Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-04

The records for the three years,
1919, 1850 and 1851 of the Dialectie
Club, an old-time Augusta debating
organization, which included in its
membership such names as those OF
Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller and
Col. Henry q. Staples, are contained
in paper covered volume Of a pages,
remarkably well preserved and with
the writing plainly legible. now in the
hands of Col Staples brother, Fred
G. Staples of this city. Through the
courtesy of Mr.. Staples a Journal re-
porter has had an opportunity of
perusing the records of the Club
which are of unusual interest.
The meeting for the organization OF
the club was held May 4. 1S49, and
the members present at this meeting
were William S. Cushing, M W, Ful-
Ter, A. Sawyer. c. Clark, f.. WinsloW,
j. w. Chase, Seneca III. Weston and
David Bronson. Jr. This first meeting
was called to order by NJ. w. Fuller.
W. S. Cushing was appointed chairman
and the following officers were chos-
en-: NJ. w. Fuller, PRESIDENT; 5. ii.
Weston, secretary: w. S. Gushing,
doorkeeper NJ. W. Fuller and w. 5.
Cushing were chosen a committee to
draft bylaws and also a committee on
debating. At the meeting of May s.
NJ. w. Fuller was chosen to deliver a
lecture and Charles Clark was chosen
candle snuffer w. S. Cushing was
chosen Judge and 5. II. Weston, at
torney general. 1t was voted that
each member bring two sheets of
paper and two candles, which should
be repeated as often as necessary.
Trial of Members.
A trial of members was held at the
meeting of Tuesday. May Is. The at
terney general read the indictment OF
George Emery and Il. Winslow for
violation of Sections /, 2 and 3 of the
"a Article of the Constitution He
answered not guilty. A. Sawyer, l..
Severance, We're chosen jurymen, $
II. Weston, Charles Clark, and S. Per-
kins were called as witnesses for the
Club. The defendant could bring
none. The jury returned "a verdict OF
guilty.
The membership fee was fixed at
|12ia cents at the meeting Of Tuesday
May 30, and stephen Tobey and
Henry Staples were duly elected mem
hers. The question Which Enjoys
| the Most Happiness, the Rich. Dis
honest Man or the Honest Poor Men .
was debated and decided in favor OF
! the l"Honest Poor Man. by a vote %
4 TO 2. Daniel Cony was elected Z
/ member of the association at this
meeting. \ debate was held, Tues
day. July II, upon the subject. "Whicl
is the Worse. War or Intemperance .
il was decided that intemperance wa
the worse. The subject for debate
lat the meeting OF Aug. IA, Was th'
War with Mexico Just?" after som,
debating was decided in the negative
| 1t was also voted at this meeting Il
put in practice one Of the bylaws o
the Club, to have a defamation fron
each of the members at each regula
meeting.
Officers We're elected al the meetin
of Tuesday. Aug. 2S, as follows
President, 5. Weston, vice president
A. Sawyer; secretary, Seth Burnham
treasurer, Henry Patterson.
These votes were passed Aat iii
meeting Of Friday. Sept. 7: Tha
every members should make agree
ment with the doorkeeper TO kee
good order through the meeting; tha
when any member Is making a motto
he shall not be interrupted by an
other member.
Public Exhibition.
| Friday, Sept. II, the club had
|, public exhibition for which then rec
ords show rehearsals had been
progress for some time. David fsrof
son, w, II. Patterson were .aBpeinte