secretary's report 563 



The Secretary has preserved in a file of large scrap-books every scrap 

 of printing, outside of the Bulletin, that the Society has ever had, along 

 with all other material that could conveniently be pasted. These books, 

 with the Council minutes and the Bulletin, make a perfect record of the 

 public and the internal work of the Society. All the correspondence 

 (with very few exceptions, of confidential papers) has been preserved. 

 The future historian of the early years of Avhat will some time be the 

 "old" society should find nothing missing. 



The vriter has never missed a meeting of the Society, nor any meeting 

 of the Council since the winter meeting in 1890. For the past sixteen 

 years he has given a large jDart of his time and thought to the work of the 

 secretaryship. It has been a labor of love, and the approval of the Pel- 

 lows has been sufficient reward. To a conscientious executive officer there 

 is a satisfaction in the control of affairs and the direction of policy, as in 

 any work, when these are accepted and commended by those concerned. 

 Unanimous reelection year after year has been interpreted as such 

 approval.* 



It is possible that an administration with more initiative and vigor 

 would have produced greater results ; Irat with our scattered membership, 

 of strong individualities and somewhat diverse interests, it seemed safer 

 to pursue a conservative course and let affairs m-ove quietly and smoothly 

 until the Society had acquired strength and prestige. The perfect unity 

 and harmony in the Society and the Council during all the 18 years is a 

 happy fact. 



The work of the Secretary is intimately bound Avith that of the Treas- 

 urer and Editor and they are largely to be credited with the success of the 

 Society. For many years of loving and laborious service the Society 

 owes a debt to Stanley-Brown and I. C. White that only appreciation can 

 repay. For his successor the writer bespeaks the continued sympathetic 

 support of the fellowship, which is the best help to his success. 



In surrendering office your Secretary sincerely thanks every Fellow for 

 uniform kindness, courtesy, and support. No incident has ever occurred 

 of character so unpleasant as to leave any remembrance. The recollec- 

 tion of the sixteen years of service to the Society will remain the most 

 unalloyed and satisfying memory of a busy life. 



Eespectfully submitted. 



H. L. Fairchild, 



Secretary. 



Eochester,, N. Y., December 10, 1906. 



* In fifteen ejections by secret ballot tbe total vote bas failed of unanimitj' only by 

 a single vote at one election. Doctor Wbite bas always had a unanimous vote. 



