Bridgewater State University - Alpha Yearbook (Bridgewater, MA)

Page 31 text:

Clu :xg E mn 'Y Q-. B. -. -4 5. 5 ' v U . M., ,zc 3 ...z .n l ...C . uf, 'f'-3'!t sf 'L ' -31.-L , .1 ' 'A ina., -- - W n.--.,. f- !...,.. ....,,, I':S . ovgg . ...4. .,.., . 1 ...f B! '1 I xv ,ir 1 n 's , .. w,. adjournmentff QFrom alumni record I876 by. Mr. A. G. Boydenj The great variety of questions proposed for debate gave ample scope for dis- play of learning and skill not only to the regular disputants, but also to the other young men, for after the opening arguments the question was open for debate to all. Many a triumph was earned, many a defeat was stoically borne. Quite often those very defeats were the incentives to better efforts until the earlier disasters were turned to victories in later encounters. In 1895 the Normal Lyceum was changed to The Normal Con- gressf' a Constitution and Rules and Orders were adopted fashioned after those of the Congress of the United States. The officers were: A Speaker, Vice-Speaker, Clerk, Assistant Clerk, who shall also perform the duties of Treasurer, two Sergeant-at-Arms, an Executive Committee, an Editorial Board consisting, of an Editor-in-Chief with three or more assis- tants, a Business Manager with one or more assistants, and an Auditor. Rules and Orders: I. An entertainment from 7.30 to 8 p. m. 2. The regular order of procedure of the Congress as follows : I. Reading of the journal. 2. Introduction of Bills, Resolves and Orders of Inquiry. 3. Reports of Committees. 4. Miscellaneous Business. 5 Considera- tion of the Orders of the Day. The Rules of the House of Representatives of Massachusetts shall be the authority on all matters and questions not provided in these Rules. THE NoRMAL OFFERING was henceforth published monthly by the Editorial Board, Declamation and the Reading of Selections were discon- tinued. V . ' This Congress gave the young men a clear idea of how business is transacted by our lawmakers and lasting benefits were derived from the debates. Since the business of the Congress was nearly wholly transacted by the young men and since the young ladies, who form by far the larger part of the members of the school did not take a prominent part in the exer- cises, it was thought best, to devise some plan by which this state of affairs might be remedied and the original idea of mutual improvement could be carried out. Consequently a committee was appointed to pre- pare such a plan. This committee reported and on Nov. 4, 1898 the Nor- mal Congress was changed to The Normal Club. By-Laws which had been prepared by a committee previously appointed, were adopted. Mr. A. C. Boyden was unanimously elected the first President of the Club. The Club meets on alternate Friday evenings. ' The object of the Club shall be threefold, Musical, Literary and 23

Page 30 text:

Gbe Jmibgewater THGYWHI Climb- 1,1-11-11 ' THE AUTUMN of 1839 several students of the Bridge- water Academy formed themselves into a society called the Bridgewater Speaking Club, having for its object, as its name indicates, the improvement of its members in the exer- 'C L' cise of declamation. Soon debate was introduced as a regular exercise and much interest was manifested. In 1841 some students of the Normal School became members of the Club, a new constitution was formed and the society adopted the name of The Bridgewater Young lVIen's Lyceum. The meetings were held regularlyand with increasing interest. In 1844 the constitution was amended so as to have a standing President and Vice-President, and the name was changed to The Normal Lyceum. Its meetings were often crowded, a large part of the audience consisting of ladies. The Lyceum continued to hold its meetings for more than twenty-five years on Friday evenings during the terms of the school and then for twenty-Eve years more on alternate Friday evenings during the terms. The object of the Lyceum was mutual improvement, The By-Laws provided for the following order of Exercises 1 Calling of the Roll, Reading of the Journal, Appointments by the President, Transaction of business, Report of Prudential Committee g Declamations 5 Reading of Selections, or reading of THE NORMAL OFFERING, as the case may beg Debate, Critiscism by the President, at his option. Music shall be inserted in the order of exercises, at the discretion of the Presi- dent. THE NORMAL OFFERING shall be read once in four weeks, by a member appointed for the purpose. On evenings alternating with those on which THE OFFERING is read, there shall be declamation by two gentlemen, appointed four weeks previous. On the same evenings select pieces shall be read bytwo ladies appointed four weeks previous. At each regular meeting, the discussion of a question reported at a previous meet- ing, shall be in order, and shall close live minutes before the time of zz

Page 32 text:

ix-1 Sgcial, The Executive Board of Omcers are : President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and a Club Committee of nine members, Their plans must be approved by the Executive Board. The Club Cnm- mittee shall be divided into three committees according to their duties, Musical, Social or Literary and be appointed by the President. Each Class and the Faculty shall be represented in the lixeeutive Board. Any member ofthe school can become a member of the Club by paying an annual fee of twenty-five cents. The Executive Board appoints for each term an editorial staff for the publication of THE NORMAL OFFERING, which is to be henceforth pub- lished once a year at the end of the school year in the form of an attrag- tive, Hnely illustrated year-book. The Club has thus far successfully attained the object for which it was formed, the entertainments have been fof a high order and of great benefit not only tothe members of the Club, but also to the people of this and neighboring towns. This is shown by the great patronage which the entertainments attract, for the three committees vie with each other to procure for the Club's entertainments the best talent in the literary and musical world. Ad multos annos, FRANZ H. KIRMAYER. If N4 1? N31 lf it Yr il! wi L sl A 4fx?i59-greg'-12f 24 tuba! thai , ,, . 6,1317 41. A 1 1.1-'. . Him- - in ' ,pl x.. T r 01 U' Y K t' cz-S, VH f .A Dfff' A' Q-, M i'. 1