Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1908 [PAGE 199]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1907]

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOAED OF TEUSTEES.

171

Section 6% makes it the duty of the Agricultural Experiment Station to demonstrate the best methods of producing plants, etc., and appropriates $7,500.00 annually to carry out the provisions of this section. By a proviso it is enacted that the work outlined in this section shall be carried out on lines to be agreed upon by the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station and an advisory committee of five to be appointed by the Illinois. Florist's Association. Section 7 makes it the duty of the several committees to meet at such times and places as may be designated by the dean of the College, or by the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station, and' said committees .are required to make reports to their respective associations of the work and progress under the provisions of this act. Section 8 provides how the money can be drawn from the State Treasury. . Section 8 then continues: "Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to take away from the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois the usual authority conferred by law over the expenditure of moneys appropriated to said University. The recommendations of the committee herein provided for shall be advisory; but the use of the moneys herein appropriated shall rest in the discretion of said board for the purpose herein set forth, and said board shall account therefor." I am of the opinion that the duties of the several committees provided for in the various sections of the act are purely advisory. The final disposition of the moneys therein appropriated, and the manner of carrying into effect the various sections of the act rest in the discretion of the Board of Trustees of the University. Their discretion is not limited or controlled oy the creation of such committees. It was doubtless thought by the Legislature that the subject with which the trustees would be dealing in the expenditure of the money was somewhat technical. In order that the best methods might be adopted, and that the money might be expended most wisely, it was no doubt thought that the trustees would welcome the advice, counsel and co-operation of men .of scientific learning and practical experience. The law, therefore, created committees of such men of learning and experience to formulate lines of investigation 'to be pursued in carrying into effect the various sections of the act. While the recommendations of these committees would be entitled to the respect and consideration of the, trustees, yet the Legislature by section 8 of the act was particularly careful to say that the usual power and authority of the Trustees of the University of Illinois over the expenditure of money is not in any way limited or controlled. With the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois rests the ultimate power to decide as to the proper expenditures of the moneys appropriated by said act, Very respectfully,

W. XI. STEAD,

Attorney General

The board adjourned.

W. L. ABBOTT,

W. L.

P:IT;LSBURY,

President.

Secretary.