88th New York State Legislature

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JurisdictionNew York, United States
TermJanuary 1 – December 31, 1865
Members32
88th New York State Legislature
87th 89th
The Old State Capitol (1879)
Overview
Legislative bodyNew York State Legislature
JurisdictionNew York, United States
TermJanuary 1 – December 31, 1865
Senate
Members32
PresidentLt. Gov. Thomas G. Alvord (R)
Temporary PresidentCharles J. Folger (R), from March 9
Party controlRepublican (21-11)
Assembly
Members128
SpeakerGeorge G. Hoskins (R)
Party controlRepublican (76-52)
Sessions
1stJanuary 3 – April 28, 1865

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.

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 (four districts) and Kings County (two districts). 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 1864 New York state election 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 (R) was elected Speaker with 72 votes against 50 for Abram B. Weaver (D).

On March 9, Charles J. Folger (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate.

On April 4, the Legislature re-elected Victor M. Rice (R) 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

Partisan composition of the Senate after January 17. Humphrey's seat was vacated after he was elected to the U.S. Congress.

The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.

District Senator Party Notes
1st Robert Christie Jr.* Democrat
2nd Demas Strong* Democrat
3rd Henry C. Murphy* Democrat
4th Christian B. Woodruff* Democrat also a New York City Tax Commissioner
5th Luke F. Cozans* Democrat
6th William Laimbeer Jr.* Republican
7th Thomas C. Fields* Democrat also a Central Park Commissioner
8th Saxton Smith* Democrat
9th Archibald C. Niven* Democrat contested
Henry R. Low Republican seated on January 17, 1865
10th George Beach* Democrat
11th John B. Dutcher* Republican
12th Frederick H. Hastings* Republican
13th Ira Shafer* Democrat
14th Orson M. Allaben* Democrat
15th James M. Cook* Republican
16th Palmer E. Havens* Republican
17th Albert Hobbs* Republican
18th James A. Bell* Republican
19th Alexander H. Bailey* Republican
20th George H. Andrews* Republican
21st Cheney Ames* Republican
22nd Andrew D. White* Republican
23rd Frederick Juliand* Republican
24th Ezra Cornell* Republican
25th Stephen K. Williams* Republican
26th Charles J. Folger* Republican on March 9, elected president pro tempore
27th Stephen T. Hayt* Republican
28th George G. Munger* Republican
29th Dan H. Cole* Republican
30th Wilkes Angel* Republican
31st James M. Humphrey* Democrat on November 8, 1864, elected to the 39th U.S. Congress
32nd Norman M. Allen* Republican

Employees

  • Clerk: James Terwilliger
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Azel B. Hull
  • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Sanders Wilson
  • Doorkeeper: Lawrence Van Duzen
  • First Assistant Doorkeeper: Casper Walter
  • Second Assistant Doorkeeper: Edmund Traver
  • Third Assistant Doorkeeper: Anson W. Johnson

State Assembly

Notes

Sources

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