92nd New York State Legislature


The 92nd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5 to May 11, 1869, during the first year of John T. Hoffman'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.
According to the Constitution of 1846, twenty years after its elaboration the electorate was asked if they wanted a Constitutional Convention to be held, which was answered at the 1866 New York state election, in the affirmative. On April 23, 1867, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention were elected, resulting in a Republican majority. On June 4, the Constitutional Convention met at Albany; adjourned on September 23; and met again on November 12. On February 28, 1868, the Constitutional Convention adjourned sine die. How to put the proposed amendments before the electorate was then debated throughout the 91st and the 92nd Legislature, and all amendments, except the re-organization of the judicial system, were eventually rejected by the voters at the New York state election, 1869.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

Elections

The 1868 New York state election was held on November 3. Mayor of New York City John T. Hoffman and Allen C. Beach were elected Governor and Lieutenant Governor. The other three statewide elective offices up for election were also carried by the Democrats. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democrats 439,000 and Republicans 411,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 5, 1869; and adjourned on May 11.
Truman G. Younglove was elected Speaker with 71 votes against 52 for William Hitchman.
On January 19, the Legislature elected Ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton to succeed Edwin D. Morgan as U.S. Senator from New York for a six-year term beginning on March 4, 1869.
On February 4, Charles J. Folger was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate "for this session."
On February 24, Richard Crowley was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate "for this day."
On April 29, the Legislature elected Henry Smith as a Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas C. Acton.

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
1stLewis A. Edwards*Democrat
2ndJames F. Pierce*Democrat
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democrat
4thWilliam M. Tweed*Democrat
5thMichael Norton*Democratalso an Alderman of New York City
6thThomas J. Creamer*Democrat
7thJohn J. Bradley*Democrat
8thHenry W. Genet*Democrat
9thWilliam Cauldwell*Democrat
10thWilliam M. Graham*Democrat
11thAbiah W. Palmer*Republican
12thFrancis S. Thayer*Republican
13thA. Bleecker BanksDemocrat
14thGeorge Beach*Democrat
15thCharles Stanford*Republican
16thMatthew Hale*Republican
17thAbraham X. Parker*Republican
18thJohn O'Donnell*Republican
19thSamuel Campbell*Republican
20thJohn B. Van Petten*Republican
21stAbner C. Mattoon*Republican
22ndGeorge N. Kennedy*Republican
23rdJohn F. Hubbard Jr.*Democrat
24thOrlow W. Chapman*Republican
25thStephen K. Williams*Republican
26thCharles J. Folger*Republicanon February 4, elected President pro tempore
27thJohn I. Nicks*Republican
28thLewis H. Morgan*Republican
29thRichard Crowley*Republicanon February 24, elected President pro tempore
30thWolcott J. Humphrey*Republican
31stAsher P. Nichols*Democrat
32ndLorenzo Morris*Democrat

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