The Forty-Ninth 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.
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, 1908. 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, 1906.
The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican James O. Davidson, of Crawford County, serving his second full two-year term, having won re-election in the 1908 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
Major events March 4, 1909: After a contentious two-month process, Isaac Stephenson was re-elected as United States senator by the Wisconsin Legislature in joint session. Inauguration of William Howard Taft as the 27th President of the United States. August 2, 1909: The United States Signal Corps Aeronautical Division purchased the world's first military airplane, the Wright Military Flyer. November 13, 1909: "On, Wisconsin!" was played for the first time at a University of Wisconsin football game against the University of Minnesota. The song would become the official fight song of the University of Wisconsin and the official state song of the state of Wisconsin. March 17, 1910: Progressive Republicans in the United States House of Representatives allied with Democrats to remove speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon from the House Rules Committee and strip him of his power to appoint committee chairmen. September 1, 1910: Wisconsin Supreme Court justice Joshua Eric Dodge resigned from the court. September 10, 1910: Governor James O. Davidson appointed Wisconsin circuit judge Aad J. Vinje to the Wisconsin Supreme Court to replace Joshua Eric Dodge. November 8, 1910: 1910 Wisconsin elections: Francis E. McGovern elected Governor of Wisconsin. Wisconsin voters approved an amendment to the state constitution so that redistricting should only occur after a federal census. Wisconsin voters rejected an amendment to the state constitution to double compensation for state legislators. Wisconsin voters approved an amendment which would have enabled more state funding of public improvements, but the referendum was later ruled invalid by the Wisconsin Supreme Court. November 20, 1910: Francisco I. Madero called for an armed revolution against Mexican president/dictator Porfirio Díaz, initiating the Mexican Revolution.
Major legislation Joint Resolution to amend section 21 of article 4 of the constitution, relating to compensation of members of the legislature, 1909 Joint Resolution 7. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to double compensation for state legislators. The amendment was rejected by voters in the 1910 election. Joint Resolution memorializing congress in regard to international peace, 1909 Joint Resolution 19. Endorsed the idea of an international parliament for preservation of peace. Joint Resolution relating to the capitol building, 1909 Joint Resolution 30. Requested that the city of Madison enact controls to reduce coal pollution to maintain the beauty of the new capitol building, which was then under construction. Joint Resolution to amend section 10, article VII of the constitution, relating to the salary of judges, 1909 Joint Resolution 34. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to allow the Legislature to set judicial salaries by law. Joint Resolution to amend section 6, article VIII of the constitution, relating to limitation on the public debt, 1909 Joint Resolution 37. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to expand the reasons for which cities or counties could incur debt, but requiring that a payment schedule would be implemented that would have the debt repaid within 50 years. Joint Resolution to amend article 11 of the constitution by adding thereto a new section to be known as Section 3a, relating to the acquisition of lands by the state or any of its cities for certain public purposes, 1909 Joint Resolution 38. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to allow cities to acquire land for the purposes of creating or enlarging public parks, public squares, streets, public buildings, etc. Joint Resolution to amend section 3 of article XI of .the constitution, relating to municipal corporations and their indebtedness, 1909 Joint Resolution 44. Proposed an amendment to the state constitution to create an exemption to the 5% limit on municipal debt for municipalities larger than 150,000 people where the debt is being used for the purchase of land for public improvements. Joint Resolution providing an amendment to section 3 of article IV of the Constitution of the State of Wisconsin, relating to apportionment, 1909 Joint Resolution 55. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to only perform redistricting following a federal census. This amendment was ratified by voters in the Fall 1910 general election.
Party summary Senate summary
Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 5 1 27 33 0 Start of 1st Session 4 1 28 33 0 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 4 2 27 33 0
Assembly summary
Party (Shading indicates majority caucus) Total Dem. S.D. Rep. Vacant End of previous Legislature 19 5 76 100 0 Start of 1st Session 17 3 80 100 0 From April 17, 1909Republican Ferdinand Wittig (Brown 1st District) died April 17, 1909. 79 99 1 Final voting share Beginning of the next Legislature 29 12 59 100 0
Sessions 1st Regular session: January 13, 1909June 18, 1909
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: Levi H. Bancroft (R–Richland Center)
Members Members of the Senate Members of the Senate for the Forty-Ninth 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 BoscobelRep. 17 Green, Iowa, DarlingtonRep. 18 Fond du LacRep. 19 Winnebago Rep. 20 Ozaukee PlymouthRep. 21 Portage WaupacaRep. 22 Rock JanesvilleRep. 23 Jefferson JeffersonDem. 24 Chippewa, , Chippewa Falls Rep. 25 Clark Neillsville Rep. 26 Dane Mount Horeb Rep. 27 Columbia Greenfield Dem. 28 Richland, Richland Center Rep. 29 Barron, Buffalo, Dunn, Menomonie Rep. 30 Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Merrill Rep. 31 Jackson, Juneau, Sparta Rep. 32 La Crosse La Crosse Rep. 33 Washington Rep.
Members of the Assembly Members of the Assembly for the Forty-Ninth 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. Spooner 02 Brown 1 Rep. Green Bay 2 Rep. 29 Buffalo Rep. Durand 11 Burnett Rep. Apple River 15 Calumet Dem. Chilton 24 Chippewa 1 Rep. Stanley 2 Rep. New Auburn 25 Clark Rep. 27 Columbia 1 Rep. Caledonia 2 Rep. Lowville 16 Crawford Rep. Gays Mills 26 Dane 1 Rep. Madison 2 Rep. Christiana 3 Dem. Verona 13 Dodge 1 Dem. Herman 2 Dem. Reeseville 01 Door Rep. Jacksonport 11 Douglas 1 Rep. Superior 2 Rep. Superior 29 Dunn Rep. 24 Eau Claire 1 Rep. Eau Claire 2 Rep. Washington 30 Florence, Forest, Rep. Peck 18 Fond du Lac 1 Dem. Marshfield 2 Rep. Ripon 16 Grant 1 Rep. 2 Rep. Fennimore 17 Green Rep. Albany 18 Green Lake Rep. Berlin 17 Iowa Rep. Highland 30 Iron, Oneida, Rep. Rhinelander 31 Jackson Rep. Black River Falls 23 Jefferson 1 Dem. Watertown 2 Dem. Koshkonong 31 Juneau Rep. New Lisbon 03 Kenosha Rep. Salem 01 Kewaunee Rep. Ahnapee 32 La Crosse 1 Rep. La Crosse 2 Dem. Bangor 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. Beaver 04 Milwaukee 1 Dem. Milwaukee 05 2 Rep. Milwaukee 07 3 Rep. Milwaukee 05 4 Rep. Milwaukee 08 5 Dem. Milwaukee 05 6 Dem. Milwaukee 07 7 Rep. Wauwatosa 08 8 Rep. Milwaukee 06 9 Soc.D. Milwaukee 10 Rep. Milwaukee 08 11 Soc.D. Milwaukee 06 12 Rep. 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. 14 Outagamie 1 Rep. Grand Chute 2 Rep. Kaukauna 20 Ozaukee Dem. Belgium 10 Pierce Rep. Martell 21 Portage Rep. Almond 12 Price Rep. Medford 03 Racine 1 Rep. Racine 2 Rep. Raymond 28 Richland Rep. Richland Center 22 Rock 1 Rep. Edgerton 2 Rep. Janesville 3 Rep. Beloit 27 Sauk 1 Dem. Baraboo 2 Dem. La Valle 14 Shawano Rep. Birnamwood 20 Sheboygan 1 Rep. Sheboygan 2 Rep. Lyndon 10 St. Croix Rep. Troy 32 Trempealeau Rep. Galesville 28 Vernon Rep. Viroqua 23 Walworth Rep. Bloomfield 33 Washington Dem. Germantown Waukesha 1 Rep. Waukesha 2 Rep. Menomonee Falls 21 Waupaca 1 Rep. 2 Rep. Harrison 09 Waushara Rep. Mount Morris 19 Winnebago 1 Rep. Oshkosh 2 Rep. Neenah 3 Rep. Nekimi 09 Wood Rep. Grand Rapids
Committees Senate committees Senate Committee on AgricultureI. T. Bishop, chair Senate Committee on Banks and InsuranceW. C. Owen, chair Senate Committee on EducationJ. H. Stout, chair Senate Committee on ElectionsH. C. Martin, chair Senate Committee on Engrossed BillsT. Burke, chair Senate Committee on Federal RelationsE. E. Lyons, chair Senate Committee on the JudiciaryA. W. Sanborn, chair Senate Committee on Legislative Expenditures and EmployeesT. Morris, chair Senate Committee on Manufacturers and LaborT. W. Brazeau, chair Senate Committee on Military AffairsD. G. James, chair Senate Committee on Public HealthH. W. Barker, chair Senate Committee on Roads and BridgesE. E. Browne, chair Senate Committee on State AffairsG. E. Page, chair Senate Committee on TaxationJ. M. Whitehead, chair Senate Committee on Towns and CountiesJ. A. Fridd, chair Senate Committee on TransportationH. M. Lockney, chair Senate Committee on Villages and CitiesJ. A. Wright, chair
Assembly committees Assembly Committee on AgricultureG. U. Fisher, chair Assembly Committee on Banks and InsuranceF. W. Kubasta, chair Assembly Committee on CitiesC. E. Estabrook, chair Assembly Committee on Dairy and FoodT. Reynolds, chair Assembly Committee on DamsJ. S. Stack, chair Assembly Committee on EducationS. F. Wehrwein, chair Assembly Committee on ElectionsW. Ingalls, chair Assembly Committee on Engrossed BillsH. E. Roethe, chair Assembly Committee on Federal RelationsC. B. Culbertson, chair Assembly Committee on the JudiciaryL W. Ledvina, chair Assembly Committee on Legislative Expenditures and EmployeesJ. E. Thomas, chair Assembly Committee on LibrariesD. B. Stevens, chair Assembly Committee on Lumber and MiningP. Whitman, chair Assembly Committee on Manufactures and LaborS. Smith, chair Assembly Committee on Military AffairsW. Disch, chair Assembly Committee on Public HealthW. Irvine, chair Assembly Committee on Public ImprovementsH. Laycock, chair Assembly Committee on Roads and BridgesC. C. Wellensgard, chair Assembly Committee on State AffairsG. E. Scott, chair Assembly Committee on TaxationM. J. Cleary, chair Assembly Committee on Third ReadingW. Reader, chair