102nd New York State Legislature


The 102nd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 7 to May 22, 1879, during the third year of Lucius Robinson's governorship, in Albany.

Background

Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1846, 32 Senators and 128 assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts; senators for a two-year term, assemblymen for a one-year term. The senatorial districts were made up of entire counties, except New York County and Kings County. The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards, forming a contiguous area, all within the same county.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The Prohibition Party and the Greenback Party also nominated tickets.

Elections

The New York state election, 1878 was held on November 5. The only statewide elective office up for election was carried by a Republican. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Judge of the Court of Appeals, was: Republican 391,000; Democratic 356,000; Greenback 75,000; and Prohibition 4,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Albany on January 7, 1879; and adjourned on May 22.
On January 7, senators and assemblymen met at the Old Capitol and then marched together to the New Capitol, taking officially possession of the new accommodations. The New Capitol was then still under construction, being finished only in 1899; and the Senate met for the time being in the Court of Appeals chamber. Due to heavy snowfall, many members had not arrived yet from the Western parts of the State, and the Legislature adjourned.
On January 9, Thomas G. Alvord was again elected Speaker, with 94 votes against 24 for Erastus Brooks.
On January 21, the Legislature re-elected U.S. Senator Roscoe Conkling to a third six-year term, beginning on March 4, 1879.
On April 23, the Legislature re-apportioned the Senate districts; and the Assembly seats per county. Columbia, Delaware, Madison, Oneida, Ontario and Oswego counties lost one seat each; Kings and New York counties gained three seats each.

State Senate

Districts

Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York. The counties which are not mentioned in this list had not yet been established, or sufficiently organized, the area being included in one or more of the abovementioned counties.

Members

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJames M. Oakley*Democrat
2ndJames F. Pierce*Democrat
3rdJohn C. Jacobs*Democrat
4thEdward Hogan*Democrat
5thAlfred Wagstaff Jr.*Democrat
6thLouis S. Goebel*Republican
7thThomas MurphyRepublicanelected to fill vacancy, in place of John Morrissey
8thThomas C. E. Ecclesine*Democrat
9thWilliam H. Robertson*RepublicanPresident pro tempore
10thDaniel B. St. John*Democrat
11thStephen H. Wendover*Republican
12thCharles Hughes*Democrat
13thHamilton Harris*Republican
14thAddison P. Jones*Democrat
15thWebster Wagner*Republican
16thWilliam W. Rockwell*Republican
17thDolphus S. Lynde*Republican
18thHenry E. Turner*Republican
19thAlexander T. Goodwin*Democrat
20thSamuel S. Edick*Republican
21stJohn W. Lippitt*Republican
22ndDennis McCarthy*Republican
23rdNathaniel C. Marvin*Republican
24thPeter W. Hopkins*Republicandied on February 7, 1879
24thEdwin G. HalbertRepublicanelected to fill vacancy, seated on April 2
25thTheodore M. Pomeroy*Republican
26thEdwin Hicks*Republican
27thIra Davenport*Republican
28thGeorge Raines*Democrat
29thLewis S. Payne*Democrat
30thJames H. Loomis*Republican
31stRay V. Pierce*Republicanon November 5, 1878, elected to the 46th U.S. Congress
32ndLoren B. Sessions*Republicanalso Supervisor of the Town of Harmony

Employees

Assemblymen

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued as members of this Legislature.

Employees