84th Delaware General Assembly

The 84th 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 1 and terms began in Dover on the first Tuesday in January. This year was January 4, 1887, which was two weeks before the beginning of the first administrative year of Governor Benjamin T. Biggs.

Governor Benjamin T. Biggs
84th General Assembly
In office January 4, 1887 – January 1, 1889
Preceded by	83rd Assembly
Succeeded by	85th 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 84th Delaware General Assembly session both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• John E. Collins, Kent County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• William R. McCabe, Sussex 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 Calvin W. Crossan Colen Ferguson Charles H. McWhorter

Kent County John E. Collins William H. Cooper Beniah L. Lewis

Sussex County Thomas Bacon John B. Dorman Hugh Martin

House of Representative

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

New Castle County Swithin Chandler Douglas M. McCoy George D. Medill James A. Mulligan Elwood R. Norney William F. Smalley James W. Ware

Kent County William R. Allaband John Harrington John H. Jones Peter E. L owber Philemon Scotton John W. Taylor Franklin Temple

Sussex County Robert W. Dasey George W. Magee William R. McCabe William T. Perry William C. Rust Lemuel W. Waples Thomas R. Wilson

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]