The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-16
FOR THE S0CIETYS RELIEF.
PLANS FOR ITS FINANCIAL BETTER
MENT DISCUSSED.

Suits Against Delinquents-ihter-
esting REPORTS From some of the
Omcers-The same old officers Re
elected.
The annual meeting of the Georgia His
toriac lSociety last night at Hodgson han
was replete with discussions and conclud-
ed about II o'clock with the unanimous
election Of all of the old officers.
Mr.. Chas. n. West wanted the meeting
to adjourn on account of the absence Of
the president and the inclemency OF the
weather, but the motion did not pass.
There was some objection to the confirma-
ton of the minutes, because certain no
tiee said to have been given by Capt. H.
c. Cunningham, who was not present, was
not noted in them. This motion was WITH
drawn after discussion.
The annual report of the president, Gen.
Henry r. Jackson, with regard TO the
Telfair Academy fund showed balance
in. his hands of 81 576. "a, and the balance
of the Indebtedness due by the academy
amounts to something more than @loOO.
The report of the finance committee, Of
which Col George \. Mercer Is chairman,
showed the society has $50 members,
whose annual dues, with a per cent.
discount for collections, net the society
$2.6l2.50. while the annual expenses aver
age 81, S62.57 leaving a deficit of $250.U1. Col
Mercer stated that the society must do
something in order to be kept up. Last
year II sold some bonds, but now the last
bond has been sold, and the society must
look in some other direction for resources.
So far as the finance committee could see,
there was nothing else to do but 70 cut
the expenses of the society. This, 1t was
stated, could be done either by ceaslns
TO buy new books, which cost the society
from $3.50 to $500 a year. or by reducing
the salary of the assistant librarian one
half. which would remove similar eX-
pense from the society The present sal
airy of the assistant librarian is 5000
year. The report was received ana oroer-
ed spread upon the minutes.
DT. II. j. Num- made the report OF the
library committee, showing that the NUM-
Der of books in the library IS A,512, ana
the number of pamphlets 500. A num-
Der of new books, however, have recently
been purchased.
In his report upon the Telfair Academy
as chairman of the committee, Col John
Screven said, among other things;
1T affords the committee especial pleas
ure to allude to the portrait of Miss Mary
Telfair, now occupying the place of honor
in the gallery OF paintings, where II VIII
remain a beautiful tribute TO The founder
of the academy, and the benefaetor OF our
This fitting memorial was formerly de-
livered by Director Brandt, the painter
of the portrait, to the board of managers,
and accepted on the 18th of Decem-
her, 1896. A public unwilling, with ap-
propriate ceremonies in honor OF the oc-
casion, was held in the academy on the
following 22d of December, and was nu-
merously attended by our citizens. Cn-
stinted appreciation has been expressed
for this admirable example of aruStlc
skill and by those who knew the subject
familiarly in life, it is asserted 20 be
faithful portraiture, the most gratifying
10 them and the more creditable 10 the
artist, because of the meager material at
his command for the portraiture of one
long deceased, and the consequent extra
ordinary labor and anxious DEVOTION
possible with a work of such material
Importance and responsibility.
Col. ScreVen concluded with some COM
plimentary remarks of the excellent work
Director Brandt is now doing in cleaning
the casts of famous statues in the acad-
envy and preparing them so that hereafter
they can be cleaned by the use of water
Director Brandt then made a short adj
dress, in which he said he appreciated
very greatly the complimentary express
sions of Col Screven. Though an ar
duous work, he aaid the painting OF Miss
Telfairs portrait had been work of duty
and love. 1t was a work, he said, upon
which he had done his best. He said IL
would give him pleasure if members of
the society and others would come to the
academy and see the plaster casts and
the work upon them that is now going on.
In his remarks he said it might not ne
out of place to state that the sculptor
who created four of the five statues which
stand in front of the academy building,
Prof. Victor Tilgner died within the last
twelve months. He spoke of Tilgner's
loss 10 the world as a sculptor and an ar
list, and mentioned some of his great
works which have attracted attention all
slight interest to this society that Sa-
Vannah possesses works of art by so re-
nowned an artist as Victor Tilguer.
The report Of the special committee of
fifteen appointed by Second Vice President
VIM. ID. Harden who was in the chair at
the time, for the purpose of seeing what
q a 40 -
the society financially, was made by the
secretary, MIR. Charles N. West. An exami-
nation OF the sOciety's accounts for the
last . years, showed. he said that the
expenses had been met by a sale of as
sets, as in all but three years out of the
. the expenses had exceeded the income
1t was desired, he said, that the society be
maintained as a public library and not
merely as historical society. The commit
tee had decided to report recommending
that some person be appointed to collect
dues and TO solicit new members, five per
cent. being paid him for collections. and
fifteen per cent on all dues paid by mem
bers which he himself secured; that seven
Junior curators be elected who with the IL
brarian and treasurer. should constitute
a committee on members, and that the life
membership Of the society be reduced from
500 to $50.
After considerable discussion on the re-
port, one gentleman having signed it by
accident, who is not a member of the
society, the criticism that Il was not legal
as IL had been referred to a committee of
HIleen, and several Other criticisms OF
like nature, It was on motion OF Mr.. John
M. Bryan received and laid on the table,
and the committee was dismissed
The society then after much discussion
decided to reduce the cost of life member
ship from 500 10 Sc and an amendment
10 the constitution TO that effect was
adopted. Mr.. Bryan agreed with this
plan, because he said, in his opinion about
IS per cent of the life members would die
inside Of ten years, and the society would
be in so much. instead Of being out on the
deal.
Ii was also decided to amend the by
laws so as to allow the treasurer 10 en-
ploy one or more persons to solicit mcm-
bers and 10 make collections Of dues
Such parties are to be paid per cent. for
making collections. and 10 per cent on an
the dues paid by members or Subscribers
which they themselves secure.
DIR. Mum SAID he was willing for this
plan to be tried for year, and withdrew
the notice he gave last May, that he
would move for an increase in the dues
of the society.
on motion il was decided 60 repeal that
portion Of bylaw No. Is, which requires
the treasurer TO enforce collections Of
dues by suits against members of the So
ciety.
Mr.. Bryan wanted TO know why II was
some members had not paid their dues
within two or three years and stil re-
mHlnpd Of -.