The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-02-13
HALF A CENTURY OLD.
THE GEORGIA HISTORICAL SOCIE-
TVS sEMI-CENTENNIAL.

ouet President Jackson's Annua
Report-His Recomm endations fol
the Tel air Academy-The Librarians
History of the Soc ety-Ihe New
Board of Of1cers-1he speeches al
the Banquet-The Invited Guests
Letters from Prominent People.
The Georgia H storicaI Society celebrated
its semi-centennial yesterday. The annual
meeting was held in the ifternoon at
O'Clock. lasting over two hours. There
were fully 100 members present, the bench,
bar. pulpit and counting room being well
represented the older members OF the
society predominating.
President Henry R. Jackson presided.
After the readir & Of the minutes of the
January meeting the following new mem
bers were unanimously elected: r, P.
Lowell. Nelson d. Ketchum, Frank p.
Torbett, William Clifton. J. c. PosteIl,
James Earle, Jr., o. f. Conner. j. G. Flovd.
Irwin B. Steedmau, S NJ. CHESTNUT, Joseph
Roseabaum, John Il. Kenaard, Morris
Deitsch, B. Douglass and John w. Bold
man.
The following designations were accepted:
George s. Haiues, Lorlug K. MllIel, Ell
ward s. Abrams, Henry Bendheim, 5. Her
man and joan Henderson.
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.
The report of the library committee was
read, among other things recommending
the purchase of twenty vulu mes Of book
for the month at cost of S32
Mr.. W. S. BoGart, Treasure r, presented
his anu | report. showing a balance in
the treasury of $l2l 26. Treasurer Bogart
reported that if the delinquent dues of
1SS7-8S are paid up an Indebtedness Of $500,
in excess of the balance on hand, will be
discharged without drawing upon the fees
payable for 1882.
Col c as. H. Oimstead. of the finance
committee, read a rep TT in which 1t was
recommended tina 81, 900 in securities be
kept intact as a reserve fund az Inst pos
sible contingencies. This means a recon
sheraton of former action by which at
least 500 worth Of book which the society
intended to buy will not bo bought at pres
emit, the committee stating that while it is
in full accord with he desire to increase
the usefulness of the library, it is not
deemed prudent to go farther IN that direc-
Jion at the expense Of a reduction in tue re-
serve fund below its present aggregate.
The report Of the committee carrying with
it the recommendations was adopted.
LIBRARIAN HARDEN's REPORT.
The report of William Harden, librarian,
was quite lengthy, and is a Naluable acqui-
sition 10 the historical record Of tie society
The membe s cheered it loudly at the con
clusion If the reading. The report was
N st appropriate to the fiftisth natal day
of the society. In the review the librarian
cited the fact that the society was in a
languishlng condition in July, 1917, but
new life was infused into it by its forming
a unioI with the Savannah Library
Sccetv. 1t was prosperous and useful
until he war period, when it was crippled
by the Absence Of so many Of its mem ers
at the front, by a lack of funds and no
hooks to be obtained. The hooks in the
libra Y were rapidly wearing out, yet
monthly meetings were held, with few ex-
ceptio 5, during the four years of sectional
strife. / 1866 Bishop Elliott was requested,
by resolution, to present his views as to the
soclets 5 prospects and the best methods
of increasing and extending its usefulness,
which he aid in an ad reSs that rekiudled
an interest in t e affairs of the society.
In that address he drew a comparison be-
tween the 1ourishing library Of Charleston
and the incomplete library of Savannah,
which stimulated action here, and Lib a
rian Harden, in his report, says he has
received two letters from the Charleston
x
vitality t ere and asking for advice and
sugg stions TO revive interest in Their
library. At the close of the war there were
less than 5000 volumes in the Georgia His
torical Society's library. Since that time
tie society has twice removed to more COM
modiOus quarters, and its library now CO 20
talus LIT ) 70 umeS lO,29S pamphlets
During the past year 6S5 volumes have
been purchased, 100 donated and
4hNrao 81
other societies; go pamphlets have
been presented and Ell ghty-two received in
exchange. As a testimony to the interest
manifested in the society the librarian re-
ports that IL ,239 volumes have been Dor
rowed from the library during the past
year
PRESIDENT JACKsoN's ADDRESS.
Gen. Helry r. Jackson the read his
annual address, which is as follows:
GENTLEMEN Reviewing the life OF the Georgia
Historical Society upon this, its Isemi-ceIi-
tenulal Anniversary, no eye can be blind to the
fact that two events rise into over-shadowing
Significance: first, the gift by Mrs HODGsoN of
this bui ding for its library hall; second, the
foundat on by Miss TELFAIR f the Telfair
Academy Of Arts AMI Sciences. These donations
have wro GIT fundamental chan es in It's duty
and destiny At our last annual meeting, |
dwtlt upon the fact that 't e work and pro.
gresS OF the society had trauscended the line
COnleiH plAteu Dy It's IOunIel5 Nnen they
placed those words IN the BYLAW re
qulrlng this report from me. ''lns,l-
tuted' simply for the purpose Of collecting
preserving and difusing information relating
70 the history Of the State Of Georgia in par
ticular, ana Of American history generally"
lSee act Of Incorporation of 18Th December
1921 not until Oct. 18th 1870 Tree d1icada-
tory dct y that date was pealed a provso
IN lis charter that the funds Of the coruOra-
tion stall be- used and appropriated to those
purposes and those only For the want
then. IA the city OF Savannah OF PUBLIC
LIBRARY which might challenge comparison
with the lUrares Of other commut tiles and
supply the needs and crafty the pride OF her
people, the Georgia Historical Society is no
more responsible than the Central Railroad and
Banking Company, or eithe one OF her private
corporations. For no such purpose was IL
organized: 70 no such work can il be legitl-
mately held.
And yet have We not been made to feel more
and more keeny Of late hat the critical aud
faul finding not simply from without but also
within the society itself, are disposed 70 hold
the persons. whom Crcumstan- = has placed in
char 70 Of its affairs. Re directly and imme-
diateiy responsible than any one else for the
lameutab l- gdcuLHg Now, what has given 10
is library originally designed for its members
only, and restricted oy the words OF It's charter
70 historical works, general and quasi public
character If 10 was not the acceptance Of ttls
sc ms % have been construed into practical
dedication u its membership % the work u
enarging, improving and Lertecting a Library
Tor tue people OF Savannah. Who, that has
listened 10 the report just received from our
experienced an efficient Librarian. will be- dis.
posed 10 question longer the fact that the duty
thus assumed has been discharged TO the best
or our ability! 10 one, / am sure WHO viii
take the pains 70 enligbten himself upon the
subject can fail 70 reco ynize the contrast be-