388 



resolution on two o-rouiids: 1. That it is not the business of 

 this Society to advise the Government in uncalled-for cases ; 

 and 2, That the action of a collateral tax law on charities, 

 so far from being a hardship and a reminiscence of barbar- 

 ism, is on the contrary beneficial and proper for stimulating 

 men to the right use of their wealth during their lifetime,and 

 for protecting society in the New World against the growth 

 of tliose mortmain evils which especially characterize tlie 

 serai-barbarous times and governments of the past. 



The contrary view was taken and supported by Mr. Blod- 

 get, Mr. Eli K. Price, and Mr. J. Sergeant Price. After 

 which the resolution was adopted, and the officers accord- 

 ingly empowered to act. 



Mr. Blodget desired the Secretaries to see that a record 

 was made of his disclaimer of any such statements and 

 opinions respecting the character and condition of the foun- 

 dations of the Masonic Temple and Public Buildings as are 

 ascribed to him by some mistake, in the published Proceed- 

 ings of the Society, No. 97, page 181. Respecting the first- 

 named building he had not, and never had had any knowl- 

 edge ; and respecting the foundations of the Public Build- 

 ings he had always known and asserted their excellence. 



On scrutiny of the ballot boxes by the presiding officer 

 the following persons were delared duly elected members of 

 this Society : 



809. Prof. F. Reuleaux of Berlin, Chief Commissioner of 

 the German Empire at the Centennial Exhibition, 



810. Prof. Rudolf von Wagner of Wiirtzburg, Judge at 

 the Centennial Exhibition of 1876. 



811. I'rof. Mariano Barcena, of Mexico. 



812. Prof. E. II. Von Baumhauer, of Harlem, President 

 of the Centennial Commission of the Netherlands. 



.813. I*rof. George Stuart, Professor of Languages in the 

 High School, Philadelphia. 



814. Mr. W. V. McKean, of Philarlelphia. 



815. Rev. Charles W. Shields, D. D., Prof, of the Harmony 

 of Science and Revealed Religion, Princeton, N. J. 



