56th Wisconsin Legislature
←55th 57th→
Wisconsin State Capitol ca.1915
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 1, 1923 – January 5, 1925
ElectionNovember 7, 1922
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentGeorge Comings (R)
President pro temporeHenry Huber (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly SpeakerJohn L. Dahl (R)
Party controlRepublican
Sessions
RegularJanuary 10, 1923 – July 14, 1923

The Fifty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 10, 1923, to July 14, 1923, in regular session.[1]

This was the first legislative session after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the previous session. This was the first session in Wisconsin history in which the Democratic Party held no seats in the State Senate, and with only one seat in the Assembly, this session represents the smallest legislative delegation for the Democratic Party of Wisconsin in its history (tied with 1925).

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 7, 1922. 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 3, 1920.[1]

Major events

  • August 2, 1923: U.S. President Warren G. Harding died in office. He was immediately succeeded by Vice President Calvin Coolidge.
  • April 1, 1924: Wisconsin voters rejected an amendment to the state constitution which would have raised legislator salary to $750 per year ($12,000 adjusted for inflation to 2023).
  • May 24, 1924: U.S. President Calvin Coolidge signs the Immigration Act of 1924 into law. The law prohibited immigration from Asia and set limits on immigration from eastern and southern Europe, it also established visa requirements for travel to the United States.
  • July 5, 1924: Wisconsin U.S. senator Robert M. La Follette accepted the nomination of the Progressive Party as their candidate for President of the United States.
  • November 4, 1924: 1924 United States general election:
    • Calvin Coolidge elected to a full term as President of the United States. Wisconsin's electoral votes went to the Progressive nominee, home-state senator Robert M. La Follette.
    • John J. Blaine re-elected to a third term as Governor of Wisconsin.
    • Three women were elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, the first in state history.
    • Wisconsin voters ratified three amendments to the state constitution:
      • to enable the Legislature to add judges to existing high-population circuits in the Wisconsin circuit courts system
      • to enable the Legislature to make appropriations for forestry improvements
      • to grant home rule to cities and villages

Major legislation

  • 1923 Joint Resolution 18. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to increase legislator pay to $750 per year. This was a second attempt to update legislator pay after Wisconsin voters rejected a different proposed amendment to allow legislators to set their own pay in 1920. This new amendment was also defeated by voters at the April 1924 election.
  • 1923 Joint Resolution 34. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to allow the state to appropriate funds for forestry improvements. This amendment was ratified by voters at the November 1924 election.
  • 1923 Joint Resolution 57. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to grant home rule to all cities and villages in the state. This amendment was ratified by voters at the November 1924 election.
  • 1923 Joint Resolution 64. Second legislative passage of the proposed amendment to the state constitution to allow the legislature to add new Wisconsin ciruict court judges to high population circuits. This amendment was ratified by voters at the November 1924 election.

Party summary

Senate summary

Senate partisan composition
  Socialist: 3 seats
  Republican: 30 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Dem. Soc. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 2 4 27 32 1
Start of 1st Session[note 1] 0 3 29 32 1
From Feb. 27, 1923[note 2] 30 33 0
From Oct. 25, 1924[note 3] 29 32 1
Final voting share 9.09% 90.91%
Beginning of the next Legislature 0 4 29 33 0

Assembly summary

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 1 seat
  Socialist: 10 seats
  Republican: 89 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
 Total
Dem. Soc. Rep. Vacant
End of previous Legislature 2 6 92 100 0
Start of 1st Session 1 10 89 100 0
From Sep. 12, 1923[note 4] 88 99 1
Final voting share 11% 89%
Beginning of the next Legislature 1 7 92 100 0

Sessions

  • Regular session: January 10, 1923 – July 14, 1923

Leaders

Senate leadership

Assembly leadership

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Senate for the Fifty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

Senate partisan representation
  Socialist: 3 seats
  Republican: 30 seats
Dist. Counties Senator Residence Party
01 Door, Kewaunee, & Manitowoc John E. Cashman Franklin Rep.
02 Brown & Oconto Timothy Burke Green Bay Rep.
03 Milwaukee (South City) Walter Polakowski Milwaukee Soc.
04 Milwaukee (Northeast County & Northeast City) Oscar Morris Milwaukee Rep.
05 Milwaukee (Northwest City) Bernhard Gettelman Milwaukee Rep.
06 Milwaukee (North-Central City) Joseph J. Hirsch Milwaukee Soc.
07 Milwaukee (Southeast County & Southeast City) William F. Quick Milwaukee Soc.
08 Milwaukee (Western County) George Czerwinski Milwaukee Rep.
09 Milwaukee (City Downtown) Ben H. Mahon Milwaukee Rep.
10 Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, & St. Croix George B. Skogmo River Falls Rep.
11 Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, & Washburn --Vacant until Feb. 27, 1923--
Marcus A. Kemp Rep.
12 Ashland, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, & Vilas Chester H. Werden Ashland Rep.
13 Dodge & Washington Herman J. F. Bilgrien Iron Ridge Rep.
14 Outagamie & Shawano Antone Kuckuk Shawano Rep.
15 Rock Alva Garey Edgerton Rep.
16 Crawford, Grant, & Vernon Henry E. Roethe Fennimore Rep.
17 Green, Iowa, & Lafayette Olaf H. Johnson Wiota Rep.
18 Fond du Lac, Green Lake & Waushara William A. Titus Fond du Lac Rep.
19 Calumet & Winnebago Merritt F. White Winneconne Rep.
20 Ozaukee & Sheboygan Theodore Benfey Sheboygan Rep.
21 Racine Max W. Heck Racine Rep.
22 Kenosha & Walworth Eldo T. Ridgway Elkhorn Rep.
23 Portage & Waupaca Herman J. Severson Iola Rep.
24 Clark, Taylor, & Wood William L. Smith Neillsville Rep.
25 Lincoln & Marathon Joseph L. Barber Marathon City Rep.
26 Dane Henry Huber Stoughton Rep.
27 Columbia, Richland, & Sauk George Staudenmayer Caledonia Rep.
28 Chippewa & Eau Claire Herman Lange Eau Claire Rep.
29 Barron, Dunn, & Polk Carl B. Casperson Frederic Rep.
30 Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, & Oneida Bernard N. Moran Rhinelander Rep.
31 Adams, Juneau, Monroe, & Marquette Howard Teasdale Sparta Rep.
32 Jackson, La Crosse, & Trempealeau Eugene F. Clark Galesville Rep.
33 Jefferson & Waukesha John C. Schumann Watertown Rep.

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Fifty-Sixth Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 1 seat
  Socialist: 10 seats
  Republican: 89 seats
Milwaukee County districts
Senate
Dist.		 County Dist. Representative Party Residence
31 Adams & Marquette William Grahn Rep. Westfield
12 Ashland Fred C. Smith Rep. Ashland
29 Barron John L. Dahl Rep. Rice Lake
11 Bayfield Alfred M. Warden Rep. Washburn
02 Brown 1 James T. Oliver Rep. Green Bay
2 Gustav J. Zittlow Rep. Lawrence
10 Buffalo & Pepin Dutee A. Whelan Rep. Mondovi
11 Burnett & Washburn Erick H. Johnson Rep.
19 Calumet Carl Hillmann Rep. Rantoul
28 Chippewa Charles Liehe Rep. Eagle Point
24 Clark George W. Schmidt Rep. Delmar
27 Columbia Robert Caldwell Rep. Lodi
16 Crawford Albert C. Johnson Rep. Soldiers Grove
26 Dane 1 Herman W. Sachtjen Rep. Madison
2 James C. Hanson Rep. Christiana
3 Carl M. Grimstad Rep. Mount Horeb
13 Dodge 1 Herman A. Ziemer Rep. Emmet
2 Fred E. Moul Rep. Burnett
01 Door John Peltier Rep.
11 Douglas 1 Sextus Lindahl Rep. Superior
2 Lewis H. Allen Rep.
29 Dunn James D. Millar Rep. Red Cedar
28 Eau Claire C. N. Saugen Rep. Pleasant Valley
30 Florence, Forest, & Oneida Joseph D. Grandine Rep. Argonne
18 Fond du Lac 1 Math Koenigs Rep.
2 Thomas Dieringer Rep. Campbellsport
16 Grant 1 George Slack Rep. Platteville
2 Charles E. Tuffley Rep. Boscobel
17 Green Fred K. Hefty Rep.
18 Green Lake & Waushara Newcomb Spoor Rep. Berlin
17 Iowa Charles W. Hutchison Rep. Mineral Point
12 Iron & Vilas Hyman M. Mark Rep. Hurley
32 Jackson William F. Dettinger Rep. Hixton
33 Jefferson Eugene H. Killian Rep. Watertown
31 Juneau Clinton G. Price Rep. Mauston
22 Kenosha 1 Conrad Shearer Rep. Kenosha
2 Don J. Vincent Rep.
01 Kewaunee Anton Holly Rep. Carlton
32 La Crosse 1 Henry Nein Rep. La Crosse
2 William F. Miller Rep. Barre
17 Lafayette James U. Goodman Rep. Lamont
30 Langlade James A. Barker Rep. Antigo
25 Lincoln Richard Kamke Dem. Merrill
01 Manitowoc 1 Robert Naumann Rep.
2 Fred A. Fredrich Rep. Maple Grove
25 Marathon 1 John W. Salter Rep. Unity
2 Henry Ellenbecker Rep. Wausau
30 Marinette James Pedersen Rep. Marinette
09 Milwaukee 1 Thomas H. Conway Rep. Milwaukee
2 Michael Laffey Rep. Milwaukee
04 3 Frank J. Weber Soc. Milwaukee
4 Thomas Duncan Soc. Milwaukee
07 5 H. G. Tucker Soc. Milwaukee
06 6 Frederick Petersen Rep. Milwaukee
7 Alex C. Ruffing Soc. Milwaukee
03 8 John Polakowski Soc. Milwaukee
06 9 Julius Kiesner Soc. Milwaukee
08 10 John W. Eber Rep. Milwaukee
03 11 Olaf C. Olsen Soc. Milwaukee
05 12 Lawrence J. Timmerman Rep. Milwaukee
04 13 Richard Elsner Soc. Milwaukee
07 14 George Gauer Soc. Milwaukee
05 15 Theodore Engel Rep. Milwaukee
08 16 Charles B. Perry Rep. Wauwatosa
07 17 John Herman Koch Rep. Lake
04 18 Frank L. Prescott Rep. Milwaukee
08 19 George C. Hinkley Rep. West Allis
05 20 Albert F. Woller Soc. Milwaukee
31 Monroe Edward Eirschele Rep. Clifton
02 Oconto Peter Ankerson Rep. Oconto
14 Outagamie 1 Charles M. Schrimpf Rep. Appleton
2 Anton M. Miller Rep. Kaukauna
20 Ozaukee Fred J. Busse Rep. Mequon
10 Pierce Charles E. Hanson Rep. River Falls
29 Polk George A. Nelson Rep. Milltown
23 Portage Ben Halverson Rep. New Hope
12 Price Arvid Blomberg Rep.
21 Racine 1 W. Grant Nelson Rep. Racine
2 Jacob Stoffel Jr. Rep. Racine
3 John H. Kamper Rep. Raymond
27 Richland Elias R. Cushman Rep. Viola
15 Rock 1 Alexander E. Matheson Rep. Janesville
2 Herbert Moseley Rep. Beloit
12 Rusk & Sawyer David J. Summerville Rep.
27 Sauk Dwight S. Welch Rep.
14 Shawano August Beversdorf Rep. Belle Plaine
20 Sheboygan 1 Jacob Jung Rep. Sheboygan
2 Henry Ott Rep. Plymouth
10 St. Croix Ethan B. Minier Rep. New Richmond
24 Taylor John Gamper Rep. Medford
32 Trempealeau George Schmidt Rep. Arcadia
16 Vernon August E. Smith Rep. Viroqua
22 Walworth Frank E. Lawson Rep. Walworth
13 Washington Alfred G. Becker Rep. Addison
33 Waukesha 1 William A. Freehoff Rep. Waukesha
2 Homer Dopp Rep.
23 Waupaca George W. Meggers Rep. Clintonville
19 Winnebago 1 Charles Rahr Rep. Oshkosh
2 George H. Jones Rep. Algoma
24 Wood Elwyn E. Royce Rep. Marshfield

Committees

Senate committees

  • Senate Standing Committee on Committees – H. J. Severson, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – H. E. Roethe, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Corporations – H. J. Severson, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Education and Public Welfare – E. T. Ridgway, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Highways – J. E. Cashman, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on the Judiciary – H. Teasdale, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on State Affairs – W. A. Titus, chair

Assembly committees

  • Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture – J. C. Hanson, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Manufactures – F. J. Petersen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – F. E. Moul, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Education – J. D. Millar, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Elections – W. F. Miller, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Engrossed Bills – W. F. Dettinger, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Enrolled Bills – P. Ankerson, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Excise and Fees – J. Peltier, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Fish and Game – N. Spoor, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Highways – G. A. Nelson, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance and Banking – A. C. Johnson, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on the Judiciary – H. W. Sachtjen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Labor – E. H. Killian, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Municipalities – E. B. Minier, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Printing – A. Holly, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Public Welfare – C. M. Grimstad, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Revision – G. H. Jones, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Rules – H. W. Sachtjen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on State Affairs – J. Goodman, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Taxation – C. E. Hanson, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Third Reading – A. G. Becker, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation – H. Ott, chair

Joint committees

  • Joint Standing Committee on Finance – H. Huber (Sen.) & C. E. Tuffley (Asm.), co-chairs

Employees

Senate employees

  • Chief Clerk: F. W. Schoenfeld[3]
    • Assistant Chief Clerk: Charles E. Mullen
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Charles A. Leicht
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: John J. Knudsen
  • Postmaster: Joseph V. Janda

Assembly employees

  • Chief Clerk: C. E. Shaffer[3]
    • Journal Clerk: W. A. Lawton
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Thomas W. Bartingale
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Olaf Goldstrand
  • Postmaster: Frank C. Densmore

Changes from the 55th Legislature

New districts for the 56th Legislature were defined in 1921 Wisconsin Act 470, passed into law in the 55th Wisconsin Legislature.

Senate redistricting

Summary of Senate changes

  • 12 districts were left unchanged
  • Milwaukee County went from having 6 districts to 7 (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).
  • Racine County became a single district again (21) after previously having been in a shared district with Kenosha.
  • Rock County became a single district again (15) after previously having been in a shared district with Walworth.

Senate districts

Dist. 55th Legislature 56th Legislature
1 Door, Kewaunee, Marinette counties Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc counties
2 Brown, Oconto counties Brown, Oconto counties
3 Kenosha, Racine counties Milwaukee County (city south)
4 Milwaukee County (northern quarter) Milwaukee County (northeast)
5 Milwaukee County (central-west) Milwaukee County (city northwest)
6 Milwaukee County (city north) Milwaukee County (city north-central)
7 Milwaukee County (southern) Milwaukee County (southeast)
8 Milwaukee County (city south) Milwaukee County (west)
9 Milwaukee County (city center) Milwaukee County (city center)
10 Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix counties Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix counties
11 Burnett, Douglas, Washburn counties Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Washburn counties
12 Ashland, Bayfield, Price, Rusk, Sawyer counties Ashland, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Vilas counties
13 Dodge, Washington counties Dodge, Washington counties
14 Outagamie, Shawano counties Outagamie, Shawano counties
15 Calumet, Manitowoc counties Rock County
16 Crawford, Grant, Richland counties Crawford, Grant, Vernon counties
17 Green, Iowa, Lafayette counties Green, Iowa, Lafayette counties
18 Fond du Lac, Green Lake counties Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Waushara counties
19 Winnebago County Calumet, Winnebago counties
20 Ozaukee, Sheboygan counties Ozaukee, Sheboygan counties
21 Adams, Juneau, Marquette, Waushara counties Racine County
22 Rock, Walworth counties Kenosha, Walworth counties
23 Portage, Waupaca counties Portage, Waupaca counties
24 Clark, Wood counties Clark, Taylor, Wood counties
25 Langlade, Marathon counties Lincoln, Marathon counties
26 Dane County Dane County
27 Columbia, Sauk counties Columbia, Richland, Sauk counties
28 Chippewa, Eau Claire counties Chippewa, Eau Claire counties
29 Barron, Dunn, Polk counties Barron, Dunn, Polk counties
30 Florence, Forest, Iron, Lincoln, Oneida, Taylor, Vilas counties Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, Oneida counties
31 Jackson, Monroe, Vernon counties Adams, Juneau, Monroe, Marquette counties
32 La Crosse, Trempealeau counties Jackson, La Crosse, Trempealeau counties
33 Jefferson, Waukesha counties Jefferson, Waukesha counties

Assembly redistricting

Summary of Assembly changes

  • At least 56 districts were left unchanged.
  • Green Lake and Waushara became a shared district after previously having been separate districts.
  • Jefferson County went from having 2 districts to 1.
  • Kenosha County went from having 1 district to 2.
  • Milwaukee County went from having 19 districts to 20.
  • Racine County went from having 2 districts to 3.
  • Winnebago County went from having 3 districts to 2.

Assembly districts

County Districts in 55th Legislature Districts in 56th Legislature Change
Adams Shared with Marquette Shared with Marquette Steady
Ashland 1 District 1 District Steady
Barron 1 District 1 District Steady
Bayfield 1 District 1 District Steady
Brown 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Buffalo Shared with Pepin Shared with Pepin Steady
Burnett Shared with Washburn Shared with Washburn Steady
Calumet 1 District 1 District Steady
Chippewa 1 District 1 District Steady
Clark 1 District 1 District Steady
Columbia 1 District 1 District Steady
Crawford 1 District 1 District Steady
Dane 3 Districts 3 Districts Steady
Dodge 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Door 1 District 1 District Steady
Douglas 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Dunn 1 District 1 District Steady
Eau Claire 1 District 1 District Steady
Florence Shared with Forest & Oneida Shared with Forest & Oneida Steady
Fond du Lac 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Forest Shared with Florence & Oneida Shared with Florence & Oneida Steady
Grant 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Green 1 District 1 District Steady
Green Lake 1 District Shared with Waushara Decrease
Iowa 1 District 1 District Steady
Iron Shared with Vilas Shared with Vilas Steady
Jackson 1 District 1 District Steady
Jefferson 2 Districts 1 District Decrease
Juneau 1 District 1 District Steady
Kenosha 1 District 2 Districts Increase
Kewaunee 1 District 1 District Steady
La Crosse 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Lafayette 1 District 1 District Steady
Langlade 1 District 1 District Steady
Lincoln 1 District 1 District Steady
Manitowoc 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Marathon 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Marinette 1 District 1 District Steady
Marquette Shared with Adams Shared with Adams Steady
Milwaukee 19 Districts 20 Districts Increase
Monroe 1 District 1 District Steady
Oconto 1 District 1 District Steady
Oneida Shared with Florence, Forest Shared with Florence, Forest Steady
Outagamie 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Ozaukee 1 District 1 District Steady
Pepin Shared with Buffalo Shared with Buffalo Steady
Pierce 1 District 1 District Steady
Polk 1 District 1 District Steady
Portage 1 District 1 District Steady
Price 1 District 1 District Steady
Racine 2 Districts 3 Districts Increase
Richland 1 District 1 District Steady
Rock 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Rusk Shared with Sawyer Shared with Sawyer Steady
Sauk 1 District 1 District Steady
Sawyer Shared with Rusk Shared with Rusk Steady
Shawano 1 District 1 District Steady
Sheboygan 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
St. Croix 1 District 1 District Steady
Taylor 1 District 1 District Steady
Trempealeau 1 District 1 District Steady
Vernon 1 District 1 District Steady
Vilas Shared with Iron Shared with Iron Steady
Walworth 1 District 1 District Steady
Washburn Shared with Burnett Shared with Burnett Steady
Washington 1 District 1 District Steady
Waukesha 2 Districts 2 Districts Steady
Waupaca 1 District 1 District Steady
Waushara 1 District Shared with Green Lake Decrease
Winnebago 3 Districts 2 Districts Decrease
Wood 1 District 1 District Steady


Notes

  1. ↑ Republican Ole G. Kinney (District 11) died before the start of the term.
  2. ↑ Republican Marcus A. Kemp (District 11) was sworn in to replace Ole G. Kinney.
  3. ↑ Republican Ben H. Mahon (District 9) died.
  4. ↑ Republican James T. Oliver (Brown County) died.

References

  1. 1 2 Barish, Lawrence S.; Lemanski, Lynn, eds. (2021). "Historical Lists" (PDF). State of Wisconsin Blue Book 2021–2022 (Report). Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau. pp. 467, 471, 475, 479–480. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Biographical". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1923 (Report). Wisconsin State Printing Board. 1923. pp. 602–640. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "State Government". The Wisconsin Blue Book 1923 (Report). Wisconsin State Printing Board. 1923. pp. 589–592. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.