93rd New York State Legislature


The 93rd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 4 to April 26, 1870, during the second 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 New York state election, 1866, 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.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

Elections

The New York state election, 1869 was held on November 3. All nine statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Democrats. All amendments proposed by the Constitutional Convention, except the re-organization of the judicial system, were rejected by the voters. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Democrats 331,000 and Republicans 310,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1870; and adjourned on April 26.
William Hitchman was again elected Speaker with 72 votes against 51 for James W. Husted.
On January 17, Henry C. Murphy was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.
On February 10, the Legislature re-elected Joseph S. Bosworth as a Metropolitan Police Commissioner, for a term of eight years beginning on March 1, 1870.

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.
Party affiliations follow the vote for Senate Clerk and Police Commissioner.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stSamuel H. FrostDemocrat
2ndJames F. Pierce*Democratre-elected; took his seat on January 11
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democratre-elected; on January 17, elected President pro tempore
4thWilliam M. Tweed*Democratre-elected
5thMichael Norton*Democratre-elected; also an Alderman of New York City
6thThomas J. Creamer*Democratre-elected
7thJohn J. Bradley*Democratre-elected
8thHenry W. Genet*Democratre-elected
9thWilliam Cauldwell*Democratre-elected
10thWilliam M. Graham*Democratre-elected
11thGeorge MorganDemocratalso Mayor of Poughkeepsie
12thFrancis S. Thayer*Republicanre-elected
13thA. Bleecker Banks*Democratre-elected
14thJacob HardenberghDemocrattook his seat on January 6
15thIsaiah BloodDemocratdied on November 29, 1870
16thChristopher F. NortonDemocrat
17thAbraham X. Parker*Republicanre-elected
18thNorris WinslowRepublican
19thGeorge H. SanfordDemocrat
20thAugustus R. ElwoodRepublican
21stWilliam H. BrandRepublican
22ndGeorge N. Kennedy*Republicanre-elected
23rdJohn F. Hubbard Jr.*Democratre-elected
24thOrlow W. Chapman*Republicanre-elected
25thWilliam B. WoodinRepublicanalso Surrogate of Cayuga County
26thAbraham V. HarpendingRepublicantook his seat on January 11
27thTheodore L. MinierRepublican
28thJarvis LordDemocrat
29thGeorge BowenRepublican
30thJames WoodRepublican
31stLoran L. LewisRepublican
32ndAllen D. ScottRepublican

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