The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-04-05
TIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Matters OF Interest Discussed at tie
April Meeting.

NdbbSEb OF thb6TeBE DISCuS86Q at lIe
April Meeting.
The Georgia Historical Society held its
April monthly meeting last night, the
president, Gen. Henry +. Jackson, presid-
ing.
Corresponding Secretary c. N. West re-
ported that he had conveyed the thanks Of
the society TO Hon. Leroy F. Youmans OF
! Columbia, S. G. who delivered the last an
nuAl address before the society, and request
ing copy of his speech for publication in
pamphlet form.
Mr.. West read a letter from gentleman
in Morristown, N. j., requesting Informal
ton about DR.. Bald win, thought to be In
! Georgia, who nvered az address 10 gath
| ering OF Masons Of the continental army at
| Morristown during the revolution. The
writer desired to know something OF Dr.
baldwtn's history; whether he was a native
OF Georgia. whether or not he was Mason,
and particularly IL there was a copy Of his
address on file In the archives of the society,
or II there was any copy Of the address ex-
| tant, 90 far as known.
Mr.. West said that so far as be was able
20 learn, DIR. Baldwin OF Savannah was a
surgeon In New Jersey regiment during
the revolutionary war, coming to
Savannah after the war. Whether
or not he was Mason he
could not say but it would have been con-
trary TO Masonic usage for any one but q
Mason to address them. There was no
record Of any copy OF such an address on
file with the society, and it could not be
positively stated whether or not this was
the DR.. Baldwin that made the address
DIR. baldwin Of Savannah became q prom
lnent man, was a member of the conven-
ton that framed the first constitution aud
afterward member Of congress. He was
the father Of the state university. The
early records Of Masonry and OF Solomon's
lodge. the Oldest lodge in the state, might
throw some light upon Dr. Baldwin's hiss
tory, he said. d"
Gen. jackson remarked that biograph-
zeal sketch of DR.. Baldwin was given by
Col. G. G. Jones in one of his late works.
The question of closing the library on
Sunday, preached at the previous meeting,
came up for discussion.
Mr.. c. N. West stated that the reason for
the proposed move was on account Of the
necessity for retrenchment In the expense
account. He argued in favor Of the propo-
sition to close the library on Sunday. Those
who awaited themselves of the opportunity
OF visiting the library on Sunday are almost
entirely children, he said
Mr.. T. d. Rockwell argued against the
proposition. There was little tilt between
M. Rock well and Mr.. West as to the ex-
penditures Of the library committee, Mr..
Rockwell arguing that the library commit
tee should retrench IL necessary to reduce
expenses.
Judge Harden said he believed that the
amount required for the Sunday opening,
about $3.50, could be raised. He related the
small beginning from which TIE society
sDranR, and urged that no step backward
be taken.
The proposition was discussed by Prof.
Ashmore and others. Prof. Ashmore
argued in favor Of keeping open the library
GNawa lIwr -suN1--
fact that the attendance of young people on
Sunday is large, and that this was very ben.
eficial to the children.
DR.. Num-, a member Of the library COM
mittee. surprised Mr.. West by arguing in
favor Of remaining open on Sunday. DR..
Num- said that two years ago when Mr..
West had moved in favor of Sunday clos
ing, figures taken at the time
showed that more people visited the,library
on Sunday than during all the rest Of the
week, not counting those who merely came
for books.
Mr.. West ended the discussion by the
withdrawal of his motion. The results was
practically decision by the society that the
library remain open on Sunday and re-
trenohment, il necessary, should be made in
some other direction.
The question IL merely one of expense and
not of any moral or religious scruple that
question having been decided several years
ago when 1t was agreed to open the library
on Sunday.
There Is a disposition among some Of the
members TO investigate the expenses of the
library committee and see exactly
where the money goes, and IL there
is not room for retrenchment.
Considerable time was occupied In the dis
cussion OF a constitutional amendment pro-
posed by Col. Olmstead with regard to a
change in the present status of the endow.
ment fund. The discussion was whether the
amendment could be considered at any ex-
cept the annual meeting and the point was
finally decided against the consideration of
the amendment.
There was some discussion as to the form
OF the free admission tickets to the Telfair
Academy of Arts and Sciences, and 1t was
decided to use a different form from the
one now in use. The tickets will have the
conditions under which they are granted
printed upon the back.
The interest manifested by the younger
members is putting new life into the So
oiety, and the older members who have so
long directed its affairs, may soon find the
control passing from their hands unless
they make concessions to the younger ele-
ment