89th New York State Legislature


The 89th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 2 to April 20, 1866, during the second 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.

Elections

The 1865 New York state election was held on November 7. All ten statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Republicans. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Republicans 301,000 and Democrats 273,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 2, 1866; and adjourned on April 20.
Lyman Tremain was elected Speaker with 88 votes against 33 for Smith M. Weed.
On January 29, DeWitt C. Littlejohn was elected Speaker pro tempore of the Assembly.
On February 6, Charles J. Folger was re-elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.
On February 16, the Legislature elected Benjamin F. Manierre to succeed William McMurray on March 1 as a Metropolitan Police Commissioner.
On April 16, the Legislature re-apportioned the Assembly seats per county. Allegany, Chenango, Herkimer, Jefferson, Livingston, Steuben and Suffolk counties lost one seat each; Erie County gained one seat, Kings County gained two seats; and New York County gained four seats.
On April 25, the Legislature re-apportioned the Senate districts.
The State Senate met for a special session on June 12; adjourned on June 15; met again on August 28; and adjourned again on August 31. This session was called to hold the trial of George W. Smith, Judge of the Oneida County Court. The trial continued during the next session, and Smith was removed from office on January 25, 1867.

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. Charles Stanford changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stNicholas B. La BauRepublican
2ndHenry R. PiersonRepublican
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democratre-elected
4thBenjamin WoodDemocrattook his seat on January 9
5thCharles G. CornellDemocratuntil November 17, 1866, also New York City Street Commissioner
6thAbraham LentRepublican
7thThomas MurphyRepublican
8thEdmund G. SutherlandDemocrat
9thHenry R. Low*Republicanre-elected
10thGeorge ChambersDemocrat
11thEdward G. WilborRepublican
12thJames GibsonRepublican
13thLorenzo D. CollinsRepublican
14thCharles Stanford*Republican
15thAdam W. KlineRepublican
16thMoss K. PlattRepublican
17thAbel GodardRepublican
18thJohn O'DonnellRepublican
19thSamuel CampbellRepublican
20thGeorge H. Andrews*Republicanre-elected
21stJohn J. WolcottRepublican
22ndAndrew D. White*Republicanre-elected
23rdJames BarnettRepublican
24thEzra Cornell*Republicanre-elected
25thStephen K. Williams*Republicanre-elected
26thCharles J. Folger*Republicanre-elected
27thStephen T. Hayt*Republicanre-elected;
on November 6, 1866, elected a Canal Commissioner
28thThomas ParsonsRepublican
29thRichard CrowleyRepublican
30thWolcott J. HumphreyRepublican
31stDavid S. BennettRepublican
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 and Police Commissioner.

Employees