143rd New York State Legislature

The 143rd New York State Legislature, composed of the Senate and Assembly, convened from January 7 to September 1920 during Governor Al Smith's second year. The Legislature was elected under the 1894 state constitution, reapportioned in 1917, with 51 senators serving two-year terms and 150 assemblymen serving one-year terms. Senatorial districts were based on whole counties or contiguous areas within a single county, while Assembly districts were contiguous within the same county. Counties like New York, Kings, and Bronx had multiple senatorial districts. The 1919 state election saw the first women elected to the Assembly: Elizabeth V. Gillette (Democrat) of Schenectady and Marguerite L. Smith (Republican) of Harlem. The regular session began on January 7, 1920, with Thaddeus C. Sweet (R) re-elected Speaker. Early in the session, five Socialist assemblymen were suspended by Speaker Sweet, leading to their expulsion on April 1 after a Judiciary Committee recommendation. Charles Evans Hughes and Governor Al Smith criticized this action. The Legislature adjourned on April 25 after a 37-hour session, during which Marguerite L. Smith briefly presided as Speaker. A special session was called for September 20 to address New York City's housing crisis, with special elections held on September 16 to fill vacancies caused by the expulsions. All five Socialists were re-elected but faced another expulsion vote on September 21, resulting in three being ousted while two resigned in protest. The Senate and Assembly had various employees, including Ernest A. Fay as Senate Clerk and Fred W. Hammond as Assembly Clerk. The ...