Polytechnic Association. 597 



with those of the Institute, and therefore suggested that another 

 evening of the week be selected for the meeting of the Polytechnic. 



On motion, it was resolved that the committee in charge be 

 requested to make this change. 



On motion, the Association adjourned to meet in the fall, at the 

 call of the Chairman. 



October 12, 1871. 



Prof. S. D. Tillman in the chair ; Robert Weik, Esq., Secretary. 



The Polytechnic Association resumed its weekly meetings, after 

 the summer vacation, and was called to order at half past seven p. m. 

 by the Chairman, who delivered the following opening address : 



Gentlemen of the Polytechnic Association. — The presence of so 

 many of those who have long been identified with the prosperity of 

 this Society, at this our first autumnal meeting, gives renewed assurance 

 that our discussions of questions relating to applied science are deemed 

 important, and that they are to be conducted with the same candor 

 and acumen which have hitherto characterized our proceedings. Nearly 

 seventeen years have elapsed since this branch of the American Institute 

 commenced its sessions. At first its proceedings were wholly conversa- 

 tional, various improvements in the mechanic arts being the subjects 

 which attracted most attention. In March 1S59, while on the com- 

 mittee having charge of the organization, I proposed that greater 

 latitude be given to discussion, and to accomplish that end I offered 

 a resolution that its name be changed from " the Mechanic Club " to 

 "the Polytechnic Association" which was adopted. From that time 

 chemistry, as well as mechanics, furnished topics for discussion, and 

 the dignity of our proceedings has been raised by the frequent 

 introduction of able and exhaustive papers on questions relating to 

 abstract as well as applied science. 



While it is admitted that the present plan of free discussion on 

 every new topic or invention which may be introduced has resulted 

 advantageously, there are many who believe that the influence of the 

 Polytechnic would be greatly increased if a portion of each evening 

 could be set apart for a lecture or a paper by some prominent scientist. 

 It is therefore proposed that the standing committee of the Institute, 

 having charge of this organization, select from a large number of 

 names, to be presented to them, lecturers for the coming season, and 

 that a programme of this course of weekly lectures be printed on 



