19 



that lie is a remarkable linguist and, at various times proved of great service 

 to many of the State officers in translating numerous foreign communications 

 of importance. 



Practically, the Museum has been of almost inestimable value to thousands 

 of school children, (who have come here to study, accompanied by their 

 teachers), as well as to many thousand visitors, many of them excursionists 

 .from distant points in the State, all of whom made this place their Mecca. 

 And therefore, practically, it has served a great purpose. Scientifically, it 

 could become a great institution, for the material is here, and the will to 

 broaden, but alas! the financial wherewith is absolutely wanting. For, build 

 castles as one may, the most important factor in the march of progress, 

 (when progress means scientific research) — is plain, every-day money. With- 

 out money, one's castles must fall and stifled ambitions must, perforce, lie 

 buried for a time." 



Conclusion. 



In reviewing the history of the museum a number of facts come 

 prominently to view. 



First, men of scientific' instincts and activity have had the work of 

 the museum in charge. They have added to scientific knowledge 

 generally and have built up the museum in particular. 



Second, as a result of their abundant labors much valuable material 

 has been brought together. 



Third, the museum does not begin to contain the collections that it 

 \ should contain. It has suflfered by fire. It has been moved nine times 

 without having reached a location in any degree suitable, either as far 

 as space, light', dignity or beauty are concerned. Money that should 

 have been spent for materials has been used in moving. 

 ' Two of the curators, VVorthen and Gurley, were ardent collectors 

 before coming to their office and during their incumbency continued 

 collecting for themselves. At the time of their leaving the curatorship 

 they were criticized because of the size and value of their private col- 

 lections. 



It was urged that their energies as collectors should have been turned 

 wholly toward building up the State Museum, and that if such had been 

 the case the museum would have been much richer. On the other 

 hand, it was said that the- State was an unjust employer, failing for 

 two years to pay one curator, and turning off the other without just 

 , cause, and that the State neither properly prized nor cared for the 

 valuable materials which were brought together as the result of pains- 

 taking and arduous labor. 



However, by some arrangement those materials should have 6een 

 saved for the State, and the most appropriate place for them is the 

 State Museum. T^pre should he a law. whether written or unwritten, 

 that no curator should collect for himself. It might work hardship for 

 the curator, but it would be for the proper advantage of the institution 

 which he served. 



The museum has had a long and eventful history. It has filled a 

 place of usefulness, but the opportunity which lies before it is far 

 greater than that which is past. 



To use the opportunity and meet the obligations which are upon it 

 will require the interest and help of all those who are in any degree 

 responsible for its conduct. 



