REGISTER.OUR ALUMNI.
MEMBERSHIP ROLL
NEW MEMBERS OF 1889 AND 1890.
ROLL OF OFFICERS.
ANNUAL PROGRAMS.SEVENTH ANNUAL.
NINETEENTH
PALLADIAN.HISTORY. The Palladian Literary Society was organized in the fall of 1871, a few weeks after the opening of the University. The faculty showed their good sense by allowing it to be made a mixed society, and one of the first officers was a lady. The hall was in the north wing on the first floor, and at first the furniture consisted only of a table and some benches. For the first two years the progress of the society was somehat impede by party spirit, until in the spring of 1873, a part of the members withdrew and formed the Adelphian society. The spirit of rivalry now took the form of competition between the two societies, much to the benefit of the Palladian. About six months before this time the girls had withdrawn and formed a society by themselves, but they now disbanded and entered the other societies. In 1875 the Society added considerabe furniture to its previously bare hall, including an organ, afterwards exchanged for a piano. In 1876 another split took place in the Society, and many of the members withdrew. Most of these, however, subsequently returned. In 1880 the Society moved into its present quarters. Considerable debt was incurred in fitting up the hall. But this was paid off in a few years. Since that time the room has been constantly improved, until now it is indeed a thing of beauty, the latest addition to the furniture being a $1,050 piano. In 1884 the Society adopted an anti-fraternity amendment to the constitution, since which time it has been a distinctly "barbarian" organization. During the winter term of 1889 it became evident that there was room for a third open literary society in the University. Accordingly, a number of the stongest members of both Palladian and Union withdrew and formed the Delian society. The opportunity for literary work was thus increased and the practical results have already justified this step. During the spring of 1889 the Constitution was revised and brought more into harmony with the present conditions of University life. Among the more important changes was the establishment of a membership committee, by which the society attempts to exercise considerable discretion in the election of new members. The effect has been to strenghthen the society by raising the standard of new members.
ANTI-FRATERNITY AMENDMENTS. At the beginning of the college year of 1884-5 fourteen Palladians were members of secret Greek-letter fraternities. Previous to that time college fraternities in the University of Nebraska had been undemonstrative and had attracted but little attention, but during the year above mentioned they began to be strong enough to exert an influence in college politics in general and upon the literary societies in particular. By those most deeply interested, their influence upon the societies was believed to be bad, and a patient collection of impartial testimony was undertaken, the result of which may be briefly summed up as follows: (1) Active, open literary societies are indispensible features of our college life and their place cannot be filled by secret fraternities. (2) Wherever 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 as found that the society enthusiasm was being broken down, that society work was done mainly as it might influence "frat" or "barbs," and that confidence between society members had been destroyed. On October 24th amendments to the constitution were offered to the society declaring that thereafter no Palladian should be a member of a secret college fraternity, excepting only those members who were already in fraternities. Similar amendments were offered in the University Union on the same evening. A meeting of all students was called to meet on the following Saturday in the chapel for the discussion of these amendments. A few fraternity men were present at the meeting, but they refused to do anything except report the proceedings. The anti-fraternity men stated their position, offered their evidence and adjourned. On Friday evening, after a warm debate, the Palladian society passed the amendment by a vote of 40 to 17. At this time, or soon after, the defeated party withdrew and together with exiles from the Union, formed the Philodicean society. Their loss was a blow to the society, which then numbered not far from 60 members; but it was much less dangerous than the presence of fraternities in the society would have been. The conclusions upon which this action was taken were strongly contradicted at the time by the fraternity men, who claimed that fraternities and literary societies were congenial. This claim they have since abandoned, and they now assert that the literary society is a relic of a past age, admitting what "barbs" have always held, viz.: that the action of the fraternities is deadly to the literary society, that the former attains its perfection only on the
ruins of the latter, and that a choice between the two must be made. THE PAST YEAR. At the opening of the fall term of 1890, Palladians realized that they must work as never before. Not only had the formation of the Delian society taken a large number of the upper classmen, but by the operation of the new method of electing members, the influx of new members was not so large as is usual at the opening of school. Everyone was brought to a realization of the fact that hereafter only desirable members could be admitted to society membership. Consequently a determined effort was made to secure good members and none others. It is believed that the experiment has been entirely successful. At any rate there is no desire to return to the old method. The high schools of the state have furnished many of our strongest members. During the past spring the feasibility of undertaking a lecture course during the coming year was investigated, and a decision favorable to such action reached. A course of six lectures at intervals during the greater part of the year was decided upon. Only prominent and able lecturers will be engaged, as it is intended that the course shall be strictly first-class. In taking this step the Palladian Society has again demonstrated its progressive spirit. Lovers of literary feasts will appreciate the efforts of the society to give them good wholesome entertainment. The society continues to be the home of students who come to the University for the sake of imporvement rather than for the name of a college education. To all such, Palladian extends a hearty welcome. P.B.D.C. The Palladian Boys' Debating Club was organized in the fall of 1882, having as its main and real objectives, drill in extemporaneous speaking and debating as also practice in parliamentary usages. Incidentally the club served the purpose of allaying factionalism and of keeping the Society itself from the rocks of partisan strife. It is needless to say that the Club served this, as all its other purposes, well. Every Palladian boy may become a member by signing the Constitution. In many eastern colleges the scheme has often been advocated of having for the lower classmen of sort of undergraduate society from which, as they progressed, they could step into the society proper and there not feel abashed when appearing on the program, by any contrast with those above and beyond them, both in years and studies. The debat-
ing Club has supplied this want of the society. The lower classmen have ever been its most enthusiastic supporters, maintaining its standard of excellence and deriving from it much drill and skill in debate and parliamentary practice. It is in the P.G.D.C. and the P.B.D.C. that plans looking to the advancement of the Society are made. The Clubs therefore work in perfect unison with the society and are in ever way most valuable adjuncts to it.
CONSTITUTION.ARTICLE I.—MEMBERSHIP. SECTION 1. [Name.] This society shall be known as the Palladian Literary Society, and its motto shall be: "Forma Mentis AEterna est." SEC. 2. [Active Members.] The active members of this society shall consist of those to whom the following conditions apply:—1. They shall be in actual attendance at the University. 2. They shall have been duly elected members of this society. 3. They shall not be in arrears for fines, dues, or levies. 4. They shall have at least two studies in the college of Literature, Science, and Arts, or the Industrial College, or the department preparatory thereto. 5. They shall not be members of any College Fraternity. 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, Corresponding, Music 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, and shall not be eligible to the same office for two consecutive terms; the treasurer to hold office for one college year.
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, and such personal history of former members as may be of interest to the society; also to collect and keep all printed matter concerning the Palladian Society, and place the same in a scap book. The money expended for papers containing such articles shall be paid by the society. SEC. 7. [Corresponding Secretary.] It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to attend to such correspondence as the society may direct, and he shall also have charge of and be accountable for Palladian property. 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 money in his hands to his successor in office. SEC. 9. [Music Secretary.] It shall be the duty of the Music Secretary to furnish music for all regular programmes of the society. SEC. 10. [Critic.] The duties of the Critic shall be those that usually appertain to that 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; also a committee on "Membership," consisting of one member from each of the college classes and one additional member, provided the President of the society shall be ex-officio a member of the committee representing the Senior class, and chair of the committee. SEC. 2. [Executive Committee.] It shall be the duty
SEC. 3. [Finance, Ways and Means Committee.] It shall be the duty of the Finance, Ways and Means Committee to suggest ways and means for raising funds and paying debts, and when directed by the society shall assist the Treasurer in the collectoin of special levies and subscriptions. SEC. 4. [Membership Committee.] It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee to consider all names proposed for membership and to report such as they approve to the secretary. This committee shall meet weekly and shall exercise a general supervision over the securing of new members. ARTICLE IV.—DUES. SECTION 1. [Dues.] 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; provided it shall require a four-fifths vote of the society to amend Section two (2) of Article one (1), and this article. 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 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 be referred to the membership committee and shall lie on the table for one week. SEC. 9. [Fines.] Fines shall be as follows:
SEC. 10. Excuses to the Executive Committee shall be in writing. SEC. 11. "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. STANDING RULES. SECTION 1. [Assistants to Music Secretary.] The Music Secretary shall have power to appoint two assistants.
A copy of this little book will be sent to every old Palladian whose name is in the hands of the society, and especially to our Alumni members. Alumni are requested to assist the society by notifying the Corresponding Secretary of any change of address. Old Palladians and Alumni are requested to aid us in the proper distribution of this book by sending us the names of parties who would be likely to wish a copy of the book, especially persons intending to attend the University. The society is always glad to hear from old members, and letters addressed to the Corresponding Secretary Palladian Society, University of Nebraska, will receive prompt attention. PALLADIAN HALL, June 1st, 1890.
Society every Friday evening with literary programme, debate, recess for social intercourse, and a business session. The Palladian Boys' Debating Club every Saturday evening, at 7:30. The Girls' Debating Club every Friday afternoon. Source: Palladian Literary Society | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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