He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1876 to 1885, and was President pro tempore and Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1885 after the resignation of Governor Grover Cleveland and the succession of Lt. Gov. David B. Hill to the governorship.
He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1876 to 1885, and was President pro tempore in 1882 and from 1884 to 1885. He became Acting Lieutenant Governor of New York in 1885 after the resignation of Governor Grover Cleveland and the succession of Lt. Gov. David B. Hill to the governorship.