USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > First Annual Report of the Ohio Valley Historical Association comprising the proceedings of the central Ohio Valley History Conference held at Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 29 and 30, 1907 > Part 12
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Already we have allowed the Massachusetts, the Wisconsin, the Virginia and the Texas Historical Societies to far outstrip us. So val- uable are their collections and so great their weight historically, that Advisory Committees were appointed from each of these four great historical societies to confer with Albert Bushnell Hart. Ph. D., LL. D., Professor of History in Harvard University, and assist in compiling The American Nation. "A History from Original Sources by Associateu Scholars," consisting of twenty-seven volumes and pronounced by the press to be "a complete, authoritative and comprehensive history of the United States from earliest times to the present day."
With the richest material at hand here in Cincinnati, we have per- mitted the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio to lead a precar- ious existence for many years, perhaps from its inception. We have suf- fered it to live only through the effort of a few generous and reverent scholars, foremost among whom was the late Hon. Julius Dexter. Through his generosity and that of some of his associates, it still sur- vives, terribly handicapped by lack of the sympathy and financial support of the general public. Unable to publish its valuable documents and adver- tise its collections, it cannot hope to take rank with its sister societies.
I speak knowingly and feelingly of this society, because I had the honor to serve as one of its curators for a term of years. It is with pride as well as pleasure then that we should hail the effort now being miade, to unite all the historical societies in this Valley, of which the D. A. R. is one.
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OHIO VALLEY HISTORICAL, ASSOCIATION.
None of the historical and hereditary societies in our vicinity are wealthy, by reason of the fact that the dues are small and the member -. ship not large, consequently we can only hope to achieve anything of moment by and through hearty cooperation. We should allow no small jealousies, but press earnestly forward to our goal. which is the preserva- tion of American history.
It 'seems to an impartial observer that the hereditary societies are called upon rather frequently to apologize for their existence, at least the long explanations of why we organized and continue to exist that certain of our members put forth, seem to suggest an apology. Now I would like to ask why we owe the general public any explanation as to why or for what purpose we exist Most corporate bodies are not called upon to explain the why and wherefore of their existence. To those Daughters, however, who insist on explaining, I would like to take the liberty of saying that we have fully justified the birth and life of the . society known as the Daughters of the American Revolution by the splendid genealogical and historical work we have done. Our ancestors made history, we are trying to preserve it. Could there be a higher branch of patriotic work? It is not alone to gratify our esthetic tastes that we are building our splendid Continental Hall in Washington, nor is it to add one more white marble palace to the city beautiful, our national capital. Our primary object is and should be, to have a fire- proof building in which to house our historical and genealogical papers, our library and our relics, so that the historian of the future may have access to them. Second only to the man who makes history is the man who preserves it We Daughters have converted many traditions into facts, and the records will be preserved in Continental Hall.
Incidentally, the hereditary societies have also accomplished another splendid work in addition to preserving records and marking sites. They have brought about the renaissance of American history. As a nation we were lamentably ignorant of our own history; but now, through the efforts of the Historical Societies scattered through the country, and through the efforts of the hereditary societies details of our history that were drifting into oblivion have been rescued. and the invitation to unite with the History Teachers and local History Workers of the Ohio Val- ley in their work is an open acknowledgement of the importance of the work we have already accomplished and may be considered another justification of our right to exist, if we need any. Thus I would empha- size the importance and significance of this conference to us, and faintly suggest the role we will be expected to fill in its organization.
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THE OHIO VALLEY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
On Jan. 17, 1908, the Committee of Nine met in Cincinnati with the following seven members present: Isaac J. Cox, University of Cin-
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cinnati; W. W. Longmoor, Kentucky State Historical Society; E. O. Randall, Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society; Harry B. Mackoy, Filson Club and Patriotic Societies; F. P. Goodwin, Cincinnati History Teachers' Association; Archer B. Hulbert, Marietta College; C. L. Mart- zolff, Ohio University, and Charles T. Greve, Historical Philosophical Society of Ohio, as presiding officer of the Conference was invited to become a member ex-officio of this body.
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Samuel B. Harding of the University of Indiana and Virgil A. Lewis, West Virginia Department of Archives and History, were not present.
The result of this Conference was the adoption of the following constitution and report prepared by I. J. Cox, to be submitted to the next meeting of the Association.
· PROPOSED CONSTITUTION.
1.
The name of this organization shall be THE OHIO VALLEY HIS- TORICAL ASSOCIATION.
2.
Its object shall be to promote the general historical interests of the Ohio Valley and especially to encourage the study and teaching of its local history. 3.
: Membership in the Association shall consist of the following classes : (1) Individual members; (2) Organizations interested in its objects, such organizations shall be represented by not less than two nor more than seven of their members, but other members of said organization are eligible to become individual members of the Association; (3) Hon- orary members - persons of note in the local historical field; (4) Corre- sponding members - persons not residing in the Ohio Valley, but inter- ested in the work of this Association. All members, including societies, 'shall be elected at the regular meeting of the Association upon recom- mendations of the Executive Committee.
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The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, two Vice- Presidents, a Recording Secretary and Curator, a Corresponding Secre- tary and Treasurer, and an Executive Committee consisting of the fore- going officers, the ex-Presidents of the Association, and four other mem- bers elected by the Association. These officers shall be elected by ballot at each regular annual meeting of the Association, and shall have charge of its general interests with power to appoint all necessary sub-com- mittees.
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OHIO VALLEY HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION.
5.
One regular meeting of the Association shall be held each year at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. This Committee shall likewise determine the character of said meeting.
6.
The annual dues of the Association shall be one dollar for each individual member, and ten dollars for each of the affiliated organiza- tions, which sum shall entitle it to two representatives. The society may increase its representation to seven by paying one dollar for each ad- ditional representative. Honorary and Corresponding members pay no dues. In addition to the annual dues the Executive Committee may authorize the raising of such additional funds as may be required.
7.
The Executive Committee shall adopt such rules and by-laws for its own conduct as are not inconsistent with this Constitution.
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This Constitution may be amended by any annual meeting, notice of such amendment having been given at the previous annual meeting, or the proposed amendment having received the approval of the Execu- tive Committee.
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REPORT ON PROPOSED CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE 1.
In the choice of name it seems advisable to substitute some other designation for the non committal "Conference" which has been em- ployed up to this time, especially as the organization gives promise of becoming something more than a temporary affair. It may also be advisable to drop the adjective "Central" and to include in our title the whole Ohio Valley, with a due regard, however, to natural limits and transportation facilities.
ARTICLE 2.
In the formal constitution, it has seemed best to express the objects of the Association in general, but comprehensive terms. In view of what we have already attempted the objects of this Association might be expressed in expanded form as follows: To bring together various classes of history workers, such as teachers, members of local history societies, members of hereditary patriotic societies, collectors of historical material, librarians interested in historical work, writers upon historical
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subjects, for conference and mutual assistance; to assist in discovering and preserving historical records, and to render available for publications such as are of sufficient value to warrant it; to interest teachers in local history records and to encourage the use of such in the public schools; to co-operate with hereditary patriotic societies or other patriotic or- ganizations in tracing and marking historic sites, adding to the store of local genealogical material, encouraging research among students and arousing public interest in local history. In furtherance of this plan, care should be taken not to duplicate work already under way, and to encourage rather than rival existing publications and societies. The Association might well serve as a sort of clearing house for such ac- tivities.
ARTICLE 3.
In regard to membership we have one of the difficult problems of the Association. It is to be something more than a federation of existing societies, so provision must be made for individual members. But we must secure, if possible, representation from all societies interested in our work. The suggestion concerning representation of such organiza- tions is submitted as one of the possible methods of dealing with this problem. We believe that societies, as such, must constitute the real working force of this Association, yet we wish to give full play for individual participation, and the suggestion of a limited representation for affiliated societies with possibly a proxy vote, will afford other members such opportunity as they desire and at the same time keep a proper balance between the various classes of members. The provision that the Executive Committee must approve all applications for membership, will insure the reception of proper organizations or individual members. The presence of honorary and corresponding members is suggested be- cause of the example of similar organizations.
ARTICLE 4.
The provision regarding officers follows closely that of the Ameri- can Historical Association. The additional suggestion is made that the two officers of Recording Secretary and Curator, and Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer be filled permanently. The President, Vice- Presidents, and additional elected members of the Executive Committee should rotate in office. .
There should be some provision for an occasional letter vote from members-at least to guide the nominating committee in making its re- port. The elective members of the Executive Committee should serve for two years-one-half to be elected each year. It will be only natural to secure upon this committee as wide a representation as possible of the different interests and sections represented. There may be a question whether or not for the first few years, we should honor ourselves and the cause by selecting as our presidents those who are interested veterans
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in the service, but who may have passed beyond the years of activity, or those who are still strenuous in the field. Each method has its.advan- tages. ·
ARTICLE 5.
In regard to time and place of meeting, we would suggest that the . Thanksgiving period probably offers the most suitable time for holding the annual meeting, yet occasionally it may be desirable to shift this date and the Executive Committee should be given. power to do so. This Committee should determine the general character of the meeting and then appoint the necessary sub committees to attend to details.
ARTICLE 6.
We believe that the dues of the Association should be placed at the lowest possible point and that when additional funds are needed in con- nection with the meetings, publications, and other forms of activity, these should be raised by voluntary subscription. In connection with the annual meetings such subscriptions should largely come from the com- munity entertaining the Association, but the form of entertainment adopted should never become so expensive as to be burdensome or excite undesirable rivalry. We suggest that any surplus from the enter- tainment funds be employed in the publishing activities of the Association.
ARTICLES 7 AND 8.
These articles follow the practice of other organizations and ap- parently need no extended comment.
For the sake of a more definite organization of the work the gen- tlemen named below were selected as officers for the ensuing year. President, E. O. Randall, Columbus; Vice-Presidents, W. W. Longmoor, Frankfort, and Virgil A. Lewis, Charleston; Recording Secretary and Curator, Archer B. Hulbert, Marietta; Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer, C. L. Martzolff, Athens; Executive Committee, Harry B. Mackoy, Covington, Samuel B. Harding, Bloomington, Frank P. Good- wni, Cincinnati, Charles T. Greve, Cincinnati, I. J. Cox, Cincinnati.
The next annual meeting of the Association will be held at Marietta during the Thanksgiving season of 1908. The program will consist of general meetings of a popular character and a series of conferences where specific phases of history work will be discussed. There will be three such conferences.
1. Preservation and tabulation of private manuscripts in the Ohio Valley.
2. The work of patriotic and hereditary societies:
3. The teaching of local history in the schools.
This is in brief the plan of the proposed Association and the work it is to accomplish. The aim of the promoters at this time is to secure
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members from among those societies and persons who are eligible. The hearty co-operation of all is earnestly desired.
E. O. RANDALL, C. L. MARTZOLFF, A. B. HULBERT, Committee on Membership.
Address all communications regarding the Marietta meeting to A. B. Hulbert, Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio.
Inquiries regarding the general work of the Association, applica- tions for membership, etc., may be sent to I. J. Cox, University of Cin- cinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio.
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