MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION. 829 



of the Western gatherings having exceeded it. In all other re- 

 spects the general feeling of the members indicates that the meet- 

 ing was notably successful and enjoyable, and the remarks made 

 by the writer a year ago as to the real value of the smaller 

 and less conspicuous meetings he feels to have been well exem- 

 plified. It was a scientific working meeting, with enough of social 

 intercourse and attentions to be delightful, but not distracting. 

 In these aspects the " golden mean " was markedly preserved. 



The arrangements of the local committee for the convenience 

 of the members and the success of the meeting in general were 

 remarkable in their completeness. Nothing seems to have been 

 overlooked, and some advances were made upon any previous year. 

 The daily programmes were well printed and on hand early every 

 morning a most important point, not always heretofore attained. 

 A complete telephone service between the section rooms and the 

 central hall was a feature of special advantage, each section re- 

 porting to headquarters every paper as it was taken up. This was 

 then posted on a bulletin, so that any one could know at any time 

 what was going on in each section. A great amount of delay and 

 disappointment, that has often been felt by members anxious to 

 hear certain papers in different sections, was thus entirely obvi- 

 ated. Columbus has set an example in this feature that must be 

 followed in the arrangements for all future meetings. The entire 

 service on these telephones was rendered not by professional oper- 

 ators, but by young lady students of the university, and it was 

 well and gracefully done. 



It is fitting also that recognition should be given to some who 

 have been less prominent in the local arrangements, but have had 

 a large share in their preparation. While the public resolutions 

 of thanks have made well-deserved mention of the local committee 

 and its officers, especially Prof. B. F. Thomas, the indefatigable 

 secretary, it is known in Columbus that much of the planning and 

 arranging was the work of Prof. Edward Orton, Jr., the son of 

 the president of the meeting, and that very much is owing to his 

 laborious activity in the perfection of the local adjustments. 



The place of meeting was eminently pleasant and suitable 

 the wide campus and fine buildings of the Ohio State University. 

 To members from the East it was a matter of great interest to see 

 this noble institution, one of the best examples of the great edu- 

 cational enterprises of the central States. In his address of wel- 

 come at the opening of the association the president of the uni- 

 versity, Dr. William O. Thompson, outlined the history of public 

 education in the West as dating back to provisions in the " Ordi- 

 nance of 1787," looking to educational advantages for the great 



