The Green caldron - University Library

28 The Green Caldron
efforts
:
Burt E. Powell gives us the following report relative to Champaign's
The legislature opened the first Monday in January, 1867. The Champaign
County committee, at Mr. Griggs' prompting, had prepared for the fight of
the next three months by engaging the principal reception room of the
Leiand Hotel, with several suites of parlors and bedrooms on the second floor.
The reception room, holding two hundred people, was used for general enter-
tainment. A buffet service was installed, and arrangements were made for
serving elaborate meals. Near Mr. Griggs' quarters were placed those of the
Democratic and Republican state chairmen. At once lobbying was begun on a
lavish scale. Members, whether Democrats or Republicans, hostile or friendly,
were invited to the Leiand for drinks, for light refreshments, or for huge
oyster suppers or quail dinners. They were pressed to bring with them any
of their constituents who happened to be in town, and to order for such
guests as freely as for themselves. They were supplied with cigars, and groups
of them were taken to the theater. During the week three or four of the
Champaign county committee were always on the ground, and at week ends,
when entertainment was at its height, eight or ten would come over. All bills
were sent in to be paid from the $40,000 fund subscribed or appropriated for
the purpose. No other community had fitted up headquarters in this way, or
made any preparations for the entertainment of members. The house was
greatly impressed by the earnestness of Champaign county, and many a
representative voted for the Champaign bill."
Mr. Griggs' foresight was probably the factor which ultimately secured the
location of the university at Urbana.
A joint committee of the legislature, which had been appointed to appraise
the bids of the various communities, gave the following report to the general
assembly on February 16, 1867
:
The county of Champaign proposes to donate the Champaign and Urbana
University, a new brick building, with stone foundation . . . having cost
$120,000. Said building is nearly ready for occupancy. We estimate its cash
value at $75,000. Also, 10 acres of land, in the center of which said University
stands, being about equi-distant between and within one mile of the depot of
tlie Illinois Central Railroad, in the city of Champaign, and the court house,
in the city of Urbana. We estimate the cash value of said land at $2,500.
Also, 160^ acres of well cultivated farm land, within one-half mile of said
University and adjoining the city of Champaign, through which runs a
stream of ever-living water—the cash value of which land we estimate at
$20,000 . . . Also, 410 acres of like farm land, adjoining thereto, with orchard,
farm-house and barn—the estimated cash value of which is $30,000 . . . Also,
400 acres of like farm land, within about two miles from said University—the
cash value of which is estimated at $20,000 . . . The entire amount of land of-
fered by Champaign county is 980 acres. Also $2,000 worth of shade, orna-
mental and fruit trees . . . Also, $100,000 in Champaign County 10 per cent 20
year bonds—the cash value of which is estimated at $100,000. Also, $50,000 in
freight on the Illinois Central Railroad, for the said Industrial University
the estimated cash value of which is $30,000.
" Powell, pp. 242-3.
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