94th New York State Legislature


The 94th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 21, 1871, during the third 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.
At this time there were two major political parties: the Republican Party and the Democratic Party.

Elections

The New York state election, 1870 was held on November 8. Gov. John T. Hoffman and Lt. Gov. Allen C. Beach were re-elected. The other four 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 399,000 and Republicans 366,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1871; and adjourned on April 21.
William Hitchman was re-elected Speaker with 64 votes against 62 for James W. Husted.
On April 4, the Legislature re-elected Abram B. Weaver to a second term of three years as Superintendent of Public Instruction.
On April 7, Assemblyman James Irving had an altercation with Assemblyman Smith M. Weed, during which Irving hit Weed forceful in the face. Subsequently Irving resigned his seat, and the Democrats could not pass any bills anymore, a vote of 65 being required. After a week of deadlock, Republican Assemblyman Orange S. Winans voiced his opinion that the Democrats were entitled to a majority, and voted with them, thus passing the pending bills. Winans was denounced as a traitor, and disappeared from politics.

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
1stSamuel H. Frost*Democrat
2ndJames F. Pierce*Democrat
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democrat
4thWilliam M. Tweed*Democrat
5thMichael Norton*Democrat
6thThomas J. Creamer*Democrat
7thJohn J. Bradley*Democrat
8thHenry W. Genet*Democrat
9thWilliam Cauldwell*Democrat
10thWilliam M. Graham*Democrat
11thGeorge Morgan*Democratuntil March 1871, also Mayor of Poughkeepsie
12thFrancis S. Thayer*Republican
13thA. Bleecker Banks*Democrat
14thJacob Hardenbergh*Democrat
15thvacantSenator Isaiah Blood died on November 29, 1870
16thChristopher F. Norton*Democrat
17thAbraham X. Parker*Republican
18thNorris Winslow*Republican
19thGeorge H. Sanford*Democratdied on November 25, 1871
20thAugustus R. Elwood*Republican
21stWilliam H. Brand*Republican
22ndGeorge N. Kennedy*Republican
23rdJohn F. Hubbard Jr.*Democrat
24thOrlow W. Chapman*Republican
25thWilliam B. Woodin*Republicanalso Surrogate of Cayuga County
26thAbraham V. Harpending*Republicandied on April 23, 1871
27thTheodore L. Minier*Republican
28thJarvis Lord*Democrat
29thGeorge Bowen*Republican
30thJames Wood*Republican
31stLoran L. Lewis*Republican
32ndAllen D. Scott*Republican

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