Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1884 [PAGE 240]

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The Executive Committee submitted the following report:

To the Board of Trustees of the III. Ind. University: GENTLEMEN—The undersigned, your committee, to whom was referred the matter of refunding the Kankakee county bonds, beg leave to report that they have procured the opinion of Hon. John B. Hawley, of Chicago, as to the validity of said new bonds offered in exchange, and find from said opinion that the refunding bonds are regularly and legally issued, which opinion is herewith presented; Upon compliance with the condition of the resolutions passed by this Board, June 11th, last, your committee reported that fact to Hon. John W. Bunn, Treasurer of the Board, with instruction to make the exchange proposed. Your committee herewith present a statement from said Treasurer notifying your committee of the transfer and exchange. Respectfully submitted, S. M, MILIARD, CHAS. BENNETT, Committee.

The report was received and approved. The Eegent presented the following report:

To the Trustees of the Illinois Industrial University: GENTLEMEN—The vacation now closing has been devoted to efforts for making the University more widely known that its advantages might be more generally sought by those for whom they are designed. Circulars have been prepared to alumni and undergraduates, to county superintendents and to the public generally. The latter have been distributed in large numbers chiefly through the courtesy of our friends. Advertisements have been inserted in the leading secular, agricultural and religious papers of the State. An unsolicited and unpaid article, commendatory of the University and its work, occupying more than two pages, and handsomely illustrated, appeared in the Prairie Farmer, and a large number of copies in addition to the regular edition was distributed. The constant and kindly recognition which the press of the State is giving to our work is a healthy indication of the improved relations growing between the University and the people of Illinois. Catalogues have been distributed freely, and the inquiry for information has been constant and earnest. The National Educational Association convened at Madison, Wisconsin, July 16th. A most notable feature at this gathering was a display of the results of industrial education, in the products of drawing rooms, workshops, etc. Our engineering college was represented by series of elementary shop work from the machine and carpenter shops, numerous examples of drawing from all the schools, and several elaborate models of bridges. The exhibit of this University was in all respects a creditable Dart of the general display, while in its drawings, bridge models and wood work it fo#nd no superior. At the request of the managers of the Winnebago County Agricultural Society a part of the same material was taken to Rockford, at the late county fair. It was kindly received and elicited much comment and inquiry. Arrangements for representing the University in the State exhibit at the coming World's Industrial and Cotton Exposition at New Orleans, to open in December next, are progressing. The Governor has been pleased to appoint as special commissioners. Prof. Burrillfor Forestry, Prof. Morrow for Agricultural Products, Prof. McMurtrie for Chemical Analysis, and the Regent for Industrial Education. In these departments, and in perhaps some others, the University will be a place for gathering and arranging exhibits, whence they will be forwarded to New Orleans. The University itself will make a full display in all its technical departments.

IMPKOVEMENTS.

The improvements authorized at the June meeting are mostly completed. The fence on the north side of Green street is finished, having cost $483.30. The expenditure authorized was $500. The cases for Prof. Burrill's room have been built, the room below finished, and connection made thereto by a stairway. The expense has been $307.35; your appropriation was $300; this sum has been exceeded, because it was found desirable to plaster the room, which was not included in the original estimate. The repairs in the Chemical Laboratory are well under way, but are not yet complete, and can not be reported upon.

PEOTECTION AGAINST FIBE.

This subject, which has interested all concerned for some time, has received careful consideration, and I am prepared to make the following recommendations: It is beyond question that the small high pressure boiler, which has been used for pump service, is too much worn to be safe for another season's work. It has been carried