Inventory of the Records of the Dialectic Society, 1795-1964

Collection Number 40152


Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Collection Information


Contact Information:
Manuscripts Department
CB#3926, Wilson Library
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
Phone: 919/962-1345
Fax: 919/962-3594
Email: mss@email.unc.edu
URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

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Descriptive Summary

Repository
University Archives, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Creator
University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society.
Title
Records of the Dialectic Society, 1795-1964
Call Number
40152
Language of Materials
Materials in English
Extent
Items: About 2000
Linear Feet: 36.0
Abstract
The Dialectic Society was the first of two literary societies formed in 1795, the year the University of North Carolina opened. Until the mid-1870s, all enrolled students were required to be members of one of the societies. Students from the eastern portion of the state belonged to the Philanthropic Society and those from the western portion to the Dialectic Society. The societies provided literary and oratorical training, and exercised many of the functions of the present student government. Dismissal from the society meant expulsion from the University and the University's baccalaureate diploma was a society document. In 1875, the societies reorganized and compulsory membership ended. In 1886, the societies merged their extensive libraries into the University holdings.
Records of the Dialectic Society include minutes, inaugural addresses of society presidents, commencement addresses, debates, bills and resolutions, correspondence, committee records, treasurer's records, membership records, the constitution and bylaws, library catalogs and circulation records, and publicity records. Correspondence concerns requests for portraits, library book orders, invitations to deliver addresses, and financial matters. Committee records include records of the building, catalog, Confederate repository and records, dance, debate, executive, library, membership, portraits, properties, publicity, radio, renovations, room, query, ways and means, and special committees.

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Administrative Information

Restrictions to Access
No restrictions.
Alternate Form of Material
Microfilm copy available.
Reel 1: Series 1., Volumes 1-6
Reel 2: Series 1., Volumes 7-9
Reel 3: Series 1., Volumes S-10 - S-12
Reel 4: Series 1., Volumes S-13 - S-15
Reel 5: Series 1., Volumes S-16 - S-18
Reel 6: Series 1., Volumes S-19 - S-21
Reel 7: Series 1., Volumes 22-26
Reel 8: Series 1., Volumes 27-29
Reel 9: Subseries 2.1.1.-2.1.2. Author names: Adams-Baskerville
Reel 10: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: Battle-Coleman
Reel 11: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: Colton-F
Reel 12: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: G-Holt
Reel 13: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: Hooper-L
Reel 14: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: M
Reel 15: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: N-R
Reel 16: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: S
Reel 17: Subseries 2.1.2. Author names: T-Z
Reel 18: Subseries 2.2.
Reel 19: Subseries 2.3., Folder 1-10
Reel 20: Subseries 2.3., Folders 11-18
Reel 21: Subseries 3.1.-3.5.
Reel 22: Subseries 3.6., Folder 1 and Volumes 1-8
Reel 23: Subseries 3.6., Volumes 9-15
Reel 24: Subseries 3.7.-3.14., Folders 1-4
Reel 25: Subseries 3.14., Folders 5-7 and Volumes 1-8
Reel 26: Subseries 3.15.-3.26.
Reel 27: Series 6.
Reel 28: Subseries 7.1.
Reel 29: Subseries 7.2., Volumes 1-S-3
Reel 30: Subseries 7.2., Volumes 4-S-8
Acquisitions Information
Periodic transfer from the offices that create these records.
Processing Information
Processed by: University Archives Staff, November 1999
Encoded by: Peter Hymas, May 2005
Revised by: Johanna Russ, February 2008
Funding from the State Library of North Carolina supported the encoding of this finding aid.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the Records of the Dialectic Society #40152, University Archives, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
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Online Catalog Headings

These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.

Academic libraries--North Carolina--History.
College student government--North Carolina--History.
College students--North Carolina--History.
College students--North Carolina--Societies, etc.
Debates and debating--North Carolina.
Literature--Societies, etc.
Student activities--North Carolina--History.
University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Discipline.
University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Libraries.
University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Societies, etc.
University of North Carolina (1793-1962)--Students--History.
University of North Carolina (1793-1962). Dialectic Society.
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Related Collections

Records of the Philanthropic Society, (#40166)
Records of the Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate, (#40153)
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Historical Note

The University of North Carolina opened its doors on 15 January 1795. The first recorded meeting of its student-organized Debating Society occurred less than five months later, on 3 June 1795. Thirty-one members pledged to abide by the laws of the new Society. However, at the third meeting, on 2 July 1795, a division of the membership took place, creating two separate societies. The second was named the Concord Society. The records of the societies do not reveal why the division was made. Historians have suggested that it may have been because of political differences, or disagreement over the powers of the Censor Morum (the Debating Society's disciplinary officer), or simply a desire to provide more frequent opportunities for debate. The following year both societies changed their names to the classical equivalents. The Debating Society became the Dialectic Society on 25 August 1796, and on 29 August 1796 the Concord Society became the Philanthropic Society.

The Laws and Regulations of the Debating Society, which were carried over by the Dialectic Society, called for the following officers: a president; a clerk; a treasurer; a censor morum, who inspected the conduct and morals of the members; and two correctors, who inspected their compositions. The stated goals of both societies were the cultivation of friendship and the promotion of useful knowledge. The latter included development of the members' debating skill, writing style, and knowledge of parliamentary rules.

Members of the Dialectic Society were divided into three classes; and alternately at each meeting one class read, another composed, and the third spoke. Reading meant reading aloud a passage from an author, while speaking (or declaiming) meant reciting from memory a passage from a famous speech. Those composing had to read aloud short essays they had written. Meetings were held once a week (later twice a week). In addition to the three activities described above, each meeting included a debate, in which two of the members would argue a predetermined question. The societies awarded diplomas, and although not an academic diploma, a society diploma was a distinct honor conferred on a member who was well respected and had performed his society duties outstandingly.

In support of their activities the societies acquired, by gift and purchase, extensive library and portrait collections. Indeed, their libraries were much larger than the University's library. By 1875 the Dialectic Society had amassed 6,943 volumes. In 1886 the two societies merged their library holdings into the University collection.

By virtue of their concern with the conduct and morals of their members, the societies also functioned as the campus student government for over a century and were instrumental in the development of the Honor System. Bad conduct by one member was thought to reflect on the entire society. The societies imposed fines for various offenses, and it was not uncommon for them to impeach members for repeated or excessive misconduct. Around 1890 the faculty, interested in fostering student self-government, began to refer cases of cheating to the societies. But by 1910 the societies' disciplinary role in cases of cheating, hazing, and numerous other offenses had been assumed by the Student Council (established in 1904 as the University Council).

Throughout most of the University's history, membership in the societies was voluntary; and new members were admitted by a vote of the old members. Nevertheless, until the twentieth century, almost the entire student body belonged to one of the two societies. Generally though not exclusively, students from the eastern portion of the state joined the Philanthropic Society and those from the western portion joined the Dialectic Society. This practice seems to have grown out of the early sectional rivalry between east and west.

The societies disbanded during Reconstruction, when the University closed. But following the University's reopening in 1875, they reorganized and flourished. In 1885 a resolution of the Board of Trustees required all enrolled students ("except medical, law, and students taking postgraduate or special courses, and such as may be specially excused by the faculty") to belong to one of the societies. This action resulted from the urging of University President Kemp P. Battle and the faculty, who wanted to foster the societies' disciplinary function. By 1895, however, the University had dropped this membership requirement; the course catalog published in that year states that "although membership in the societies is entirely optional, yet it is earnestly recommended by the faculty."

In 1919 the Philanthropic Society reorganized itself according to the plan of the General Assembly of North Carolina and became the Philanthropic Assembly. In 1924 the Dialectic Society reorganized as the Dialectic Senate. Over the next several decades, more and more student groups emerged to vie for members; and by the mid 1950s, membership in both societies had declined to an alarming level. In 1959, in an effort to ensure continuation of the organizations, the Senate and the Assembly merged into the Dialectic and Philanthropic Joint Senate.

More detailed information on the history of the Dialectic and Philanthropic societies will be found in the following sources:

Battle, Kemp P. History of the University of North Carolina, 2 vols., 1907, 1912.

McLean, Hallie S. "The History of the Dialectic Society, 1795-1860" (Thesis, M.A.), University of North Carolina, 1949.

Murphy, Evangeline Burbank. "The Growth of the Library of the Philanthropic Society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1797-1822" (Thesis, M.S.L.S.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1979.

York, Maurice C. "The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies' Efforts at Library Development at the University of North Carolina, 1875-1906" (Thesis, M.S.L.S.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1977.

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Collection Overview

Records of the Dialectic Society of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N.C., include minutes, inaugural addresses of society presidents, commencement addresses, debates, bills and resolutions, correspondence, committee records, treasurer's records, membership records, the constitution and bylaws, library catalogs and circulation records, and publicity records. Correspondence concerns requests for portraits, library book orders, invitations to deliver addresses, and financial matters. Committee records include records of the building, catalog, Confederate repository and records, dance, debate, executive, library, membership, portraits, properties, publicity, radio, renovations, room, query, ways and means, and special committees.

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Arrangement of Collection

1. Minutes
2. Addresses/Debates, Bills/Resolutions and Correspondence
2.1. Addresses/Debates
2.2. Bills/Resolutions
2.3. Correspondence
3. Committee Records
3.1. Building Committee
3.2. Catalogue Committee
3.3. Censor Morum Records
3.4. Clerk's (or Recorder's) Records
3.5. Confederate Repository Committee
3.6. Constitution Committee
3.7. Corrector's Records
3.8. Critic's Records
3.9. Dance Committee
3.10. Debate Committee
3.11. Di/Phi Committee
3.12. Entertainment Committee
3.13. Executive Committee
3.14. Finance Committee
3.15. Library Committee
3.16. Membership Committee
3.17. Portrait Committee
3.18. Properties Committee
3.19. Publicity Committee
3.20. Radio Committee
3.21. Renovations Committee
3.22. Room Committee
3.23. Senate Relations Committee
3.24. Query Committee
3.25. Ways and Means Committee
3.26. Special Committees
4. Treasurer's Records
4.1. Members' Accounts
4.2. Day Books
4.3. Fine Books
4.4. Receipts
5. Membership Records
5.1. Catalogs of Members
5.2. Roll Books
5.3. Certificates and Diplomas
6. Constitution and Bylaws
7. Library Records
7.1. Catalogs of Holdings
7.2. Circulation Records
8. Publicity Records
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Items Separated

Oversize volumes


Detailed Description of the Collection

1. Minutes, 1795-1957.

Arrangement: chronological.
Available on microfilm.
This series contains the secretary's (or clerk's or recorder's) records of the society's meetings. In addition to information on business matters and debates, the minutes contain scattered library lists, constitutions, membership lists, and committee reports. Some lists, constitutions, and reports are of a later date than the minutes. In so far as possible, resolutions, addresses, etc. have been removed and filed as separate series.
Volume 1
June 1795-March 1798
Minutes for 1795-1796 are published in R.D.W. Connor's Documentary History of the University
Volume 2
November 1796-April 1799
Volume 3
April 1798-May 1804
Volume 4
May 1804-March 1812
Volume 5
March 1812-November 1818
Volume 6
November 1818-October 1826
Volume 7
October 1826-May 1833
Volume 8
May 1833-September 1838
Volume 9
September 1838-October 1844
Includes membership lists for 1876-1877.
Volume S-10
October 1844-October 1851
Volume S-11
October 1851-August 1856
Volume S-12
August 1856-May 1867

Digital version: Dialectic Society Minutes, 25 and 26 September 1857

Volume S-13
June 1867-June 1868, September 1875-October 1878
July 1868-August 1875 minutes do not exist as UNC was closed February 1871-September 1875.
Volume S-14
October 1878-March 1883
Volume S-15
March 1883-November 1885
Volume S-16
November 1885-October 1889
Volume S-17
October 1889-February 1895
Volume S-18
February 1895-February 1905
Volume S-19
February 1905-May 1913
Volume S-20
September 1913-February 1926
Volume S-21
March 1926-May 1939
Volume 22
January 1927-March 1927
Volume 23
1940-1946
Volume 24
1947-1949
Volume 25
1950
Volume 26
1951
Volume 27
1952-1955
Volume 28
1956-1957
Volume 29
Synopsis of Minutes, 1826-1829, 1838, 1851, 1926

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2. Addresses/Debates, Bills/Resolutions, and Correspondence, 1795-1959 and Undated.

Available on microfilm.
This series, comprising three subseries, contains material supportive of, and sometimes duplicated in, the Society minutes.
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2.1. Addresses/Debates, 1795-1919 and undated.
Arrangement: Addresses and debates are arranged in alphabetical order by the author's last name.
This subseries includes copies of inaugural addresses of the society presidents, commencement addresses, debates, and compositions. These had been gathered into bound volumes by past members of the society. The volumes have now been disbound, and the material is arranged alphabetically by author's last name.
Reports of the Archivist (Vice President) Listing Addresses:
Folder 1
1811-1825 and undated
Folder 2
1827-1837
Folder 3
1849-1884, 1889 and undated 1890s
Folder 4
1911, 1915-1919
Volume 1
1795-1899
Volume 2
1838-1840?
Addresses and Debates.
An annotated list of these has been compiled and is filed in a separate notebook.
Box 1
A-Coleman

Digital version: Debate Speech of William W. Avery for the Dialectic Society, 22 June 1836: "Should the Office of Chief Magistrate Be Awarded to One Distinguished for His Military Services Rather Than to One Distinguished for His Civil Services?"

Digital version: Debate Speech of Perrin H. Busbee for the Dialectic Society, 22 June 1836: "Should the Office of Chief Magistrate Be Awarded to One Distinguished for His Military Services Rather Than to One Distinguished for His Civil Services?"

Digital version: Debate Speech of Hugh T. Brown for the Dialectic Society, 2 June 1857: "Have Men of Action Been More Beneficial to the World Than Men of Thought?"

Digital version: Debate Speech of William M. Coleman for the Dialectic Society, 2 June 1857: "Have Men of Action Been More Beneficial to the World Than Men of Thought?"

Box 2
Colton-Holt

Digital version: Composition of Daniel Forney for the Dialectic Society, 29 August 1804: "Is Duelling Justifiable?"

Digital version: Composition of James D. Hall for the Dialectic Society, 23 April 1828: "On an Old-Field School"

Digital version: Inaugural Address of Bartholomew Fuller for the Dialectic Society, 23 August 1850

Digital version: Senior Oration of George W. Graham for the Dialectic Society, 22 February 1868: "Envy"

Box 3
Hooper-M

Digital version: Debate Speech of William J. Long for the Dialectic Society, 23 June 1837

Digital version: Composition of Theodore B. Kingsbury, September 1848: "Our Literature"

Digital version: Debate Speech of Hamilton C. Jones, Jr., for the Dialectic Society, 2 June 1857: "Have Men of Action Been More Beneficial to the World Than Men of Thought?"

Digital version: Debate Speech of Lee M. McAfee for the Dialectic Society, 2 June 1857: "Have Men of Action Been More Beneficial to the World Than Men of Thought?"

Digital version: Inaugural Address of Paul B. Means for the Dialectic Society, 8 May 1868

Box 4
N-S

Digital version: Speech of James K. Polk for the Dialectic Society, 30 August 1817: "On the Admission of Foreigners into the Office in the United States"

Digital version: Inaugural Address of William A. Shaw for the Dialectic Society, 4 April 1821

Digital version: Debate Speech of Alexander D. Swann for the Dialectic Society, 22 June 1836: "Should the Office of Chief Magistrate Be Awarded to One Distinguished for His Military Services Rather Than to One Distinguished for His Civil Services?"

Box 1
T-Z

Digital version: Debate Speech of Leonard Henderson Taylor for the Dialectic Society, 22 June 1836: "Should the Office of Chief Magistrate Be Awarded to One Distinguished for His Military Services Rather Than to One Distinguished for His Civil Services?"

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2.2. Bills/Resolutions, 1803-1959 and undated.
Arrangement: chronological.
This subseries contains copies of bills, articles of impeachment, and queries cleared for floor debate (including intercollegiate debate topics) as well as general and memorial resolutions read during meetings of the society. See also Constitution Committee, Query Committee, Ways and Means Committee, and Reports of the Vice President in Series 3.
Folder 1
1803-1823
Folder 2
1833-1864
Folder 3
1866-1939
Folder 4
1940-1945
Folder 5
1946-1949
Folder 6
1950-1954
Folder 7
1955-1959 and undated
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2.3. Correspondence, 1797-1956.
Arrangement: chronological.
This subseries includes the correspondence of the society's president, secretary, and/or clerk. Letters deal with subjects ranging from requests for portraits, library book orders, and billings for payments of fines/dues to invitations to deliver commencement addresses. The post Civil War material is almost exclusively financial in nature. Folder 17 contains historical manuscripts collected by the society's Committee on Confederate Repository and Records. Folder 18 includes materials generated by the Committee on Renovations.
Folder 1
General, 1797-1808
Folder 2
General, 1813-1825
Folder 3
General, 1826-1829
Folder 4
General, 1830-1834
Folder 5
General, 1835-1839
Folder 6
General, 1840-1849
Folder 7
General, 1850-1859
Folder 8
General, 1860-1867
Folder 9
General, 1875-1879
Folder 10
General, 1880-1900
Folder 11
General, 1910-1946
Folder 12
General, 1947
Folder 13
General, 1948-1949
Folder 14
General, 1950-1951
Folder 15
General, 1952-1954
Folder 16
General, 1955-1956
Folder 17
Historical Collection, 1780-1865
Folder 18
Renovation of the Dialectic Society Hall, 1950-1954
See also Committee on Renovation, Series 3, Subseries 21.

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3. Committee Records, 1796-1956.

Arrangement: alphabetical.
Available on microfilm.
This series contains reports and other records created by the various committees of the society. The standing committee materials are arranged individually as subseries while the records of the special committees are inter filed chronologically in Subseries 26. Additional information on these committees will be found in the minutes, Series 1.
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3.1. Building Committee Records, 1847-1856?.
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3.2. Catalogue Committee Records, 1885-1888.
About compilation of 1890 Catalogue of Members.
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3.3. Censor Morum Records, 1910-1923.
About absences and fines.
Folder 1
1910, 1915
Folder 2
1916
Folder 3
1917
Folder 4
1918-1920, 1923
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3.4. Clerk's (or Recorder's) Records, 1863-1868, 1937-1943.
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3.5. Confederate Repository Committee Records, 1866-1867.
See also Historical Collection, Folder 17 of Series 2, Subseries 3.
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3.6. Constitution Committee Records, 1797-1956.
See also Constitution and Bylaws, Series 6.
Folder 1
1905, 1910-1956
Volume 1
January 1797-June 1799
Volume 2
August 1799-October 1805
Volume 3
February 1806-February 1816
Volume 4
February 1816-September 1824
Volume 5
October 1824-February 1826
Volume 6
March 1832-November 1836
Volume 7
May 1842-November 1851
Volume 8
October 1875-December 1882
Volume 9
September 1887-April 1892
Volume 10
May 1892-May 1893
Volume 11
May 1893-October 1897
Volume 12
October 1897-February 1906
Volume 13
February 1906-March 1914
Volume 14
March 1914-1921
Volume 15
January 1922-April 1927
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3.7. Corrector's Records, 1846?, 1858, 1866-1867, 1882-1883.

Digital version: Correctors' Report of Alexander McIver and Junius I. Scales for the Dialectic Society, 1 April 1853

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3.8. Critic's Records, 1935-1949.
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3.9. Dance Committee Records, 1940-1943.
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3.10. Debate Committee Records, 1940-1943, 1951.
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3.11. Di/Phi Committee Records, 1814-1955.
Includes Di committees appointed to confer with Phi, Phi committees writing to Di, and joint Di-Phi committees.
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3.12. Entertainment Committee Records, 1935, 1940, 1949-1950.
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3.13. Executive Committee Records, 1942, 1949-1951.
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3.14. Finance Committee Records, 1813-1956.
See also Treasurer's Records, Series 4.
Folder 1
1813-1825
Folder 2
1826-1835
Folder 3
1836-1854
Folder 4
1876-1915
Folder 5
1916-1920
Folder 6
1928-1945
Folder 7
1946-1956
Volume 1
December 1905-February 1908
Volume 2
March 1908-September 1910
Volume 3
September 1910-January 1912
Volume 4
February 1912-April 1913
Volume 5
April 1913-November 1914
Volume 6
November 1914-March 1919
Volume 7
March 1919-April 1927
Volume 8
1939 (incomplete)
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3.15. Library Committee Records, 1796?-1956.
See also Library Records, Series 7.
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3.16. Membership Committee Records, 1940-1956.
See also Membership Records, Series 5.
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3.17. Portrait Committee, 1945-1956.
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3.18. Properties Committee Records, 1949-1956.
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3.19. Publicity Committee Records, 1940-1950.
See also Publicity Records, Series 8, and Senate Relations Committee.
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3.20. Radio Committee Records, 1940, 1942.
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3.21. Renovations Committee Records, 1949-1955.
See also Folder 18 of Series 2, Subseries 3.
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3.22. Room Committee Records, 1818.
(1 item only)
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3.23. Senate Relations Committee Records, 1949-1956.
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3.24. Query Committee Records, 1852-1892.
Volume 1
February 1852-February 1855
Volume 2
March 1855-August 1857
Volume 3
January 1867-June 1867
Volume 4
1875-1878, 1881
Volume 5
1882-1885
Volume 6
1887-1892
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3.25. Ways and Means Committee Records, 1934-1956.
See also Bills and Resolutions, Series 2, Subseries 2.
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3.26. Special Committees Records, 1835-1953.

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4. Treasurer's Records, 1807-1952.

Arrangement: by type of account, then chronologically.
This series contains the financial records of the Dialectic Society as maintained by the Treasurer and Finance Committee. The society's main source of income was membership dues supplemented by fines imposed for conduct violations, meeting absences, and misuse of library privileges.
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4.1. Members' Accounts, 1807-1952.
This subseries includes accounts arranged by member's name. The information consists of dues and fines assessed and paid.
Volume 1
1807-1818
Volume 2
1811-1816
Volume 3
1818-1821
Volume 4
1822-1824
Volume 5
1824-1830
Volume 6
1829-1830
Volume S-7
1830-1834
Volume 8
1834-1838
Volume S-9
1838-1840
Volume 10
1841-1848
Volume 11
1848-1855
Volume 12
1861-1867, 1878-1881
Volume 13
1883-1884
Volume S-14
1913-1914, 1917-1918
Volume S-15
1915-1916, 1919
Volume S-16
1915-1916
Volume S-17
1912-1913, 1918-1919
Volume S-18
1919-1920
Volume S-19
1919-1920
Volume S-20
1919-1920
Volume 21
1922-1923
Volume 22
1947-1949
Volume 23
1949-1950
Volume 24
1949-1952
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4.2. Day Books, 1818-1907.
This subseries includes the treasurer's general cash accounts, recording income and expenditures.
Volume 1
1818-1827
Volume 2
1827-1843
Volume 3
1838-1865
Special accounts for library, diplomas, badges, and furniture.
Volume 4
1844-1848
Volume 5
1884-1885
Volume 6
1885-1887
Volume 7
1887-1889
Volume 8
1890-1892
Volume 9
1892-1895
Volume 10
1895-1900
Volume 11
1901-1905
Volume 12
1906-1907
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4.3. Fine Books, 1848-1947.
Arrangement: volume entries are chronological by meeting date.
This subseries records the fines assessed members for misconduct.
Volume 1
1848-1852
Volume 2
1852-1856
Volume 3
1856-1860
Volume 4
1862-1868, 1877-1885
Volume 5
1880-1886
Volume 6
1882-1883
Volume 7
1884
Volume S-8
1912-1913
Volume S-9
1913-1914
Volume 10
1909
Volume 11
1918-1922
Volume 12
1946
Volume 13
1947
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4.4. Receipts, 1804-1929.
Arrangement: chronological.
This subseries contains the receipts for payment of society debts.
Folder 1
1804-1828
Folder 2
1830-1849
Folder 3
1850-1889
Folder 4
1906-1910
Folder 5
1911-1913
Folder 6
1914
Folder 7
1915-1917
Folder 8
1918-1929
Volume 1
1902-1903

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5. Membership Records, 1841-1964.

Arrangement: by type of account, then chronologically.
This series includes membership lists and records of attendance at society meetings. The lists are in the form of catalogs and were created as members signed their acceptance of the society's constitution and bylaws.
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5.1. Catalogs of Members, 1841-1956.
This subseries contains lists of members by year including home addresses in some cases. See also Catalogue of the Members of the Dialectic Society (Baltimore, Md., 1890).
Folder 1
1946-1956
Volume 1
1841-1867
Volume 2
1845-1860
Volume 3
Roster of Patriotic Dead, 1865
Volume 4
1866-1867, 1875-1893
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5.2. Roll Books, 1908-1962.
This subseries contains the attendance records of the society.
Volume 1
1908
Volume 2
1908
Volume 3
1909
Volume 4
1911-1914
Volume 5
1914-1915
Volume 6
1923-1924
Volume 7
1924
Volume 8
1925-1926
Volume 9
1931-1938
Volume 10
1941-1946
Volume 11
Guest Register, 1946-1953
Volume 12
1946-1958, 1962
Volume 13
1952
Volume 14
Guest Register, 1953-1958
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5.3. Certificates and Diplomas, 1964.
Folder 1
1964 and blank forms for regular and honorary membership.

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6. Constitution and Bylaws, 1818-1949.

Arrangement: chronological.
Available on microfilm.
This series contains versions and revisions of the society constitution and bylaws with amendments proposed and adopted. The original constitution, as adopted in 1795, is recorded in Volume 1 of Series 1. See also Constitution Committee Records, Subseries 6 of Series 3.
Volume 1
1818-1822
Volume 2
1834
Volume 3
1837-1847
Volume 4
1848-1853
Volume 5
1857-1866
Volume 6
1867-1868, 1875-1876
Volume 7
1877-1883?
Volume 8
1884-1892
Volume 9
1893, 1896?
Volume 10
1896
Volume 11
1900, 1915
Volume 12
1909
Volume 13
1917, 1920
Volume 14
1940s
Volume 15
April 1949
Volume 16
Fall 1949

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7. Library Records, 1824-1887? and undated.

Arrangement: alphabetical by subject, then chronologically.
Available on microfilm.
This series includes records on the development and use of the Dialectic Society library from the early nineteenth century until the 1880s, when the society's holdings were merged with the University collection. See also the Librarian's Records, Subseries 15 of Series 3.
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7.1. Catalogs of Books, 1833-1887? and undated.
These volumes contain lists of library holdings arranged by author's name. Listings also frequently include size, publisher, and shelf location.
Volume 1
1833-1834?
Volume 2
1843, 1848 and undated
Volume 3
1849, 1852
Volume S-4
1860-1862
Volume S-5
circa 1878
Volume S-6
1887?
Volume S-7
1885?
Volume S-8
1870s
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7.2. Circulation Records, 1824-1886.
This subseries records loans of books and periodicals to society members. Volume entries are arranged by borrower's name.
Volume 1
1824
Volume S-2
1832 1840
Volume S-3
1846-1853, 1866
Volume 4
1858-1865
Volume S-5
1867-1881
Volume 6
1868, 1875-1881
Volume 7
1881-1883
Volume S-8
1881-1886

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8. Publicity Records, 1941-1960.

Arrangement: chronological.
This series includes the society newsletter, "The Senate Bulletin", as well as notices and press releases prepared by the society's Publicity Committee, president, and clerk and a few news articles about the society. See also Subseries 19 of Series 3.
Folder 1
1941-1950
Folder 2
1951-1956; 1960
Volume S-1
Scrapbook, 1942-1943
Volume S-2
Scrapbook, 1942-1955
Volume S-3
Scrapbook, 1946-1951
Volume S-4
Scrapbook, 1942-1956

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