82nd New York State Legislature


The 82nd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 4 to April 19, 1859, during the first year of Edwin D. Morgan'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. The Know Nothing movement ran in the election as the "American Party."

Elections

The New York state election, 1858 was held on November 2. Republicans Edwin D. Morgan and Robert Campbell were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The other two statewide elective offices were also carried by the Republicans. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor was: Republican 248,000; Democratic 230,000; and American 61,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1859; and adjourned on April 19.
DeWitt C. Littlejohn was again elected Speaker with 90 votes against 28 for John W. Chanler and 6 for Chauncey Boughton.
On January 18, William A. Wheeler 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.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJoshua B. Smith*Democrat
2ndSamuel Sloan*Democrat
3rdFrancis B. Spinola*Democrat
4thJohn C. Mather*Democrat
5thSmith Ely, Jr.*Democrat
6thRichard Schell*Democrat
7thJohn Doherty*Democratdied on April 20, 1859
8thBenjamin Brandreth*Democrat
9thOsmer B. Wheeler*American
10thGeorge W. Pratt*Democrat
11thWilliam G. Mandeville*Democratcontested; seat declared vacant on March 16
11thHenry C. WetmoreAmericanseated on April 5
12thJohn D. Willard*Democrat
13thGeorge Y. Johnson*American
14thEdward I. Burhans*Democrat
15thGeorge G. Scott*Democrat
16thRalph A. Loveland*Republican
17thWilliam A. Wheeler*Republicanon January 18, elected President pro tempore
18thJoseph A. Willard*Republican
19thAlrick Hubbell*Republican
20thAddison H. Laflin*Republican
21stCheney Ames*Republican
22ndJames Noxon*Republican
23rdJohn J. Foote*Republican
24thLyman Truman*Republican
25thAlexander B. Williams*Republican
26thTruman Boardman*Republican
27thAlexander S. Diven*Republican
28thJohn E. Paterson*Republican
29thHoratio J. Stow*Independentdid not take his seat during this session;
died on February 19, 1859
29thGeorge D. LamontRepublicanelected to fill vacancy; seated on March 21
30thJohn B. Halsted*Republican
31stErastus S. ProsserRepublicanelected to fill vacancy, in place of James Wadsworth
32ndJohn P. Darling*Republican

Employees

Assemblymen

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

Employees