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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.
vened on June 11, 1867, having been summoned to consider questions relating to internal revenue. The lessee of the penitentiary having surrendered his lease without notice, the Governor found it necessary to make immediate provision for the management of that institution. Not having included this matter in his original call, no necessity then existing, he at once summoned a second special session, before the adjournment of the first. This convened on June 14, remained in session until June 28, and adopted what is substantially the present penitentiary law of the State. This General Assembly was in session seventy-one days-fifty-three at the regular, three at the first special session and fifteen at the second.
TWENTY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY convened Jan. 4, 1869. The Republicans had a majority in each house. The newly elected Lieutenant-Governor, John Dougherty, presided in the Senate, and Franklin Corwin. of Peru, was again chosen Speaker of the House. Governor Oglesby submitted his final message at the opening of the session, showing a total reduction in the State debt during his term of $4,743,821. Governor John M. Palmer was inaugurated Jan. 11. The most important acts passed by this Legislature were the following: Calling the Constitutional Convention of 1869; ratifying the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution; granting well behaved convicts a reduction in their terms of imprisonment; for the prevention of cruelty to animals; providing for the regulation of freights and fares on railroads; establishing the Southern Normal University; providing for the erection of the Northern Insane Hospital; and establishing a Board of Commissioners of Public Charities. The celebrated "Lake Front Bill," especially affecting the interests of the city of Chicago, occupied a great deal of time during this session, and though finally passed over the Governor's veto, was repealed in 1873. This session was interrupted by a recess which extended from March 12 to April 13. The Legislature re-assembled April 14, and adjourned, sine die, April 20, having been in actual session seventy-four days.
TWENTY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY had four se
