Pueblo chieftain., 1921-11-26
Messages From
the People
REFORM THE STATE
MUSEUM.


To the Editor Of The Pueblo Chieftain:
The officials of the state Historical
and Natural History Society have
made appeal to the Colorado people for
donations of money with Whlcn "
carry on its work. II public-spirited
to the Society. they have a right to
demand much-needed reform in lis
management. For years a small group
of men. mostly scientists, have do.
minated its activities, and historical
interests have suffered. 1t is desir-
able to have new Directors who are
friends of history and literature. Ihe
Constitution of the Society stands In
need OF revision: it should be amend
cd SO as to prevent the indefinite con-
tinuance OF Directors in office The
time of service for any Directors
should not be more than three terms,
nine years. When Directors remain
in power a dozen years or so, needed
reforms and desirable innovations are
postponed to the detriment OF Colo
!rado. The organization of the Society
Is too much like fossilized monarchy.
Oligarchism under the present admin
istration Is almost as pad as kaiserlsm
under the former administration.
What is to be done?
We should have direct election of Of
flcials and Directors. EVERY member
of the Society who has paid his dues
should have the privilege of votlnS
for any member whom he may wish
to be president OF the Society OF sec
retary or director. Tho present
scheme of a cut-and-cried slate secret
ly pre-arranged by the Board of Dl-
rectors, Is what one might expect III
the Old World, but i. IS out Of place
in a republic; it is un-American.
would like to see the Society dem
ocratized. We should have open meet
ings once month, in which members
have a chance to take part In discus.
sions about its policies and plans. AT
present the Directors seem to be
afraid OF publicity. They adopt
policy in secret. and later ask the
members to ratify it just as 1t Is; the
member is only q rubber stamp. What
they care most for is his money and
his acquiescence in the program that
they have prepared, whether 1t De FOR
Colorado's best welfare or not. He
is not supposed to have any opinions
or ideas of value.
The officials of the Society have
neglected their duty to the state at
large. The majority or the people OF
the Western Slope and southern
Colorado cannot come to Denver and
visit the State Museum. President
givers as we'll as beggars. They
should publish a State quarterly,
Colorado journal of History and Nat,
urai History, containing articles ana
on Colorado. past and
present. These articles. II prepared by
specialists, would be helpful to
teachers and pupils all over tho state.
know Your State!" should he the
slogan OF the men in charge of the
Museum. Monographs on Colorado.s
might appear in the State quarterly,
and off-prints OF them in pamphlet
form be placed on sale in tho. Mus
cum. Some visitors have n curiosity
to know more about the exhibits than
the labels afford. The usefulness OF
ably increased by the printed page. A
State quarterly would. In variety o,
waye. promote Colorado's progress and
advancement. It would help farmers.
miners. club women and tourists.
high class periodical is one of Colo
duty OF tho officials of the State His
toricat and Natural History Society
to publish one. We do not want
small. cheap affair Hike the Bulletin
that they Issued a year or so ago: 1t
Is not a credit to Colorado. Phiiistin-
ism prompted Its publication. am op-
posed to tho expenditure OF a dollar Of
State money for the Bulletin.
The object of tho state Museum IL
not merely to accumulate and preserve
collections and records. but to publish
things of permanent value for tho
benefit Of our citizens. A State quar-
tcrly would be n cultural agency and
sivc Colorado the best kind of pub
licity. Tho officials OF tho state Hts
toricni and Natural History Society
arc open to criticism for negicctinS
their duty in this direction. Colorado
should not lag behind iowa. Texas and
other states that have founded pcr. |
iodicaIs of high excellence. Reform
the State Museum. Let educators and
public spirited men and women In all
nm .t aut t.. hall
by this institution. which ought to bc /,
the pride OF all Colorado.
EUGENE PARSONS. 1
Denver. Colo. Nov. :i.