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 1 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.
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. RiddleKent County Henry B. Fiddeman William Sapp William M. ShakespeareSussex County John W. Causey John T. Moore Charles C. Stockley
House of Representatives 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. PyleKent County William Broadaway William B. Collins Thomas C. Green Webster D. Learned James H. Todd John M. Voshell J. Frank WildsSussex County Asa F. Conwell Paynter Frame Shephard P. Houston Robert Lambdin Joseph G. McNeal George H. Phillips John W. Phillips
References
Places with more information Delaware Historical Society; website; 505 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801; (302) 655-7161. University of Delaware; Library website; 181 South College Avenue, Newark, Delaware 19717; (302) 831-2965.