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Caption: Book - History of the University (Powell)
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Petition to tlie Legislature DOCUMENT NUMBER 27 599 The following petition to the legislature, prepared by a committee representing the mechanics of Chicago, was printed as a separate document. Turner manuscripts, university of Illinois TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OP THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. The undersigned respectfully represent unto your Honorable Body, as follows: That at a meeting of Manufacturers and Mechanics, recently held in Chicago, for the purpose of taking into consideration the Act of Congress, of July 2d, 1862, making appropriation of Public Lands for the purpose of establishing Colleges of instruction in Agricultural and Mechanic Arts—the undersigned were appointed a committee to lay before your Honorable Body, in some specific form, the views and opinions there expressed. At this meeting it was the unanimous opinion, not only that the fund provided by Congress was susceptible of division so far as to permit of the establishment of distinct schools of Agriculture and the Mechanic Arts, in the State of Illinois, but that the interests of Agriculture and Mechanics alike demand that such a division should be made. Many and weighty reasons were given for this opinion. It was believed that the Agricultural interests of the State would be best satisfied by the location of an Agricultural School with some reference to the geographical centre of the State; on the other hand, the Mechanic Arts were mainly practiced in and near Chicago. There centered the whole Rail Road system of the State of Illinois. There her principal manufacturing establishments were founded. There by far the largest number of her operatives had their homes. There the capital of the manufacturer was invested. In short, there the head and heart of the manufacturing and mechanical interests of the State were located, and there for many years, if not for all time, they might be reasonably expected to remain. I t was suggested, among other things, that the undersigned should prepare the draft of a Bill, to be laid before your Honorable Body, carrying out the design of Congress with reference
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