Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1912-02-06
History Of Lanier
Literary Society.
(By Mark C. Mathis)

founded in the month of January,
1911. 1t is now one year old, Has
it done any good? Does it represent
so much wasted time? We hope not.
Right Hon. Robert Mcbride Pryor
was the first president of the Lanier
Literary Society, Miss Ruby Keifer
was its first vice president and Mark
Mathis its first secretary; Miss Ed
ward Perkins was chairman ofs its
first program committee, or, in other
words, she was secretary of state in
the first administration. 1t was at
this time that our colors, red and
black, were adopted. Let us make
our colors stand for something Let
red stand for bravery patriotism and
loyalty, black, for death and de-
struction to all enemies. We also
took one of the best notices in the
world TO be- Rather Than to
Seem" If each one OF US followed
our society motto, some day he
would find himself honored and re-
spected. And another thing: We
ought not to forget for whom our
society is named. We should always
carry it on in such way that Sidney
Lanier himself would not be asham-
ed of it.
The Father of our Constitution"
is Jarratt Pryor and the other franz
ers are Herman Martin and Mark
Mathis
The Primary Contest was anoth-
er great event that came in this first
reign. Our society was little worst
ed in the struggle, although we
fought hard, as Laniers always DO,
but it was at the close Of this adj
ministration that we established our
selves as champions of the Fitzger-
aid High School, for the present, at
least. In that ever-famous debate
Martin and Mathis VS.. Paulk and
Mathis) ;, we downed the Stevenso-
mans and gained the custody of the
cup" till the next joint debate.
Mr.. Mark Mathis was the next
president of the society, with Her
man Martin, vice-president, and
Miss Faye Morris, secretary. Her
man Martin was Secretary of State"
during this administration. 1t was
at this time that the Laniers flung
the challenge of debate at the feet
of the Stevensonians. The Lanier
debaters were Miss Edward Perkins
and Miss Inez Dorminey However,
the debate was never had, largely
on account of Stevensonian inactiv-
ity.
Mr.. Herman Martin was our next
president, with Otis Dickinson, vice
president, and Miss Edward Perkins,
secretary. Miss Faye Morris was
Secretary of State" during this ad-
ministration. 1t was during this
period that it was proved in debate,
that there are more long-faced, mis-
cradle, unhappy people in the world
than happy ones Mr.. Martin was
the reorganizer of the society, after
the beginning Of the fall term.
Mr.. Briscoe then rose to the pres
idency, with Reason Paulk, vice
president, and Archie Wilcox, secre-
tary. Miss Linda Jones now became
Secretary of State" At a joint
meeting on Thanksgiving the La
niers again proved themselves mas
tiers in debate.
We have now entered upon the
sping term of 1912 with Miss Linda
Jones as president, Miss Esther Os-
borne, vice president, and Harry
Forbes, secretary. Miss Dora Mathis
is the new Secretary of State" or
chairman of Program committee.
Our society has been going down
little recently, but we are going to
do better for the rest of this year.
Let each one of us say to himself,
What would our society be if every
member were just like me?" If
anything is worth doing at all, it is
worth dong we'll" Let's have an
other joint debate and win that
cup" for good. In the coming con-
tesl let's beat the Stevensonians.
Let's be society rather than seem
one A MEMBER.