The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-15
COULD USE MORE FUNDS.
The Historical Society Of Montana
Has Not Much in Its
Treasury.
Shall the Society be Turned
Over to the Care of tho
State9
Two Counties in Eastern Montana Fight
iEg Over Northern Pacific Rail-
road Tax Money.

Col. Wheeler. the librarian of tho Histor
ical society, is just now engaged In prepar
ing q statement for the board of direction
OF the society showing the work Of the pas
year. The society has been very ~fortunat,
in preserving a very complete history Of
Montana from the day Of its organization
a. a territory to the present date. No event
of local Importance that has happened
since then has been lost sight Of. To the
press of Montana the society is largely in
debted. Bound copies Of each newspaper
in the state are carefully preserved and will
be Of great importance and interest to
future generations. There ia now quite a
collection Of daily and weekly papers in the
possession of the society which are not
bound, there being no money in the treasu-
nry for this purpose. Besides this there
are about 800 photographs and portraits OF
mon and women who have been prominent
y identified with the history Of Montana.
The librarian says that this collection forms
a very valuable part OF the ,society's Pos
sessions and should be placed in portfolios
10 that they may be kept in a good state
Of preservation. This has not been
done, because of q lack Of funds. The so
ciety has also 4 very considerable collec-
tiOn of books OF various kinds, containing
matter of historical interest pertaining to
the state. Then there are quite a number
Of manuscripts from the pens OF pioneers,
some of whom are now dead, while Others
are still with us. These should be placed
in printed form. This. too, has not been
done owing to want OF funds.
Under the territorial laws the legislature
formerly made annual appropriations by
means Of which the society was able to get
aJonO fairly wall Under tho constitution
the legislature ia prohibited from making
any appropriations to such an institution
unless il be under the absolute control OF
the state. Since the session of the last ter
~ritorial legislative assembly the society has
been dependent upon the contributions Of
the members. There is now about $500 IN
the treasury, which may enable the society
things will have to be neglected. An an
nual meeting of the directors may be held
here this winter. The question of turning
the institution over to the keeping OF the
state will then be considered and some de-
termination made. The directors and mem
befs have not yet made known their
views, but the librarian faSofs tho plan of
having the state take charge of the society.
The present quarters, two rooms on the top
door Of the county court mouse, are not
large enough for the needs OF the society.
At time the question of providing a
separate building with fire proof vaults was
aRitatsd, but nothing came of it.
In the new questions which have come up
since the admission Of the state the inter
ests Of this institution have been somewhat
overlooked. 1t certainly is too valuable to
be neglected. II the state does not care to
assume the burden, here is al opportunity
for some citizen of means to build him q
monument moro enduring than brass or
marble.