The1899 United States Senate election in Wisconsin was held in the44th Wisconsin Legislature betweenJanuary 25, 1899, andJanuary 31, 1899. Incumbent Democratic U.S. senatorJohn L. Mitchell did not run for a second term. Republican lawyer and former state legislatorJoseph V. Quarles was elected to succeed him on the sixth ballot.[1]
In the 1899 term, Republicans held overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the Wisconsin Legislature, so had more than enough votes to elect a RepublicanUnited States senator. But an intense five-way contest for the Republican nomination left the caucus unable to select a nominee before the start of the joint convention. After a week of voting in joint convention and 93 ballots in the Republican caucus,Isaac Stephenson,Joseph W. Babcock,Samuel A. Cook, andCharles M. Webb withdrew their candidacies and endorsed Kenosha attorney Joseph V. Quarles.
By law, the legislature was required to convene in joint session each day (except sundays) to vote until they reached a majority for U.S. senator. On January 30, by agreement between the various candidates, most legislators were allowed to be absent, with each declared candidate designating one trusted supporter to arrive and cast a placeholder vote.
After the Republican caucus came to consensus the previous evening, the44th Wisconsin Legislature re-convened in joint session at noon on January 31.[2] Voting went entirely along party lines, with five members absent. Of the members present and voting,Joseph V. Quarles received the votes of all the Republican legislators, winning the election.[1]
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