A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
| 12th Wisconsin Legislature | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Overview | |||||
| Legislative body | Wisconsin Legislature | ||||
| Meeting place | Wisconsin State Capitol | ||||
| Term | January 3, 1859 – January 2, 1860 | ||||
| Election | November 2, 1858 | ||||
| Senate | |||||
| Members | 30 | ||||
| Senate President | Erasmus D. Campbell (D) | ||||
| President pro tempore | Denison Worthington (R) | ||||
| Party control | Democratic | ||||
| Assembly | |||||
| Members | 97 | ||||
| Assembly Speaker | William P. Lyon (R) | ||||
| Party control | Republican | ||||
| Sessions | |||||
| |||||
The Twelfth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 12, 1859, to March 21, 1859, in regular session.
Senators representing odd-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first year of a two-year term. Assembly members were elected to a one-year term. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 2, 1858. Senators representing even-numbered districts were serving the second year of their two-year term, having been elected in the general election held on November 3, 1857.[1]
Major events
- March 7, 1859: The United States Supreme Court ruled on the case of Ableman v. Booth, vacating the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision which had attempted to nullify enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 in Wisconsin.
- April 12, 1859: Edward V. Whiton, Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, died in office.
- April 19, 1859: Luther S. Dixon was appointed Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
- November 8, 1859: Alexander Randall was re-elected as Governor of Wisconsin.
Major legislation
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Party summary
Senate summary
| Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ind. | Republican | Vacant | ||
| End of previous Legislature | 12 | 0 | 18 | 30 | 0 |
| 1st Session | 14 | 0 | 16 | 30 | 0 |
| From Oct. 1[note 1] | 13 | 29 | 1 | ||
| Final voting share | 47% | 0% | 53% | ||
| Beginning of the next Legislature | 11 | 0 | 19 | 30 | 0 |
Assembly summary
| Party (Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Ind. | Republican | Vacant | ||
| End of previous Legislature | 44 | 0 | 53 | 97 | 0 |
| Start of 1st Session | 41 | 1 | 54 | 96 | 1 |
| after January 17 | 40 | 55 | |||
| after January 20 | 41 | 97 | 0 | ||
| Final voting share | 43% | 0% | 57% | ||
| Beginning of the next Legislature | 37 | 1 | 59 | 97 | 0 |
Sessions
- 1st Regular session: January 12, 1859 – March 21, 1859
Leaders
Senate leadership
- President of the Senate: Erasmus D. Campbell, Lieutenant Governor
- President pro tempore: Denison Worthington
Assembly leadership
- Speaker of the Assembly: William P. Lyon
Members
Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Twelfth Wisconsin Legislature (30):
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the Twelfth Wisconsin Legislature:
