On Public Accounts and Expenditures-Messrs. Ormsbee, Parsons, Thornton, Gillespie, Ross, Woodson, Dollins, Dougherty, and Phelps. On the Penitentiary-Messrs. Gillespie, Reynolds, McDonald, Scott, Olds, McGinnis, Humphrey, and Dunlap. On Canals and Canal Lands--Messrs. McClernand, Peck, Dodge, Henderson, Murphy of Perry, Cavarly, Shepley, Wheeler, and Lincoln. On Manufactures and Agriculture-Messrs. Brown of Sangamon, McClurken, Lester, Cox, Troy, Emmerson, Denny, Wilson, and Blackman. On Claims-Messrs. Green, McDonald, Laughlin, Threlkeld, Bailey, Oliver, Phelps, Reynolds, Baldwin, and Froman. On Public Buildings and Grounds-Messrs. Bentley, Hankins, West, Wilson, Munsell, Darnielle, Waters, Bennett, White, and Marshall. On State Roads-Messrs. Archer, Shepley, Froman, Cunningham, Dunlap, Courtright, West, Funk, and Wood. On Counties-Messrs. Carpenter, Lester, Francis, Hull, Barnett, Cunningham, Turney, Bussy, and Odam. On Banks and other Corporations-Messrs. Murphy of Cook, Carpenter, Ormsbec, Dodge, Heuderson, Hardin, Bissell, Menard, and Green. On Salines-Messrs. Wood, Canady, Odam, Logan, McGinnis, Bussy, Waters, Marshall, and Bentley. On Engrossed Bills-Messrs, Leary, Drummond, Murphy of Cook, Crain, Menard, Beall, Mc Lean, Trumbull, and Gridley. Mr. English, from the joint select committee appointed to draft rules for the government of the two Houses, reported as follows: "The joint select committee appointed to draft and report rules for the government of the two Houses, having examined the joint rules adopted at the last session, recommend their adoption for the government of the two Houses at the present session; which report was concurred in.. Mr. Lincoin offered for adoption the following resolution: Resolved, That so much of the Governor's message as relates to fraudulent voting, and other fraudulent practices at elections, be referred to the Committee on Elections, with instructions to said committee to prepare and report to the House a bill for such an act as may, in their judgment, afford the greatest possible protection of the elective franchise against all frauds of all sorts whatsoever. Mr. McClernand moved to amend the resolution by striking out all after the word "Resolved," and insert as follows: "That so much of the Governor's message as relates to the elective franchise, and the frauds which have been committed in this and other States, in relation thereto, be referred to a joint select committee, consisting of three members of the Senate, and five members of the House of Representatives, who shall institute an investigation into the frauds which may have been perpetrated at the recent election in this State, collect, as far as possible, the evidences and instances thereof, and report a summary of the same, with their opinion thereon." The vote being taken on the proposed amendment, It was decided by yeas and nays in the affirmative, as follows: Messrs. Able, Baldwin, Barnett, Bentley, Bissell, Blackman, Cavarly, Courtright, Crain, Dodge, Dollins, Dougherty, Dunlap, English, Hankins, Hicks, Humphrey, Kelly, Kitchell, Laughlin, Leary, Lester, Logan, Mc McDonald, McGinnis, Marshall, Moore, Clernand, McClurken, McDonald, McGinnis, Those who voted in the negative, were, Messrs. Archer, Bailey, Beall, Bennett, Bradford, Brown of Sangamon, Brown of Vermilion, Bussy, Canady, Carpenter, Charles, Cox, Cunningham, Darnielle, Denny, Drummond, Edwards, Emmerson, Francis, Froman, Funk, Gillespie, Hardin, Henderson, Hull, Lincoln, McLean, Menard, Minshall, Munsell, Parkinson, Phelps, Phillips, Reynolds, Thornton, Threlkeld, Troy, Webb, West, and Woodson-40. The question then recurring on the passage of the resolution as amended, the yeas and nays being called, It was decided in the affirmative, as follows: Those who voted in the affirmative, were, Messrs. Able, Archer, Baldwin, Barnett, Bentley, Bissell, Blackman, Bussy, Carpenter, Cavarly, Courtright, Crain, Dodge, Dollins, Dougherty, Dunlap, English, Hankins, Hicks, Humphrey, Kelly, Kitchell, Laughlin, Leary, Les.er, Logan, McClernand, McClurken, McDonald, McGinnis, Marshall, Moore, Murphy of Cook, Murphy of Perry, Odam, Oliver, Ormsbee, Parsons, Peck, Prentice, Ross, Scott, Shepley, Trumbull, Turney, Waters, Wheeler, White, Wilson, Wood, and Mr. Speaker-51. Those who voted in the negative, were, Messrs. Bailey, Beall, Bennett, Bradford, Brown of Sangamon, Brown of Vermilion, Canady, Charles Cox, Cunningham, Darnielle, Denny, Drummond, Edwards, Emmerson, Francis, Froman, Funk, Gillespie, Hardin, Henderson, Hull, Lincoln, McLean, Menard, Minshall, Munsell, Parkinson, Phelps, Phillips, Reynolds, Thornton, Threlkeld, Troy, Webb, West, and Woodson-33. Ordered, That Messrs, McClernand, Dodge, Drummond, Wheeler, and Edwards be the committee on the part of the House. On motion of Mr. Dougherty, Resolved, That the Secretary of the Board of Public Works communicate to this House what amount of drafts have been issued by the Board of Public Works. To whom payable and what amount to each person; also, whether the Board of Public Works is now prosecuting any of the public works in this State, and if so, what works, and whether any of said works have been let to contractors since the last session of the Legisla ture, and if so, what works, and the amount for which they are let, also, what disposition has been made by them of the property of the State, which was not wanted for immediate use for internal improvements, to whom sold, and for what amount sold. On motion of Henderson, Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to enquire whether the eleventh or twelfth General Assembly should have convened under the late Proclamation of his Excellency, the Governor of Illinois; and whether, if the Legislature as at present organized be legal and constitutional, it should not adjourn sine die, on some day previous to the 1st Monday in December next, and be called a special session; and the regular session of the twelfth General Assembly commence its ses sion on said first Monday in December agreeably to our State Constitu tion; and that said committee make report thereon at the earliest practicable period. Mr. Ormsbee offered for adoption the following resolution. Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of repealing all laws creating and authorizing the system of internal improvements of this State, and of enacting such other laws as will authorize the sale of all the works and property of every description thereunto belonging; which was On motion of Mr. Parsons, Laid on the table. On motion of Mr. McClernand, Resolved, That the Board of Public Works be requested to furnish this House without delay, a full and perfect statement of the amount of property now on hand, whether real or personal, purchased on account of the system of internal improvements, embracing lands, lots, depots, offices, shops, iron, and the varieties thereof, timbers, locomotives, tools and mechanical implements, where they are, and the expediency of selling them, with their opinion of the sum they would bring upon sale, and how far the proceeds of such sale would go towards paying the interest to be due and payable on the debt incurred on account of the system of internal improvements on the 1st January next. On motion, The House adjourned. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1840. House met pursuant to adjournment. Mr. Prentice presented the petition of Nathan Low, of Shelby county, praying for the remission of a fine incurred by him for setting fire to the prairie; which was read, and on his further motion, referred to the committee on the Judiciary. Mr. Parsons presented the petition of sundry citizens of Pike county, praying for the vacation of part of the town plat of the town of Griggsville; which was, on his motion, referred, without reading, to a select committee. Ordered, That Messrs. Parsons, Lester, and McDonald be said committee. Mr. Murphy of Cook offered for adoption the following resolutions: Resolved, That a joint select committee of thrce from the House of Representatives, and two from the Senate, be appointed, whose duty it shall be to repair to Lockport, at an early period after the adjournment of the Legislature, and investigate the whole proceedings of the Commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Resolved, That it shall be their duty to enquire into the amount of expenditures of money on said work, and the various objects for which such expenditures were made, whether direct or contingent. Resolved, That they be instructed to examine the cost of all offices, warehouses, or other buildings, the property of the State, and of all roads constructed on said work, from the canal funds; whether the interest of the State, or the necessities of the canal demanded such buildings or expenditures, and whether they were not constructed at exhorbitant prices. Resolved, That they examine into the number of engineers, assistants, rodmen, clerks, and other persons employed by said Commissioners; also, the duties performed by them, and whether a reduction may not be made, both in the number and salaries, without detriment to the public interest. Resolved, That it shall be their duty to ascertain whether the proceedings of the Commissioners have been in conformity with the provisions of law; whether public notices have always been given previous to the letting of contracts; whether contracts have been given, at high prices, to favored individuals, without public notice or competition; whether favor, partiality, or political motives have governed the Commissioners in the admeasurement of work, and payment of estimates; and, whether loss to the State, and the ruin of indviduals have not resulted from such practices. Resolved, That they be also instructed to hear all complaints made by contractors against said Commissioners, and to report these and such other facts respecting the affairs of the canal as they shall be able to elicit, at the next session of the Legislature; and for this purpose they shall have power to send for persons and papers, and examine witnesses on oath. Mr. Minshall offered the following amendment: To strike out in the first resolution all after the word "Lockport," to the word "investigate," and insert the word "immediately." On motion of Mr. Charles, The resolutions and amendment were laid on the table. Mr. Dougherty offered for adoption, the following resolution: Whereas, For the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and the system of internal improvements in this State, we have heretofore contracted debts to a considerable amount, therefore, Resolved, That we will use all legal and constitutional means to maintain the credit of this State, by promptly paying the same, and interest accruing thereon, as the same becomes due. Mr. Cavarly moved to strike out, in the foregoing resolution, all after the word "resolved," and insert as follows: "By the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring herein, That whereas, the magnitude of our State debt, and the withering and blighting influence which it now has, and must continue to have, upon the credit of our State, and the prosperity of our citizens, we feel, it due to ourselves that some immediate action be had as to the position which the Legislature intends to assume in reference to the accruing interest, and the ultimate extinguishment of the debt itself; therefore, "Resolved, That relying upon the patriotism of the people, and the future resources of our State, we hereby pledge ourselves to make every reasonable effort, short of an increased direct tax upon the people, to meet the interest on the State debt as it falls due, and thus preserve the honor and credit of our State unsullied before our sister States and the world;" which resolution, with the proposed amendment, was, On motion of Mr. Kitchell. Laid on the table. Mr. Kitchell offered for adoption, the following resolutions: Resolved, That the embarrassed financial concerns of the State of Illi nois forbid any further prosecution of the present system of internal improvements at this time, and that the interest of the people requires an immediate suspension of all its works, except on the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Resolved, That the Committee on Internal Improvements be instructed to enquire into the expediency of disposing of any or all parts of improvemen's made by the State upon railroads and rivers, to counties, companies, or individuals, upon such just and proper terms as may be for the interest of the people, without any further expenditures by the State, and that they report by bill or otherwise. Resolved, That the Committee on Banks be instructed to enquire into the transaction between Thomas Mather, and Charles Oakley, the former Fund Commissioner of the State of Illinois, with the "State Bank of Illinois," and the "Bank of Illinois," on the subject of the sale of the bonds of the State to those institutions to the amount of $2,665,000 as reported by said Commissioners in 1838; and if upon such examination, it shall appear that the said Banks, or either of them, have not complied with the provisions and intent of an act entitled "an act to increase the capital stock of certain banks, and to provide means to pay the interest on a loan authorized by an act entitled "an act to establish and maintain a general system of internal improvements," "approved March 4, 1837, or if it shall appear that either of the said banks have not paid the purchase money, or that the whole, or any part of said bonds so reported to have been sold, have not been paid for, then the said committee are instructed to report a bill to enable the State to compel a return of said bonds, and that when recovered the same be cancelled. Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary be instructed to report a bill prohibiting the issuing of any written evidence of State debt in such a form that the same may be transferred by delivery or endorsement. On motion of Mr. McClernand, The foregoing resolutions were referred to a Committee of the Whole House, and made the order of the day for Thursday next. On motion of Mr. Bentley, Resolved, That a joint select committee of three on the part of the House, and two on the part of the Senate, be appointed to enquire into the expediency of repealing all laws providing for the removal of the Seat of Government from Vandalia to Springfield, and to provide for the removal of the Seat of Government back to Vandalia, until the State debt is paid, and that they report by bill or otherwise. Ordered, That Messrs. Bentley, Hankins, and Bradford be the committee on the part of the House. On motion of Mr. McClernand, Resolved, That the Fund Commissioner be required to report to this House without delay, generally in relation to the financial affairs of the State as connected with the system of internal improvements; and also, what provision he has made, if any, for the payment of the interest to be due and payable on the internal improvement debt, on the 1st day of January next. Mr. Peck, from the Committee on Finance, reported a bill for "An act to provide for the payment of the interest on the public debt;" which was read the first time, and Ordered, to a second reading. |