78th Delaware General Assembly

The 78th Delaware General Assembly was a meeting of the legislative branch of the state government, consisting of the Delaware Senate and the Delaware House of Representatives. Elections were held the first Tuesday after November 1st and terms began in Dover on the first Tuesday in January. This date was January 1, 1875, which was two weeks before the beginning of the first administrative year of Governor John P. Cochran.

Governor John P. Cochran
78th General Assembly
In office January 1, 1875 – January 7, 1877
Preceded by	77th Assembly
Succeeded by	79th Assembly

Currently the distribution of the Senate Assembly seats was made to three senators for each of the three counties. Likewise the current distribution of the House Assembly seats was made to seven representatives for each of the three counties. The actual population changes of the county did not directly affect the number of senators or representatives at this time.

In the 78th Delaware General Assembly session both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Charles C. Stockley, Sussex County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• Thomas Holcomb, Sr., New Castle County, Democratic

Members

Senate

Senators were normally elected by the public for a four-year term; although many were selected to fill the remainder of a vacant position.

New Castle County Henry Davis James H. Ray Leander F. Riddle

Kent County Henry B. Fiddeman William Sapp William M. Shakespeare

Sussex County John W. Causey John T. Moore Charles C. Stockley

House of Representative

Representatives were elected by the public for a two-year term.

New Castle County Thomas L.J. Baldwin, Jr. William P. Biggs Thomas Bird Samuel Hanby Thomas Holcomb, Sr. Henry A. Nowland Isaac C. Pyle

Kent County William Broadaway William B. Collins Thomas C. Green Webster D. Learned James H. Todd John M. Voshell J. Frank Wilds

Sussex County Asa F. Conwell Paynter Frame Shephard P. Houston Robert Lambdin Joseph G. McNeal George H. Phillips John W. Phillips

References

• Hoffecker, Carol E. (2004). Democracy in Delaware. Wilmington, Delaware: Cedar Tree Books. ISBN 1-892142-23-6.
• Martin, Roger A. (1995). Memoirs of the Senate. Newark, Delaware: Roger A. Martin.

Places with more information

• Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; [phone]
• University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; [phone]