The Forty-Eighth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 9, 1907, to July 16, 1907, in regular session.[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 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.[1]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
^ abBeck, J.D., ed. (1907). "Biographical Sketches". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 1115–1181. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
^ abBeck, J.D., ed. (1907). "Legislative Officers and Committees". The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 644–648. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
