REGISTER.OUR ALUMNI.
MEMBERSHIP ROLL
NEW MEMBERS DURING THE YEAR.
MEMBERS WHO RESIGNED.
EXPELLED, JAN. 5, 1885. Elmer A. Pierce.ROLL OF OFFICERS.
P.B.D.C. ORGANIZED 1881.The Palladian Boys' Debating Club meets each Saturday evening during the college year. The object of the organization is to give opportunity for drill in debate and impromptu speaking. Officers are elected each term.
PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY SINCE ITS ORGANIZATION.
EX-SECRETARIES.
ANNUAL EXERCISES.SECOND ANNUAL
THROUGH the liberality of two alumnimembers of the socity—Messrs. Clement Chase and Daniel H. Wheeler, Jr., of Omaha—all Palladians are allowed to compete each year for the above prizes. Thus far, this is the only regular contest of any kind established in the University, and the results of the contest have been gratifying both to the society and to the enterprising gentlemen who are the authors and patrons of the movement. A. G. Warner
SecondR. F. Marsh
FIRST ANNUAL
At the close of these exercises the Society adjourned to the Commercial hotel, where a banquet tendered the P.G.D.C. closed one of the pleasantest events of Palladian history. [For copies of the productions, see files in the keeping of the custodian of Palladian records.] FOURTEENTH
[For productions and press notices, see the file in the keeping of the custodian of Palladian records.]
SPECIAL EVENTS.O'SHEA CONTEST.
During the spring term of '84 William O'Shea had offered a morocco-bound copy of "Dante's Inferno," illustrated by Dore, to the winning society in a literary contest to be held in the opera house some time during the fall term of '84. Committees were appointed by the Palladian and Union socieites, arrangements made, rules agreed on, classes chosen, judges selected by the contestants, and a contest took place December 11, resulting in victory for the Palladians. P.G.D.C. The Palladian Girls' Debate Club meets each Friday afternoon of the college year. None are admitted but Palladian girls, and new members are thus given a less embarrassing audience before which to practice the art of public speaking.
ANTI-FRATERNITY AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION. At the beginning of the college year 1884-5 there were some fourteen Palladians who were members of fraternities. The three fraternities represented were aggressive in proportion to their strength, and the outsiders were inevitably suspicious of them from the first. The anti-fraternity men, both in the Palladian and Union societies, did energetic though unorganized work to prevent the spread of the secret and exclusive Hellenism. After patient collection of what seemed impartial testimony from all sources open to them, they came to certain conclusions, of which only the following need be noticed here: (1) It is best for colleges and for the individual students therein that active, open literary societies should exist; (2) Wherever the secret fraternities have become strong they have killed the literary societies, or have utterly destroyed their usefulness; (3) The same tendency is already apparent here, and the danger calls for decisive action. It was found that the old rivalry between the literary societies had been broken down, that the confidence in each other had been destroyed, and that work for the society was done mainly as it might or might not have some influence in the faction struggle between the "frats" and "barbs." On October 24th there were submitted to the society amendments to the Constitution which forbade future Palladians to belong to secret fraternities, but made no change in the status of those already members. On the following Saturday evening a meeting for all students was called to meet in the chapel to discuss these amendments and like ones that had been offered in the Union. Though some fraternity men were present, they refused to do anything except report the proceedings. The non-fraternity men brought forth their evidence, stated their position, and adjourned. On Friday evening, October 31st, after a warm and long debate, the Palladian Society passed the amendments by a vote of forty to seventeen. At this time, or soon after, most of the defeated party withdrew. Their loss was something of a blow to the society, but was by no means as dangerous as their continued presence as organizations would have been.
GENERAL REMARKS. During the year, and especially after the fraternity question had been settled, an increasing tendency was manifested to establish more cordial relations between the society and its alumni. The album presented to the society by the class of '83 contained but few photographs of Palladian graduates, and more earnest efforts were made to collect the remainder of the forty which it should now contain. Some of the old members were present at the reception to the P.G.D.C. at the Commercial hotel after the "Palladian Programme," and from suggestions made by them at that time a movement is now in progress to secure alumni contributions to the Friday night programmes. Many old Palladians have signified their willingness to perform. The Corresponding Secretary was made to feel that his office would no longer be a sinecure, and in addition to his regular duties was made custodian of Palladian Records. The accumulation of the productions of Palladians for special occasions was vigorously undertaken, and it is the intention to make each year add something permanently valuable to the wealth of Palladian tradition. The enthusiastic efforts of more than a thousand different students have been put forth during the last fifteen years to make the society what it is, and the present members are resolved that if their unshaken loyalty and best endeavour can worthily continue its splendid record, then shall neither its [reputation] nor its actual usefulness suffer at their hands.
PALLADIAN.The Palladian Society was organized early in the fall of 1871, but a few weeks after the opening of the University. Room No. 12, now occupied by the Medical Department, was assigned for its use, and both professors and students worked enthusiastically for the success of the new organization. The hall was at first barren of furniture, save rough chairs for the performers, and a deal table, behind which the debaters fortified themselves. Settees from the recitation rooms were brought in, to accommodate the bare walls and uncarpeted floor. Amid these rugged surroundings, the first Palladians began to train themselves in oratory and debate. Gentlemen alone constituted the membership in those early days, and as a consequence, vigor characterized their discussions, and the parliamentary struggles that always arise were of unusual fierceness. In the winter of 1873 a conflict between opposing factions caused the withdrawl of a large number of members, who organized themselves into the Adelphian Society. Palladian, however, was the stronger of the two, and enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. A carpet was purchased; pictures, an organ, and other furniture was added; and ladies were admitted to membership. Again, in the fall of 1876, the Society was weakened by the resignation of all the members except barely a dozen preparatory students—the retiring ones fusing with the feeble Adelphian and forming the University Union. A debt was hanging over the Society, and the opposition had deranged the heating apparatus of the hall, making it necessary to hold the meetings in other places. The outlook could not have been more gloomy; but Palladian grit was finally triumphant. The truant members returned; large accessions were made to the membership; and uninterrupted prosperity has since been the lot of the society. In the fall of 1880 the hall now in use was occupied, having been fitted up at a cost of four hundred dollars. Three years later, over six hundred dollars was expended in decorating and furnishing. Palladian is now entirely free from debt, has a home said to be exceeded in beauty by but few in the United States, and possesses a membership united and enthusiastic as never before in its history.
CONSTITUTION.ARTICLE I.—MEMBERSHIP. SECTION 1. [As amended January 18, 1884.] This society shall be known as the Palladian Literary Society, and its motto shall be: "Forma Mentis AEterna est." SEC. 2. [As amended October 1, 1884.] The active members of this society shall consist of those students who have been duly elected members by the society, who are in actual attendance at the University, who have at least two studies in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, or in the Industrial College or in the department preparatory thereto, and who are not in the arrears for fines, dues, or levies. This is not to interfere with the rights of those already members. SEC. 3. [Balloting.] Candidates for membership in this society shall be elected by ball-balloting, and no candidate shall be elected against whom five (5) adverse votes are cast. SEC. 4. [Fees.] All persons becoming members of this society shall pay into the treasury an initiation fee of one dollar ($1.00), and sign a pledge binding them to observe the Constitution and By-Laws. SEC. 5. [Honorary members.] The Board of Regents, Faculty, all students graduating belonging to the Palladian Society, and such other persons as the society shall elect, shall be honorary members. SEC. 6. [Quorum.] Fifteen (15) active members shall form a quorum for transacting business. ARTICLE II.—OFFICERS. SECTION 1. [Eligibility to office.] Active members only shall be eligible to office or trust in this society. SEC. 2. [Officers.] The officers of this society shall consist of President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Historian, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary. Said officers shall be elected by ballot, and shall hold their offices during one college term, and shall not be eligible to the same office for two consecutive terms. SEC. 3. [Duties of President.] It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings, to impose fines, announce expelled members, secure a critic for each meeting of the society, and appoint a doorkeeper. SEC. 4. [Vice-President.] It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform all the duties of the President during his absence. SEC. 5. [Recording Secretary.] It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to keep an accurate record of all meetings of the society, and report to the Treasurer before the next regular meeting the names of all persons fined, to arrange the program for each meeting, to assign performances, and to draw all orders on the treasury. SEC. 6. [Historian.] It shall be the duty of the Historian to furnish a history of the society from its organization, also such
personal history of former members as may be of interest to the society. SEC. 7. [Corresponding Secretary, as amended May 1, 1885.] It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to attend to such correspondence as the society may direct, to collect and keep all printed matter concerning the Palladian Society, and place the same scrap-book; also to have charge of and be accountable for Palladian property. The money expended for papers containing such articles shall be paid by the society. SEC. 8. [Treasurer.] It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and disburse all moneys and to keep an accurate account of all receipts and disbursements, to pay no bills until allowed by the Executive Committee and upon a written order from the Secretary, signed by the President. He shall make a report to the society at the close of his term of office and turn over all moneys in his hands to his successor in office. ARTICLE III.—COMMITTEES. SECTION 1. [Committees.] The standing committees shall be: "Literary," "Executive," and a committee on "Finance, Ways, and Means," each to consist of three members. SEC. 2. [Duties of Literary Committee.] It shall be the duty of the Literary Committee to suggest three questions for debate, the questions to be provided at least two weeks previous to debate. SEC. 3. [Executive Committee.] It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to excuse all fines presented to them, upon good and sufficient reasons; also to keep a record of and report the same to the Treasurer. In case they refuse to excuse said fines, an appeal may be made to the society. It shall further be their duty to perform such duties as the Secretary may direct. ARTICLE IV.—DUES. SECTION 1. [Dues, as amended January 18, 1884.] The dues of each member of this society shall be fifty cents for each term after the one in which said member is admitted. ARTICLE V.—AMENDMENTS. SECTION 1. [Amendments.] Any addition or amendment to this Constitution or By-Laws of this society shall require a two-thirds vote of the society. Said addition or amendment must be handed to the Secretary in writing, and must lie upon the table one week for a second reading. AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE I., SECTION 2, OF THE CONSTITUTION, PASSED OCTOBER 31ST, 1884. The active members of this society shall consist of those students who have been duly elected members of the society, who are in actual attendance at the University, who have at least two studies in the College of Literature, Science, and Arts, or in the department preparatory thereto, and are not in the arrears for fines, dues, or levies; And it is furter provided, That no member of a
college fraternity can be an active member of the Palladian Society, those excepted who are members of a franternity and also active members of said Palladian Society at the time of the passage of this amendment. BY-LAWS.SECTION 1. [Meetings.] This society shall meet on Friday evening of each week during the regular college term, and shall be called to order at 7:30 o'clock. SEC. 2. [Order of Business.] The Order of Business of this society shall be as follows:
SEC. 3. [Election.] The officers of this society shall be elected by ballot, at a special meeting called for that purpose, and a majority of votes cast shall decide the election. SEC. 3. [Special Meetings.] The President shall call a special meeting of the society at the request of fifteen (15) active members, said request to be in writing, setting forth the object of the meeting. Notice of the meeting shall be posted on the bulletin board at least two school days previous. SEC. 5. Only active members are allowed to vote. SEC. 6. [Proxies.] No proxies are allowed. SEC. 7. [Ballots.] In balloting, the name of the candidate must be underscored, and the name of the person voting written on the other side of the ticket. SEC. 8. The names of candidates for membership shall lie on the table for one week. SEC. 9. Fines shall be as follows:
SEC. 10. [Suspension.] All members shall be allowed two weeks in which to pay dues fines, or levies, and if not paid at the expiration of that time shall be suspended, and if not paid in one week from time of suspension their names shall be stricken from the roll. SEC. 11. Excuses to the Executive Committee shall be in writing. SEC. 12. "Roberts' Rules of Order" shall be the guide of this society in questions of parliamentary usage, so far as it does not conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws.
A copy of this little book will be sent to every old Palladian whose address is in the hands of the Society, and especially to our Alumni members. It is proposed to issue a like publication every year; and in order that future numbers may be accurate in every particular, the Society asks that corrections be sent in by any of our friends who happen to notice errors. Letters addressed to the "Corresponding Secretary," Palladian Society, University of Nebraska, will not fail to receive attention.
Society every Friday evening, with literary programme, debate, recess for social intecourse, and a business session. The Palladian Senate and Debating Club every Saturday evening, 7:30. The Girls' Debating Club every Friday afternoon. Source: Palladian Literary Society | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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