Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 308]

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History University of Illinois

with practical skill as agriculturists, to fill the various offices of the College, These difficulties will soon disappear, as the farm improves and agricultural science advances, and it may be confidently expected that the enterprise will then reap its desired triumphs.' * Thus Dr. Gregory had already faced the problems of creating an agricultural college in a western state. The questions of the purpose of such an institution, of its finances, of its administration, of its courses of instruction, had all been thought over, discussed, and in many cases acted upon by Dr. Gregory some eight years before he was called upon to aid in organizing the Illinois Industrial university. Even Turner, with his deeper knowledge, perhaps, of agriculture and the needs of the industrial classes had not this practical training and experience in the actual organization and development of an agricultural college. Had these facts in regard to Dr. Gregory been properly recognized when he became regent, it would have saved very probably some serious misunderstandings of the next few years. The most important business at this first meeting, next to the election of the regent,7 was in connection with the polytechnic branch of the university which it was proposed to establish in Chicago. It will be remembered that the proposition for a school of mechanic arts in Chicago appeared at the session of the general assembly in 1865. Although not clearly stated in section three of the charter granted in 1867, there is no doubt that what was especially meant was a polytechnic department in Chicago. This section was valuable because it aroused enthusiasm in the Chicago contingent who liked the thought of a polytechnic branch of the great new university in their fair city; and it brought to the charter strong support which, as may be casually mentioned, was sorely needed and could have been obtained in no other way. At the first meeting the members of the board of trustees residing in the third grand judicial division and first congressional district were empowered to receive contributions and

•Ibid., 14. 'Besides the regent, other officers elected at the first meeting of the board were John W. Bunn, treasurer, Willard C. Flagg, corresponding secretary, and O. B. Galusha, recording secretary.