The Daily Missoulian., 1913-01-26
THE TIDE HAS TURNED

In the discussion of the proposed consolidation Of the
states institutions of higher education the week past
brought interesting developments. If we may judge from
the which from Helena the tide of public
men has turned strongly against the consolidation
ment his was to be expected and is not condition to
elicit surprise.
The proposition consolidate these institutions which
has occasoned the discussion of the past week sprung
suddenly upon unsuspectng state 1t presented in
manner which was alluring and which certainly cal
culaed to deceive those who not familiar with actual
conditions The natural result was that there burst
OF enthusiasm from many quarters when the musical words
OF the demonstration fell upon the OF the unwilling pub
c. And there of nnocents who followed this
new pied piper
the consolidation proposition would have been all right and
would be all right now if it had been based upon logical
premises But it not From the very first of the as
Sumptlons which were adduced to make the plan seem
plausible to the very asand including nearly all that lie
between the extremes-there hardly which will
stand the test OF close Inspection There many of the
themselves. Men who have been long time in Montana
and are acquainted with the facts know the utter weakness
OF the consolidation argument.
In the course OF the past week. good many of these
points have been brought up The stampede which was
started in the way pointed by the leader of the move
men checked itself early in the week, of the stam
peders began to take second thought Others who had hes
tated came out strongly and positively the side of the
opposition.
Later in the week there notable desertons from the
procession which had started to follow the strains of the
pied piper. The close of the week found the sentiment
through the state crysalzing against the consolidation
plan The people had begun realize the significance of
the whole scheme.
Nothing is sure as Ben Franklin told u.s. except death
and taxes But to be anything legislative
can be- that the consolidation has been checked
effectively and that the consolidation bill will day.
light he opponents OF the plan however, afford
to rest too securely. Sometimes conditions make rapid
change at Helena 1t is we'll to be all the time upon the
alert.
Out of the disturbance which the consolidation agitation
has created there may and there probably will be some
great good The big noise has directed the attention
OF great many people to the affairs of the university and
its associated institutions. Men and who have
given much thought to the affairs of higher education
Montana except in general way, have to under
stand some of the details of the work that has been DONE
this means they have better understanding of the work
that should be done
We understand that there is to be measure proposed
before the legislature which will be known the Duston
blland do believe the editor of the Butte Post
will be unwilling to have his associated with the plan
the terms of which will make provision for unification
OF the work OF higher education in Montana. Ibis plan
will receive general support believe, from those who
have given sound thought to the question under discussion
AS We understand the measure it provides for the preven
ton of duplication OF work in the institutions affected and
it correlates the courses of study.
The furry has subsidedhat certain and that is i'm
portant The people of the state have begun to consider
the matter calmly, which means that they will act wisely
The deuge of letters which poured into Helena from the
university publicity bureau has been traced to its source
and the letters have been thrown into waste baskets The
matter is to be considered upon its merits
thus much the week has wrought in the consolidation
campaign The progress in the direction of consider
alton has been graet Even at the university this
week, we believe it will be possible for venture
negative opinion without being branded traitor self
which cataogued by Jealous faculty members for use
against any who had the emerity stick tack in
their ovcr-inflated tires.
who