79th New York State Legislature
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The 79th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 1 to April 9, 1856, during the second year of Myron H. Clark's governorship, in Albany. BackgroundUnder the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1846, 32 Senators were elected in single-seat senatorial districts for a two-year term, the whole Senate being renewed biennially. The senatorial districts (except those in New York City) were made up of entire counties. 128 Assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts to a one-year term, the whole Assembly being renewed annually. The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards, forming a contiguous area, all in the same county. The City and County of New York was divided into four senatorial districts, and 16 Assembly districts.
At this time there the Democratic Party was split into two factions: the Hard-Shells (or Hards) and the Soft-Shells (or Softs). In 1848, the Democratic Party had been split into Kansas-Nebraska Act .
The anti-slavery faction of the Anti-Nebraska Party merged into the Republican Party .
Most of the Whigs which favored a compromise, or preferred to sidestep the issue, joined with parts of the Democratic factions the Know Nothing movement which ran in the election as the "American Party." ElectionsThe New York state election, 1855 was held on November 6. Due to the re-alignment of political parties, the whole American Party ticket of State officers was elected. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote on Secretary of State was: American 148,000; Republican 137,000; Soft 91,000; and Hard 59,000.
SessionsThe Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 1, 1856; and adjourned on April 9. On January 16, after two weeks of deadlock, Speaker on the 49th ballot.
On January 29, Alonzo S. Upham (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate. State SenateDistricts
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.
MembersThe asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Mark Spencer, Erastus Brooks, Zenas Clark and George W. Bradford were re-elected. James Rider, Joseph H. Petty, John W. Ferdon, Justin A. Smith and Joseph H. Ramsey changed from the Assembly to the Senate. Party affiliations follow the vote on Senate and State officers.
Employees
State AssemblyAssemblymenThe asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued as members of this Legislature. Party affiliations follow the vote on Speaker.[2] Employees
Notes
Sources
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