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47th Wisconsin Legislature
46th 48th
Wisconsin State Capitol under reconstruction after the 1904 fire
Overview
Legislative body Wisconsin Legislature
Meeting place Wisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 2, 1905 – January 7, 1907
ElectionNovember 8, 1904
Senate
Members33
Senate President James O. Davidson ( R)
until Jan. 1, 1906
President pro tempore James J. McGillivray ( R)
Party control Republican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly Speaker Irvine Lenroot ( R)
Party control Republican
Sessions
1stJanuary 11, 1905 – June 21, 1905
Special sessions
Dec. 1905 Spec.December 4, 1905 – December 19, 1905

The Forty-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 11, 1905, to June 21, 1905, in regular session, and re-convened for a special session from December 4, 1905, through December 19, 1905. [1] During this term, legislative business was largely held in the north wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol, which was the only part of the capitol to remain intact after the 1904 fire. [2]

This session saw passage of several signature progressive reforms pushed by Governor Robert M. La Follette. Including the creation of a civil service commission to implement merit-based rules for all state government jobs, creation of new powers and commissions for railroad, public health, and tax regulation, and attempts to eliminate lobbying and corporate-funding of political campaigns. This was also the first of several sessions in which Milwaukee County sent a substantial delegation of socialist democrats to the Legislature.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term. Assembly members were elected to a two-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 8, 1904. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 4, 1902. [1]

Major events

Major legislation

  • April 26, 1905: An Act providing for the location of a state normal school at the city of La Crosse, and making an appropriation therefor, 1905 Act 121. Origin of the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse.
  • May 12, 1905: An Act prescribing the duties of physicians and others relative to infectious diseases, 1905 Act 192. Mandated reporting of statistics of certain infectious diseases to state health authorities, and setting requirements for quarantining, decontamination, and public information. Also criminalized interfering with public health actions, and mandated reporting of any such interference.
  • May 12, 1905: An Act relating to inn-keepers and for the promotion of the public health, 1905 Act 198. Required innkeepers to deny service to people suffering from communicable diseases.
  • June 5, 1905: An Act regulating automobiles, auto-cars and other similar motor vehicles on the public highways within the state, 1905 Act 305. First law for registration and licensing of automobiles in the state, and establishing speed limits.
  • June 13, 1905: An Act to regulate railroads and other common carriers in this state, create a board of railroad commissioners, fix their salaries, define their duties, prevent the imposition of unreasonable rates, prevent unjust discriminations, insure an adequate railway service, prescribe the mode of procedure and the rules of evidence in relation thereto, prescribe penalties for violations, and making an appropriation therefor, 1905 Act 362. Abolished the statewide elected office of Railroad Commissioner and created a board of commissioners.
  • June 14, 1905: An Act in relation to the civil service of the state of Wisconsin and making an appropriation, 1905 Act 363. Established a civil service commission and mandated that all future government appointments must follow merit-based rules defined by the civil service commission.
  • June 19, 1905: An Act to amend chapter 569 of the laws of 1901 entitled "An Act to detach certain territory from the county of Chippewa and to create the county of Gates," 1905 Act 463. Renamed Gates County to Rusk County.
  • June 20, 1905: An Act prohibiting legislative counsel and agents from attempting to influence members of the legislature other than by appearance before the committees therof, 1905 Act 473. Attempted to ban lobbying.
  • June 21, 1905: An Act relating to the use of money by corporations in elections, 1905 Act 492. Attempted to ban corporations from spending money on political campaigns or candidates.
  • Joint Resolution granting return of confederate flags to state of Alabama, 1905 Joint Resolution 10. Returned several regimental flags captured by Wisconsin regiments during the American Civil War.
  • Joint Resolution providing for an amendment to section 10, article 8 of the constitution, relating to internal improvement, 1905 Joint Resolution 11. First legislative passage of a proposed amendment to authorize appropriations for highway construction.
  • 1905 Joint Resolution 12. Proposing an amendment to the state constitution to allow an income tax. This amendment had different language from a similar 1903 proposed amendment, and therefore was the first legislative passage of the amendment.
  • Joint Resolution to amend section 10 article 5 of the constitution relating to the approval of bills by the governor, 1905 Joint Resolution 14. First legislative passage of a proposed amendment to put a time limit on gubernatorial vetos.
  • Joint Resolution providing for an amemlnient to section 1 of article 3 of the constitution, relating to electors, 1905 Joint Resolution 15. First legislative passage of a proposed amendment to remove voting rights from non-citizens.

Summary

Senate summary

Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 4 seats
  Social Dem.: 1 seat
  Republican: 28 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 3 0 29 32 1
Start of 1st Session 4 1 28 33 0
Final voting share 15.15% 84.85%
Beginning of the next Legislature 5 1 27 33 0

Assembly summary

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 11 seats
  Social Dem.: 4 seats
  Republican: 85 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 24 0 73 97 3
Start of 1st Session 11 4 85 100 0
From Sept. 11, 1906 [note 1] 84 99 1
Final voting share 15% 85%
Beginning of the next Legislature 19 5 76 100 0

Sessions

  • 1st Regular session: January 11, 1905 – June 21, 1905
  • December 1905 Special session: December 4, 1905 – December 19, 1905

Leaders

Senate leadership

Assembly leadership

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Senate for the Forty-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature: [4]

Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 4 seats
  Social Dem.: 1 seat
  Republican: 28 seats
Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party
01 Door, Kewaunee, & Marinette Harlan P. Bird Wausaukee Rep.
02 Brown & Oconto Henry F. Hagemeister Green Bay Rep.
03 Kenosha & Racine Otis W. Johnson Racine Rep.
04 Milwaukee (Northern Part) Theodore C. Froemming Milwaukee Rep.
05 Milwaukee (City Center) Charles C. Rogers Milwaukee Rep.
06 Milwaukee (City Northwest) Jacob Rummel Milwaukee Soc.D.
07 Milwaukee (Southern & Western County) Barney Eaton Milwaukee Rep.
08 Milwaukee (City South) Julius E. Roehr Milwaukee Rep.
09 Adams, Marquette, Waushara, & Wood Herman C. Wipperman Grand Rapids Rep.
10 Pierce & St. Croix James A. Frear Hudson Rep.
11 Burnett, Douglas, & Polk George Hudnall Superior Rep.
12 Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, & Washburn Albert W. Sanborn Ashland Rep.
13 Dodge William C. North Fox Lake Dem.
14 Outagamie & Shawano Fred M. Wilcox Appleton Rep.
15 Calumet & Manitowoc Samuel W. Randolph Manitowoc Dem.
16 Crawford & Grant Edward E. Burns Platteville Rep.
17 Green, Iowa, & Lafayette Harry C. Martin Darlington Rep.
18 Fond du Lac & Green Lake Charles H. Smith Markesan Dem.
19 Winnebago Ephraim E. Stevens Oshkosh Rep.
20 Ozaukee & Sheboygan George W. Wolff Rhine Rep.
21 Portage & Waupaca William H. Hatton New London Rep.
22 Rock John M. Whitehead Janesville Rep.
23 Jefferson & Walworth Zadoc P. Beach Whitewater Rep.
24 Chippewa, Eau Claire, & Gates James H. Noble Eau Claire Rep.
25 Clark & Marathon Andrew L. Kreutzer Wausau Rep.
26 Dane Albert M. Stondall Madison Rep.
27 Columbia & Sauk George Wylie Leeds Rep.
28 Richland, & Vernon Oliver Munson Viroqua Rep.
29 Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, & Pepin James H. Stout Menomonie Rep.
30 Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, & Vilas James A. Wright Merrill Rep.
31 Jackson, Juneau, & Monroe James J. McGillivray Black River Falls Rep.
32 La Crosse & Trempealeau Thomas Morris La Crosse Rep.
33 Washington & Waukesha Ernst Merton Waukesha Dem.

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Forty-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature: [4]

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 11 seats
  Social Dem.: 4 seats
  Republican: 85 seats
Milwaukee County districts
Senate
District
County Dist. Representative Party Residence
09 Adams & Marquette John A. Henry Rep. Easton
12 Ashland Edward B. Gordon Rep. Gordon
29 Barron George E. Scott Rep. Prairie Farm
12 Bayfield, Sawyer, & Washburn Lorenzo Clausen Rep. Washburn
02 Brown 1 Willard Burdeau Rep. Flintville
2 Maurice B. Brennan Rep. Morrison
29 Buffalo & Pepin Fred J. Bohri Rep. Fountain City
11 Burnett & Polk Amund Jerdee Rep. Lincoln
15 Calumet Daniel R. Curtin Rep. Woodville
24 Chippewa & Gates 1 Thomas A. Roycraft Rep.
2 L. L. Thayer Rep. Bloomer
25 Clark William S. Irvine Rep. Beaver
27 Columbia 1 John Scott Rep. Dekorra
2 William R. Turner Rep. Columbus
16 Crawford James Dinsdale Rep. Soldiers Grove
26 Dane 1 Ernest Warner Rep. Madison
2 Henry Huber Rep. Stoughton
3 John S. Donald Rep. Mount Horeb
13 Dodge 1 Frank S. Bauer Dem. LeRoy
2 Daniel L. Hannifin Dem. Portland
01 Door Charles Reynolds Rep. Jacksonport
11 Douglas 1 Irvine Lenroot Rep. Superior
2 Wallace W. Andrew Rep. Superior
29 Dunn Ole G. Kinney Rep. Colfax
24 Eau Claire 1 Charles A. Evans Rep. Eau Claire
2 C. N. Saugen Rep. Pleasant Valley
30 Florence, Forest, & Langlade E. F. Nelson Rep. Rolling
18 Fond du Lac 1 Christian Pickart Dem. Marshfield
2 John W. Powell Rep. Rosendale
16 Grant 1 Duncan McGregor Rep. Platteville
2 Joseph P. Chandler Rep. Montford
17 Green Fred Ties Rep. Brodhead
18 Green Lake Gard Miller Rep.
17 Iowa Roy C. Smelker Rep. Dodgeville
30 Iron, Oneida, & Vilas Edward A. Everett Rep. Eagle River
31 Jackson Winfield S. Braddock Rep.
23 Jefferson 1 Edward Racek Dem. Watertown
2 Charles Greenwood Rep. Lake Mills
31 Juneau P. A. Cleary Dem. Elroy
03 Kenosha Walker M. Curtiss Rep. Salem
01 Kewaunee Anton G. Schauer Rep. Carlton
32 La Crosse 1 John S. Durland Rep. La Crosse
2 Thomas Johnson Rep. Holland
17 Lafayette Richard E. Tarrell Rep. Elk Grove
30 Lincoln Hall L. Brooks Rep. Tomahawk
15 Manitowoc 1 Simon F. Wehrwein Rep. Newton
2 Lawrence W. Ledvina Rep. Kellnersville
25 Marathon 1 Fred Prehn Rep. Marathon City
2 August F. Marquardt Rep. Wausau
01 Marinette 1 Edward W. LeRoy Rep. Marinette
2 James F. Slight Rep. Peshtigo
04 Milwaukee 1 Joseph M. Crowley Dem. Milwaukee
05 2 J. S. Bletcher Rep. Milwaukee
07 3 George E. Page Rep. Milwaukee
05 4 Fred C. Westfahl Rep. Milwaukee
08 5 William Alldridge Soc.D. Milwaukee
05 6 Thomas F. Ramsey Dem. Milwaukee
07 7 Frederick Hartung Rep. Wauwatosa
08 8 Oscar F. Thieme Rep. Milwaukee
06 9 Edmund J. Berner Soc.D. Milwaukee
10 Louis Metzler Rep. Milwaukee
08 11 Frederick Brockhausen Soc.D. Milwaukee
06 12 August Dietrich Rep. Milwaukee
04 13 Henry Holle Rep. Milwaukee
07 14 John Szymarek Dem. Milwaukee
04 15 Philip Hamm Rep. Milwaukee
06 16 August W. Strehlow Soc.D. Milwaukee
31 Monroe George P. Stevens Rep. Tomah
02 Oconto Henry Johnson Rep. Suring
14 Outagamie 1 Fred Petersen Dem. Appleton
2 Charles J. Hagen Rep. Black Creek
20 Ozaukee Peter Pierron Rep. Belgium
10 Pierce W. L. Oltman Rep. Diamond Bluff
21 Portage Fred J. Carpenter Rep. Stevens Point
12 Price, & Taylor John B. Hagarty Rep. Medford
03 Racine 1 William H. Bell Rep. Racine
2 John O. Thomas Rep. Caledonia
28 Richland J. E. Coffland Dem. Richland Center
22 Rock 1 Allen S. Baker Rep. Evansville
2 Pliny Norcross Rep. Janesville
3 William O. Hansen Rep. Beloit
27 Sauk 1 J. B. Ragatz Rep. Prairie du Sac
2 David B. Hulburt Rep. Loganville
14 Shawano Jonas Swenholt Rep. Wittenberg
20 Sheboygan 1 Herman Heinecke Rep. Sheboygan
2 August Meyers Rep. Howards Grove
10 St. Croix Julius Beer Rep. St. Joseph
32 Trempealeau Herman Ekern Rep. Whitehall
28 Vernon Andrew H. Dahl Rep. Westby
23 Walworth Frank H. Johnson Rep. Darien
33 Washington B. S. Potter Dem. West Bend
Waukesha 1 James A. McKenzie Rep. Vernon
2 Roderick Ainsworth Rep. Merton
21 Waupaca 1 P. H. Peterson Rep.
2 George E. Beedle Rep.
09 Waushara Byron Storm Rep. Plainfield
19 Winnebago 1 William M. Perry Rep. Oshkosh
2 A. D. Eldridge Rep. Neenah
3 John A. Fridd Rep.
09 Wood Eli Winch Rep. Marshfield

Committees

Senate committees

  • Senate Committee on Agriculture – G. Wylie, chair
  • Senate Committee on Assessment and Collection of Taxes – Hudnall, chair
  • Senate Committee on Corporations – Beach, chair
  • Senate Committee on Education – J. H. Stout, chair
  • Senate Committee on Enrolled Bills – Merton, chair
  • Senate Committee on Engrossed Bills – Wilcox, chair
  • Senate Committee on Federal Relations – Froemming, chair
  • Senate Committee on Finance, Banks, and Insurance – J. E. Roehr, chair
  • Senate Committee on the Judiciary – A. L. Kreutzer, chair
  • Senate Committee on Legislative Expenses – Stevens, chair
  • Senate Committee on Manufactures and Labor – Rummel, chair
  • Senate Committee on Military Affairs – Frear, chair
  • Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections – Martin, chair
  • Senate Committee on Public Health – Noble, chair
  • Senate Committee on Public Lands – C. C. Rogers, chair
  • Senate Committee on Railroads – Hatton, chair
  • Senate Committee on Roads and Bridges – G. W. Wolff, chair
  • Senate Committee on State Affairs – Munson, chair
  • Senate Committee on Town and County Organizations – Sanborn, chair

Assembly committees

  • Assembly Committee on Agriculture – J. A. Fridd, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Assessment and Collection of Taxes – A. H. Dahl, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Cities – W. W. Andrew, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Corporations – F. J. Carpenter, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Dairy and Food – J. S. Donald, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Education – D. McGregor, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Enrolled Bills – F. J. Bohri, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Engrossed Bills – J. S. Bletcher, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Federal Relations – A. J. Jerdee, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Finance, Banks, and Insurance – R. E. Tarrell, chair
  • Assembly Committee on the Judiciary – H. L. Ekern, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Legislative Expenditures – R. C. Smelker, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Lumber and Mining – G. E. Beedle, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Manufactures – P. H. Hamm, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Military Affairs – J. A. Henry, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Privileges and Elections – E. W. LeRoy, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Health and Sanitation – J. Dinsdale, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Improvements – J. P. Chandler, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Public Lands – G. P. Stevens, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Railroads – W. S. Braddock, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Roads and Bridges – T. Johnson, chair
  • Assembly Committee on State Affairs – O. G. Kinney, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Town and County Organization – W. S. Irvine, chair
  • Assembly Committee on Ways and Means – F. Hartung, chair

Joint committees

  • Joint Committee on Charitable and Penal Institutions – Hagemeister(Sen.) & H. Johnson (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Claims – Burns (Sen.) & R. Ainsworth (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Fish and Game – Wipperman (Sen.) & J. Swenholt (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Forestry and Lumber – Bird (Sen.) & E. E. Winch (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Printing – Morris (Sen.) & J. B. Hagarty (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Committee on Revision of Bills – Whitehead (Sen.) & R. C. Smelker (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Special Joint Committee on Capitol and Grounds – Stout (Sen.) & I. L. Lenroot (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Special Joint Committee on Rules – Johnson (Sen.) & H. L. Ekern (Asm.), co-chairs

Employees

Senate employees

  • Chief Clerk: Leo K. Eaton [5]
    • Journal Clerk: A. R. Emerson
    • Bookkeeper: J. D. O'Brien
    • General Clerk: Ralph Pomeroy
    • Engrossing Clerk: H. Wipperman Jr.
    • Enrolling Clerk: O. G. Briggs
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Russell C. Falconer
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Charles Good
    • Document Clerk: Thomas Walby
  • Postmaster: Christoph Paulus

Assembly employees

  • Chief Clerk: C. O. Marsh [5]
    • Journal Clerk: Chas. A. Leicht
    • Bookkeeper: C. E. Shaffer
    • General Clerk: Ralph E. Smith
      • 2nd General Clerk: L. B. Nagler
    • Enrolling Clerk: A. W. Pott
    • Engrossing Clerk: J. E. Noyes
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Nicholas Streveler
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: C. H. Collins
      • 2nd Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Walter Eagan
    • Document Clerk: Burne Pollock
  • Postmaster: John Harris

Notes

  1. ^ Republican Herman Heinecke (Sheboygan 1st District) died September 11, 1906.

References

  1. ^ a b Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2011). "Statistics: History" (PDF). State of Wisconsin 2011–2012 Blue Book (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 709, 714, 717, 719. ISBN  978-0-9752820-1-4. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ Janik, Erika (February 27, 2017). "1904 Fire Gutted Capitol, Nearly Cost Madison State Capitol". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  3. ^ Nunnemacher v. State, 129 Wis. 190 ( Wisconsin Supreme Court May 14, 1906).
  4. ^ a b Beck, J.D., ed. (1905). "Biographical Sketches". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 1065–1127. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Beck, J.D., ed. (1905). "Legislative Officers and Committees". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 565–567. Retrieved January 22, 2023.

External links