RAILWAY LEGISLATION 



ably in numbers and influence. 1 The result was the election of 

 Ludington and a Republican majority in both houses of the 

 legislature. 2 



When the new legislature met, in January, 1876, Governor 

 Ludington depicted the sad condition of the railroads and 

 recommended the repeal of the Potter law and the Quimby 

 amendment, and the enactment of a law to prohibit and punish 

 unjust discrimination and extortion and to provide for a super- 

 visory commission. 3 During the same month the state grange 

 held its annual session and presented a resolution to the legisla- 

 ture to the effect that only such railroad legislation should be 

 enacted as was necessary for the enforcement of the Potter 

 law. 4 In February another body of farmers met in what was 

 called the Wisconsin Agricultural Convention and adopted a 

 resolution protesting against the proposed repeal of the Potter 

 law, but recommending its modification if it were deemed unjust 

 to the railroads. 5 It is clear that many in the state still approved 

 of the law; for in addition to these resolutions, thirty-nine 

 memorials were received by the Senate and twenty by the 

 Assembly opposing its repeal or modification. On the other 

 hand, the Assembly received three and the Senate twelve me- 

 morials favoring its repeal or the substitution of a less drastic 

 measure. 6 



Early in the session what was known as the Vance bill was 

 introduced by the railroad supporters. The remnants of the 

 Granger forces filibustered against this measure, but they were 

 unable to prevent its passage, the vote being 56 to 30 in the 

 Assembly and 20 to 7 in the Senate, and it became law upon 

 publication, March i, i876. 7 This measure was practically a 

 total surrender of the principle of effective control of railroad 



1 Nation, xxii. 57 (January 27, 1876). See table above, following p. 58. 



2 Lea, Grange Movement in Wisconsin (Ms.), 33; Wisconsin Statesman, Novem- 

 ber 13, 1875, P- 2 "> Campbell, in Wisconsin in Three Centuries, iv. 277. 



3 Wisconsin, Documents, 1876, i. 9-12. 



4 Wisconsin State Grange, Proceedings, iv (1876). 



5 Wisconsin State Agricultural Society, Transactions, xiv. 362-370 (1876); 

 Assembly Journal, 1876, p. 289. 



8 See Assembly Journal, 1876, index, p. 91; Senate Journal, 1876, p. 578. 

 7 Ibid. 357, 365; Assembly Journal, 1876, pp. 78, 200, 215, 264-269, 304. 



