18 PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRIXCETOX MEETING 



pression in the organization and administration and in the loyal support of 

 its membership. An analysis of the immediate causes of our prosperity finds 

 several factors which desei-ve attention. 



Organization. — First in point of time, and fundamental, \\'as the plan of 

 organization, which was deliberately shaped by the founders and included 

 several important and interesting features. 



(1) The membership was limited to working geologists. This fact gave the 

 Fellows an interest and pride in the Society, a feeling of ownership and con- 

 trol, an esprit de corps, which could never have been secured with a non- 

 professional membership. This is probably the first geologic society limited 

 to geologists. 



(2) With a membership scattered over the continent and including three 

 nationalities, a centralized administration was necessary. Large power was 

 given to the Council and to the administrative officials. 



(3) With this efficient concentration of i>ower and resiwnsibilitj' was a truly 

 democratic control by the membership, specially through the transmitted secret 

 ballot. Every Fellow, anywhere, had the chance to make free choice at all 

 elections. While the Council nominated the "regular" ticket for officers, the 

 Fellows not only had the privilege of dissent, but, since 1893, any five Fellows 

 could compel the official distribution of an independent ticket. The iwssession 

 of this ix)wer avoided occasion for its use. and only once in the life of the 

 Society has there been formal dissent from any nomination by the Council. 



(4) The rules provided that the President and Vice-Presidents should not 

 be eligible for reelection more than once until after an interval of three years. 

 This compelled the honoi*s to be passed around, while the executive officers, 

 Secretary, Treasurer, and Editox, held without limitation, thus giving con- 

 servative administration. No President has held office tAvo successive years, 

 and only one a second term. In the 2.5 years we have had three secretaries, 

 three treasurers, and two editors. 



(5) Changing the Constitution was made difficult, requiring a three-fourths 

 vote of the total membership. With a wise Constitution, this was a good safe- 

 guard, as it prevented changes that did not appeal to the membership. The 

 few changes that have been made did not affect the general plan or purpose. 

 In 1894 the words "North America," which limited the residence of Fellows, 

 were dropped. At the same time the Treasurer was named with the other 

 executive officers as eligible to reelection without limitation, the correction of 

 what was probably an oversight in the original draft. In the absence of 

 specific prohibition of such reelection of the Treasurer he had been previously 

 continued in his office. In 1897 the Editor was made an elective officer and 

 thereby a member of the Council (volume 9, page 400). In 1905 the require- 

 ment of a summer meeting was removed. A few changes have been made in 

 the By-Laws, some of which will be noted later. ( See the Bulletin, volume 15, 

 page 597; volume 21. page 42.) 



Bulletin. — Next to the efficient, democratic organization, the publication of 

 the Bulletin has been the most important factor in the success of the Society. 

 Outside its own Fellowship, the reputation of the Society is almost entirely 

 based on its publication, which has carried the fame of the Society over the 

 world. The form of the Bulletin is wholly due to W J McGee, and without 

 its excellent dress the matter would have been less appreciated. The history 

 of the Bulletin and the work of its editors needs to be reviewed. 



