develop its strength. Dependence on membership fees, large in number, and on State appropriations made it absolutely necessary to place emphasis upon the collection and display of relics and other tokens of pioneer life. It was, however, with genuine appreciation that we sought these tokens through which to idolize the pioneers. Still the society during the six and one half years of its existence has striven assiduously and insidiously to extend its activities so that it might much more nearly accomplish th- work of a full-fledged State historical society. An uncatalogued library and unindexed collections betray how closely we are still bound in our swaddling clothes.
We are in position now to consider the aims and ideals which should shape the future of the society. The condition of the field for a historical society as to the presence of rivals is an important matter, bearing upon what should advisedly be undertaken in the future. There was nothing in the nature of historical activity at our State capital. The nucleus or germinal activity at the State University, from which the society was an outgrowth, was merged into this organization by making the then professor of history the secretary of the society. The main pioneer association was also placed in satisfactory relation to the society by employing its secretary as the assistant secretary of the historical society. The rooms and the main body of the collections of the society are at Portland the principal center of population in the State and the home of the great body of the active and influential membership of the society. Alongside these elements of advantage in the location of the society must be noted the fact that Portland is not the capital, nor is it the home of the State University. A State historical society ideally constituted for larger and higher service contemplates the cooperation of appropriate agencies at each of these points, the State capital, the State University, and the center of population. But separation
