| |
| |
Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
This is a reduced-resolution page image for fast online browsing.
EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:
92 History University of Illinois CHAPTER IV THE ILLINOIS PLAN BEFORE CONGRESS In April, 1854, immediately following the presentation of the joint resolution of the Illinois legislature, the first step in presenting the land grant proposition of the Illinois men before congress in the form of a bill was taken. Representative Richard Yates of Illinois wrote to J. B. Turner asking him to draw up a bill and send it to him, saying that Mr. Washburne had merely presented the resolutions upon the subject of industrial universities and that he had introduced no bill. Yates suggested that it might be well to omit all reference to any connection between these institutions and the Smithsonian institution in order to avoid opposition from certain quarters but left the final decision upon that point to Turner. In conclusion he promised to present the bill and do what he could to get it passed.1 Turner _ prepared the bill and forwarded it to Washington but nothing further was accomplished as it was found inadvisable to push the matter in that session and the following fall Yates was not reelected to congress. The following two or three years did not seem a favorable time to introduce such a bill because of the attitude of opposition to land grants observable in the chief executive. President Pierce had vetoed in 1854 a bill carrying a grant of lands in support of the indigent insane and this had left wnall hope of his signing one for educational interests. Turner was on guard, however, watching for the favorable moment; early in October, 1857 he believed the time was propitious for another attempt. That he consulted two of the great leaders in congress—both senators from his own state—upon the subject is shown by a letter to Lyman Trumbull: " I now send herewith a copy of our league report—and would be glad to know if in your opinion a grant of lands to the states could now be obtained—I know of no measure that would be so universally *Yates to Turner, April 14, 1854, Turner manuscripts.
| |
