80th Delaware General Assembly

The 80th 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, 1879, which was two weeks before the beginning of the first administrative year of Governor John W. Hall.

Governor John W. Hall
80th General Assembly
In office January 6, 1879 – January 4, 1881
Preceded by	79th Assembly
Succeeded by	81st 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 80th Delaware General Assembly session both chambers had a Democratic majority.

Leadership

Senate

• Charles J. Harrington, Kent County, Democratic

House of Representatives

• Swithin Chandler., 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 Joseph W. Cooch Charles H. McWhorter Harry Sharpley

Kent County J. Frank Denney Charles J. Harrington Caleb S. Pennewill

Sussex County Isaac Conaway James A. Hopkins Catesby F. Rust

House of Representative

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

New Castle County William P. Biggs Swithin Chandler Edwin R. Cochran William Dean John Doran Giles Lambson James W. Ware

Kent County John E. Collins Minos Conaway Cornelius J. Hall Peter M. Landall Davis Needles John A. Savin John W. Sharp

Sussex County Jacob G. Cannon Isaac N. Hooks Clement C. Hearn Shephard F. Houston James Law Eli S. Short Joshua Webb

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]