Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 308]

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300 ganize for their mutual improvement and benefit for the promotion of the object they have in view. If the proposition is to have an organization uniting or bringing together the industrial institutions that have been organized under the Congressional grant, for the purpose of comparison of views in regard to the manner in which these institutions shall be conducted—the course sought to be pursued—then this Convention should have a very different object. The faculty of the colleges, and the persons in control of the colleges should be consulted and allowed to send delegates to the Convention, which is to form an organization upon that basis. It seems to me that we can do nothing in regard to organizing a Convention of Agricultural Colleges any farther than this: that we might express our opinion in regard to the matter, and leave it for the faculties, and the parties in charge of the colleges, for the purpose of making the organization. If we choose to organize as individuals who are engaged in a common object, we can go right along and make a common organization. The President—A year ago I had some conference with President White, of Cornell College, with reference to an organization, or at least to be called, looking to an organization of gentlemen connected with the industrial and technological schools—scientific schools of the country. And some discussion was held also in our own State. Mr. Flagg and myself held some conversation on the matter; and a good deal of interest was felt and manifested and consulted at the time. But it has occurred to them that there is already in existence a National Convention, very broad in its character and aims, looking to the discussion of all questions relating to education in all their departments and interests whatever; a Convention that has just closed its annual session at St. Louis, and which is willing to admit as many additional sections, I suppose, as are necessary to organize under it, to meet the special points and interests of any class of educators. That Convention, very many of the men connected with the institutions of learning, wTill want to attend, as several gentlemen present have come, perhaps, to this Convention. If an organization is made of the industrial institutions, for the discussion of all questions relating to industrial education, or the management of those institutions, I do not know why it could not be made there, and save us the trifling expenses and the time involved in making two or three annual trips; and thus the gentlemen who hold middle ground between the two associations, would feel that they would leave that and come and attend this. It seems to me that this form of organization is needed that is composed of all the men in-