101st New York State Legislature


The 101st New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 1 to May 15, 1878, during the second year of Lucius Robinson'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 Prohibition Party and the Greenback Party also nominated tickets. The growing agitation in favor of bettering the conditions of the working class led to the first nomination of labor tickets, by the "Working Men Party", the "Social Democratic Party" and the "Bread-Winners League".

Elections

The New York state election, 1877 was held on November 6. All five statewide elective offices up for election were carried by the Democrats. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Secretary of State, was: Democratic 383,000; Republican 372,000; Working Men 20,000; Prohibition 7,000; Social Democratic 1,800; and Greenback 800.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 1, 1878; and adjourned on May 15.
James W. Husted was again elected Speaker with 64 votes against 55 for Erastus Brooks.

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.

Senators

The asterisk denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Thomas C. E. Ecclesine changed from the Assembly to the Senate.
Note: For brevity, the chairmanships omit the words "...the Committee on..."
DistrictSenatorPartyNotes
1stJames M. OakleyDemocrat
2ndJames F. PierceDemocrat
3rdJohn C. Jacobs*Democrat
4thEdward HoganDemocrat
5thAlfred Wagstaff Jr.*Democratre-elected
6thLouis S. GoebelRepublicanChairman of Claims, and of Public Expenditures
7thJohn Morrissey*Anti-Tam. Dem.died on May 1, 1878
8thThomas C. E. Ecclesine*Democrat
9thWilliam H. Robertson*Republicanre-elected President pro tempore; Chairman of Judiciary
10thDaniel B. St. John*Democrat
11thStephen H. WendoverRepublicanChairman of Banks
12thCharles HughesDemocrat
13thHamilton Harris*RepublicanChairman of Finance; of Public Buildings, and of Apportionment
14thAddison P. JonesDemocrat
15thWebster Wagner*RepublicanChairman of Railroads
16thWilliam W. RockwellRepublicanChairman of Insurance, and of Erection and Division of Towns and Counties
17thDolphus S. LyndeRepublicanChairman of Manufactures, of Agriculture, and of Salt
18thHenry E. TurnerRepublicanChairman of Privileges and Elections, and of Militia
19thAlexander T. GoodwinDemocrat
20thSamuel S. EdickRepublicanChairman of Villages, and of Joint Library
21stJohn W. LippittRepublicanChairman of Roads and Bridges
22ndDennis McCarthy*RepublicanChairman of Canals
23rdNathaniel C. MarvinRepublicanChairman of Miscellaneous Corporations, and of Poor Laws
24thPeter W. HopkinsRepublicanChairman of Internal Affairs of Towns and Counties, and of Retrenchment
25thTheodore M. PomeroyRepublicanChairman of Cities, and of Rules
26thEdwin HicksRepublicanChairman of Literature
27thIra DavenportRepublicanChairman of Commerce and Navigation
28thGeorge RainesDemocrat
29thLewis S. PayneDemocrat
30thJames H. LoomisRepublicanChairman of Printing, of Indian Affairs, and of Grievances
31stRay V. PierceRepublicanChairman of Public Health;
on November 5, 1878, elected to the 46th U.S. Congress
32ndLoren B. SessionsRepublicanalso Supervisor of the Town of Harmony;
Chairman of State Prisons, and of Engrossed Bills

Employees

Assemblymen

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

Employees