On February 8, 1853, the Illinois Legislature adopted a resolution, drafted by Turner, calling for the Illinois congressional delegation to work to enact a land-grant bill to fund a system of industrial colleges, one in each state. Senator Lyman Trumbull of Illinois believed it was advisable that the bill should be introduced by an eastern congressman,Letter from Lyman Trumbull to J.B. Turner, 1857-10-19. and two months later Representative Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont introduced his bill.
On February 8, 1853, the Illinois Legislature adopted a resolution, drafted by Turner, calling for the Illinois congressional delegation to work to enact a land-grant bill to fund a system of industrial colleges, one in each state. Senator Lyman Trumbull of Illinois believed it was advisable that the bill should be introduced by an eastern congressman,Letter from Lyman Trumbull to JB. Turner, 1857-10-19. and two months later R.epresentative Justin Smith Morrill of Vermont introduced his bill.