The Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature convened from to in regular session. They also convened in a special session from August 17 through August 20, 1897.

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the previous session.

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 3, 1896. 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 6, 1894.

The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican Edward Scofield, of Oconto County, serving a two-year term, having won election in the 1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.

Major events January 4, 1897: Inauguration of Edward Scofield as 19th Governor of Wisconsin. January 31, 1897: John Coit Spooner was elected United States Senator by the Wisconsin Legislature in joint session. March 4, 1897: Inauguration of William McKinley as 25th President of the United States. May 3, 1897: Wisconsin state legislator William A. Jones was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as commissioner of Indian Affairs. November 25, 1897: The Spanish Empire granted autonomy to Puerto Rico. January 1, 1898: New York City annexed territory from surrounding counties, becoming the second largest city in the world at that time. January 11, 1898: Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Alfred Newman died in office. January 25, 1898: Wisconsin Governor Edward Scofield appointed Charles V. Bardeen to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to replace the deceased justice Alfred Newman. February 15, 1898: The USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor, Cuba, for reasons that are still not known. 266 died in the disaster, which would become the inciting event of the Spanish–American War. March 1, 1898: Vladimir Lenin created the Russian Social Democratic Labour Party. April 25, 1898: The United States declared war against the Spanish Empire over the destruction of the Maine. July 7, 1898: The United States annexed the Hawaiian Islands. November 8, 1898: general election Edward Scofield was re-elected as Governor of Wisconsin. Wisconsin voters rejected the new state banking law in a mandatory referendum. December 10, 1898: Representatives of the United States and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris, ending the Spanish–American War. Spain ceded the territories of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to U.S. control.

Major legislation April 22, 1897: An Act to revise the laws authorizing the business of banking, 1897 Act 303. Attempted to create a state department of banking. The Wisconsin Constitution required that any law which enabled the business of banking in Wisconsin had to be approved by a public referendum. This legislation went to the voters in the 1898 general election and was defeated. Joint Resolution that the foregoing proposed amendment to the constitution of the state of Wisconsin be and the same is agreed to by this legislature, 1897 Joint Resolution 9. This was the second legislative passage of a proposed amendment to grant authority to the legislature to determine the appropriate number of circuit court seats for single-county circuits. The amendment would be ratified by the voters in the Spring 1897 election. Joint Resolution to amend article No. 11 of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin, 1897 Joint Resolution 17. Proposed an amendment which would enable the Legislature to set limits on taxation enacted by counties and towns in the state. This amendment would not proceed beyond this step. Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to section 1, of article 10, of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin relating to education, 1897 Joint Resolution 22. Proposed a constitutional amendment to move the election of Superintendent of Public Instruction from the Fall of even numbered years to the Spring of odd numbered years. This amendment also would not proceed, but the proposed change would be enacted by a later amendment.

Summary Senate summary

Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 13 20 33 0 Start of 1st Session 4 29 33 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 2 31 33 0

Assembly summary

Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. Pop. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 19 0 81 100 0 Start of 1st Session 9 1 90 100 0 From Apr. 21, 1897Republican William A. Jones (Iowa County) resigned after he was appointed U.S. Commissioner of Indian Affairs. 89 99 1 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 19 0 81 100 0

Sessions 1st Regular session: January 13, 1897April 21, 1897 August 1897 Special session: August 17, 1897August 20, 1897

Leaders Senate leadership President of the Senate: Emil Baensch (R) President pro tempore: Lyman W. Thayer (R)

Assembly leadership Speaker of the Assembly: George A. Buckstaff (R)

Members Members of the Senate Members of the Senate for the Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature:

Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party 01 Door, Kewaunee, Ahnapee Rep. 02 Brown De Pere Rep. 03 Kenosha Kenosha Rep. 04 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 05 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 06 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 07 Milwaukee Wauwatosa Rep. 08 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 09 Adams, Marquette, Waushara, GermaniaRep. 10 Pierce EllsworthRep. 11 Burnett, Douglas, West SuperiorRep. 12 Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Iron, Sawyer, AshlandRep. 13 Dodge Beaver Dam Dem. 14 Outagamie AppletonRep. 15 Calumet ChiltonDem. 16 Grant LancasterRep. 17 Green, Lafayette, BrodheadRep. 18 RiponRep. 19 Winnebago OshkoshRep. 20 Ozaukee Port WashingtonRep. 21 Portage Stevens PointRep. 22 JanesvilleRep. 23 Walworth Watertown Dem. 24 Buffalo, , Mondovi Rep. 25 Clark Neillsville Rep. 26 Dane Madison Rep. 27 Columbia Prairie du Sac Rep. 28 Crawford, Richland, Viroqua Rep. 29 Chippewa Menomonie Rep. 30 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Price, Taylor, Rep. 31 Jackson, Juneau, Black River Falls Rep. 32 La Crosse La Crosse Rep. 33 Washington Dem.

Members of the Assembly Members of the Assembly for the Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature:

SenateDistrict County Dist. Representative Party Residence 09 Adams Rep. Friendship 12 Ashland Rep. Hurley Barron Rep. Barron Bayfield, Sawyer, Rep. Iron River 02 Brown 1 Rep. Green Bay 2 Rep. Green Bay 24 Buffalo Rep. Waterville 11 Burnett Rep. 15 Calumet Dem. Woodville 29 Chippewa 1 Rep. Chippewa Falls 2 Rep. Anson 25 Clark Rep. Loyal 27 Columbia 1 Rep. Lodi 2 Rep. Leeds 28 Crawford Rep. Soldiers Grove 26 Dane 1 Dem. Madison 2 Rep. Cambridge 3 Dem. Montrose 13 Dodge 1 Gold Dem. Neosho 2 Rep. Elba 01 Door Rep. Sturgeon Bay 11 Douglas 1 Rep. Superior 2 Rep. South Superior 29 Dunn Rep. Knapp 24 Eau Claire 1 Rep. Eau Claire 2 Rep. Bridge Creek 30 Florence, Forest, Rep. Antigo 18 Fond du Lac 1 Dem. Fond du Lac 2 Rep. Rosendale 16 Grant 1 Rep. Lancaster 2 Rep. Platteville 17 Green Rep. Monroe 18 Green Lake Rep. Berlin 16 Iowa Rep. Mineral Point 31 Jackson Rep. Alma 23 Jefferson 1 Rep. Watertown 22 2 Rep. Lake Mills 31 Juneau Rep. New Lisbon 03 Kenosha Rep. Randall 01 Kewaunee Rep. Ahnapee 32 La Crosse 1 Rep. La Crosse 2 Rep. Onalaska 17 Lafayette Rep. New Diggings 30 Lincoln Rep. Merrill 15 Manitowoc 1 Rep. Cato 2 Dem. Reedsville 25 Marathon 1 Rep. Mosinee 2 Rep. Wausau 01 Marinette Rep. Marinette 05 Milwaukee 1 Rep. Milwaukee 2 Rep. Milwaukee 07 3 Rep. Milwaukee 05 4 Rep. Milwaukee 08 5 Pop. Milwaukee 04 6 Rep. Milwaukee 07 7 Rep. Wauwatosa 08 8 Rep. Milwaukee 06 9 Rep. Milwaukee 10 Rep. Milwaukee 08 11 Rep. Milwaukee 06 12 Rep. Milwaukee 04 13 Rep. Milwaukee 07 14 Dem. Milwaukee 04 15 Rep. Milwaukee 31 Monroe Rep. Sparta 02 Oconto Rep. Oconto 30 Oneida, Price, Rep. Rhinelander 14 Outagamie 1 Rep. Appleton 2 Rep. Freedom 20 Ozaukee Dem. Cedarburg 10 Pierce Rep. River Falls 21 Portage 1 Dem. Stevens Point 2 Rep. Amherst 03 Racine 1 Rep. Racine 2 Rep. Raymond 28 Richland Rep. Richland Center 22 Rock 1 Rep. Janesville 2 Rep. Edgerton 17 3 Rep. Beloit 27 Sauk 1 Rep. Baraboo 2 Rep. Spring Green 14 Shawano Rep. Pulcifer 20 Sheboygan 1 Rep. Sheboygan 2 Rep. Herman 3 Rep. Rhine 10 St. Croix Rep. Baldwin 32 Trempealeau Rep. Whitehall 28 Vernon Rep. Viroqua 23 Walworth 1 Rep. Elkhorn 2 Rep. Walworth 33 Washington Rep. Jackson Waukesha 1 Rep. Big Bend 2 Rep. Oconomowoc 21 Waupaca 1 Rep. 2 Rep. Ogdensburg 09 Waushara Rep. Aurora 19 Winnebago 1 Rep. Oshkosh 2 Rep. Menasha 3 Rep. Omro 09 Wood Rep. Grand Rapids

Committees Senate committees Senate Committee on AgricultureMcGillivray, chair Senate Committee on Assessment and Collection of TaxesWoodworth, chair Senate Committee on Banks and InsuranceDavis, chair Senate Committee on Bills on Third ReadingWhelan, chair Senate Committee on CorporationsMills, chair Senate Committee on EducationStout, chair Senate Committee on Enrolled BillsPhillips, chair Senate Committee on Engrossed BillsConger, chair Senate Committee on Federal RelationsWhitman, chair Senate Committee on the JudiciaryAustin, chair Senate Committee on Legislative ExpensesConger, chair Senate Committee on ManufacturesDennett, chair Senate Committee on Military AffairsWelton, chair Senate Committee on Privileges and ElectionsRoehr, chair Senate Committee on Public HealthMailer, chair Senate Committee on Public LandsFisher, chair Senate Committee on RailroadsWithee, chair Senate Committee on Roads and BridgesPeirce, chair Senate Committee on State AffairsPutnam, chair Senate Committee on Town and County OrganizationsYoumans, chair

Assembly committees Assembly Committee on AgricultureBarney A. Eaton, chair Assembly Committee on Assessment and Collection of TaxesN. B. Treat, chair Assembly Committee on Bills on their Third ReadingBernard C. Wolter, chair Assembly Committee on CitiesFrank Anson, chair Assembly Committee on CorporationsCharles A. Stanley, chair Assembly Committee on Dairy and FoodWilliam Froehlich, chair Assembly Committee on EducationFrank T. Tucker, chair Assembly Committee on Engrossed BillsGeorge W. Latta, chair Assembly Committee on Enrolled BillsMark H. Barnum, chair Assembly Committee on Finance, Banks, and InsuranceWilliam A. Jones, chair Assembly Committee on Federal RelationsOmar L. Rosenkrans, chair Assembly Committee on the JudiciarySilas Bullard, chair Assembly Committee on Legislative ExpendituresA. L. Utt, chair Assembly Committee on Lumber and MiningA. R. Hall, chair Assembly Committee on ManufacturesJoseph C. Marsh, chair Assembly Committee on Military AffairsGeorge W. Taylor, chair Assembly Committee on Public LandsAndrew Jensen, chair Assembly Committee on Public Health and SanitationJesse A. Clason, chair Assembly Committee on Public ImprovementsWilliam F. Sieker, chair Assembly Committee on Privileges and ElectionsHerman C. Wipperman, chair Assembly Committee on RailroadsEmerson D. Hoyt, chair Assembly Committee on Roads and BridgesJames O. Davidson, chair Assembly Committee on State AffairsJesse Stone, chair Assembly Committee on Town and County OrganizationJonathan J. Smith, chair Assembly Committee on Ways and MeansWilliam G. Wheeler, chair

Joint committees Joint Committee on Charitable and Penal InstitutionsStebbins (Sen.) & William T. Lewis (Asm.), co-chairs Joint Committee on ClaimsBaxter (Sen.) & George H. Ray (Asm.), co-chairs Joint Committee on Fish and GameTimme (Sen.) & Lester B. Dresser (Asm.), co-chairs Joint Committee on PrintingMunson (Sen.) & William M. Fogo (Asm.), co-chairs

Changes from the 42nd Legislature New districts for the 43rd Legislature were defined in 1896 Wisconsin Special Session Act 1, passed into law in the 42nd Wisconsin Legislature.

Senate redistricting Summary of changes