New York state election, 1847
Encyclopedia
The 1847 New York state election was held on November 2, 1847, to elect the Lieutenant Governor
, the Secretary of State
, the State Comptroller
, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer
, the State Engineer
, three Canal Commissioners
and three Inspectors of State Prisons
, as well as all members of the New York State Assembly
and the New York State Senate
.
At the first judicial election
under the Constitution of 1846, Lieutenant Governor Addison Gardiner
was elected to the New York Court of Appeals
, and took office on July 4, 1847, thus vacating the lieutenant governorship. To fill the vacancy, on September 27, an Act by the state legislature authorized a special election, to be held at the annual state election.
The Democratic
state convention met in September at Syracuse, New York
. The party split over the slavery question, and the Barnburners
abandoned the convention. Orville Hungerford
defeated Azariah C. Flagg
for the nomination for Comptroller with 59 votes to 47.
The Barnburners held a separate state convention on October 26 at Herkimer, New York, but did not nominate a ticket. They told their followers "to vote as they must do when no regular nominations have been made," suggesting to support the Whig nominees rather than the Hunkers
on the Democratic ticket.
The Anti-Rent
state convention nominated Shepard for Lieutenant Governor with 11 votes for him, and 10 for Fish, on the second ballot.
The Canal Commissioners and Prison Inspectors, upon taking office, were classified by drawing lots, so that every following year one commissioner and one inspector would be elected to a three-year term. Cook and Gedney drew the one-year term, Hinds and Comstock the two-year term, and Beach and Spencer the three-year term.
24 Whigs and eight Democrats were elected to a two-year term in the New York State Senate
.
Elected to the New York State Assembly
, for the session of 1848, were 93 Whigs and 35 Democrats.
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...
, the Secretary of State
Secretary of State of New York
The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A...
, the State Comptroller
New York State Comptroller
The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:...
, the Attorney General, the State Treasurer
New York State Treasurer
The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the...
, the State Engineer
New York State Engineer and Surveyor
The New York State Engineer and Surveyor was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1848 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Department of Public Works which was...
, three Canal Commissioners
Erie Canal Commission
The New York State Legislature appointed in 1810 a Commission to Explore a Route for a Canal to Lake Erie, and Report which became known as the Erie Canal Commission...
and three Inspectors of State Prisons
New York State Prison Inspector
The Inspector of State Prisons was a statewide elective office created by the New York State Constitution of 1846. At the New York state election, 1847, three Inspectors were elected and then, upon taking office, so classified that henceforth every year one Inspector would be elected to a...
, as well as all members of the New York 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...
and the New York 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...
.
History
The New York State Constitution of 1846 legislated the incumbent state officers and members of legislature out of office. It required a number of state officers, who had been elected by the state legislature, to be elected by general ballot.At the first judicial election
New York special judicial election, 1847
At a special judicial election on June 7, 1847, four judges of the New York Court of Appeals, the Clerk of the Court of Appeals, 32 justices of the new New York Supreme Court district benches, county judges, surrogates, districty attorneys and all other judicial officers in the state of New York...
under the Constitution of 1846, Lieutenant Governor Addison Gardiner
Addison Gardiner
Addison Gardiner was an American lawyer and politician who was the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals from 1854 to 1855.-Early life and career:...
was elected to the New York Court of Appeals
New York Court of Appeals
The New York Court of Appeals is the highest court in the U.S. state of New York. The Court of Appeals consists of seven judges: the Chief Judge and six associate judges who are appointed by the Governor to 14-year terms...
, and took office on July 4, 1847, thus vacating the lieutenant governorship. To fill the vacancy, on September 27, an Act by the state legislature authorized a special election, to be held at the annual state election.
The Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
state convention met in September at Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
. The party split over the slavery question, and the Barnburners
Barnburners and Hunkers
The Barnburners were the more radical faction of the New York state Democratic Party in the mid 19th century. The term barnburner was derived from the idea of someone who would burn down his own barn to get rid of a rat infestation, in this case those who would destroy all banks and corporations,...
abandoned the convention. Orville Hungerford
Orville Hungerford
Orville Hungerford was a two-term United States Representative for the 19th District in New York. He was also a prominent merchant, banker, industrialist, Mason and railroad president in Watertown, New York.-Early years:...
defeated Azariah C. Flagg
Azariah C. Flagg
Azariah Cutting Flagg was an American newspaper editor and politician.-Life:...
for the nomination for Comptroller with 59 votes to 47.
The Barnburners held a separate state convention on October 26 at Herkimer, New York, but did not nominate a ticket. They told their followers "to vote as they must do when no regular nominations have been made," suggesting to support the Whig nominees rather than the Hunkers
Barnburners and Hunkers
The Barnburners were the more radical faction of the New York state Democratic Party in the mid 19th century. The term barnburner was derived from the idea of someone who would burn down his own barn to get rid of a rat infestation, in this case those who would destroy all banks and corporations,...
on the Democratic ticket.
The Anti-Rent
Anti-Rent War
The Anti-Rent War was a tenants' revolt in upstate New York during the early 19th century, beginning with the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer III in 1839....
state convention nominated Shepard for Lieutenant Governor with 11 votes for him, and 10 for Fish, on the second ballot.
Results
The whole Whig state ticket was elected. None of the incumbents ran for re-election this time.The Canal Commissioners and Prison Inspectors, upon taking office, were classified by drawing lots, so that every following year one commissioner and one inspector would be elected to a three-year term. Cook and Gedney drew the one-year term, Hinds and Comstock the two-year term, and Beach and Spencer the three-year term.
24 Whigs and eight Democrats were elected to a two-year term in the New York 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...
.
Elected to the New York 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...
, for the session of 1848, were 93 Whigs and 35 Democrats.
| Office | Whig ticket | Democratic ticket | Anti-Rent Anti-Rent War The Anti-Rent War was a tenants' revolt in upstate New York during the early 19th century, beginning with the death of Stephen Van Rensselaer III in 1839.... ticket |
Liberty Liberty Party (1840s) The Liberty Party was a minor political party in the United States in the 1840s . The party was an early advocate of the abolitionist cause... ticket |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor 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... |
Hamilton Fish Hamilton Fish Hamilton Fish was an American statesman and politician who served as the 16th Governor of New York, United States Senator and United States Secretary of State. Fish has been considered one of the best Secretary of States in the United States history; known for his judiciousness and reform efforts... |
170,072 | Nathan Dayton | 139,623 | Charles O. Shepard | Charles O. Shepard | 13,429 |
| Secretary of State Secretary of State of New York The Secretary of State of New York is a cabinet officer in the government of the U.S. state of New York.The current Secretary of State of New York is Cesar A... |
Christopher Morgan Christopher Morgan Christopher Morgan was a U.S. Representative from New York, brother of Edwin Barber Morgan and nephew of Noyes Barber.Born in Aurora, New York, Morgan pursued classical studies and was graduated from Yale College in 1830.... |
169,470 | Edward Sanford | 144,133 | Edward Sanford | ||
| Comptroller New York State Comptroller The New York State Comptroller is a state cabinet officer of the U.S. state of New York. The duties of the comptroller include auditing government operations and operating the state's retirement system.-History:... |
Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States and the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president... |
174,756 | Orville Hungerford Orville Hungerford Orville Hungerford was a two-term United States Representative for the 19th District in New York. He was also a prominent merchant, banker, industrialist, Mason and railroad president in Watertown, New York.-Early years:... |
136,027 | Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States and the last member of the Whig Party to hold the office of president... |
||
| Attorney General New York State Attorney General The New York State Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of New York. The office has been in existence in some form since 1626, under the Dutch colonial government of New York.The current Attorney General is Eric Schneiderman... |
Ambrose L. Jordan Ambrose L. Jordan Ambrose Latting Jordan was an American lawyer, newspaper editor and politician.-Early life:... |
174,763 | Levi S. Chatfield Levi S. Chatfield Levi Starr Chatfield was an American lawyer and politician.-Life:He was the son of Enos Chatfield and Hannah Starr Chatfield .... |
139,481 | Ambrose L. Jordan Ambrose L. Jordan Ambrose Latting Jordan was an American lawyer, newspaper editor and politician.-Early life:... |
||
| Treasurer New York State Treasurer The New York State Treasurer was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1776 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the new Department of Audit and Control headed by the... |
Alvah Hunt Alvah Hunt Alvah Hunt was an American merchant and politician.-Life:He lived at Greene, Chenango County, New York, where he married Anna Birdsall .... |
169,422 | George W. Cuyler | 145,966 | George W. Cuyler | ||
| State Engineer New York State Engineer and Surveyor The New York State Engineer and Surveyor was a state cabinet officer in the State of New York between 1848 and 1926. During the re-organization of the state government under Governor Al Smith, the office was abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Department of Public Works which was... |
Charles B. Stuart Charles B. Stuart Charles Beebe Stuart was an American engineer, United States Navy and Union Army officer and politician.-Biography:... |
173,003 | Orville W. Childs | 134,944 | Charles B. Stuart Charles B. Stuart Charles Beebe Stuart was an American engineer, United States Navy and Union Army officer and politician.-Biography:... |
||
| Canal Commissioners Erie Canal Commission The New York State Legislature appointed in 1810 a Commission to Explore a Route for a Canal to Lake Erie, and Report which became known as the Erie Canal Commission... |
Charles Cook Charles Cook (New York) Charles Cook was an American politician from New York.-Life:... |
169,860 | John C. Mather John C. Mather (New York) John Cotton Mather was an American politician. In 1853, he was the first person tried by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments.-Life:... |
147,124 | John C. Mather John C. Mather (New York) John Cotton Mather was an American politician. In 1853, he was the first person tried by the New York Court for the Trial of Impeachments.-Life:... |
||
| Jacob Hinds Jacob Hinds -Life:In 1826, he married Almira Waldron , and they had five children, among them Franklin Hinds, Harrison Hinds, Mary Katherine Hinds and Minerva A. Hinds .... |
175,095 | Elisha B. Smith | 139,395 | Jacob Hinds Jacob Hinds -Life:In 1826, he married Almira Waldron , and they had five children, among them Franklin Hinds, Harrison Hinds, Mary Katherine Hinds and Minerva A. Hinds .... |
|||
| Nelson J. Beach Nelson J. Beach Nelson John Beach was an American surveyor, businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
174,948 | Frederick Follett Frederick Follett Frederick Follett was an American journalist, newspaper editor and politician from New York.-Life:He was the son of Frederick Follett .... |
139,217 | Nelson J. Beach Nelson J. Beach Nelson John Beach was an American surveyor, businessman and politician from New York.-Life:... |
|||
| Inspector of State Prisons New York State Prison Inspector The Inspector of State Prisons was a statewide elective office created by the New York State Constitution of 1846. At the New York state election, 1847, three Inspectors were elected and then, upon taking office, so classified that henceforth every year one Inspector would be elected to a... |
John B. Gedney John B. Gedney -Life:He was a member of the Gedney family, and lived at White Plains, Westchester County, New York. He married Ann McFarquhar .He was one of the first three Inspectors of State Prisons elected on the Whig ticket in 1847 under the New York State Constitution of 1846, and drew the one-year term,... |
Norman B. Smith | |||||
| Isaac N. Comstock Isaac N. Comstock Isaac Newton Comstock was an American politician from New York.-Biography:He lived at Albany, New York. He married Elizabeth Hussey Isaac Newton Comstock (January 25, 1808 Saratoga County, New York - March 24, 1883) was an American politician from New York.-Biography:He lived at Albany, New York.... |
George Caldwell | ||||||
| David D. Spencer David D. Spencer David D. Spencer was an American editor and politician from New York.-Life:... |
John Fisher | ||||||
Sources
- Result for Lt. Gov. in Manual of the Corporation of the City of New York (1852; page 367)
- Results in The Whig Almanac and United States Register for 1844 to 1849
See also
- New York gubernatorial elections
- New York state electionsNew York state electionsThis is a general overview of the New York state elections.The first state election was held in June 1777, and the Governor and Lieutenant Governor were the only statewide elected officials. Besides them, the Assemblymen were elected in the counties, and the State Senators in the senatorial...