The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-01-31
AMERICAN GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY

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Annual Nleesiug-Reports and Election Of ON
cers-Interesring Address by Professor GILL;
naan-The Progress Made During the Fast
Year.
The annual meeting OF this society was held last
evening az the Cooper Institute for the election OF
Officers and to listen to the address Of Professor d. O.
Gilman Of Yale College, the subject being american
Contributions to Geographical Science During the
last year." Judge Charles r. DAILY, President Oh
the society, occupied the chair. There was large
attendance, including many ladies, while several
gentlemen. distinguished in scientific circles were
also present.
the Secretary read the minutes OF the last monthly
meeting, which were unanimously approved
Mr.. F. A. CONKLING, Chairman of the Council,
reaa the annual report, which showed the society 10
be 10 very prosperous condition Ten stated meet
ings, eight public meetings and one public recep-
ton had been held In April last an act was passed
by the Legislature changing The name o. the
society on the 3lsr or December last there were
$40 members IN the society; forty-four had since
been added, ana, deducting thirty for deaths ana
designations, tue total number OF members was
554 He alluded to the loss sustained by tine death
OF Sir Roderick Murchison and Archibald Russell
and by the resignation OF the Rev. Joseph Thomp-
son.
Mr. HENRY CLEws, Treasurer reaa the financial
report which forth the total receipts for the
year were $3,112, and the disbursements, $2'esl-
leaving balance OF $3.50 80. The dues uncolected
were $4,000; dues outstanding, s5oommaking the
resources for the present year $3.50 49,
Mr. w. ii. II. MOORE, Librarian, read the annual
added to the library during the year.
Dr. J. W. RICHARDS read the report OF the Nomi.
the oiicers elected lor The Coming
Charles r. DAY. LID; VICE PRESIDENTS menry
Grinnel f. A. Conklng, Francis A: st1qt; Foreign X,
nestle Corresponding secretary, "; H. Il. Moore;
Recording secretary, F.. Z. Straznicky; Treasurer,
Remsen r. b. Myers w. T. plodgett, W. f. Curtis,
Tneo. W. Dwight, G: W. Culum, Lewis N. Rutner-
lord, q. G. Ward. The election, which was by bal
lot, was unanimous.
Judge DAILY then introduced the speaker OF the
evening in complimentary terms.
Professor GILMAN said that, at the last meeting
Of the Society, the attention OF the audience was In
vlted u review OF the last decade OF geographical
researches WITHIN the territory Of United states
he would now present an account or the geograpni-
o work o. 10 he 's a plsS AND a
easy task, but before he had concluded De was sure
they would be impressed with its VARIETY.
various Enterprises which mad been IN progress
under the auspices Of American explorers, geog,,
raphers ana men OF SCIENCE and he trusted
they would also appreciate tue dlnicuily winch
there was IN collecting and discussing The results
OF such Investigations. IL was only by occasional
reviews ike the present they could appreciate
the great Importance maintaining with vlgor and
liberality IN the national metropolis an ASSOCIATION
with It's officers. its rooms os collections It's bureau
| OF CHARTS It's library, and, above ALL It's
tant researches and explorations might be re.
| ported, ana to which the enquirer In any specal
the latest and fullest information which was Access
| slble the subject OF his Investigations NO re-
cent year had surpassed the one Just closet IN ne
| qulry. The various departments OF the govern
ment had been prosecuting their work OF accurate
| Investigations into the structure OF this country
! with their accustomed diligence, fidelity and
freedom from display. Especially to be held
| tln n61n nf n
engineers and those OF the United States Coast Sur
vey-two departments OF the public service whicn.
| in these days OF criticisms and reproach, could
claim the closest scrutiny and receive the highest
Communications. The photographic work OF those Two
otner surveying the lake shores--had frequently
| celved, abroad and at home the rich encomlums
t TeGa es sares The
| the Post ONCE Department the Observatory
and the Smithsonian Institution nad an maintained
| the twelve months was more remarkable Tor the
| completion OF the decennial census and the com.
mencement OF the publication OF those STATISTICAL
tables which essential to the study Of political
! progress the year was also noteworthy Tor the
| perfection of arrangements TO receive by telegraph
daily reports concerning the weather. SO complete
aud systematic that tney had ALREADY Thrown
s snd the s"i laws p' Of storms. aud were des-
| tined TO have more and more influence upon me
| promouOn Of human comfort and the protection OF
lille and property. The general government had
lent aid to the olar expedition OF Captain
Hail; 1t had caused rapid reconnaissance to be
made of the island of ST. Domingo, and 1t had insri
tuted thorough investigation into the fisheries OF
| the coast Several Of the States were also prose-
| cutting their geological surveys, WINCH was the
| common form IN these days for The manifestation or
local interest IN natural science Sometimes those
| surveys were purely geological, but usually thcy
| extended to natural characteristics topography, Gil
mate, botany and zoology. New Hampshire. New
| Jersey ONO, Indiana, Illinois and California had
| been carrying forward their surveys, and one or
| more volumes pertinent thereto had been published
In each Of those States. BY the enterprise OF pri-
| yate men OF science and by the aid OF great
| corporations much important knowledge had
| been accumulated. Cher OF all such re-
| searches was the work OF the Northern Pacific
| Railroad, in connection with wlich several sur
| yeys had been made. The speaker then alluded to
| the studies Of Professor Dana III respect to the
| glaciers OF New England, the inquiry or Professor
Hilgard in respect to tne formation or the Gulf OF
Mexico and the MISSISSIPPI delta ana the essays upon
earthquakes and volcanoes. Americans were also
| at work IN foreign lands including Investigations
| in Japan the sandwich Islands, Peru, the van.
ley OF the Amazon ST. Domingo ana
| the Holy Land. Professor Gilman then dl-
lated at some length upon the topics
which related to the physical structure OF the coun-
try and the progress OF geography under the SUPER
| intendence Of Americans The subject was lllus-
| trated by some very excellent maps.
| At the conclusion o1 the address, winch was
listened to with great attention., vote OF THANKS
| was moved to Professor Gllnan.
The election of officers having been completed, the
| meeting adjourned.