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14th Wisconsin Legislature
Wisconsin legislative term for 1861 From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Fourteenth Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 9, 1861, to April 17, 1861, in regular session. The legislature re-convened in special session from May 15, 1861, to May 27, 1861, at the request of Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall, to approve funding for a brigade of volunteers for the American Civil War.
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 6, 1860. 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 8, 1859.[1]
The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican Alexander Randall, of Waukesha County, serving the second year of his second two-year term, having won re-election in the 1859 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.
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Major events
- January 23, 1861: Timothy O. Howe elected United States Senator by the Wisconsin Legislature in Joint Session.
- March 4, 1861: Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln as the 16th President of the United States.
- April 12, 1861: South Carolina militia began bombarding Fort Sumpter in Charleston Harbor.
- April 15, 1861: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation requesting the states provide 75,000 volunteers for service in the American Civil War.
- April 16, 1861: 1st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment raised in Milwaukee.
- May 9, 1861: Wisconsin Governor Alexander Randall called for a special session of the Wisconsin Legislature.
- July 21, 1861: First Battle of Bull Run took place in Prince William County, Virginia, one regiment of Wisconsin volunteers participated in the battle.
- November 8, 1861: Louis P. Harvey elected Governor of Wisconsin.
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Major legislation
First session
- January 21, 1861: Joint Resolution, co-operating with friends of the Union throughout the United States, 1861 Joint Resolution 1
- April 11, 1861: Act to apportion the State into Senate and Assembly Districts. 1861 Act 216
- April 13, 1861: Act to provide for apportioning the State into Congressional Districts, 1861 Act 238
- April 13, 1861: Act to provide for the defence of the State, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the Federal Government, 1861 Act 239
- April 17, 1861: Act to declare the rights and privileges of such persons as may enroll themselves into the service of the country. 1861 Act 309
Special session
- May 21, 1861: Joint Resolution, authorizing the Governor to be absent from the State during the present war, 1861 Special Session Joint Resolution 1
- May 25, 1861: Joint Resolution, recommending to the War Department the formation of a brigade, and the appointment of Hon. Rufus King to its command, 1861 Special Session Joint Resolution 2
- May 25, 1861: Joint Resolution, in regard to the assassination of Col. Ellsworth, 1861 Special Session Joint Resolution 3
- May 25, 1861: Act to provide for the assistance of volunteers in the service of the United States Government, 1861 Special Session Act 2
- May 25, 1861: Act to provide a military force for immediate service to aid in protecting and defending the Constitution and the Union, 1861 Special Session Act 4
- May 25, 1861: Act to prevent rendering aid to Rebels, 1861 Special Session Act 5
- May 25, 1861: Act to provide for the purchasing of Arms and Equipments for the use of the State, 1861 Special Session Act 6
- May 27, 1861: Act to provide for the payment of discharged Volunteers, 1861 Special Session Act 9
- May 27, 1861: Act to provide for borrowing money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the State in time of war, 1861 Special Session Act 13
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Party summary
Senate summary

Democratic: 8 seats
Republican: 22 seats
Assembly summary

Democratic: 26 seats
Republican: 71 seats
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Sessions
- 1st Regular session: January 9, 1861 – April 17, 1861
- Special session: May 15, 1861 – May 27, 1861
Leaders
Senate leadership
- President of the Senate: Butler G. Noble, Lieutenant Governor
- President pro tempore: Alden I. Bennett
Assembly leadership
- Speaker of the Assembly: Amasa Cobb
Members
Summarize
Perspective
Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Fourteenth Wisconsin Legislature:[2]

Democratic: 8 seats
Republican: 22 seats
Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the Fourteenth Wisconsin Legislature:[3][4]

Democratic: 26 seats
Republican: 71 seats
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Employees
Senate employees
- Chief Clerk: John H. Warren[2]
- Assistant Clerk: Stephen Steele Barlow
- Engrossing Clerk: Willard Merrill
- Enrolling Clerk: Edward Colman
- Transcribing Clerk: F. H. Megdeburg
- Sergeant-at-Arms: J. A. Hadley
- Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: David M. McBride
- Postmaster: James Moore
- Assistant Postmaster: A. B. Finch
- Doorkeeper: Phillip Carey
- Assistant Doorkeeper: Henry Case
- Fireman: George Wittle
- Messengers:
- Walter C. Wyman
- Albert F. Dexter
- Patrick Lanner
Assembly employees
- Chief Clerk: L. H. D. Crane[3]
- Assistant Clerk: John S. Dean
- Bookkeeper: Ephraim W. Young
- Engrossing Clerk: Joseph C. Pickard
- Enrolling Clerk: Nathaniel F. Lund
- Transcribing Clerk: Harvey Briggs
- Assistant Clerk: John S. Dean
- Sergeant-at-Arms: Craig B. Beese
- Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Asher Armstrong
- Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms: Ebenezer Sprague
- Postmaster: Hiram Beckworth
- Assistant Postmaster: John N. Stone
- Doorkeeper: Joel Barber
- Assistant Doorkeeper: Joshua W. Tolford
- Firemen:
- William C. Lasure
- Reese Evans
- Henry N. Solbert
- Messengers:
- William H. Barnes
- William Benedict
- William Bennett
- H. M. Bingham
- Charles L. Catlin
- Edwin C. Mason
- William E. Miller
- James H. Neavill
- George D. Potter
- William H. Smith
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References
External links
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