Mr. H. H. Wilson then asked leave to introduce the following resolutions:

"WHEREAS, The late Governor Furnas in 1897 temporarily loaned to this Society a collection of Nebraska woods and other articles of interest connected with the history of this state; and

"WHEREAS, By his will this collection became the property of his widow, who offers the same for sale; therefore, be it

"Resolved, That the board of directors of this Society be requested to take proper steps to acquire title to said collection, if it can be done at a reasonable cost."

Mr. Wilson moved the adoption of the resolution, which was seconded and carried.

The Secretary announced that he had no written report of the year's work, but would make a brief oral statement about it. The establishment of the legislative reference bureau by the executive committee, with Mr. Sheldon at its head, had been the most important measure of the year. The work of the bureau had started out successfully and so far was appreciated by the legislature. Mr. Sheldon, the Secretary announced, was present and could give further details if the Society desired. The first volume of the "History of the Nebraska Constitutional Conventions" is almost ready for delivery and copies may be obtained in a very few days. The Secretary also suggested that some commemoration of the life and services of Hon. Edward Rosewater ought to be un

dertaken by the Society; at least resolutions should be recorded in the Society's files. It was also stated by the Secretary that the officers of the Society, Mr. Barrett, Mr. Sheldon, and Mr. Blackman, were present, ready to make reports of their work for the year. The report in this abbreviated form was accepted.

Mr. Blackman announced that his report would be incorporated in a written form as usual with the Secretary as a part of his report.

The President then called for committee reports.

Mr. Harvey, the chairman of the committee on sites, sent a letter to the Secretary stating that, owing to sickness, his report was not ready, and asking the favor of making it in a written form later.

The next order of business was the annual election of officers. Mr. Geo. L. Miller was nominated for reelection as President, and on motion of Mr. S. L. Geisthardt the Secretary was instructed to cast the unanimous ballot of the Society in his favor, which was done. Mr. Miller thanked the Society for the honor, and called for nominations for first Vice-President. Mr. Harvey was renominated for first VicePresident, and on motion the Secretary cast the unanimous ballot of the Society in his favor. Mr. Sawyer nominated Prof. Geo. E. Howard for reelection as second Vice-President. Mrs. Knotts nominated L. D. Stilson, who declined; she then presented the name of J. E. North, of Columbus. Professor Howard then withdrew his name, and on motion Mr. North was unanimously elected second Vice-President.

Mr. C. S. Paine and H. W. Caldwell were nominated for the Secretaryship. While the ballot was being taken a list of proxies was presented, and their votes asked to be counted. The question was raised whether proxies could be voted in the Society. It was noted that no instance had ever occurred in the Society to afford a precedent. The President ruled that the vote of proxies might be counted, and an appeal was taken from his decision. After discussion by several members of the Society pro and con on the issue a standing vote

was taken, and the decision of the chair was not sustained. The President then announced that the Society had voted against the use of proxies and that vote would stand as a precedent, and the ballot of the Society, proper under the constitution, would now be counted. The tellers announced 20 votes for Mr. Paine and 17 votes for Mr. Caldwell. Then, on motion, Mr. Paine was declared elected by the full vote of the Society.

Mr. S. L. Geisthardt was unanimously reelected Treasurer. Mr. Sheldon called attention to the pending amendment changing the time of meeting from the second to the third Tuesday of January. After some discussion the whole matter was laid on the table.

The committee to draft resolutions on the death of Mr. Rosewater was announced as Mr. Sheldon, Mr. Gilder, and Mr. Sawyer. On motion the names of Mr. Woolworth, Mr. Kountze, and Mr. Kitchen, of Omaha, were added.

The Society then adjourned.

H. W. CALDWELL, Secretary.

SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF BOARD OF
DIRECTORS.

HELD AT THE OFFICE OF THE SOCIETY, FEBRUARY 1, 1907.

Meeting called to order by President George L. Miller. Present, Dr. George L. Miller, James E. North, Chancellor E. B. Andrews, Robert Harvey, Prof. H. W. Caldwell, and C. S. Paine. Reading of the minutes of the last meeting of the old board was dispensed with.

The President announced the appointment of the standing committees for the ensuing year as follows:

LIBRARY.-Miss Charlotte Templeton, Miss Edith Tobitt, Chancellor W. P. Aylsworth.

MUSEUM.-Elmer E. Blackman, Melvin R. Gilmore, Robert

Gilder.

OBITUARIES.-Jay Amos Barrett, A. J. Sawyer, Capt. H. E.

Palmer.

PROGRAM. The Secretary, the President, Prof. H. W. Caldwell.

PUBLICATION.—The Secretary, A. E. Sheldon, Robert

Harvey.

The report of the Secretary was then presented, and action upon it suspended, while the board listened to the report of the Director of Field Work, Mr. A. E. Sheldon. This report was ordered accepted, and placed on file.

The report and recommendations of the Secretary were then taken up seriatim.

Chancellor Andrews moved to approve the apportionment of salaries as outlined by the Secretary, with the addition of an appropriation of $600 for a newspaper clerk, and assistant in the legislative reference department. Carried. The salary roll as finally approved standing as follows:

Chancellor Andrews moved the appointment of a committee of three to investigate the matter of salaries, and ascer tain whether or not any reduction could be made from the amounts recommended by the Secretary. Carried.

The President appointed as such committee Chancellor Andrews, Professor Caldwell, and the Secretary.

On motion of Chancellor Andrews the apportionment of the funds for the ensuing year as submitted by the Secretary was approved.