ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SECRETARIES.
The first step toward the organization of the National Geographic Society was the circulation of the following invitation, on Jan. 10, 1888.
"Dear Sir: You are invited to be present at a meeting to be held in the Assembly hall of the Cosmos Club, Friday evening, January 13, at 8 o'clock, for the purpose of considering the advisability of organizing a society for the increase and diffusion of geographical knowledge.
Very respectfully yours,
- Gardiner G. Hubbard,
- A. W. Greely,
- J. R. Bartlett,
- Henry Mitchell,
- Henry Gannett,
- A. H. Thompson,
In response to this invitation 33 gentlemen met at the appointed place and time. The meeting was called to order by Prof. A. H. Thompson, who stated its objects and nominated Capt. C. E. Dutton as chairman. The formation of a geographic society was discussed by Messrs. Hubbard, Bartlett, Thompson, Mitchell, Kennan, Gannett, Merriam and Gore.
The following resolution, introduced by Prof. Thompson, was adopted:
Resolved, 1. As the sense of this meeting that it is both advisable and practicable to organize at the present time a geographic society in Washington;
2. That this society should be organized on as broad and liberal a basis in regard to qualifications for membership as is consistent with its own well being and the dignity of the science it represents.
3. That a committee of nine be appointed by the chairman to prepare a draft of a constitution and plan of organization, to be presented at an adjourned meeting to be held in this hall on Friday evening, January 20, 1888."
A committee was appointed by the chair, consisting of Messrs. Hubbard, Greely, Bartlett, Mitchell, Kennan, Thompson, Gore, Tittman and Merriam for formulating a plan of organization.
