1
Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we deprecate the practice of the General Assembly of electing members of their own body to fill State offices, as corrupting in its
tendencies, by throwing around such members as intend to become candidates for such
offices an influence adverse to impartial legislation.2
1On December 20, 1838, Archibald Williams introduced the resolution in the House of Representatives. The House voted against a motion to table the resolution, by a vote of 22 yeas to
54 nays, Abraham Lincoln voting nay. The House voted against an amendment to add “or their relations or connexions;” after the word “member,” by a vote of 18 yeas to 66 nays, Lincoln voting yea. The
House voted to amend the resolution by adding text to the end. They then adopted the
resolution as amended, by a vote of 44 yeas to 42 nays, Lincoln voting yea. On December
21, the House again voted against a motion to table the resolution, by a vote of 41
yeas to 43 nays, Lincoln voting nay. On January 3, 1839, the House tabled the resolution.
Journal of the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly of the State
of Illinois, at Their First Session, (Vandalia, IL: William Walters, 1838), 120-122, 123-124, 159.
2On December 20, the House amended the resolution by adding “And also the appointment of members of the Legislature by the Board of Public Works to any office in their gift.”
Journal of the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly of the State
of Illinois, at Their First Session, 122.
Printed Transcription, 1 page(s), Journal of the House of Representatives of the Eleventh General Assembly of the State of Illinois at their First Session (Vandalia, IL: William Walters, 1838), 120