USA > Wisconsin > Milwaukee County > Milwaukee > History of Milwaukee, city and county, Volume I > Part 52
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The Duty of the State .- This enthusiastic writer contends that there should be established at different points large state parks "thousands of aeres in ex- tent, regions of wild woods and of lakes and rivers," and the natural features with which the state is so abundantly provided. "The public must have access to every lake in the state and, at convenient points, to rivers as well. These waters are publie waters and private monopoly of them, through private ownership of the land around and along them. cannot be tolerated." The additional charm of trees planted along the shores of lakes and rivers must be considered wherever they are lacking in this important feature. "Water with no tree line possesses little charm ; water fringed with trees, its natural setting. is alluring and compelling in its beauty."
The state highway law went into effect in 1911. Milwaukee County began its work through the aetion of its Board of Supervisors. The Board called on the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey which handled high- ways matters in Wisconsin, and asked for assistance in commeneing operations in the county. Mr. W. O. Hotehkiss, who was in charge of the road work, sug- Vol, I-36
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gested the hiring of a man to take charge of the work for the county. The result was that Mr. Il. A. Kuelling, then in the employ of the Survey, went 10 Milwaukee County in April, 1911. having obtained leave of absence from the Survey for that purpose. The first year's work consisted mainly in in- vestigations and surveys, and a study of the highway situation in the county.
Mr. Kuelling was then regularly engaged by the County Board and re- mained in its service until July, 1917, when he returned to the Wisconsin Highway Commission. The first actual work done in the county was in 1912, and since that period the work done has been described in the annual reports of the highway commissioner.
Milwaukee County, up to the close of the year 1921, had completed some 200 miles of excellent highways within its limits continuons with the impor- tant streets and boulevards of the City of Milwaukee, and including on their routes the extensive systems of parks for which that city is famous. These highways lead directly to the st'll greater system of public roads throughout the state, which in their turn connect with the "Lincoln Highway." the " Dixie Highway," and the numerous great cities beyond. Thousands of miles of these beautiful roads have been thus rendered accessible to travelers riding in the'r own conveyanees and opening to them the seenic wonders of the land which otherwise they might never have had the satisfaction of looking upon.
The financial statement included in the ninth annual report of the Mil- waukee County Highway Department, of which Mr. Charles C. Jacobus is the chairman and a leading good roads champion, shows that at the beginning of the year 1920 there was a balance in the Good Roads Fund amounting to $20,895.73 plus $1,390.53 cash in bank. In addition to this there were re- ceived from various sources in the form of refunds and appropriations from towns and cities the sum of $45,680.30, making a total of $67.966.56.
In 1919 the state allotted the sum of $150,505.48 for 1920 construction. To meet this amount the County Board appropriated the sum of $230,000.00, mak- ing a total appropriation of $380,505.48, or a grand total of $448.472.04 avail- able for 1920 construction.
During the year 1920 there was expended the sum of $446,773.93. as shown by the detailed eost statements herewith and $21,175.00 advanced for Federal Aid Maintenance, making the total expenditures $467,948.93. This leaves a deficit of $27,756.21, of which $8,161.53 is balance in bank, leaving a net deficit of $19,594.68.
The County Board has appropriated the sum of $230,000.00 and the state the sum of $145.481.45, making a total of $375.481.45, less deficit of $19,594.68, leaving a grand total of $354,886.77 available for 1921 construction.
The Metropolitan Sewerage Commission .- The law under which this body is created, and the purpose of its creation, is told by Charles P. Perry. its chairman, as follows:
"Organization October 20, 1921, of the Metropolitan Sewerage commission is regarded as one of the foremost steps ever taken in Milwaukee or the coun- ty to bring about a better sewerage system. Although the commission has been in force only two months it already has made plans for an intercepting sewerage system connecting the city and county.
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THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
"The commission was made possible by an act of the State Legislature. The law requ'red that it consist of three members appointed by the governor, one on recommendation of the state board of health, another on recommenda- tion of city sewerage commission and the third without recommendation. The commission consists of Charles P. Perry of Wauwatosa, George P. Miller and F. U. Ullins.
"In 1913 the Legislature passed a law ereating a sewerage commission, the duty of which was to build an intercepting sewerage system and a sewage dis- posal plant for the City of Milwaukee to protect the public water supply, rivers and bathing beaches.
"This law, however, did not confer any anthority upon the sewerage com- mission of the City of Milwaukee to build intercepting sewers for the outlying districts in the county which contributed to the pollution of the rivers and lake waters. It was realized that even after the City of Milwaukee expended millions of dollars in colleeting its sewage, carrying it to a sewage disposal plant and treating it so as to discharge it into the lake withont serions pollu- tion, the waters would still be polluted from the sewage from the outlying distriets which drain into the rivers passing through the city.
"To colleet the sewage from each individual community and treat it inde- pendently of its neighbor was impracticable because it would increase the expense to each municipality, by building and operating independent inter- cepting sewers and sewage disposal plants, and many of the communities were not able to finance sneh large expenditures.
"In several eases one main sanitary intereepting sewer could be built for two or more outlying communities which would colleet the sewage from these communities and which could be carried by gravity to the intereepting sewer- age system of the City of Milwaukee and through it be carried and disposed of at the d'sposal plant which was being built by the city.
"By combining all of the territory within the county which lies in the same drainage district as the sewerage system of the City of Milwaukee, the waters of the rivers and lake eould be kept free from pollution providing there was some eentral board authorized to finanee and build the large collecting inter- cepting sewers necessary to carry the sewage from this drainage distriet to the intercepting sewer system of the city.
"This metropolitan sewerage commission is required to project, construct and maintain in the county outside of the city limits main sewers for the collection and transmission of house, industrial, and all other factory sewage to and into the intercepting sewerage system of the City of Milwaukee, and they may require any town, city, or village in the county, to rebuild any outlet, drain or sewer so as to discharge the said sewage waste or trade waste into the sewers of the city or into such intercepting sewer located in or near the town or village which the metropolitan sewerage commission may establish.
"The statute provides that after the organization of the metropolitan sew- erage commission, the sewerage commission of the City of Milwaukee shall prepare maps and surveys showing that portion of said eonnty which is within the same drainage area as the sewerage system of the City of Mil-
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waukee, the sewage from which may be cared for by the disposal plant located in said city and the metropolitan sewerage commission shall determine the boundaries thereof in each of the respective towns and villages outside of the city limits.
"The commission has adopted a budget for the coming year which com- prises the expenditure of about $1,300,000 with which it contemplates the construction of a main intercepting sewer for Shorewood and Whitefish Bay, one in Milwaukee and a portion of Wauwatosa for the purpose of collecting and carrying to the city's West Side intercepting sewer the sewage from the rapidly growing section north of the city and from the city of North Mil- waukee.
"The county board of supervisors has already authorized the issuance of bonds for the metropolitan sewerage commission in the amount of $1,300,000 for building these intercepting sewers."
CHAPTER XXXIII
WOMAN'S SUFFRAGE IN WISCONSIN
On June 10, 1919, the Legislature of the State of Wisconsin passed a resolution ratifying an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which declared that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."
This amendment had been proposed and passed by Congress, May 19, 1919, to become valid "when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states." Other states followed Wisconsin in ratifying the amendment until the necessary three-fourths of the number of ratifications was completed more than a year later by the action of the Tennessee Legisla- ture, August 18, 1920. The United States Department of State then issued a proclamation, under date of August 26, 1920, certifying that the "amend- ment aforesaid has become valid to all intents and purposes as a part of the Constitution of the United States."
The Legislature of Illinois had also passed a resolution of ratification on the same day as that passed by the Wisconsin Legislature, namely, June 10, 1919. But owing to an error in the text of the resolution as passed by the Illinois Legislature it became necessary to pass it again a fortnight later. Hlad it not been for this delay the Illinois Legislature might have been entitled to first place in the list of states ratifying the amendment.
"Whether the actual passage of the amendment, or the filing of that docu- ment at Washington," writes Mrs. Theodora W. Youmans in an historical article printed in the Wisconsin Magazine of History, for September, 1921. "should establish precedence, whether the error should or should not count against Illinois,-these are considerations which bid fair to make the ques- tion, 'is Wiseonsin or Illinois entitled to first place in ratifying the suffrage amendment ?' one of the great unsettled questions of the day. But there is no question that Wisconsin, either alone or with one companion, held the proud position of leader in that final great roll-call of democracy."
Review of Woman's Suffrage Movement .- In the early days the people of Wisconsin gave earnest attention to the subject of woman's "right of suf- frage," and in the proceedings of constitutional conventions, conventions of political parties, and in the Legislature the question was often brought up for discussion. "In the early days of statehood," says Mrs. Youmans in her artiele previously referred to, "abolition of slavery, women's rights,
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HISTORY OF MILWAUKEE
and the temperanee canse were inextricably intertwined, and the advocate of one was apt to be the advocate of all." However, no appreciable progress was made in the cause of woman's rights up to the opening of the Civil war. "All efforts for woman suffrage," says Mrs. Youmans, "were . abated during the Civil war, its advocates giving themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of freedom as exemplified by the abolition of slavery, But when the war was over, its object achieved, it seemed desperately hard to these devoted, high-minded women that nneducated colored men, just released from slavery, should be adjudged worthy of the ballot which was still withheld from the educated and patriotie white women who had helped to save the nation and free the slaves. They were astounded to have the discriminatory word 'male,' which had never before been used in the federal constitution, appear in the fourteenth amendment, and made vigorous effort to prevent it. Their failure in this effort, due partly to the influence of those who now joined in the rallying ery, 'This is the Negro's hour,' made them realize as never before the force and weight of the opposition."
But the advocates of woman's suffrage did not become faint-hearted under the weight of the diseonraging indifference of former friends or the opposi- tion of their adversaries. "The Civil war, however, had developed courage and self-reliance in women. Many of them had managed the farm, the shop. the office, as well as the family, while the man of the house was away at the war. Women had achieved notable results in the organization and manage- ment of the Sanitary Commission and other relief agencies. So added ability and determination were enlisted in the suffrage cause after the war."
The Suffrage Movement in Milwaukee .- A state convention in the interests of woman's suffrage was organized and held in Milwaukee in the old city hall, February 24 and 25, 1869. The program of the convention was arranged by Dr. Laura Ross, a physician of Milwaukee, and Miss Lila Peekham, a lawyer, whose early death was a great loss to the suffrage cause. Dr. Laura Ross was later married to Dr. E. B. Woleott, the distinguished surgeon.
The national leaders in the movement were represented in force at the convention, among them Mary A. Livermore, Susan B. Anthony, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. At the conclusion of the convention in Milwaukee these lead- ers went on to Madison and gave addresses before the Legislature then in session, in favor of woman's suffrage.
"The association effected by the Milwaukee convention of 1869," con- timies Mrs. Youmans' article, "began at onee to organize local units and to draw together into a single association those interested in this unpopular cause. Early suffrage organizations are known to have been formed at Fond du Lac. Richland Center. Baraboo, Evansville, Boscobel, and Union Grove."
Meantime, many suffrage lectures were given in various places through- ont the state by such speakers as Mrs. Livermore, Mrs. Stanton, Miss Anthony. and Phoebe Cousins. When Mrs. Stanton lectured in Milwaukee in 1877. she was entertained by the leaders in social affair in the city and gained many adherents for the canse. The movement was now reinforced by the active participation with it of Mrs. Olympia Brown of Rac'ne. Mrs. Brown was
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pastor of the Universalist Church at Racine, and for many years thereafter was elosely identified with the woman's suffrage movement.
During the summer of 1880, the national leaders held a series of conven- tions in the states of the Middle West. Wisconsin's promising condition attraeted their attention, and a state convention was held on the 4th and 5th of June, in Milwaukee, at which Miss Anthony, Mrs. Stanton, Lillie Devereux Blake, and other national leaders were present. Twenty-five dele- gates were present from the local associations throughout the state."
"Mrs. Brown became the president of the Wisconsin Woman's Suffrage Association in 1885, and she was destined to serve as president for thirty years, never failing in devotion, energy or efficiency," says Mrs. Youmans in her artiele. "Many women who continued active in suffrage work until success erowned the eause first enlisted in the movement in the campaign of 1912."
Later History of the Movement .- Diverse opinions as to the manner of eondueting campaigns had resulted in the formation in 1912 of a new state organization known as the Political Equality League of which Miss Ada L. James was president and Crystal Eastman Benedict of New York was the campaign manager. But though the two organizations worked separately for a time, on the whole they worked harmoniously. Both had offices in Milkaukee and from here carried on a lively campaign for the several meas- ures before the Legislature in which the suffragists were interested.
"We rested a bit after that campaign," continues Mrs. Youmans in her interesting account. "We needed it, but the rest was short. In January, 1913, a joint eonvention of the two suffrage organizations was ealled. Their hostility had been more than half friendly; they easily forgot their differ- ences and buried the hatchet; and they united as one body under the old historie name, the Wisconsin Woman's Suffrage Association. Mrs. Brown and Miss James both retired and a new president, vastly surprised to find herself in that position, was chosen." The new president thus referred to was Mrs. Youmans, the writer of the article from which the above quota- tions have been so liberally quoted.
"We went into the publishing business oeeasionally, although the great bulk of the enormous amount of literature distributed we purchased from the National American Woman Suffrage Association * * We sent an imposing contingent to the suffrage parade in Chicago in June, 1916, when the suffrage hosts marehing down Michigan Avenue in a downpour of rain and gale of wind testified to their heartfelt desire for the ballot, in presence of the delegates to the National Republican Convention there looking on; at least we ardently desired them to be looking on. Outside of Illinois, Wis- consin had the largest delegation, each member wearing a yellow Wisconsin tunie, and the contingent being escorted by a Grand Army of the Republie drum corps."
Many of the residents of Chicago well remember the tempestuous state of the weather on that day, and the noble efforts of the speetators to come to the relief of the devoted marchers as they passed. But the rain and the wind seemed only to add to their hilarity and enthusiasm, and their parade
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was regarded as a prononneed success, though accompanied by some individual suffering and exposure.
An important feature of the work for woman's suffrage, says Mrs. You- mans, "was at the state and county fairs, where from booth or tent there emanated speeches, literature, and friendly argument with the hundreds who drifted in and out. Regular press service was continued, the writer (Mrs. Youmans) serving as press chairmaan, and sending out at regular intervals a letter to all those newspapers in the state, about one hundred in number, who were sufficiently hospitable to our cause to warrant the expenditure for paper and stamps. Special suffrage editions of daily or weekly news- papers were occasionally issued. edited usually by members of our organiza- tion. The Richland Democrat, the Watertown Daily Times, the Milwaukee Leader, and the Madison State Journal, were among newspapers which paid us this pleasant attention."
The Assistance Received from the Foreign Press .- One gifted woman. Mrs. B. C. Gudden, who has since passed from among us, assisted in this branch of the press work, "by sending suffrage letters to the German newspapers; and such was her ability and standing that she was able to secure their regu- lar publication. Suffrage propaganda also appeared in at least one Polish paper. Our final victory was largely due, as most reforms are, to the help of the newspapers. Especially to promote congressional work in this state. Mrs. Carrie Chapman Catt came here in 1916, and was the chief speaker in a state-wide congressional conference held in Milwaukee."
It was slow work trying to convince our representatives in Congress of the importance of the movement and overcome the indifference and some- times open hostility of many of them to the cause of woman's suffrage. "When the vote was taken in the House of Representatives in 1915, Wis- consin gave two votes in favor and nine votes against the federal amendment. By January, 1918, our delegation had taken an advanced stand and we had the remarkably favorable vote of eight for, and two against, the amendment * *
# That same vote was recorded at the final suffrage roll-call in the House in May, 1919. Both of the Wisconsin senators stood steadily for the amendment."
Influence of the Great War .- "The World war undoubtedly hastened the enfranchisement of the women of this country." continues Mrs. Youmans. "Politieal parties indicated the splendid war work of women as reason for favoring political equality. Woman suffragists, being suffragists because of their interest in citizenship and good government, realized to the full the great issues at stake and supported the government with all their powers * * ** . Almost immediately after Congress had declared the existence of a state of war the executive board of the Wisconsin Woman's Suffrage Association took action favoring vigorons effort in several specified lines of war activity, and proffering its allegiance and services to the state."
The Wisconsin Woman's Suffrage Association, as well as many of the county associations, appointed committees on registration, food conservation, Americanization, fatherless children of France, Red Cross. Liberty Loan drives, and all sorts of war and relief organizations; and especially fine work
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was done in teaching American ideals to the foreign born element in our population. There are many other details connected with the movement which we should like to dwell upon in this inadequate account of woman's suffrage in this state, but at least we shall strongly recommend such readers as take an interest in the subject to procure the number of the Wisconsin Magazine of History, for September, 1921, published by the State Historical Society at Madison, and peruse Mrs. Youmans' article which we have found so helpful in the preparation of this passage in our history. The writer of the article adds a note that she is indebted for information used to the Rev. Olympia Brown (whose portrait is found in the frontispiece of the magazine), Ada L. James, Louise P. Kellogg, and many others.
Mrs. Youmans' Final Paragraph .- "In looking backward we are filled with gratitude and happiness at what we have accomplished * . The enfranchisement of women in face of the prejudice against it, prejudice woven into the very web of human nature, is a marvelous achievement. The eareless world will probably continue to think that woman suffrage just hap- pened, that it was 'in the air'; but we know that the changes in the opinions of society which made it possible are the result of ceaseless, unremitting toil * * . The political equality of women came because a little group of women had a profound conviction that the enfranchisement of women was so fundamentally right and so absolutely necessary that it must be brought about. Many women and many men helped in the long woman suffrage struggle. But it was the burning flame in the souls of a few women which lighted and led the way."
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CHAPTER XXXIV
PARTICIPATION IN WAR
The Winnebago War of 1827 .- While the events that constituted the "speck of war" known as the "Winnebago uprising" can searcely be eon- sidered a part of the history of Milwaukee, still this episode must be men- tioned because of the excitement eaused among the few settlers then resident at this distant frontier trading post. The uprising took place in 1827 and was the result of troubles between the white settlers, then flocking into the territory, and the Winnebago tribe, who occupied this region of country be- fore they were removed by the Government to their reservations in the far west.
The name most frequently met with in connection with the uprising is that of the Winnebago chief, Red Bird, who boldly undertook to revenge certain wrongs and outrages suffered by the savages, in Indian fashion. Thus a number of whites were brutally massaered in retaliation and an alarm was spread that a general Indian attack was about to be made on the settlements. But the reports of outrages, though serious enough, proved to have been greatly exaggerated. Governor Lewis Cass, arriving upon the scene from Detroit, soon gathered the Indians in council at Green Bay and gave a sympa- thetie hearing to them. The governor, finding much discontent among the tribes, determined upon a tour along the frontier, and taking a eanoe manned by a party of voyageurs, he rapidly passed up the Fox River and down the Wisconsin into the Mississippi. As he passed he warned the chiefs of the results of a war which they seemed bent upon undertaking.
Governor Cass reached Prairie du Chien where he organized the people for defense, collected volunteers at other places and finally reached St. Louis from which point he dispatched a force of United States troops under Gen- eral Atkinson to the troubled regions. He started on his return journey to Green Bay by way of Chicago where he arrived thirteen days after leaving Green Bay. He remained in Chicago but a few hours eontinning his journey along the coast of Lake Michigan to Green Bay. The Indians, finding that their designs had become fully known to the governor, abandoned their hostile purposes with ill-concealed chagrin. A treaty was soon completed, and a devastating war over the whole Northwestern frontier was thus averted through the promptness of the governor's action.
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