The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-15

The features OF the Seth annual meeting
OF the Rhode Island Historical society
last evening were the presentation of
George NJ. Carpenter memorial desk, the
setting forth OF the need for state his
torical museum and the reelection or
Prof. Wilfred III. Munro as president.
The memorial desk, at the north end of
the meeting room, intended as a perma-
nent part OF the furnishings, is of ma
hogany, designed by Norman NJ. Isham
has provisions for. the presiding officer,
secretary and speaker. and is inscribed:
I'm Memoriam. George Moulton Carpen-
ter. Learned Counsellor. Upright Judge"
The presentation was made by Col. Rob-
ert p. Brown, chairman of n special COM
mittee on the subject The memorial was
provided through the donations OF sever
al individuals.
The presidents address and librarians
report emphasized the need OF a state his
torical museum, and several members or
the society favored action urging upon
the general assembly such a provision,
the jamestown exhibits. now in the Gus
tody of the secretary of state, to afford
a nucleus
The librarian in his report said the
number OF accessions to the society's coll
lections during the year numbered 1856, OF
which 1907 were, bound volumes and the
remainder pamphlets, manuscripts, por-
traits and relics. He pointed out that the
library. whose growth curing the year
had been normal. was not limited IN Its
scope to Rhode Island publications, as
many persons thought. The whole field OF
American history, travels, ethnoiogy.
drama. biography and manufacture came
lecitimately within the societys field, he
said,
nsthe field Of Rhode Island literature;
he said, the wants of the library were
comparatively few.
The librarian gave detailed account
|-of the gift of several rare manuscripts,
including the orderly book of Col. Chris
topher Greene. the Newport reporter or
17S5-IsS, presented by George Peaoody
wetmore and papers donated by MISS
Emily III. Crouch, Mrs. Lewis j. Chase
Mrs. John Carter Brown and William d.
Ely. Continuing he said;
Two portraits have been added TO the
gallery during the year. The first Us or
Elder Benjamin Taylor, born In 1885 and
pastor OF the Bethel meeting house III
Providence from 1871 until his death In
ls4s. The picture was presented by Dr.
Georgiana d. Read OF this city. the sec
ond portrait Is a large oil painting or
Moses Brown, so well known IN frVv,-
dence annals, presented by Ooadlan
Brown Hadwen OF Worcester.
Through the kindness and energy, OF
Rev. Samuel H Webb we have acquired
a representative collection OF the Original
instruments played In the American brass
band one OF the Oldest and most noteo
organizations OF It's kind In the country.
The most interesting relics, however. are
two large photographs, accompanied py
keys, OF the band taken In 1861 and 1881
and a collection OF early programs ano
clippings relating TO the organization
bound into volume and presented py
Thomas Thorp."
The liirari n said the society, owing 70
Ia k OF room. WIS fast getting 10 tne
place where t had u reject relics tlet
were TOO bulky or do not seem 10 rave
special importer ce. lie exi4ti u re.
greet that this 81. uld be the Csc, ano
, that there was t some building ~ tne
city devoted to the preservation OF MS
torical relics such as old-fashioned tur-
niture and the like.
PRESIDENT SPEAKS.
Owing TO an attack OF the grip, Prot;
Munro was able to give but a sketch OF
the address planned. lie said In part:
IL cannot treat at all the siblect ! oad
designed most 20 employ, namely. Mlsap-
piled Patriotism" -
THE society has lost many members
during the past year. some OF them men men
unusually prominent In the afairs OF tnis
city and statc-Daniel stevens. John w.
Davis william r. Barton. Hiram How
ard. John Robert Wheaton. Charles
FLETCHER. Moses 4. 7. Goddard. Albert
liarkness, Frederick $. Hoppin, John g