after the adjournment of the Society. At this meeting it was agreed by the Trustees that the Society accept the invitation from Chillicothe to celebrate at that place the Ohio Centennial Anniversary the day to be later determined by the Executive Committee of the trustees.

In accordance with the provisions of House Joint Resolution No. 53, Governor Nash, on June 19, 1902, appointed the following commissioners to co-operate with the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society: Gen. J. Warren Keifer, Springfield; Hon. Rush R. Sloane, Sandusky; General B. R. Cowen, Cincinnati; General James Barnett, Cleveland; Hon. David S. Gray, Columbus; General Charles M. Anderson, Greenville; Hon. Robert W. Manly, Chillicothe.

On October 22, 1902, during its extraordinary session, the General Assembly (75th), appropriated to the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society "for expenses of the centennial anniversary of the admission of Ohio into the Union to be paid out upon vouchers approved by the Governor and Secretary of said Society," the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

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The Trustees of the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society at this time were: Judge James H. Anderson, Columbus; Bishop B. W. Arnett, Wilberforce; Hon. Elroy M. Avery, Cleveland; Mr. George F. Bareis, Canal Winchester; Gen. R. Brinkerhoff, Mansfield; Judge M. D. Follett, Marietta; Hon. Charles P. Griffin*, Toledo: Hon. R. E. Hills, Delaware; Mr. W. H. Hunter, Chillicothe; Col. James Kilbourne, Columbus; Rev. N. B. C. Love, Deshler; Prof. J. P. MacLean, Franklin; Prof. C. L. Martzolff, New Lexington; Hon. A. R. McIntire, Mt. Vernon; Prof. B. F. Prince, Springfield; Mr. E. O. Randall, Columbus; Hon. S. S. Rickly, Columbus; Hon. D. J. Ryan, Columbus: Rev. H. A. Thompson, Dayton; Gen. George B. Wright, Columbus and Prof. G. Frederick Wright, Oberlin. This board of Trustees had chosen at its annual meeting, June 6, 1902, as its Executive Committee, Messrs Brinkerhoff, Wright (Geo. B.), Bareis, Rickly, McIntire, Prince, Ryan, Wright (G. Fred),

*Mr. Griffin died at Toledo, December 18, 1902. On March 2, 1903, Governor Nash appointed Col. John W. Harper of Cincinnati as the successor of Mr. Griffin.

Hunter and Randall. Under the usual method of procedure by the Society this Executive Committee acted for the Trustees in the arrangements for the centennial.

On November 14, 1902, in the Judiciary Building, Columbus, was held the first joint meeting of the Centennial Commission and the Executive Committee of the Society. Governor Nash was present and was made honorary president of the joint commission. General J. Warren Keifer was made permanent chairman and Mr. E. O. Randall permanent secretary. After some discussion concerning the relative authority and power of the coinmission appointed by the Governor and the executive committee of the Society, it was decided, without opposition, that the centennial commission and executive committee act throughout in all respects as a single committee, it being understood that the centennial was to be celebrated under the auspices of the Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society, but with the advice and co-operation of the commission appointed by the Governor. This united committee was thereafter known as the Joint Centennial Commission. The following resolution was adopted:

"That the centennial of the adoption of the Constitution of Ohio be celebrated at Chillicothe. Saturday, November 29, 1902, and that the centennial of the organization of Ohio into the Union (that date being March 1, 1803) be celebrated at Chillicothe, the first state capital, on Wednesday and Thursday, May 20 and 21, 1903."

This date in May was selected in preference to the historic and correct one of March 1, as the latter date this year (1903) fell on Sunday, and moreover stormy and uncertain March would bc a more inconvenient and inclement season for the attendance of the people than the pleasant and merry month of May.

The ceremonies of the anniversary of the first constitutional convention, November 29, 1902, were to be entirely under the auspices and direction of the local authorities at Chillicothe, but the Centennial Commission and all officials and members of the State Archæological and Historical Society were invited to be present as guests of honor.

Governor Nash being called upon for his views as to the nature of the proposed centennial celebration, stated that it was

his idea that it should be a literary and historical event, with no attempt at an exposition; prominent and competent speakers. should be chosen to deliver addresses pertinent to the occasion. The legislative appropriation was not sufficient for any military, industrial or spectacular display. If the patriotic people of Chillicothe desired to have an exhibition of historical relics, a parade. or other attractive features fitting and interesting, they should

be permitted and encouraged to do so. In this view the members of the Joint Commission generally concurred.

General Charles M. Anderson suggested that the program of subjects for the speeches be so designated and arranged as to practically present in sequence a history of the state from the time. of the establishment of the Northwest Territory to the present time, that of the centennial celebration.

Hon. A. R. McIntire presented the plan which had been contemplated by the Society to have a celebration throughout the

state by the school children on some day, proximate as possible to the actual date, March 1.

The secretary of the Joint Centennial Commission was authorized to have designed, engraved and printed a handsome symbolic souvenir invitation to be sent to such recipients, in Ohio and other states, as might be thought entitled to such courtesy and recognition.

The Joint Centennial Commission then selected an executive committee which was empowered to formulate a program in detail for the centennial and report at the earliest convenience to the Joint Centennial Commission. The Executive Committee thus chosen consisted of Messrs. Keifer, Gray, Manly, Brinkerhoff, Hunter, Ryan and Randall. The Executive Committee held meetings at Chillicothe on November 29, 1902, and Columbus, December 13, 1902.

On November 29, 1902, the Centennial celebration of the adoption of Ohio's first constitution took place at Chillicothe. As the convening of that memorable first convention and its deliberations were an inseparable part of the proceedings by which Ohio was organized into a State, the centennial anniversary exercises of that event may be regarded as a proper prelude to the celebration of Ohio's Statehood. The proceedings at Chillicothe on November 29, 1902, are therefore given in full in this volume. On that occasion the Hon. Daniel J. Ryan, trustee of The Ohio State Archæological and Historical Society, delivered the oration on "Ohio's First Constitution," and Hon. William T. McClintick, a life member of the Society, made a most interesting address upon "The Men and Times of the First Convention."

On December 29, 1902, the Joint Centennial Commission held its second meeting at which the Executive Committee made its report of the proposed topics and speakers selected for the centennial. At this meeting the committee appointed by the Society to arrange for the school children's celebration also made its report. That committee, consisting of Prof. C. L. Martzolff, Hon. D. J. Ryan and Prof. Frank B. Pearson, presented a carefully prepared scheme for the celebration, by the pupils of the public schools, of the admission of Ohio into the Union. That day was