Repository: UIHistories Project: Book - History of the University (Powell) [PAGE 535]

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History University of Illinoi

itself clearly shows. This was the first interest that any one of this ring ever manifested in this great cause of industrial education. Thus was the scheme inaugurated in perfidy, which was destined, at last, to end in a degree of corruption, hypocrisy drunkenness and debauchery unparalleled in the history of Illinois legislation. It subsequently appeared that this speculating ring, in order to sell the prairie lands lying between the two towns of Champaign and Urbana, had laid them off in town lots and begun to erect their so called seminary building, to aid in the sale of lots. But from sheer incapacity the whole thing fell through and left them with building, lots, and all, still on hand, and mortgaged or under lien at that, for debts they could not pay. And as often happens to men who utterly fail in capacity to manage their own business, they at once most eagerly sought to take charge of the public weal. Hence their distressing interest in behalf of University Education; at the last session they constantly alleged that their famous building was in such brisk demand that they could not possibly hold it any longer than till mid-summer of that year, and if not accepted at once, the legislature would forever lose the splendid offer. They took care, however, to prevent the passage of all enabling acts in behalf of other counties so as to preclude all competition from localities which did not happen to have an "elephant" all ready to offer on hand. It is needless to remark that both their mortgaged buildings and grounds have most remarkably withstood the siege of purchasers until the year of grace 1867. Their lots are still there, except those that have passed into the hands or pockets of their allies at the capital and elsewhere. They still take wonderful care to reserve the town lots immediately around the buildings and grounds, wholly in their own hands, an to endow the University with naked prairie lands, some two miles out in the country. After the last session of 1865 it became apparent that this Champaign ring, by their natural location, and other means applied, could control nearly one-third of the vote of the state in their interest. An effort was made to secure the direct endorse-