Papers Of Abraham Lincoln

1
Whereas there are reasons to expect a special session of Congress, ^may be called^ before the election for members in this State, under the existing law, and whereas in that contingency, the State of Illinois without further provision by law, will be unrepresented in the popular branch of the said special session of congress. Therefore

Be it enacted, by the people of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That in the event of a convocation of Congress by the proclamation of the President of the United States at an earlier day than the first Monday in August, it shall be the duty of the Governor, as soon as practicable thereafter, to issue his proclamation appointing a day to hold special elections in the several congressional districts for representatives in the next Congress.

This act to be in force from its passage.

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N^o 172 H R

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“A Bill for An act authorizing the Governor to order special elections for Congress, in the event of an extra session before the first Monday of August.”

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[02]/[18]/[1841]
ord. Eng.[ordered Engrossed]

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8

1John J. Brown introduced HB 278 in the House of Representatives on February 18, 1841. On February 22, the House passed the bill by a vote of 59 yeas to 17 nays, with Abraham Lincoln voting yea. On February 24, the Senate refused to read the bill a second time by a vote of 15 yeas to 17 nays.
Illinois House Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 426, 460, 465, 503; Illinois Senate Journal. 1840. 12th G. A., 377, 395.