Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-12-16
Madison. Dec. 10.

Madison, Dec. 10.
The forty-fifth annual meeting of
the State Historical society of Wis
consin was held : thursday evening in
the reading room of the societys Ii
brary in the capitol. There was a
considerable attendance from various
portions Of the state.
President John Johnston of MiIwau-
kee occupied the chair, and opened the
proceedings with a brief address. He
reviewed the work Of the society since
its reorganization in 1858, and showed
how it had grown from so books and
pamphlets in that year, to a presen
strength Of 10000; the present aver
age annual rate of increase is $3.50 til
ties. He urged the adoption of the
new constitution, prepared by COM
petent committee since the last annual
meeting, saying it placed the society
on a more business-like basis The
president showed that the society was
accomplishing a great work on a rel
atiyely slender financial backing from
tary Thwaites had, three times in the
past ,Wo years, received f1attering Of
fers to go to eastern institutions, at
nearly double his present salary, but
had preferred, at least for the present,
to remain in charge Of the work here,
believing his proper field of operations
is in Wisconsin; the president urged
the society to secure larger salaries for
both secretary and librarian, if it ex-
pected to keep them. Mr.. Johnston
spoke Of the semi-centennial move
ment, and the prominent part the So
ciety was taking therein; he looks for
an early broadening and strengthening
of the society's work, stimulated by
the present remarkable revival of
popular interest in western history.
The several reports of the treasurer,
the finance committee, and the audit
ing committee, for the fiscal year
ending Nov. 80 showed that
the society's private funds
out at interest, amount only to about
$4,000, and are growing slowly. The
income derived therefrom is carefully
spent in eking out the small annual
state appropriation of $4,000, which
latter is reported as quite inadequate;
although it will be increased when the
society moves into it's new building,
some twenty months hence.
The annual report of the secretary,
Reuben G. Thwaites, giving an &C
count Of his stewardship of the So
cietys affairs, was, as usual, vol
luminous document, Astounding in sta
tistics of the growth Of the institu
ton in it's several departments, COM
ments on the work of the year, and
recommendations for the future. AS
customary, only the general features
were read in full, the statistical Ia
bles and lists of accessions being syn
opsized, the entire report will appear
in the printed proceedings Of the
meeting.
In opening his report, the secretary
says: THE society's fiscal year just
closed, has been distinctly one of
progress. The legislature, with COM
uISAO1D1C puD11C op1I IL, NOCSu w SAICuN
the tenth-of-a-mill tax levy, thus more
adequately providing for the future
housing of the society's library and
museum; and enacted a law providing
for the organization of local historical
societies with the state, to become aux
Hilary members of this society. Our
accessions in the several departments
have been Of customary extent and
excellence; the society has been of
material service in the arOusing Of
public interest in the forthcoming
semi-centennial anniversaries, and
from various causes there has been a
marked development in popular inter
est, throughout the state, in the work
of this institution"
Tributes were paid to the memory of
Gen. Chandler P. Chapman of Madi-
son, long a curator Of the society, and
Of DR.. Justin WinsOr of Harvard COL
lege, one of the honorary vice presi-
dents. Brief sketches were also given
OF thirty-five pioneers of local prom
inence who have passed away during
the year.
An urgent appeal Is made for popu-
lar subscriptions to the antiquarian
fund, the income of which is designed
for prosecuting historical inyestiga-
items, and procuI ug desirable objects
Of historic or chronological interest. "
Were this fund raised from the present
condition OF about $2,700 to $4,000, the
income would be sufficient materially
to assist the museum in attaining a
growth somewhat commensurate with
the society's library. The secretary
suggests that an effort be made to
raise the money during the semi-cen-
tennial year, in readiness for the re-
moval to the new building IN 1899.
The years library accessions were
$500 books and 1886 pamphlets, a to-
tai Of 1886 titles. The secretary
points out that owing to the fact that
many so-called pamphlets are more
valuable on some subjects than all
he books printed, and for other tech
meal reasons, it would be better to do,
IS many other libraries are now doing,
drop this annual enumeration of books
md pamphlets, and report only the
number Of titles acquired. The years
work in the library is reviewed. The
ard catalogue is now practically COM
1lete; a useful and frequently con-
suited card catalogue has been pre-
Jared, Of biographical sketches and
portraits Of the notable men and