The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-09
MONTANA Is ALL RIGHT


proDlen. 10 lrrlgate these lands and
sen them at a nominal price, guarantee.
ing the control of the canals to the people
who acquire the lands, after the water
rights shall have been paid for, will in.
sure to Montana a substantial increase of
population, and lay the foundations for
increased revenues to the state. The sue
cessful carrying out of this plan might in
duce congress to extend further aid in the
same direction, and thus convert all de-
sirable portions of the arid belt into a
productive domain.
MIDwINTER FAIR.
The fair held in San Francisco during
the past year afforded an opportunity for
western states to advertise their re-
sources which could not be overlooked
without loss of prestige. Had Montana
alone refused to participate in this exhi-
bition, our state would not only have lost
the benefits of comparing her mineral re-
sources with less favored candidates for
public attention, but would have suffered
from the imputatlon of inability to prop
eriy advertise her manifold advantages to
the world. 1t was deemed best to make
an exhibition at the midwinter fair credit
able to the state. No public funds were
available Tor this purpose, but the neces-
sary money was advanced by public spir-
tied citizens of the state.
Through the energetic efforts and Geo.
nomlcal management of Hon. Thomas e..
Merrill, who served as commiss Toner
without expense to the state, the money
was collected and the expenditures kept
within the amount raised. Montana's
mineral exhibit carried off the honors of
the fair, and was OF inestimable value TO
the state in advertising the possibilities
OF its mining industry. The amount sub
scribed was S4,205. while the expense in
Cured was little less than 1900. A de-
tailed statement will be presented to you
IN a few days. There should be do delay
in reimbursing the gentlemen who adj
vanced the funds necessary to insure a
successful exhibit.
SITES FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
The state has secured title to $50 acres
OF land in Bozeman for the agricultural
college; to 40 acres in Missoula for the
university; to 10 acres in Dillon for the
normal school. The board of trustees of
the school of mines have selected 4.3l
acres in Butte, but title has not yet passed
TO the state. Ii Is matter of regret that
the state has been financially unable to
erect suitable buildings for the institu-
tlons or to provide for their maintenance.
The aggregate appropriations exceeded
the revenues by about SOC, 900, and there
fore II was impossible TO carry into effect
the intentions of the last legislative as
sembly. With the exception of the agri-
cultural college none of these schools
have been opened. The work of this coll
iege is being successfully carried on in a
pTONlueu ny tue CltlZenS OF BOZe-
man. The liberality with which the
federal government provides for agricul-
tural colleges has proved of great benefit
IN this case. The withdrawal of this sup
port by congress is not an impossibility
unless the state government shows a cor
responding interest in maintaining our
agricultural college. Montana can ill
afford to lose this annuity, and l recon-
mend that by prompt action liberal sup
port be given to this school.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.
Notwithstanding the industrial depres-
sion through which Montana, in common
with her sister states, is passing, every
patriotic citizen hopes that some steps
can be taken by this legislature towards
promoting the interests of our educa-
llonal institutions. The state was unable |
TO furnish the money appropriated for
this purpose, as the general appropria-
tions greatly exceeded the revenues from |
which the expenses of the state had TO be |
met. Various plans have been suggested |
Tor the erection of necessary buildings |
and the maintenance of these schools. |
with reference to existing conditions, and |
to obviate, if possible, vexatious delays in |
carrying out the purposes of the law that |
created them.
At a recent session of the state board of |
education the following resolution was
adopted, after thorough debate as to the
effectiveness OF the plan proposed:
BE Il resolved, That 1t is the sense of the state
board OF education that the legislature should |
make some provision whereby buildings for the
agricultural college and deaf and dumb school
may be erected from the sale or pledge of the
the enabnc aet that IN PPs% I S SeGoa oi
OF these Institutions, VIC urge that action for |
their relief be taken at the earliest possible
period; that we urge upon the governor that
this matter be brought to the attention of the
In his forthcoming message.
In support OF this resolution il was
held tSat the commissioner of the general |
land office has decided that $1,000 acres
of the federal land grant made TO this
state Is subject TO disposal in any manner
that the legislature may direct, no price
being stipulated at which il is to be sold.
The argument was advanced that bonds
could be issued on these $1,000 acres,
without submitting the proposition to the
people, and that possibly the aggregate
sum of, say, 100000 could be secured
thereby. However. the question of meet
ing the interest upon these bonds is one
hat cannot be too carefully considered.
The executive committee of the agri-
cultural college suggests the following:
First. a bond issue of 100000 at per cent to |
DC authorized. secured on $1,000 acres of the col
eye land grant. Only $4,000 to be sold for at
second. The price at which these lands should
,e sod TO be left TO the discretion OF the state
BOARD of land commits sioners.
Third. 1t should be lawful to invest school
lud other public funds in said bonds.
Fourth. An appropriation Of $500 per annum
or two years should be maze To pay the interest |
N I'D bonds. unless a sufficient income was
erlved from the land 10 meet such interest
The COMMITTEES adds: This may be a crude |
cheme, but we are unable TO devise anything {
etter F" ,
With reference to this matter, the report ,
4 the special committee of the board of ,
ducation. having under consideration
ection Il of the enabling act, admitting ,
lontana as a state. says:
Ihat after examination of said act VOur aonn- | !.
lttee Is OF the opinion that the grants OF lands
lade by said section IL OF the said act is with
az restriction upon the power OF the legislature
dispose OF the said lands, and that il is within
De power OF the legislature 10 dispose Of any or Z
u OF " S-id lands granted by the said section S
D. such price and upon such terms as the legis- /,
sture may provide. .
Under the aforesaid section the agricul- r
lral college receives $1,000 acres IN adj y
ition TO the grant made in section Is of
ne enabling act, and the deaf and dumb
L.