61st Wisconsin Legislature

The Sixty-First Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 11, 1933, to July 25, 1933, in regular session, and reconvened in a special session from December 11, 1933, to February 3, 1934.[1]

61st Wisconsin Legislature
60th 62nd
Wisconsin State Capitol ca.1915
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 2, 1933 – January 7, 1935
ElectionNovember 8, 1932
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentThomas J. O'Malley (D)
President pro temporeOrland S. Loomis (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly SpeakerCornelius T. Young (D)
Party controlDemocratic
Sessions
RegularJanuary 11, 1933 – July 25, 1933
Special sessions
Dec. 1933 Spec.December 11, 1933 – February 3, 1934

This was the first legislative term after the redistricting of the Senate and Assembly according to an act of the previous session—although there are barely any changes from the previous map. This was also the first legislative term since 1893–1894 in which the Democratic Party of Wisconsin held a majority of one of the chambers. This session also coincided with the formal schism of the Wisconsin Progressive Party from the Republican Party of Wisconsin. It was the beginning of a major political realignment in the state.

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 8, 1932. 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 4, 1930.[1]

Major events

Major legislation

  • January 28, 1933: Joint Resolution ratifying an amendment to the Constitution of the United States fixing the commencement of the terms of President and Vice President and Members of Congress and fixing the time of the assembling of Congress, 1933 Joint Resolution 5. Wisconsin's ratification of the Twentieth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
  • May 4, 1933: Joint Resolution to amend section 11 of article XIII of the constitution relating to free passes, 1933 Joint Resolution 63. First legislative passage of a proposed amendment to the state constitution to create exceptions to the prohibition on free passes for candidates where they are earning less than $300 of income and would otherwise receive such passes from their employer. This amendment was eventually ratified by voters at the November 1936 election.
  • June 8, 1933: Joint Resolution to amend section 1 of Article III of the constitution, relating to suffrage, to eliminate obsolete provisions and to submit this amendment to a vote of the people at the general election in November 1934, 1933 Joint Resolution 76. Second legislative passage of a proposed amendment to the state constitution to make technical fixes to the section on suffrage, eliminating references to gender. This amendment was ratified by voters at the November 1934 election.

Party summary

Senate summary

Senate partisan composition
  Democratic: 9 seats
  Socialist: 1 seat
  Republican: 23 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem.Soc.Prog.Rep.Vacant
End of previous Legislature12029321
Start of Reg. Session91023330
From July 28, 1934[note 1]22321
From Nov. 14, 1934[note 2]21312
Final voting share32.26%67.74%
Beginning of the next Legislature140136330

Assembly summary

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 59 seats
  Socialist: 3 seats
  Republican: 38 seats
Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
Total
Dem.Soc.Prog.Rep.Vacant
End of previous Legislature39084964
Start of Reg. Session5930381000
From Jan. 28, 1934[note 3]58991
Final voting share58.59%41.41%
Beginning of the next Legislature35345171000

Sessions

  • Regular session: January 11, 1933 – July 25, 1933
  • December 1933 special session: December 11, 1933 – February 3, 1934

Leaders

Senate leadership

Assembly leadership

Members

Members of the Senate

Members of the Senate for the Sixty-First Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

Senate partisan representation
  Democratic: 9 seats
  Socialist: 1 seat
  Republican: 23 seats
Dist.CountiesSenatorResidenceParty
01Door, Kewaunee, & ManitowocJohn E. CashmanDenmarkRep.
02Brown & OcontoE. F. BrunetteGreen BayDem.
03Milwaukee (South City)Walter PolakowskiMilwaukeeSoc.
04Milwaukee (Northeast County & Northeast City)Oscar MorrisMilwaukeeRep.
05Milwaukee (Northwest City)Bernhard GettelmanMilwaukeeRep.
06Milwaukee (North-Central City)Charles H. PhillipsMilwaukeeDem.
07Milwaukee (Southeast County & Southeast City)Leonard FonsMilwaukeeRep.
08Milwaukee (Western County)William Shenners Jr.West AllisDem.
09Milwaukee (City Downtown)Irving P. MehiganMilwaukeeRep.
10Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, & St. CroixWalter H. HuntRiver FallsRep.
11Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, & WashburnPhilip E. NelsonMapleRep.
12Ashland, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, & VilasBernard J. GehrmannMellenRep.
13Dodge & WashingtonEugene A. CliffordJuneauDem.
14Outagamie & ShawanoMike MackShioctonRep.
15RockAlexander PaulMiltonDem.
16Crawford, Grant, & VernonWilliam D. CarrollPrairie du ChienDem.
17Green, Iowa, & LafayetteGeorge EngebretsonSouth WayneRep.
18Fond du Lac, Green Lake & WausharaMorley G. KellyFond du LacDem.
19Calumet & WinnebagoMerritt F. WhiteWinneconneRep.
20Ozaukee & SheboyganHarry W. BolensPort WashingtonDem.
21RacineWalter S. GoodlandRacineRep.
22Kenosha & WalworthConrad ShearerKenoshaRep.
23Portage & WaupacaHerman J. SeversonIolaProg.Rep.
24Clark, Taylor, & WoodWalter J. RushNeillsvilleRep.
25Lincoln & MarathonOtto MuellerWausauRep.
26DaneAlvin C. ReisMadisonRep.
27Columbia, Richland, & SaukFred W. ZantowBarabooRep.
28Chippewa & Eau ClaireG. Erle IngramEau ClaireProg.Rep.
29Barron, Dunn, & PolkJohn A. AndersonBarronRep.
30Florence, Forest, Langlade, Marinette, & OneidaSherman W. WadeAntigoDem.
31Adams, Juneau, Monroe, & MarquetteOrland S. LoomisMaustonRep.
32Jackson, La Crosse, & TrempealeauHarry W. GriswoldWest SalemRep.
33Jefferson & WaukeshaWilliam H. EdwardsSussexRep.

Members of the Assembly

Members of the Assembly for the Sixty-First Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

Assembly partisan composition
  Democratic: 59 seats
  Socialist: 3 seats
  Republican: 38 seats
Milwaukee County districts
Senate
Dist.
CountyDist.RepresentativePartyResidence
31Adams & MarquetteK. J. CallahanRep.Montello
12AshlandClarence V. OlsonProg.Rep.Ashland
29BarronWarren D. LearyDem.Rice Lake
11BayfieldRobert A. NixonProg.Rep.Washburn
02Brown1Robert E. LynchDem.Green Bay
2William J. SweeneyDem.De Pere
10Buffalo & PepinArthur A. HittProg.Rep.Alma
11Burnett & WashburnLou J. ThompsonDem.Spooner
19CalumetJerome F. FoxDem.Chilton
28ChippewaJohn E. PrinceRep.Anson
24ClarkJames E. LyonsDem.Colby
27ColumbiaE. Myrwyn RowlandsRep.Cambria
16CrawfordThorleif A. PetersonDem.Soldiers Grove
26Dane1Francis LambRep.Madison
2James C. HansonRep.Deerfield
3Albert J. BakerRep.Mount Horeb
13Dodge1Lorenz BeckerDem.Woodland
2Henry E. KruegerDem.Beaver Dam
01DoorWilliam H. MooreProg.Rep.Sawyer
11Douglas1Maurice WeinbergDem.Superior
2Joseph WestlundRep.Superior
29DunnWillis E. DonleyDem.Menomonie
28Eau ClaireJohn T. PritchardRep.Eau Claire
30Florence, Forest, & OneidaNeil McEachinDem.Rhinelander
18Fond du Lac1Maurice J. Fitzsimons Jr.Dem.Fond du Lac
2Joseph H. HardgroveDem.Eden
16Grant1Bert A. ClemensRep.Cuba City
2Hugh A. HarperRep.Lancaster
17GreenErnst J. HoeslyProg.Rep.New Glarus
18Green Lake & WausharaAlex McDonaldDem.Markesan
17IowaJohn S. JacksonRep.Mineral Point
12Iron & VilasPaul AlfonsiProg.Rep.Pence
32JacksonWilliam F. DettingerProg.Rep.Hixton
33JeffersonPalmer F. DaugsDem.Fort Atkinson
31JuneauJohn P. ConwayRep.Hustler
22Kenosha1Alfred C. GrosvenorDem.Kenosha
2George E. MahoneyDem.Pleasant Prairie
01KewauneeAlbert D. ShimekDem.Algoma
32La Crosse1John MulderRep.La Crosse
2Bernhard MauDem.West Salem
17LafayetteJoseph S. RobinsonRep.Platteville
30LangladeJames T. CavanaughDem.Antigo
25LincolnLouis LeidigerDem.Merrill
01Manitowoc1Francis A. YindraDem.Manitowoc
2Raymond J. ScheuerDem.Mishicot
25Marathon1Frank J. ShortnerDem.Edgar
2Frank E. BachhuberDem.Wausau
30MarinetteCharles A. BudlongRep.Marinette
09Milwaukee1Cornelius T. YoungDem.Milwaukee
062Clarence KretlowDem.Milwaukee
083Arthur J. BalzerProg.Dem.Milwaukee
094John O'MalleyDem.Milwaukee
035Mary O. KryszakDem.Milwaukee
096John N. KaiserDem.Milwaukee
067Arthur KoegelSoc.Milwaukee
088James W. HigginsDem.Milwaukee
059George WeisslederDem.Milwaukee
0710Frank ChermakDem.South Milwaukee
0311Martin FranzkowiakDem.Milwaukee
0712Max GalasinskiDem.Milwaukee
0413Grover RamstackDem.Milwaukee
14Milton T. MurrayRep.Milwaukee
0515Thomas H. CaffreyDem.Milwaukee
0616Herman B. WegnerSoc.Milwaukee
0717Edward C. WernerDem.Milwaukee
0618Edward H. KieferSoc.Milwaukee
0519Joseph L. GarvensDem.West Milwaukee
0820Charles B. PerryRep.Wauwatosa
31MonroeEarl D. HallRep.Greenfield
02OcontoGregory FlatleyDem.Oconto Falls
14Outagamie1August W. LaabsRep.Appleton
2William M. RohanDem.Kaukauna
20OzaukeeLouis G. KiekerDem.Thiensville
10PierceLloyd TomblesonRep.Ellsworth
29PolkMarius DueholmRep.Luck
23PortageJohn KostuckProg.Rep.Stevens Point
12PriceGustave BlieseDem.Phillips
21Racine1Joseph ClancyDem.Racine
2Joseph C. HamataDem.Racine
3Edward F. RakowDem.Burlington
27RichlandHarley A. MartinDem.Richland Center
15Rock1Edward GrassmanRep.Edgerton
2Ira E. InmanRep.Beloit
12Rusk & SawyerJ. W. CarowRep.Ladysmith
27SaukIsaac C. EvansDem.Spring Green
14ShawanoWalter J. DolanDem.Shawano
20Sheboygan1Joseph M. TheisenDem.Sheboygan
2Charles A. LaackDem.Plymouth
10St. CroixArthur D. KellyProg.Rep.Hudson
24TaylorAnthony J. OpachenDem.Medford
32TrempealeauFrank A. KellmanRep.Galesville
16VernonHjalmer S. HalvorsenProg.Rep.Westby
22WalworthDaniel E. LaBarRep.Delavan
13WashingtonJoseph E. RussellDem.Hartford
33Waukesha1Walter G. CaldwellDem.Waukesha
2William H. SteeleRep.Pewaukee
23WaupacaEarle MoldenhauerDem.Clintonville
19Winnebago1Ray NovotnyDem.Oshkosh
2William P. GrimesDem.Neenah
24WoodByrde M. VaughanRep.Wisconsin Rapids

Committees

Senate committees

  • Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Labor – C. Shearer, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Committees – W. H. Edwards, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – B. Gettelman, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Corporations and Taxation – O. Morris, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Education and Public Welfare – W. H. Hunt, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Highways – J. E. Cashman, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on the Judiciary – H. J. Severson, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on Legislative Procedure – O. S. Loomis, chair
  • Senate Standing Committee on State and Local Government – M. F. White, chair
  • Senate Special Committee on Building and Loan Association Legislation – H. W. Griswold, chair
  • Senate Special Committee on Investigation of Grain and Warehouse Commission – M. G. Kelly, chair
  • Senate Special Committee on Mortgage Foreclosures – O. S. Loomis, chair

Assembly committees

  • Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture – H. A. Martin, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Commerce and Manufactures – P. F. Daugs, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Conservation – G. Bliese, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Contingent Expenditures – W. J. Dolan, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Education – E. F. Rakow, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Elections – J. M. Theisen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Engrossed Bills – A. J. Opachen, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Enrolled Bills – M. Weinberg, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Excise and Fees – L. Leidiger, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Highways – W. G. Caldwell, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Insurance and Banking – B. Mau, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on the Judiciary – J. F. Fox, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Labor – A. J. Balzer, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Municipalities – M. Galasinski, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Printing – W. D. Leary, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Public Welfare – M. O. Kryszak, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Revision – W. P. Grimes, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Rules – H. E. Krueger, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on State Affairs – F. Chermak, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Taxation – E. Moldenhauer, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Third Reading – J. E. Russell, chair
  • Assembly Standing Committee on Transportation – I. C. Evans, chair
  • Assembly Special Committee on Building and Loan Association Legislation – W. D. Leary, chair

Joint committees

  • Joint Standing Committee on Finance – O. Mueller (Sen.) & J. C. Hamata (Asm.), co-chairs
  • Joint Special Committee on Additional Farm Lands for State Prison – O. Mueller, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Farm Machinery Prices – H. J. Severson, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Huber Memorial Exercises – J. E. Cashman, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Investigation of the Department of Agriculture and Markets – G. E. Ingram, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Investigation of the Quality and Price of Beer – M. G. Kelly, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Reduction in Cost of Government – E. A. Clifford, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Small Loans Lobbying – H. W. Bolens, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Sources of Revenue for School Purposes – B. Gettelman, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on Stabilization of Milk Prices – B. J. Gehrmann, chair
  • Joint Special Committee on State Fair for 1933 – W. Shenners, chair

Employees

Senate employees

  • Chief Clerk: Robert A. Cobban[2]
    • Assistant Chief Clerk: C. J. Knoche
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: Emil A. Hartman
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Norman J. Hippert
  • Postmaster: William H. Kasiska

Assembly employees

  • Chief Clerk: John J. Slocum[2]
  • Sergeant-at-Arms: George C. Faust
    • Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: John E. Rohan
  • Postmaster: James Carew

Changes from the 60th Legislature

New districts for the 61st Legislature were defined in 1931 Wisconsin Special Session Act 27, passed into law in the 60th Wisconsin Legislature.

Senate redistricting

Summary of Senate changes

  • 26 districts were left unchanged
  • Milwaukee's 7 districts were slightly reconfigured without losing their geographic position within the county.

Assembly redistricting

Summary of Assembly changes

  • 74 districts were left unchanged
  • Two of Dane County's districts were slightly adjusted.
  • Kenosha County's 2 districts were slightly adjusted.
  • Marathon County's 2 districts were reconfigured.
  • Milwaukee County's 20 districts were reconfigured.

Notes

References