In 1938 a new charter came into effect that replaced the Board of Aldermen with the New York City Council.

[2] This made the Common Council bicameral as both Boards were separate bodies who possessed veto power over each other's proceedings.

[3] The New York State Legislature passed a bill in 1872 abolishing bicameralism in the fallout of Boss Tweed's corruption, which lavished on the assistant aldermen.

[4] Under the bill the Board of Aldermen would have comprised 45 members with 9 elected from each Senate district[5] via cumulative voting.

[14] This was not uncontroversial; The New York Times noted the corruption associated with the city's previous attempt at bicameralism.

"[19] The return to bicameralism proved to be short-lived, however, when a new charter passed in 1901 entailed removing the council and making the President of the Board of Aldermen directly elected by City citizens.

Heads of administrative departments had seats in the Board and could be compelled to answer questions of it and participate in debate, but were not entitled to vote.

[21][22] Proportional representation was abolished in 1947 due in large part to its success at providing fairness by electing Communist council members who had sufficient votes.