Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

Bill

For an act to abolish the Board of Public Works and Suspend all action and operation in the construction of Rail Roads

Sec^t[Section] 1^stBe it Enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly. That the Board of Public Works be and the same is hereby abolished and that all action and operation in the construction of Rail Roads ^Rivers Great Western Mail Rout & Charleston & Darwin Turnpike^ under the Internal improvement sistem of the State of Illinois be suspended

Sec^t 2 Be it further Enacted That a Board of Commissioners to consist of Three members to be appointed by the Governor by and with the advise and consent of the Senate whose duties it shall be to examine and settle the accounts of the late and present Commissioners of the Board of Public Works and for the prosecution of suits for ballances if any there be in their or either of their hands due to the State.

Sec^t 3. Be it further Enacted That said Board of Commissioners be and are hereby authorized to examine[,] supervise[,] and settle the accounts of all contractors and other persons having claims against the State for the construction of Internal Improvements or services rendered

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on said work, and to pay and allow to such ^to^ persons the amount which may be found due on said settlement.

Sec^tn[Section] 4. Be it further enacted That said Board of Commissioners are hereby authorized to appoint a sufficient number of competent and responsible persons whose duties it shall be to preserve such ^x^ parts of the public works as require attention from waste[,] decay[,] or injury and said Board of Commissioners are authorized to allow said persons Dollars. per day for services rendered

Sec^t 5. Be it further Enacted That said Board of Commissioners are hereby authorized and empowered to audit and settle the accounts of the Fund Commissioners of the State of Illinois

Sec^tn 6. Be it further Enacted That for the preservation of the public works the said Board of Commissioners are hereby authorized to appoint one Engineer and such other assistants as are indispensable to the execution of the duties required

Sectⁿ[Section] 7. Be it further Enacted That said Board of Commissioners are hereby required to discharge and dismiss from public service all Engineers or agents except as above provided so soon as a settlements have been made with contractors and the public property placed in a safe condition

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Sectⁿ 8. Be it further Enacted That said Board of Commissioners are hereby prohibited from allowing or paying to any Commissioner, contractor, or agent, any money upon any contract or stipulations in contracts not authorized by Law

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A Bill
For an Act to Abolish the Board of Public Works, and Suspend all action & operation in the construction of Rail Roads.

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[01]/[13]/[1840]
Ref^d Com. Whole House & made the order of the day for this afternoon.
Jan. 13 "40

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[01]/[17]/[1840]
Ord[Ordered] to be Engrossed

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#2

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