92nd New York State Legislature

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 (five districts) and Kings County (two districts). The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards,^[1] 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 1869 New York state election.

At this time there were two major political parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

The 1868 New York state election was held on November 3. Mayor of New York City John T. Hoffman and Allen C. Beach (both Democrats) 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.

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 (R) was elected Speaker with 71 votes against 52 for William Hitchman (D).

On January 19, the Legislature elected Ex-Governor Reuben E. Fenton (R) 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 (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate "for this session."

On February 24, Richard Crowley (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate "for this day."

On April 29, the Legislature elected Henry Smith (R) as a Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Thomas C. Acton.

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

• Clerk: James Terwilliger
• Sergeant-at-Arms: John H. Kemper
• Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: George H. Knapp
• Doorkeeper: Charles V. Schram
• Assistant Doorkeeper: Nathaniel Saxton
• Assistant Doorkeeper: David L. Shields
• Assistant Doorkeeper: Elisha T. Burdick