Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 41]

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History University of Illinois

and merchants, wo desire the same privileges and advantages for ourselves, our fellows and our posterity, in each of our several pursuits and callings, as our professional brethren enjoy in theirs; and we admit that it is our own fault that we do not also enjoy them. 44 Resolved, That, in our opinion, the institutions originally and primarily designed to meet the wants of the professional classes as such, cannot, in the nature of things, meet ours, no more than the institutions we desire to establish for ourselves could meet theirs. Therefore, 44 Resolved, That we take immediate measures for the establishment of a University, in the State of Illinois, expressly to meet those felt wants of each and all the industrial classes of our State; that we recommend the foundation of high schools, lyceums, institutes, etc., in each of our counties, on similar principles, so soon as they may find it practicable so to do. 44 Resolved, That in our opinion such institutions can never impede, but must greatly promote, the best interests of all those existing institutions.' * It should be noted that Turner and his committee specifically stated that they were not opposing existing colleges and professional schools, that they were merely asking that the benefits of science be made as available to the man engaged in industrial pursuits as to the professional man. A practical plan for placing these benefits at the disposal of the industrial classes must be formulated. Turner was ready with it. " After reading the above resolutions/? wrote the committee which later published a report of this meeting, "Professor Turner proceeded, in an able and interesting manner, to unfold his plan for the establishment and maintenance of an Industrial University."4 Turner's speech upon this subject was later published under the title, *' Plan for an Industrial University for the state of Illinois." It gave his ideas not only upon proper industrial education for his own state but advanced a system of national educa•Turner, Indtistridl Universities far the People, 16. •Turner had been invited to attend this meeting and to assist in the establishment of " a n agricultural school or agricultural department in some schools in Northern Illinois/' Ware to Turner, October 29, 1851, Turner manuscripts.