The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-01
PHI BETA KAPPA TO
MEET IN COUNCIL
Convention to BE Held at the
Scene of Fraternity's
Founding.
TO BE LITERARY GATHERING
President Tyler, OF William and
Mary, to Make Address and
Prof. Hall to Read Poem.

II WILLIAMSBURG, VA, August 3i,--
The professors of William and Mary
College are now preparing for one oil
the greatest events that has taken
place In the city for a number OF years.
From September 18th 10 i4th the Sen
ate and Triennlal Council of Phi Beta
Kappa Will hold its meeting at WI
liam and Mary College--the first time
that 1t has met at any college Herc-
tofore these meetings have been held
at Saratoga, but at the last meeting IL
was decided to hold the next meeting
at William and Mary. where the So
ciety was founded in 1Tf6
The meeting viii be one of the great
est literary gatherings that has ever
taken place in the South. Over one
hundred delegates Will be present,
among them some of the most distin-
guished literary men of America. Col
leges and universities from Maine to
Texas, and as far West as Michigan,
will be represented. Preparations arc
being made to entertain the unusually
large number of guests. and every
courtesy will be shown them
Phi Beta Kappa was founded at VIII
liam and Mary College before the Re.o-
lntionary War and was the first Greek
The society, however, is not secret
one, and is entirely literary in its char
acter. Only graduates from the college
who have shown marked ability and
men who have distinguished themselves
in letters and science are elected TO
membership. Consequently, the mem
bership is comparatively small, and is
looked upon as one OF the greatest
honors that can be conferred
The chapter at William and Mary Is
the Oldest of all the chapters, and has
had as members some of the most dis
tinguishad men in American history.
This chapter, after having been mae
tive for nearly seventy-five years, was
reorganized In 1898. and since then has
been one of the most active chapters of
the society. Secretary Elihu Root, a
distinguished member of Phi Beta
Kappa, said he regarded this reorsan-
ir4tion CT the parent chapter at VIII
liam and Mary as one of the greatest
evsrts OF the closing years OF the
nineteenth century.
Many questions OF Importance will
come NJ before the meeting For the
pas, four or ave years all OF the prin-
ciraI universities sud colleges nave
beer seeking 10 obtain charter for
q chapter. About ten OF twelve CT
these cooe up at each meeting. but
not more than six or seven are ever
passed upon fayora bly, Among others.
the University of Virginia has sought
+ for several years 10 obtain charter
hut SO far. has been unsuccessful. IT
Is the opinion OF the members of the
chapter at William and Marr. how
ever. that her application Will be
passed upon favorabiy at the coming
meeting. Probably the most interest
ing question which will come UP before
the meeting Will be whether or no,
chapters shall be established at in
situations where either Latin or Creek
is no; required for an a. B. degree.
This question came UP before the
Senate last May. and was voted upon
in the negative. This year It comes up
before the Council. and ii It also passes
before that body. probably a number
of institutions which are trying for
chapters. will be thrown out.
AS mentioned above. the meeting
here will be something out Of the usual
order, the meetings having never he
fore been held at any college. and
every effort Will be made to entertain
the guests.
Sometime during the meeting an ex-
cursion will be given to Jamestown
and on the night OF September 18th
ZIG AoSuiLS ol Nllildtn ana Mary Col
aege Will give a reception to the guests
among whom will be number OF
ladies.
The meeting, VIII he open on the
night of septehlber s1th, at $40. with
hn address of welcome by Prestdent
Lyon g. Tyler, of William and Mary
College. A reply will then he made by
some official OF the society. Professo,
2. A Grosvenor. OF Amherst College
Will deliver an grafton, and histori.
cal sketch of the society will be reac
by Rev. Q. NJ. Voohees
Prof. ]. Leslie Hall. of William anc
Mary. has been invited TO deliver {
poem.
The following gentlemen constitut,
the local committee of ceremonies
Colonel William Lamb Professor ]
d Hall and President Lyon G. TYLER
The entertainment and reception vii
be in the ,.nds of committee o
ladies of Williamsburg and William
and Mary College.