Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

In force, Mar.[March] 2, 1839.

AN ACT in relation to the town of Charleston.
1

Incorporated.

Powers.

Powers.

Sec.[Section] 1. Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly, That the inhabitants of the town of Charleston, in Coles county, Illinois, shall be deemed and considered in law incorporated under the provisions of “An act to incorporate the inhabitants of such towns as may wish to be incorporated, “ approved February 12, 1831; and the president and trustees of the town of Charleston, and their successors in office, in Coles county, have, in addition to the powers conferred by the provisions of the aforementioned act, power to regulate and license taverns and groceries; to

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authorize the destruction and demolition of all instruments and devises used for the purpose of gaming; to forbid the selling or giving away any ardent spirits, or other intoxicating liquor, to any child, apprentice, or servant, without the consent of his or her parent, guardian, master, or mistress; to compel the owner or occupant of any grocery, barn, privy, cellar, tannery, shop, stable, sewer, or other unwholesome nauseous house, or place, to cleanse, remove, or abate the same, from time to time, as often as may be necessary for the health, comfort, and convenience of the inhabitants of said town; to direct and manage the storage of powder; to erect market-houses, and regulate markets; and upon information, filed before said trustees, that any house or room in the said town is used for the purpose of gaming, they shall have power to authorize the constable of said town to break open and enter said house or room, for the purpose of arresting such persons as may be gambling; and destroying and demolishing such instruments and devises used for gambling. They shall have power to levy a fine for the breach of any ordinances, not exceeding fifty dollars. They shall have power to provide for the resurvey of said town; and such resurvey, when made and recorded, shall be deemed and considered to be legal and valid, and shall be evidence in relation to the boundaries of the lots in such town; and they may erect permanent monuments of said survey. They shall have power to erect lamps, and regulate the lighting thereof.

Approved, March 2, 1839.

1On February 20, 1839, Byrd Monroe introduced SB 269, originally titled “A Bill in Relation to the Town of Charleston, and other purposes,” in the Senate. On March 1, following the insertion of an amendment by a select committee, the Senate passed the bill, and referred it to the House. On March 2, the House too passed the bill without amendment. On the suggestion of James T. Cunningham, the title was changed by taking out the words “and other purposes.” That same day, the Senate concurred with House’s alterations to the title. TheCouncil of Revision then approved the bill, and the act became law.
Journal of the House of Representatives, at the First Session of the Tenth General Assembly, of the State of Illinois (Vandalia, IL: William Waters, 1836), 574, 592, 601; Journal of the Senate, at the First Session of the Tenth General Assembly, of the State of Illinois (Vandalia, IL: William Waters, 1836), 367, 454, 467, 471, 472, 503, 506, 510, 512.