97th New York State Legislature


The 97th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 6 to April 30, 1874, during the second year of John A. Dix'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. The Liberal Republican Party also nominated a ticket.

Elections

The New York state election, 1873 was held on November 4. The statewide elective offices up for election were carried by five Democrats and two Republicans, all of which had been nominated also on the Liberal Republican ticket.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 6, 1874; and adjourned on April 30.
James W. Husted was elected Speaker against Smith M. Weed.
On April 7, the Legislature elected Neil Gilmour as Superintendent of Public Instructions, with 87 votes against 51 for Abram B. Weaver, to succeed Weaver for a term of three years.

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. John C. Jacobs, Frank Abbott, Benjamin Ray and Franklin W. Tobey changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJohn A. KingRepublican
2ndJohn W. CoeLib. Rep./Dem.
3rdJohn C. Jacobs*Democrat
4thJohn FoxDemocrat
5thJames W. BoothRepublican
6thJacob A. GrossDemocrat
7thThomas A. LedwithDemocrat
8thHugh H. MooreDemocratcontested by Walter S. Pinckney,
decision postponed to the next session
9thWilliam H. Robertson*Republicanre-elected; elected President pro tempore
10thFrank AbbottLib. Rep./Dem.contested; seat vacated on February 4
10thEdward M. MaddenRepublicanseated on February 5
11thBenjamin Ray*Democrat
12thRoswell A. ParmenterDemocrat
13thJesse C. DaytonDemocrat
14thHenry C. ConnellyRepublican
15thWebster Wagner*Republicanre-elected
16thFranklin W. Tobey*Republican
17thWells S. Dickinson*Republicanre-elected
18thAndrew C. MiddletonInd./Lib. Rep./Dem.
19thSamuel S. Lowery*Republicanre-elected
20thArchibald C. McGowan*Republicanre-elected
21stCharles KelloggRepublican
22ndDaniel P. Wood*Republicanre-elected
23rdJames G. ThompsonRepublicancontested by William Yeomans Jr.
24thJohn H. SelkregRepublican
25thWilliam B. Woodin*Republicanre-elected
26thWilliam Johnson*Democratre-elected
27thGeorge B. BradleyDemocrat
28thJarvis Lord*Democratre-elected
29thDan H. ColeRepublican
30thAbijah J. WellmanRepublican
31stJohn GansonDemocratdied on September 28, 1874
32ndAlbert G. DowRepublican

Employees

Assemblymen

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued as members of this Legislature.

Employees