The Portland daily press., 1871-07-15
MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MAINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
h"""oe Meeting, July 18th, 1871.
Ine committee of the Maine Histor;oo,
Society, appointed at the Annual MEETING IN
July 1870, to consider and report such meas
ures as may be needful to increase the funds
OF the Society, enlarge its library and mu-
scum, and make the same more accessible
and also upon the question of so changing
the bylaws as to allow an increase in the
number OIL its members; having considered
the matter referred to them, respectfully ask
leave to report
I6at no amendment to the bylaws can be
made except at the annual meeting when Is
members at least are present, nor unless the
subject has been discussed, or reported upon
at previous meeting.
Inc appointment of the committee and
the previous discussion has brought the mat
ter before us, so that these questions NAV he
acsea t1, upon at the present annual meeting.
The committee clearly see that the taste Cor
historical knowledge has rapidly DEVELOPED in
our State, since the adoption of our present
code OF by laws, (Aueust 4th, 1851 and such
an enlargement of our field of labor has
been witnessed by the progress of geooranhi-
cal neutrality-suspicious. by the liberal policv
OF the State III aiding the publications Of the
Society-that they are of the opinion that
there should be an enlargement Of the num-
Der OF members, and that articles Sd and 5tb
OIL cnapter ct our bylaws be amended ac-
cordingly, allowing members to be annnaIIv
elected; on the Recommendation of the stand
ing committee, in addition to the filling of
vacancies. That by unanimous consent. mem
Ders may be admitted beyond that number.
ON the unanimous recommendation of the
standing committee, all elections to be by bal
lot. In addition to the public meetings held
at the State capital during the session of the
Legislature, for reading of papers, the COM
mittee recommend that meetings for like pur-
pose be held in other places in the State, as
the standing committee NAV provide.
They are also of the opinion that public
address should be delivered at or in connec-
tion with the annual meeting of the society,"
at such time and place as the standing com.
mittee shall appoint, and that the standing
committee should appoint the orator for the
puDiic address one year at least, or suitable
period, IN advance of the time of its delivery.
The committee are also of the opinion that
the library and museum of the society with
all its curiosities, in addition to its books,
pamphlets, manuscripts and maps. should If
possible be made more accessible to the pub
lie, and Tor this purpose be removed to some
snitaoie room or rooms, in charge of respon-
slble party, in case such room can be procur-
ed without expense to the society.
1t has been intimated to us that the CITY
government of Portland, would, in view Of
the great importance of the labors of the So
clety and the value of its collections, tender
the use OF suite OF rooms in their new City
Hall building, donating the use of lecture
room as wanted. to the uses of history, and to
the service OF the Maine Historical Society,"
until the society itself should be able to erect
proper building suitable TO contain its libra
ry, where statuary and other works of art and
gallery Of pictures needful to illustrate the
history of our State and country could be Sc
cured.
1t is also said that the corporation of Bow
doin College, will tender to the society the
use OF rooms, equal to the wants of the socie-
ty, and possible access to, and the use of, the
books OF the large valuable college library.
those prnpnsitiOns are submitted to the So
ciety Tor Its action, without any recommends
tiol or expression of opinion on our part,
though worthy of notice by us as proof of the
| growing taste in the study Of history.
The limits of our State embrace the mcst
interesting portion OF the continent of North
America in its geographical aspects, and has
been the theatre OF the most prominent events
that marked the early history of the country
hival natlonalities and races struggled for do
mln1on in the formative period of American
history, within its borders, which witnessed
the hrst shedding OF blood in the great strug.
gle for dominion.
Inc influence of Maine in shapjnp The
commercial history of the country will. as we
Delleve be alike conspicuous in the f,ture
The results which have come to pass, are dine
mainly to the advantages OF the geographical
position OF our State, apparent to the early
1 n q re and
statesman and geOgrapher.
| The publication by this Society of the great
work OF DIR. Kohl upon the early discorerl
| of the North East Coast of North America
is OF great economical Importance, for it Il
calculated to impress npOn all knowledge o.
the unrivalled facilities of Maine for a leadins
part in the commercial and political affairs O
the continent.
| feeling of state pride begins to show it
self within the State of Maine, shared aiasu
at this time by men of all parties, and we eoa
hdently hope that the young men OF Maine
satisfied and contented With opportunities a
home, will here contribute their exertions il
the carrying forward of our STATE to still
more brilliant future. Of the influences tha
control the movements of business, nothin
tends more ehectually to raise men and com
munity, in the commercial scale and in socia
life, than becoming pride in their own Ian,
| anu nome and history.
For the purpose OF carrying out the recon
mendations herein proposed, the committe
peg leave to propose amendments to chapter
l and II. and submit code of Bylaws OF tn
Maine Historical Society in new draft.
This report was so far accepted as to brin,
the matter before the Society. Long ant
animated discussion followed, maiIly upot
the question Ct allowing an increase of mem
bers without limitation of numbers, on th
terms proposed, the unanimous recommends
ton OF the Standing Committee and an unan
imous vote of the Society, by ballot.
Hon. James w. Bradbury of Augusta, NOV
ed to limit the number to 1875. Hon. B. c
Bailey of Bath, moved TO make the numbe
15O Mr.. Sewall of Wiscasset moved to limi
the number to 200.
Messrs Poor of Portland, Dummer OF Hal
lowell, Blake of BangorIWm. D. Sewall o
Bath, Rev. DIR. Fiske of Bath, Gen. John N
Brown Of Portland and Judge Williamson {
Belfast advocated the original proposition {
the committee, striking out the limitation a
to numbers. Mr.. Benson and Mr.. Gilman {
Brunswick, Judge Barrows of Brunswlcl
and Mr. Bradbury of Augusta, spoke in fave
of limitation.
The motion to lay all the motions fo
amending the report upon the table wer
voted down by small majority. The motto
to limit the number to 200 was also vote
down. The amendment of Mr.. Bailey of Bat
to fix the number of members at $50 wa
then adopted.
On motion of Mr.. Poor, the report wa
laid upon the table, until the next annus
meeting. His motion led to lively debat,
but the friends of the original report inclut
ing Mr.. Poor preferred to let the subject 9
over to the next annual meeting, rather tina
consent to any limitation. There were n
vacancies to fill, an excess of members ele,
above the limitation of one hundred member
having occurred last year, so no election {
resident members could take place.
Resolutions drawn by Rev. DR.. Wood
making appropriate reference to the life, labor
and lamented death OF Dr. j. G. Kohl, col
responding member of the society, and th