The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-10-21
GOVERNOR STEWART IS OPPOSED
TO CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS,

in view of the fact that the people of Montana will shortly !
designed to physically unite the State University at Mssoula. the i
State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts at Bozeman and :
the State School of Mines at Butte. l deem it my duty as gov !
ernor Of the state of Montana and exomco chairman of the state !
facts and observations which. believe. may aid in bringing about !
a proper consideration of the questions involved in the s called +
THE financial problem involved in the proposed scheme of con. !
sohdaton is one worthy of serious thought. This state has already !
three institutions II the schools r. consolidated at least two !
thirds of this sum will be a total loss. +
III the university should be moved from Mssoula this entire !
property, conservativey valued at over $4,000 would be lost to !
the state: The estimated value of the real estate owned by the :
School of Mines at Butte and used for school purposes is $4,000, i
The School of Mines building is valued at $4,000. Thus over $780,, :
thrown away in Butte alone in the event Of this consolidation m1ar %m % : :
THE Agricultural College at Bozeman is the owner of 1,4o i
acres OF land of al estimated value of $4,000. From this. how. :
ever, this state could realize little in the event Of the abandonment :!
Of the present school, OF the eighty acres of land comprising the i
college campus proper forty acres were donated by the citizens of i
GaIatn county under conditions similar to those in Missoula. One i
tm and sixty acres of the s2oacre irrigated farm land adjoin- :
ing tn campus and valued at $4,000. was likewise so donated. !
The $40 acres comprising the old Fort ellis military reservation, !
was given to the state for public ue and would be vameless to !
the state If the experiment station were removed. Conservative j
ooo' and the value Of the states buildings o this campus at $500, !
ooo Thus If consolidation is brought about and the consolidated +
university Is placed at Missoula the states initial loss at Bozeman !
alone would be over $55OOO0. !
With only the best interests OF the state at heart. l appeal to j
I'M people OF Montana to consider carefully before they cast their j
votes for this initiative measure. If they do but study it earnestly i
come a law. l do not believe they desire mipeOn" o i laem ec o oel :
strife do not believe they n anxious to assume further large j
burdens Of taxation with s. little prospect of gain. | do not be. j
leve they will break faith with the people Of Bozeman and Butte !
and Missoula and with the federal government which made our i
sate SCHOOLS possible. do not believe that they will deliberately j
throw away twothirds of a million dollars Of state ~ de /
to ue'a ne;s, Sa hann ne ,r.'ts Of twenty years of patient. earnest ef-
ara. a not believe that they will calmly decide that vocational j
not believe that they will decree that it is better for Montana to j
have but one institution of higher learning. in the vague hone that ]
faith that Montana people are ready to meet todays problems 6. !
da,s and that they will do 50 by continuing to bring such higher ed.
ucatlon as " may to those who need it most. instead of endeavor. g.
ing to provide for those who can come and get it a superior brand !
u eu''"" sV STEWART, Governor"