50th Wisconsin Legislature

50th Wisconsin Legislature
49th 51st
Wisconsin State Capitol under reconstruction after the 1904 fire
Overview
Legislative bodyWisconsin Legislature
Meeting placeWisconsin State Capitol
TermJanuary 2, 1911 – January 6, 1913
ElectionNovember 8, 1910
Senate
Members33
Senate PresidentThomas Morris (R)
President pro temporeHarry C. Martin (R)
Party controlRepublican
Assembly
Members100
Assembly SpeakerC. A. Ingram (R)
Party controlRepublican
Sessions
1stJanuary 11, 1911 – July 15, 1911
Special sessions
Apr. 1912 Spec.April 30, 1912 – May 6, 1912

The Fiftieth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 11, 1911, to July 15, 1911, in regular session, and re-convened in a special session from April 30, 1912, to May 6, 1912.[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 was notable for the implementation of Wisconsin's first income tax—the first income tax in the United States.

This session was also the high water mark for the Social Democratic Party in Wisconsin, representing 12 of Milwaukee County's 16 districts in the Assembly, and 2 of Milwaukee County's 5 Senate districts.

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 8, 1910. 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, 1908.[1]

  1. ^ a b 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, 474, 479–480. ISBN 978-1-7333817-1-0. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
  2. ^ Janik, Erika (February 27, 2017). "1904 Fire Gutted Capitol, Nearly Cost Madison State Capitol". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved December 29, 2022.