Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

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Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois Represented in the General Assembly That the road as now laid out travelled from John B. Seward[’]s in Montgomery County, to Baily Taylor[’]s in Macoupin County, is hereby declared a State road, And shall be opened and kept in repair as other state roads are2

This act to be in force from and after its passage Provided, this act shall not take effect in Montgomery County, unless the county commissioners Court of said County shall make an order to that effect.3

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02/08/1837
Prickett, David (Pricket)

Passed the House of Representatives Feby 8^th 1837
D Prickett clk[clerk] H R.

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N^o 165

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An act for a state road from J B Seward[’]s in Montgomery County to Baily Taylor[’]s in Macoupin County.

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[02]/[21]/[1837]
Craig
Borough
Allen of G 4

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[03]/[01]/[1837]
Laid on table

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[02]/[03]/[1837]
Engrossed

1On January 30, 1837, John Harris in the House of Representatives presented the petition of citizens of Macoupin County, requesting construction of a state road. The House referred the petition to the Committee on Petitions. Responding to the petition, Stephen A. Douglas of the Committee on Petitions introduced HB 167 in the House on February 3. On February 8, the House amended the bill by adding a proviso. The House passed the bill as amended. On March 1, the Senate tabled the bill.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 421, 457, 523; Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 377, 482, 563.

2State roads were those public roads established or designated by the General Assembly and usually crossed county lines. Only the General Assembly could establish, alter, or abandon state roads, until 1840 and 1841, when the General Assembly gave counties the authority to alter or to abandon state roads upon petition by a majority of voters in the area of the change.
An Act concerning Public Roads, sec. 9; An Act Authorizing Commissioners’ Courts to Alter, Change, and Relocate State Roads; An Act concerning Public Roads.

3On February 8, 1837, the House of Representatives amended by adding this proviso.
Illinois House Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 457.

4These legislators formed a select committee in the Senate that considered the bill.
Illinois Senate Journal. 1836. 10th G. A., 1st sess., 482.