75th New York State Legislature


The 75th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 6 to April 16, 1852, during the second year of Washington Hunt'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.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Whig Party.

Elections

The New York state election, 1851 was held on November 4.
Of the eight statewide elective offices up for election, six were carried by the Democrats, and two by the Whigs.
16 Democrats and 16 Whigs were elected for a two-year term to the State Senate.
65 Whigs and 63 Democrats were elected to the State Assembly.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 6, 1852; and adjourned on April 16.
Jonas C. Heartt was elected Speaker with 63 votes against 59 for Israel T. Hatch.
Ira P. Barnes was elected Clerk of the Senate by resolution, with a vote of 16 to 15; Senator Dan S. Wright did not vote. The same vote was given for Charles Lee as Sergeant-at-Arms of the Senate. Doorkeeper of the Senate A. N. Beardsley was elected with the casting vote of Lt. Gov. Sanford E. Church.
On January 26, Edwin D. Morgan was elected President pro tempore of the Senate.
On March 24, William McMurray was elected President pro tempore of the 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.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJames E. CooleyDemocrat
2ndJohn VanderbiltDemocrat
3rdWilliam McMurrayDemocraton March 24, elected President pro tempore
4thObadiah NewcombWhig
5thJames W. Beekman*Whig
6thEdwin D. Morgan*Whigon January 26, elected President pro tempore
7thAbraham B. CongerDemocrat
8thJohn H. OtisDemocrat
9thNathaniel JonesDemocrat
10thGeorge T. PierceDemocrat
11thAzor TaberWhig
12thWilliam H. Van SchoonhovenWhig
13thDan S. WrightWhig
14thEli W. RogersDemocrat
15thHenry B. SmithDemocrat
16thSimeon SnowDemocrat
17thHenry E. BartlettDemocrat
18thHarmon BennettDemocrat
19thBenjamin N. Huntington*Whig
20thJames PlattWhig
21stAshley DavenportDemocrat
22ndJames MunroeWhig
23rdNathan BristolDemocrat
24thWilliam Beach*Whig
25thJosiah B. WilliamsWhig
26thFrancis R. E. CornellDemocrat
27thMicajah W. KirbyDemocrat
28thAlonzo S. Upham*Whig
29thMyron H. ClarkWhig
30thJohn A. McElwainWhigalso Treasurer of Wyoming Co.
31stGeorge R. Babcock*Whig
32ndElisha WardWhig

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