109th New York State Legislature


The 109th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5 to May 20, 1886, during the second year of David B. Hill'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 Democratic Party and the Republican Party. In New York City the Democrats were split into three factions: Tammany Hall, "Irving Hall" and the "County Democrats". The Prohibition Party and the Greenback Party also nominated tickets.

Elections

The New York state election, 1885 was held on November 3. Governor David B. Hill was re-elected; and Edward F. Jones was elected Lieutenant Governor. The other five statewide elective offices up for election were also carried by the Democrats. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democrats 501,000; Republicans 490,000; Prohibition 31,000; and Greenback 2,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Albany on January 5, 1886; and adjourned on May 20.
James W. Husted was again elected Speaker, against William F. Sheehan.
Edmund L. Pitts was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.

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. Edward F. Reilly, Francis Hendricks, Charles F. Barager and John Raines changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stEdward F. FaganDemocrat
2ndJames F. PierceDemocrat
3rdStephen M. GriswoldRepublican
4thJacob WorthRepublican
5thMichael C. Murphy*County Dem.re-elected
6thEdward F. Reilly*Tammany Dem.
7thJames Daly*Democratre-elected
8thThomas C. DunhamDemocrat
9thJohn J. Cullen*Tam./Irv. H. Dem.re-elected
10thWilliam C. TraphagenDemocrat
11thGeorge W. Plunkitt*Tammany Dem.re-elected
12thHenry C. Nelson*Democratre-elected
13thHenry R. Low*Republicanre-elected
14thHenry C. ConnellyRepublican
15thJacob W. HoysradtRepublican
16thAlbert C. Comstock*Republicanre-elected
17thAmasa J. Parker, Jr.Democrat
18thEdward WempleDemocrat
19thRowland C. KelloggRepublican
20thCharles L. KnappRepublican
21stGeorge B. SloanRepublican
22ndHenry J. Coggeshall*Republicanre-elected
23rdJohn E. SmithRepublican
24thMatthew W. MarvinRepublican
25thFrancis Hendricks*Republican
26thCharles F. Barager*Republican
27thJ. Sloat Fassett*Republicanre-elected
28thJohn Raines*Republican
29thEdmund L. PittsRepublicanelected President pro tempore
30thEdward C. WalkerRepublican
31stDaniel H. McMillanRepublican
32ndCommodore P. Vedder*Republicanre-elected

Employees

Assemblymen

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

Employees