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Harper, Robinson Argus and H. M. Kimball, Macoupin County Argus. Chas. Holt began his career as an editor in 1848, but he did not come to Illinois until 1864, and since that time has been constantly in the business.

William Osman has been connected as editor and publisher with the Ottawa Free-Trader since its establishment in 1843.

W. T. Davidson became proprietor of the Fulton Democrat in 1858. S. Y. Thornton became part owner of the Fulton County Ledger in 1856 and the following year became its sole owner and has continued as sole proprietor and editor since.

H. M. Kimball began his career as editor of the Carlinville Free Democrat in 1856.

George W. Harper began the publication of the Banner at Palestine in 1856. After serving in the army he settled in Robinson where he has since published a paper.

Benjamin F. Shaw has been connected with the Dixon Telegraph for almost half a century. He was a member of the Anti-Nebraska Editorial convention which met in Decatur on the 22nd of February, 1856, and was also a member of the first Republican State convention in this State, and he has steadily held to that faith since.

The old time editor was one of nature's most perfect composites. In the office he was type setter, job printer, pressman, bookkeeper, business manager and editor. He was prominent in every movement that was for the benefit of his town. He was secretary for his party conventions and committees. Sometimes he was a leader in the church and superintendent of the Sabbath school, and sometimes he did a great deal more than his share towards raising the government

revenue.

He was posted upon all questions from the tariff to the proper time in the moon to plant potatoes. He could discuss foreign affairs or the creed of any religious sect. He may never have been possessed of $100 at one time, but he could discuss financial questions with the head of the bank of England. No man in the community received as little pay (unless it was the preacher) for the amount of good he accomplished. He went about his tasks with a willingness and a cheerfulness that evidenced his patience under circumstances and conditions that often were the most discouraging. He was firm in his convictions but accorded to others the same rights he claimed for himself. Like Charity, as described by St. Paul, the old time editor suffered long and was kind, he thought no evil; he was not puffed up; he vaunted not himself; he rejoiced not in iniquity but rejoiced in the truth; he hoped for all things and endured all things,

A few of the number were in no way creditable to the professionthey were coarse, vulgar and brutal in their editorials, but these soon fell by the wayside while the gentlemen in the sanctum remained as a living monument to the survival of the fittest.

The old time editor saved Illinois from the curse of slavery. He followed along, but more often lead, the march of improvement, and at all times was in the fore-front of all movements to aid in developing the State. As population increased and the time came when the newspaper was a necessity, and not a luxury, he was ready to meet the demands. Many of them suspended their papers and took up arms in defense of the flag, and on their return fitted themselves into the new environment as best they could, but found that in the general conduct of a newspaper, they had to serve a new apprenticeship.

Nearly all of the men who were prominent in the newspaper his. tory of our State during the period which I have briefly and most imperfectly covered, have gone to their long home. On the foundations builded by them has been erected a press that is recognized everywhere as leading that of any State in the Union. At the meetings of the national editorial association, Illinois has for years occupied the seat of honor, and the hundreds of splendid newspapers today which reflect the industry, enterprise and intelligence of the communities in which they are published,owe their beginning to the tireless energy and unceasing toil of the pioneers of Illinois journal

ism.

THE PART OF ILLINOISANS IN THE NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL MOVEMENT, 1851-1862.

(Paul Selby, A. M.)`

Not only the State of Illinois, but the entire nation, owes a debt of gratitude to an earnest and progressive group of Illinoisans for what has been accomplished, within the last 40 years, in the development of a system of national education based upon instruction in the practical and mechanic arts, as well as in general literature, languages and the abstract sciences, and I felt that it was due to the memories of the champions of this measure, that some record of their labors and achievements should go into the "Transactions" of this Society. In this I refer to the act passed by the Congress of the United States in 1862, and approved by President Lincoln on July 2d of that year, making a grant to each state and territory of public lands in the proportion of 30,000 acres for each Senator and Representative or Delegate in Congress to which such state or territory might be enti tled, for the "endowment, support and maintenance of at least one college, where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies, and including military tactics, to teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in such manner as the legislatures of the states may respectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life." An evidence of the far-reaching results which have attended the operation of this act, is furnished by the fact that, according to the report of the Commissioner of Education for the year ending June 30, 1903, there are now 66 institutions in existence based upon this appropriation of public lands-embracing at least one in each state and territory of the Union except Alaska-having a total valuation of property amounting to nearly $70,000,000.00, and giving instruction in their several departments during the year 1902 to more than 47,000 students.

Although it may naturally occur to some that this subject has been treated with entire accuracy and ample completeness by Mr. Pillsbury in his comprehensive article on "The University of Illinois," printed in the biennial report of State Superintendent of Public Instruction (Dr. Richard Edwards) for 1887-88-and, while recognizing the value of that excellent article, I have not hesitated to draw upon it for many facts in the preparation of this paper-I hope to be able to present some additional items obtained from other sources,

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