87th New York State Legislature


The 87th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5 to April 23, 1864, during the second year of Horatio Seymour's second tenure as Governor of New York, 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. 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 New York state election, 1863 was held on November 3. All eight statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Republican Union. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Republican Union 314,000 and Democrats 285,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 5, 1864; and adjourned on April 23.
Thomas G. Alvord was elected again Speaker with 77 votes against 42 for Jacob L. Smith. Joseph B. Cushman was re-elected Clerk of the Assembly with 78 votes against 44 for John C. Jacobs.
On February 3, James M. Cook was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate "for this day."
On February 4, James A. Bell was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate "for the present session."

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. Thomas C. Fields, Saxton Smith, Palmer E. Havens and Ezra Cornell changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
Party affiliations follow the vote for Regents of USNY.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stRobert Christie Jr.Democrat
2ndDemas StrongDemocrat
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democratre-elected
4thChristian B. Woodruff*Democratre-elected;
from May 5, 1864, also a New York City Tax Commissioner
5thLuke F. CozansDemocrat
6thWilliam Laimbeer Jr.Republican
7thThomas C. Fields*Democratalso a Central Park Commissioner
8thSaxton Smith*Democrat
9thArchibald C. NivenDemocratcontested by Henry R. Low, decision postponed
10thGeorge BeachDemocrat
11thJohn B. DutcherRepublican
12thFrederick H. HastingsRepublicantook his seat on January 21
13thIra ShaferDemocrat
14thOrson M. AllabenDemocrat
15thJames M. CookRepublicanon February 3, elected President pro tempore
16thPalmer E. Havens*Republican
17thAlbert HobbsRepublican
18thJames A. Bell*Republicanre-elected; on February 4, elected President pro tempore
19thAlexander H. Bailey*Republicanre-elected
20thGeorge H. AndrewsRepublican
21stCheney AmesRepublican
22ndAndrew D. WhiteRepublican
23rdFrederick JuliandRepublican
24thEzra Cornell*Republican
25thStephen K. WilliamsRepublican
26thCharles J. Folger*Republicanre-elected
27thStephen T. HaytRepublican
28thGeorge G. MungerRepublican
29thDan H. ColeRepublican
30thWilkes Angel*Republicanre-elected
31stJames M. HumphreyDemocrattook his seat on January 6;
on November 8, 1864, elected to the 39th U.S. Congress
32ndNorman M. AllenRepublican

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 Regents of USNY.

Employees