USA > Illinois > Livingston County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Volume I Pt 1 > Part 38
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SEVENTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 6, 1851, adjourned Feb. 17 -length of session forty-three days Sidney Breer (ex- Senator) was choren Speaker. The session was
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characterized by a vast amount of legislation, not all of which was well considered. By joint reso- lution of both houses the endorsement of the Wilmot proviso at the previous session was rescinded. The first homestead exemption act was passed, and a stringent liquor law adopted, the sale of liquor in quantities less than one quart being prohibited. Township organization was authorized and what was virtually free-banking was sanctioned. The latter law was ratified by popular vote in November, 1851. An act incorpo- rating the Illinois Central Railroad was also passed at this session, the measure being drafted by James L. D. Morrison. A special session of this Assembly was held in 1852 under a call by the Governor, lasting from June 7 to the 23d- seventeen days. The most important general legislation of the special session was the reappor- tionment of the State into nine Congressional Districts. This Legislature was in session a total of sixty days.
EIGHTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The first (or regular) session convened Jan. 3, 1853, and adjourned Feb. 14. The Senate was composed of twenty Democrats and five Whigs; the House. of fifty-nine Democrats, sixteen Whigs and one "Free-Soiler." Lieutenant-Governor Koerner presided in the upper, and ex-Gov. John Reynolds in the lower house. Governor Matteson was inaugurated on the 16th; Stephen A. Douglas was re-elected United States Senator, Jan. 5, the Whigs casting a complimentary vote for Joseph Gillespie. More than 450 laws were enacted, the majority being "private acts." The prohibitory temperance legislation of the preceding General Assembly was repealed and the license system re-enacted. This body also passed the famous "black laws" designed to prevent the immigration of free negroes into the State. The sum of $18,000 was appropriated for the erection and furnishing of an executive mansion; the State Agricultural Society was incorporated; the re- mainder of the State lands was ordered sold, and any surplus funds in the treasury appropriated toward reducing the State debt. A special session was convened on Feb. 9, 1854, and adjourned March 4. The most important measures adopted were: a legislative re-apportionment, an act pro- viding for the election of a Superintendent of Public Instruction, and a charter for the Missis- sippi & Atlantic Railroad. The regular session lasted forty-three days, the special twenty-four -- total, sixty-seven.
NINETEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY met Jan. 1, 1855, and adjourned Feb. 15-the session lasting
forty-six days. Thomas J. Turner was elected Speaker of the lonse. The political complexion of the Legislature was much mixed, among the members being old-line Whigs, Abolitionists. Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Pro-slavery Demo- crats and Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The Nebraska question was the leading issue, and in reference thereto the Senate stood fourteen Nebraska members and eleven anti-Nebraska; the Hlouse, thirty-four straight-out. Democrats, while the entire strength of the opposition was forty- one. A United States Senator was to be chosen to succeed Gen. James Shields, and the friends of free-soil had a clear majority of four on joint ballot. Abraham Lincoln was the cancus nomi- nee of the Whigs. and General Shieldsof the Demo- crats. The two houses met in joint session Feb. 8. The result of the first hallot was, Lincoln, forty- five; Shields, forty-one; scattering, thirteen : present, but not voting, one. Mr. Lincoln's strength steadily waned, then rallied slightly on the sixth and seventh ballots, but again declined. Shields' forty-one votes rising on the fifth ballot to forty-two, but having dropped on the next ballot to forty-one, his name was withdrawn and that of Gov. Joel A. Matteson substituted. Mat- teson gained until he received forty-seven votes, which was the limit of his strength. On the ninth ballot, Loncoln's vote having dropped to fifteen, his name was withdrawn at his own request. his support going, on the next ballot, to Lyman Trumbull, an anti-Nebraska Democrat, who received fifty-one votes to forty-seven for Matteson and one for Archibald Williams-one member not voting. Trumbull, having received a majority, was clected. Five members had voted for him from the start. These were Sena- tors John M. Palmer, Norman B. Judd and Burton C. Cook, and Representatives Henry S. Baker and George T. Allen. It had been hoped that they would, in time, come to the support of Mr. Lin- coln, but they explained that they had been instructed by their constituents to vote only for an anti-Nebraska Democrat. They were all sub- sequently prominent leaders in the Republican party. Having inaugurated its work by accom- plishing a political revolution, this Legislature proceeded to adopt several measures more or less radical in their tendency. One of these was the Maine liquor law, with the condition that it be submitted to popular vote. It failed of ratifica- tion by vote of the people at an election held in the following June. A new common school law was enacted, and railroads were required to fence their tracks. The Assembly also adopted a reso-
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lution calling for a Convention to amend the Con- stitution, but this was defeated at the polls.
TWENTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 5. 1857, and adjourned, sine die, Feb 19. A Republican State administration, with Governor Bissell at its head, had just been elected, but the Legislature was Democratie in both branches. Lieut .- Gov. John Wood presided over the Senate, and Samuel Holmes, of Adams County, defeated Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook, for the Speakership of the House. Among the prominent members were Norman B. Judd, of Cook; A. J. Knykendall, of Johnson; Shelby M. Cullom, of Sangamon; John A. Logan, of Jackson; William R. Morrison, of Monroe; Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook ; Joseph Gilles- pie, of Madison, and S. W. Moulton, of Shelby. Among the important measures enacted by this General Assembly were the following: Aets establishing and maintaining free schools; estab- lishing a Normal University at Normal; amending the banking law ; providing for the general incor- poration of railroads; providing for the building of a new penitentiary ; and funding the accrued arrears of interest on the public debt. Length of session, forty-six days.
TWENTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 3, 1859, and was in session for fifty-three days, adjourning Feb. 24. The Senate consisted of twenty-five, and the House of seventy five members. . The presiding officers were :- of the Senate, Lieut .- Gov. Wood; of the House, W. R. Morrison, of Monroe County, who defeated his Republican opponent, Vital Jarrot, of St. Clair, on a viva voce vote. The Governor's message showed a reduction of $1, 166,877 in the State debt during two years preceding, leaving a balance of principal and arrears of interest amounting to $11,138,454. On Jan. 6, 1859, the Assembly, in joint session, elected Stephen A. Douglas to suc- ceed himself as United States Senator, by a vote of fifty-four to forty-six for Abraham Lincoln. The Legislature was thrown into great disorder in consequence of an attempt to prevent the receipt from the Governor of a veto of a legisla- tive apportionment bill which had been passed by the Democratic majority in the face of bitter opposition on the part of the Republicans, who denounced it as partisan and unjust.
TWENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened in regular session on Jan. 7, 1861, consisting of twenty-five Senators and seventy-five Represent- atives. For the first time in the State's history, the Democrats failed to control the organization of either house. Lieut .- Gov. Francis A. Hoffinan presided over the Senate, and S. M. Cullom, of
Sangamon, was chosen Speaker of the Hover, the Democratic candidate being James W. Singleton. Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles County, was elected President pro tem. of the Senate over A. J. Kuy- kendall, of Johnson. The message of the retiring Governor (John Wood) reported a reduction of the State debt, during four years of Republican administration, of 82,860,102, and showol the number of banks to be 110, whose aggregate cir- culation was 812,320,964. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected United States Senator on January 10, receiving fifty-four votes, to forty-six cast for Samnel $. Marshall. Governor Yates was inau- gurated, Jan. 14. The most important legislation of this session related to the following subjects: the separate property rights of married women ; the encouragement of mining and the support of public schools; the payment of certain evidences of State indebtedness; protection of the purity of the ballot-box, and a resolution submitting to the people the question of the calling of a Convention to amend the Constitution. Joint resolutions were passed relative to the death of Governor Bissell ; to the appointment of Commissioners to attend a Peace Conference in Washington, and referring to federal relations. The latter deprecated amendments to the United States Constitution, but expressed a willingness to unite with any States which might consider themselves aggrieved. in petitioning Congress to call a convention for the consideration of such amendments, at the same time pledging the entire resources of Illi- nois to the National Government for the preser- vation of the Union and the enforcement of the laws. The regular session ended Feb. 22, having lasted forty-seven days .- Immediately following President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to suppress the rebellion, Governor Yates recon- vened the General Assembly in special session to consider and adopt methods to aid and support the Federal authority in preserving the Union and protecting the rights and property of the people. The two houses assembled on April 23. On April 25 Senator Douglas addressed the members on the issues of the day, in response to an invitation con- veyed in a joint resolution. The special session closed May 3, 1861, and not a few of the legislatom promptly volunteered in the Union army. Length of the regular session, forty-seven days; of the special, eleven-total fifty-eight.
TWENTY-THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY was com- posed of twenty-five Senators and eighty-eight Representatives. It convened Jan. 5, 1863, and was Democratie in both branches. The presiding officer of the Senate was Lieutenant-Governor
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lution calling for a Convention to amend the Con- stitution, but this was defeated at the polls
TWENTIETH GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 5, 1857, and adjourned, sine die, Feb 19. A Republican State administration, with Governor Bissell at its head, had just been elected, but the Legislature was Democratic in both branches. Lieut .- Gov. John Wood presided over the S nate, and Samuel Holmes, of Adams County, defeated Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook, for the Speakership of the Ilonse. Among the prominent members were Norman B. Judd, of Cook; A. J. Kuykendall, of Johnson; Shelby M. Cullom, of Sangamon; John A. Logan, of Jackson; William It. Morrison, of Monroe; Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook ; Joseph Gilles- pie, of Madison, and S. W. Moulton, of Shelby. Among the important measures enacted by this General Assembly were the following: Acts establishing and maintaining free schools; estab- lishing a Normal University at Normal ; amending the banking law ; providing for the general incor- poration of railroads; providing for the building of a new penitentiary, and funding the accrued arrears of interest on the public debt. Length of session, forty-six days.
TWENTY-FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 3, 1859, and was in session for fifty-three days, adjourning Feb. 24 The Senate consisted of twenty-five, and the House of seventy five members. . The presiding officers were :- of the Senate, Lieut .- Gov. Wood; of the House, W. R. Morrison, of Monroe County, who defeated his Republican opponent, Vital Jarrot, of St. Clair, on a viva voce vote. The Governor's message showed a reduction of $1, 166,877 in the State debt during two years preceding, leaving a balance of principal and arrears of interest amounting to $11,138,451. On Jan. 6, 1859, the Assembly, in joint session, elected Stephen A. Douglas to suc- ceed himself as United States Senator, by a vote of fifty-four to forty-six for Abraham Lincoln. The Legislature was thrown into great disorder in consequence of an attempt to prevent the receipt from the Governor of a veto of a legisla- tive apportionment bill which had been passed by the Democratic majority in the face of bitter opposition on the part of the Republicans, who denounced it as partisan and unjust.
TWENTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened in regular session on Jan. 7, 1861, consisting of twenty-five Senators and seventy-five Represent- atives. For the first time in the State's history, the Democrats failed to control the organization of either house. Lient .- Gov. Francis A. Hoffman presided over the Senate, and S. M. Cullom, of
Sangamon, was cho n Speaker of the House, the Democratie candidate being James W. She-tion. Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles County, was pleted Presi Ient pro tem. of the Senate over \ J. Kuy- kendall, of Johnson. The message of the retiring Governor (John Wood) reported a re luction of the State debt, during four years of Republican admini tration, of $2,860,402, and show. l the number of banks to be 110, whose aggregate cir- culation was $12,320,961. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected United States Senator on January 10. receiving fifty-four votes, to forty-six out for Samuel $. Marshall. Governor Yates was inau- gurated, Jan. 14. The most important legislation of this session related to the following subjects: the separate property rights of married women ; the encouragement of mining and the support of public schools; the payment of certain evidences of State indebtedness ; protection of the purity of the ballot-box, and a resolution submitting to the people the question of the calling of a Convention to amend the Constitution. Joint resolutions were passed relative to the death of Governor Bissell ; to the appointment of Commissioners to attend a Peace Conference in Washington, and referring to federal relations. The latter deprecated amendments to the United States Constitution, but expressed a willingness to unite with any States which might consider themselves aggrieved. in petitioning Congress to call a convention for the consideration of such amendments, at the same time pledging the entire resources of Illi- nois to the National Government for the preser- vation of the Union and the enforcement of the laws. The regular session ended Feb. 22, having lasted forty-seven days, -Immediately following President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to suppress the rebellion, Governor Yates recon- vened the General Assembly in special session to consider and adopt methods to aid and support the Federal authority in preserving the Union and protecting the rights and property of the people. The two houses assembled on April 23. On April 25 Senator Douglas addressed the members on the issues of the day, in response to an invitation con- veyed in a joint resolution. The special session closed May 3, 1861, and not a few of the legislators promptly volunteered in the Union army. Length of the regular session, forty-seven days; of the special, eleven-total fifty-eight.
TWENTY THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY was com- posed of twenty-five Senators and eighty-right Representatives. It convened Jan. 5, 1563, and was Democratic in both branches. The pre iding officer of the Senate was Lieutenant-Governor
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Hoffman; Samuel A. Buckmaster was elected Speaker of the House by a vote of fifty-three to twenty-five. On Jan. 12, William A. Richardson was elected United States Senator to succeed S. A. Douglas, deceased, the Republican nominee being Governor Yates, who received thirty-eight votes out of a total of 103 cast. Much of the time of the session was devoted to angry discussion of the policy of the National Government in the prosecution of the war. The views of the oppos- ing parties were expressed in majority and minor- ity reports from the Committee on Federal Ilations -- the former condemning and the latter upholding the Federal administration. The majority report was adopted in the House on leb. 12. by a vote of fifty-two to twenty-eight, and the resolutions which it embodied were at once sent to the Senate for concurrence. Before they could be acted upon in that body a Demo- cratic Senator-J. M. Rodgers, of Clinton County --. 1 :. "J This left the Senate politically tied, a Republican presiding officer having the deciding vote Consequently no action was taken at the time, and, on Tob. 14, the Legislature adjourned till June 2. Immediately upon re-assembling,. joint resolutions relating to a sine die adjourn- ment were introduced in both houses. A disagree- ment regarding the date of such adjournment. ensued, when Governor Yates, exercising the power conferred upon him by the Constitution in such cases, sent in a message (June 10, 1863) proroguing the General Assembly until "the Saturday next preceding the first Monday in January, 1>65." The members of the Republican minority at once left the hall. The members of the majority convened and adjourned from day to day until June 24, when, having adopted an mydress to the people setting forth their grievance atil denouncing the State executive, they took a rocess nutil the Tuesday after the first Monday of January, 1861. The action of the Governor, hav- ing been submitted to the Supreme Court, was sustained, and no further session of this General Assembly was beld. Owing to the prominence of political issues, no important legislation was effected at this session, even the ordinary appro- priations for the State institutions failing. This caused much embarrassment to the State Govern- ment in meeting current expenses, but banks and capitalists came to its aid, and no important interest was permitted to suffer. The total length of the session was fifty days-forty-one days before the recess and nine days after.
TWENTY-FOURTHE GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 2, 1865, and remained in session forty-six
days. It con istel of twenty-five Senators and eighty-five Representatives. The Republicans had a majority in both houses. Lieutenant.Gov- ernor Bross presided over the Senate, and Allen C. Fuller, of Bone County, was chosen Speaker of the House over Ambroe. M. Miller, Democrat, the vote standing 48 to 23 Governor Yates, in his valedictory message, reported that, notwith- stauding the heavy expenditure attendant upon The enlistment and maintenance of troops, etc., the State debt had been reduced 8987, 786 in four years. On Jan. 4, 1865, Governor Yates was elected to the United States Senate, receiving sixty-four votes to forty three east for James (: Robinson. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 16. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified by this Legisla- ture, and sundry special appropriations made. Among the latter was one of $3,000 toward the State's proportion for the establishment of a National Cemetery at Gettysburg: $25,000 for the purchase of the land on which is the tomb of the deceased Senator Douglas; besides sums for establishing a home for Soldiers' Orphans and an experimental school for the training of idiots and feeble-minded children. The first act for the registry of legal voters was passed at this session.
TWENTY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY. This body held one regular and two special sessions. It first convened and organized on Jan. 7, 1867. Lieutenant-Governor Bross presided over the upper, and Franklin Corwin, of La Salle County, over the lower house. The Governor (Oglesby), in his message, reported a reduction of $2,607,958 in the State debt during the two years preceding, and recommended various appropriations for pub- lic purposes. He also urged the calling of a Con- vention to amend the Constitution. On Jan. 15, Lyman Trumbull was chosen United States Sena- tor, the complimentary Democratic vote being given to T. Lyle Dickey, who received thirty- three votes out of 109. The regular session lasted fifty- three days, adjourning Feb. 28. The Four- teenth Amendment to the United States Constitu- tion was ratified and important legislation enacted relative to State taxation and the regulation of public warehouses; a State Board of Equalization of Assessiments was established, and the office of Attorney-General created. (Under this law Robert G. Ingersoll was the first appointee. ) Provision was made for the erection of a new Stato House, to establish a Reform School for Juvenile Offenders, and for the support of other State institutions. The first special session con-
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vened on June 11, 1867 having been summoned to consider questions relating to internal revenue. The lessee of the penitentiary having surrendered his lease without notice, the Governor found it necessary to make immediate provision for the management of that institution. Not having included this matter in his original call, no ne- cessity then existing, he at once summoned a second special session, before the adjournment of the first. This e ivched on June 11, remained in session until June 28, and adopted what is substantially the present penitentiary law of the State. This General Assembly was in session seventy-one days-fifty-three at the regular, three at the first special session and fifteen at the second.
TWENTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 4, 1869. The Republicans had a majority in each house. The newly eleeted Lieutenant.Gov- ernor, John Dougherty, presided in the Senate, and Franklin Corwin of Peru, was again chosen Speaker of the House. Governor Oglesby sub- mitted his final message at the opening of the session, showing a total reduction in the State debt during his term of 84,743,821. Governor John M. Palmer was inaugurated Jan. 11. The most important acts passed by this Legislature were the following: Calling the Constitutional Convention of 1869; ratifying the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; granting well behaved convicts a reduction in their terms of imprisonment : for the prevention of cruelty to animals; providing for the regula- tion of freights and fares on railroads; estab- lishing the Southern Normal University; pro- viding for the erection of the Northern Insane Hospital; and establishing a Board of Com- missioners of Public Charities. The celebrated "Lake Front Bill." especially affecting the interests of the city of Chicago, occupied a great deal of time during this session, and though finally passed over the Governor's veto, was repealed in 1873. This session was inter- rupted by a recess which extended from March 12 to April 13. The Legislature re-assem- bled April 14, and adjourned, sine die, April 20, having been in actual session seventy-four days.
TWENTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY had four sessions, one regular, two special and one adjourned. The first convened Jan. 4, 1871, and adjourned on April 17, having lasted 101 days, when a recess was taken to Nov. 15 following. The body was made up of fifty Senators and 177 Representatives. The Republicans again con- trolled both houses, electing William M. Smith,
Speaker (over William R. Motyteu, Denemat, while Lieutenant Governor Don ckerty preside In the Senate. The latter occupied the Hall of Rep re ontatives in the old State Capitol, while the House held its sessions in a new church edifice created by the Second Presbyterian Church John A. Logan was elected United States Sona tor, defeating Thomas J. Turner (Democrat ) by a vote, on joint ballot, of 1311 6). This was the first Illinois Legislature to meet after the adoption of the Constitution of 1870, and its time was int inly devoted to framing, discussing and pass ing laws required by the changes in the organic law of the State. The first special session opened on May 24 and closed on June 22, 1871, continu ing thirty days. It was convened by Governor Palmer to make additional appropriations for the necessary expenses of the State Government and for the continuance of work on the new State Honse. The purpose of the Governor in sum moning the second special session was to provide financial relief for the city of Chicago after the great fire of Oct. 9-11, 1871. Members were sum moned by special telegrams and were in their seats Oct. 13, continuing in session to Oct. 21 -twelve days. Governor Paher had already suggested a plan by which the State might aid the stricken city without doing violence to either the spirit or letter of the new Con- stitution, which expressly prohibited special legislation. Chicago had advanced $2,500,000 toward the completion of the linois & Michigan Canal, under the pledge of the State that this outlay should be made good. The Legislature voted an appropriation sufficient to pay both principal and interest of this loan, amounting, in round numbers, to about $3,000,000. The ad- journed session opened on Nov. 15, 1871, and came to an end on April 9, 1822-having continued 147 days. It was entirely devoted to considering and adopting legislation germane to the new Consti- tution. The total length of all sessions of this General Assembly was 293 days.
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