Repository: UIHistories Project: Board of Trustees Minutes - 1918 [PAGE 393]

EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:

1917]

President

DEAR M R .

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS May 22, 1917 Edmund J. James, University of Illinois

PRESIDENT:

387

I am enclosing herewith an opinion of Attorney General Brtmdage. This opinion seems to dispose rather thoroly of the contention that the University of Illinois is subject to the State Superintendent of Printing. Sincerely yours,

H. E. CUNNINGHAM

Secretary [OPINION] January 25, 1917 State Matters: Printing for University of Illinois Hon. Andrew Russel, Auditor of Public Accounts,

DEAR SIR:

Springfield,

Illinois

I am in receipt of your letter of January 22, 1917, in which you enclose voucher executed by the University of Illinois in favor of the Graham Paper Company, in the sum of $2761.23, covering paper furnished said University. You ;ask for my opinion as to whether or not the University of Illinois is authorized to purchase supplies of this nature, or whether such supplies come under the requirements of an act entitled, "An act to revise the law\ in relation to State contracts," approved June 22, 1915. You also make reference to the contention that the University of Illinois is not a part of the State government, and that for this reason it is exempt from the requirements of this and similar laws. You- further direct attention to the fact that there is an item of discount which will be allowed if the voucher is paid within thirty days of its date, that is to say, before February 1, 1917. In view of the necessity for prompt action with reference to the specific matter as to which you ask my advice, I shall not undertake at this time to consider fully the broad question submitted as to the relation of the University of Illinois to the State Government. As to this voucher, however, and as to purchases of a similar nature which may be made prior to July 1, 1917, I will say that I have considered the act of June 22, 1915, above mentioned (Sess. L. 1915, p. 672) the act making appropriations for the University of Illinois, approved June 2&, 1915, (Sess. L. 1915, p. 58), and the act of June 29, 1915, providing for the ordinary and contingent expenses of the State Government (Sess. L. 1915, p. 200; particularly see pars. 9th and 10th, p. 207). It is my opinion that the University of Illinois was authorized to purchase these supplies, and that it is proper that this voucher should be paidout of its appropriation for contingent expense. I think it is clear from the examination of the statutes to which I have referred that it was not the intention of the legislature to place upon the University of Illinois the limitations with reference to printing and the pur-