71st New York State Legislature


The 71st New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 4 to April 12, 1848, during the second year of John Young's governorship, in Albany.

Background

Under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1846, 32 Senators were elected in single-seat senatorial districts for a two-year term, the whole Senate being renewed biennially. The senatorial districts were made up of entire counties. 128 Assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts to a one-year term, the whole Assembly being renewed annually. The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards, forming a contiguous area, all in the same county. The City and County of New York was divided into four senatorial districts, and 16 Assembly districts.
On September 27, the Legislative passed "An Act to provide for the election of a Lieutenant Governor", to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Addison Gardiner.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Whig Party. The Democratic Party was split into two factions: the "Barnburners" and the "Hunkers." The radical abolitionists appeared as the Liberty Party. The Anti-Rent Party nominated some candidates, but mostly cross-endorsed Whigs or Democrats, according to their opinion on the rent issue. The Native American Party also ran.

Elections

The New York state election, 1847 was held on November 3. Hamilton Fish was elected Lieutenant Governor; and all the other eleven statewide elective offices were won by the Whigs.
24 Whigs and 8 Democrats were elected to the State Senate. 93 Whigs and 35 Democrats were elected to the Assembly.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1848; and adjourned on April 12.
Amos K. Hadley was elected Speaker with 89 votes against 22 for Henry Wager.

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. Valentine Treadwell and William J. Cornwell changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
Party affiliations follow the vote on Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJohn G. FloydDemocrat
2ndDavid A. BokeeWhigon November 7, 1848, elected to the 31st U.S. Congress
3rdWilliam HallWhig
4thJohn L. LawrenceWhig
5thSamuel FrostWhig
6thWilliam Samuel JohnsonWhig
7thSaxton Smith*Democrat
8thAlexander J. CoffinWhig
9thSamuel J. WilkinWhig
10thPlatt AdamsDemocrat
11thValentine Treadwell*Whig
12thAlbert R. FoxWhig
13thJames M. CookWhig
14thJames S. WhallonDemocrat
15thJohn FineDemocrat
16thThomas BurchWhig
17thJohn M. BettsDemocrat
18thDavid H. LittleWhig
19thThomas E. ClarkWhig
20thThomas H. BondWhig
21stJohn W. TamblinDemocrat
22ndGeorge GeddesWhig
23rdSamuel H. P. Hall*Whig
24thWilliam J. Cornwell*Whig
25thTimothy S. WilliamsWhig
26thWilliam M. HawleyDemocrat
27thJerome FullerWhig
28thA. Hyde ColeWhig
29thAllen AyraultWhigresigned his seat on June 2, 1848
30thJohn W. BrownsonWhig
31stJohn T. BushWhig
32ndFrederick S. MartinWhig

Employees

Assemblymen

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued as members of this Legislature.
Party affiliations follow the vote on Speaker.

Employees