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would necessarily count as a negative.  I would suggest that a three-fourths favorable vote of all ballots passed be sufficient to elect, provided that such three-fourth vote constitute at least a majority of the membership of the Society.

In conclusion, let me congratulate the Society on the progress it has made in this its first year.  The formative period is always a difficult one, and in our case owing to the widely dispersed membership great responsibilities rest on the Executive Committee, who, in many cases, has to dispose of questions that arise, without being able to consult their fellow-members and without precedents to guide them.  Mutual forbearance and mutual sacrifices are necessary that the great work of the Society may go on and the bright promises of the future may be realized.  We have astonished our Western cities by the strength of our first exhibition: perhaps we may astonish some of the older centers in Art some day and become a potent factor in the Art life of this our own great country.

Very respectfully,


President.

Indianapolis, March 9, 1897.