The Forty-Eighth Wisconsin Legislature convened from to in regular session. 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.
This session saw the first ever African American member of the Wisconsin Legislature—Lucian H. Palmer of Milwaukee.
Senators representing odd-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 odd-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 6, 1906. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 8, 1904.
The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican James O. Davidson, of Crawford County, serving his first full two-year term, having won election in the 1906 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Major events February 15, 1907: The Gentlemen's Agreement of 1907 was reached between representatives of the United States and the Empire of Japan, in which Japan would restrict emigration to the U.S., and the U.S. would stop imposing restrictions on Japanese immigrants. February 16, 1907: George E. Bryant, the incumbent Wisconsin Superintendent of Public Property, died in office. March 3, 1907: John Coit Spooner, Wisconsin's influential senior United States senator, unexpectedly announced his resignation from office, effective May 1. May 17, 1907: After a long and contentious nominating process in the Republican caucus, Isaac Stephenson was elected United States Senator by the Wisconsin Legislature in joint session to fill the remainder of John C. Spooner's term. July 3, 1907: A tornado struck Neillsville, Wisconsin, resulting in at least 15 deaths. October 24, 1907: A major U.S. financial crisis was averted by a group of Wall Street financiers who pooled $25,000,000 to prop up failing stocks during the Panic of 1907. December 30, 1907: Wisconsin Supreme Court chief justice John B. Cassoday died in office. He was immediately succeeded, as chief justice, by John B. Winslow, due to the rule of seniority. January 8, 1908: Robert McKee Bashford was appointed to the Wisconsin Supreme Court by Governor James O. Davidson, to replace the deceased justice John B. Cassoday for the remainder of the 1907–1908 court term. April 7, 1908: John Barnes defeated the recently appointed Robert McKee Bashford in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election to fill the seat of deceased justice John B. Cassoday, for the term beginning July 1, 1908. June 30, 1908: An asteroid or comet exploded in the air near the Podkamennaya Tunguska in Russia. Known as the Tunguska event, it was the largest impact event on Earth in recorded history. November 3, 1908: 1908 United States general election: William Howard Taft elected President of the United States. James O. Davidson re-elected Governor of Wisconsin. Voters approved an amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to limit voting rights to only U.S. citizens. Voters approved an amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to limit the time allowed for gubernatorial vetoes. Voters approved an amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to allow the state to implement an income tax. Voters approved an amendment to the Wisconsin constitution to allow the state to implement a highway funding mechanism.
Major legislation Joint Resolution to amend section 10, article V, of the constitution, relating to the approval of bills by the governor, 1907 Joint Resolution 13. Second legislative approval of the constitutional amendment to limit the time allowed for a gubernatorial veto. This amendment was then ratified by voters in the 1908 fall general election. Joint Resolution providing for an amendment to section 10, article VIII of the constitution, relating to internal improvements, 1907 Joint Resolution 18. Second legislative approval of the constitutional amendment to authorize the state to fund highway construction. This amendment was also ratified in the 1908 fall general election. Joint Resolution to amend section 3 of article X of the constitution, relating to the school age of children, 1907 Joint Resolution 23. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to make public school cover children from age six to 20. Joint Resolution to amend section 1 of article III of the constitution, relating to electors, 1907 Joint Resolution 25. Second legislative approval of the constitutional amendment to limit voting rights to only U.S. citizens. This amendment was also ratified in the 1908 fall general election. Joint Resolution 28, 1907 Joint Resolution 28. Reiterating Wisconsin's call for an amendment to the U.S. constitution for direct election of U.S. senators. Joint Resolution 29, 1907 Joint Resolution 29. Second legislative approval of the constitutional amendment to authorize a state income tax. This amendment was also ratified in the 1908 fall general election. Joint Resolution providing an amendment to section 3 of article IV, ox the constitution of the state of Wisconsin, relating to apportionment, 1907 Joint Resolution 30. Proposing an amendment to the state constitution to make redistricting a once-per-decade process following the release of the decennial U.S. census. U to this time, Wisconsin had conducted redistricting twice per decade. Joint Resolution to amend section 10 of article VIII of the constitution, 1907 Joint Resolution 31. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to allow the state to more directly invest in certain public works projects. Joint Resolution to amend section 21 of article IV of the constitution, relating to the compensation of members of the legislature, 1907 Joint Resolution 35. Proposing an amendment to the state constitution to double the compensation for legislators.
Party summary Senate summary
Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 4 1 28 33 0 Start of 1st Session 5 1 27 33 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 4 1 28 33 0
Assembly summary
Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 11 4 84 99 1 Start of 1st Session 19 5 76 100 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 17 3 80 100 0
Sessions 1st Regular session: January 9, 1907July 16, 1907
Leaders Senate leadership President of the Senate: William D. Connor (R) President pro tempore: James Huff Stout (R–Menomonie)
Assembly leadership Speaker of the Assembly: Herman Ekern (R–Whitehall)
Members Members of the Senate Members of the Senate for the Forty-Eighth Wisconsin Legislature:
Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party 01 Door, Kewaunee, Wausaukee Rep. 02 Brown Green Bay Rep. 03 Kenosha Somers Rep. 04 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 05 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 06 Milwaukee Milwaukee Soc.D. 07 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 08 Milwaukee Milwaukee Rep. 09 Adams, Marquette, Waushara, Grand RapidsRep. 10 Pierce Maiden RockRep. 11 Burnett, Douglas, SuperiorRep. 12 Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, AshlandRep. 13 Dodge Mayville Dem. 14 Outagamie AppletonRep. 15 Calumet Manitowoc Dem. 16 Crawford PlattevilleRep. 17 Green, Iowa, DarlingtonRep. 18 MarkesanDem. 19 Winnebago Rep. 20 Ozaukee RhineRep. 21 Portage WaupacaRep. 22 Rock JanesvilleRep. 23 Jefferson JeffersonDem. 24 Chippewa, , Eau Claire Rep. 25 Clark Neillsville Rep. 26 Dane Madison Rep. 27 Columbia Greenfield Dem. 28 Richland, Viroqua Rep. 29 Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Menomonie Rep. 30 Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Merrill Rep. 31 Jackson, Juneau, Rep. 32 La Crosse La Crosse Rep. 33 Washington Rep.
Members of the Assembly Members of the Assembly for the Forty-Eighth Wisconsin Legislature:
SenateDistrict County Dist. Representative Party Residence 09 Adams Rep. Briggsville 12 Ashland Rep. Ashland 29 Barron Rep. Prairie Farm 12 Bayfield, Sawyer, Rep. Washburn 02 Brown 1 Rep. Green Bay 2 Rep. De Pere 29 Buffalo Rep. Durand 11 Burnett Rep. Luck 15 Calumet Dem. Chilton 24 Chippewa 1 Rep. Eagle Point 2 Rep. Ladysmith 25 Clark Rep. Colby 27 Columbia 1 Rep. Dekorra 2 Rep. Columbus 16 Crawford Dem. Wauzeka 26 Dane 1 Dem. Madison 2 Rep. Marshall 3 Dem. Verona 13 Dodge 1 Dem. LeRoy 2 Dem. 01 Door Rep. Jacksonport 11 Douglas 1 Rep. Superior 2 Rep. Superior 29 Dunn Rep. 24 Eau Claire 1 Dem. Eau Claire 2 Dem. 30 Florence, Forest, Rep. Rolling 18 Fond du Lac 1 Dem. Marshfield 2 Rep. Ripon 16 Grant 1 Rep. Platteville 2 Rep. Fennimore 17 Green Rep. Brodhead 18 Green Lake Rep. Berlin 17 Iowa Rep. Ridgeway 30 Iron, Oneida, Rep. Eagle River 31 Jackson Rep. Alma Center 23 Jefferson 1 Dem. Ixonia 2 Dem. Koshkonong 31 Juneau Rep. Armenia 03 Kenosha Rep. Salem 01 Kewaunee Rep. Carlton 32 La Crosse 1 Rep. La Crosse 2 Rep. Onalaska 17 Lafayette Rep. Blanchardville 30 Lincoln Rep. Merrill 15 Manitowoc 1 Rep. Newton 2 Rep. Two Rivers 25 Marathon 1 Dem. Marathon City 2 Rep. Wausau 01 Marinette 1 Rep. Marinette 2 Rep. Stephenson 04 Milwaukee 1 Rep. Milwaukee 05 2 Rep. Milwaukee 07 3 Rep. Milwaukee 05 4 Rep. Milwaukee 08 5 Soc.D. Milwaukee 05 6 Rep. Milwaukee 07 7 Rep. Wauwatosa 08 8 Rep. Milwaukee 06 9 Soc.D. Milwaukee 10 Rep. Milwaukee 08 11 Soc.D. Milwaukee 06 12 Soc.D. Milwaukee 04 13 Rep. Milwaukee 07 14 Dem. Milwaukee 04 15 Rep. Milwaukee 06 16 Soc.D. Milwaukee 31 Monroe Rep. Leon 02 Oconto Rep. Oconto 14 Outagamie 1 Dem. Appleton 2 Rep. Black Creek 20 Ozaukee Dem. Belgium 10 Pierce Rep. Martell 21 Portage Rep. Stevens Point 12 Price Rep. Westboro 03 Racine 1 Rep. Racine 2 Rep. Caledonia 28 Richland Rep. Richland Center 22 Rock 1 Rep. Evansville 2 Rep. Janesville 3 Rep. Beloit 27 Sauk 1 Rep. Baraboo 2 Rep. Reedsburg 14 Shawano Rep. Shawano 20 Sheboygan 1 Dem. Sheboygan 2 Rep. Lyndon 10 St. Croix Dem. Hammond 32 Trempealeau Rep. Whitehall 28 Vernon Rep. Viroqua 23 Walworth Rep. Elkhorn 33 Washington Dem. West Bend Waukesha 1 Rep. Vernon 2 Rep. Merton 21 Waupaca 1 Rep. 2 Rep. Clintonville 09 Waushara Rep. Mount Morris 19 Winnebago 1 Rep. Oshkosh 2 Dem. Neenah 3 Rep. Nekimi 09 Wood Rep. Vesper
Committees Senate committees Senate Committee on AgricultureWolff, chair Senate Committee on Banks and InsuranceJ. E. Roehr, chair Senate Committee on EducationJ. H. Stout, chair Senate Committee on ElectionsMartin, chair Senate Committee on Engrossed BillsLockney, chair Senate Committee on Federal RelationsStondall, chair Senate Committee on the JudiciarySanborn, chair Senate Committee on Legislative Expenditures and EmployeesMorris, chair Senate Committee on Manufacturers and LaborFroemming, chair Senate Committee on Military AffairsFairchild, chair Senate Committee on Public HealthNoble, chair Senate Committee on Roads and BridgesBrowne, chair Senate Committee on State AffairsMunson, chair Senate Committee on TaxationWilcox, chair Senate Committee on Towns and CountiesBarker, chair Senate Committee on TransportationHudnall, chair Senate Committee on Villages and CitiesWright, chair
Assembly committees Assembly Committee on AgricultureJ. A. Fridd, chair Assembly Committee on Banks and InsuranceG. E. Scott, chair Assembly Committee on CitiesC. E. Estabrook, chair Assembly Committee on Dairy and FoodJ. A. McKenzie, chair Assembly Committee on DamsE. F. Nelson, chair Assembly Committee on EducationD. McGregor, chair Assembly Committee on ElectionsT. A. Roycraft, chair Assembly Committee on Engrossed BillsL. N. Clausen, chair Assembly Committee on Federal RelationsA. J. Jerdee, chair Assembly Committee on the JudiciaryC. A. Ingram, chair Assembly Committee on LibrariesL. Ledvina, chair Assembly Committee on Legislative Expenditures and EmployeesF. J. Kimball, chair Assembly Committee on Lumber and MiningF. J. Carpenter, chair Assembly Committee on Manufactures and LaborW. H. Bell, chair