Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 124]

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History University of Illinois

for copy of the Industrial University appropriation bill. I like its main features but hope it may receive some amendment " I send by this mail another copy of our reports thinking you may not have one at hand and may desire to refer to the action of our state. N. York, Ohio, Michigan, California, and Wisconsin I learn are prepared to petition with us." 1 1 Prom the above it becomes apparent that Turner had not actually worded the bill however much of the material he may have furnished. Another significant fact is that he was already informed of what leading states from California to New York were going to do, and the phrase "are prepared to petition with u s " indicates previous understanding with Illinois. The preparation that Turner and the industrial league had been making for years became now suddenly tremendously effective. For all over the country from individuals, from county and state agricultural and horticultural societies, from county courts, from boards of supervisors, from clubs and other organizations, and from state legislatures, petitions and memorials came in great numbers to congress. It is true the subject had been discussed for years in the various states but no concerted action within three weeks time could possibly have occurred without some such preliminary work as the Illinois men had already accomplished. This situation is explained by a letter from John A. Kennicott to Senator Trumbull asking him to advocate the land grant bill just introduced: " I suppose you know this is 'Illinois thunder/ and you have a right to it. The principle has been endorsed by our legislature—pressed on by our state society—and adopted by nearly all our associations—east and west—and has many friends in the Slave States even." 18 On January 8, 1858, Turner wrote Bronson Murray that President J. B. Williams of the Michigan state agricultural college had gone to Washington, D. C. to look after the interests of the Morrill bill. He urged Murray to set petitions in motion in the agricultural and other societies in his part of the state.

"Turner to Trumbull, January 4, 1858, Trumbull collection, library of congress. "Kennicott to Trumbull, January 25, 1858, Trumbull collection, library of congress; see also appendix, p. 438.

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