THE STATE SENATE. Its History - Membership under Various Apportionments Present Senate. The Lieutenant-Governor is, ex Surrogates, Masters and Examiners in officio, presiding officer of the Senate. He can not participate in debates, nor vote, except in cases of a tie. In his absence the Senate elects one of its own members to act as president, pro tem., and while so acting he has the right to vote. Under the first Consti Chancery, Notaries Public, Supreme Court Commissioners, Loan Commissioners, Inspectors and Measurers for commercial purposes, Recorders and Marshals of cities, Commissioners of Deeds in this State, Superintendent of Salt Springs, Harbor Masters, Port tution the Senate consisted of twenty- Wardens and Pilots, Directors in cerfour members, apportioned among four tain Banks, Inspectors and Clerks of great districts. After the first election Prisons, Indian agents, etc., Inspectors they were divided by lot into four of turnpikes, Canal Appraisers, Majorclasses, so that the terms of six should Generals, Brigade Inspectors and Chiefs expire each year. An additional Sena- of the Staff departments, except Adjutor was to be added to each district tant-General (appointed by the Govwhenever, by a septennial census, it ernor) and Commissary-General. At was shown that the number of electors the time of the adoption of the new in the district had increased one-twen- Constitution, 2,238 officers were thus ty-fourth. This increase was to be appointed. The power of appointment by the Governor and Senate is limited to allowed until the number reached 100. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. In 1801, the rule being Superintendent of Public Works, found unequal in its operation, the Superintendent of Prisons, SuperinConstitution was amended so as to tendents of the Bank and Insurance fix the number permanently at thirty- Departments, Railroad Commissioners, two, which has ever since been retained. Capitol Commissioner, Commissioners of Claims, Civil Service Commissioners, Commissioners in Lunacy, Commissioner of Statistics of Labor, Members of Board of State Charities, State Assessors, Trustees of Asylums for Idiots and Insane, Port Wardens and Harbor Masters of New York, Health Officer and Captain of the Port of New York, Commissioners of Emigration, and other civil officers, Major-Generals The principal change made by the Constitution of 1821, in the legislative branch of the government, was the election of State officers by joint ballot, and the conferring of the appointing power upon the Governor and Senate. The following officers were thus appointed, besides several local and minor officers: * Chancellor, ViceChancellor, Judges of County Courts, and Commissary-General. • See Documents, Convention of 1846, Vol. 1, No. 41, for a list of these officers in each county. When deliberating upon appoint- elected every year. Term of office, ments to office, the Senate is said to be four years. Under the present Constiin executive session, and they usually tution, the Senate consists of fifty on such occasions sit with closed members, who are elected each even doors; their votes and debates are not preserved, and their proceedings are recorded separately in volumes kept by their clerk. Executive sessions of the Senate have been repeatedly convened at times when the Legislature was not in session, and when important offices were to be filled. year, one in each Senatorial district. The Senate districts must consist of contiguous territory, and no county can be divided unless entitled to two or more Senators. A census is required to be taken every ten years (1875, 1885, etc.), and an apportionment must be made by the Legislature at its first The State was divided into eight session after the return of every great Senatorial districts, each of which enumeration. was entitled to four Senators, one being SENATORIAL DISTRICTS. First Constitution. SOUTHERN DISTRICT. By Constitution Kings, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester-entitled to nine senators. Act of February 7, 1791-Same counties-enti tled to eight Senators. Act of March 4, 1795Same countles-entitled to nine Senators until 1808, and to five from 1808 to 1815. Act of April 17, 1815-Duchess, Kings, New York, Putnam, Qieens, Richmond, Rockland, Suffolk and Westchester entitled to six Senators. MIDDLE DISTRICT. By Constitution-Dutchess, Orange and Ulster-entitled to six Senators. Act of February 7, 1791 Same counties and same representation. Act of March 4, 1796-Columbia, Dutchess, Orange and Ulster; Delaware from March 10, 1:97, 1; Chenango from March 15, 1798, 1; Greene from March 25, 1800, 1; Sullivan from March 27, 1809, 1-entitled to twelve Senators until 188, and to seven from 1808 to 1815 Act of April 17, 185Albany, Chenango, Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Orange. Otsego, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster-entitled to nine Senators EASTERN DISTRICT. By Constitution-Charlotte 2, Cumberland 8, Gloucester 8, and Columbia, from April 4, 1786, -entitled to three Senators Act of February 7, 1791Clinton, Columbia, Rensselaer and Washington-entitled to five Senators. Act of March 4, 1796-Albany, Clinton, Rensse'aer, Saratoga, Washington, Essex, from March 1, 179, 1; Montgomery from 1903, Franklin from March 11, 1803, 1; Schenectady fron March 7,1809, 1; and Warren from March 12, 1813, 1-entitled to eleven Senators until 1808, and eight from 1808 to 1815. Act of April 17, 1815-Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Montgomery, Rensselaer, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington and Hamilton, from April 12, 1816, 1-entitled to eight Senators WESTERN DISTRICT. By Constitution Albany, Tryon 4, and Ontario from January 27, 1789, 1 entitled to six members Act of February 7, 1791-Albany, Herkimer, Montgomery, Ontario, Otsego, Saratoga, Tioga from February 16, 1791, 1; Onondaga from March 5, 1791, and Schoharie from April 6, 1795, 1-entitled to five members. Act of March 4, 196-Allegany, Herkimer, Montgomery until 1803; Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, Steuben from March 18, 1796, 1; Oneida from March 15, 1798, 1; Cayuga from March 8, 1099, 1; St. Lawrence from March 3, 1802, 1; Genesee from March 30, 1808, 1; Seneca from March 29, 1804, 1; Jefferson and Lewis from March 28, 1805, 1; Madison from March 21, 1806, 1; Broome from March 25, 1806, 1; Cattaraugus, Chautauque and Niagara from March 11, 1808, 1; and Cortland from april 8, 1808, 1 entitled to eleven members un il 1803, nine from 1803 until 1208, and twelve from 1508 to 1815. Act of April 17, 1815-Allegany. Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauque, Cortland, Genesee, Madison, Niagara. Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, Steuben, Tioga, Oswego, from March 1, 1816, 1, and Tompkins from April 17, 1817, 1-entitled to nine members. Schenectady and Schoharie, until May 23, 1836, when Delaware was annexed. 4. Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Warren and Washington, until May 23, 1836 when Herkimer was added, and April 18, 1838, when Fulton was annexed. Second Constitution. 1. Kings, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and New | 3. Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, York, until Act passed May 23, 1836; Kings, Richmond and New York after that date. 2. Dut hess, Putnam, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Ister and Westchester, until April 18, 1926, when Delaware was annexed, and May 23, 1836, when Que-ns and Suffolk were added and Delaware transferred. 1 Date of organization. 2 Now Washington county 4 Name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784. 5. Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida and Oswego, until May 13, 1836, when Otsego was annexed and Herkimer transferred. 6. Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga and Tompkins, until April 18, 1826, when Steuben was annexed and Delaware transferred; March 29, 1896, Chemung was added, and May 23 of the same year, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Livingston and Steuben were annexed and Otsego and Cortland transferred. 7. Cayuga, Onondaga, Ontario, and Seneca, 1 Queens, Richmond, Suffolk. 2 Kirgs. until February 5, 1873, when Yates was added; April 11, 1823, when Wayne was annexed, and May 23, 1836, when Cortland was added. 8. Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauque, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Steuben, until November 12, 1824, when Orleans was added; April 18, 1826, when Steuben was transferred, and May 23, 1836, when Allegany, Cattaraugus and Livingston were transferred, and May 14, 1841, when Wyoming was annexed. Constitution of 1846. 3 New York, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th wards. 4 New York, 7th, 10th, 18th and 17th wards. 5 New York, 8th, 9th and 14th wards. 6 New York, 11th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 22d wards. 7 Putnam, Rockland, Westchester.. 8 Columbia, Dutchess. 9 Orange, Sullivan. 10 Greene, Ulster. 11 Albany, Schenectady. 12 Rensselaer 18 Saratoga, Washington. 14 Clinton, Essex, Warren, 15 Franklin, St Lawrence. 32 Cattaraugus, Chautauque. Census of 1855-Act of April 13, 1857. 1 Queens, Richmond, Suffolk. 2 Brooklyn, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 12th 15th, 19th and 20th wards, 3 Brooklyn, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th wards, and country towns of Kings county. 4 New York, 1st, 2d, 8d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 18th and 14th wards. 5 New York, 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th wards. 6 New York, 10th, 11th and 17th wards. 7 New York, 18th, 20th and 21st wards. 8 New York, 12th, 19th and 2'd wards. 9 Putnam, Rockland, Westchester. 10 Orange, Sullivan. 11 Columbia, Dutchess. 19 Rensselaer, Washington. 18 Albany. 14 Greene, Ulster. 29 Gen see, Niagara, Orleans. 82 Cattaraugus, Chautauqua. Census of 1875-Act of April 23, 1879. 4 1 Queens, Suffolk. 2 Brook yn, 1st, 2d, 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th and 22d wards; Flatbush, Gravesend, New Utrecht. 3 Brook yn, 3d, 4th, 7th, 11th, 13th, 19th, 20th, 21st and 23d wards. Brooklyn, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 24th and 25th wards; New Lots, Flatlands. 5 New York, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th (part), 5th, 6th, 8th, 9th (part) and 14th wards; 707. ernor's, Bedloe's and Ellis islands; Richmond county. 6 New York, 4th (part), 7th, 11th and 13th wards. 7 New York, 10th, 15th (part), 17th, 18th (part) and 21st (part) wards. 8 New York, 9th (part), 5th (part), 16th, 18th (part), 20th (part) and 21st (part) wards. 9 New York, 18th (part), 19th (part) and 21st (part) wards. 10 New York, 12th (part), 19th (part), 20th (part), 21st (part) and 22d (part) wards. 11 New York, 12th (part), 20th (part), 22d (part), 23d and 24th wards. 12 Rockland, Westchester. 18 Orange, Sullivan. 14 Greene, Schoharie, Ulster. 15 Columbia, Dutchess, Putnam. Census of 1899-Act of April 30, 1892. 1 Counties of Queens and Suffolk. 2 Brooklyn, 7th, 9th, 10th, 12thand 22d wards. 8 Brooklyn, 18th, 19th, 21st, 23d and 25th wards. 14 That part of the 15th ward in the city of New York north of Eighty-sixth street and east of Seventh avenue, together with Ward's island and Randall's island. York, and the counties of Putnam and Westchester. 4 Bro klyn, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 20th 15 Twenty-fourth ward of the city of New wards. 6 Brooklyn, 8th, 24th, 26th and 28th wards, the towns of Gravesend, Flatbush, Flatlands and New Utrecht, and the county of Richmond. 7 New York, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th, 8th, 9th and 16th wards, together with Bedloe's, Governor's and Ellis islands. 8 New York, 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th and 13th wards. 9 New York, 10th, 14th, 15th and 17th wards. 10 New York, 18th, 20th and 21st wards. 11 That part of the 22d ward in the city of New York between Fortieth street and Fiftysecond street, that part of the 19th ward between Fort eth street and Fifty-ninh street, and Blackwell's island. 12 That part of the 22d ward in the city of New York between Fifty-second street and Seventy-second street, and that part of the 19th ward between Fifty-ninth street and Seventy-second street, and such portions of Central park as may be within said limits. 28 County of Monroe 29 30 Buffalo, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 18th, 14th, 19th and 20th wards. 18 That part of the 2d ward in the city of New York north of Seventy-second street, that part of the 19th ward north of Sev- 31 Buffalo, 15th, 16th, 17th. 18th, 2 st, 22d, 23d, enty-second street, that part of the 14th ward north of Eighty-sixth street and west of Seventh avenue, and the 24th and 25th wards, together with all that portion of Erie county lying outside of the city of Buffalo. 28d ward, and such portions of Cen- 82 Counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and tral park as may be within said limits. 1 Suffolk and Richmond. 2 Queens. Allegany. Constitution of 1894. 8 Brooklyn, let, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th wards. 4 Brooklyn, 7th, 18th, 19th and 21st wards. 5 Brooklyn, 8th, 10th, 12th and 13th wards, and the ward of Brooklyn which was formerly the town of Gravesend 6 Brooklyn, 9th, 11th, 20th and 22d wards of the city of Brooklyn. 7 Brooklyn, 14th, 15th, 16th and 17th wards. 8 Brooklyn, 23d, 24th, 25th and 29th wards, and the town of Flatlands, Kings county. 9 Brooklyn, 18th, 26th, 27th and 28th wards. 10 New York, within and bounded by a line beginning at Canal street and the Hudson river, and running thence along Canal street, Hudson street, Dominick street, Varick street, Broome street, Sullivan street, Spring street, Broadway, Canal street, the Bowery, Division street, Grand street and Jackson street, to the East river and thence around the southern end of Manhattan island, to the place of beginning, and also Governor's, Bedloe's and Eilis islands. 11 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of distr ct No. 10, and within and bounded by a line beginning at the juncion of Broadway and Canal street, and running thence along Broadway, Fourth stret, the Bowery and Third avenue, St. Mark's place, Avenue A, Seventh street, Avenue B, Clinton street, Rivington street, Norfolk street, Division street, Bowery and Canal street, to the place of beginning. 12 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of districts Nos. 10 and street, Division street, Norfolk street, Rivington street, Clinton street, Avenue B, Seventh street, Avenue A, St. Mark's place, Third avenue, East Fourteenth street to the East river, and a'ong the East river, to the place of beginning. 11 and within and bounded by a line beginning Spuyten Duyvil creek around the northern end at Jackson street and the East river, and run- of Manhattan island; thence southerly along ning thence through Jackson street, Grand the Hariem river to the north end of Fifth 13 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district No. 10, and within and bounded by a line beginning at the Hudson river at the foot of Canal street, and running thence along Canal street, Hudson street, Dominick street, Varick street, Broome street, Sullivan street, Spring street, Broadway, Fourth street, the Bowery and third avenue, Fourteenth street, Sixth avenue, West Fifteenth street, Seventh avenue, West Nineteenth street, Eighth avenue, West Twentieth street, and the Hudson river, to the place of beginning. 14 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of districts Nos. 1 and 13. and within and bounded by a line beginning at East Fourteenth street and the East river, and running thence along East Fourteenth street Irving place, East Nineteenth street, Third avenue, East Twenty-third street, Lexington avenue, East Fifty-third street, Third avenue, East Fifty-second street, and the East river, to the place of beginning. 15 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district number 18, and w thin and bounded by a line beginning at the junction of West Fourteenth street and Sixth avenue, and running thence along Sixth avenue, West Fifteenth street, Seventh avenue, West Fortieth street, Eighth avenue, and the transverse road across Central park at Ninetyseventh street, Fifth avenue, East Nicety-sixth street, Lexington avenue, East Twenty-third street, Third avenue, East Nineteenth streer, Irving place and Fourteenth street, to the place of beginning. 16 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district number 18, and within and bounded by a line beginning at Seventh avenue and West Nineteenth street, and running thence along West Nineteenth street, Eighth avenue, West Twentieth street, the Hudson river, West Forty-sixth street, Tenth avenue, West Forty-third street, Eighth avenue, West Fortieth street and Seventh avenue, to the place of beginning. 17 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district number 16, and within and bounded by a line beginning at the junction of Eighth avenue and West Fortythird street, and running thence along West Forty-third street, Tenth avenue, West Forty-on, Pittsford, Rush and Webster, and the 4th, sixth street, the Hudson river, West Eightyninth street, Tenth or Amsterdam avenue, West Eighty-sixth street, Ninth or Columbus avenue, West Eighty-first street and Eighth avenue, to the pace of beginning. 13 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district number 14, and within and bounded by a line beginning at the junction of East Fifty-second street and the East river, and running thence along East Fifty-second street, Third avenue, East Fiftythird street, Lexington avenue, East Eightyfourth street, Second avenue, East Eightythird street and the East river, to the place of beginning; and also Blackwell's island 19 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of district number 17, and within and bounded by a line beginning at West Eighty-ninth street and the Hudson river, and running thence along the Hudson river and avenue; thence along Fifth Avenue, East One Hundred and Twenty-ninth street, Fourth or Park avenue, East One Hundred and Tenth street, Fifth avenue, the transverse road across entral park at Ninety-seventh street. Eighth avenue, West Eighty-first street, Ninth or Columbus avenue, West Eighty-sixth street, Tenth or Amsterdam avenue and West Eightyninth street, to the place of beginnir g 20 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of districts numbers 18 and 15, and wi. hin and bounded by a line beginning at East Eighty-third street and the East river, running thence through East Eightythird street, Second avenue, East Eighty-fourth street, Lexington avenue, East Nin ty-sixth street, Fifth avenue, East One Hundred and Tenth street, Fourth or Park avenue, East One Hundred and Nineteenth street to the Harlem river, and along the Harlem and East rivers to the place of beginning; and also Randall's island and Ward's island. 21 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of distric s numbers 19 and 20, within an 1 bounded by a line beginning at East One Hundred and Nineteenth street and the Harlem river, and running thence along East One Hundred and Nineteenth street, Fourth or Park avenus, One Hundred and Twenty ninth street, Fifth avenue and the Harlem river, to the place of beginning; and all that part of the county of New York not before described. 22 Westchester. 23 Orange, Rockland. 24 Dutchess, Columbia, Putnam. 25 lster, Greene. 16 Delaware, Chenango, Sullivan. 27 Montgomery, Fulton, Hamilton, Schoharie. 28 Saratoga, Schenectady, Washington. 29 Albany. 30 Rennsselaer. 31 Clinton, Essex, Warren. 32 St. Lawrence, Franklin. 33 Otsego, Herkimer. 34 Oneida. 35 Jefferson Lewis. 36 Onondaga. 37 Oswego, Madison. 33 Broome, Cortland, Tioga. 39 Cayuga, Seneca. 40 (hemung, Tompkins, Schuyler. 48 Monroe county, towns of Brighton, Henrietta, Irondequoi, Mendon, Penfield, Perin 6th, 7th 8th, 1 th, 18th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th wards of the city of Rochester as constituted in 1894. 44 Monroe county, the towns of Chilf, Clarkson, Gates, Greece, Hamlin, Ogden, Parma, Riga, Steden and Wheatland, and the st, 2d, 3d, th, 9th 10th, 11th 15th, 19th and 20th wards of the city of Rochester, as constituted in 1894. 45 Niagara, Genesee, Orleans. 47 Buffalo, the 1st, 2d, 3d, 6th, 15th, 19th, 20th, 2 st. 221, 31 and 24th wards of the city of Buffalo, as constituted in 1894. 43 Buffalo, the 4th, 5th, 7th 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th and 16th wards of the city of Buffalo as constituted in 1891. 49 Buffalo, 17th, 18th and 25th wards as constituted in 1894; and the towns of Erie county. 10 Chautauqua, Cattaraugus. |