This is a definitive history of New York State politics, from the colonial era to the early 20th century. Alexander was a prominent historian and political analyst, and his book offers a wealth of detail on the political leaders, parties, and movements that shaped the state's development. He also discusses the major issues of the day, such as slavery, suffrage, and Prohibition, and provides incisive commentary on the successes and failures of various policies. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of New York politics, or the history of American politics more generally. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.