R:
HE
6187 A6X NPM
,-:.^ii-.; '< tafA
v fiittii- ■■■ ■ '--M
THE
AMERICAN PHILATELIST
AND
YEAR BOOK
OF THE
American Philatelic Association.
UOIv. KIW.
1900.
PUBLISHED BY
The American Philatelic Association,
Under the Direction of the Board of Director i.
H. B. DEATS, Secretary, - FLEMINGTON, N. J.
The Late CHARLES PHILIP KEAUTH.
THE
American Philatelist.
VOL. XIV.
Annual Number, 1900.
Printed for the Association by D. H. BACON & CO., DERBY, CONN.
OFFICERS OF THE
(American 'Philatelic (Association*
1900-1901.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
GEORGE L. TOPPAN, President, 321 Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin.
BOARD OF VICE-PRESIDENTS.
SAMUEL LELAND, Chairman, 294 66th Place, Chicago, 111. C. E. SEVERN, Secretary, 448 Racine Avenue, Chicago, 111. P. M. WOLSIEFFER, 75 State Street, Chicago, 111.
H. E. DEATS, Secretary, Flemington, N. J
E. DOEBLIN, International Secretary, Box 736, Pittsburg, Pa.
C. L. ANNAN, Treasurer, St. Paul, Minn.
H. B. PHILLIPS, 1311 Grove Street, Berkeley, Cal.
M. H. LOMBARD. Winchester, Mass.
RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENTS.
BOSTON, MASS.— J. F. Johnson, 5 Cedar Street, Roxbury, Mass.
ST. PAUL, MINN.-C. L. Annan.
SAN FRANCISCO, CAL.— W. E. Loy, 2431 Ellsworth St., Berkeley, Cal.
NEW YORK CITY— W. F. Gregory, 71 Nassau Street.
PITTSBURG, PA.— E. Doeblin, Box 736.
CHICAGO, ILL.— Henry W. Wolseley, 100 Washington St.
APPOINTIVE OFFICERS.
E. H. ANDERSON, Librarian, Carnegie Library, Pittsburg, Pa.
H. D. WATSON, Collecting Agent, 64 Cedar St., New York City.
JOHN W. SCOTT, Counterfeit Detector, 36 John St., New York City.
H. G. SMITH, Supt. Sales Department, 373 Main St., Winona, Minn.
H, E. DEATS. Assistant Librarian, Flemington, N. J.
W. F. GREGORY, Auction Purchasing Agent, 71 Nassau St., New York City.
P. M. WOLSIEFFER, Auction Purchasing Agent, 75 State St., Chicago, 111.
A. W. BATCHELDER, Auction Purchasing Agent,
292 Washington Street, Boston, Mass.
BY-LAWS
OF THE
(American Philatelic Association.
As Adopted at the Seventh Annual Contention, August 15, 16 and 17, 1892, and Amended at the Fifteenth Annual Contention, cAugust 28-30, 1900.
ARTICLE I.— Capital Stock.
Section 1. Every certificate of stock issued by" this Association shall be for a single share ODly, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, which shall be expressed upon its face : That the holder thereof has agreed with the Associa- tion and has accepted the said certificate with the understanding that it can be issued or transferred only to a person who has been duly elected a member of the Associa- tion in the manner provided by its By-Laws, and who is not the holder of any other share or certificate of its capital stock. That no transfer of said stock, or the certifi- cate thereof, shall be valid unless made upon the books of the Association and signed by the member transferring the same, or his lawful attorney, and attested by the Secre- tary, and upon return of the outstanding certificate, which shall be cancelled and filed by the Secretary. That the holder is liable for the payment to the Association of the annual dues provided for by the By- Laws, until the said stock and certificate is surrendered to the Association, and is not entitled to vote said stock so long as he is in any manner indebted to the Association. That the Association has a first lien on the said stock and all increments thereof for all indebtedness of the holder to the Associa- tion and that no transfer thereof shall be permitted so long as the holder is so indebt- ed to the Association ; and that the posses- sion of said certificate shall not be regarded as evidence of the ownership of the holder, or his right to participate as a stockholder, unless it appears upon the books of the Association that all said conditions have been duly complied with. That the owner- ship of said stock shall at all times be subject to the provisions of the By-Laws.
Sec. 2. Every certificate of stock shall be signed by the President and counter- signed by the Secretary, and sealed with the corporate seal of the Association, and shall be duly numbered and entered in the stock book to be kept by the Secretary for that purpose. A charge of twenty -five cents shall be made for a duplicate certifi- cate in case of loss.
ARTICLE II.— Membership.
Section 1. Any person may become a member of this Association by filiug with its General Secretary an application in the form prescribed from time to time, signed by at least two members of the Association, and if the applicant is a resident of any locality where there is a resident Vice- President, his application must be approved by said officer, whose signature shall be in addition to those of the two references. Said application must be accompanied by the sum of one dollar, for a certificate of stock, and the amount of the dues for the remainder of the fiscal year (ending Aug. 31), the whole to be refunded if admission is refused; and if the applicant has not attained the age of twenty-one years he must accompany his application with a bond signed by some responsible person obligating himself for the proper fulfill- ment of the applicant's promises and obliga- tions to the Association, in case the appli- cant is admitted. The General Secretary shall cause the name and address of each applicant, his references and bondsmen, to be published in the next Official Journal sent to members, and if no objection to his admission shall be received by the Board of Vice-Presidents within one month after such publication, the applicant shall be considered elected. In case the Board of Vice-Presidents shall receive any objections to the admission of any applicant, they shall notify the General Secretary thereof, and proceed to investigate the case, and accept or reject the applicant, in their discretion, and shall certify their decision to the General Secretary, who shall there- upon proceed accordingly.
Sec. 2. As it is important to the well- being and prosperity of this Association that all members thereof should be persons of good repute, every person applying for admission thereto agrees to become subject to such rules of discipline as may be provid- ed by the By Laws from time to time. All charges of improper conduct on the part of any member of the Association shall be addressed in writing accompanied by affi- davit to the truth of the charges, and all
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
obtainable proof, to the Board of Vice- Presidents, who shall investigate and de- termine the same under such rules as they may prescribe ; and they may, in their judg- ment, suspend or expel such member and require him to surrender his stock, if he be a stockholder, and their action shall be final and binding on all parties. Should the Board of Vice-Presidents deem it advisable, they may, however, certify the case for consideration to the next Convention of the Association, giving notice of their in- tention to do so in the Official Journal, and such Convention shall have the same powers in the case as the Board of Vice- Presidents.
Sec. 3. The dues of all stockholders shall be one dollar and twenty cents per annum, payable annually in advance, on the first day of September, when the fiscal year shall commence. New members shall pay dues for the remainder of the year only, computed from the beginning of the month in which they shall have been elected. No other assessment or dues shall be exacted of any stockholder, except by the amend- ment of this section of the By-Laws in Convention or other gene'al meeting.
Sec. 4. In case any member fails to pay the annual dues or accounts due the Association or the Sales and Purchasing Department within thirty days from the time the same are due, the Treasurer shall notify such delinquent member, and unless such dues or debts are paid, or the stock- holder presents his resignation and sur- renders his certificate of stock within thirty days thereafter, and pays amounts due, the Treasurer shall notify the Secretary, by whom his name shall be stricken from the rolls, and his stock shall be declared forfeit- ed to the Association, and his name shall be omitted from the Year Book. The Sec- retary shall notify the Superintendent of the Sales and Purchasing Department to debar from the privileges of that Depart- ment any member whose name shall have been dropped from the rolls. Any stock- holder whose name shall have been stricken from the rolls for non-payment of dues, or debt to the Association or Sales and Pur- chasing Department, may, on payment to the Treasurer (who shall notify the Secre- tary) of all amounts due, be reinstated and have his stock reissued to him.
All applications for reinstatement shall be published in the Official Journal, and treated in the same manner as is provided for an ordinary application for member- ship.
Sec. 5. Any stockholder in good stand- ing may at any time tender his resignation to the Secretary, and surrender his stock certificate to the Association. All resigna- tions received by the Secretary shall be published in the next Official Journal, and if no objections are received within one month of the date of the publication, they shall be duly accepted by him, to take effect from the date of their receipt, but no stock- holder will be permitted to resign while
indebted to the Association. In case the Secretary is in doubt as to the advisability of accepting the resignation of any stock- holder, he shall refer the matter to the Board of Vice-Presidents, who shall have power to decide the case, and, if they deem advisable, to prescribe conditions on which the resignation shall be accepted.
Sec. 6. No stockholder of the Associa- tion who has not attained the age of twenty-one years shall be eligible to any office.
ARTICLE III.— Meetings.
Section 1. The annual meeting of the stockholders of this Association, to be designated as the Annual Convention, shall be held each year at such date and such place, within or without the State of Minnesota, as may have been selected by the last preceding Annual Convention, and the publication in the Official Journal of the proceedings of the Convention, naming such time and place shall be deemed suffi- cient notice of such meeting; but the President shall also cause a call for the Annual Convention, stating the time and locality of the convening thereof, to be published in the number of the Official Journal issued prior, not less than sixty days, to the holding of such Convention.
Sec. 2. Special meetings of the stock- holders of this Association may be called by the Board of Directors, or by one hundred stockholders of this Association. Notice thereof shall be mailed to each stockholder, at his last known address, at least sixty days before the date fixed for holding said meeting, and a copy of such notice shall be published in the Official Journal, at least one month before the time of holding such meeting.
Sec. 3. If in the opinion of the Board of Directors it should be advisable at any time, or in case one hundred stockholders so re- quest, the President shall call for a general vote of the shareholders upon any desired question. Notice that such call has been is- sued shall be given in the Official Journal, at least one month before the date when the vote is to be counted. The vote should be in the form designated by the President, with the assent of the Board of Vice-Presi- dents. The call and the form shall each state the time and place at which the count is to take place, and a copy of each shall be mailed to every person appearing upon the books of the Association as entitled to vote as a stockholder thirty days before the vote is to be counted. The vote shall be signed by the stockholder and sent to the Board of Vice-Presidents; and no vote shall be counted unless in the form prescribed at the date when the call was mailed. Any stockholder shall have the right to be present and witness the count. The result shall be certified by the Vice-Presidents to the President, who shall announce the re- sult in the next number of the Official Journal. A majority of the votes cast shall determine the question submitted, but the
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
By-Laws can be amended only as herein- after provided.
Sec. 4. All stockholders of the Associa- tion who are present at any of its meetings shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings; but only those not indebted to the Association shall be entitled to vote in person, or by proxy, at any Annual Con- vention, at any called meeting, or upon any question submitted to a general vote.
Sec. 5. A quorum for the transaction of business at any convention or special meet- ing, shall consist of one-half the stockhold- ers there represented in person or by proxy ; but the By-Laws can be amended only as hereinafter provided.
Sec. 6. No Director of this Association shall be permitted to act for or vote as proxy for any other stockholder of this Association.
Sec. 7. At all meetings of the Associa- tion, all questions of order and parlimentary law shall be determined by reference to Roberts' Rules of Order.
Sec. 8. At all meetings of the Associa- tion, all reports of officers and committees and all resolutions must be presented in writing.
Sec. 9. At the Annual Convention of the Association the President shall appoint the following committees, of three members each:
Committee on Standing Rules,
Committee on Finance,
Committee on Library,
Committee on Sales and Purchasing Department,
Committee on Official Journal,
Committee on Branch Societies,
Committee on Resolutions, and a Com- mittee of five members, of which the Presi- dent shall be ex officio Chairman, on the By Laws.
The following shall be the order of busi- ness:
1. Call to Order.
2. Report of Committee on Credentials.
3. Roll Call.
4. Appointment of Committees. 5 Reading of Minutes.
6. Reports of Officers and Standing Committees.
7. Communications.
8. Unfinished Business.
9. New Business.
10. Reports of Committees.
11. Adjournment.
Sec. 10. At all special meetings of the Association, the President shall appoint such of the foregoing committees as are necessary, and the foregoing Order of Business shall be followed so far as the necessities of the occasion will permit.
ARTICLE IV.— Directors.
Section 1. The Board of Directors of this Association shall be designated as the Board of Directors, and shall consist of nine members who shall all be citizens of the United States.
Sec. 2. Each Director shall be a stock- holder of the Association, and shall hold his office until the close of the next Annual Convention and until his successor shall have qualified. At least five of their num- ber shall be collectors and not dealers by profession. And at least seven of their number shall be residents of different States. Three of the Directors shall serve as a Board of Vice-Presidents and must re- side within a radius of 30 miles, and in case of the three Vice-Presidents being from the same State or locality as another Direc- tor, the Vice-Presidents will take prece- dence over the other candidate, even though he have a greater number of votes.
Sec. 3. Immediately after the annual election of Directors, they shall choose from their number a President, Secretary, Treas- urer, and International Secretary, and ap- point such officers and committees as are required by the By-Laws to be appointed by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 4. The Board of Directors may meet at such times as they from time to time determine, or whenever called to- gether by the President by a notice ad- dressed to each Director at his last known address, by mail or by telegraph, a suffi- cient time beforehand to enable him to reach the place of meeting. Five mem- bers of the Board shall constitute a quo- rum for the transaction of business.
Sec. 5. The objects of this Association requiring that its Directors shall be resi- dents of different States, in order to facili- tate the transaction of business and pro- vide for a rapid decision of questions re- quiring the action of the Board of Direct- ors of this Association, the stockholders direct that instead of convening in a meet- ing, the following proceedings may be had : Whenever any member of the Board shall desire to submit any matter for their action, he shall reduce the same to writing, in the form of a motion, and mail a copy thereof, upon a separate sheet of paper, to each member of the Board. Any comments or observations he may desire to make thereon must be on a different sheet. Upon the re- ception of such motion each member shall write upon the bottom or back thereof his decision for or against the same, or any correction or amendment thereof he may wish to make, and forward the same by re- turn mail to the President, who shall, in case any amendment shall be offered, forth- with mail, or cause to be mailed, a copy of the motion as amended to each member of the Board, who shall return the same by return mail, with his vote for or against the same, or the expression of his prefer- ence for the original motion. The Presi- dent shall, upon receiving the votes of the other members, certify to the Secretary the result, accompanying the certificate with the original votes. The Secretary shall file the same and record the vote, notifying the other members of the Board of the result.
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
Sec. 6. The Board of Directors shall exercise a general supervision over the affairs of the Association and all its officers ; may make rules for the conduct of business in the several departments not inconsistent with these By-Laws; may require special reports from any officer from time to time ; may remove any officer appointed by them, as provided by statute, fill any vacancy in their own number arising from any cause except removal by stockholders, as provid- ed by statute, and generally manage and control the business of the Association, as provided by law.
ARTICLE V.— Duties of Directors.
Section 1. President. — The President, in addition to the general duties of his office, shall preside at all meetings of the Association, appoint all committees, sign all certificates of stock and all warrants on the Treasurer for moneys required by the Association, as well as contracts, deeds, bonds, notes and other obligations entered into by the Association. Prior to each Annual Convention he shall issue the call therefor, as provided for in Article III., Section 1, shall appoint a Committee of five members on Credentials, and a Committee of Arrangements to provide suitable rooms and make other preparations for holding said meeting, the expenses incurred by such committee in the performance of their duties to be defrayed from the General Fund of the Association. At each Annual Convention he shall address the Association on such matters of interest as he shall determine.
Sec. 2. Vice-Presidents. — The three Di- rectors elected as Vice-Presidents shall select one of their number to act as First Vice-President, who shall perform all the duties of the President in case of the ab- sence, death or inability of the President. He shall preside over the Board of Vice- Presidents, which shall decide all questions arising as to the admission of applicants for membership, as provided in Article II. , Section 1 ; all questions of discipline, as provided in Article II., Sections 2, 4 and 5, and all disputes and difficulties between members or officers of the Association, and their decision of all such matters shall be final, subject to the provisos of Article II., Section 2. They shall see that proper notices of all elections, meetings, nomina- tions, forms, etc., are sent to members as provided in these By-Laws, and they shall approve the form of ballot to be used at all elections.
The Board of Vice-Presidents from time to time and at least every three months, shall make report of their proceedings to the General Secretary for publication in the Official Journal and shall make a full report of their proceedings to the Annual Convention.
They shall keep a minute book of all pro- ceedings and a file of correspondence which they shall turn over to their successors when qualified.
All expenses for postage, stationery, telegrams and registry fees shall be certi- fied by the First Vice-President and be paid from the general fund.
They shall elect one of their number to act as Secretary who shall have charge of their records and keep their minutes.
Sec. 3. Secretary. — The Secretary, in addition to the ordinary duties of his office shall keep a true record of all proceedings of the Association and Board of Directors, conduct all correspondence, have the custo- dy of and preserve all documents, have custody of the corporate seal of the Associa- tion, seal all documents required to be sealed therewith, keep proper books of issue and transfer of stock certificates, issue all stock certificates, membership cards and receipts, countersign, register and attest all documents signed by the President. He shall, under the supervision of the President, edit the official matter published in the Official Journal ; provided, that if there shall be a disagreement between the President and Secretary as to the advisability of the publication of any matter, such matter shall be submitted to the Board of Directors. He shall also receive all applications for membership, make pub- lication thereof in the Official Journal, and conduct all correspondence in reference thereto, as provided in Article II., Section 1, and notify applicants of their election. He shall furnish a copy of the Charter and By-Laws and the list of members of the Association to each member in good stand ing. He shall receive all resignations and applications for reinstatement, etc., as provided in Article II., Sections 4 and 5, and perform all such other duties as are in- cident to his office. He shall pay all funds collected by him from any source to the Treasurer each month. He shall prepare and present to each Annual Convention, and to any special meeting, when so re- quired by the Board of Directors, or the stockholders calling the same, the general report of the condition of the Association, required by law to be made by the Direc- tors. He shall cause to be published in each number of the Official Journal, in addition to the list of applicants, resigna- tions, etc., of members, a report of all proceedings of the Board of Directors, or of the Association, since his last published report. He shall at all times be subject to the direction of the President or Directors in the performance of his duties. He shall be paid all transportation expenses to and from the Convention, and $5.00 per day during the session.
Sec. 4. Treasurer. — The Treasurer shall receive and take charge of all moneys, property and securities of the Association. He shall collect all dues and make monthly reports of his receipts and disbursements, showing balance of cash on hand, to the Secretary, and publish it in the Official Journal. He shall pay out no money ex- cept on warrants regularly drawn on him by the President and General Secretary,
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
and shall present to the Annual Conven- tion a complete financial statement of the transactions of his department for the year, accompanied by the proper vouchers He shall deposit all moneys in some hank, to be designated by the Board of Directors, to the account of the Association, and shall give bond to the Association in the sum of not less than $2,000. Said bond to be ob- tained of some surety company at expense of the Association, to be approved by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 5. International Secretary — The International Secretary shall conduct all correspondence for the Association or the Board of Directors, with individuals or societies in foreign countries. He shall, whenever called on to do so, assist the Gen- eral Secretary, or any other officer of the Association, in their correspondence con- cerning the business of the Association and their several departments. He shall perform all the duties of the Secretary whenever the latter is absent or tempo- rarily unable to perform his duties. He shall present to the Annual Convention a full report of the proceedings of his de- partment for the year.
He shall report regularly to the Vertrau- liclies Korrespondenz-Blatt, the changes in membership so long as this Association continues interested in its publication. He shall so far as possible report to the Board of Vice-Presidents any publication in for- eign journals of items affecting the wel- fare of this Association or its individual members.
Sec. 6. In case of death or resignation of any member of the Board of Directors the Board shall fill the vacancy, and all vacancies caused by the removal of a Di- rector shall be filled by election, as provi- ded by the statutes of the State of Min- nesota.
ARTICLE VI.— Elections.
Section 1. All elections of Directors shall be conducted under the supervision of the Committee on Credentials, appointed by the President for that purpose, which shall consist of five stockholders. The ballot shall be signed by the stockholder voting and delivered to the Committee on Cre- dentials, and may be sent to the Commit- tee in any manner desired by the stock- holder, and at any time before the closing of the polls for that election. At all such elections a plurality of the votes cast shall elect, except as provided in Article IV., Section 2, in regard to Vice-Presidents, but no vote shall be counted that shall not have been received before the closing of the polls, nor shall any stockholder be per- mitted to vote in any other than the pre- scribed form, or by proxy, or to change his vote after it has once been received by the Committee.
Sec. 2. The polls for the annual election shall close at noon of the day preceding the day appointed for the opening of the Annual Convention, and at all special elec-
tions at such time as shall be named in the call for the election.
Sec. 3. The Secretary shall cause blank forms for the ballot and proper envelopes for enclosing the same to be mailed to the last known address of each stockholder en- titled to vote, at least sixty days before the date fixed for closing the polls, and the form of the ballot shall be designated in all published notices of the election.
Sec. 4. The special elections to fill va- cancies in the Board of Directors, provi ded for by the statutes of the State of Minnesota, in the case of the removal of a Director by the stockholders, or in case of the want of a quorum of qualified Direc- tors, shall be conducted as far as possible in the same manner as other elections ; but in case the election' is called by the stock- holders, they may prescribe and send out the form of ballot, necessary envelopes for enclosing the same, and notice of the election, which shall, however, as far as possible, conform to the ordinary forms in use in the Association.
Sec. 5. All special elections of officers to be elected by the stockholders shall be conducted in the same manner as other elections, but shall be called by the Presi- dent, and notice thereof shall be mailed to the last known address of each stockholder entitled to vote, at least sixty days prior to the date fixed for the counting of the vote, and shall be accompanied by the form of the ballot to be used, proper en- velopes for enclosing the same, and shall designate the time and place of holding the election, the persons who are to act as Committee on Credentials, and such other information as shall facilitate the sending of the vote to the Committee.
Sec. 6. Prior to every annual or special election, nominations for the office or offi- ces to be filled may be sent by any member of the Association to the Secretary, and all such nominations received by him shall be published in the number of the Official Journal nearest to sixty days prior to the date for closing the polls.
Sec. 7. Cumulative voting shall be ille- gal at any election.
ARTICLE VII. —Officers and Standing Committees.
Section 1. In addition to the nine Di- rectors, the officers of the Association shall be:
A Superintendent of Purchasing and Sales Department,
A Counterfeit Detector,
An Examiner of Sales Books,
A Librarian,
An Assistant Librarian,
A Collecting Agent, and such Resident and State Vice-Presi- dents and Auction Purchasing Agents as the Board of Directors may appoint.
Sec. 2. In addition to the officers as named in Section 1 of this Article there
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
shall be the following Standing Commit- tees:
An Obituary Committee,
A Committee on Philatelic Literature, and
A Committee on Philatelic Aids and Appliances.
Sec. 3. All of the officers and standing committ >es mentioned in Sections 1 and 2 of this Article shall be appointed and sub- ject to removal by the Board of Directors, as provided for by the laws of Minnesota, and shall make a full report of their pro- ceedings to the Annual Convention and to the Board of Directors or any special meeting of the Association, when called upon so to do. Their terms shall expire when their successors shall have been appointed and qualified. In case any such officer is temporarily prevented by sickness or other cause from performing his duties, the Board of Directors may, in its dis- cretion , appoint a substitute to act during such incapacity. No expense shall be in- curred by any officer or standing commit- tee appointed by the Board of Directors, except for postal and express charges, until the same is authorized by the Board of Directors.
Sec. 4. Superintendent of Purchasing and Scdes Department. — This officer shall conduct the Purchasing and Sales Depart- ment of the Association under such rules and regulations as may be approved by the Board of Directors, the same to be an- nounced by him in the Official Journal. He shall be allowed a commission of ten per centum on all sales and pur- chases, and shall pay all expenses of his department. The Superintendent of Purchasing and Sales Department shall give bonds to the Association in the sum of twenty thousand dollars, to be approved by the Board of Directors. He shall at the end of every three months submit a full and accurate statement of the affairs of his department to the Board of Vice-Presi- dents, this statement to be accompanied by a balance sheet taken from his books upon the last day of the three months covered by the above-mentioned statement, i. e., November 30, February 28 (or 29), May 31 and August 31. He shall hold the Associa- tion harmless from any losses arising from the management of his department.
Sec. 5. Assistant Librarian. — It shall be the duty of the Assistant Librarian to preserve and properly care for the records of the Association as received from retir- ing Officers or Boards, and he shall further receive all gifts to the Association of printed matter, and attend to binding the same, and shall at proper times forward the same to the Librarian for permanent care.
Sec. 6. Auction Purchasing Agents — The Auction Purchasing Agents shall, in person or by proxy, attend all auction sales of stamps held in their respective vicinities, and shall purchase for members
at a commission not to exceed 5 per cent , and subject to such rules and regulations as each may prescribe, such stamps as these members request them to purchase for their account.
Sec. 7. Counterfeit Detector.— The Counterfeit Detector shall, • when called upon to do so, pronounce upon the genu- ineness, and, as far as he can, when asked, the value of the specimens sent him by members, charging therefor three cents fur each specimen, up to the number of fifty sent to him at one time, and two cents for every additional specimen. For making estimates of the value of collections, etc., he may make an agreement as to terms with the owner. Postage or expense of carriage must be in all cases defrayed by members.
Sec. 8. Examiner of Sales Books. — The Examiner of Sales Books shall pass upon the genuineness of all stamps, etc., that may be sent to the Superintendent of Sales, before such stamps, etc., are put upon the exchange circuits.
All stamps, etc., considered counterfeit or reprint (with the exception of reprints sold by the governments originally issuing them, and receivable for postage at the time of their sale) by the Superintendent or the Examiner of Sales Books, shall be removed from the sheets and placed in separate envelopes, marked with the price or prices placed thereon and the name of the owner, and shall not be circulated, but returned by the Superintendent, and on the square on the sheet or place provided on the cover he shall stamp the words "Speci- men Removed."
When a government reprint, receivable for postage at the time of its issue, is found on a sheet or a cover, he shall stamp the word "reprint" below the square on the sheet or the place provided on the cover for the specimen.
Sec. 9. Librarian. — The Librarian shall keep a list of all works, etc., in his posses- sion, and a record of the same.
Sec. 10. Resident Vice-Presidents.— A Resident Vice-President shall be appointed for any locality upon the request of ten or more members of the Association residing therein, and for such foreign States and countries as the Board of Directors may deem advisable. Each resident Vice-Presi- dent shall exercise a general supervision over the section in which he resides. He shall examine the case of all applicants for membership in his vicinity and shall advise the Board of Vice-Presidents of any reason that may exist for rejecting the application, or any conduct on the part of any member in his vicinity, that might render such per- son unworthy of membership in the Asso- ciation, and make an annual report to the Convention.
He shall call a meeting of the members in his district at least four times a year for the discussion of matters of interest to the
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
Association and cause a report of such meetings to be published in the Official Journal.
Sec. 11. Collection Department. — The Collecting Agent shall organize a depart- ment for the collection and settlement of any claims that may be sent him by mem- bers of this Association against any per- sons whatsoever, or the recovery of any stamps, etc., that they are unable to secure the return of. It shall also be his duty, when so ordered by the Board of Directors, to see that proper steps are taken and the proper authorities notified to ' secure the prosecution of any manufacturer of or dealer in forged stamps, etc.
He may charge for his services all ac- tual disbursements for postage, stationery, etc., and 10 per cent, of all amounts re- covered, provided, that in case of collec- tions made for the Association he shall charge only actual disbursements, but no commission.
Sec. 12. Obituary Committee — It shall be the duty of this Committee to secure during the year such facts about deceased members as will be of general interest, to publish them in the Official Journal from time to time, and to bring them together in their Annual Repo-t in the form of a summary for publication in the Year Book of the Association.
Sec. 13. Committee on Philatelic Liter- ature.— It shall be the duty of this Com- mittee to report, through the columns of the Official Journal, upon all new cata- logues, hand-books, manuals and papers, that are brought out during the year; to summarize the same in their Annual Re- port for publication in the Year Book, and to make such deductions or suggestions in relation thereto as may, in their judgment, seem to be warranted or called for.
Sec. 14. Committee on Philatelic Aids and Appliances. — It shall be the duty of this Committee to record, in the columns of the Official Journal, the appearance of all new tools, aids, or other philatelic appli- ances, that shall appear during the year; to explain and comment upon their uses, etc.. and, in their Annual Report, to sum- marize all such information for publication in the Year Book.
ARTICLE VIII.— Sales Department.
Section 1. A report shall be rendered to all members whose books are not re- turned and settled for within three months from date of receipt.
Sec. 2. Members are allowed to keep Sales Circuits three days. A fine of two cents per day for each book must be col- lected from members who disregard this rule. Upon the failure of any member to pay such fine he shall be dropped from cir- cuit lists and reported to the Board of Vice- Presidents.
Sec. 3. An insurance fund shall be maintained by the Superintendent of Sales and Purchasing Department who shall col- lect a premium of one per cent, of the value of all stamps sent in for circulation.
This rule shall apply to all stamps in cir- culation at the date of its adoption.
From this fund all losses shall be paid of whatever nature, except those arising from substitutions.
Should losses occur greater than the amount of the Insurance Fund in hand they shall stand as liability against the fund, to be paid when the amount of pre- miums collected will satisfy same.
ARTICLE IX.— Official Journal.
Section 1.— The Official Journal of the Association for the ensuing year shall be selected at each annual convention of the Association.
The Official Journal will be sent to all members regularly, and the Association shall pay the publishers such a sum for each member as may be agreed upon at each annual convention, this amount to come from the general fund.
The publishers to pay postage on all copies mailed to members in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
ARTICLE X.— Annual 'Publication. •
Section 1. The American Philatelist shall be published annually in November and shall contain a copy of the Charter and the By-Laws as last amended, a list of all active members, arranged alphabetically and by residence, a full report of the last Annual Convention, the rules of all De- partments which may not be included in the general By-Laws, a list of all Branch Societies and affiliated societies, a list of the names and addresses of all officers of the Association and of the publishers of the Official Journal. The American Philat- elist shall be edited by the General Secre- tary and approved by the President before publication. Advertisements of responsi- ble fiims may be accepted by the Secretary upon terms satisfactory and profitable to the Association, and the proceeds turned into the general fund. One copy shall be mailed fve to each member of the Asso- ciation and ten copies to each Director and ten copies to the Assistant Librarian. Copies to the public or extra copies for members will be sold by the Secretary at twenty-five cents per copy, and the pro- ceeds turned into the Treasury. All copies on hand after one year from date of is*ue shall be turned over to the Assistant Li- brarian. The expense of publishing it shall be paid from the general fund.
ARTICLE XL— Branch Societies.
Section 1. Whenever ten or more stock- holders resident in the same locality, or twenty-five stockholders resident in the same State, shall notify the Board of Di- rectors that they have associated them-
10
BY-LAWS AMERICAN PHILATELIC ASSOCIATION.
selves together as a branch society, adopted a name and rules for their government, and have selected one of their number as a Resident or State Vice-President, and shall have submitted a copy of their rules and list of members to the Board of Directors, the Board, if satisfied that the formation of such branch would be advantageous to the Association, and that said rules are not in- consistent with the Charter and By-Laws of the Association, shall issue a charter or certificate, under the seal of the corpora- tion, to said stockholders that they have become a Branch or State Society, as the case may be, and shall appoint the member selected a Resident or State Vice-President, as the case may be. Such local and State Branches shall be numbered in regular order in separate series, and each society shall be known by its number, in addition to the name selected by it, provided that the name of a State Branch shall include the name of the State for which it is char- tered. Any existing local society having the requisite number of stockholders among its members may become a branch society upon the same conditions.
Sec. 2. Branch societies so organized shall admit to membership only persons who are stockholders of the Association or who shall have made application for admis- sion as such.
The Resident and State Vice-Presidents shall make to the Board of Directors, from time to time, and to each Annual Conven- tion, suggestions as to any matters that they may consider advisable for official con- sideration, and shall file with the Secretary of the Association a report of each of their meetings.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of each Branch Society shall send to the Treasurer on the 1st of July each year a complete list of the members in good standing upon that date.
Sec. 4. Any branch society so organ- ized may from time to time, if it so elect, subscribe for, acquire and hold, in the name of such branch, one share of the capital stock of this Association for every ten stockholders who are members of such branch, and not already included in the number who may have acquired stock in
the name of some other branch society, and shall vote the same by proxy, duly in- structed, or through their resident Vice- President.
ARTICLE XII.— Property.
Section 1. All officers shall, at the ex- piration of their terms of office, deliver to their successors all books, papers, monies, and other property in their possession be- longing to the Association, and they shall not be relieved from their bonds or obliga- tions until this requirement be complied with.
Sec. 2. The records of the Board of Vice-Presidents and of the Board of Di- rectors shall be turned over to the Assistant Librarian for safe keeping after two years have elapsed from the final adjustment of the subject of such records. These records shall be obtainable from the Assistant Li- brarian at any time that reference to them is necessary, upon written request of the Board in which they originated.
ARTICLE XIII.— Amendments.
Section 1. The By-Laws of this Asso- ciation may be altered or amended only by the consent of two-thirds of the stock- holders voting on such alteration or amend- ment, and providing that such two-thirds shall constitute a third of all the members of the Association entitled to vote. Amendments may be made at the Annual Convention, any special meeting, or by a general vote, as provided for in Article III, Section 3, and the action of the Annual Convention or special meeting in amend- ing the By-Laws shall be final, if such pro- posed amendment shall have been pub- lished in the Official Journal at least thirty days prior to the date of such Convention or meeting. But any amendment to the By-Laws ■ adopted by any convention or special meeting which was not so pub- lished, and any Rules or By-Laws passed by the Board of Directors shall be sub- mitted to a general vote, as provided by Article III, Section 3, in case one hundred stockholders entitled to vote shall so re- quest of the President within sixty days from the publication of the same in the Official Journal.
Fifteenth Annual Contention
OF THE
American Philatelic Association.
Pursuant to the following call, the Fifteenth Annual Convention of the American Philatelic Association was held at Milwaukee, Wis., on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thurs- day, August 28, 29 and 30, 1900.
Racine, Wis., May 16, 1900. To the Stockholders of the American Philatelic Association:
The Fifteenth Annual Convention of this Association, for the election of officers and the transaction of such other business as may be legally brought before it, will be con- vened in the City of Milwaukee, State of Wisconsin, upon Tuesday, the Twenty-eighth day of August, 1900, and upon the succeeding days until all business shall have been disposed of.
Due notice will be given as to the location of the Convention hall and the hour for the assembling of the Convention.
I hereby appoint the following gentlemen to serve as the Committee upon Creden- tials : W. C Stone, of Springfield, Mass. ; C. E. Severn, of Chicago, 111. ; A. G. Burgoyne, of Pittsburgh, Pa. ; D. T. Eaton, of Muscatine, Iowa, and Rev. R. R. Thiele, of Man- chester, Wis.
Announcement of the Committee upon Arrangements will be made in due time.
GEO. L. TOPPAN, President.
Racine, Wis., June 14, 1900. I hereby appoint C. C. Johnson, W. Thiessen and Robert Schade, residents of Mil- waukee, Wis. , a Committee upon Arrangements for the Fifteenth Annual Convention of this Association, to be held in Milwaukee, on August 28, 1900.
GEO. L. TOPPAN, President.
Racine, Wis., June 25, 1900. To the Members of the American Philatelic Association:
Your attention is hereby called to the fact that I have selected and do hereby appoint the PLANKINTON HOUSE, in the City of Milwaukee, as the official Headquarters of this Association for the Annual Convention of 1900, which convenes in the said City, on the 28th day of August next.
GEO. L. TOPPAN, President.
Racine, Wis., July 21, 1900.
Mr. C E. Severn, of Chicago, 111., having become a candidate for election as one of the Directors of this Association, is ineligible as a member of the Committee upon Credentials.
I, therefore, appoint Mr. E. M. Carpenter, of Boston, Mass., a member of the afore- said Committee to fill the vacancy caused as above stated.
12
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
I am in receipt of the resignation of Mr. Robert Schade from the Committee upon Arrangements, the same being due to Mr. Schade's absence in Europe. I, therefore, appoint Mr. E. Thielecke, of Milwaukee, Wis., to succeed Mr. Schade upon the above named Committee.
GEO. L. TOPPAN, President.
The following stockholders were present :
Nicholas Adler, Ernest R. Aldrich,
C. L. Annan, Herbert Armstrong, . W. H. Barnum,
H. C. Barr, . Frank J. Bescher, . L. T. Brodstone, A. G. Burgoyne, Warren E. Burton, E. M. Carpenter, Nathan Cobe, H. E. Deats,
E. Doeblin,
S. T. S. Doncyson,
D. T. Eaton, W. F. Fratcher, W. F. Gregory, . Geo. Gregory, Wm. F. E. Gurley, Edwin Henes, Alexander Holland, C. C. Johnson, Leo Kahn,
Clifford W. Kissinger, Emil N. Kiefer, .
F. J. Lefever. J. C. Miller, L. H. Miller, John J. Oesch, .
A. Platz, ....
C. Wesley Price,
Miss Margaret B. Reynolds,
Isaiah Rudy,
C. E. Severn,
H. G. Smith,
Z. G. Stebbins,
Chas. Steigerwalt,
Albert C. Stewart,
Wm. C. Stone,
N. P. Strause,
R. R. Thiele,
E. Thielecke, W. Thiessen, Geo. L. Toppan, H. H. Weeks, . H. E. Williams,
Louisville, Ky.
. Benson, Minn.
St. Paul, Minn.
. Iron Mountain, Mich.
. Cleveland, Ohio.
Davenport, Iowa.
. Kansas City, Mo.
Superior, Neb.
Verona, Pa.
Lake Geneva, Wis.
Boston, Mass.
Waltham, Mass.
. Flemington, N. J.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Chicago, III.
Muscatine, la.
Detroit, Mich.
New York City.
Chicago, 111.
Chicago, 111.
New York.
Chicago, 111.
. Milwaukee, Wis.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Reading, Pa.
Allegheny, Pa.
Chicago, 111.
Coal Valley, Pa.
Chicago, 111.
Chicago, 111.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Detroit, Mich.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Chicago, 111.
Winona, Minn.
Chicago, 111.
Lancaster, Pa.
Toledo, Ohio.
Springfield, Mass.
Madison, Wis.
Manchester, Wis.
. Milwaukee, Wis.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Racine, Wis.
Racine, Wis.
. Charlotte, Mich.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
13
H. W. Wolseley, ....
P. M. Wolsieffer, . . . . .
J. E. Zahn, .....
There were also in attendance the following visitors: Mrs. E. R. Aldrich, .... John E. Burton, ..... Geo. H. Bull, . Mrs. A. G. Burguyne, Edw. Brooks, . Geo. A. Burton, . W. P. Blackman, Chas. B. Ball, Wm. H. Bauer, Jas. Burrington, . Mrs. N. Cobe, W. S. Coe,
Miss Blanche De Voe, Mrs. E. Doeblin, . Mrs. S. T. S. DonGyson, J. F. Dodge, Chas. C. De Selms, . Frank Enders, Mrs. D. T. Eaton, Mrs. W. F. Fratcher, Wm. Gehrs, . Mrs. Henrietta Gregory, C. R. Gadsden, Harry C. Gregory, L. C. Hassler, Edw. J. Hirthe, . J. B. Holmes, A. Jungermann, . August John, Mrs. Mary M. Kissinger, Mrs. F. J. Lefever, .
F. N. Massoth, Mrs. Lester H. Miller, S. E. Moisant, A. A. Meggett, Rev. W. Matthes, Edgar Nelton, Herbert Segnitz, . J. Edward Sohn, Jr. , Mrs. Norma K. Stewart, Nat M. Staples, Wm. F. Schad, . Mrs. Z. G. Stebbins, Rev. Prof. G. Thiele, W. J. Thiele, . Miss Lydia Thiele, Miss Frieda Thiele, .
G. F. Vradenburg, Mrs. J. E. Zahn,
Chicago, 111.
Chicago, 111.
Denver, Colo.
. Benson, Minn.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Indianapolis, Ind.
. Verona, Pa.
. Louisville, Ky.
Milwaukee, Wis.
. Winona, Minn.
Washington, D. C.
Chicago, 111.
Du Bois, Pa.
Waltham, Mass.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Pittsburg, Pa.
Chicago, 111.
Abbottstown, Pa.
. Richmond, Ind.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Muscatine, la.
Detroit, Mich.
. Milwaukee. Wis.
Clarendon, 111.
Chicago, 111.
Clarendon Hill, 111.
. Louisville, Ky.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Bloomington, 111.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Green Bay, Wis.
Reading, Pa.
Chicago, 111.
Chicago, 111.
Chicago, 111.
Kankakee, 111.
Sheboygan, Wis.
Milwaukee, Wis.
New York City.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Toledo, Ohio.
. Marceline, Mo.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Chicago, 111.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Milwaukee, Wis.
. Chicago, 111.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Milwaukee, Wis.
Denver, Colo.
U THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
The sessions of the Convention were held in the Lecture Room of the Milwaukee Public Museum.
On Tuesday afternoon the members and visitors enjoyed a trolley ride to Lake Park and the Soldiers' Home, and in the evening many of them met at the Palm Garden.
Wednesday afternoon, the Committee provided suitable escorts and the visitors were shown through the Pabst Brewery. In the evening the steamer "Bloomer Girl" was chartered for an excursion to White Fish Bay.
Thursday evening the members met in the Convention Hall of the Plankinton House and enjoyed an informal smoker; at the same time, the ladies accompanying the visiting members were entertained at a theatre party by the resident members.
PROCEEDINGS.
FIRST SESSION: Tuesday Morning, August 28, 1900.
The first session of the Fifteenth Annual Convention of the American Philatelic Association was held in the Public Museum and Library Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Tuesday morning, August 28, 1900.
President Geo. L. Toppan called the Convention to order at 11 a. m., about one hundred and fifty members and guests being present.
The President: Gentlemen, I will declare the Fifteenth Annual Convention of the American Philatelic Association open.
The President then introduced Mr. C. C. Johnson, of Milwaukee, the Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements.
Mr. Johnson: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, I take pleasure in introducing the Honorable Mayor of Milwaukee, David S. Rose.
ADDRESS OF MAYOR DAVID S. ROSE, OF MILWAUKEE.
Mr. President. Ladies and Gentlemen: It affords me much pleasure to respond to an invitation to extend welcome to the members of your Association, and I think that you will pardon me if I express pride in being permitted to greet you in this splendid educational institution that has been erected as a grand monument to the progressive- ness, the enterprise and the public spiritedness of the people of the City of Milwaukee. We are, indeed, proud of our public library and museum building, and it seems that you have exercised excellent judgment in holding your convention here near our public museum collection — ours is the fourth largest in the United States.
I can readily understand that there must be a peculiar sort of infatuation in the work in which you are engaged; I myself have been engaged in the endeavor to collect stamps for about forty years and upwards, but with very indifferent success; each time I look at my collection the collection is smaller than the last time.
I am sorry that the City of Milwaukee cannot greet you with a larger membership to your Association ; Mr. Johnson informs me that he is the only member from this city.
Mr. Johnson: Two or three others.
The Mayor: I would suggest that you organize a local association; I think that would be an association in which harmony would at least prevail.
To you who are strangers to our city I will say that we have a population of upwards of 285,000 inhabitants; we are somewhat disappointed at the result of the last census enumeration, because we had expected that it would show us a population exceeding 300,000 inhabitants, but we are abundantly gratified in the fact that, though we have been disappointed in that particular, yet we can show a percentage of growth during the last decade that compares favorably with any city in the United States; our percentage of growth during the last ten years was 39.54 per cent.
Milwaukee is a great manufacturing city ; we have nearly four thousand independent manufacturing institutions here, employing upwards of 85,000 operatives, and our man-
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 15
ufactured product last year exceeded $158,000,000.00, and it seems to me that this show- ing entitles us to be recognized as one of the great manufacturing centers of the United States.
We have the largest manufactories of their kind in the world; one of them, the Edward P. Allis Co., manufacturers of stationary engines, milling and mining ma- chinery, is the largest institution of its kind, it has more capital employed than the combined capital of all the banks of our city, it employs upwatds of 2,000 men. Our tanning industries are the largest in the United States, the Pfister & Vogel leather tannery is the largest in the world, and we employ upwards of 7,000 operatives in our tanneries. The Kieckhefer Brothers Enameling works is the largest of its kind in the world, and while we have these largest institutions we have a great number of smaller manufacturing industries, and it is the combined product of these many industries that entitles us to recognition as a great manufacturing city.
There is one other product that we produce which I have neglected to mention, but with which, perhaps, you have become somewhat familiar. The value of our beer pro- duct last year was only §15,000,000.00, and while it is claimed that it is beer that has made Milwaukee famous that product pales into insignificance in comparison with the whole manufactured product which we produce, and I do not speak of our beer industry in any disparaging sense.
We will be very pleased to have you visit our public institutions. Milwaukee aims to keep pace with her sister cities in the rapid march of progress; our splendid school system forming a part of the magnificent school system of the State of Wisconsin, that is second to none in the United States, carrying as it does the elements of a common school education to the threshold of the poor as well as to the portals of the rich. We devote upwards of three-quarters of a million dollars each year to the maintenance of our public schools. Here in the city we have fifty -four district schools, besides three high schools, and one Normal school, and in addition we have a number of private colleges, academies and institutions of that sort.
Our city hall was recently erected at an expense of about a million of dollars, and is one of the pleasantest and most inviting office buildings of its kind in the whole country, and when you have leisure between your sessions I trust you will avail yourselves of a visit to our parks. The question of the establishment of park systems has been one greatly discussed by the students of municipal problems; the question being whether or not it is better in large cities to have one or two large parks or a large number of small parks. Milwaukee decided that problem in the interests of the great masses of the people of our city, because we esteemed it to be better to have a large number of small parks scattered over the city and brought as near as possible to the laboring classes and the poorer people of our city than to have one or more large parks which would burden them with the expense of transportation and the annoyance and inconvenience of travel ; and as a result we give to the poorer people of our city what only the rich can enjoy in the larger cities of our country.
Our population is a cosmopolitan population, more so, perhaps, than that of any other city in the United States, because we have here with us the representatives of every civilized nation upon the face of this earth, and we find them all working together in perfect harmony, seeking to accomplish the greatest good for the greatest number.
Our form of government is of the liberal character; we aim to grant to every citizen the greatest liberty consistent with good order and good morals, and they understand that the liberty that we grant does not mean license, and as a result the percentage of crime in the City of Milwaukee is smaller than that of any other large city in the United States. And while it is true that we are recognized as a great beer manufacturing city it is also true that you will see less intoxication on our streets than upon the streets of any city you may visit.
Milwaukee has no tenement house district; you may go out into the outskirts and there you will find the homes and cottages of our laboring people, there in God's beauti- ful sunshine and fresh air they rear their children in health and vigor and strength, and they send them to our public schools that they may be educate'd in the rudiments of edu- cation, the foundation for business experience afterwards.
This is Milwaukee, and to all we have we bid you most cordial welcome, and we trust that your stay with us will not be only profitable to you in the consideration of such questions as may come before your Association, but that it will be enjoyable to you, and when you return to your homes you will carry with you most pleasant recollections of this your visit to Milwaukee. I thank you.
The President : Mr. Mayor, it is one of the pleasant duties of my office to have to extend on the part of this Association the appreciation which we feel for the courteous and kindly words of welcome with which you have greeted us.
16 . THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
At the convention at Detroit last year there was hardly a thought of holding the en- suing convention in the west, but owing to the fame which Milwaukee had already achieved as a convention city, and to the eloquence of a certain Milwaukeean, the conven- tion was stampeded, and when the result was announced it was practically unanimous for Milwaukee. Those of us who had been in the west were familiar with the city and its natural advantages, and had no doubt as to the reception which would be accorded us, and the pleasure and enjoyment that we should have from holding our convention in your midst.
On behalf of the Association I can only repeat that we thank you most kindly, and most sincerely appreciate the hearty welcome which has been accorded us, and we have no doubt that, in the future, the remembrance of the Milwaukee Convention will be one of the " bright spots," not only in the history of the Association, but of each individual member.
I will now ask Mr. Stone to take the Chair.
Mr. Stone in the Chair.
The Chairman : The next in order is the annual address of the President.
President Toppan delivered the following address :
president's annual address.
To the Members of the American Philatelic Association :
Ladies and Gentlemen : Another year has passed into history and again it becomes my pleasant duty to welcome you to our Annual Convention.
Like its immediate predecessor the year just past has been a notable one, especially so when considered from a philatelic standpoint. The work of reconstructing the map of the world, begun by our own country in the spring of 1898, has gone steadily on until now we are in imminent danger of having to again take up the study of geography or be hopelessly left behind in our endeavors to keep up with the march of progress as depicted by the kaleidoscopic moves upon the great political chess-board of the world.
Following the successful termination of our own slight unpleasantness with Spain, Great Britain became embroiled with the Dutch Republics of South Africa, and now, as a consequence, the Transvaal and the Orange Free State have virtually ceased to exist, and have become enrolled upon the long list of colonies, or dependencies, of the British Empire.
As is usual in such cases we have been favored (?) with a long list of surcharged, or provisional, stamps. V. R. I. upon the stamps of the Orange Free State; a provisional for use in the Transvaal, and several varieties, both surcharged and photographically printed, of the so called "Mafeking Besieged" stamps. The number of these stamps as given by the lately published catalogue of Stanley Gibbons, is as follows:
V. R. I. upon Orange Free State, ..... 39
"Mafeking Besieged," all varieties, - - - - - 19
Provisional for use in the Transvaal, - - - 1
or a grand total of fifty-nine varieties up to date, and these are, in all probability, merely
a slight indication of what is still to come.
However, in view of the prolixity of our own issues for Cuba, Porto Rico, etc., the necessity for many of which was more than doubtful, I am compelled to admit that we are in a decidedly similar situation, and that it would hardly be in good taste for the pot to call the kettle black.
And now comes the march of the allied forces upon the ancient capital of the Chinese Empire ; what the outcome of this latest imbroglio will be is still an open ques- tion, but, judged in the light of past experiences, there can be but little doubt that we philatelists will be called upon to provide spaces for another flood of new, or provisional, issues from this source.
One more occurrence of the past year is, it seems to me, worthy of special mention at this time ; I refer to the changes in the colors used for printing our own revenue stamps of the denominations of $1.00, $3.00, $5.00 and $10.00, such changes being necessi- tated by the extent to which the stamps in the old colors had been cleaned and re-used The old colors, or three of them at least, the dark yellow-green of the one dollar, the brown-lilac of the three dollar, and the black of the ten dollar, were peculiarly suscepti- ble to the cleaning process and the wonder is that, after the experience with the previous issues and the many warnings given by philatelists and others, the Government ever selected them.
The new colors, besides being brighter, and thus showing the cancelling marks more clearly, are of an aniline character and will do much to put an end to this practice which, if reports can be relied upon, has defrauded the revenue of immense sums annually.
17 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
And npw there are one or two matters to which I desire to call your attention and which, I trust, will receive careful consideration at your hands.
Many of you will doubtless remember that, in my address of a year ago, I touched upon the subject of the objects and scope of our Association and that the matter was more fully discussed at a later session of the Detroit Convention, finally resulting in the passage of a resolution empowering your President to designate members to prepare papers and reports upon special philatelic subjects.
So far so good ; but there is one point, and a most important one it is, too, that was completely lost sight of; you forgot to confer upon your executive officer the power necessary for him to possess in order for him to be able to compel his appointees to accept their appointments, and, consequently, the results are not what I would wish them to I.e.
The facts are that I have written from thirty to forty letters, rather more than less, during the past year urging , aye, and in many cases almost begging, members to accept such appointments and, with one notable exception, I have been unable to prevail upon anyone to favor us in any such manner.
Gentlemen, there is one fact which should be remembered and which I cannot im- press upon you too forcibly : i. e., unless each member will do his part all such under- takings are sure to prove abortive; no matter how willing your officers may be they are sure to become discouraged unless they receive the aid and co-operation of the members at large.
Furthermore, the old adage, "in union there is strength," than which no truer words were ever written, should not be lost sight of. Your officers, nine in number, represent only about one sixty -fifth of the entire membership of the Association, and it is hardly reasonable for you to rely upon them to conduct not only the business and administrative affairs, but its departments of study and original research as well.
I will not attempt to map out any course of procedure in this matter, but simply re- quest that you give it careful consideration and, should a plan suggest itself to any of you, that you will bring it before the Convention for consideration and final action.
I trust that the loyalty which I feel for, and the interest which I take in, our Associa- tion, will be accepted as a sufficient excuse for the somewhat forceful character of my remarks upon this subject and now, before closing the incident, I wish to publicly express my sincere thanks to our fellow member, Mr. A. G. Burgoyne, of Pittsburgh, the only one of the many to whom I have appealed who has honored me, and through me each individual member of the Association, by accepting an appointment as tendered to him.
With regard to the different departments of the Association I have to report that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, they have been administered in the best possible manner and that they are all running smoothly and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned.
In conclusion I desire to extend to each of you the heartiest of welcomes to this, our Fifteenth Annual Convention; to thank you for the attention with which you have favored me, and to express the hope that the coming year may be the most successful and prosperous in the history of the Association as well as to each individual member thereof.
GEORGE L. TOPPAN, President.
The President in the chair
The President : The next thing in order will be the report of the Committee on Credentials, Mr. Stone, Chairman.
Chairman Stone : Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Association, the first report which your committee will have to make is the report of the Committee on Election.
REPORT OF THE CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTION.
Whole number of votes cast 2097
" ballots ---------- 233
Geo. L. Toppan ~] ------- - 231
H. E. Deats H. G. Smith E. Doeblin
231 231
227
H. G. Phillips y Elected. - . - 227
M. H. Lombard P. M. Wolsieffer C. E. Severn
212 195 192
S. L. Leland J-- 185
18 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
J. W. George - 38
Albert S. Perrin - 30
J. S. Rich ----------- 29
J. M. Bartels .."•.. 8
Alexander Holland - 6
P. F. Bruner ---------- 6
D. T. Eaton ......... 4,
Geo. R. Tuttle --------- 3
John N. Luff ---------- 2
C. Bergholtz ---------- 2
E. M. Carpenter - - - - - - - -
A. G. Burgoyne -
C. Witt ------------
L. Roy Bradley - -._---..
M. C. Berlepsch
W. H. Barnum - - - -
A. W. Batchelder
A. Platz -
F. N. Massoth ----------
Chas. Waring ---......
F. H. Burt -
J. F. Duhamel -
J. M. Andreini ----------
W. E. Loy - ■■
F. D. Moffat -----
Blank 23
In addition the Committee found it necessary to throw out eight ballots which were not signed.
WM. C. STONE, Chairman. ]
R. R. THIELE, |
D. T. EATON, I- Credential Committee.
E. M. CARPENTER, | A. G. BURGOYNE. J
REPORT OF THE CREDENTIAL COMMITTEE ON PROXIES.
Our second report is the preliminary report on the proxies.
The Committee will hold a session each morning and requests the members to hand in their proxies to some member of the Committee whose names I have just read as promptly as they can. We shall hold our meetings at nine o'clock and they can be taken to the Plankinton House with the request to put them in my letter box there.
The Credential Committee find the following proxies of members in good standing:
P. M. Wolsieffer - - - - 114
E. R. Aldrich ---------- 36
W. C. Stone 32
Alex. Holland - 24
W. F. Gregory ------ ... 23
E. M. Carpenter - ' - 20
D. T. Eaton - 20
A. G. Burgoyne --------- 13
W. H. Barnum ---------- 3
C. E. Severn ---------- 3
L. T. Brodstone - - - - 3
A Platz ----------- 3
H. E. Williams - .... 2
P. F. Bruner - 1
I. A. Mekeel 1
C. W. Kissinger - 1
Blank -. - - - - ------ 1
NOT APPROVED.
H. E. Deats 3
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 19
The Committee would like to have every person present, whether a member or not, register their names on the blanks provided. We would like to have you register just as soon as you can, so that we can make out a complete roll of the attendance. We want Association members, visitors, and the ladies as well as the gentlemen. We shall make a supplementary report at the commencement of each session.
W. C. STONE, Chairman. The President: The next in order is the roll call. Mr. Carpenter; I move that the roll call be dispensed with. The motion was seconded by Mr. Doeblin and carried.
APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES.
The President announced the appointment of the following committees:
Credentials— W. C. Stone, E. M. Carpenter, R. R. Thiele, D. T. Eaton, A. G. Bur- goyne.
Arrangements— C. C. Johnson, W. Thiessen, E. Thielecke.
The above Committees, as provided by the By-Laws, were appointed in advance, and announced in the Official Journal.
Standing Rules— John J. Oesch, H. C. Barr, L. T. Brodstone.
Finance— E. M. Carpenter, L H. Miller, C. L. Annan.
Library— A. Platz, R. R. Thiele, D. T. Eaton.
Sales and Purchasing Department— John N. Luff, John W. Scott, W. F. Gregory.
Official Journal — Alexander Holland, P. M. Wolsieffer, H. G. Smith.
Branch Societies— E. Doeblin, S. T. S. Doncyson, E. R. Aldrich.
By-Laws— G. L. Toppan, A. G. Burgoyne, H. E. Deats, W. C. Stone, C. E. Severn.
On motion of Mr. Aldrich, seconded by Mr. Johnson, the proceedings of the last Convention as published in the Year Book for 1899, were accepted and approved, and the reading of the minutes dispensed with.
REPORTS OF OFFICERS.
Mr. Deats, the Secretary, read the following report.
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
Milwaukee, Wis., August 28, 1900.
To the President and Members of the American Philatelic Association:
I take great pleasure in presenting in person, my first annual report as Secretary. I have the satisfaction of reporting an uneventful and successful year, although the membership to-day is less than it was when we met at Detroit a year ago. The Secre- tary at that time reported a membership of 583. As he had not been publishing the membership summary for some time, I was unable to verify the figures, taking charge as I did at a time when a number of members are dropped for nonpayment of dues, and an error in the number, possibly my fault, exists, which can be corrected only by keep- ing an accurate record of renewals the coming year.
The present Treasurer and Secretary have devised a method of weekly reports be- tween each other which it is hoped will entirely do away with errors of this kind.
The regular publication of the weekly summary of membership is also a very im- portant matter because it keeps the figures constantly before the eyes of the members and is also a great saving of time to the Secretary.
During the year the following changes have taken place; Dropped for non-payment of dues, 136; resigned, 12; died during the year, 3; died during the previous year, but not previously reported, 2; reinstated, 59; New stockholders, 68. The total membership to-day, according to my record, is 565.
20 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
The Board of Directors has adopted the plan of issuing a printed Commission to each
of the appointive officers. It may be framed, or carried in the pocket, and certifies that
the appointee is the holder of the office named until August 3t, the end of our fiscal year.
During the year it has been my duty to chronicle the deaths of five members, as
follows :
No. 875. Richard Lee Howard.
No. 1257. Charles B. Knight.
No. 455. Charles Philip Krauth.
No. 1134. Robert E. Oppenheim.
No. 342. Ferdinand Marie Trifet.
I have reported these to the Obituary Committee as required by the By-Laws.
I have been much hampered in answering inquiries regarding persons who are or have been members of the Association, by the absence of all the original applications pre- vious to Mr. Howe's Administration. It is believed that they are in existence somewhere, but they have not yet been located.
The year's experience has shown me that a card catalogue would be of material ser- vice and save considerable writing. I am informed by the Board of Vice-Presidents that the card catalogue which they are obliged to maintain, is of but little use to them, and it seems to me that this catalogue might be turned over to the Secretarry, who could adapt it to his needs and still answer inquiries of the Board of Vice-Presidents when necessary.
The varying and uncertain methods of keeping some of the records of the Associa- tion in the past lead me to believe that when the membership again passes the one thousand mark that the Secretary should be entitled to some compensation for his servi- ces in addition to that now given. In my opinion the labor in the office of the Secretary of an Association of one thousand members like ours, should have the attention of a com- petent person for a length of time equivalent to one full day a week with the assistance of a clerk or stenographer for an almost equal time. If this be true, it will be seen that there are very few persons available for the position, who could afford to do the work without some remuneration.
BRANCH SOCIETIES AND RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENTS.
My predecessors in this office have neglected to keep, or if kept, to transmit to their successor, any record either of the organization or maintenance of Branch Societies. The Societies now in existence were either formed or reorganized under the By-Laws of 1892, but I think I am safe in saying that none of them have ever fully complied with the rules laid down.
Most of the information following has been gathered from printed reports in the Official Journal, Convention proceedings, and other sources, and is not warranted accurate.
Branch No. 1. Chicago, Illinois.
This Branch, the first one to be organized under the By-Law providing for Branch Societies, has been one of the most active, although for the last two years they have not given much attention to Association matters. Mr. C. R. Gadsden, who served for several years as Resident Vice President, dropped out two years ago. Mr. C. E. Severn was appointed, July 6, 1900. The Branch now holds regular meetings, and has nomina- ted a ticket for this Convention. This Branch has never owned any stock.
Branch No. 2. New York, New York.
This Branch is the only one that has met regularly, quarterly meetings having been called and 50 cents annual dues collected from each member. Mr. W. F. Gregory was reappointed Resident Vice-President on July 5, 1900, and a ticket nominated for this Convention. The Branch meets in the rooms of the National Philatelical Society. Stock certificates No. 1116-1119 were issued to the Branch on August 13, 1895 but they ceased paying dues on the stock and were dropped Nov. f , 1897. Of course by this action, the Branch only forfeits its right to vote for Directors. The present Secretary is Mr. George R. Tuttle.
Branch No. 3. Pacific Philatelic Society, San Francisco, California.
The Pacific Philatelic Society as an organization is no longer a Branch, although the Society still exists and is in flourishing condition. The Association members residing in and near San Francisco, petitioned the Board of Directors to appoint Mr. Wm. E. Loy, Resident Vice-President which was done and his commission issued May 29, 1900. Stock certificates Nos. 1284-1286 were issued June 3, 1896 and were returned and cancelled October 31, 1896.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 21
Branch No. 4- St. Louis, Missouri.
This Branch was organized in 1893. Stock certificate No. 460 was issued September 29, 1893, and certificates Nos. 823-825 were issued August 1, 1895. These were all dropped for nonpayment of dues Nov. 1, 1897. This Branch informally and quietly went out of existence about three years ago. The city at present does not contain a sufficient number of members to maintain an organization or to entitle it to a Resident Vice-President.
Branch No. 5. Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Mr. E. Doeblin has been Resident Vice-President of this Branch from the beginning and looks well after the interests of the Association there. The Branch so far as I am able to learn holds no regular meetings. Its charter was issued in February, 1893. Stock certificate No. 457 was issued September 29, 1893 and certificates Nos. 1120-1121 were issued Aug. 10, 1895. The two latter have been forfeited for nonpayment of dues. This is the only Branch that has remained a stockholder continuously to date.
Branch No. 6. Staten Island Philatelic Society, Stapleton, Neiv York.
No reports have been presented for some years and the last Resident Vice-President being no longer a member nor a resident of the United States and the Society not posses- sing a sufficient number of resident members of the Association to entitle it to a Resi- dent Vice-President and showing but little interest in Association affairs, it may be con- sidered to have gone out of existence as a Branch. It was never a stockholder.
Branch No. 7. Cleveland, Ohio.
This was known as the Garfield-Perry Stamp Club. As a Club it is still in existence and doing good work, but for several years has been dormant as a Branch. They have the requisite number of members to entitle them to a Resident Vice-President, but al- though their attention has been called to the matter, they have not made application for an appointment. They have never held stock in the Association.
Branch No. 8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Mr. E. B. Hanes was appointed Resident Vice-President, but the Branch was never formally organized and did not become a stockholder.
Branch No. 9. Toledo, Ohio.
This was known as the Pomeroy Philatelic Society and is still in existence, but its membership in the Association being below the requisite number, they have not done anything recently, except to secure some new members. The charter was issued Oct. 8, 1894. Stock certificate No. 874 was issued Aug. 15, 1894 and dropped Nov. 1, 1897.
Branch No. 10. Kansas City, Missouri.
This Branch, also known as the Kansas City Philatelic Society, was organized August 22, 1893. Stock certificate No. 826 was issued to it Nov. 15, 1894 and dropped Nov. 1, 1897. The City is no longer entitled to a Resident Vice-President and I am unable to learn anything whatever regarding the existence of the Society or the Branch, even for the purpose of circulating sales books.
Branch No. 11. Portland, Maine.
The Portland Philatelic Association was organized Oct. 30, 1894, and enrolled as Branch No. 11, but has made no progress for a number of years. They still maintain an organization for the circulation of sales books and although they are entitled to a Resi- dent Vice-President and the matter has been called to the attention of several members, they have not made application for an appointment. The Branch was never a Stock- holder.
Branch No. 12. Worcester, Massachusetts.
The Worcester Philatelic Society was enrolled as Branch No. 12, and although the active members are still residents of that City and maintain their interest in philatelic matters, no meetings of the society have been held for some years. The membership at present is below the requisite number. Stock certificate No. 1229 was issued to them July 21, 1896 and dropped Nov. 1, 1897.
22 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
Branch No. 13. Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston Branch was admitted in 1895, and Stock certificates Nos. 1366, 1367 and 1368 were issued September 23, 1896 and dropped Nov. 1, 1897. The Branch was dis- solved by a unanimous vote June 29, 1898. On application of the necessary number of members, resident in that vicinity, Mr. J. F. Johnson was appointed Resident Vice- President and a commission issued to him May 29, 1900.
Branch No. 14, Reading, Pennsylvania.
The Reading Philatelic Society entered as Branch No. 14, but has passed out of ex- istence. Mr. C. W. Kissinger has continued to act as Resident Vice-President, but, although several requests were made to members in that vicinity to have him reap- pointed in order to bring the records up to date, none of them have paid any attention to the matter. This Branch has held no stock.
Branch No, 15. St. Paul, Minnesota.
The St. Paul Philatelic Society was known as Branch No. 15, but I understand that tbe Association members in that Society maintain a separate organization under special By-Laws, and that the only business done by the Branch is in connection with the sales circuits" received from the Superintendent of Sales. The records are kept in a business- like manner and reports rendered regularly to the St. Paul Philatelic Society. Mr. C. L. Annan has been Resident Vice-President for some years and still continues to act in this capacity. The Branch holds no stock.
State Branch No. 1.
The Ohio Philatelic Society was organized May 31, 1895, and enrolled as State Branch No. 1, but passed out of existence in 1897. It was not a stockholder.
State Branch No. 2.
Colorado State Branch No. 2, with headquarters at Denver, was admitted Dec. 1 8, 1895, and Stock certificate No. 1165 was issued to it. The certificate was returned Oct. 15, 1896, and the Society passed out of existence. Neither the City of Denver nor the State of Colorado is now entitled to a Resident Vice-President.
A number of changes in the By-Laws, affecting the conduct of my office, have occurred to me during the year. They have been noted in a recent communication to the Official Journal and I repeat them here:
Article I. Section 2. A charge of not to exceed 25c. should be made for duplicate certificate, in case of loss.
Art. II. Sec. 1. A Resident Vice-President should not sign as reference when he signs officially. It was intended to add an amendment of this sort last year, but it seems not to have been so understood. It should be so stated as to cause no mistake.
Art. V. Sec. 2, and Art. VI. Sec. 1, conflict in the method of the approval of the form of ballot and proxy blanks. I think Art. V should be so broadened as to include it all and the reference to it in the other Article stricken out.
Art. V. Sec. S. The Secretary's duty should be to send the membership card on advice from the Treasurer that the member has paid the annual dues.
A charge should also be made for duplicate membership cards.
Art. V. Sec. 4. Provision should be made for the issue of a receipt of dues by the Treasurer, who shall notify the Secretary each week of the names of those who have paid since his last report, the Secretary then to issue the membership card.
Art. V. Sec. 4, line 9. For "in each |monthly circular" substitute "these reports shall be published monthly in the Official Journal."
Art. VII. Sec. 5. It should also be his duty to attend to the binding of material for the Library.
Art. X. Sec. 1, line 25. For "Librarian" substitute "Assistant Librarian." The same change should be made in two places in Art. XII. Sec. 2.
The By-Laws do not specify who shall be custodian of the bonds of the bonded officers. The Secretary has them at the present time, but apparently has no authority for it.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
23
Applications for reinstatement should be published, and lie over one month, the same as applications for membership. This will allow of an opportunity for objection to the reinstatement of undesirable members. I am glad to say there appears to be no need for it at present, but it is well to consider the future. If this were adopted, such applica- tions would necessarily be sent direct to the Secretary.
I attach hereto a list of orders drawn on the Treasurer, statement of receipts of this office with remittances of the same to the Treasurer, and statement of the expenses of this office.
There are doubtless other points on which I can and am expected to report, but I believe the foregoing contains all that is necessary.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. DEATS, Secretary.
During the year I have drawn twenty-six orders on the Treasurer, amounting to .81, as follows:
LIST OF ORDERS DRAWN, 1899-1900.
|
Date. |
No. |
|
|
1899. |
||
|
Oct |
10 |
1. |
|
10 |
2. |
|
|
10 |
3. |
|
|
10 |
4. |
|
|
14 |
5. |
|
|
Nov. |
8 |
6. |
|
10 |
7. |
|
|
21 |
8. |
|
|
21 |
9. |
|
|
23 |
10. |
|
|
Dec. |
23 |
11. |
|
1900. |
||
|
Jan. |
2 |
12 |
|
15 |
13 |
|
|
26 |
14 |
|
|
27 |
15 |
|
|
29 |
16 |
|
|
29 |
17. |
|
|
Mar. |
1 |
18 |
|
1 |
19. |
|
|
9 |
20. |
|
|
Apr. |
16 |
21 |
|
16 |
22. |
|
|
May |
1 |
23 |
|
July |
12 |
24. |
|
31 |
25 |
|
|
14 |
26 |
Name and Purpose.
W. W. Jewett, Printing, .....
H. G. Smith, Treasurer, Expenses, ....
E. M. Carpenter, Vice-President, Expenses,
H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses, ....
Jones & Kroeger, Printing for Treasurer, .
Frank H. Burt, Stenographer, Convention Report, .
Macdonnel, Hood & Penny, Treasurer's Bond,
C. P. Krauth, Int. Secy., Vert. Kor. Blatt, .
H. E. Deats, Secretary, for Stock and Dues, E. H. Anderson,
W. W. Jewett, account Official Journal,
H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses,
Geo. L. Toppan, Prest., Expenses, .... H. G. Smith, Treasurer, Expenses,
G. R. Tuttle, Repaying Dues of Mr. Graca, No. 1440, advanced Brooklyn Inst, of Arts and Sciences, medals for exhibits, Kihn & Hall, Membership Cards, 1900, Kihn & Hall, Engraving Plate for Membership Cards, . A. Killgore, Mailing Envelopes for Year Book, H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses, .... W. W. Jewett, Printing Application Blanks, . . $ 7.50
Postage on Foreign Papers, . . 10.99
Jos. Holmes, Printing Year Book, .... Jos. Holmes, Printing By-Laws, ....
H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses, .... H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses, .... W. W. Jewett, account Official Journal, . Ira. C. Holt, Application Fee returned,
Amount.
I 14.81
24.50
11.25
14.03
9.30
88.25
20.00
5.38
2.00
100.00
15.35
5.11 11.90
1.20 34.00 11.55 30.00 11.00 24.22
18.49
151.70
3.00
38.94
30.74
62.59
1.60
§680.81
From September 14, 1899 to August 1, 1900, I have received cash as follows:
Stock, .........
Dues, new members, ......
Dues, .........
Year Books, .......
I have remitted to the Treasurer as follows :
Sep. 30, 1899. Cash to Treasurer, . Oct. 10, " "
31, " "
Dec. 1, " " . .
|
. $70.00 37.69 26.20 1.75 |
|
. $10.80 2.40 6.20 12.89 |
§135.64
24
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST-
Jan. 1, 1900. Cash to Treasurer,
31, Feb. 28, April 4, May 1, June 1, Julv 5,
31.
17.20
22.45
6.55
9.50
14.25
13.40
9.60
10.40
$135.64
The following is a statement of the expenses of my office for the year, amounting to $123.28.
Vouchers for all items accompany the report.
The American Philatelic Association, to H. E. Deats, Secretary,
1899. Sep. 27.
Oct.
2. 10.
11.
13.
31.
Nov. 3.
9.
22.
80.
Dec. 5.
6.
6.
18. 1900. Jan. 1.
26.
27.
31. Mar. 1.
April 5. 10.
17.
18.
20. May 1.
June 1.
22.
27.
July 2.
12.
Dr.
Express on Old Records of Bd. Vice-Pres. Telegram to W. N. Howe, .... Stationery, printed, . .
Transfer Case, .....
Blank book, .....
Postage to Date, . . . • .
Express on Records from Secretary Howe, Rubber Stamp, .....
Postage to date, ..... 6 Bill Files (for applications, resignations, etc.), 100 Gold Seals for Stock Certificates, . Stationery, ( Postal Cards and Paper), Postage for November, .... Freight on Secretary's Records from W. N. Howe, Express on Year Book Copy to Jos. Holmes, .
" " Geo. L. Toppan, r-
Engraving Association Seal on Wood, .
Postage for December, ..... Telegram to Jos. Holmes, ..... Express on Year Book Copy to printer, Postage for January, .....
" " February .....
Telegram to Jos. Holmes ....
Express on 2,000 Application Blanks from W. W. Jewett,
Lettering and Numbering Certificate of Stock Books,
Express on Commissions, .....
Postage for March, ....
Rubber Stamp, .....
Express on Year Books, ....
Carting Year Books to Post office, .
Postage on 616 copies of Year Book, at 4c. each,
Brandt, Printing Commissions,
Postage for April, ....
Express on Membership List from binder,
500 Envelopes, official size, printed,
Postage for May, ....
Folding and Stamping Proxies and Ballots,
Postage on Proxies and Ballots,
Express on 10 Year Books, ....
Postage for June, ....
Carbon Paper,
Printing Ballots, Proxies and Envelopes,
$
.40 .41 11.00 .75 .35 1.12
1.60
.40
2.18
1.50
.25
3.37
3.18
.80
.26
.31
1.50
5.01 .26 .31
3.49 15.15
.26
.80 1.25
.25 2.40
.35 3.00
.10
24.64
3.50
2.39
.30 3.75 1.57 1.00 5.38
.40
1.46
1.38
15.50
$14.03
$15.35
$24.22
$38.94
$30.74 $123.28
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. Cr.
25
1899.
Oct. 25. Draft from Treasurer,
Dec. 30.
1900.
Mar. 16. Draft from Treasurer,
May 18.
July 19.
514.03 15.35
24.22 38.94 30.74
$123.28
Moved by Mr. Holland, and seconded by Mr. Wolsieffer, that the report be accepted with thanks. Motion carried.
The President referred the portion of the report relating to financial matters to the Committee on Finance, and tbat relating to Branch Societies to the Committee on Branch Societies.
Mr. Smith, the Treasurer, read the following report:
TREASURER'S REPORT.
To the President and Directors of the American Philatelic Association:
I herewith submit my report as Treasurer of the current year, September 1, 1899 to August 31, 1900, inclusive.
GENERAL FUND — RECEIPTS.
Cash on hand September 1, 1899
September Dues Collected,
October " "
November
December
January " "
February
March
April " "
May
June " "
July
Sale of Year Books, .
Returned from Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences
5 89.91
55.20
319.60
146.29
54.00
31.00
26.60
4.70
8.30
5.20
4.60
18.90
1.25
29.00
$794.55
DISBURSEMENTS .
W. W. Jewett, Postage and Printing,
H. G. Smith, Postage and Book,
E. M. Carpenter, Stationery, Board of Vice-Presidents,
H. E. Deals, Secretary, expenses,
Jones & Kroeger, Printing for Treasurer, .
Frank H. Burt, Report of Convention,
McDonald, Hood & Penny, Treasurer's Bond,
C. P. Krauth, Subscription to V. K. Blatt,
H. E. Deats, Stock and Dues of E. H. Anderson,
W. W. Jewett, 400 Subscriptions,
H. E. Deats, Secretary, expenses .
G. L. Toppan, President, expenses,
H. G. Smith, Postage, ....
G. R. Tuttle, dues, F. M. DeGraca, repaid,
Brooklyn Institute A. and S. cost of medals
Kihn & Hall, Printing Membership Cards,
" Steel plate for above, Anthony Killgore, Envelopes for Year Book, etc. , . H. E. Deats, Secretary, expenses, . W. W. Jewett, Postage and Printing, . Jos. Holmes, Year Books, ....
$ 14.81 24.50 11.25 14.03
9.30 38.25 20.00
5.38
2.00
100.00
15.35
5.11 11.90
1.20 34.00 11.55 30.00 11.00 24.22 18.49 151.70
|
3.00 |
|
|
38.94 |
|
|
30.74 |
|
|
52 59 |
|
|
1.50 |
|
|
2.19 |
- |
|
$683.00 |
|
|
111.55 |
$794.55 |
|
$1559.00 |
|
|
70.00 |
$1,629.00 |
26 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
Jos. Holmes, 250 By-Laws, .....
H. E. Deats, Secretary, Expenses to May 1,
" July 12, . W. W. Jewett, balance of subscription, .... Ira C. Holt, Returning Dues and Stock, Discount of $38.97 stamps sold, .....
Cash on hand September 1, 1900, .....
STOCK FUND.
Amount at Credit September 1, 1899, .... Received during the year, .....
ENTERTAINMENT FUND.
Amount at Credit last report, ...... $125.89
Respectfully submitted,
H. G. SMITH, Treasurer.
The President; Under the rules this report will go to the Committee on Finance.
The President: Mr. Johnson, of Milwaukee, has a few words to say.
Mr. Johnson: Ladies and Gentlemen, you are all invited to take a trolley ride this afternoon at 3 o'clock,. The cars will leave "Wells Street Bridge at 3 o'clock and will go to Lake Park, and from there to the Soldiers' Home, and this evening those that wish can meet at the Palm Garden at eight o'clock.
Report of the Board of Vice-Presidents read by the Secretary.
REPORT OF THE BOARD OF VICE-PRESIDENTS.
New York, August 20, 1900. To the President and Members of the American Philatelic Association.
Gentlemen: The Board of Vice-Presidents would respectfully report that they have held eight meetings during the year.
In addition to routine business, there have been several matters of importance re- quiring the attention of the Board. We have succeeded in recovering Circuit No. 35 H, valued at $232.00 which had been missing for fourteen months, and the various books comprising the circuit have been returned by the Superintendent of Sales and Exchange to their respective owners. A number of minor claims have been satisfactorily adjusted, and an extensive correspondence has been conducted with the members of the Associa- tion and others.
The Board was somewhat embarrassed by the unexpected resignation of the Secre- tary. Mr. Alexander Holland, leaving a large amount of unfinished work, but by special exertions, the greater part of this business has been brought up to date. Mr. Albert Perrin was nominated and elected to fill the unexpired term.
A number of claims are still pending despite the earnest efforts of the Board to bring them to a conclusion, but we trust we have so far advanced matters that the incoming Board will be able to adjust them without difficnlty.
J. W. GEORGE, P. F. BRUNER, ALBERT PERRIN.
Vice-Presidents.
Moved by Mr. Eaton and seconded by Mr. Doeblin, that the report be accepted and filed. Carried.
Report of the International Secretary, Mr. Doeblin, then read.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 27
REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL SECRETARY.
To the Officers and Members of the American Philatelic Association :
Gentlemen: In April last I had the honor to be selected by your Board of Direc- tors to fill for the remainder of the year the vacancy in the office of International Secre- tary of your Association, created by the death of my friend and fellow-townsman, Charles P. Krauth. During the brief period of my incumbency there has been little business to transact. I have corresponded with a few residents of foreign countries with reference to their becoming members of the Association and have supplied them with forms of application. However, as my predecessor pointed out in his report last year, the inducements to foreigners to join us are small in comparison with those which are offered by some of the great philatelic organizations of Europe and the prospect of accessions from abroad is correspondingly unpromising.
It is possibly within my province to note some of the events which have wrought great changes in the domain of Philately during the past year. Our own government has added to and altered its Colonial issues. That we are enterprising above all other nations in postal matters is evidenced by the issue of a set of stamps up to the one dollar value for the tiny island of Guam, including a special delivery stamp, which the natives will no doubt be rejoiced to use for the interior decoration of their dwellings, there being no other purpose to which it could be applied. In South Africa, the Anglo Boer war has led to the adoption of many innovations. By order of Lord Roberts, the stamps of the Orange Free State and the Transvaal have been surcharged for use under the British Military Regime. Conservative Germany has indulged in the luxury of two new issues, one for domestic use, the other for the Colonies, and both including Mark values. Austria and Hungary has also issued a complete new set of stamps. Switzerland cele- brated the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union by issu- ing three (3) commemorative stamps of low values.
The output of purely speculative stamps continues to be considerable, the North Borneo Company and some of the South American and Central American republics being conspicuous offenders.
Philately will doubtless receive an impetus from the Paris Exposition, one of the notable exhibits being a display of United States stamps of all issues, furnished by our government.
I beg to recommend the continuance of the support heretofore given by your Asso- ciation to "Das Vertrauliche Korrespondenz Blatt," the publication issued in Germany at present by the Hanover Philatelic Society. It is indispensible for the protection of dealers and collectors against counterfeiters and other frauds.
Respectfully submitted,
E. DOEBLIN,
Int. Secretary.
Motion by Mr. Thiessen, seconded by Mr. Eaton, that the report be accepted and placed on file. Carried.
Report of the Superintendent of Sales and Purchasing Department then read as follows:
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SALES AND PURCHASING DEPT.
New York, August 18th, 1900.
To the President and Members of the American Philatelic Association. Gentlemen: Herewith I respectfully submit my third annual report.
The total number of books on hand September 1st, 1899, was 714,
valued at ....... §25,022.15
Received during the year 998 books, valued at 30,877.83
$55,899.98 Retired during the year, 1,043 books, valued at . . . 33,025.87
(From which has been sold $5,804.04.) Total number of books on hand 669, valued at .... 122,874.11
28 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
Although the sales this year were not as large as last year, the percentage is about the same. The total value of books on hand and received during the year decreased about $20,000 and the number of books 552.
I have repeatedly asked our members through the Official Journal for a better grade of stamps but have not been favored with a liberal response ; I take this to mean that the members do not wish to sell their stamps at the prevailing low rates or that they haven't got them to offer.
I have had to discontinue our European Circuits owing to the lack of books of a sufficiently high grade to meet the members' wants over there.
The total number of circuits sent out during the year was 284 and I have received back 253, from which has been sold $5,549.49. I now have 31 circuits in circulation.
The Insm-ance Fund shows a balance on hand of $808.76.
This year I have reduced the price of Blank Books from ten cents to five cents, and the coming year the Control Stamps can be obtained for five cents, instead of ten cents, per hundred. As soon as the present supply of Control Stamps is exhausted there is no reason why a new one, say one-half or even one-quarter the size of the present one, can- not be made; this then will meet some of the objections presented at the last annual meeting but I see no way of discontinuing the use of the Control Stamp entirely.
The commission of the Superintendent of Sales should be put back to the old rate of 10% as this is little enough for the time and labor required to carry on this department. Why it should have been reduced I cannot understand, as I am sure that no member who has made use of the department to dispose of his stamps has ever complained of the 10$ commission or asked for a reduction.
I trust the present Convention will reconsider this reduction, made by the last Con- vention, and restore the old rate. I take it that our members wish good service and are willing to pay a reasonable rate to have it done.
I ask this for myself, if your Board sees fit to reappoint me, or in behalf of my successor.
Respectfully submitted,
GEO. R. TUTTLE,
Supt. Sales Dept.
Motion by Mr. Holland, that the report be accepted subject to the verification of its accounts by the Committee on Sales and Purchasing Department. Seconded and carried.
The President announced that there were some recommendations in the report that it might be well to think over, as they could easily be brought up and discussed under the head of new business at some later session ; that it is a department that all are more or less interested in, and it is of great benefit to all the members, therefore the President urged that they think the matter over and when it is brought up to be prepared to dis- cuss or at least be prepared to vote upon it intelligently.
Mr. Aldrich: Would it not be well to refer the portion relative to the commission to the Committee on By-Laws ?
The President: The chair hardly thinks that would be necessary, for the reason that the Committee on By-Laws will be one of the last to report, and if there is any motion introduced it can go to them.
Report of the Librarian then read.
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.
August 21, 1900.
To the Officers and Members of the American Philatelic Association:
Gentlemen: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Library of the American Philatelic Association.
On August 12, 1899, the entire library of the Association, consisting of 172 bound volumes, was received at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburg. To this collection the Car- negie Library has added 37 volumes, and the Association 23 volumes, making a total of 231 bound volumes.
There are also a great number of pamphlets, stamp catalogues, and odd numbers of periodicals belonging to the Library.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 29
The volumes are catalogued, and in use, although the classification numbers have not been assigned as yet. The delay in classification has been due to the fact that a thorough search was made to find the most satisfactory system for the purpose. This part of the work will soon be finished, and a printed catalogue in pamphlet form will then be issued for the use of members of the Association.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN H. ANDERSON,
Librarian.
Motion by Mr. Deats, that the report be received and referred to the Committee on Library. Seconded and carried.
REPORT OF THE ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN.
There have been but twelve bound volumes donated to the Library during the past year, as noted in my published reports in the Official Journal. Some progress has been made in the matter of getting the files on hand ready for binding but we still lack a con- siderable number of odd numbers, all of which are hard to obtain and can only be had by waiting for them.
The officers of the Association who were ordered to turn over to me their old records have quite generally done so. Filing cases have been purchased and all the old records of the Association in my hands are now well arranged, but there are no applications previ- ous to Mr. Howe's term and the letters and copy books of the four years period of Mr. M. F. Walton as Secretary, are still missing, as recorded in the Year Book of 1894, page 49. Although I have made every effort to get these, they have not yet come to light.
The stock of back numbers of the American Philatelist and Year Books, remains about the same as reported some years ago. I have not thought it worth while to take account of stock. The demand for back numbers is slight but I think the interests of the Association are best served by keeping the stock as long as it can be done without any great expense.
A statement of receipts and expenditures for the year is submitted herewith, accom- panied by vouchers, showing a balance on hand of $59.92 which is deposited to my credit as Assistant Librarian of the American Philatelic Association in the Flemington National Bauk.
Respectfully submitted,
H. E. DEATS,
Assistant Librarian .
H. E. Deats, Assistant Librarian,
Dr.
Sep. 13, 1899. Cash on hand, ........ $74.94
Feb. 5, 1900. American Philatelist, Volume 1, sold, . . . . 1.00
July 23, 1900. " " " 10, " .... .25
$76.19
Cr.
|
Oct, 2, 1899. |
Filing Case for letters, ..... |
. § .75 |
|
Dec, 6. 1899. |
One Dozen Filing Cases for Old Records of Association, |
8.10 |
|
Dec. 6, 1899. |
Express on same, ...... |
.40 |
|
Jan. 8, 1900. |
" Books sent to Pgh. , . . . . . |
.71 |
|
Feb. 8, 1900. |
Rubber Stamp, ...... |
.30 |
|
Mar. 24, 1900. |
Express on Books to Pgh. , . . . . . |
1.01 |
|
April 6, 1900. |
Binding, ....... |
5.00 |
|
Aug. 28, 1900. |
Cash on hand, ...... |
59.92 |
$76.19
Motion by Mr. Holland that it be received and referred to the Committees on Library and Finance. Seconded and carried.
30 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
REPORT OF COLLECTING AGENT, AUG. 24, 1900.
To the Officers and Members of the American Philatelic Association :
Gentlemen : My report for the year 1899-1900 is brief and as follows : Claims received, (eight.) Total amount of claims received, . . . . . . . $89.91
Claims paid in cash, four, ....... §61.16
Settled by return of stamps, . . . . . . . 10.00 71.16
Claims pending, three.
$18.75
I am very happy to report such a small number of claims received, as it is an indica- tion of the high character of the members of the Society, and also of the fact that the stamp collecting fraternity is in a prosperous condition.
Thanking the members for the many courtesies they have rendered to me during my term of office, I am yours fraternally,
HAROLD D. WATSON.
Motion by Mr. Wolseley that it be received and placed on file. Seconded and carried. REPORTS OF RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENTS.
The Secretary announced that he had received no report from the Resident Vice- President for Boston, but that he had the others.
REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT FOR CHICAGO AND VICINITY.
To the Officers and Stockholders of the American Philatelic Association:
Gentlemen: Not having received the appointment as the Resident Vice-President for Chicago and Vicinity until August 6th, 1900, any report covering my official incum- bency must be brief. With no Resident Vice-President, Chicago secured ten new mem- bers during the fiscal year and was instrumental in having three old members reinstated ; if we can do equally well with a Resident Vice-President, Chicago will have no reason to disparage its record.
There are many earnest collectors in this section who could benefit themselves and the Association by identifying themselves with us, and it shall be our endeavor to interest these philatelists in the workings of the American Philatelic Association.
Fraternally, August 27, 1900. C. E. SEVERN.
REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT FOR SAN FRANCISCO AND VICINITY.
The number of members of the American Philatelic Association, resident in San Francisco or its immediate vicinity, is more than twenty. Of these again, more than half have been members for many years, and one at least is a charter member. The Pacific Philatelic Society was until a year ago a Branch Society, but now does not exact membership in the A. P. A. of applicants ; yet most persons become members of the larger Society to have the privilege of Exchange and Sales Department. No meetings have been held, as required, the Resident Vice-President feeling that the monthly gatherings at the rooms of the Pacific Philatelic Society would serve every purpose.
WILLIAM E. LOY,
Resident Vice-President.
REPORT OF THE RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PA.
To the President and Members of the American Philatelic Association:
Gentlemen : I beg leave to submit the following report for the year ending August 1, 1900.
Death removed the most beloved member of the Branch, my dear friend Mr. C. P. Krauth. It was a great loss for the Association, especially for our Branch.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 31
Total membership for the year, August 1, 1899 to August 1, 1900, . . .20
Members suspended, ......... 5
died, ......... 1 6
14
The branch held four meetings, with an average attendance of six members.
The local Society, the Twin City Philatelic Society, has been extremely flourishing this past year. Many interesting philatelic papers were read at the meetings and interest was never wanting.
Yours very respectfully,
Pittsburg, Pa., August 22, 1900. E. DOEBLIN.
REPORT OF RESIDENT VICE-PRESIDENT FOR NEW YORK, DELIVERED ORALLY
BY MR. GREGORY.
Mr. President, I have neglected to prepare a report, and if a verbal report will be accepted I will speak for the Branch.
Our membership, when political excitement ran high, was above forty, and in ac- cordance with the provisions of the Constitution we held four certificates of stock, but of late, since there has been but little political excitement in the Association, our interest in the Branch has been allowed to lapse and although quarterly meetings have been regu- larly called the attendance at these meetings has not been large; still our organization has been retained and our dues have been paid every year until the past year, notwith- standing the report of the Secretary that we lapsed by non-payment in 1897. Our Secre- tary's report and our cash report indicate that dues were paid up to the fall of 1898, so that our certificates of stock could not have lapsed until November, 1899. We shall re- tain our organization and continue to keep up as much interest as is possible in our Branch Society, but local Societies are not prospering in New York at present, and the New York branch is in as good condition as are the local societies in that respect.
Reports of the Resident Vice-Presidents referred to the Committee on Branch Societies.
Report of Obituary Committee submitted by Mr. Wolsieffer.
Mr. Wolsieffer: Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, nearly all the committees that have reported or will report, no doubt have a certain amount of pleasure in making their reports, but I must say that a report of this Committee is a very sad report, and one of deep regret, and it would please me greatly if the President would allow the re- port to be read in the Journal as published, instead of before the Convention. We are here on a joyous occasion, and there are some of us who are more or less of a sympa- thetic nature, and it has been suggested to me this morning that the reading of this re- port might not add to the pleasure of the delegates, and I thought I would make a few suggestions and see what the President thought about it.
The report is here in detail, and I would also say that this report has been made through the efforts and the work of our Secretary. The present Committee who have signed this report, Mr. Miller, Mr. Severn and myself, have never seen it before to day. The case was that we were appointed, and through some oversight we were not notified and Mr. Deats has very kindly compiled this report, and I think it would be fitting if the President would simply accept the report without its being read ; the gentlemen of the Association have all read the report in the Official Journal and will read it again in the Year Book. I submit the report to the President for consideration,
The President: The chair does not feel exactly ready to decide that question for you. It is a question that had better be referred and decided by the membership as represented here to-day. If there is anyone that coincides with Mr. Wolsieffer's views of the matter and will make a motion to that effect we will get it before the Convention for final dis- position.
Motion that the report be accepted without being read. Motion seconded.
Motion to amend, that the Association signify their respect for the departed mem- bers by rising from their seats.
Carried, the Convention rising from their seats.
32 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
REPORT OF THE OBITUARY COMMITTEE.
The Secretary has reported to your Committee the death of five members of the Association, two of whom died during the previous year. We have done our best to ascertain the facts, and present the following memorials :
RICHARD LEE HOWARD.
Mr. Richard Lee Howard, No. 875 of this Association, was born January 6, 1853, at Columbus, Ohio, and died at Aurora, 111., April 12, 1899. His father, who bore the same name, was a physician and surgeon, and one of the founders of the Medical College at Columbus. He was at one time clerk in the United States Land Office at Salt Lake City. He was interested in philately as a boy, and in later years becoming an invalid and confined to his chair, he took it up again about 1892 and carried on business as a dealer, as well as a collector. He had a small general collection of about four thousand varieties. He leaves a wife and son who now reside in Ogdensburg, N. Y.
CHARLES B. KNIGHT.
Charles B. Knight, No. 1257 of the American Philatelic Association, was born De- cember 10, IS 66, and was a resident of Troy, N. Y., until his death, October 27, 1898. He was a graduate of the Albany Law School but had never entered into the active practice, of the law. He was a prominent member of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church and interested in the work of the Samaritan Hospital, being its first Secretary. While bright mentally and strong spiritually, Mr. Knight's health was delicate from early child- hood and but for careful living and enthusiasm for noble works he would undoubtedly have passed away much earlier. Kindly and unpretentious, his comparatively short life was full of usefulness and charity. Being of frail physique, Mr. Knight cultivated out- door sports in the hope of improving his health. He was a great favorite in society and devoted himself to a variety of studies for the purpose of diverting his mind from his physical disabilities. He had the advantage of ample means and the tenderest maternal care and for years fought the battle of life with uncomplaining cheerfulness.
He has been a philatelist for many years but of his collection we are unable to say definitely, it having been gathered in so quiet a way as not to attract the attention of those outside of his own city. He also had a large library of general literature.
His family consisted only of his mother and grandmother who alone are left to mourn.
CHARLES PHILIP KRAUTH.
Charles Philip Krauth, Member No. 445, was admitted July 10, 1893, and immedi- ately became active in the work of the Association. He was born in Winchester, Vir- ginia, in 1859, and was the son of the late Dr. Charles Porterfield Krauth, an eminent Lutheran divine, formerly vice-provost of the University of Pennsylvania, and grandson of Dr. Charles Philip Krauth, also noted among the Lutherans.
He graduated at the University of Pennsylvania and then spent eight years in Ger- many pursuing studies in various lines but more particularly in engineering. Soon after his return to the United States, he became connected with the Pullman Palace Car Company as District Superintendent. In 1885, he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, as Division Superintendent of the Mann Boudoir Car Company, and after this Company was absorbed by the Pullman Company, he became District Superintendent of the Wagner Company at New York City. Giving up active railroad service in 1888, he became connected with the McConway & Torley Company, at Pittsburg, manufacturers of railway supplies, serving as Secretary of that Corporation until his death.
He died at his home 349 48th St., Pittsburg, on Wednesday, December 27, 1899, of heart trouble, superinduced by neuralgia of the chest, after an illness of about ten days. He was a man of many accomplishments, having much of the fine literary talent that distinguished his father and grandfather, being an accomplished writer of English and a fine German scholar and an excellent musician.
He leaves a wife, who was a Miss Wallace, of Philadelphia, and three children, two girls and one boy. His brother, Rev. George Edward Krauth is a Lutheran minister, stationed at present at Harrisonburg, Va.. His sister is Mrs. Harriet K. Spaeth, the wife of the Rev. Adolph Spaeth, of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, at Mt. Airy.
The funeral services were held at the First Lutheran Church, in Pittsburg, and also at St Johannes' Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, interment being made at East Laurel Hill, Philadelphia, Saturday, December 30, 1899.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 33
During his connection with the McConway & Torley Co., Mr. Krauth's charming personality attracted to him a very numerous coterie of admiring friends from his wide acquaintance of railroad men, among whom his unexpected death will cause even greater sense of loss than among philatelists. Mr. Krauth was also especially interested in local charitable work, serving for a time as Superintendent of St. Margaret's Memor- ial Hospital in Pittsburg.
But it is as a philatelist that the members of this Association best knew him, from his attendance at our Conventions and from his writings on philatelic subjects. It is perhaps, not generally known that the "Hints to Collectors," filling eight pages of printed matter in the recent editions of the Standard Catalogue, were entirely from his pen. Mr. Krauth's inclination for mechanical and scientific matters, lead to his inven- tion of a number of " mechanical aids " to collectors, many of which were far more worthy of being patented than are many of the things with which we are deluged at the present time. His illustrated lecture on this subject at the Clayton Convention, will be long remembered by those fortunate enough to hear it. This was afterwards published and will always be of value to every true philatelist.
Mr. Krauth was a member of the Philatelic Society, London, and also of the local Societies at Pittsburg to which he gave much of his time and attention. He was elected a Director and Vice President of this Association at the Convention of 1898, and a Direc- tor and International Secretary at the Convention of 1899.
ROBERT E. OPPENHEIM.
Mr. Robert E. Oppenheim, No. 1314, one of our youngest members, died on the 9th of December, 1899, aged twenty years, after only a few days illness from typhoid fever. He was a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was of genial dispo- sition, very promising in every way, and beloved by all who knew him. He was an ardent philatelist and took much pleasure in rendering assistance to others in this interesting hobby.
FERDINAND MARIE TRIFET.
Ferdinand Marie Trifet was born in Paris, France, September 10, 1848 and died in Boston, Massachusetts, September 20, 1899. He was the son of Baron Alexander Trifet, an eminent Physician and Surgeon who was knighted by Napoleon 3rd for distinguished researches in medicine and surgery, and was also decorated with the medal of the Legion of Honor.
Ferdinand came to Boston in 1865 and engaged in the sale of Periodicals, Music and Stamps and resided there since.
He published the American Stamp Mercury from October 1867 to March 1871, thirty- nine numbers in all, one of the first philatelic journals in this country. In January 1874, he began the publication of F. Trifet's Monthly Circular which was issued regularly, although there were many double numbers, to May 1879, sixty five numbers in all. After this it assumed the form of a large newspaper and was devoted principally to music. He was looked up to as a philatelic expert and one of the fathers of philately.
During recent years he conducted a very successful music business, being probably the largest publisher of sheet music in the United States.
He was greatly interested in Military and Masonic matters holding a commission as Lieutenant in the Massachusetts Milita, as far back as 1867. He was also a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company and had held the position of Adjutant in that organization. He was a Knight Templar and 32° Mason, and had held many import- ant Masonic offices, at the time of his death being High Priest of St. Andrews Royal Arch Chapter.
He was a man of strict integrity and a warm and true friend. Few realized the re- fined feeling and tender heart existing under his quiet exterior, but those who were inti- mate with him knew and best appreciated his many sterling qualities.
He leaves a wife and daughter who watched over him with loving care during his last illness.
The funeral services were conducted by Joseph "Warren Lodge, F. & A. M. amidst a profusion of flowers, the tribute of loving friends and the organizations to which he belonged.
The interment was at Woodlawn.
Respectfully Submitted,
P. M. WOLSIEFFER, C. E. SEVERN, L. H. MILLER.
34 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
REPORT OF EXAMINER OF SALES BOOKS.
Philadelphia, Pa., Aug. 20,1900. To the Board of Directors of the American Philatelic Association:
Gentlemen: Since my appointment as Examiner of Sales Books, in November, 1899, I have looked over the books which were in the Superintendent's office at the time of my visits to New York, but as most of the books in his possession are constantly cir- culating, and as my visits to New York are always hurried, it is impossible to do justice to the position unless members are instructed to send their books direct to me so that I can examine them all. If you will instruct members to send their books to me I will forward them to the Superintendent without cost to the members of the Association.
Yours truly,
ARTHUR E. TUTTLE.
Motion by Mr. Deats that the report be received and referred to the Committee on Sales Department. Seconded and carried.
REPORT OF AUCTION PURCHASING AGENTS.
BOSTON AUCTION PURCHASING AGENT.
Boston, Mass., August 16, 1900. Mr. H. E. Deats, Secretary.
I take pleasure in reporting that, as Auction Purchasing Agent of the American Philatelic Association I have had quite a number of requests from members to act for them in this capacity in Boston, and that I believe the results have been uniformly sat- isfactory.
Very truly yours,
A. W. BATCHELDER.
CHICAGO AUCTION PURCHASING AGENT.
To the Officers and Stockholders of the American Philatelic Association:
Gentlemen: While I have had the honor for the past year of holding the office of Auction Purchasing Agent for the City of Chicago, it has been an office in name only.
I have not officially received a single call for service from any of the members of the Association to act as agent or purchase at sales. One reason probably, is because the past year has developed only a few sales in Chicago, and none of any great importance.
I trust the future will show a livelier state of affairs and give the Chicago Purchas- ing Agent something to remind him of the fact that he is an officer of the Association.
Respectfully submitted,
P. M. WOLSIEFFER,
Auction Purchasing Agent.
NEW YORK AUCTION PURCHASING AGENT.
Mr. Gregory, of New York, made the following verbal report :
Mr. President: Again I shall beg the privilege of making a verbal report, and I am glad to have the opportunity to express my opinions upon the use of the Auction Depart- ment by the members. I have represented in the auction rooms of New York probably less than a dozen members of the Association. The members of the Association have no doubt made use of some one in representing them in the auction rooms ; others are not aware that the fee of the Auction Purchasing Agent in New York is limited to five per cent, by the Association, which is a trifle, and covers all except the expense of forward- ing the purchases and the cost of the stamps of course; it covers all the expense. I am led to believe this from the fact that some who send me their bids make mention of the fact and I wish to say that the members would find it an actual saving if they wish to send bids to the auction rooms to place their bids in the hands of the Auction Purchas- ing Agent or in the hands of some responsible person in whom they have confidence. I do not wish to speak in a derogatory manner of the way in which our auctions are con-
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 35
ducted; they are generally fairly and honestly conducted, being open, unreserved sales of the property, not of the auctioneer, but I am sorry to say that I have reason to believe that it is not always so, and in cases where the auctioneers are responsible and are inter- ested in the ownership of the property sold it is possible that the bids of members not present may be misused to a slight extent. At the same time I do not wish to cast any reflection upon anyone engaged in the Auction business. These remarks are brought out by criticisms made by those whom I have represented who have not been satisfied.
Whether I am an Auction Purchasing Agent for New York, or someone else, I think that the members of the Association should more generally patronize that Department in their own interest.
REPORT OF CHICAGO BRANCH, No. 1.
To the Officers and Stockholders of the American Philatelic Association :
Gentlemen : Chicago Branch No. 1, of the American Philatelic Assocation, has been without a Resident Vice President till within a few weeks, when Mr. C. E. Severn was appointed to fill out the term. The Branch has been fairly active the latter half of the year It has held five regular meetings, and caused a number of applications to be pre- sented to the Association, both from our district and the country at large.
Members of our Branch also succeded in gaining a number of reinstatements of drop- ped members, which help to swell the total membership as well as the Treasury.
Branch No. 1. also placed in nomination a ticket for Directors, which they have every renson to believe will be elected. The total membership in Chicago and immediate vicini- ty is 41, of which ten (10) are new members this year, and three (3) are reinstatements.
Trusting for a continuance of prosperity for the Association, both in our own district and the country at large, I remain,
Yours very truly,
S. T. S. DONCYSON,
Secretary Branch No. 1.
Referred to Committee on Branch Societies.
The President suggested that the Convention adjourn to meet again at nine o'clock to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, on account of the amount of business to be done.
Motion by Mr. Wolsieffer that the Convention now adjourn to 9 a. m. to-morrow ( Wednesday) morning.
Seconded and carried, and the Convention was thereupon, at 12:15 declared adjourned till Wednesday morning at nine o'clock.
SECOND SESSION— Wednesday, August 29, 1900.
The Convention met in the Library Building at 9 :46 a. m. Called to order by President Toppan.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS.
The Committee on Credentials reported the following additional proxies approved :
P. M. Wolsieffer, . . . . . • .5
E. S. Stebbins, ....... 3
Nathan Cobe . . . . . ... 3
C. E. Severn, ....... 1
W. H. Barnum, . . . . • • -2
Report of Committee on Philatelic Literature read by Mr. Stone. (Report printed elsewhere. See index.)
36 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON STANDING RULES.-Read by Mr. Brodstone.
Chicago, III., August 28, 1900.
To the President and Stockholders of the American Philatelic Association:
Your Committee on Standing Rules would most respectfully report recommending the adoption of the Rules which have been in force at the previous conventions.
JOHN J. OESCH, Chairman. L. T. BRODSTONE, H. C. BARR. Report accepted and ordered on file.
Report of Committee on Philatelic Aids and Appliances called for by the President. On account of the death of Mr. Krauth the report was not submitted.
The President: The Secretary will read a letter from the Official Journal, which should be referred to the Committee on the Official Journal.
Portland. Me., August 20, 1900.
To the Officers and Members of the American Philatelic Association, Assembled:
Gentlemen: I wish to once again tender the services of the Weekly Philatelic Era to act in the capacity of Official Journal of the Association and will continue on th« same rates and terms as in the past, i. e., 25c. per year per member, and postage on Foreign additional.
Thanking the Association for honors already conferred, I remain,
Yours respectfully,
W. W. JEWETT.
Motion by Mr. Deats that the communication be received and referred to the Com- mittee on Official Journal. Seconded and carried.
The President; Mr. Johnson, have you any announcements this morning?
Mr. Johnson: ODly for the members and those present to meet here at 2 :30 this after- noon to go to the Pabst Brewery, and this evening go to Whitefish Bay on the Steamer "Bloomer Girl," leaving Grand Avenue Bridge at 8 o'clock sharp.
The President: The next in order is the report of the Committee on Foreign Revenues, Mr. Burgoyne.
Mr. Burgoyne then read the report. (Report printed elsewhere. See index.)
Mr. Burgoyne: I wish to state in connection with this little report that an appendix to the report will be forthcoming, giving a list of all important literature bearing on this subject, and that it will be printed in the Year Book.
The President: Gentlemen, you have heard the report of Mr. Burgoyne; a motion would be in order.
Motion by Mr. Holland that a vote of great thanks be extended to Mr. Burgoyne for his missionary work in the cause.
The President: The chair would request that a rising vote be given to Mr. Burgoyne.
All members then rose from their seats.
NEW BUSINESS.
Mr. Stone: Mr. President, it seems to me now is as good a time as any to settle where we shall meet next year. I move that we proceed to the choice of a Convention seat for 1901, that opportunity be given for nominations, and that then the roll be called. Seconded and carried.
The President: Nominations are now in order.
The Secretary then announced that he had received an invitation from the Hotel Association of Chicago to meet in Chicago next year, and making inquiries which were
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 37
answered. A similar letters making inquiries, from the Cincinnati League, of Cincin- nati, Ohio. A letter from the Mayor and other officials of Niagara Falls, New York, in- viting the Convention to meet there, and a letter from Mr. Hubbell, of Buffalo, a mem- ber of the Association, nominating Buffalo.
Mr. Wolsieffer: In order to bring the matter to a climax and not delay matters I am instructed and requested by several proxies to put four cities in nomination : Buffalo, Niagara Falls, New York and Chicago.
Mr. Burgoyne: I am instructed as a delegate of the Pittsburg Branch to plare in nomination either Buffalo or Niagara Falls. Those two places are pretty close together, and the choice of one is the choice of the other. For that reason our Branch is somewhat in doubt, and I believe some of the doubt extends to a great many others, and it is founded on this fact: Next year at the time our Convention will be held the Pan-Ameri can Exposition will be taking place in Buffalo, and it is a question whether the accommo- dations there will be sufficient, therefore it is suggested that the Convention be taken to Niagara Falls, but at the same time this condition arises: Will not the visitors at the Pan-American at Buffalo be taking in the Falls? Niagara Falls is a small place and likely to become much more overcrowded than Buffalo. In that shape the matter pre- sents itself to my mind. After obeying the instructions of our Branch I presume it will become necessary to second the nomination of those places.
Nominations of Buffalo and Niagara Falls seconded by Mr. Holland.
Mr. Burgoyne: Then I will state that our Branch favors either Buffalo or Niagara Falls as the Convention shall dictate.
Mr. Gregory: After talking with the members in New York whom I was able to consult upon the subject, this point made by Mr. Burgoyne was fully considered, and I was in some cases instructed in favor of Buffalo, and it seemed to be the universal opin- ion there that the accommodations of Buffalo were much more elastic than those of Niagara Falls, and that while one of those cities was the logical Convention seat for next year, Buffalo was very much more preferable, because of the probable better accommo- dations or easier accommodations there.
The Secretary in this connection read a letter from Mr. R. Hubbell, one of the mem- bers in Buffalo.
Mr. Wolsieffer: There is one thing I think the members in deciding this question should give some thought to, and that is this: There is no doubt of it that the success of this Convention is largely due to the fact that we have had cheap rates; the Pan-Ameri- can is going to draw largely to Buffalo, but will they give us cheap rates ? They prom- ised us cheap rates at the Columbian Exposition, but did they give us that ?
It might be better to defer this matter until we find out where the G. A. R. is going next year, or some large Convention is to be held. The Pan-American will not give us less than 1% if they give us that, and we have less than a cent a mile to this Conven- tion. I did not inquire into the rates myself, but I think that if any of the gentlemen have any knowledge of the fact as to whether the G. A. R. has taken a location, or any- body else has taken a location that has a large Convention, it would be a good idea to follow that within a week.
Mr. Doeblin: Thu is the last encampment of the G. A. R., I understood that in Chicago, I heard some of the members talk about it. I think to Niagara Falls and Chi- cago there are excursions all summer.
Mr. Carpenter: If we decide to go to Buffalo, and it seems to me as though we ought to decide on some city here, it could be left to the Directors as last year, to settle the time within certain limits, and it seems to me there must be some big excursion to Buffalo, and that vicinity, that would give us rates even if not permanent, and it could be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors to fix the date.
Mr. Deats: Several of the roads running between New York and Buffalo have been experimenting with cheap excursion rates, and almost every week I see trains running in
38 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
several sections carrying passengers there and return for $8.00 the round trip, which is less than a fare one way.
Mr. Price: "While I come from Detroit, the Convention city, of course we cannot be reasonably expected to go to Detroit again next year, although I have heard a great many flattering remarks in regard to the way we entertained last year. I do not s'peak in any official capacity, but I think the opinion of our leading collectors in Detroit is that we should meet in Buffalo. The Pan-American will extend over such a length of time that I do not think the city will be crowded to any great extent at one time, that we can not find accommodations there. And as to special rates I have no doubt that between the Pan-American and the attractions at Niagara Falls there will be special and very low rates for a considerable length of time next summer. I think from what I have talked with other members that Buffalo will be the place.
Mr. Gregory: One point has not been touched upon, Mr. Wolsieffer's point that low rates were responsible for the success in a large measure of this Convention. That is true and it has also been forgotten that at Niagara Falls there is not a single member who could be made Chairman of the Committee. It is worth remembering that a local Committee familiar with the business interests and with all other interests in the city to which we are going can make very much better preparations for the entertainment of a Convention than any other committee which could be brought together or can be appointed from the Association itself. No doubt a Buffalo Committee would take care of us so far as they could.
The Secretary announced that the Chairman of the Committee on Credentials would call the roll of those present, and the Secretary would record the name and the vote, in addition to the vote as recorded by the tellers who would be appointed.
The President appointed Mr. Burgoyne and Mr. Holland as tellers.
The Convention then proceeded to a roll call, with the following result :
Chicago.
|
N. Adler, . E. R. Aldrich, |
Buffalo. 1 30 |
Niagara Falls. |
New York. 7 |
|
C. L. Annan, |
1 |
||
|
Herbert Armstrong, . H. C. Barr, L. T. Brodstone, |
1 1 4 |
||
|
A. G. Burgoyne, . Warren E. Burton, |
. 14 1 |
||
|
E. M. Carpenter, . Nathan Cobe, |
5 4 |
16 |
|
|
H. E. Deats, |
1 |
||
|
E. Doeblin, |
1 |
||
|
S. T. S. Doncyson, D. T. Eaton, . |
1 21 |
* |
|
|
"W. F. Gregory, . Geo. Gregory, W. F. E. Gurley, . Edw. Henes, , A. Holland, |
. 24 1 1 1 . 25 |
||
|
C. C. Johnson, C. W. Kissinger, . E. L. Kiefer, . |
1 2 1 |
||
|
J. C. Miller, |
1 |
||
|
L. H. Miller, . A. Platz, . |
1 4 |
||
|
C. W. Price, . |
1 |
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 39
Chicago.
|
Buffalo. |
Niagara Falls. |
New York. |
|
|
I. Rudy, . C. E. Severn, . |
1 5 |
||
|
H. G. Smith, |
1 |
||
|
Edw. S. Stebbins, |
4 |
||
|
Z. G. Stebbins, . |
1 |
||
|
Chas. Stiegerwalt, W. C. Stone, |
1 . 33 |
||
|
R. R. Thiele, . |
1 |
||
|
W. Thiessen, |
1 |
||
|
E. Thielecke, . |
1 |
||
|
G. L. Toppan, H. H. Weeks, . |
1 1 |
||
|
H. E. Williams, . |
3 |
||
|
H. W. Wolseley, P. M. Wolsieffer, . |
1 . Ill |
1 |
7 |
|
F. J. Lefever, |
1 |
Mr. Carpenter: It seems to be so nearly unanimous that I would like to change my vote from Niagara Falls and vote them all for Buffalo; I was instructed by a certain number to vote for Niagara Falls, but as the result is foreshadowed, I would like to change.
Mr. Aldrich changed his votes from New York to seven for Buffalo.
Mr. Wolsieffer changed all his to Buffalo, making 120 voted by him for Buffalo.
The Secretary then announced the result of the vote : The tellers report that there are 346 votes cast for Buffalo, and none for the other cities.
Mr. Holland : I move that the time of the Convention be left to the Board of Direc- tors, the time to be fixed between the last week in August and the first week in September.
Motion seconded.
Mr. Wolsieffer: Mr. President, there has been some discussion within the last twenty-four hours as regards the time of holding the Convention; some of the members who are here now think it is a little late, the last week in August ; there are a great many who begin their business from the middle of August to the first of September, and running it into September, or even as late as the last week in August, was thought to be somewhat of a detriment to the attendance, and were we to hold it a couple of weeks earlier there are quite a few who could make arrangemenas to get there and participate in the Convention. If that be a fact, and it is discovered that it is so, it would be emi- nently proper to hold the Convention several weeks earlier. As far as I am personally concerned I can attend the Convention the first week of August as well as later, but if those two weeks make such a difference as is claimed, I think it would be better to hold it earlier.
Mr. Carpenter : I move to amend the motion so that the time be extended, and that it be left to the Board of Directors to set the date of the Convention within thirty days of the first of September.
Amendment accepted by the maker and seconder of the original motion.
The President : The Chair would like to state in regard to this matter that there is really no object gained in leaving this to the Board of Directors. It should be settled here in Convention. According to the by-laws it has to be published in the Official Journal not less than sixty days prior to the date of the Convention ; it takes us practically four weeks to get a vote through. Allowing that a meeting is held some time in August, we have to decide on it before any excursion rates are announced; it means three months, and to be on the safe side we ought to set the date nearly four months ahead. That has been the experience this year. Of course we had the Grand Army as a guide this year, but next year there will be nothing of the kind. I think it would be much preferable to have the date decided here and now. In regard to Mr. Wolsieffer's remarks as to the last
40 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
week, the last Tuesday in August next year will fall on the 27th, which is, practically, the first of September.
■ Mr. Doeblin : I know that from Pittsburg we would have had two more men here if it was not so near the first of the month ; they could not get away at this time ; their business requires their attention. If the meeting could have been a week earlier, we would have had two more delegates here from Pittsburg.
The President : The question recurs to the amended motion, that the date for the next Convention be left to the Board of Directors, with the understanding that it be set within 30 days of September first.
Motion was then carried.
The President then called for the report of the Committee on Finance.
The report was read by Mr. Carpenter :
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE.
Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 28, 1900. To the Officers and Members of the A. P. A.:
Gentlemen: Your Finance Committee would respectfully report that they have attended to their duties and examined the reports and vouchers of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Assistant Librarian and find them correct.
E. M. CARPENTER, C. L. ANNAN, L. H. MILLER,
Finance Committee. Motion by Mr. Johnson that the report be received. Seconded and carried. Report of Committee on Library read by Mr. Deats:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON LIBRARY.
Your Committee on Library recommends that the reports of the Librarian and Assistant Librarian be accepted. The Committee further recommends that the local committee of the members of the Association at Pittsburg, be instructed to push the completion of a catalogue of the Association Library, and that a copy of this be included in the Year Book, or specially printed for distribution to the members. The Committee also begs to indorse the recommendation of the Literary Committee for the compilation of a subject-index of the better class of periodicals in the Library, and recommends that the President appoint a committee for that purpose, including the Literary Committee as such.
Respectfully submitted,
A. PLATZ,
R. R. THIELE,
D. T. EATON.
Motion by Mr. Holland that the report be accepted, and that the suggestions be adopted.
Motion to amend to strike out that portion requiring the publication of the Library Catalogue in the Year Book.
Mr. Burgoyne: The Librarian at Pittsburg, Mr. Anderson, has had several confer- ences with the local committee, and has given assurances that there will be a complete catalogue of the Philatelic works in the library prepared and published for the use of the Association. With that catalogue in existence, I cannot see the necessity of printing the list of books and periodicals in the Year Book.
Mr. Thiele: It seems to me we derive very little use of the library as it is now ; no one seems to know what there is in the library, except the Librarian and Assistant Librarian. We can make no use of it unless we know what there is there, and for that same reason we have also inserted the suggestion as to the index ; the catalogue itself will
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 41
be of little good unless the individual member is informed where to find things on the subject in which he is interested. The Association ought to take that up and push it, otherwise we will have very little use of this department. I am not particular as to whether this catalogue is inserted in the Year Book or printed separately, but it ought to be done.
Mr. Deats: I prepared a list of the bound volumes in the library before it was sent to Pittsburg, and this list was printed in the Year Book last year. Mr. Anderson's1 plan now is to publish separate catalogues of the Philatelic works in the Carnegie Library, as they use a linotype, and the slugs are used for printing the cards in the catalogue, and the catalogue in book form, and our special catalogue will be printed from this same type and distributed free to the members.
Mr. Burgoyne: I can state something further in regard to the matter. It may seem to the members here that because they hear nothing from the Librarian beyond a brief report, that matters are drifting nowhere. That is not the case. Delay has been altogether due to technical causes; that is to say, the matter of cataloguing; there has been a good deal of discussion at long range. Mr. Anderson has communicated with Mr. &tone, who is an authority on cataloging, and has gone to considerable pains to get this matter in good shape. I saw him within the last two weeks, and he told me that the instant a schedule for use would be ready — and there is no reason why it should not be ready within 30 days — that he would set printers to work on the catalogue of the books in the library, and those catalogues can be distributed to all the members of the Associa- tion. In addition to that, Mr. Anderson has shown the great interest the officials of the Carnagie Library take, by assuring him that the English works published from time to time, would be purchased by the library itself. So that I can guarantee you that the authorities of the Carnegie Library take a keen interest in this department, and are prepared to put it in excellent shape and make it serviceable to the members, and what- ever delay there has been, has simply occurred through — for instance the Krauth Library was one of the last additions, and there is an immense mass of matter there and a great deal to handle. They have part of the books on the shelves and listed in a manner. Listed in such a manner that they are accessible to the local members, but not to the members of the Association generally, on account of the lack of a printed cata- logue. But my conviction is, that this whole matter will be in good shape within the next sixty days, and may be within the next thirty days.
Mr. Gurley: I notice from the report of the Treasurer, that a year ago the surplus of the preceding year was less than $100.00, the surplus of this present year is a trifle over §100.00. I cannot conceive how it is possible to make a proper list, if the library is sufficiently complete to make such a thing for the use of its members, to print or publish and distribute it for less than 5150.00 to $200.00. Now, what is the use of making recommendations when you haven't the money there ? It is all right if you increase the dues or pay it in some other way. Of course if the Carnegie Library is going to make us a present of this, it is entirely different ; if we have to pay for it at the usual rate of cataloguing, we will simply find a book on our hands at a great expense with very little use to the members of the Association.
Mr Stone: I think the gentleman is laboring under a misapprehension. We do not intend to get a technical catalogue, but simply a list of the bound volumes in the Carnegie Library, similar to the one published in the Year Book of last year. I do not know how soon the Carnegie Library intend to have their catalogue published, but I know that very little had been done on it in June. The report on the library in the last Year Book, the list of Journals in the library fills just two pages; it is not what you call a catalogue.
Mr. Gurley : I misunderstood. The Committee said a catalogue in its report.
Mr. Thiele: What was in my mind was a catalogue similar to the one published by the Dresden Society, which is probably the largest one in existence, and I think the catalogue covers about 20 pages in the Year Book, but that catalogue is inserted every
42 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
year in the Year Book. It is merely a list of titles, that surely can be done very easily. The dues of the Dresden Society are not any larger than ours ; if that society can afford it, we can afford it.
Mr. Wolseley : I move that the word "Catalogue " be stricken out and that the word " List " be substituted.
Mr. Wolsieffer : I was just going to add that while I am not personally interested in this literature question, I have a letter from Mr. Clark, who is now in Great Britain, and he wrote a lengthy letter complimenting the Committee very highly.
The President then put the question on the adoption of the report, and also of the recommendations therein contained ; which was carried.
Mr. Holland then read the report of the Committee on Official Journal :
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON OFFICIAL JOURNAL.
Chicago, III., Augnst 28, 1900.
The Committee on Official Journal beg leave to submit the following report:
Your Committee after due deliberation, has come to the conclusion that unless the Association cares to publish its own Journal, "The Weekly Philatelic Era," should again be contracted for on the same terms as in previous years.
We advocate the publication of our own Journal, and in support of our own Journal add that it would accrue to the benefit of the Association to publish our own Journal under the well and favorably known name of "The American Philatelist;" we offer for your consideration the following plan :
The object would be to begin in a small way and then to work up a Journal to the proportions which the A. P. A., as the leading society of the country should publish and maintain; hence your Committee have procured what might be called an advertisement guarantee fund, which at present covers two-thirds of the cost of printing, addressing and mailing (at the rate of two cents each) a weekly, four page, crown octavo leaflet, according to estimates furnished by a reputable printer.
Mr. Stone, of Springfield, who was a member of the Literary Board during the years the Association published The American Philatelist, has consented to give some of his valuable time to the work of editing and publishing the Journal, and his vast experience should be of great value. W. F. Gregory has consented to take care of the business end of the proposition, and a majority of the gentlemen who have been spoken to seem to favor the idea, and will give it their moral as well as financial support — as evidenced by our two-third guarantee.
This leaflet can be enlarged as time goes on, and the A. P. A. can then be the publisher of the best Journal in the world.
Very respectfully submitted,
ALEX. HOLLAND,
H. G. SMITH,
P. M. WOLSIEFFER.
Mr. Wolseley: I understood that Mr. Wolsieffer was not in favor of the Association publishing its own Journal; it has been so announced, and he controls a great many votes, and I, for one, would be pleased to hear how Mr. Wolsieffer has experienced a change of heart in regard to that.
The President: Mr. Wolseley, it would be as well to get this matter before the Con- vention in the shape of a motion, but the chair can state that Mr. Wolsieffer's action on a committee would have no bearing on the votes he would cast.
Mr. Wolseley: I move that the report be received and the recommendation of the Committee be concurred in.
Mr. Gregory: The Committee makes two recommendations. To which one does Mr. Wolseley's motion refer? The Committee recommends that if it be not found easy or profitable for the Association to publish its own Journal that the " Era" be selected.
Mr. Wolseley: I would reply to Mr. Gregory in this way: That we would concur in the report, that if we do not publish our own Journal then we adopt the "Era," but if we do adopt our own Journal that would dispose of the "Era." After my motion is adopted then it would be proper to make a motion as to what we should do.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 43
Mr. Burgoyne: I would like to know if this Committee has made any estimate as to the amount of cost. They say two-thirds of the cost. What does this cost represent '!
Mr. Holland: One page advertising.
Mr. Gurley: What would be the cost for a whole year ?
Mr. Holland : Probably one of the most noted Philatelic printers in New York has given us an estimate on publishing a four page leaflet, and they will mail it, write the wrappers and pay the postage, at the rate of $15.00 a week for 500 members, about §750.00 a year. The Association pays the "Era" §150. 00 for sending the "Era" around. Now, if that §150.00 is devoted to this paper we only need §600.00, and dividing that between three pages of advertising matter, leaving the other page for the Secretary's report, etc., you have two pages, or §400.00 guaranteed, and we have all but §200.00 guaranteed.
Mr. Gurley : But that goes to the house. I think it would be a very easy matter for ten of us to guarantee sufficient to support that paper. I am willing to join with ten others to put up as much as §25.00 at the end of the year, or during the year, to pay the debts that might be incurred in publishing a paper of that kind.
Mr. Holland : The guarantee that we have has been from advertisers, who will take certain amount of space and pay for it. Mr. Thiele and myself are down for $10.00 each.
Mr. Stone : As I understand it, the vote we are about to take now does not bind us to either one; that will be settled by a later vote. Voting now simply accepts the report of the Committee and brings the question before us to have the " Era " or a new paper.
The President: It simply opens a way for a motion to designate which of the two recommendations will be adopted.
The question was then put to the Convention and carried.
Mr. Aldrich: On behalf of a proxy for whom I am so instructed, I move that the "Weekly Philatelic Era" be continued as the Official Journal of this Association.
Mr. Gregory: As sponsor for this scheme for an Official Journal, I will make a motion that the recommendation of this Committee —
The President: One motion is before the house already, Mr. Gregory; we will dispose of that first.
Mr. Burgoyne: I rise to second Mr. Aldrich's motion. I have been instructed by the Pittsburg branch to support the "Weekly Philatelic Era."
Mr. Wolsieffer : I would state in behalf of the Official Journal matter that, as the President has remarked, my connection with the Committee has nothing whatever to do with my voting of proxies, and I am instructed by a large number of proxies to vote for the "Era," and the report that this Committee handed in would not indicate that even if I had been in favor of the " Era," I had experienced any change of heart. And while I seconded Mr. Aldrich's motion for the "Era," I would be compelled to second it with not only a large number of proxies that I have, but with the stand that the Chicago Philatelic Society took on the question. And I also realize that nearly all the proxies sent me that are not instructed, must surely be intended for the "Era," and I have some proxies instructed for the "Metropolitan Philatelist." I even had one proxy instructed for " Mekeel's Weekly," and out of the proxies I have received, 119 in all, I will say on this Official Journal of our own, there have been only about six mentioned as favora ble to it, and then only if the Association could do it and make it a paying institution. I take pleasure, therefore, in seconding Mr. Aldrich's motion.
Mr. Gregory: The "Era" has been the Official Journal of this Association for several years. At the New York Convention two years ago, serious objections were made to the continuance of any contract with the "Era," and Mr. Jewett was present and heard those objections, and was talked with earnestly by his friends, and he prom- ised that the objectionable features should be discontinued. For a time no further fault- could be found, but for the last year personalities and slurs exceedingly disagreeable to some people, were frequent, and Mr. Jewett lost what few friends he had in New York.
Mr. Wolseley: Might I interrupt the gentleman just a minute? We are getting into personalities, and the stenographer is taking them down, and I think that as the
44 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
discussion is becoming a personal one, it should not be included in the printed report that is to be circulated as coming from this Association. I would, therefore, move that the discussion of this question be considered as being in executive session.
The President: The chair will decide that point. We will not descend to personali- ties under any consideration ; we are not entering into a star chamber session here ; all that is said shall go into the Year Book if the rulings of the chair be upheld. We do not intend to come here to discuss personalties, and the Chair will rule the remarks of Mr. Gregory out of order, and will refuse to entertain any motion or reference to per- sonalities. These matters have been hashed and rehashed, and this Convention is no place to bring them up again.
Mr. Gregory : I bow to the decision of the chair.
Mr. Eaton seconded the motion made by Mr. Aldrich.
Mr. Stone : The Committee on Official Journal made use of my name in their report that would make it seem that I am for publishing our own Journal. You all know how I stand, I always regretted that the old "American Philatelist" was abolished, and think it was a mistake, and I will be glad to see the day when we can re-establish the "Ameri- can Philatelist," and make it rank with the leading publications of the world. I think the day is coming, but it is not coming now. I shall throw all my votes against re- establishing the "American Philatelist" this year; next year we may be in better condition if the Chicago branch give us what they promise, and double our membership.
Mr. Aldrich : Personally, if we can have a suitable organ of our own, I am in favor of it; but I cannot see how a four page leaflet would suffice ; the outside world would not be interested in it. As long as we cannot have a Journal of our own, which would take and give credit to us, I think we had better hang on somebody else's back gate. Person- ally, I would like to see either a 16 page monthly published by this Society, or else the "Era" continued; the Year Book published as a Year Book and made a quarterly. I believe under our present finances we could have a quarterly in place of the Year Book. In this way we could have a report of the Convention promptly mailed to the members. About the first of January, when everybody had paid up, we could have a list of members published. The third number could be easily filled by the Literature Report, and I think, if necessary, we could make a small offer of a prize for an essay or something to fill up the other number. I think that what we want, if we are going to have anything, is something that will draw somebody into the Society. I fail to see how a four page leaflet would induce anybody to come unless they were looking for bargain counter ads. in it.
Mr. Carpenter: I took considerable pains to secure the views of proxies that I represent, and while a great many of them would like to see the Association publish a paper of its own, with almost unanimity they profess themselves as favorable to con- tinuing the "Era." They thought the Association could not get out a paper that would be creditable to it, and they thought perhaps in a year or two the Association would be favorable to that scheme.
Mr. Doeblin : The older members that attended the conventions know very well what trouble we had with our old Journal; we had at that time dues $3.00 a year; mem- bership 600 to 700, and we never could pay the printer. Why start that again '! When we have a membership of 1500, and we can publish a nice paper, it is all right, but we have never succeeded ; we published a small paper and sent it out, and it was not a suc- cess. Leave it in a good Journal and show the people we have an Official Organ; it don't matter whether it is our own paper, but we give the members a nice paper with all the official news, instead of a little circular of four pages and three of them advertise- ments. The officers take up half a page and for the rest Mr. Deats will bring in the Secre- tary's report. That is not worth the price of the postage. Leave it in the Journal, and we get along very nicely. Years ago when we published our paper we had debts; we owed Mekeel, the printer and everybody ; Mekeel had a mortgage on us at one time. I
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 45
think it is best that we leave it as it is. I am not in favor very much of the "Era," but if you can't get anything better, take the " Era."
Mr. Thiele: I am in the same boat with Mr. Stone; I regret the day when the "American Philatelist" was suspended, and I would like nothing better than to see the Association establish a Journal of its own; but, nevertheless, I must admit that there is a good deal in what Mr. Aldrich says, and I, therefore, bow to the majority and wait another year to see what the Chicago administration will do with us, and I think the prospects will be better then than now.
Mr. Wolsieffer : I want to say that I have assurances that if the Official Journal receives the appointment again this year, that the judicious use of blue pencil will have more effect this time on any personalities that may occur than it did last year; that is a promise that not only the western members have received from the publisher, but also a good many eastern members, and you may have noticed a change in the last five or six weeks; and I want to change the impression that the Chicago branch is going to double the membership of this Association ; that is a little bit high ; we did double the member- ship of our Society in three months, but we don't agree to do that for the American Philatelic Association. We will do all we possibly can, but for the past six months after we woke up, we are going to keep this up for the entire year, and I think this Journal spoken of for the future the Committee has recommended, is a good thing, and I think the gentlemen who have come to the front and promised to give it their assistance really deserve great credit for taking that burden on their shoulders, and it simply goes to show that we have members of sufficient solidity with us who are willing to make some sacri- fices for us; some expense in trying to obtain a Journal, and I think the report of the Committee will be simply an entering wedge to make us think whether it is not possible to have a Journal by next year. And as some of these members say we are going to double the membership, I think by next year we can have our own Journal. And I was not at all personally in favor of the scheme this year, but I want to see the "American Philate- list " revived, but I don't want to see it done until we have the money to pay for it, and don't want the printer to come around three or four times with his bill, and we have no money to pay for it.
Mr. Holland : I want to say that the Committee was very well assured before they brought in this report that the "Era " would be the Official Organ, but they inserted the other recommendation as an entering wedge.
Mr. Aldrich : If Brother Wolsieffer can make us all these promises of taking out all these objectionable matters, I wish he could make us a promise that the " Era" would be reduced to a decent bindable size.
The question was then put to the Convention and carried.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON BRANCH SOCIETIES.
We, your Committee on Branch Societies, find that there is but little for them to report. With the exception of Chicago, New York, San Francisco, St. Paul and Pitts- burg, the branches seem to be practically dead, and while it is extremely desirable that branches should exist in all the larger cities, or elsewhere where it is possible for a suffi- cient number of members to assemble together , yet there is no way that your Committee can suggest to bring about the desired results.
E. DOEBLIN,
E. R. ALDRICH,
S. T. S. DONCYSON,
There being no objection, the report was approved.
Mr. Stone: I neglected in my report of the Literature Committee to speak of one work which will be published as an appendix to our report. That is a list and review of the leading German hand-books on Philately; not alone those that have been published during the past year, but those in years past, so that the list will give what the leading
46 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
authorities are which have been issued in the German language. Possibly there may be another report published giving those in other languages, if time will permit.
Motion by Mr. Wolsieffer, to adjourn to 10 o'clock tomorrow (Thursday) morning. Seconded and carried.
THIRD SESSION.— Thursday, (August 30, 1900.
The Convention met at 10: 40 A. M. , President Toppan in the chair.
Mr. Stone of the Committee on Credentials made the following report:
Mr. President, the Committee have but one additional proxy to report, and that is to Mr. Wolsieffer. The Committee would like to make a statement as to the registration and representation at the present Convention. We have registered on our slips the names of 51 members and applicants, 314 proxies, three proxies rejected as not being legal, and one blank proxy. In additition, we have the names of 51 visitors registered.
The President : Mr. Deats has an announcement.
Mr. Deats: Mr. President, there will be a smoker this evening at the Plankinton House for members only; admittance will be by ticket, which can be secured from Mr. Johnson, Chairman of the Committee of Arrangements. Mr. Johnson would like all those who will be able to attend, to report to him as soon as possible, that the tickets may be written and delivered to them, and also to make arrangements for the necessary number who may be present this evening. I would also say that applicants for mem- bership are included in this, if there be any here.
The President : The next thing in order is the report of the Committee on By-Laws.
Mr. Stone submitted the following report:
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON BY-LAWS.
Milwaukee, Wis., August 30, 1900.
To the President and Members of the American Philatelic Association :
Your Committee beg leave to recommend the following amendments to the By- Laws :
Art. I. Section 2.
Add: A charge of twenty-five cents shall be made for a duplicate certificate in case of loss.
Art. II. Section 1.
After the word "Officer," inline nine, add: Whose signature shall be in addition to those of the two references.
Art. II. Section 4.
Strike out all after the word "him" in the fifth line from the end of the Section.
Add a new paragraph to read : All applications for reinstatement shall be published in the Official Journal, and treated in the same manner as is provided for an ordinary application for membership.
Art. III. Section S.
After the words "Branch Societies,'' add: Committee on Resolutions.
Strike out the word "standing" in third line.
To item six in Order of Business, add : And Standing Committees.
Art. IV. Section 3.
Substitute the word "they" for the words "those chosen "in the second line, and omit the words "proceed to " in the third line.
Strike out the words "to select," and substitute the words "to appoint," in the fifth line.
In the sixth line, after ' ' Officers, " add : And Committees.
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 47
Art. V. Section 2.
After the words "By-Laws "in the fourth line from the bottom of the column, strike out all three succeeding sentences and insert : And they shall approve the form of ballot to be used at all elections.
Eliminate the first sentence of the last paragraph.
Sec. 3. In the twelfth line, after the word " Certificates, " add : Membership cards.
Sec. 4. In fourth and fifth line strike out the words following "Association," and in the ninth line strike out the words: "In each monthly circular," and insert: He shall report the same to the Secretary and publish it in the Official Journal.
Art. VI. Section 1.
Strike out all the second sentence, and in the third sentence substitute, " the ballot," for the word "it."
Sec. 3. Strike out the last sentence.
Art. VII. Section 5.
In the seventh line, after "Printed Matter," insert: And attend to binding the same.
Art. X. Section 1.
Insert the word "Assistant" before " Librarian" in twenty-fifth line. Add a new sentence as follows : All copies on hand after one year from date of issue shall be turned over to the Assistant Librarian.
Art. XII. Section 2. Insert "Assistant" before "Librarian" in the third and seventh lines.
General.
Amend by substituting the words "Board of Directors" for "Official Board," in all places where the latter may occur in the By-Laws, and make such other orthographical changes as the change necessitates.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
GEO. L. TOPPAN, H. E. DEATS, W. C. STONE, C. E. SEVERN. A. G. BURGOYNE.
Mr. Stone: Under the By-Laws of the old Association before we were incorporated, our Board of Officers was called the Official Board. When we became incorporated we necessarily had to have a Board of Directors, and we provided in Section 1 that the Board of Directors of the Association shall be designated as the "Official Board." Your Committee deemed that it would be wise to strike out the words " Official Board " and have it read "Board of Directors" in all cases.
Motion by Mr. Miller that the report be adopted as a whole. Seconded by Mr. Hol- land and carried.
Mr. Doeblin: I don't see why the Resident Vice-President should not sign both as a reference and as a Resident Vice-President.
The President: It was the intention of the By-Laws that it should be an extra guard that the Resident Vice-President could not sign in the dual capacity of reference and Resident Vice-President. The case came up several years ago when Mr. Howe was Sec- retary ; it was acted upon first by the Vice Presidents and referred to the Convention, and as it stands to-day it reads: "and by the Resident Vice-President," the word " and" being put in to make it clear, but experience in the past year has shown that it is not clear, and that is the reason for the proposed change.
Mr. Doeblin: Well, I won't kick.
Mr. Thiele: Has the Committee on By-Laws any recommendations to make in re- gard to the request of the Exchange Superintendent relative to the increase of his per- centage ?
48
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
The President: There is no recommendation thus far. It may come up later; we never know what may come up until we are through.
The Secretary will announce the results of the meeting of the Board of Directors.
The Secretary: Mr. President, the newly elected Board of Directors held a meeting at the Plankinton House Tuesday evening and elected the following officers :
President, George L. Toppan; Vice-Presidents, P. M. Wolsieffer, C. E. Severn, Samuel Leland; Treasurer, H. G. Smith; Secretary, H. E. Deats; International Secre- tary, E. Doehlin.
The other members of the Board of Directors are H. G. Phillips and M. H. Lombard.
The Secretary also announced that the following appointive officers and committees had been chosen, subject to their acceptance:
Counterfeit Detector,
Librarian, ....
Assistant Librarian,
Collecting Agent,
Auction Purchasing Agent, New York.
Chicago, Boston,
Resident Vice-President, Boston, St. Paul, San Francisco,
Obituary Committee,
Committee on Philatelic Literature,
Committee on Philatelic Aids and Appliances,
J. W. Scott. E. H. Anderson. H. E. Deats. H. D. Watson. W. F. Gregory. P. M. Wolsieffer. A. W. Batchelder. J. F. Johnson. C. L. Annan. W. E. Loy.
Frank H. Burt, E. M. Carpenter. L. L. Green.
W. C. Stone. G. S. Dickinson. R. R. Thiele.
A. G. Burgoyne. A. W. Batchelder. C. L. Annan.
The Board did not appoint Resident Vice-Presidents for New York, Chicago and Pittsburg, as they are awaiting advices from those Branches as to whom they desire appointed. There are also some other appointive officers the Board did not fill because they were not prepared to do so until other committees had reported the work done at this Convention; they will, of course, be announced in the Official Journal in due time.
The Chairman of the Committee on Arrangements desires me to call the roll of those who are here, and we would like them to reply whether they will attend the meeting to- night or not, that I may check them on the list.
The roll was called.
The President: Mr. Johnson has another announcement to make.
Mr. Johnson: You are all invited to meet at the Layton Art Gallery at 2 :30 this afternoon at the Corner of Jefferson and Mason Streets. And you will then ask me for the tickets to the smoker to-night, I will have them ready at that time.
The President: Has any member any matter of business to bring before the Con- vention?
Mr. Holland: There is the matter of Control Stamps; I believe the By-Laws say they must be used where stamps are removed. I don't think that has been complied with, and either the law should be revoked or it should be complied with — one or the other. And fines, I believe are not imposed, or in some cases are, but in most cases are not. One thing or the other should be done with that, So I move that the commission be raised to ten per cent, and the Superintendent of Sales be instructed to confine himself to, or to insist on, the enforcement of the laws.
Mr. Burgoyne: Mr. President, that is a very comprehensive motion. I am prepared to second that part of the motion which refers to the raising of the commission if Mr
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 49
Holland is willing to bisect it. As far as my knowledge goes ten per cent, is the uni- form commission paid.
Mr. Holland signified his willingness to have the motion bisected as suggested by Mr. Burgoyne.
Mr. ' Burgoyne: As far as my knowledge goes ten per cent, is the uniform commis- sion paid for such service all over the country, and if the service is well rendered it is certainly well worth ten per cent. It is my belief in this case that it is not for us to consider, in arranging what commissions are to be paid, who the man is who holds the office of Exchange Superintendent or how he performs his duties; we are dealing with the office itself. If the duty is reasonably well performed it should be worth a commis- sion of ten per cent. ; therefore I am in favor of putting the commission where it formerly was, instead of at 1%%.
Mr. Carpenter: I am also in favor of returning the commission to ten per cent. Last year at Detroit there were a great many complaints made by the members to the Committee on By-Laws of which I was a member last year, that there would be more stamps put in the exchange circuits if the fee was reduced, and in fact a great many wished to reduce it to five per cent. If I remember rightly the Committee compromised and made it 1%</o in order to satisfy both sides, and as an experiment. For my part I can say the past year that there have not been more stamps put in and of better quality than when the commission was ten per cent., and therefore I should be in favor of returning it to ten. I know from experience that no man who attends to it as he should can afford to do it for less.
Mr. Wolsieffer: In order to put myself on record for several proxies that I hold, I desire to make the statement that I have a number of proxies that ask to have it placed back to ten per cent., and have several who say 1%% is enough, and I have one who wants to bring it down to five. Personally, with my knowledge of the stamp business, as well as having had exchange departments to look after, I would not do it for ten per cent, I would not do it for fifteen and give it the time that is necessary to do it correctly; and the collector who takes it even at ten I consider is doing a labor of love to a certain extent for the members of the Association. The payment, unless the sales are very, very large, can hardly be any adequate payment if he gets only ten per cent. I want to ask the Chair if the report of the Committee on Exchange Department has been submitted?
The President: The Chair will state that the Committee on Sales and Purchasing Department was composed entirely of New York members with instructions to report through the Official Journal for the reason that they have to audit the accounts, which cannot be gotten at at the Convention. The same course was pursued last year. If there are any portions of the report that the members would like to hear and take up in Con- vention here, the. Secretary can read the report again.
Mr. Wolsieffer; My reason for asking is that a suggestion was sent in by a proxy that an exchange feature should be added, that is plain exchange, no cash business at all; and I am in duty bound to mention that to the Committee for them to take cognizance of; and the matter of Control Stamps, several mention that they don't want them, they claim they are a nuisance, and a useless expense, and if anybody wants to remove a Con- trol Stamp and be dishonest they can do it any way; that is the plea that is made by the proxy. But I will be glad to coincide with Mr. Carpenter and Mr. Burgoyne in regard to raising it back to ten per cent.
Mr. Stone: I want to say a word against the Control Stamps? They are a nuisance.
The President: Just a moment, Mr. Stone. The motion before the house is entirely on the commission, Mr. Holland withdrew the balance of his motion.
The motion was then carried.
Mr. Stone: I move that the Committee be instructed to see if some means cannot be devised by which the Control Stamps can either be improved or done away with en- tirely. They are a great nuisance it seems to me, and the rule in regard to their use has not been lived up to. I have not used them myself the last year, and there has been no
50 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
objection made by the Superintendent, and a great many members have used rubber stamps like myself.
Motion seconded.
The President: The Chair will state for the information of Mr. Stone that the re- port of the Superintendent contained a recommendation that the size of the stamps be re- duced to about three-fourths, I believe that was the only mention that was made.
Mr. Price: I think the use of the Control Stamps should be left to each individual member. Sometimes it is very inconvenient and sometimes convenient. If we happen to have them right where we are working when we pick up a stamp it is all right to use them, but if we are in some other part of the city or some inaccessible place it is a nuis- ance. For my part I suggest that it be left to the discretion of the members whether they use them or not.
Mr. Thiele: I would suggest that if the use be continued the Superintendent be in- structed to obtain one with a little more agreeable flavor of gum, at least.
Mr. Burgoyne: I wish to direct attention to the fact that the Pittsburg Association is receiving a vote of vindication this year. A year ago I was instructed to request the Association at the Detroit Convention to order the abolition of the Control Stamps on the very grounds that are being assigned on all sides of me, and I was sat down on with great force. I felt then that a vindication would come some day and it appears to me it is coming now.
Motion then put to the Convention and carried.
Mr. Wolsieffer: It has not always been a pleasant job to hold a large number of proxies, particularly when you have to follow out the suggestion, etc., but I want to say I have quite a number of kicks against the Exchange Department under the present management, but I don't know just how to express the kicks as they are brought in un- less I bring the correspondence with me, but the general tenor of it is in the first place the circuits come scattering, very scattering, sometimes two or three come in a short time and the members cannot locate them, and they get mixed up, and there seems to be no system. One man in Chicago says he gets a circuit sent to him from Indiana, he in turn has to send it back to Iowa, and then again it comes back to Chicago to another member across the street.
One of the most serious matters is the fact that the first choice of these books appears to be given to outsiders, not members of the Association. No doubt it is a very fine thing for our Exchange Superintendent if he can sell a large number of these stamps at his place of business and don't have to circulate the books, but the members are marking as low as possible so as to give their fellow-members an opportunity of buying as low as possible. If the persons from the outside are to have first choice it seems hardly fair for those who have joined the Association to pick up an occasional snap and don't have that chance. There is nothing else that I recall excepting these complaints have come from different sources and from different sections of the country. I had intended to compile a list of these kicks, but I didn't have time to bring any data with me at all, and I was looking forward for the report of the Committee on Sales Dept. to be published in the Journal. I think I have said sufficient to bring this matter before the Convention.
Therefore, Mr. Chairman, I move that the Sales Superintendent be instructed not to give first choice of our books to any persons not members of the Association.
Motion seconded.
Mr. Stone: I would like a little information. I was asked yesterday if the Superin- tendent had first choice as was the custom some years ago. Is that still the custom?
The President: So far as the Chair knows there is no rule on that subject at all.
Mr. Price: The stamps in the Exchange Department are put there for the purpose of selling. I don't think that we care very much whether A, B, or C buys the stamps. If the Exchange Superintendent takes a notion to buy them or some of his friends drop in and buy them, or if they go out on circuits, I don't think we should care. I hardly
THE AMERICAN PHILATELITS. 51
think it would be fair to the Exchange Superintendent to curtail his work by saying that he should not buy them or that he should not sell them personally from his office.
The President: The Chair would like to state in that connection that this seems to him a very one-sided view of the matter to take. It is looked on from that standpoint as purely a selfish motive, the evident idea is to reap the dollars and cents without aEy regard to any benefits any other member may obtain. What we want is to get an equi- table system where all may obtain some benefit, and not have the members or outsiders in New York reap the benefit of the first books that come in there. The result of the way the present management is conducting the department is that a book never reaches the New York office with stamps in it that are worth anything, but that it is completely de- nuded before it is sent out ; a member outside of New York has absolutely no chance to pick up anything except the cheaper grades or damaged stamps that New York men don't want. While we are all willing to admit that we want to sell everything that is put in the Department. I think every one of us would like to add to our collections by the same means. Under the present management it is decidedly a rare thing that a stamp amounting to much ever goes out on the circuit. There is no reason why people on the outside, that is outside of New York, should not have an equal chance with the New York man ; he is as fully a member in every sense of the term, and, therefore, it would seem only just that there should be some system ; that the man who is first to-day should be last on the next circuit. As it is one coterie of men are first all the while and, outside of New York, the rest of us trail after in a more or less dilapidated condition. What we want is fairness and justice.
Mr. Carpenter: I can hardly agree with Mr. Price. As he says, the stamps are sold, and the owner of the stamps gets the money for them, but, on the other hand the good stamps don't go to the good collectors, and I know a great many liberal buyers, men that will buy good stamps and pay good prices for them, that will not have the cir- cuits come to them simply because when they get the circuits there are no stamps on that they want, and it is only postage and time wasted to receive the circuits, and in that way I think the seller gets less benefit under the present system than they would under Mr. Toppan's arrangement — then these collectors would be willing to have the circuits come and would buy.
Mr. Price: Personally I have never had more than one book on circuit, and I re- ceived §5.00 and some cents from what was sold, so in my remarks I was not speaking for myself. Sometimes I have received books that have been perfect, every stamp in the book, none had been culled out. At other times a good many had been culled out. I think it would be very hard to control this matter so that the members should all have a fair chance. It seems to me that when the books go to New York, if you say to the Sales Superintendent that he shall not pick out any stamps and he shall not sell them to any of his friends, it is putting him in a very hard place.
Mr. Wolsieffer: This is an Association of stamp collectors for stamp collectors ; it is not an Association for profit from stamps, and every collector is willing to divide his du- plicates with the other collectors of the Association. We are joining the Association for mutual benefit. If we are going to give this benefit in the way of our good duplicates for other members to give to outsiders what is the good of having the Association'? Where do the other members get any benefit where all the good things go to outsiders? I should be pleased to hear from the gentlemen right on the ground down there, Mr. Hol- land, late of New York, now of Chicago. He can probably tell us how these things are treated, probably better than any of us now except through hearsay.
The President: The Chair will say a few words more, and that is that he was not guessing in regard to the conduct of the New York office. Up to less than a year ago I was in New York half of my time. I know how things are run there. It is said that books come out occasionally with the stamps intact. That is a fact, but they are the cheaper class of stamps and the things the people will not take in New York; it is good
52 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
stamps and good things that people in New York are after. So far as the books are con- cerned they are skinned before they leave the Superintendent's office.
Mr. Holland: My experience, of course, in New York is that I have gone into the Exchange Superintendent's office and taken stamps off the books; sometimes the books have just come in, and I have looked at them, and, of course, I don't like to be hard on them, but I believe that Mr. Toppan is perfectly right in what he said, that very few de- sirable stamps get out of that office.
Mr. Burgoyne: Several of the members of the Association whose proxies I hold have asked me to join in whatever representations are made in favor of a change in the man- agement of the Exchange Department. One of the objections advanced on the part of my constituency, in addition to what I have already heard, bears on the class of books that come intact. It appears that the Exchange Superintendent does send a great many books around that remain intact because they are filled with current issues unused at such prices that no human being would think of purchasing. They make the circuits bulky, and the full book makes an appearance of a plentiful supply, but the collectors don't get much benefit from them. The general opinion of the Pittsburg members, as far as my opportunity of ascertaining goes, is that the headquarters of the Exchange Department thould be taken out of Nassau Street, New York. Once that they pass through there the belief of my constituency is that there is precious little left for col- lectors who wish to do business with their fellow-collectors.
Mr. Fratcher: I sent some stamps some time ago and got returns on August 2nd. Some catalogued as high as $3.00 or $2.00 that I was not positively sure were genuine. I sent these books down to New York, got them back on August 2nd; out two or three months, the insurance on one 63 cents, on the other 34 cents; he has never taken any stamps off the book, marked certain stamps counterfeit, but still charges the per cent. There is about $15.00 or $25.00 worth in these two particular books that they are charg- ing per cent, on, but still not taken out of the book. Now, in this return here I have sales $1.34 from one book and 70 cents from the other, some very fair stamps there; that is $2.04, less commission 16 cents, less insurance 95 cents, postage 14 cents, cash returned 79 cents. I got lots of money out of my stamps !
Mr. Aldrich: I have received a rather warm letter from a member of the As? ociation relative to the same matter, and in a later letter he seemed to some extent to have ex- perienced a change of heart and asked that it be suppressed on the grounds that Mr. Tuttle was not physically able to meet him in the field, or something like that. But at the same time there was some other matter that entered into the consideration, and that was at this same time last year where this member resides we had three co-members of the Association, two of these— one dropped out and one resigned, and the grounds they assigned was that they could find better service in exchange matters elsewhere. We just simply lost 50 per cent, of the membership in some western state through the Ex- change Department.
Mr. Thiessen: Since I have been in the Society I received stamps. Only from last August the Exchange Department stopped sending me stamps for half a year. 1 pay my dues, and I want to receive every benefit I can get out of the Society, therefore, I am in it, and therefore I sent him a letter asking why I did not receive the stamps. I wanted that the stamps should be sent regularly to me and not to be stopped.
Mr. Burgoyne: There is one other thing I would like to mention without naming any names. We have a man in Pittsburg who is Exchange Superintendent of the De- partment of another Association that has not the solidity of this one, and a very good Association too, but it does not stand on such a basis as the American Philatelic Associa- tion. Within the past year to my positive knowledge he has more than doubled the sales in that inferior Association, while in ours things seem to be going backwards— there certainly must be a screw loose somewhere. That I think is a pertinent illustration.
Mr. Oeo. Gregory: Before any action should be taken on this matter it would be well to know if there is anybody who is willing to take the work and labor on himself and'who
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 53
is capable of doing this work.
Mr. Doeblin: I would know a good man if I was asked.
The President: The question at present, Mr. Gregory, has really nothing to do to with a change in the Department. The Chair Las allowed the matter to run on in rather an informal manner simply to get the expressions of the different members on the sub- ject. The question before the Convention is simply to instruct the Superintendent not to give the outsiders first choice.
Question put and carried.
Mr. Wolsieffer: In the rapid manner in which the Convention went through yesterday I lost track of bringing up under the head of new business two suggestions which are offered by proxies. One is to the effect that there be a committee appointed, a standing com- mittee for each year, to be known as a Membership Committee, whose duties it shall be to influence all available A-l stamp collectors to join the Association. That is one. And then it is also requested by another proxy to make a suggestion that a committee be ap- pointed to form an official black list of dealers and collectors ; of well known frauds, so that the members can ascertain from some officer of this committee who, in the country at large, are to be trusted and who are not. Those are simply suggestions, and holding these proxies I was obliged to bring them up under instructions.
Mr. Deats: In as much as Mr. Krauth, who died last year, was one of the most prominent members the Association has had, I think it would be well to include his por. trait in the Year Book. I move that the Secretary be instructed and authorized to pro- cure a suitaMe portrait for an electrotype to be made, and insert the portrait in the Year Book as a frontispiece.
Motion seconded and carried.
Mr. Geo. Gregory: Is there anything to be done on the suggestions made by Mr. Wolsieffer?
The President: They are simply suggestions.
Mr. Geo. Gregory: I mean on the first suggestion to appoint a committee to look after members. I think it would be a good plan that all old members who have dropped out would be notified and that the Association set aside a certain sum of money to work upon and notify everybody to that effect. I make a motion to that effect.
Motion seconded and carried.
Mr. Wolsieffer: In bringing these matters up as I do, informally to-day, it is simply because they were skipped yesterday and I want to get them on record that I had done my duty to my proxies ; but the committees have already done their work and the re- ports have been accepted.
Mr. Bescher: There is one thing— it is hard to get a new member in again after he has been dropped out or resigned, he hates to go to work and pay for his new share ; if he has a share he thinks he is entitled to keep it.
The President: They have, of course, the alternative, in case they have been dropped, of settling up all arrearages; in fact a dropped member should not be admitted unless he has done so.
Mr. Aldrich: To square myself with one of the men whose proxy I hold I move that the Board of Directors be notified that it is the sense of the members of this Associa- tion that a change is extremely desirable in the Exchange Department,
The President: I presume Mr. Aldrich, you refer to the Manager of the Depart- ment?
Mr. Aldrich: Of course, the management at present is under charge of the manager.
Motion seconded.
Mr. Aldrich: I would like to have it placed on record that this is in behalf of a proxy. Personally I have had nothing to do with the Exchange Department for several years, so that I do not know really anything about it.
The motion was then carried.
54 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
Mr. Deats: Experience in this and other Associations has shown me that it is very desirable that all reports of officers and committees to a convention shall be in writing that they may be referred to other committees if necessary. I therefore move that Article III of the By-Laws be amended by adding a new Section to be known as Section VIII, and which shall read as follows: " At all meetings of the Association all reports of officers and committees and all resolutions must be presented in writing." And to re- number Sections 8 and 9, making them respectively Sections 9 and 10.
Motion seconded and carried.
Mr. Holland; The majority of the members of this Association and the members here present have probably heard of the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences, and I would like to say a few words in behalf of it. They held an exhibition last year which was very well attended, and there were some very nice stamps in it, and one gentleman, right over here, won a medal.
Our Association donated to the Institute certain medals and awards, and it is my pleasant duty to thank the members of the Association for their kind donation ; the do- nation was not all used and part of it was returned, as you saw by the Treasurer's re- port, but for that which they received they are very much obliged.
The Brooklyn Institute is probably doing a great deal of goo I in New York for the advancement of Philately, and they are a crowd of hustlers like the Chicago Society ; they do a good deal of work, and although they are not all of them — some of them are new to collecting — advanced collectors by any means, nevertheless the work they do in educating younger members in our hobby is very great. Last year at the exhibition and the year before we held on a Saturday afternoon what we called the "Public School Day," and all the boys in all the public schools in Brooklyn were invited to come. We received from the various dealers in New York packets of stamps, some containing five and some ten, and some 100 stamps, and we gave those stamps together with circulars and sample copies of periodicals and things to the boys as they came in, and our esti- mate of the attendance on those two days was something over 3,000 each day, and from our experience since then we feel very sure that we have gained at least 100 small boys to the ranks of philately, and I think anything that this Association or the members can do to help the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences will be very much appreciated and will be a great help to our hobby.
Mr. Stone; I would like to call attention to the fact that Mr. Frank H. Burt, who has been our stenographer for a number of years, but who has been unable to come this time, has sent us a number of sample copies of his publication "Among the Clouds," which he issues daily from the top of Mt. Washington.
Mr. Stone; I would like to offer the following resolution:
Resolved, That the hearty thanks of the Association be given to the Trustees of the Public Museum for placing at our disposal the room in which we have held our sessions.
Second and adopted.
Mr. Wolsieffer; It is eminently fit and proper that this Convention extend a vote of thanks to its presiding officer for the able manner in which he has carried us through the sessions of this Convention. I move that the President receive a vote of thanks.
Motion seconded.
Mr. Stone in the Chair: You have heard the motion that a vote of thanks be ex- tended to our President, Mr. Geo. L. Toppan, for the able manner in which he has con- ducted the Convention.
Motion carried by a rising vote.
President Toppan in the Chair: Gentlemen, I assure you I sincerely appreciate and thank you for your expressions of good will. Are there any other matters'?
Mr. Carpenter: There is another officer of this Convention who generally gets a good share of criticism and abuse and very little praise. I refer now to the Secretary ; and, while I do not wish to cast any reflections on some who have preceded him, certainly the business of this Convention has run a great deal smoother than any I have ever at-
THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST. 55
tended, and it is due in a great measure to the work the Secretary has put in beforehand: Therefore I would ask for a rising vote of thanks to our Secretary, Mr. H. E. Deats.
The President: Gentlemen, you have all heard the motion, and all have risen, there- fore there is no necessity of putting the question — it is a unanimous vote.
Mr. Aldrich then offered the following resolution.
Resolved, that the thanks of the Association be given to the press of Milwaukee for their excellent reports of our sessions.
Motion seconded, put and carried.
Mr. Burgoyne; Some reference has already been made in this Convention to the fact that when Milwaukee was chosen as the place of meeting for this year there was no Stamp Association in the city at that time, and the Association was depending upon — well, was taking a rest so to speak — depending for its entertainment upon chance or its own capacity for entertaining itself. In the meantime an Association sprang up out of nothing, and we have here to-day the proof of the wonderful spirit generated among the members of that Association, a spirit that has had splendid manifestation in the enter- tainment afforded us here during the few days of our sessions. I think it is due to Mr. C. C. Johnson, who has labored indefatigably as the Chairman of the Entertainment Committee, and also to the other members of the Entertainment Committee, and to the two or three collectors of Milwaukee, who have labored sedulously siuce we have been here to afford us entertainment and to see that we lost none of the good things available during our stay here — it is due to them to offer them a cordial vote of thanks; to express our sincere appreciation of the fraternal spirit shown here and of the admirable enter- tainment afforded us.
The President; Gentlemen, I know you will all take pleasure in making that vote unanimous. I will therefore ask those in favor to rise.
All members then rose from their seats.
Mr. Aldrich: At the special request of our most bashful member, our Eesident Vice- President of Pittsburg, I would move that a vote of thanks be tendered to the Pabst Brewery for the excellent beer furnished him yesterday.
The President: Does Mr. Doeblin second the motion'?
Mr. Doeblin: I second the motion.
The President: Gentlemen, you have heard the motion, or possibly before I put the question some of you would like to be included in the vote?
The motion was then carried.
Mr. Holland: It seems there is one standing committee which I think deserves a great deal of credit and certainly a vote of thanks for the work they have done. A great many members of the stamp collecting fraternity do not care very much for litera- ture, but it is a necessary adjunct to our hobby, and it seems to me that the Committee which made their first report last year and followed it up this year should receive a hearty vote of thanks for the great amount of labor and work which they have done this year. I therefore move you that the Committee on Philatelic Literature be given a vote of thanks.
Motion seconded and carried.
At this juncture Mr. Johnson, Chairman of the Entertainment Committee made his reappearance.
The President: Gentlemen, there is one other announcement that Mr. Holland has to make before we adjourn.
Mr. Holland: Mr. President, it is one of the most pleasant duties I have to perform and in a little measure a surprise to two of our members ; I think it will probably come as a great surprise to both of them, as each of them helped towards the surprise for the other.
You all recognise and appreciate the great amount of work which our President and the Chairman of our Committee on Arrangements, Mr. Johnson, have done for the pleas- ure and welfare of the Convention. We thought it would be rather a nice thing if we
56 THE AMERICAN PHILATELIST.
could all get together, as we did, and contribute a little loving cup, we might say, in the shape of a stamp which one of them wanted, or something of that kind, and we managed by some hook or crook to find out something that each of them wanted, and it is with great pleasure that I present, on behalf of the members of the Association here, to our worthy President a little token of our esteem, and also to our friend Mr. Johnson
(Mr. Holland handed to Mr. Toppan unused horizontal pairs of the 1882, United States, lc. and 3c. Standard Catalogue, No. 2f6a and 207a ; to Mr. Johnson, a fine un- used copy of the 6 reales, blue, 1851, Spain, Standard Catalogue, No. 10.)
The President; Gentlemen, fellow members ; I can say most sincerely that it is a surprise to me, because I certainly have appreciated the efforts of Mr. Johnson and worked to give him a pleasant surprise. However pleasant that surprise may be, it cannot equal or excel both the surprise and pleasure which I feel. I am sure that you all know that I have the interest of the Association at heart ; that I do the best that I can to advance its interests in every way, and have done it without any expectation of reward, and for the stamps which have been so kindly presented to me to-diy