Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-01-05
State Historical Society.

S1-aLR historical Society.
From the State Journal, Nov. IS, 1S81.l
Among the matters that viii come
before the next Legislature will be the
consideration of the propriety of
erecting a separate building for the use
of the State Historical Society, and it
IS question Of doubt whether
thing Of greater Importance to the in
terests Of the state will come before
that body. The library is terribly
crowded for room; the vast treasures
it contains cannot be so placed as to
make them as available for use as they
should be; and above all, a building
that shall be as nearly fire proof as
possible, should be provided for this
library. It's destruction by FIRE would
cause loss that could net be replaced.
This subject is now attracting eonsid
cradle attention in different parts of
the state, and it is presumed the re-
representatives. of the people will come
up fully prepared to do justice in re-
gard to the affairs Of this society. No
state has greater reason TO be proud of
It's historical collection than has Wis
consin. It ranks among the very best
in the country, and its merits are
known and recognized in all parts of
the world. Let our own people take
care that it continues to progress in the
future as it has done in the past To
make such progress, it must have more
and better room Oar attention is es-
pecially called to this subject at the
present time, by the receipt of a most
excellent letter from Hon. John w.
Hcyt. Governor Of Wyoming territory,
making reference to this society, its
wonderful growth, and its wants.
Gov, Heyt, from his long residence in
Madison, and from his extensive tr-
.ayles, knows all about our society, and
is familiar with similar societies in all
parts Of the country, and speaks from
absolute knowledge of the comparative
merits Of our own with others. No
man can speak more understandingly
and inteligently on this subject than
can Gov. Hoyt, and we trust his words
will receive the candid consideration
of the members of the comming Leg
islature. We give his letter below:
CHEYENNE, Nov. D, 1881.
EDS. STATE JoURNAL:-A careful.
though now distant, observer of all
public matters in the great state of
my adoption, and still profoundly in
terested in its welfare, | shall be allow
ed space in your paper for hearty
endorsement of the proposition that
better provisions be made for the pre-
cious collections of the State Histori-
cal Society.
Wisconsin may Justly boast Of the
greatness of her material resources, the
salubrity of her climate, the incom-
parable beauty Of much of her scenery,
the thrift. intelligence and virture of
her Increasing population, the extent
and quality of her public improvements.
the hberality of the provision made
for the education Of her people, and
the munifcence Of her charities. But
there is no one thing in the nature
of our achievement of which she has
more reason to be proud than of great
and fourishing Historical Society.
Other states rival her, not only in nat
ural resources and industrial progress,
but even in excellence of school, system
and character Of the higher institutions
of learning; but her Historical Society
is peerless This | say advisedly,
having, within recent years, visited all
the leading institutions of like character
in the country. One or two others may
outnumber it in books, pamphlets and
manuscripts, but not one of them can
compare with it in the more important
matters of vital energy and rapid de-
velopmeut. 4 few more years Of
corresponding growth. and workers in
this historic field will come to it for
material from all portions of the
United States.
Tho. remarkable result already at
tanned must be credited in large part
to the wisdom, resolution, energy and
devotion of our accomplished aud self
sacrificing Secretary, assisted for many
wears by most faithful and efficient
Librarian. But much Of it is also due
to the exceptional liberality of the
state. Quarters and money have been
freely accorded.
IN this wise liberaiity of the past,
there is ground OF confidence for she
STING 70 co1ae. The people only need
10 knoB that this Society has ousgrown
the apartments so generously assigned
TO it years ago, and to realize that its
library ana other possessions age not