The herald., 1893-11-05
lime so large return for the money sx.

time so large return for the money ex-
pended.
We have Issued seven annual publica-
tions, in all 1900 copies. OF these 4O00
copies have been distributed among
historical and scientific societies. city,
college and state libraries, have been
sent to leading magazines and reviews
and to literary and scientific writer's in
the United States. We have now on file
applications from two OF the oldest his
torical societies in Europe for complete
sets of our publications. Also one from
the Historical society OF Australia. Ii
is evident that our publications have at
tanned some reputation. Our publica-
tiona contain valuable historical and
scientific matter pertaining to Southern
California. The amount OF good these
publications have done for our part OF
the state is great. As an evidence that
they are read and appreciated abroad II
not at home, we are constantly receiving
applications for copies and complete sets
from private individuals, from libraries
and secretaries. The demand has ex-
hausted all our earlier issues and very
nearly 80 our later.
These publications have attracted the
attention OF an intellectual class to our
section and have done much to disabuse
the minds of the reading and thinking
people of the east of the idea that our
section OF the state il devoted to money
getting alone, and that our literature is
made up OF epics on climate, eulogies
on mammoth pumpkins and lyrics on
corner lots.
This work 30 beneficial to our part OF
the state has been done without asking
the taxpayers for one cent, and without
assistance begged from the general pub
lie. 1t has been done by q email band
OF public-spirited men and women who
make up the membership of the soci-
ETY., very few OF whom can boast OF
either means or leisure. The time that
they have devoted to the upbuilding OF
the society has been taken from that
devoted to their several vocations-to
the earning Of their daily bread.
1t iH q shame and disgrace that none
Of our wealthy men who have made
their fortunes in this city are liberal or
public spirited enough to donate few
dollars OF their wealth TO help in the
upbuilding of society that has such a
field of usefulness open to 1t, but which
it cannot cultivate as it should be done
for want OF means.
Since our organization 125 persons
have been enrolled as active members.
OF these 81 are in active membership
now, IL have died, have withdrawn,
have been made honorary members, the
remainder, wearied OF well-doing, have
fallen under the ban for non-payment oi
dues.
In our library we have 700 cloth OF
leather-bound volumes, 500 paper bound
and 5000 pamphlets. We receive and
file 10 daily newspapers, Al weekly mag.
azines and quarterlies.
Our files Of Los Angeles newspapers
nearly complete, run back 40 years.
Our files of great registers of the
county are complete from the first is-
sued to the last, the only complete file
in existence. Our file of Los Angeles
city directories run back to the first is-
sued. 81 years ago.
Although we have not made especially
OF collecting cuTios, yet we have quite q
number OF historic value. Among
others, q large painting of Pic Pico, the
last of the Mexican governors large
Photographic likeness of Col. j. j. War.
ner, the last of the pioneer hunters and
trappers; Photographic views of Los
Angeles in 1854, in 1857, 1878 and 1891
views OF historic buildings; Spanish
documents, dating back to the early part
OF the present century; Indian curioi
and relics of the days OF 40, old maps
deeds and manuscripts of historic value
The society had an exhibit in the
historic section OF the state fair at
Sacramento last year. the only historic
society represented there.
1t has maintained an exhibit at the
worlds fair. and if 1 am correctly in.
formed, ours was the only exhibit made
by any historic society west of the
Rocky mountains. We have been in
vited to place an exhibit in the mid.
winter fair.
The Historical society of Southern
California may be regarded as one OF the
established institutions of our part o.
the state. 1t is here to stay. Its course
is onward and upward. Notwithstand.
ing the financial stringency and general
depression, our books for the present
year show the largest increase in mem.
bership OF any year in the existence oil
the socie ty. We have also received the
largest accessions to our library and col.
lection during the present year of any
since the formation OF the society.
The two most pressing needs of our
society are more active working mem.
bers and an increased revenue. OF the
125 members who at one time or another
have been enrolled in our society, not
more than % or 80 have done anything
beyond paying their dues towards build.
ing up the society.
While not every one can write an his.
torical article, every one ought to be
able to induce at least one intelligent
and reputable citizen to become men,
ber; or, if he cannot secure new mem
Der, he can contribute book, q pam.
phlet or a curio to our collection.
A very little effort from each of our
members would quadruple our present
membership in year. With the reve-
nues derived from the membership dues
of 200 members we could accomplish
wonders,
With no desire to boast, but as an
illustration of what can be done by q
little active work, 1 will state that
have secured IA new members in the
past year, although the greater part oi
that time have been confined by Office
work, whore | saw no one except those
connected with the office. The admis.
sion and dues of the society have been
placed so low as to debar no one from
the privilege of joining it. Two dollars
admits person to membership and %
cents month pays all dues, and this
entities him to the use of our library
and copy Of our publications.
The idea has. frequently been broached
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