United States Senate election in New York, 1881
Encyclopedia
The 1881 United States Senate election in New York was held on January 18, 1881, by the New York State Legislature to elect a U.S. Senator (Class 1) to represent the State of New York
in the United States Senate
.
had been elected in January 1875 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1881.
At the State election in November 1879
, 25 Republicans and 7 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1880-1881) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1880
, 81 Republicans and 47 Democrats were elected for the session of 1881 to the Assembly. The 104th State Legislature met from January 4, 1881, on at Albany, New York
.
presided. All but one of the legislators were present, only State Senator Edward M. Madden (13th D.) was absent. The caucus nominated Ex-Congressman Thomas C. Platt
for the U.S. Senate. Platt was a friend of the other U.S. Senator from New York, Roscoe Conkling
, and belonged to the Stalwart faction. The opposing Half-Breeds
(in the press sometimes referred to as the "anti-machine men") at first wanted to nominate Chauncey M. Depew, but he withdrew before balloting. The majority of the Half-Breeds, led by President pro tempore of the State Senate William H. Robertson
, then supported Platt, a minority voted for Sherman S. Rogers, the defeated Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
in 1876. Congressman Richard Crowley was supported by a faction led by Speaker of the State Assembly George H. Sharpe
, allied with Governor Alonzo B. Cornell
. U.S. Vice President William A. Wheeler, and Congressmen Elbridge G. Lapham and Levi P. Morton also received votes.
Notes:
in protest against the distribution of federal patronage in New York by President James A. Garfield, a Half-Breed, without being consulted, what Conkling said was a breach of a pledge given by Garfield. The confrontation between the Stalwart and the Half-Breed factions of the Republican party arose when the leader of the Half-Breeds William H. Robertson was appointed Collector of the Port of New York
, the highest paying federal office in New York, a position Conkling wanted to give to one of his Stalwart friends. Conkling and Platt then tried to show their power by standing for re-election, but Elbridge G. Lapham
and Warner Miller
were elected instead to fill the vacancies. This effectively ended Conkling's political career, and severely harmed Platt's. However, 16 years later, in 1897, Platt was re-elected to the U.S. Senate, and served two terms.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
.
Background
Democrat Francis KernanFrancis Kernan
Francis Kernan was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a U.S. Senator from 1875 to 1881....
had been elected in January 1875 to this seat, and his term would expire on March 3, 1881.
At the State election in November 1879
New York state election, 1879
The 1879 New York state election was held on November 4, 1879, to elect the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Comptroller, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer and the State Engineer, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly and the New York...
, 25 Republicans and 7 Democrats were elected for a two-year term (1880-1881) in the State Senate. At the State election in November 1880
New York state election, 1880
The 1880 New York state election was held on November 2, 1880, to elect the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly.-History:...
, 81 Republicans and 47 Democrats were elected for the session of 1881 to the Assembly. The 104th State Legislature met from January 4, 1881, on at Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
.
Republican caucus
The caucus of Republican State legislators met on January 13, State Senator Dennis McCarthyDennis McCarthy (congressman)
Dennis McCarthy was an American manufacturer and politician from New York.-Life:...
presided. All but one of the legislators were present, only State Senator Edward M. Madden (13th D.) was absent. The caucus nominated Ex-Congressman Thomas C. Platt
Thomas C. Platt
Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century...
for the U.S. Senate. Platt was a friend of the other U.S. Senator from New York, Roscoe Conkling
Roscoe Conkling
Roscoe Conkling was a politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He was the leader of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party and the last person to refuse a U.S. Supreme Court appointment after he had...
, and belonged to the Stalwart faction. The opposing Half-Breeds
Half-Breed (politics)
The "Half-Breeds" were a political faction of the United States Republican Party that existed in the late 19th century. The Half-Breeds were a moderate-wing group, and they were the opponents of the Stalwarts, the other main faction of the Republican Party. The main issue that separated the...
(in the press sometimes referred to as the "anti-machine men") at first wanted to nominate Chauncey M. Depew, but he withdrew before balloting. The majority of the Half-Breeds, led by President pro tempore of the State Senate William H. Robertson
William H. Robertson
William Henry Robertson was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a United States Representative from 1867 to 1869, and President pro tempore of the New York State Senate.-Life:He was the son of Henry Robertson...
, then supported Platt, a minority voted for Sherman S. Rogers, the defeated Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor of New York
Lieutenant Governor of New York
The Lieutenant Governor of New York is a constitutional office in the executive branch of the government of New York State. It is the second highest ranking official in state government. The lieutenant governor is elected on a ticket with the governor for a four year term...
in 1876. Congressman Richard Crowley was supported by a faction led by Speaker of the State Assembly George H. Sharpe
George H. Sharpe
George Henry Sharpe was an American lawyer, soldier, secret service officer, diplomat and politician.-Early life:...
, allied with Governor Alonzo B. Cornell
Alonzo B. Cornell
Alonzo Barton Cornell was a New York politician and businessman who served as 27th Governor of New York from 1880 to 1882.-Early years:...
. U.S. Vice President William A. Wheeler, and Congressmen Elbridge G. Lapham and Levi P. Morton also received votes.
| Office | Candidate | First ballot |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator | Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
54 |
| Richard Crowley Richard Crowley Richard Crowley was a United States Representative from New York. He was born in Pendleton, New York. He attended the public schools and Lockport Union School. Later, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Lockport, New York.Crowley was the city attorney of... |
26 | |
| Sherman S. Rogers | 10 | |
| William A. Wheeler William A. Wheeler William Almon Wheeler was a Representative from New York and the 19th Vice President of the United States .-Early life and career:... |
10 | |
| Elbridge G. Lapham Elbridge G. Lapham Elbridge Gerry Lapham was a U.S. Senator from New York from 1881-1885.-Life:Lapham attended the public schools and the Canandaigua Academy. He studied civil engineering and law and was admitted to the bar in 1844 and practiced in Canandaigua, New York.He was a delegate to the New York State... |
4 | |
| Levi P. Morton Levi P. Morton Levi Parsons Morton was a Representative from New York and the 22nd Vice President of the United States . He also later served as the 31st Governor of New York.-Biography:... |
1 | |
Democratic caucus
The caucus of the Democratic State legislators met on January 17, State Senator Charles A. Fowler (14th D.) presided. They re-nominated the incumbent U.S. Senator Francis Kernan by acclamation.Result
Thomas C. Platt was the choice of both the State Senate and the Assembly, and was declared elected.| Office | House | Republican | Democrat | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Senator | State Senate New York State Senate The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve... (32 members) |
Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
25 | Francis Kernan Francis Kernan Francis Kernan was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a U.S. Senator from 1875 to 1881.... |
6 |
| State Assembly New York State Assembly The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652... (128 members) |
Thomas C. Platt Thomas C. Platt Thomas Collier Platt was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives and a three-term U.S. Senator from New York in the years 1881 and 1897-1909 — is best known as the "political boss" of the Republican Party in New York State in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century... |
79 | Francis Kernan Francis Kernan Francis Kernan was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was a U.S. Senator from 1875 to 1881.... |
44 | |
Notes:
- The votes were cast on January 18, but both Houses met in a joint session on January 19 to compare nominations, and declare the result.
- State Senator Stevens (Dem., 22nd D.) was absent and did not vote.
Aftermath
Platt remained in office for only ten weeks, until May 16, 1881, when he resigned together with his boss Roscoe ConklingRoscoe Conkling
Roscoe Conkling was a politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He was the leader of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party and the last person to refuse a U.S. Supreme Court appointment after he had...
in protest against the distribution of federal patronage in New York by President James A. Garfield, a Half-Breed, without being consulted, what Conkling said was a breach of a pledge given by Garfield. The confrontation between the Stalwart and the Half-Breed factions of the Republican party arose when the leader of the Half-Breeds William H. Robertson was appointed Collector of the Port of New York
Collector of the Port of New York
The Collector of Customs at the Port of New York, most often referred to as Collector of the Port of New York, sometimes also as Collector of Customs for the Port of New York or Collector of Customs for the District of New York, was a federal officer who was in charge of the collection of import...
, the highest paying federal office in New York, a position Conkling wanted to give to one of his Stalwart friends. Conkling and Platt then tried to show their power by standing for re-election, but Elbridge G. Lapham
Elbridge G. Lapham
Elbridge Gerry Lapham was a U.S. Senator from New York from 1881-1885.-Life:Lapham attended the public schools and the Canandaigua Academy. He studied civil engineering and law and was admitted to the bar in 1844 and practiced in Canandaigua, New York.He was a delegate to the New York State...
and Warner Miller
Warner Miller
Warner Miller was a Representative and a United States Senator from New York.-Birth and early life:Miller was born in Hannibal, Oswego County, New York on August 12, 1838. He attended the common schools and the Charlottesville Academy...
were elected instead to fill the vacancies. This effectively ended Conkling's political career, and severely harmed Platt's. However, 16 years later, in 1897, Platt was re-elected to the U.S. Senate, and served two terms.
Sources
- Members of the 47th United States Congress
- SENATOR THOMAS C. PLATT; SELECTED BY THE CAUCUS UPON THE FIRST BALLOT in NYT on January 14, 1881
- COMPLIMENTING MR. KERNAN.; THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS RENOMINATES HIM FOR UNITED STATES SENATOR in NYT on January 18, 1881
- Election result: BUSY STATE LEGISLATORS in NYT on January 19, 1881