The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-05
THE STATE UNIVERSITY.
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Prof Young, Of the Helena Schools,
Fayors One Great Institu-
ton.
Four Separate Colleges Would
Suffer by Comparison With
City High Schools.
Consolidation of Them All Would Com
lnnnd the Patronage and Kcspect
OF the Entire NORTH west.

To The INDEPENDENT: Much has been
said and written Of late In reference to- the
organization of the Montana State uni
versity. Two plans are being discussed;
one to locate the four schools in different
cities. widely separated; the other to con
solidate them into one strong. magnificent
institution. In the discussion 80 far no
argument has been adduced to show why
they SHOULD be separated; no one has pre-
tended to claim that the separation of the
schools would add to their strength, reputa-
ton or efficiency; no one has pretended to
claim that the patronage which they could,
separately, expect to command would DC
sufficient to give them respectable standing.
On the contrary the funds which will be
| available for the erection OF four sets OF
buildings, for the purchase OF fourlibraries.
| the equipment of four chemical and physi-
cal laboratories and the support of four
| .diffe emit faculties. will be entirely made
quate to place these institutions on a par
with several of the educational institutions
already established in the state.
The patronage of the colleges, high
schools and Summaries already in opera
/ ton in Montana is proof positive that the
| organization of four more schools would
be followed by the greatest embarrassment
/ from the lack of students.
1t ia a fact we'll known to every person
who is reasonably we'll posted that there
! are not in Montana A sufficient number Of
| students to give four additional schools an
| enrollment that would make q respectable
high school.
II, however, the schools are united. We
-,nx h,xo h,;IJ;nuo Chat shall ha n Crndit
to our state, laboratories and library that
shall be adequate to the demands OF a rap
idly growing commonwealth and . faculty
composed of specialists in their respective
departments that shall give standing and
renown to the institution throughout the
northwest. 49,
With the enrolment we may reasonably
expect for many years to come one faculty.
one library. one chemical and physical la
demand. Even if the population of the
] state could give to each of four instltu-
1 tions 500 students, would it not be infinitely
better to have one institution with an an
nual attendance of 2,OOO2
The establishment of the state eduoa'
tional institutions ia q matter OF very great
Importance, and ono in which the people
are deeply interested. A mistake cannot
he easily remedied. A selfish, narrow
policy in the organization and location OF
these institutions will result IN lasting IN
jury to tie educational interests of our
state. On the other hand. If wise councils
prevail, if in the discussion and settlement
of these questions the interests of the en-
tire state be considered rather than that OF
certain localities, if our legislators are
guided by the experience of Older states,
then will be laid the foundation OF an in
stitution whose influence for good will be
boundless, and which. by reason of itt
equipment and the character of its work,
will command the patronage and respect OF
the enti. Q northwest.
The question then to be settled 10, shall
we have one great state university or foul
local schools, suffering by comparison with
our city high schools and unable to com.
mand the respect even of the localities in
which they are located? Shall we have one
magnificent institution supported by g
united people, or four weaklings. filled witt
jealousy, envy and strife.
1t is Gel taln!y to be hoped that before the
question of location is discussed. the
greater question of consolidation shall bt
considsl ed and settled in the affirmative
by joint resolution of the house and senate
HELENA, Dec. 4, 1892. r. G.. YOUNG.
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