88th New York State Legislature


The 88th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 28, 1865, during the first year of Reuben E. Fenton'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 Republican Party and the Democratic Party. The Democrats split over the civil war issue. The "War Democrats" and the Republicans formed a coalition known as the "Republican Union," and supported President Abraham Lincoln and the Union Army's war effort; the rump Democratic Party opposed the war, favoring a compromise with the South, and became known as "Peace Democrats" or "Copperheads."

Elections

The New York state election, 1864 was held on November 8. All four statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Republican Union. Congressman Reuben E. Fenton and Speaker Thomas G. Alvord defeated the incumbent Gov. Horatio Seymour and Lt. David R. Floyd-Jones. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Republican Union 369,000 and Democrats 361,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1865; and adjourned on April 28.
George G. Hoskins was elected Speaker with 72 votes against 50 for Abram B. Weaver.
On March 9, Charles J. Folger was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.
On April 4, the Legislature re-elected Victor M. Rice as Superintendent of Public Instruction.

State Senate

Districts

Note: There are now 62 counties in the State of New York. What is now Bronx County was then part of Westchester County, while what is now Nassau County was part of Queens County.

Members

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stRobert Christie Jr.*Democrat
2ndDemas Strong*Democrat
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democrat
4thChristian B. Woodruff*Democratalso a New York City Tax Commissioner
5thLuke F. Cozans*Democrat
6thWilliam Laimbeer Jr.*Republican
7thThomas C. Fields*Democratalso a Central Park Commissioner
8thSaxton Smith*Democrat
9thArchibald C. Niven*Democratcontested
9thHenry R. LowRepublicanseated on January 17, 1865
10thGeorge Beach*Democrat
11thJohn B. Dutcher*Republican
12thFrederick H. Hastings*Republican
13thIra Shafer*Democrat
14thOrson M. Allaben*Democrat
15thJames M. Cook*Republican
16thPalmer E. Havens*Republican
17thAlbert Hobbs*Republican
18thJames A. Bell*Republican
19thAlexander H. Bailey*Republican
20thGeorge H. Andrews*Republican
21stCheney Ames*Republican
22ndAndrew D. White*Republican
23rdFrederick Juliand*Republican
24thEzra Cornell*Republican
25thStephen K. Williams*Republican
26thCharles J. Folger*Republicanon March 9, elected President pro tempore
27thStephen T. Hayt*Republican
28thGeorge G. Munger*Republican
29thDan H. Cole*Republican
30thWilkes Angel*Republican
31stJames M. Humphrey*Democraton November 8, 1864, elected to the 39th U.S. Congress
32ndNorman M. Allen*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