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History University of Illinois

coupin Statesman, and the Illinois State Register, and a few other papers had articles in which they termed the "industrial league a glorious humbug," " a chimera," and a project whose cost would be enormous. The Constitutionist printed a number of articles in which it opposed generally the fundamentals of the plan and objected specifically to some fifteen distinct details of the bill which was now before the legislature. 40 " T h e whole scheme," said this latter paper, "has the appearance to us of a cunningly devised plan to bleed the treasury of the state, and to elevate into office for life, a few aspiring individuals, the excessive modesty of the most of whom prevents them from bringing their claims before the people and leads them to the adoption of this scheme, and to taking advantage of the popular feeling in favor of education, to elevate themselves into a position of the highest importance, from which they can look down with contempt upon every individual who refuses to bow the knee to their Baal." 4 1 The bill, although violently attacked, was favorably reported by the senate committee and found only one opponent on the house committe. At this time it became known that there were defalcations in the state treasurer's department and the convention's committee saw that it would be inadvisable to press the bill to final action; therefore in both houses the matter was deferred to the next session.42 The friends of industrial education were disappointed, of course, at the outcome but by no means in despair. They considered it a "drawn battle" this time with all the advantages of delay, on their side: the idea was gaining ground; the agricultural press was speaking out with more confidence and there was scarcely a paper but what was declaring in favor of practical or specific training along industrial lines.43 During the spring and summer of 1855 Turner and his friends devoted little of their time to lecturing; as indicated above they deemed that part of their work had been nearly ac"Illinois State Begister, December 28, 1854, January 18, February 1, 1855; Jacksonville Constitutionist-, January 23, 1855. "Illinois State Begister, February 1, 1855. "Prairie Farmer, May, 1855. a Kennicott to Turner, March 6, 1855, Turner manuscripts.