The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-04
MONTANAS INSTITUTIONS
OF HIGHER LEARNING

When the matter of the distribution
Of the state institutions came up early
In the history of the young state OF
Montana the city of Missoula, guided
by counsel that was undoubtedly wise,
''hitched her wagon to STAR and de-
cided to work to secure the location OF
the state university within her limits.
There were at that time some who
shook their heads at this decision ana
urged that it would be better for the
Garden City to enter the lists in the
capital contest. Wise counsel prevailed,
however, and the campaign for the
state university was organized. How
the university was won for Missoula is
familiar history. The story of the con-
test was thoroughly reviewed upon the
occasion of the formal opening of the
new university buildings last winter,
when a distinguished party from the
seat of government attended the ded-
icatory exercises. 1t is not necessary
to enter at this time into any discus
sion of that story. Reference is made
to it simply to recall the prediction that
was made when Missoula's decision was
made in this matter-that the state uni
versity would become the strongest in
cation in Missoula would be of benefit
to both the city and to the institution.
The scholastic year, whose end is
marked by the commencement eXer-
cises of the present week, has demon
strated that the prediction made by
these men was correct The state uni
versity has assumed position that EN-
titles it to the proud title of the head
of the educational system of Montana.
Thn irGt tXNn ny- ft1rn <lf ri av-
istence of such an institution are in
many respects the critical period of its
history. The work of these years fore
shadows what is to come. The pubic
judges of the tone of the school in large
measure by its beginnings and the rep
utation of such an institution is very
likely to be made or unmade in this
epoch of its life. There is strong
temptation while a school is in this
formative stage to sacrifice thorough
ness for the sake of numbers and q
good showing. To the credit of those
who have had the management of the
affairs of the state university, and who
have dictated it's policy, be it said that
this temptation was resisted and that
from the start the work of the institu-
ton has been carried out along the
lines that it is intended to follow--those
of the true university. For a year or
two, as result of this policy, the
school was not as large as it might
have been, but it was strengthened in
the minds of those who were watching
its course and the wisdom of this pol
icy has been demonstrated by the later
results. The local board of trustees of
the university was wisely appointed at
the beginning of it's work. Judge Hi
ram Knowles T. c.. Marshall and ] I.
H. T. Ryman have been the members
without change, and their hearty CO.
operation with the president and fac
ulty in all plans for the advancement
of the interests of the university has
contributed much to the success Of the
school.
DR.. Oscar J. Craig, president of the
university, has been the main factor in
the growth and development of the in
sttution A man of remarkable exec
utive ability; splendid organizer; an
experienced instructor and scholar
he brought to the university the very