The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-02
TOWN AND GOWN

NdllOn HUH 1 ICSIONu al ItdS - lHO " aSoOSlQ
ton of the state university. 1t was an interesting letter
and we hope it was read by every man and every woman
in Mssoula. There are certain intimate relations which
should exist between the students at the university and
the people of Missoula. These relations do not directly
concern the rest of the state, except as they involve to
some extent the welfare of the institution. They are re-
lations which grow out Of the responsibility which Missoula
assumed when she became the seat of the university. They
were discussed by the studentpresident in Straightforward
fashion. The state university is not a local institution. II
is the university of the state of Montana, but Missoula is
in a sense, its sponsor and guardian. The people of this
city are in closer touch with university affairs than are the
people of any other community. That their pride in the
institution is more personal than that which is felt by the
residents of other cities is natural. Their participation in
the affairs of the university should be greater. 1t has al
ways been so and it will always be so. 1t is essential to the
success of the university that it be so.
lust a word before we proceed with the discussion OF the
points brought out in the letter OF Mr.. Armitage. During
the general talk about consolidation which has engaged the
attention of the state for a considerable period, there have
been some sighting references made concerning the at
titude OF Mssoua toward the university. these would not
deserve attention we're it not for the fact that they might
be accepted as worthy criticism by those who are not tamil.
slurs came from men who are utterly Ignorant OF the mat
tiers which they profess to discuss. Missoula has always
been interested in the welfare Of the university; she has
contributed as generously as possible OF time and money
and effort, to make the university's success assured. She
has always been ready to do this; she is ready now to do
it; we believe she will ever be in the same mood. This
much to set right some statements which have been made
by misinformed state editors, by uniformed local cores
%pondents and, alas, in classrooms.
Missoula has done much in local support Of. university
affairs. She has not done all that she could have done, but
that is true of all of us in whatever we undertake; there
is always something which we might have done which is
left unperformed. And it is certain that the president OF
the students association is correct when ne says that Mis-
soula people do not turn out as they should when there is
something doing at the university. This, we think, is true
in connection with lectures and other indoor attractions
than it is with regard to athletics. Repeatedly The Mis-
soulian has called attention to the fact that some OF the
audiences at University hall are shamefully small. Also,
on past occasions, we have mentioned the fact that the
percentage OF attendance from the toWnspeople has been
larger than the percentage of faculty attendance at these
functions. This, however, constitutes no excuse for the
failure of Missoula people to attend.
1t is no new argument for The Muscular to make, that
lit is the duty Of the people of this city literally to patron
ize the affairs at the university; There are many OF the
city's people who have always been faithful in their at
tendance upon these occasions. There are many others
who have been indifferent, who should have shown more
active interest. Upon so many occasions that we have been
accused of harping upon a single string, have we urged a
more general participation in university activities. We are
glad that Mr.. Armitage wrote the letter which suggested Me
soula should be constantly reminded of their duty to the
university.
But we insist that the city has not been as remiss as some
of its recent critics would have it appear. In more ways
than a few have the people of Missoula shown their inter
est in the university and in its work. There are many in
stances which are familiar to all who know OF the univer.
sty work, which are unknown to the critics who, out OF
their ignorance, presume to tell what Missoula has done and
what she has not done. Of all the criticisms which last
weeks volume of correspondence developed, we think the
g~entemanly suggestions or Mr. Arnntage are the only ones
which merit any consideration. The editor Of the Helena
independent, tor instance, asserts that MISSOURI has Done
nothing for the university. We believe the editor of the
independent has never seen the university. Certainly he
knows nothing of its work or of its relations with the peo-
pie of Missoula or he would make no such statement as
that. His statement is cited merely as one instance OF a lo1
Of unwarranted-shal we say abuse-Which was brought
out last week.
But, as to the suggestion that Missoula should cooper
ate as thoroughly as possible in university activities, we
second the motion most heartily.
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