UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871 [PAGE 320]

Caption: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1871
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312 ganization of a society for experimenting, whether that is not ungermane to the purpose to which we have met; and whether we have not wandered from their intentions in getting up the Convention. Mr. Miles—I would make a very brief expression in regard to the origin of this Convention. In the conversation that occurred between myself and Mr. Flagg at Lansing, we talked of the necessity of getting together those interested in this matter. Several of the colleges were mentioned ; and I said that the Presidents should be written to, where we did not know any one interested in experiments. We did not wish to limit the matter very closely at the present meeting. I have been very glad that the discussions have taken this wide range. I am glad we have not cut down to the strict limits of that call; but for organization it seems to me desirable to limit it somewhat. Mr. Welch—I certainly am in hearty sympathy with the object that Professor Miles advocates, and I appreciate the immense importance of a series of experiments conducted by the various colleges in common. But I confess that I did not come here expecting that an association would be formed. I am not selfish about i t ; but if it would reckon the Presidents all out, as certainly this proposed association would, because it has been expressed definitely. If I am wrong, Professor Miles can correct me. Mr. Miles—I did not assume to reckon the Presidents out, or anybody out, but simply to bring in those who are engaged in experimenting, so that all would engage in it in common. We do not want to rule out any class of men. We would like to have the Presidents here every time. Mr. Welch—I must agree with some gentleman who has inquired whether the proposed object could not be well reached by sections. I do not think that the parent society, which should have such a section, would trammel it in the least; because it would have no other control over it than to fix the time and place of its meeting. Then the experimenters in that section would have the whole weight of influence, and the whole sympathy of their co-workers in the colleges; whereas they would lack, it seems to me, that influence and sympathy, and would lack the help that comes from general attendance. One of the Professors has said that only those who are actually engaged in experimentations, can take part in the exercises of a meeting of experimenters. I cannot think that that is exactly and strictly true; but I know there is a good deal of truth in it; because, though I do not myself take part in actual experimentation, I keep myself posted on the experiments that are going on to a large extent upon our own