Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force 2nd March 1837.

AN ACT providing for the payment of an appropriation made to Franklin and Jackson counties, approved Feb. 15, 1827.
1

Preamble.

Whereas there was an appropriation of one thousand dollars, made to Franklin and Jackson counties, by an act approved February 15 1827, concerning Saline Reserves, a Penitentiary and the improvement of certain navigable streams, and the same amended and continued by an act approved December 19 1828, requiring the one thousand dollars to the above named counties, to be paid out of the next avails after the sum of fifteen thousand dollars was realized.2

Further preamble.

And whereas it appears by the Auditor’s report, that the sum of eighteen thousand seven hundred and two dollars, has been realized from the sales of said property, while the appropriation to Franklin and Jackson counties has not been paid, but that portion legitimately belonging to Franklin and Jackson counties, having been paid out to other objects, and furthermore said Auditor’s report representing that the sum of four hundred and eighty dollars is now in the Treasury the same realized from the sales of said property and subject to draft by warrant in favor of said counties.3

Further preamble.

And whereas it appears from the Auditor’s report dated 19th December 1836, that there is an unappropriated balance in the Treasury to the amount of three thousand two hundred and twenty-nine dollars, which accrued from the sales of the Vermilion Saline, approved January 19th 1829, now therefore:

Auditor to issue warrant.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the Auditor of Public Accounts be required to issue his warrant upon the Treasury, in favor of Franklin and Jackson counties, for the sum of one thousand dollars, viz: Whenever an order from the county Commissioners Court of Franklin county be presented to said Auditor for the receipt of said appropriation—

That he issue a warrant upon the Treasury for the sum of five hundred dollars in favor of said county, and upon the presentation of an order from the county court of Jackson county, to issue his warrant in favor of said county,

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for the like sum of five hundred dollars, and the said sums are to be expended for such purposes as the respective county commissioners courts of said counties shall direct, any law to the contrary notwithstanding.

Act repealed

Sec. 2. So much of the act approved Feb. 15 1827, concerning Saline reserves, a penitentiary, and the improvement of certain navigable streams, and the same amended and continued by an act approved December 19, 1828, as makes an appropriation of one thousand dollars to Franklin and Jackson counties, for the object of improving the navigation of Big Muddy river, be and the same is hereby liquidated.4

Approved, March 2, 1837.

1On January 6, 1837, the House of Representatives passed a resolution inquiring certain information of the Auditor of Public Accounts. The Auditor, Levi Davis, reported back to the House on January 12, and the House referred that communication to a select committee. On January 17, Achilles D. Dollins from the select committee introduced HB 134 in the House. On February 18, the House referred the bill and a proposed amendment to a select committee, which reported back with further amendments on February 22. The House approved two of the amendments and on February 24, they passed the bill as amended. The Senate passed the bill on February 28. On March 2, the Council of Revision approved the bill and the act became law.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 245-46, 282-83, 534, 642, 673, 690-91, 772, 792, 800; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 511-512, 540, 555-556, 589.

2In 1827, the General Assembly appropriated $1,000 to Franklin and Jackson Counties for the improvement of navigation on the Big Muddy River, to be appropriated after the sales had reached $20,000 total. In 1828, the legislature amended the law so that the appropriation would be made after $15,000 in sales had been reached.
“An Act concerning the Saline Reserves, a Penitentiary, and the Improvement of Certain Navigable Streams,” 15 February 1827, Revised (1827), 353-60; “An Act to Amend and Continue in Force the Act Entitled ‘An Act concerning the Saline Reserves, a Penitentiary, and the Improvement of Certain Navigable Streams,’ Approved 15th February, 1827,” 19 December 1828, Revised (1829), 142-43.

3On January 9, State Auditor Levi Davis replied to queries from the House of Representatives. He stated that $18,222.08 had been collected from sales of the Gallatin saline reserve lands. Following the law, the Commissioner had paid the money directly to other appropriations instead of to the State Treasury. In 1835, the General Assembly had passed a law requiring the Commissioner of Sales to pay proceeds from sales directly into the State Treasury and since that time, $2,183.23 had been deposited into the Treasury from sales of the Gallatin saline lands. The Auditor reported that of that amount, $480 was available to pay towards the appropriations for Franklin and Jackson Counties.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 245-46.

4Section 26 of the 1827 Act, and the 1828 Act, both appropriated $1,000 to Franklin and Jackson Counties for improving the navigation of the Big Muddy River.
“An Act concerning the Saline Reserves, a Penitentiary, and the Improvement of Certain Navigable Streams,” 15 February 1827, Revised (1827), 353-60; “An Act to Amend and Continue in Force the Act Entitled ‘An Act concerning the Saline Reserves, a Penitentiary, and the Improvement of Certain Navigable Streams,’ Approved 15th February, 1827,” 19 December 1828, Revised (1829), 142-43.