The Assembly districts were made up of entire towns, or city wards,[1] forming a contiguous area, all within the same county.

The Legislature met for the regular session at the State Capitol in Albany on January 6, 1885; and adjourned on May 15.

[2] On January 20, the Legislature elected William M. Evarts (R) to succeed Elbridge G. Lapham (R) as U.S.

Hill's proclamation for a special session, to convene on the same day at 4 p.m., were delivered to the clerks of the Senate and the Assembly.

In his message to the Legislature, Hill stated that the Constitution required an "enumeration", but not a "census".