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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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Illinois Considers Disposition of Donation 201 There seem to be three principal reasons advanced for promoting the enterprise; the interest in education, the hope of allaying the jealousy between the twin cities,.and the opportunity for personal gain through increased value of property. At this time the citizens had no specific plan for establishing a school even when the building was constructed, other than they hoped the state would take the building off their hands. During the summer and autumn of 1860 preparations went forward looking to the construction of the building. Early in December Reverend Mr, Stoughton, now of Champaign, preached in' Champaign. His immediate object was " t o commend the seminary enterprise to the moral and religious sympathies of his audience." When the legislature met in January, 1861, it was presented with a memorial signed by sixty-two prominent citizens of the twin cities, headed by Dr. C. A. Hunt. 41 The memorial argued that it was important for the agricultural interests of the state, that there be established an agricultural seminary of learning, and in connection with it an "agricultural bureau" under state jurisdiction and support. It called attention to the advantages of Champaign county as the location for such an institution or institutions, and suggested that a portion of the seven per cent tax fund arising from the Illinois central railroad be set apart to support the enterprise. In this memorial was used, too, the argument so effective six years later, that Champaign county and the eastern portion of Illinois had received no patronage from the state treasury. Finally, they made the proposition that Urbana-Champaign donate the seminary grounds and the building in process of erection to the state for the proposed institution.42 It was thought at the time that the legislature of 1861 might establish an agricultural college in the state. The Bloomington convention of June, 1860, had this idea in mind. Again it is observed that the Champaign county leaders in sending the memorial of January, 1861, were neglecting no opportunity to get aid from the state to relieve them of the burdens of that "According to Judge J . O. Cunningham, one of the signers, Dr. Hunt was the author of this memorial, which Was printed in the Champaign County Democrat, January 26, 1861. °The memorial is printed below p. 462.
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