109th New York State Legislature

109th New York State Legislature
← 108th 110th →
New York State Capitol (2009)
Overview
Legislative body	New York State Legislature
Jurisdiction	New York, United States
Term	January 1 – December 31, 1886
Senate
Members	32
President	Lt. Gov. Edward F. Jones (D)
Temporary President	Edmund L. Pitts (R)
Party control	Republican (20-12)
Assembly
Members	128
Speaker	James W. Husted (R)
Party control	Republican (77-51)
Sessions
1st January 5 – May 20, 1886

The 109th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5 to May 20, 1886, during the second year of David B. Hill'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 (seven districts) and Kings County (three districts). The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards,^[1] forming a contiguous area, all within the same county.

At this time there were two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. In New York City the Democrats were split into three factions: Tammany Hall, "Irving Hall" and the "County Democrats". The Prohibition Party and the Greenback Party also nominated tickets.

Elections[]

The New York state election, 1885 was held on November 3. Governor David B. Hill was re-elected; and Edward F. Jones was elected Lieutenant Governor. The other five 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 501,000; Republicans 490,000; Prohibition 31,000; and Greenback 2,000.

Sessions[]

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Albany on January 5, 1886; and adjourned on May 20.

James W. Husted (R) was again elected Speaker, against William F. Sheehan (D).

Edmund L. Pitts (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate.

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. Edward F. Reilly, Francis Hendricks, Charles F. Barager and John Raines changed from the Assembly to the Senate.

Employees[]

• Clerk: John W. Vrooman
• Sergeant-at-Arms: James C. Murray
• Doorkeeper: John H. Houck
• Stenographer: Harris A. Corell

State Assembly[]

Assemblymen[]

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

Employees[]

• Clerk: Charles A. Chickering
• Sergeant-at-Arms: Edward H. Talbott
• Doorkeeper: Michael Maher
• Stenographer: Emory P. Close

Notes[]

Sources[]

• The New York Red Book compiled by Edgar L. Murlin (published by James B. Lyon, Albany NY, 1897; see pg. 384f for senate districts; pg. 403 for senators; pg. 410–417 for Assembly districts; and pg. 504f for assemblymen)
• Biographical sketches of the members of the Legislature in The Evening Journal Almanac (1886)