THE STATE SENATE. Its History Membership under Various ApportionmentsPresent Senate. The 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 Constitution the Senate consisted of twentyfour members, apportioned among four great districts. After the first election they were divided by lot into four classes, so that the terms of six should expire each year. An additional Senator was to be added to each district whenever, by a septennial census, it was shown that the number of electors in the district had increased one-twenty-fourth. This increase was to be allowed until the number reached 100. Lieutenant-Governor is, ex Surrogates, Masters and Examiners in 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 Wardens and Pilots, Directors in certain Banks, Inspectors and Clerks of Prisons, Indian agents, etc., Inspectors of turnpikes, Canal Appraisers, MajorGenerals, Brigade Inspectors and Chiefs of the Staff departments, except Adjutant-General (appointed by the Governor) and Commissary-General. At the time of the adoption of the new Constitution, 2,238 officers were thus appointed. The census of 1795 made the number forty-three. In 1801, the rule being found unequal in its operation, the Constitution was amended so as to fix the number permanently at thirtytwo, which has ever since been retained. The power of appointment by the Governor and Senate is limited to Superintendent of Public Works, Superintendent of Prisons, Superintendents of the Bank and Insurance Departments, Railroad Commissioners, 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 and Commissary-General. 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, Bee 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 in executive session, and they usually on such occasions sit with closed 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. four years. Under the present Constitution, the Senate consists of fifty members, who are elected each even 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, 1793Same countles-entitled to nine Senators uatil 1808, and to five from 1808 to 1815. Act of April 17, 1815-Du chess, Kings, New York, Putnam, Queens, 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 18 8, and to seven from 1808 to 1815 Act of April 17, 18 5Albany, Chenango, Coimbía, 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, 1788,-entitled to three Senators Act of February 7, 1791Clinton, Columbia, Rensse aer and Washington-entitled to five Senators. Act of March 4, 1796-Albany, Clinton, Rensselaer, 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 Second Constitution. WESTERN DISTRICT. By Constitution Albany, Tryon 4, and Ontario from January 27, 1783, 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, 198- Allegany, Herkimer, Montgomery until 1803; Onondaga, Ontario, Otsego, Schoharie, Tioga, Steuben from March 18, 1796, 1; Oneida from March 15, 1748, 1; Cayuga from March 8, 1799, 1; St. Lawrence from March 3, 1802, 1; Genesee from March 30, 1804, 1; Seneca from March 29, 1804, 1; Jefferson and Lewis from March 28, 1805, 1; Madison from March 21, 1806, 1; Broome from March 23, 1806, 1; Cattaraugus. Chautauque and Niagara from March 11, 1808, 1; and Cortland from April 8, 1808, 1-entitled to eleven members until 1803, nine from 1803 until 1908, and twelve from 1508 to 1815. Act of April 17, 1815-Allegany. Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, 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. 3. Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, 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. 2 Now Washington county 4 Name changed to Montgomery April 2, 1784. 5 Brooklyn, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 11th and 20th wards. 6 Brooklyn, 8th, 24th, 26th and 8th wards, the towns of Gravesend, rlatbush, latlands 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 Elis islands. Census of 1893-Act of April 30, 1892. 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. 4 Bro klyn, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th and 27th 15 wards. 1 Suffolk and Richmond. 2 Queens. 8 Brooklyn, 1ɛt, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th wards. 26 Cayuga, Seneca, Tioga, Tompkins. 4 Brooklyn, 7th, 18th, 19th and 21st wards. 5 Brooklyn, 8th, 10th, 12 h and 13th wards, and the ward of Brooklyn which was formerly the town of Gravesend 18 Counties of Columbia and Rensselaer. 20 Counties of Herkimer, Montgomery, Sara- 21 Counties of Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hami ton, Warren and Washington. Counties of Jefferson, Oswego and St. Lawrence. 22 8 New York, 4th, 6th, 7th, 11th and 13th wards. 23 Counties of Lewis, Oneida and Otsego. 26 27 28 29 30 6 Brooklyn, 9th, 11th, 20th and 224 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, 20th, 27th and 28th wards. 28 Ontario, Schuyler, Wayne, Yates. 80 Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Wyoming. 82 Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, 18 That part of the 2d ward in the city of 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, Dominiek street, Varick street, 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. Twenty-fourth ward of the city of New York, and the counties of Putnam and Westchester. 16 Counties of Dutchess, Orange and Rockland. 17 Counties of Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster. Constitution of 1894. Counties of Cayuga, Ontario, Tompkins, Counties of Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca Couaties of Genesee, Livingston, Niagara, Buffalo, 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 14th, 19th and 20th wards. Buffalo, 15th, 16th, 17th. 18th, 2 st, 22d, 23d, 24th and 25th wards, together with all that portion of Erie county lying outside of the city of Buffalo. Counties of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Allegany. 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 Ellis 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 junction of Broadway and Canal street, and running thence along Broadway, Fourth stre t, 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 11 and within and bounded by a line beginning at Jackson street and the East river, and running thence through Jackson street, Grand 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 along the East river, to the place of beginning. Spuyten Duyvil creek around the northern end of Manhattan island; thence southerly along the Harlem river to the north end of Fifth 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-frst street, Ninth or Columbus avenue, West Eighty-sixth street, Tenth or Amsterdam avenue and West Eightyn nth street, to the place of beginning 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 20 New York, that part of the county of running thence along Canal street, Hudson New York lying north of districts numbers 18 street, Dominick street, Varick street, Broome and 15, and wishin and bounded by a line beginstreet, Sullivan street, Spring street, Broad-ning at East Eighty-third street and the East way, Fourth street, the Bowery and third river, running thence through East Eightyavenue, Fourteenth street, Sixth avenue, West third street, Second avenu, East Eighty-fourth Fifteenth street, Seveath avenue, West Nine- street, Lexington av nue, East Nin ty-sixth teenth street, Eighth avenue, West Twentieth street, Fifth avenue, East One Hundred and street, and the Hudson river, to the place of Tenth street, Fourth or Park avenue, East One beginning. 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 avenue, 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. 14 New York, that part of the county of New York lying north of districts Nos. 14 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 Ninety-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 ying 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 Fortysixth 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 p ace of beginning. 11 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 4 Ontario, Wayne. 48 Monroe county, towns of Brighton, Henrietta Irondequoi, Mendon, Penfield, Perinon, Pittsford, Rush and Webster, and the 4th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 1 th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th and 18th wards of the city of Rochester as constituted in 1894. 44 Monroe county, the towns of Chill, Clarkson, Gates, Greece, Hamlin, Ogden, Parma, Riga, Seden and Wheatland, and the st, 2d, 3d, th, 9h, 10th, 11th 12th, 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. 223, 13d and 24th wards of the city of Buffalo, as constituted in 1834. 48 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 1834; and the towns of Erie county. 10 Chautauqua, Cattaraugus. |