83rd Delaware General Assembly

The 83rd 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 6, 1885, which was two weeks before the beginning of the third administrative year of Governor Charles C. Stockley.

Governor Charles C. Stockley
83rd General Assembly
In office January 6, 1885 – January 4, 1887
Preceded by	82nd Assembly
Succeeded by	84th 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 83rd Delaware General Assembly session both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Alexander B. Cooper, New Castle County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• William A. Comegys, New Castle County, Democraticv

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 Swithin Chandler Alexander B. Cooper Charles H. McWhorter

Kent County Wilson T. Cavender William H. Cooper Samuel D. Roe

Sussex County Edward W. Houston Hugh Martin David L. Mustard

House of Representative

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

New Castle County Theodore F. Armstrong Henry M. Barlow William A Comegys Richard Ferguson Enoch Moore Abram Palmer, Jr. John M. Wilson

Kent County Christian G. Brown Henry H. Howe Nicholas R. Johnson John F. Saulsbury John H. Schabinger James Virden William T. Watson Joshua Bennett

Sussex County Jacob H. Adams David H. Adkins Jacob W. Cannon Joseph B. Hearn William R. McCabe John Tatman John O. Truitt

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]