Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 143]

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Final Period Land Grant BUI

117

the inconsistencies in Mr. Buchanan's actions of 1827 and 1859, and the absurdity of his constitutional argument; finally he objected to conferring upon Mr. Buchanan honorary membership in the society. Members of the society agreed with Mr. Calvert in his attitude toward agricultural education but not in his attitude toward the president and therefore his resolution was not adopted. In Illinois the state agricultural society and the state horticultural society at their annual mid-winter meetings appointed committees to act conjointly in calling a convention of the people of the state ' ! to concert measures for the establishment of a permanent system of agricultural instruction on a practical and economical basis," 3 and this joint committee sent forth the call for a convention to be held in Bloomington on Wednesday, June 27, 1860. The committee requested all organized agricultural, horticultural, and mechanical associations in the state to select delegates and also invited all persons interested in the subject of agricultural education to come and aid in devising measures to accomplish the ends proposed.4 The earnestness of the committee is shown in the fact that they sent one of their members, Mr. C. T. Chase of Chicago, on a tour of inspection of existing agricultural colleges and schools within the United States to learn what he could of their plans and operation in order that he could give a report of his findings at the coming convention. Pursuant to the call the fifth industrial convention met at Bloomington on the appointed date. Captain James N. Brown of Sangamon county was made chairman and after the selection of vice presidents and secretaries, Mr. Chase presented a report upon conditions existing at the various agricultural institutions throughout the country, and it appeared as special correspondence in the Chicago Weekly Times upon the same day: " C T. Chase, of Chicago, stated that he had visited in person as far as time would permit the greater number of the institutions for agricultural education in this country. If a name, an organization, good professors and facilities constitute an agri'Besolutions of the committees of .the state agricultural society and state horticultural society, Prairie Farmer, June 14, 1860. 'Prafoie Farmer, June 14, 1860.