91st New York State Legislature

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The 91st New York State Legislature met in Albany from January 7 to May 6, 1868, during the fourth year of Governor Reuben E. Fenton’s term. It consisted of the New York State Senate (32 members) and the New York State Assembly (128 members).

What happened
- Party control: Senate Republicans, Assembly Democrats. The Senate’s strength was 17 Republicans to 15 Democrats; the Assembly’s was 74 Democrats to 54 Republicans.
- Leadership: In the Senate, Charles J. Folger (Republican) was elected president pro tempore on January 15. The Lieutenant Governor, Stewart L. Woodford (Republican), served as president of the Senate. In the Assembly, William Hitchman (Democrat) was the speaker.
- Concurrent constitutional convention: A constitutional convention, elected in 1867, met during this time to consider amendments to the state constitution. Most proposed changes were rejected by voters in 1869, with the exception of a proposed reorganization of the judiciary, which was also rejected later.
- Other notable actions:
- February 12: Matthew T. Brennan (Democrat) was elected Metropolitan Police Commissioner for an eight-year term.
- April 7: Abram B. Weaver (Democrat) was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction for three years.
- April 9–11: Assemblyman Elijah M. K. Glenn (Republican) accused Assemblyman Alexander Frear of accepting a bribe; a committee found no basis, and Glenn resigned on April 11.
- March 31 to June 12: The impeachment trial of Canal Commissioner Robert C. Dorn (Republican) took place before the State Senate and Court of Appeals; Dorn was acquitted on June 12.
- Elections and context: In the 1867 state election, Democrats won all eight statewide offices. The overall party strength in that election was roughly Democrats 373,000 to Republicans 325,000, even though the Legislature stayed split between the two parties. The session took place at the Old State Capitol in Albany.