The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-11
HOW STANDS MONTANA.

Dprfngdeld. ILL.,
HOW STANDS MONTANA:
The comprehensive and mastery adj
dress Of the governor to the joint houses
Of the legislature OF the state presents
vivid panorama Of the teeming %esource
Of Montana. The possibilities OF future
wealth and greatness, that are suggested
by it's perusal, rival the widest imagery
Of golden dreams. Within the year jus,
past the value Of our mineral output has
. been increased by the sum OF S25,OOO,0p
and Montana leads the world. Yet there
is not one whit OF exaggeration in the
statement that the surface Of Montana
has merely been scratched by our pros
pectors and miners, and it is a vel
known fact that there are hundreds OF
low grade mines and prospects which
are only waiting for the locomotive
whistle and the opening up OF the coun-
try to become lucrative concerns. Our
agricultural prospects are most eEcour-
aging. In our fertile valleys, with their
phenomenal record Of bushels to the
acre, there are still homes for thousands
OF settlers, and il we add to these the
vast acreage we possess OF arid lands
that require but irrigation to make them
''blossom like the rose," we can form
some slight idea Of the farming popula-
ton that Montana can support, and the
future value Of their holdings. Another
fruitful source OF wealth is to be found
in our immense forest lands, which have
hitherto. it is not unfair to say, been
neglected out Of all proportion to their
Importance.
Are the citizens Of the state. the ques-
ton ut once arises, preparing to take adj
vantage Of the rich opportunities that
nature has laid before them? Are we
making ready to sail with the food-tide
that will lead us on to fortune, or are
we going to rest content with a policy
OF drift? We want legislators, we want
citizens, not only imbued with a keen
sense Of the vast possibilities that the
future may have il store for Montana,
but equipped as experts, both in theory
and practice, to bend our natural ad-
vantages to the ono object OF making
this state of ours the gem Of the Union
sisterhood.
The schoolmaster is abroad In the
land, and colleges are springing up
every here and there. An agricultural
college, a school OF mines, a state uni
versity, are amongst the advantages
that statehood will confer upon our citi-
zens. In them we have a magnificent
opportunity for carrying out the ideas
we speak Of. Montana's resources, agri-
cultural, mineral and a~rboricultural, are
in many respects peculiar to herself.
To deal with them TO the best adyan-
tage and economy requires more than
common sound sense. 1t demands tech
nical study, knowledge and training.
Montanians ought to prepare them
selves to discharge their duties to the
state with the greatest efficiency. These
institutions Of learning are Montanian
institutions, and the development OF
Montana ought to be their watchword
and the keynote OF their curricula. Our
school OF mines a inaugurate a sys-
tenn Of instruction that will exact an
ever increasing tribute from our mineral
lands. Our schoo! OF agriculture should
throw itself heart and soul into the sub
ject OF irrigation, and secure for the
state every benefit in that direction
that the experience Of others can afford
ar innanIIfu .tgnsaGf III 4Ln I.rrI4-
ment OF Montana is to he it's w~atchword.
our state university must formulate a
curriculum of it's own. The course Of
study pursued with advantage in other
states would prove in many respects in.
efficient and improbable for Montana
students. In all these matters it is
more than we'll to take time by the fore
lock. The corporate life Of our state
university may not rise into actual exl
istence for several years to come. but
there is a vide field for profitable action
before its advent. We would venture
to suggest to Governor Toole the ap-
polntment at IN early date Of a CON
sulting board for each of our state in
stituticns. Let the members be men Of
vide and liberal culture. and men yho
are thoroughly acquainted with the
needs and conditions Of the state. TO
the hands Of such a body Of individuals
it would be safe to entrust the difficult
task OF deciding on q fitting course Of
study for future students OF Montana
In this way we should be rearing our
future citizens on such lines as would
secure for Montana every opportunity
for successful achievement, and laying
broad and deep the foundations u our
commonwealth.
AROUND The G5yOEE BY RAIL.
In these days Of gIobe-trottinQ and