The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-13
FOR FREE LIBRARY
COL. MERCER GAVE HIS VIEWS
BEFORE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SOCIETY.
nEPoRTS RECEIVED gAND OFF,
GERS ELECTED LAST NIGHT.

GERS ELECTED LAST NIGHT.
Memorial TO the Late Judge Robert
FaIIigant, Paying Eloquent 1rfb-
ute, Was Read-RepOrt Upon the
Work of TeIfair Academy Made by
Director Carl l.. Brandt-ArranEe-
Inents for the Opening Reception
TO Take Place on Feb. 2O-COl.
MERGERS Report ms Preside MT
Touched on Many Points of Inter
est.
The annual meeting of the Georgia
Historical Society was held last night
at Hodgson Hall. The members mani
tested lively interest in the society,
and there was considerable discussion
of some of the questions raised.
Its financial condition now concerns
the more Jealous members of the. So
ciety. In his report Col. George A. Mer-
Ger, president. referred to the need for
action regarding the finances, and
capt. Henry c. Cunningham offered a
motion. which prevailed, that a COM
mittee of 1--WE be appointed to consider
plans whereby the society may be re-
liered from the incubus of debt and
insufficient income from which it has
suffered.
Col Mercer, as chairman of q COM
nittee appointed TO draft memorial
to the late Judge Robert Falligant,
read a very able paper. With that ap-
probation of the noble qualities of
mind and heart that came to it's mem
bers through their long and intimate
association and friendship with the
subject of its sketch, the committee
wrote eloquently, and everyone present
gave closest attention as Col. Mercer
read the tribute to him whose name
had been IN every household of Sa-
vannah.
Report of President Mercer.
The report of the president upon the
Historical Societys year was interest
ing throughout. 1t defined Col. Mer-
GERS own ideas upon the establishment
of the talked-of free public library and
commended education and art as the
elements that should combine for the in
tellectual uplifting of Savannah. The
report was as follows:
gia Historical Society during its year
just closed, having never exceeded its
sedate and customary gait, it is inn
possible for its president, in compliance
with the first bylaw, to report any
event or incident of special interest
in its work and progress, though GER
tain changes and aims, which it's high
est interests seem to demand may with
propriety be suggested.
There are a few leading facts which,
although they appear in the reports
of the treasurer and librarian, should
be emphasized. At the January meet
ing. 1901, dead limbs, which only en-
numbered the tree, and endangered its
- vitality, to. the number of 1873, were
Topped off. This reduced our active
membership to 476. and since we have
been further reduced to a present
membership Of 461. If all of these
members faithfully paid their dues,
amounting to $2,305, we would have
sufficient income to defray our neces-
saEy expenses of maintenance, but not
enough TO add materially to our library
or to prosecute the original purposes OF
cur society.
But during 1901 we collected in dues
only Sl,6S3.75, leaving a deficiency for
that year of $685., and unsolicited dues
Tor previous years amounting to 1910
In order to meet this deficit, the So
ciety has been obliged to borrow on its
note $3.50, and there are at present
unpaid bills, outstanding to the
amount of about 5000. The society is
thus again confronted with its custom.
alys eonundrum of how these demands
can be discharged, and to that prob.
lem l invite its serious consideration.
Our library now contains %, 597 vol.
umes. and 1855 pamphlets. 537 volumes
and 4T6 pamphlets, having been added
during the year, very substantial
increment in view of our limited re-
sources.
Over 10000 Visitors.
There We're 1892 visitors TO tn,
library during the year. or an average
OF l,i0f per month, as against 1882
during 1900. The number of volume,
taken out during the year was 1866
and the percentage of reading matte
called for. estimated by the STANDARD
oil 100, as evidencing the prevailin,
taste of readers. is very interesting. TAi
percentage of fiction was 1885: of peri
o1icals. 7.30; OF history. 3.72; of mem
olrs. 3.O3; of travels, 1.79; of literature
LIZ; of science 1856: of religion. "a: O
poetry. &c; of drama 81: and of art
.lb. This synopsis at first blush Seems
very discouraging, and to indicate de
pressed state of culture in Savannah
but statistics prove that it is by M
means limited to our city, but is preva,
lent wherever libraries exist. It 1,
rather indicative of our occupied anc
strenuous American life, which impel.
to recreation rather than to learning.
The large prepOnderance of the read.
ing matter called for undoubtedly con
sists of the lightest weight literature
and the frOthiest fiction Rut I N, CON,
soled by the belief that no active, intel
ligent and receptive mind can sift
great many bushels of chaff withou
discovering a few grains of wheat.
believe that the fiimsiest mental pabu
lum is preferable to total intellectual
abstinence, and that any reading shor
of bad reading, is better than no read
ing at all.
The committee appointed a
the January meeting last to confer witt
the Mayor and Aldermen of the cit!
- .rrts. IL f-l..