REGISTER.OUR ALUMNI.
MEMBERSHIP ROLL.
NEW MEMBERS DURING YEAR.
P.G.D.C. "We, the girls of the Palladian Society, agree to form an organization for drill in debate and public speaking." This is the preamble of the constitution of the Palladian Girls' Debating Club, which was organized in 1884, and which has aptly carried out the purpose for which it was formed. Its members consist of Palladian girls and such other girls as the club shall admit. The questions discussed are those that are debated in the Palladian. During the year there have been twenty members of the club, and the part the ladies have sustained in the regular and general debates in a sufficient assurance of the good work of this club. In the spring the club received a tangible recognition of effort in the shape of an annual ten dollar prize offered by Mr. Wilbur Knight, Univ., '86, under the following conditions: 1. The prize is to be given for the best production, be it essay, oration or poem, given by a member of the club from the Palladian platform during the year. 2. The Professors occupying the chairs of History, Literature and Modern Languages are to be the judges of the productions, which are to be judged from a literary standpoint only. This magnanimous offer was accepted by the club, as it adds extra inducement to persons about to join.
ROLL OF OFFICERS.
P.B.D.C. Organized 1881. The Palladian Boys' Debating Club was the first of its kind organized in the University. The object is to give drill and impromptu speaking which shall serve as an initiatory step to regular society work. The club shall meet every Saturday evening and officers are elected each term.
ANNUAL EXERCISES.
THIRD ANNUAL
For the purpose of raising the standard of oratory in the society, Messrs. Clement Chase and Daniel H. Wheeler, Jr., of Omaha, offered a prize of ten dollars for the best oration, to which was added a second prize of five dollars by the society. This was the first contest of the kind in the University, and is still the only contest in oratory. This contest has become a prominent feature of the society work, and the results have been very gratifying both to the members and out side friends of the society.
SECOND ANNUAL
This program was followed by a banquet and reunion attended by about seventy-five Palladians. [For copies of productions, see files in keeping of custodian of Palladian records.] FIFTEENTH
GENERAL REMARKS. At the beginning of the year 1885-6, in spite of the natural decrease in the number of old students, the society was left with forty-four members, and during the year forty-nine names were added to the Palladian roll. But the society has rejoiced not so much in the number, as in the quality of its accessions. The hard work done for the society by the younger members, and their enthusiastic devotion to Palladian interests, has exceeded the society's most sanguine expectations. The harmony among members has remained unbroken. By every Palladian, society welfare has been held superior to class feeling or clannish prejudice. The members have justly considered the society, as an organization combining both literary and social training, of greater value than any organization giving merely the social side of University life. Throughout the year the society has placed literary work as the end of its effort and has steadily adhered to this even when the parts of those detained by various causes had to be filled by extempore productions. A marked feature of the program has been the debates which have given valuable drill to both sexes, especially in extemporaneous speaking. The request of alumn papers has thus far resulted in abundant promises and some tangible results. Much interest continues to be manifested in the plan and it is hoped that work already done will produce more abundantly in the coming year. The members of the society feel that its work entitles it to a large and permanent place in the University; they realize that the society exists for the good of its members and are determined to maintain its already high standard.
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 agressive 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 factional 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 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 so dangerous as their continued presence as an organization would have been.
PALLADIAN.In the fall term of 1871 soon after the opening of the University the Palladian society, the oldest in the University, was organized by a small number of male students. They secured the room now occupied by the medical department and, fitting it up with a lamp, two or three chairs, a president, and other bric-a-brac, commenced work. Many difficulties were at first encountered, but with characteristic Pall grit the society flourished and after secretly borrowing the library dictionary, were able to choose the motto which they still use, "Forma Mentis AEterna Est," which is literally translated, "It's a cold day when the Palls get left." In 1873, owing to sundry misunderstandings, part of the members withdrew and formed the Adelphian. The Palladian was however the stronger, and after much trouble succeeded in purchasing a carpet and a piano and added a new attraction in the admission of ladies to membership. Nothing more of consequence happened until in '76 nearly all of the members withdrew, leaving but a handful of freshmen and preparatory students. The outlook was very gloomy, but it brightened when the truant members returned, and as of old the prodigals were killed and the fatted calf made happy. In 1880 the present hall was fitted up at an expense of four thousand dollars, more or less, and the piano was tuned. Since then the society has paid of its debt by means of lecture courses and is now planning further improvements. Permanent features are the yearly exhibition, given during Commencement week, and the Chase and Wheeler Oratorical Contest. The society has also developed two auxilliaries, the Palladian Girls' Debating Club and the Palladian Boys' Debating Club. These and other matters of importance are left for other parts of this work.
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, as amended May 7 and October 30.] The officers of this society shall consist of President, Vice-President, Corresponding, Musical and Recording Secretaries, Critic, Treasurer, Historian, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Said officers shall be elected by ballot, and, excepting Treasurer,
shall hold their offices during one college term, the treasurer to hold office for one college year, 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. [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. 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 8:00 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. 4. [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.
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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