Speech in Illinois Legislature Concerning the Surveyor of Schuyler County1Jump to section
Mr. Lincoln said, That if, as appeared to be the opinion of legal gentlemen, there was no danger of the new surveyor's ousting the old one so long as he persisted not to die---he would suggest the propriety of letting matters remain as they were, so that if the old surveyor should hereafter conclude to die, there would be a new one ready made without troubling the legislature.
Annotation
[1] Sangamo Journal, January 17, 1835. The occasion for Lincoln's humorous remarks was the resolution proposed by Jacob Vandeventer of Schuyler County, as follows: ``That the nomination of Samuel McHatton, for County Surveyor of Schuyler county . . . be vacated for the reason that said office was not vacant at the time said nomination was made'' (House Journal, Ninth General Assembly, First Session, p. 233). The resolution was tabled, in effect following Lincoln's suggestion.