Lincoln and the First Corruption of Illinois

In February 1859, shortly after the Illinois Legislature reelected Stephen Douglas over Lincoln to the US Senate, the first of two successive Springfield financial scandals came to light. These twin scandals unfolded over a period of months and would be the dominant state issues during the time that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 2021-10, Vol.42 (2), p.1
Main Author: George, Tom M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Corruption
Governors
Legislatures
Scandals
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:In February 1859, shortly after the Illinois Legislature reelected Stephen Douglas over Lincoln to the US Senate, the first of two successive Springfield financial scandals came to light. These twin scandals unfolded over a period of months and would be the dominant state issues during the time that Lincoln was vying for the Republican presidential nomination. The first scandal involved Lincoln's rival and former opponent in the 1855 U.S. Senate contest, the immediate-past governor Joel Matteson, a Democrat. The second scandal involved Lincoln's ally, the incumbent governor William Bissell, a Republican. Here, George tells the story of the two scandals and their repercussions.
ISSN:0898-4212
1945-7987