, 1861-03-27
Tho Chicago Mechanics Institute.
: Sketch Gifts Origin and History.

/ = =: .. 80 " :
*!''*~Bketoh oft Origin and History. ::
rrs PREshNT CONDITION:
ANNUAL ELECTION YESTERDAY.
Address or its President.
The Mechanics Institute had it's birth in d
meeting Of some well known citizens held in
/ an CID wooden building, afterwards called Post
l. Office building, on the evening Of the sixteenth
Of February, 1919. We had yesterday the priv
ilege Of examining the Book of Records ofthe
Institute, and the first regular meeting Of the
t Association proper was held, as therein re-.
corded, Just one weak subsequent to the Me-
ehanies' meeting alluded to ahoye where It
Ras incepted.> It may prove interesting to
SONS Of our readers to know who we're among
the first officers Of tho Institute, and who con-
stituted the first Board Of Directors. Mr. 8.
]. Sherwood, the first elected Treasurer, was
Secretary Of the Mechanics' meeting. The fol-
lowing officers vera elected Feb. asd, 1sg:.
OFFICERS -
PrEsldtnt-Chas. M. Gray. ::
Eice PTesadent-A- s. Sherman.
Gsr1sxgg.endtng sag.sa sxsrstazgj ? = Bradley,
rLibrar1an--Th Whitloek. ~:
DIRECTORS.
: :: Gesssssn, fe,3sss Ell E. siHis5'ts, aigEss'
- I. L. Mflliken.
The Book Of Records opened by NJ. sher-
wood, containing the history OF the Institute,
Its meetings and lts transactions, continued In
use from the 18th Of February, 1872, until
March, 1859, when It 'Yas found necessary to
procure . new one. After. over seventeen
years active service that old book has bean
placed upon the bookkeeper's shelves sacred
and well pressed relic Of the past.
The Mechanics Institute WAS duly snooxpoz
rated by the General Assembly OF the State In
February, 1e4s The act bears the signatures
Ct Thomas Ford, Governor, and Lyman 1rum-
bull, Secretary Of State, and names Charles
N. Gray, A. 8. Sherman, Elijah Smith and Ira
Miltimore are u.eept!an2d - Charter Members.
On the 9Th Of February 1858, special act Of
the Legialature was obtatned, giving the 1nstl-
tuts power to hold lands and create cani.ee.:
stock Of s5oo, 600, unesr such restrictions, md
subject to such forfeitnres as the Beard Of
Trustees might direct, The value Of real e.
teallowed to be held BY the Institute, is lin
tied to s59,o0Q. The money raised by or upon
this capital stock Of $500, 900, to constitute q
distinct and separate fund to be expended in
suitable buildings and ether specified purpo-
ses, and not subject to, or in any way liable for
the debts Of the Institution, other than those
contracted for lots, buildings, etc.
The Mechanics' Institute, BY the will Of the
late Azel 4. Peck, made on the 25th Of March,
1873, Jointly with the First Unitarian Church,
becanse posseseor Of certain real estate On the
corner Of Washington and Canal streets now
valued at some s15, 1000 or $40, 900, subject only
to life lease to the widow Of the testator.
The history Of the association Gan only be
written from the memory Of its Oldest mem
bers, and by having reference to the Book of
Record, as singnlarly enough none, or very
few, Of its annual catalogues or other pubHc4-
tions, have been preserved. It would prove
iteresting to many Of our citizens could the
various phases Of its existence through so
many years, and 80 many changes Of itself and
surroundin g., be published for general cireula
tion. -
The objects Of the Institute" the diffusion
OF knowledge and information throughout ths
Mechanical Glasses to found Lectures On
Natural, Mechanical aud Chemical Philosophy
and other scientific subjects; md to create a
Library and Museum for the benefit OF he
ehanics and others; to establish Schools for
the benefit Of their youth, and to establish
Annual Fairs"-are every way worthy the at
tention Of our best minds and the efforts Of
o4r bast heads. TIE a st!H.ulue If gt!sn tp me-
chanics in the vicinity, By the distribution of
premiums at the ten annual exhibitions it has
held; the emulation excited; the attention
that has been called to the useful and beautiful
in mechanical science and the arts, cannot
easily be estimated, but it is safe to say, they
have been unsurpassed BY those Of any organ
izzation Of the kind IN the country,
At the last annual meeting Of the Institute,
held on the sth Of January past, from obvious
reasons 1t Was resolved to change the time of
holding elections from thst date to the fourth
Tuesdaydn March, and the old officers Of 1860
were held over until yesterday. The TRnuNE
of'the 9th Of January last furnished pretty
! full report Of the proceedings Of that meet
Ing, but that a full understanding Of the pres.
ent condition. Of the society may be p4d, we
appeud resume Of the reports Of the FL
| nance Committee and Recording Secretary,
made at that date, as well as those Of the Pres
ident read Last evening:
| FINANCIAL REPORT.
7oa< President q ax Chicago 4kehanies l.stt-
| tute:
Your Committee On Finance hereby present the
following report Of the condition Of the finances oi
the, Institute on the Stat Of December, 1850. to.
Eether with the expenses and receipts Of the SANG
during the year inst closed
In tie unpaid liabilities Of the Tnstltute are In.
ssasa a nst ~ q4ss 4sssaRs g. asate ss a sas
an account Of more than sufficient to balsuce: SO
that the real liabilities are to-day, beyond the
d no quite pay ~ sn L shoaah
gaye fresh start to the friends OF the Institute
and thus helped By the collection Of dues and mem
sEi ss fsfRss e dly e. r. 7oas abs
sses fests Rsst s. NJ
before the society Sssp.Retss ssp RtSsRst submitted
N =. bon.eS. e.., scaairman.
Receipts Of tha Chicago Mechanics Institute
1or the year ending December a1st 1s6l
III; {nh.- {t1tha.9ns. ,408 81
Rl.e Rn,i memberships lp3.oe
sale oi Fixtures, H., IN Old building. sa.S9
Aqfaf9. ...-..-...-.....-.....--..... 5000
boaatioa ite% ", Doyinston on .o- 'n'''
Constable sale June ~ 159o, Of Library '0V'''
faVo1 q ;. 2$t 2sttottee sseel execution H. 1850,
,.,... ss,7o7,76
yesr ending December aost, 1850. So. "A