1
Resolved, that this general ^assembly^ believe the constitution makes it the duty of a governor when elected and quallified into office, to nominate into the senate a suitable for their confirmation, a sutable person for secratary of state.2
1David McGahey introduced this resolution in the Senate on January 21, 1835. The Senate tabled the resolution. On February, the Senate took
up the resolution. William Thomas proposed amending the resolution by striking out all after the word “resolved.”
The Senate voted 13 to 12 not to indefinitely postpone the resolution and proposed
amendment. The Senate referred the resolution and proposed amendment to the Committee
on the Judiciary. The Senate amended the motion to refer by instructing the Committee
to investigate the expediency of defining the duties and term of service of the secretary
of state. The Committee reported back the resolution and proposed amendment on February
7. The Committee opined that the governor had the right to nominate and, with the
advice and consent of the Senate, appoint a secretary of state, and that State Constitution
allowed no limit or restraint on the time or duration of the office of secretary of
state, that depending on the will of the governor. The Senate took no further action
on the resolution or proposed amendment.
Journal of the Senate, of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at
their First Session, Begun and Held in the Town of Vandalia, December 1, 1834 (Vandalia, IL: J. W. Sawyer, 1835), 292, 416-17, 455-56.
2This resolution is likely related to a movement to investigate conditions in the office
of the secretary of state. On December 27, 1834, the Senate passed a resolution appointing a select committee to examine and report on the condition
of the office of the secretary of state. On January 29, 1835, the select committee
introduced “A Bill to Define and Limit the Tenure of the Office of the Secretary
of State,” which the Senate tabled.
Journal of the Senate, of the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Illinois, at
their First Session, Begun and Held in the Town of Vandalia, December 1, 1834 (Vandalia, IL: J. W. Sawyer, 1835), 143, 373.
Handwritten Document, 1 page(s), Folder 279, GA Session: 9-1,
Illinois State Archives (Springfield, IL)