MR. JOHN E. O’BRIEN: Mr. President and Fellow Members, the committee appointed at the last annual meeting were called together shortly after their appointment and decided that it was important that the constitution should be amended in several matters. The present constitution is somewhat antiquated, and that applies equally to the by-laws because of changed conditions and changes in policy. For example, under the present by-laws the dues are only two or three dollars a year, whereas we have been charging five dollars; and the officers provided for are somewhat different than those that have been elected for years. The committee, therefore, have determined upon and beg to submit the following constitution. I hesitate to read this, Mr. President, because it is rather long. DR. QUINLAN: Could you not read it in abstract? Then we shall get the essence of it. Will it come before the meeting for action? [Illustration: WILLIAM H. DELANEY, ESQ., Of New York City. A Member of the Society. ] MR. LENEHAN: Mr. President, I would suggest that a constitution which covers so many points ought more properly to be printed and possibly submitted to the Executive Council for consideration, and later may be submitted to the Society for other suggestions. DR. QUINLAN: That is a splendid suggestion and if the reader will accept the same and incorporate it in his report, I think it will be very wise. As you say, Mr. O’Brien, it is rather lengthy. MR. O’BRIEN: I think it is a very good suggestion. The present constitution provides it may be amended at any regular meeting, so it seems unnecessary to give notice. I second the recommendation and hope, when this comes before the members of the Society, they will compare it carefully with the constitution now printed in the Journal, and recommendations of any changes will be very gladly received. Therefore I move that this be referred to the Executive Council, and that they be instructed to provide for the printing and distribution of the same among the members of the Society. DR. QUINLAN: I will ask, however, that Mr. O’Brien give in a brief way an abstract of it, alluding to the salient changes. MR. JOHN J. ROONEY: I will make a further suggestion. We are all of us more or less familiar with the present constitution, and, instead of an abstract, he might indicate the changes. DR. QUINLAN: Very good. Mr. O’Brien, will you proceed? MR. O’BRIEN: In the first place, we say the object of the Society is “to make better known the Irish chapter in American history,” substituting that in the place of about two pages. Under Article II, entitled “Membership,” we provide for three classes of members, life, annual and honorary. We see no necessity for corresponding members, and, in fact, I believe there are none such in the Society.