The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-03

too late. He told of the vast amount of historical matter that underlies Ala bama's existence but yet, so to speak, has never been mined. Something was told of the Directors methods in bring ing to sight for preservation this varied matter. Most of 1t is perishable and must be sought out with unabating in- terest. Patience will reward the efforts of all who will assist in this good work, according to Dr. Owen.
 More Room is Needed.
 The report next dealt with the in- creasing necessity for more room and better equipment for safely storing the collections that are being made. The present accessories in the Capitol as- signed for preserving the archives and records are not adequate. The Director recommended that some action be taken looking to procuring additional space in the Capitol.
 The growing popularity of such work as the Alabama Department is conduct ing and the appreciation of its value to those States which are undertaking 1t were discussed. The Director called the attention of the trustees to the strong interest displayed in the iinter- vention of several States to save war records and historical material. This interest was typified by the resolutions of the American Historical Association at its last meeting In Wisconsin. The fact that the Tennessee Legislature paused to hear an address by Dr. owen on his Department methods a few months ago also illustrates the ascend ency of the historical sentiment. Many other States are showing a desire to initiate Alabama's law in establishing a Department to become a factor in their governments. The diffusion of such in- terest is being conducted according to broad-minded policy by those States which have departments and societies.
 Accompanying the report was a detail- ed list of the numerous collections made the past year and before this the im- portance of the publication of Presi- dents messages, war histories and oth- CT valuable matter. to be undertaken by Alabama, was told.
 Director owen Commended.
 The report was approved&hd ordered fled and the following resolution. of fered by Mir. Johnson, was unanimous ly passed:
 Tn the present stage of the growth and development of the Department, the Board of Trustees regards as of pri- mary importance the collection. and bringing together into State custody, of original historical materials, such as old newspapers. old manuscript let ters. diaries. journals, and war records. l old portraits, and rare personal relics of our pioneers and prominent men and
 
 cord its warm endorsement of the pol icy of the Director in subordinating other activities to the work of gather ing up the source materials for our his- tory before irretrievably lost. And. therefore, be 1t
 "Resoived, That it is the sense of the Board that the Director devote the coming year to renewed and systematic search for all historical materials which are necessary to the strength and value of the collections being made by the Department, or which will in any way illustrate the history of Alabama or of the section of the country of which it Is a part"
 Dr. Blake introduced a resolution expressing the request of the board that cabinet or case furniture be sup piled the Department by the Alabama Capitol Building Commission as soon as possible. The resolution met with bers and was adopted as follows:
 Resolved, That the Alabama Capi- told Building Commission be requested and urged to supply a suitable number of cabinets or cases, in which to ade- quately preserve and display the large number of flags, manuscripts and. rel fcs being brought together by the De- pertinent"
 Cooperation Is. Invited.
 Next followed a discussion of the plan of co-ordInating with the Depart ment all organizations in the State or elsewhere which are devoted in part or entirely to historical work or investi- gation. Finally the ideas of the mem bers were embodied in a resolution which was passed unanimously as fol- lows:
 Whereas, it is desirable that there should be full and sympathetic co-op- eration between the Department of Archives and History representing the State. and the several societies, asso- citations and organizations. instituted and maintained for historical purposes, either in whole or in part, and where as, 1t is believed that the best results to all interests will follow the co-ordi- nation and the articulation of such or ganizations in some permanent and systematic way with the Department as a central head. and. whereas. the De- partment is willing to assume the bur den of such relation; now therefore. be 1t resolved by the Board of Trustees of the Department of Archives and Ills tory:
 ''First-That all societies. associa- tions or organizations in the statep de- voted to historical work, study. col-