the people and the credit of the nation. On the principle that he who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before is a national benefactor, so it is that in our profession, as, indeed, in any other, he who by his study and devotion contributes to the comfort and convenience of the people, confers a national benefit. So again, we Americans, by which I mean we who people this North American Continent, young still in the world's history, are competing with the old world, and, whenever we can surpass its denizens in the arts and sciences, we have double cause for rejoicing, not only that we have added to our own national fame, but that we have contributed our share to the advancement of intelligence on those distant shores from which, in the natural order of things, we might expect to receive rather than to impart instruction.

I greet you again, then, gentlemen, as the appointed representatives of a business interest, which involves the very highest sanctions of science, and the best convenience of the people.

It is one of the most common topics of newspaper criticism to ascribe to our profession a desire to accumulate gain without regard to the means leading to it, and yet, in your behalf, I venture to say that there is no business where there is a greater desire to afford the product of industry at a closer remuneration than this, and none, where those in whose behalf such business is carried on, are more disposed to believe all that is said by persons inimical to us and our industry. Out of the labors of this Association there ought to grow-nay, there is growing a different appreciation, and I look forward with confidence to the time when our labors will be recognized and accepted as one of the agencies tending to the elevation of our national character, and giving us a rank not to be outshone by the labors and discoveries of Europe, hoary with the dust of centuries.

We are here, gentlemen, to consider what has been accomplished during the year now drawing to its close, and to unite in counsel for the history we are to make in the future. Let us not forget that whatever we may have achieved is simply a stenping-stone to further and more important advances, Sir Isaac

Newton, when complimented upon his discoveries in science, said, “I am like a man standing upon the sea-shore; it has been permitted me to pick up here and there a few pebbles, but I cannot forget that there is a whole ocean before me." And Daniel Webster once remarked, "We wonder at startling discoveries made from time to time, but we go on from age to age, and find this earth a constant study, affording delight and rewarding our every effort."

Such is our chosen mission; we have voluntarily made ourselves the apostles of study and devotion, and while we are in the discharge of our duties as such, there can be nothing too simple nor yet to recondite for our examination. Let, then, the most modest among you, who imagines that he has discovered some principle or process hitherto concealed, frankly explain it here among his peers, and let us all approach its discussion in the spirit that becomes earnest, serious men, and so out of our deliberations will come that which we seek, and for which this Association was organized-" the greatest good of the greatest number."

It may, perhaps, be expected that I should refer in this brief address to various matters that have been presented to me during the recess. I am free to say that many such have received my careful attention and earnest consideration, but I do not feel at liberty to forestall your opinions, even constructively, by expressing my own at this time. It is rather to be desired, as the words already spoken will demonstrate to you, that each should examine for himself the matters that may be presented, and out of our mutual counsel there will grow at least an approximation of the truth. By such communion we shall separate with the impression of friendly counsel, and, I doubt not, the conviction that the world is not yet ready to dispense with gas light.

The address was greeted with continued applause.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES.

MR. DENNISTON, Chairman of the Executive Committee, made the following report:

To the Officers and Members of the American Gas Light Asso

ciation-The Executive Committee offer the following report

and recommendations:

Ist. That the following papers be read—

By CAPT. G. W. DRESSER, of New York, upon the Gas Works of London.

By. J. S. CHAMBERS, of New Jersey-Facts in regard to Water Gas, etc.

BY CHAS. H. NETTLETON, of Derby Conn., on Selling Gas. By G. A. MCILHENNY, of Washington, D. C.-Government of Gas Works.

By T. O'CONNOR SLOANE, of Brooklyn-Relations of Light and Heat in Gas Flame.

2d. We further recommend that the salary of the Secretary and Treasurer be fixed at $250 for the ensuing year.

3d. That the surplus funds in the treasury after each annual session be safely invested by the treasurer, with the approval of the Finance Committee.

4th. That the printing, in book form, of the proceedings of the Association be deferred until after the next annual meeting.

5th. That the distribution to new members of the printed reports be confined to the date of their admission.

6th. That sales of copies of the printed reports to non-members may be made at the rate of $1.50 per volume.

7th. That the President, Secretary and Chairman of the Executive Committee, be a Committee on Lectures.

8th. We recommend for honorary membership W. W. Greenough, Esq., of Boston.

W. H. DENNISTON,
Chairman.

MR. DENNISTON-These recommendations have been considered by the committee, for reasons given by the secretary and others, and they have been made in this form. I, therefore, move that the report be received, and that the recommendations be acted upon singly; there are some that may cause

considerable discussion. Carried. It is necessary that some of these recommendations should be acted upon before the election of officers takes place.

THE PRESIDENT-In the regular order of business, as prescribed by the By-laws, the reading of papers comes last. I suppose the recommendations of the committee, referring to the business that, in the order prescribed by the By-laws, is to come before us, are first in order.

MR. COGGSHALL-I submit the question of the propriety of those recommendations coming before the association under the head of general business. We generally receive these reports in the general order of business, and lay them on the table until the proper time for taking action upon them arrives

MR. DENNISTON-As I said before, it is necessary that some of these recommendations should be acted upon before the election of officers takes place.

MR. COGGSHALL-Does not action upon the recommendations of this report come under the head of general business? THE PRESIDENT-The reading of papers, according to our By-laws, comes before "general business."

MR. DENNISTON-I think the Association will see that it is necessary to act upon some of these recommendations before the transaction of " general business" is reached.

MR. NEAL-I move that action be taken at once upon the resolution of the committee, in regard to the election of Mr. Greenough. Carried.

The resolution was then unanimously adopted.

THE PRESIDENT-It gives me great pleasure to present to you, for election as honorary member, Mr. W. W. Greenough, of Boston, formerly president of the New England Association. He is a gentleman I have known for many years; a high-toned and accomplished man, and deeply attached to the profession in which we all take so much pride. They have done me the honor to make me an honorary member of that Association, simply, I presume, because of the distinction you have conferred upon me here. So far as that is concerned, I feel highly

complimented in being made an honorary member of that Association, which is working for the same purpose as our own. But, apart from that, the individual merit of this distinguished gentleman is of such a high character, that it will be an honor to receive him among us. I, therefore, propose that we now proceed to elect this gentleman as an honorary member.

On motion, the secretary was directed to cast a ballot of the Association. Mr. Cartwright and Mr. Cornell were appointed tellers, and declared Mr. Greenough unanimously elected an honorary member.

MR. M. S. GREENOUGH-Permit me, gentlemen of the Association, to express, on behalf of my father, his appreciation and my own, of the kind words your President has uttered, and to thank you for the honor you have conferred upon him in making him an honorary member of this Association.

THE PRESIDENT It will be in order now, I suppose, to take up the report of the Executive Committee, in reference to the recommendation about reading the papers. Do the Association wish to vote upon that?

On motion, the recommendation was adopted.

THE PRESIDENT-The committee desire that we should take separate action on each one of them, and they prefer that it should be done at this time, and I see no objection to it.

MR. HARBISON-I move the adoption of the second recommendation of the Executive Committee, that the "salary of the secretary and treasurer of the Association be fixed at the rate of $250 per annum."

MR. DENNISTON-I beg leave to say, in regard to this recommendation, that it was made after careful consideration of the amount of funds in the hands of the Association, and its requirements. We thought it advisable, among other things, to reduce the salary of the secretary. There was no intention to reflect in any way upon the present efficient officer. He has given entire satisfaction, I believe, and it was not on that account that the salary was reduced, but in the hope that the duties of the secretary in the future would be lighter than they have been in the past, and $250 was deemed sufficient by a