95th New York State Legislature


The 95th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 2 to May 14, 1872, during the fourth 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 1871 New York state election was held on November 7. All seven statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Republicans. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Republicans 387,000 and Democrats 368,000.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 2, 1872; and adjourned on May 14.
Henry Smith was elected Speaker with 95 votes against 26 for John C. Jacobs.
In his annual message to the Legislature, Gov. John T. Hoffman suggested that a bi-partisan Constitutional Commission of 32 members should be formed. The Commission had four members from each judicial district, appointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the State Senate, equally divided between Democrats and Republicans.
William B. Woodin was elected President pro tempore of the State Senate.
On May 1, Supreme Court Justice Albert Cardozo tendered his resignation, just before the report of the Judiciary Committee of the Assembly, which proposed his impeachment, was read. No further action was taken against Cardozo.
On May 2, the Assembly impeached Supreme Court Justice George G. Barnard.
On May 23, the Senate set the opening of the trial of Judge John McCunn, of the New York City Marine Court, for June 18.
On June 18, the Senate met for the trials of Judge McCunn, and Chenango County Judge Horace G. Prindle.
On July 2, the Senate removed Judge McCunn from office.
On July 17, the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments met at Saratoga, to open the trial of Justice Barnard.
On August 19, Barnard was convicted by the Impeachment Court, was removed from office, and barred from ever holding public office again.
On December 4, the Constitutional Commission met.

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. Isaac V. Baker Jr., Webster Wagner and James H. Graham changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stTownsend D. CockDemocrat
2ndJohn C. PerryRepublican
3rdHenry C. Murphy*Democratre-elected
4th*Democratre-elected; did not take his seat;
unsuccessfully contested by Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa
5thErastus C. BenedictRepublican
6thAugustus WeismannRepublican
7thJames O'BrienReform Democrat
8thDaniel F. TiemannReform Democrat
9thWilliam H. RobertsonRepublican
10thEdward M. MaddenRepublican
11thAbiah W. PalmerRepublican
12thIsaac V. Baker Jr.*Republican
13thCharles H. AdamsRepublican
14thJacob Hardenbergh*Democratre-elected; died on April 29, 1872
14thWilliam F. ScoresbyLib. Rep./Dem.elected to fill vacancy; seated on November 22
15thWebster Wagner*Republican
16thSamuel AmesRepublican
17thWells S. DickinsonRepublican
18thNorris Winslow*Republicanre-elected
19thSamuel S. LoweryRepublican
20thArchibald C. McGowanRepublican
21stWilliam FosterRepublican
22ndDaniel P. WoodRepublican
23rdJames H. Graham*Republican
24thThomas I. ChatfieldRepublican
25thWilliam B. Woodin*Republicanre-elected
26thWilliam JohnsonDemocrat
27thGabriel T. HarrowerRepublican
28thJarvis Lord*Democratre-elected
29thGeorge Bowen*Republicanre-elected
30thJames Wood*Republicanre-elected
31stLoran L. Lewis*Republicanre-elected
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.

Employees