83rd New York State Legislature


The 83rd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 17, 1860, during the second 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 Nothings, or "American Party," endorsed either Republican or Democratic nominees.

Elections

The 1859 New York state election was held on November 8. The nine statewide elective offices were carried by six Republicans and three Democrats. The approximate party strength at this election, as gathered from the vote for State officers was: Republican 251,000; Democratic 227,000; and American 25,000. The Americans did not nominate own candidates, but endorsed five Republicans and four Democrats on their State ticket. This led to easy elections of the endorsed Republicans, but very tight races for the endorsed Democrats, three of whom were elected by very slim majorities.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1860; and adjourned on April 17.
DeWitt C. Littlejohn was re-elected Speaker with 89 votes against 30 for Theophilus C. Callicot.
On January 25, Nathan Lapham 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. Francis B. Spinola, Lyman Truman, Alexander B. Williams and Erastus S. Prosser were re-elected. Edward A. Lawrence and Thomas A. Gardiner changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
Party affiliations follow the vote on Senate officers.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stEdward A. Lawrence*Democrat
2ndThomas A. Gardiner*Democrat
3rdFrancis B. Spinola*Democrat
4thJohn McLeod MurphyDemocrat
5thBernard KellyDemocrat
6thBenjamin F. ManierreRepublican
7thRichard B. ConnollyDemocrat
8thHezekiah D. RobertsonRepublican
9thRobert Y. GrantDemocrat
10thJoshua Fiero Jr.Republican
11thJohn H. KetchamRepublican
12thVolney RichmondRepublican
13thAndrew J. ColvinDemocrat
14thJoseph H. RamseyRepublican
15thIsaiah BloodDemocrat
16thNathan LaphamRepublicanon January 25, elected President pro tempore
17thCharles C. MontgomeryRepublican
18thJames A. BellRepublican
19thWilliam H. FerryRepublican
20thFrancis M. RotchRepublican
21stAndrew S. WarnerRepublican
22ndAllen MunroeRepublican
23rdPerrin H. McGrawRepublican
24thLyman Truman*Republican
25thAlexander B. Williams*Republican
26thThomas HillhouseRepublican
27thSamuel H. HammondRepublican
28thEphraim GossRepublican
29thPeter P. MurphyRepublican
30thDavid H. AbellRepublican
31stErastus S. Prosser*Republican
32ndWalter L. SessionsRepublican

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