During his six years on the Wisconsin Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward G. Ryan established an enviable record as a jurist. This paper makes no attempt to measure the degree of his achievement but, instead, examines his relationships with his colleagues in terms of allocation of work, the politics of the consultation room and personality conflicts. Because there was an increase in court membership during Ryan's tenure we will first consider the period of the three man court from 1874 to 1878, in which the Chief Justice, for the most part when present, was able to impress his will on his colleagues. Secondly, we will consider the period of the five man court from 1878 to 1880, in which Ryan's role diminished and there was less unanimity.