266 
tions. The missionary and social aspects of 
its work have become somewhat less impor- 
tant, while specialization in science seemed 
to give a heterogeneity that threatened to 
break up the parent Association into numer- 
But the Columbus 
meeting confronted any such theory with 
ous special societies. 
the unanswerable argument of success. The 
entertainment was admirably arranged so 
as to provide social intercourse without in- 
terfering with the scientific work of the 
sections, while in turn the meeting will as- 
sist the Ohio State University in the great 
career upon which it hasentered. The affil- 
iation of nine separate societies, either by 
amalgamation with the sections or by 
simultaneous meetings, proves that the 
specialization demanded by modern science 
may, in fact, contribute to the weight and 
authority of the Association representing 
science in America. 
The organization of the Association and 
of the separate sections has in the past been 
somewhat amorphous. <A council with no 
real powers, consisting chiefly of past Presi- 
dents usually absent and officers newly 
elected without special reference to their 
functions as councillors, could scarcely be 
expected to decide upon or to continue a 
definite policy. But at Boston amendments 
to the constitution were incorporated, giv- 
ing the council authority to decide impor- 
tant questions and making it a truly rep- 
At 
Columbus further amendments were adopt- 
resentative and deliberative body. 
ed assuring the presence of vice-presidents 
for two consecutive meetings and making 
them members of the council for three 
years. This action willalso strengthen the 
sectional committees by giving them at 
SCIENCE. 
[N.S. Vou. X. No. 244. 
least one member who has had some ex- 
perience. We urge that Vice-Presidents 
should be members of the sectional com- 
mittees for at least three years, as they 
now are of the council, and trust that an 
amendment to this effect may be introduced 
next year. On the other hand, it would 
probably be desirable for the secretaries of 
the sections to be members of the council 
only for the year in which they hold office. 
The improvement in the deliberations of 
the council at Columbus was very evident. 
All business was transacted promptly, and , 
wisely, without undue haste or undue de- 
lay. The council made the important de- 
cisions entrusted to it with a sense of its 
responsibility, and the amendments to the 
constitution recommended to the general 
session were adopted without dissent. The 
proposal to meet in New York next year 
was quite unexpected, it being supposed 
that either Denver or Philadelphia would 
be chosen. No formal invitations had been 
prepared, and it was expressly stated that 
the members from New York did not re- 
gard that city as a suitable place for public 
or private hospitality. A radical change in 
the time of the meeting was also proposed. 
Yet the council was able to consider these 
propositions on their merits and to come to 
a practically unanimous decision. 
The wisdom of this decision cannot be 
questioned. After the meeting in Ohio 
precedent pointed to one of the great Hast- 
ern cities for the following year, where a 
large attendance could be expected. It is 
equally desirable to hold soon a meeting 
further towards the West than hitherto, and 
the recommendation to accept the cordial 
Denver invitation for 1901 sets a good pre- 
