REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Jan. 24, 1907.

To the Illinois State Historical Society:

It is very pleasant to be able to state that within little more than a year, half a dozen apparently vigorous county historical societies have been organized, and that several older ones report a revival of interest. The county societies now organized are Boone, Champaign, DeKalb, Greene, Jersey, Kendall, Knox, LaSalle, Logan, Macoupin, McDonough, McLean, Morgan, Peoria, Pike, Rock Island, St. Clair, Whiteside, Woodford, Johnson, and the Pioneer Association of Will county. The Pioneer Society of Quincy is practically an Adams county society, while the Alton society represents Madison, and the new society at Carbondale will represent much more than Jackson county. We thus have almost a right to count twenty-four county historical societies. Besides these we can report a very thoroughly active society at Evanston, and township societies at Polo, Ogle county: Ogden and Philo, Champaign county, and Leroy, McLean county. The Scientific Club at Elgin and the New England Society at Rockford may perhaps develop into local historical societies. There are several very important societies which cover far more than a limited territory which are not properly local societies, but as their work does not conflict with that of our State society, we will enumerate them and cordially invite them to fraternize as far as they can consistently, with the enterprising galaxy of historical societies now entering upon what promises to be a new era. These are the Chicago Historical Society, the GermanAmerican Historical Society of Chicago, the Illinois Society at Springfield and the Colored Historical Society at Springfield.

Reports received from most of the societies in the State indicate a greatly increased interest during the past year. It will be remembered. that at our last annual meeting the hope was expressed that some practical recommendations concerning the relation between State and other societies would be received from the American Historical Association which is now giving this problem very serious consideration. The last annual report of this body was issued in October. Our space will not permit of more than a brief quotation or two from this work. In this volume we are informed that quite a number of the most important township societies in Massachusetts have lately formed a Historical League, and also that the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical

Societies was formed two years ago. Out of thirty-six historical societies in that state, twenty-four joined this new organization. Pennsylvania has about twenty-six county historical societies, a larger number than any other state in the Union, and our own State now takes second rank in the number of county societies. The secretary of the Pennsylvania Federation of Historical Societies in the volume above referred to, says, "To summarize, it will be the province of the Pennsylvania Federation; first, to organize historical activity in every part of the State, and foster it, and to foster that already organized; second, to act as a federal bibliographer for its component societies; third, at regular intervals or periods to bulletin the publications of its component societies, and to conduct an exchange of said bulletins."

These federations or leagues appear to be between independent societies, not affiliated with state or parent societies, but in Iowa and Wisconsin nearly, if not quite all, local societies are legally affiliated with the State organizations. It is natural for us to look for appropriate hints from Iowa and Wisconsin where local societies are systematically and legally affiliated with the State societies, and it is likely we shall be favored with their experience before our adjournment.

The conference of representatives of local historical societies now in session here is confronted with the problem of a stronger and better affiliation with the Illinois State Historical Society, which shall draw from the parent society all the nourishment it has ability to give; and at the same time to return, if possible, many fold, to the parent, such aid, encouragement and stimulus as these young and enthusiastic organizations may find it in their growing power to bring to the older organization.

Judging from the reports which have reached us from the associated bodies referred to, this problem needs careful study, and your committee believes that any recommendations at this time should be given with such extreme diffidence and hesitation, that the conference will be more likely to bring forth valuable results if left entirely to its own voluntary action.

COMMITTEE ON LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES.

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF THE LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DEBATES OF 1858.

President Alfred Orendorff, Springfield, Illinois:

JANUARY 14, 1907.

MY DEAR GEN. Orendorff-Owing to a University appointment in Wisconsin, I shall not be able to attend the annual meeting of the Historical Society. In view of the fact that I may be in Europe during a part of the coming year, it seems best to tender my resignation as chairman of the committee on the Lincoln-Douglas Debate Celebration and to remain a member-if you so desire-where I promise all assistance in my power.

These subjects should be considered by the committee in addition to other topics which may come before the meeting:

I. A fund of at least five hundred dollars for printing, promoting and other expenses of the celebrations.

2. A pamphlet on the Debates, etc., to circulate in the schools. 3. Organization, in each place where a tablet has not been erected, looking to a proper marking of the place of the debate.

4. A recommendation to the Historical Library Board to print an annotated edition of the debates for general use during the celebration year.

5. A coöperative inquiry among the various "debate cities" to ascertain what steps as yet have been taken to inaugurate the celebration and to ascertain in what way the general committee can be useful.

6. A publicity sub-committee, whose duty should be to further the enterprise through the State press.

7. A recommendation to the Program Committee for 1908 to devote the program largely to the debates, with an attempt to form a debate historical collection for exhibition during the meeting, the same to be allied to the museum afterward. Probably part of this collection would have to be in the nature of a loan, to be returned after the meeting.

I trust that these topics may be suggestive of others. Greatly regretting my inability to be present and pledging my continued efforts as a member of the committee, but not its chairman, I am, with high regard, Yours most cordially,

EDWIN E. SPARKS,

REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON GENEALOGY AND GENEALOGICAL PUBLICATIONS.

To the Officers and Members of the Illinois State Historical Society: Your Committee on Genealogy and Genealogical Publications begs leave to report as follows:

The work of the committee has consisted in preparing a full list of all works on genealogy to be found in the Illinois State Historical Library, to which has been added a list of works on genealogy, which, in its judgment, added to the list referred to as already in the Illinois State Historical Library, would constitute the beginning of a good working library on genealogy and genealogical publications. The committee recommends also that the Secretary of State, the Hon. James A. Rose, be asked to transfer all works on genealogy and town histories (list herewith submitted) from the State library to the Illinois State Historical Library.

Respectfully submitted,

GEORGIA L. OSBORNE,

Chairman Committee on Genealogy and Genealogical Publications.

JOINT MEETING OF PROGRAM COMMITTEE AND COMMITTEE ON SEMI-CENTENNIAL OF LINCOLNDOUGLAS DEBATES OF 1858.

The Program Committee and the Lincoln-Douglas Committee of the Illinois State Historical Society met at 3:00 o'clock June 18, 1907, in the librarian's room of the historical library.

Mrs. Jessie Palmer Weber, the chairman of the Program Committee, presided.

There were present of the Program Committee:

Captain J. H. Burnham, General Alfred Orendorff, Mrs. Weber.

And by invitation:

Professor E. B. Greene, Mr. Andrew Russell.

There were present of the Committee on Lincoln-Douglas Debates: Colonel Clark E. Carr, Mr. W. H. Clendenin, Judge Philip S. Post.

It was decided that at the annual meeting one address on Douglas and one on Lincoln be given. These addresses to be given at the two evening meetings of the annual session. After considerable discussion, it was decided to ask Mr. Horace White of New York to give the address on Lincoln and that General A. E. Stevenson of Bloomington, Ill., be asked to give the address on Douglas. It was also decided that the Committee on the Lincoln-Douglas Debates be asked to give a full and vigorous report as to what it had done and what was in contemplation, and that the society then take up further business in regard to the Lincoln-Douglas debates, and that the rest of the program for the annual meeting be made up in its usual way of papers on various phases of State history.

Judge Post moved that the secretary of the society write to the local members of the Lincoln-Douglas committee, asking them to go ahead and make their plans for the celebration and report to the society at the annual meeting. These plans were satisfactory to both committees, the Program and the Lincoln-Douglas Debates Committees.

Letters were read from some members of the committee who were unable to be present. Charles P. Kane, by letter to the secretary, suggested that a paper on Elias Kent Kane, one of the most distinguished of the early statesmen of Illinois, be presented at the annual meeting. He suggested that Congressman George W. Smith could give this paper. Mrs. Weber thought it might be well to ask Mrs. Charles W. Thomas of Belleville to give the paper, instead of Congressman