The populations of the principal cities in 1930 and 1920 (1920 in parenthesis) were as follows: Milwaukee, Racine, 67,542 (58,593) ; Madison, ; Kenosha, 50,262 (40,472) ; Oshkosh, 40,108 ; La Crosse, Sheboygan, 39,251 (30,955); Green Bay, 37,455 (31, 017); Superior, 36,113 ; West Allis, 34,671 Fond du Lac, ; Eau Claire, 26,287 (20,906) ; Ap pleton, 25,267 (19,561) ; Wausau, 23,758 (18,661) ; Beloit, 23,611 (21,284) ; Manitowoc, There were 10 cities (or villages) with a population between 10,00o and 22,000.
original Constitution of the State, adopted in 1848, is still in force, though a number of amendments have been made. An amendment may be proposed by either house of the legislature, and if passed by a majority of the members of each house in two successive legislatures, it must be submitted for ratification by a majority vote of the people. A constitutional convention may be called if the proposal is adopted by a majority of the senate and assembly and voted upon favourably by the people at the following election. The legislature, composed of the senate and assembly, meets biennially in January of odd numbered years. It may also be called into special session by the governor, but only to transact the specific business named in the governor's call. There were in 1937 Ioo assemblymen and 33 senators, the former chosen for two-year terms, the latter for four years.
Executive power is vested in a governor and a lieutenant governor, elected for two years. The governor has a veto on legislation which may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the members present in each house. The lieutenant-governor is pres ident of the senate with a casting vote only. The administrative officers, a secretary of State, treasurer and attorney-general, are elected for two years and in ex-officio capacity act also as commis sioners of public lands. The secretary of State is also ex-officio auditor. A State superintendent of public instruction is elected for a four-year term. A number of very important governing commissions have been established, the chief ones being the indus trial, tax and public service commissions. The industrial com mission has authority in matters involving relations between management and labour. With the rise of Wisconsin as an indus trial State, the commission has become increasingly important, and its advanced policies have challenged the attention of the economic world. The public service commission has jurisdiction
over the rates and service of railways and other public utilities. Each of the three commissions consists of three members, ap pointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. Other important commissions and departments are : the State highway, banking, conservation, insurance, and grain and warehouse corn missions ; the department of agriculture and markets; the bureaux of engineering, of personnel, of purchases, and of the budget; the boards of engineering, of health, of vocational education, and of control (over charities and correction).
The judicial power of the State is vested in a supreme court of seven members, each elected for a term of ten years, which has appellate jurisdiction throughout the State. Two terms a year are held at Madison. There were in 1937 20 circuit courts, the court in the second circuit (Milwaukee) having 8 branches.
Since 1931 only a negligible proportion of the State revenue has been derived from a general property tax although this source continues to be the main reliance of local governments and school districts. In 1935-36 revenues going into the State's general fund totalled $93,027,727, of which $10,344,248 was raised by a State levy on incomes; $14,478,473 by a tax on various classes of pub lic utility and transportation corporations; $2,018,735 by a tax on insurance companies and chain stores; $2,858,155 by estate and inheritance taxes; $5,224,885 by liquor taxes; $16,741,020 by a motor fuel tax; and $11,488,677 by automobile registration fees. Expenditures for amounted to $94,917,599, of which $7,500,237 was charged to primary governmental activities; $28, 367,367 to highways; to emergency relief ; and $6, to support of the State university. In 1932 the State debt was only $1,184,000 or 4o cents per capita.