83rd New York State Legislature
← 82nd 84th →
The Old State Capitol (1879)
Overview
Legislative body	New York State Legislature
Jurisdiction	New York, United States
Term	January 1 – December 31, 1860
Senate
Members	32
President	Lt. Gov. Robert Campbell (R)
Temporary President	Nathan Lapham (R), from January 25
Party control	Republican (23-9)
Assembly
Members	128
Speaker	DeWitt C. Littlejohn (R)
Party control	Republican (91-37)
Sessions
1st January 3 – April 17, 1860

The 83rd New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 3 to April 17, 1860, during the second year of Edwin D. Morgan'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 (four districts) and Kings County (two districts). 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 Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Know Nothings, or "American Party," endorsed either Republican or Democratic nominees.

Elections

The 1859 New York state election was held on November 8. The nine statewide elective offices were carried by six Republicans and three Democrats. The approximate party strength at this election, as gathered from the vote for State officers was: Republican 251,000; Democratic 227,000; and American 25,000. The Americans did not nominate own candidates, but endorsed five Republicans and four Democrats on their State ticket. This led to easy elections of the endorsed Republicans, but very tight races for the endorsed Democrats, three of whom were elected by very slim majorities.

Sessions

The Legislature met for the regular session at the Old State Capitol in Albany on January 3, 1860; and adjourned on April 17.

DeWitt C. Littlejohn (R) was re-elected Speaker with 89 votes against 30 for Theophilus C. Callicot (D).

On January 25, Nathan Lapham (R) was elected president pro tempore of the State Senate.

State Senate

Districts

Members

The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Francis B. Spinola, Lyman Truman, Alexander B. Williams and Erastus S. Prosser were re-elected. Edward A. Lawrence and Thomas A. Gardiner changed from the Assembly to the Senate.

Party affiliations follow the vote on Senate officers.

Employees

• Clerk: James Terwilliger
• Deputy Clerk: Loren B. Sessions
• Sergeant-at-Arms: James C. Clark
• Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: George H. Knapp
• Doorkeeper: Peter Kilmer
• First Assistant Doorkeeper: Charles Johnson
• Second Assistant Doorkeeper: John H. France
• Third Assistant Doorkeeper: Caspar Walter

State Assembly

Assemblymen

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

Party affiliations follow the vote for Speaker.

Employees

• Clerk: William Richardson^[2]
• Assistant Clerk: Luther Caldwell
• Sergeant-at-Arms: Eleazer A. Williams
• Doorkeeper: Joseph Ball
• First Assistant Doorkeeper: Charles L. Curtis
• Second Assistant Doorkeeper: Bradford Davis
• Journal Clerk: Cornelius S. Underwood
• Engrossing Clerk: Henry S. Crandall
• Senior Deputy Clerk: John A. Haddock