REGISTER.OUR ALUMNI.
MEMBERSHIP ROLL.
NEW MEMBERS OF '91 AND '92
ROLL OF OFFICERS.
ANNUAL PROGRAMS.NINTH ANNUAL
After their graduation Messrs. Clement Chase and Daniel H. Wheeler, Jr., of Omaha, believing that a contest in oratory could bring only good results, 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 the results have been very gratifying both to the society and to the authors and patrons of the movement. These prizes will be doubled for 1893, in recognition of its being the tenth annual Chase and Wheeler contest in oratory.
TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL EXHIBITION.
KNIGHT PRIZE W. C. Knight, a Palladian graduate of '86, offers the Palladian Girls' Debating Club a prize of ten dollars for the best production delivered in society before May 1st of each year.
TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY BANQUET.
PALLADIAN.HISTORY. The Palladian Literary Society is the oldest organization of the kind in the University, being organized in the fall of 1871, a few weeks after the opening of the first year. The faculty recognized the advantage of co-educational assistance, and it became from the start a mixed society, although it was boycotted at one time by the girls. The hall was in the north wing on the first floor, and at first the furniture consisted of only a table and some benches. Fo the first two years the progress of the society was somewhat impeded by party spirit, until in the spring of 1873, a part of the members widhdrew 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 About six months before this time the girls had withdrawn and formed a society by themselves, but they now disbanded and entered the other societies.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 considerable 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 them, 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 distinctively "barbarian" oraganization. During the winter of 1889 it became evident that there was room for a third open literary society in the University. Accordingly, a number of the strongest members of the Palladian and Union withdrew and formed the Delian society. The opportunity for literary work was thus increased, and the practical results have already justified the 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 strengthen 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. The past year has been one of unusual prosperity. Most of our old members returned withthe fall term and we began
the year with greater confidence in our cause than ever before. We began operations by refurnishing our hall with handsome lace curtains and rich, heavy drapings. In November we celebrated the twentieth aniversary of the founding of the society by a banquet at the Lindell Hotel, at which over 80 members, alumni and invited guests, met to rejoice in the present prosperity of the society and in its brilliant prospects for the future. Our lecture course this year comprised two noted lecturers, Geo. Kennan on "The Siberian Exile System," and Paul Blout ("Max O'Rell") on "America as seen Through French Spectacles." These lectures have not merely benefited us personally and swelled the treasury of the society, but they have also served to bring our society and the work we are doing more prominently before and in greater sympathy with the public. Our membership has increased to 90, and that, too, with but little exertion on our part. We desire to keep our membership down to a good working number so that every membery shall have adequate oportunity to appear before the society. This year is the first in the history of the society in which we have had no members expelled or resigned. The fact that several of our strongest members have decined urgent invitations to join fraternities testifies strongly to their confidence in the superior benefits to be derived from a literary society. Great variety in programs, class programs, girls' programs, boys' programs, debatig club programs, and musicales have served to keep enthusiasm and interest at a high point. We are the only society that has had printed programs each Friday night throughout the year. Our constitution has been amended so as to be more in harmony with the Michigan plan which is to be put in full force in our institution in the coming year. The Palladian Society is open to and extends a hearty welcome to all those students that seek enjoyment and good training in literary work. The prospects for an excellent year commencing next fall are unusually bright to those that have Palladian welfare at heart. P.G.D.C. Feeling the need of more work of a special kind in 1884, the Palladian girls organized a debating club. Its primary object was to train its members in the art of debating and extemporaneous speaking. The chief purpose of the club, however, is still to excel in debating and to grow accustomed to parliamentary rules and usages. Each year the club has found more work to do. As the general society frows, the value of the P.G.D.C. is better appreciated. It is in the club that a great share of the work in training, formerly done by the society, is accom-
plished. That the club has succeeded fairly well is evidenced by the audiences it has attracted the last three years to its special programs. These "girls' programs" are always prepared by the P.G.D.C. and given in Palladian Hall. In the past year many matters have been thoroughly discussed and decided in the two clubs (the P.B.D.C. and the P.G.D.C.), thus saving the general society much time and trouble. Moreover more and better work is done by small organizations. Not an unimportant object of the P.G.D.C. is to unite the Palladian girls by a bond of work and good-fellowship. The club meets every Friday afternoon, and every Palladian girl is expected to join and do her share of the work. We extend a hearty welcome to all Palladian girls and other university girls not members of other literary societies or of fraternities. P.B.D.C. In the fall of 1882 the Palldian Boys' Debating Club was organized in order to afford the Palladian boys a better and freer opportunity than was possible in the Society for cultivating proficiency in extemporaneous speaking and for gaining a good, practical knowledge of parliamentary usage. Through the ten years following its organization the club has accomplished its purpose well, and has served also to draw the boys together into a closer fellowship. It is believed that the remarkable unity of feeling, the absence of factionalism and partisan strife, that characterizes the Palladian Society is, in a large measure, due to the influence of the debating clubs. During this spring term there was organized a "University Debating Club," open to all students, which meets on alternate Saturdays in the chapel. The purpose of the new organization is to afford training, more serious, before a larger audience, than is possible in the smaller clubs. The P.B.D.C., however, for the benefit of the lower classmen, who make up a large portion of its regular attendance, will continue its meetings on alternate Saturdays. Thus, those that have had but little practice in public speaking may gain confidence in themselves, may learn to muster their thoughts while standing before an audience, and to express them clearly and forcibly. The P.B.D.C. will serve as a stepping stone to the Palladian Society, to the University Debating Club, for many capable but timid students. It is believed that the P.B.D.C. fills a place in our college life that is occupied by no other organization. A critic has been added to the list of officers, and principal disputants are appointed for every meeting. The meetings, as a rule, have been well attended and full of interest and profit throughout the year.
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 $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; students in good standing in the society who have discontinued their school work, 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 shall hold their offices for one period. The first period shall close the first of January, the second, the first of April, and the third with the close of the school 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 programs 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 five members, of which the President shall be chairman. SEC. 2. [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 also be their duty to examine the books of the Treasurer at the close of his term of office. It shall further be their duty to perform such duties as the secretary may direct. 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 period 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 8:00 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. [Right to Vote.] 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. [Applications for Admission.] 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.] Excuses to the Executive Committee shall be in writing. SEC. 11. [Parliamentary Practice.] "Robert's Rules of Order" shall be the guide of this society in questions of parliamentary useage, so far as it does not conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws.
SEC. 12. [Expulsion for Non-Performance.] Any member, who, without excuse fails twice in succession to perform his part on the program, shall be notified by the secretary that his name is dropped from the roll. STANDING RULES. SECTION 1. (Assistants to Music Secretary.) The Music Secretary shall have power to appoint two assistants. SECTION 2. (Debate.) The principal speakers on the debate shall not be allowed to exceed ten minutes each, and the speakers on the general debate shall be limited to three minutes each. SECTION 3. (Use of Hall.) The hall of this society shall not be used as a meeting place for other than Palladian organizations except by persmission of the executive committee.
The oject of the Palladian Year Book is to Serve as a catalogue of information for Palladians, Palladian Alumni, and all university students in general who may wish to inform themselves concerning the society and its work. This object will be best attained if all former and present Palladians will take pains to send the corresponding secretary the names of any persons who may wish a copy of this book. They should also keep the society informed of changes in their address. We invite correspondence and promise to give it prompt attention. Several special features are added tot his number of the year book in recognition of our twentieth anniversary, which we celebrated Nov. 20, 1891. Palladian Hall, June 1st, 1892.
The Society meets every Friday evening at 8 p.m. The literary program is followed by recess for social intecourse and a short business meeting. The Palladian Boys' Debating Club meets on alternate Saturday evenings at 8:00. The Palladian Girls' Debating Club meets every Friday afternoon at 3:00. Source: Palladian Literary Society | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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