Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 220]

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History University of Illinois

nolds on November 19,1864, it did not, for it disarranged all his plans, 28 The wording of their resolutions led him to believe that the committee intended to cause division between the agricultural and mechanical interests and he foresaw that instead of having the ex-members as an organized force to fight in the open, the agriculturists would now have them firing from the bushes to* which they had driven them. The dissensions between the agricultural and mechanical interests which, fostered by politicians and others, prevented any final action on the part of the legislature the next winter proved that Turner's belief was well-founded. As the time for the legislature to meet drew near, interest in the subject became more manifest. There were four bodies of men to assemble during December and January whose acts would have an important bearing on the welfare of the state: the Decatur committee of September, 1864, and the congressional committee of June 9, 1863; the horticultural society; the executive board of the state agricultural society; and the legislature. The horticultural society at their meeting spent little time in discussion of the agricultural college question for there was little difference of opinion, but they passed a resolution to the effect that to divide the federal fund would be a perversion of the grant. 24 In accordance with the calls issued, different committees appointed by mass conventions of horticulturists and agriculturists of the past year met in the rooms of the state agricultural society in Springfield on December 6, to take into consideration the preparation of a bill to present to the next legislature for the disposal of the congressional grant of four hundred and eighty thousand acres of land. There were delegations from the south, central, and northern parts of the state to present "claims" for location of the school, division of the fund, and other matters. A large and influential delegation from the mechanics of Chicago was present to urge upon the convention the propriety of a division of the fund, in order to establish a mechanical school in Chicago and an agricultural school somea

Turner to Reynolds, November 19, 1864, Turner manuscripts. "Illinois State Agricultural Society, Transactions, 5; 925.