Editorial Comment. 383 
Prof. Capellini said that he had spoken of the committee in the sense 
that it was a provisional committee with full power. 
Dr, Frazer thought that the word "provisional" should be added to. 
This correction having been made the proceedings were adopted. 
Prof. Presttvich (President) read the following telegram which had 
just been received : 
"From Washington, to Presttvich, President of the Geological Congress, 
S8 Jermyn St., London, England. Earnest invitation for next meeting 
of Congress in Washington. Halls and printing will be provided; hos- 
pitalities extended. Powell, Director Geological Survey." 
Prof. Prestwich thought that the question ought now to be sent back 
to the American committee. Mr. Evans was of the same opinion. 
Dr. Frazer (after consultation with Dr. Newberry, Chairman of the 
Committee of Americans) explained that the ciuestion of the choice of 
a city had been discussed as if the telegram had arrived, and presented 
the following report: "The Provisional American Committee appoin- 
ted by the Council to ascertain the ojiinion of the members from the 
United States on the subject of the choice of a place of meeting of the 
Congress in America, in 1891, has the honor to report that the city of 
Philadelphia has1;)een chosen unanimously as the place of meeting." 
Dr. Newberry said that the committee had accomplished its duty and 
that he was glad to say that it is a unanimous report. 
Prof. Stefanescu moved that the report of Dr. Frazer be adopted. 
Dr. T. Sterry Hunt said that the question of- Washington or Phila- 
delphia had been discussed and that the vote had been unanimous for 
tlie latter citj'. 
Prof. Capellini said that it was not necessary that the Council discuss 
the question of the choice of a city because the report was unanimous, 
but he desired to congratulate the Council and the committee of Amer- 
icans on this happy result. 
The President, Prof. Prestxuich, supported the proposition of Mr. Stef- 
anescu to adopt the report of the Committee of Americans and to decide 
definitely that the meeting of LS91 should be held in Pliiladelphia. 
Prof. Capellini desired to offer the thanks of the Council to major 
Powell for his invitation to Washington and the following message was 
sent: 
"To Poioell, Director Geological Survey. Washington. Invitation re- 
"ceived. Council heartily thank you. Philadelphia chosen." 
"Prestwich, President." 
The President, Prof. Prestwich said that he would submit the question 
of a definitive clioice to the Congress itself. 
[ Official Proceedings of the Council. ] 
Meeting of the International Congress, Saturday, Sept. 22, 18SS, 11 A. 
M. After the adoption of the minutes of the preceding session as 
corrected, 
Prof, von Zittel, to whom the President (Prof. Prestwich) had yielded 
the chair, explained the manner in which the invitation of the city of 
Philadelphia liad been presented to the Congress, and said that the 
Council had confided the choice of a city to a connnitteo of Americans. 
as follows : Dana, Hall, Marsh, Newberry, Sterry Hunt and Walcott.'' 
The decision of the Council as announced was ado])ted l>y the Congress 
unanimously. 
Dr. Frazer said that the Congress having accepted the invitation to 
Philadelphia in 1891, he had lieen asked to exphiin the nature of this 
2Theso words are WiuitiiiK in the ollioial nccoiint of the proeeertintrs, but are 
entered from a note made in the Consress. This bein^ i\w hist day, there was no 
opportunity to revise the minutes and have them entered in the otlicial report. 
There is no difl'erence of opinion, however, as to the action having been taken. 
