UIHistories Project: A History of the University of Illinois by Kalev Leetaru
N A V I G A T I O N D I G I T A L L I B R A R Y
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Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Nevins) [PAGE 232]

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214 UNIVERSITY AFTER IT FOUND ITSELF Urbana was deficient and let the Legislature know. Even earlier representatives of sixteen railways, under President Delano of the Wabash, drafted resolutions supporting the University in its fight for the railway courses. To the alumni Dr. James appealed as his predecessors never had. You will do a great serviee, he urged them in 1909, "if you yourselves will write to your representatives in the Legislature, and if you will get your friends and acquaintances in your legislative district to do the same thing. . . . If your residence is no longer in the State of Illinois, you surely know some people in the State whom you could persuade to exert their influence along the same line. The members of the Legislature are friendly to the University, but it is natural that they should feel that if the people of the State really want a great University they should be willing to express that desire.'' The Western Society of Engineers and similar societies also came to the University's assistance at Springfield. By 1911 it was a dull legislator who did not fully appreciate the interest of the public. The session of 1909 witnessed a more stirring discussion of University requests than had any other.#Opposed to the University's chance of obtaining its three millions were the facts that other public demands were also great, that the State income was not materially larger, and that the Administration was interested in making an economical showing. The opposition took the double form of criticism of the University and attacks on specific items. A special attempt was made by President James to obtain funds for raising salaries, and to call attention in this connection to related deficiencies of the University as compared with other institutions. Senate and House were argued into the passage of a