Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub

ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE

MAY, 1898.

HANDBOOK

OF THE

American Academy

OF

Political and Social

Science.

PHILADELPHIA:

AMERICAN ACADEMY OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCE.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE ACADEMY.

idea

The American Academy of Political and Social Science was Date of organization founded at a meeting held in Philadelphia, December 14, 1889.1 It was the outgrowth of the desire for an organization in which the widespread interest in political, economic and social discussion should find a focus. It was felt by those who called the meeting that these interests should have an organ which could properly represent this wide group of sciences, and be at the same time an intermediary between scientific thought and practical effort. In many fields, earnest men and women were at work in various reform movements, without co-operation, and, above all, without the sympathy and support of those pursuing allied interests, whether in a practical or a theoretical way. These considerations were laid before the preliminary meeting The Academy held in December, 1889, and led to the foundation of the American Academy of Political and Social Science. The Academy form of organization was adopted advisedly. It was not the intention of the founders to form an exclusive and small body of experts on these subjects, but to make the Academy idea thoroughly democratic. This, it is true, is something of a departure from the current notion of an Academy as developed by learned bodies, both in this country and abroad. Nevertheless it is desired to maintain the essential principle of all Academies, namely, co-operation and mutual fellowship among the members. The council determined to admit to the American Academy of Political and Social Science anyone of high or humble station, of great or small intellectual attainments, providing only that a sincere interest in the search for light and truth concerning social and economic questions was manifest. The data of the social sciences are so widely distributed in time and space and are to be derived so directly from the experience and thought of individuals in all stations of life, that it probably lies within the range of possibility for every human being who will observe and reflect upon the commonest experiences of every-day life to contribute something to the sum of knowledge on these subjects. It is therefore, one of the objects of the Academy to stimulate and direct such observation and reflection on the part of all those

who come in touch with this work that they may become first of all, more intelligent citizens, and secondly, that each member may be willing to assist any other member, through the medium of our publications and, when called upon, through correspondence, in the securing of information from all quarters bearing on social and economic problems. The present large membership, widely distributed geographically, has enabled us to realize alnewly in some small measure this large ideal.

At the first meeting the Constitution of the Academy was Soon avy wilcers elected and methods of work outlined. * New 10e foundation of the Academy, a proposition was received y the Pladelphia Social Science Association, looking to a mag ka vé that organisation with the newly formed Academy. Pra Anyvale was scepted, the members of the Philadelphia Nya Near Isweater becoming members of the Academy, De verita, vas de vider association passing into its conN e ci and honorable career of the PhilaNone AND was prepared by Mr. Joseph RMA TASWIRANNALS for April, 1891. TO A PRNs the Academy started

[ocr errors]

wa vich soon followed

Ag is Numbers With each inposle u extend the scope

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors]

At the outset several papers were often read at each meeting, but experience has shown that unless the topics of the papers are related, and furnish the basis of a common discussion, this plan has its disadvantages. More recently each meeting has been devoted to a single topic which has been fruitful in stimulating discussion. In presenting a record of the meetings of the Academy, it has been found practicable to record only the principal speakers and the titles of their papers. Such a list shows the wide variety of topics which fall within the Academy's activity and their importance to the welfare of the community. The meetings of the Academy have been as follows:

1. March 21, 1890-Dr. Stuart Wood, "Theories of Wages." Prof. S. N. Patten, "Decay of Local and State Governments in the United States."

2. April 29, 1890.-Prof. F. H. Giddings, "Province of Sociology."

Prof. E. J. James, "A New System of Passenger Fares."

3. November 13, 1890.-Prof. W. P. Holcomb, "Our National Bureau of Education."

Prof. F. N. Thorpe, "Are the State Governments Decaying?"

4. December 12, 1890. -Prof. C. Stuart Patterson, "The Original Package Decision."

5. January 14, 1891.-Dr. John S. Billings, "Public Health and Municipal Government."

6. February 12, 1891.-Mr. F. W. Holls, "Compulsory Voting." 7. March 12, 1891.-Mr. F. B. Hawley, "Preliminaries to the Discussion of Socialism."

8. April 17, 1891.-Mr. E. R. Johnson, "River and Harbor Bills." 9. May 15, 1891.-Mr. E. P. Oberholtzer, "American Forms of the Referendum."

Prof. S. N. Patten, "Economic Basis of Prohibition." 10. November 24, 1891.-Mr. F. P. Prichard, "The Study of Municipal Government."

Mr. Lincoln L. Eyre, "The Relation of National Party to Municipal Government."

Mr. William Draper Lewis, "The Political Organization of a Modern Municipality."

« PredošláPokračovať »