| |
| |
Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
This is a reduced-resolution page image for fast online browsing.
EXTRACTED TEXT FROM PAGE:
508 History University of Illinois the contract, started the building, and got it well along toward completion. When the war came on the excitement died out and, all of a sudden, we discovered that we had an elephant on our hands, We found this fact out during the summer of 1864 and then made preparations to get the assistance of the legislature which was to come together in January, 1865, to transfer the animal to the broader shoulders of the county and the state. For this purpose the county loaned its aid to the extent of some $8,000, and we went to Springfield to effect the job, and failed. For the why and wherefore of our failure, let the reader consult the columns of the Chicago Tribune for January and February, 1865—that sheet, to all appearances, then not being under the control of the eminent agricultural writer, with Harry White and Joe Medill for assistants. "DEAD-FALL" FOR RADICAL NEWSPAPERS AND LEGISLATURES Previous experience having taught us how to deal with radical newspapers and legislatures, last summer we set a "deadfall" for both, pretty near in the following manner. (Not being on the ground I may not be exact in every particular; but you may rely on it, Mr. Editor, that the general facts are correctly stated.) First—We made an arrangement with the county board to take the institute building and grounds (ten acres) from us, the county giving us therefore $30,000 in county bonds, drawing ten per cent, interest. Second—We prevailed on the board of supervisors to order an election for an appropriation of $100,000 in aid of the enterprise. This we carried by the usual appliances of coaxing, bullying and humbugging. Third—We obtained an appropriation of $5,000 from the board of supervisors to pay LEGISLATIVE EXPENSES; and further, got them to appoint a committee of three of their own number to go to Springfield and see the thing out. Fourth—Meantime one man Griggs had been elected representative to the general assembly from this district, and the cities of Urbana and Champaign appropriated the first $200 and
| |
