Democrat Josiah D. Weston and [[Know Nothing]] incumbent Mark Trafton in the general election. He emerged victorious garnering a plurality of 44% of the vote, while his opponents each polled around 28%.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=727758 MA District 11 Race - Nov 04, 1856]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> He continued to be re-elected eight times, solidifying double-digit victory margins except for the 1870 midterms.<ref name=ourcampaignsprofile>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=173237 Candidate - Henry Laurens Dawes]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref>

During the presidency of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], the main beneficiary of the Compromise of 1877 who abandoned Southern blacks and paved for the rise of [[Jim Crow]], Dawes was a leader of congressional [[Half-Breeds]] within the Republican Party allied with Hayes' support for civil service reform.<ref>Welch, Richard E., Jr. (1968). [https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/GeorgeEdmunds.pdf ''George Edmunds of Vermont: Republican Half-Breed''], p. 65. ''Vermont History''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> Along with fellow Massachusetts Half-Breeds [[George F. Hoar]] and John Long, he helped devise the faction's strategies.

During the presidency of [[Rutherford B. Hayes]], the main beneficiary of the Compromise of 1877 who abandoned Southern blacks and paved for the rise of [[Jim Crow]], Dawes was a prominent member of congressional [[Half-Breeds]] within the Republican Party allied with Hayes' support for [[civil service system|civil service reform]].<ref>Welch, Richard E., Jr. (1968). [https://vermonthistory.org/journal/misc/GeorgeEdmunds.pdf ''George Edmunds of Vermont: Republican Half-Breed''], p. 65. ''Vermont History''. Retrieved December 5, 2021.</ref> Along with fellow Massachusetts Half-Breeds [[George F. Hoar]] and John Long, he became one of the faction's leading strategists.

In the House, Dawes would over time solidify seniority powers, which he utilized to spearhead anti-slavery bills.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> He also strongly backed protective [[tariff]]s to bolster the domestic textile industry, and pushed for legislation that provided weather reports.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/>

In the House, Dawes would over time solidify seniority powers, which he utilized to spearhead anti-slavery bills.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/> He also strongly backed protective [[tariff]]s to bolster the domestic textile industry, and pushed for legislation that provided weather reports.<ref name=encyclopedia.combio/>