II. Society Business,, 1826-1890

Summary: Constitutions and By-laws: This file contains many versions of the Society's constitution. It is interesting to note that these important documents are almost entirely undated. Also included are several amendments to the constitution.

The Peithessophian Society's miscellaneous papers cover the years 1826-1891. They consist primarily of various committee reports, since the Peithos, as they were called, were always appointing committees for every facet of Society business. There were three committees that reported most frequently and were of central importance to the functioning of the Society. The Committee of Supervision reported on the other committees and checked to make sure business and record keeping conformed to the rules of the Society. The Committee of Inquiry levied fines for infractions of the Society's rules and also proclaimed public censure of members whose violations were of an egregious nature. The Committee of Appeals usually handled the appeals of students who felt they had been unjustly fined or censured.

There were also Committees to Inspect the Treasurer's and Librarian's Reports, on the Junior Exhibition, on By-Laws, on Honorary Members, to Print Addresses, to Confer with Faculty, to Solicit Donations, for Commencement, to Purchase Books, on Revised Constitutions and Committees of Investigation for controversial incidents. These papers record many topics of debate from the 1850's and 1860's such as: "Were England and France justified in defending Turkey against Russia?," "Is the Union of States endangered by its extent?," "Should Kansas be admitted as a free state?," "Are republics ungrateful?," "Was ancient Rome justified in utterly destroying Carthage?," "Is France capable of republican government?," "Is the extension of territory favorable to the preservation of the Union?" [all 1856], and "Is the habitual use of tobacco for chewing and smoking injurious?," and "Working Mens' Unions" [both undated].

1826-1829: Includes initiating forms, and the violation of Librarian Westfall in the illegal removal of a book from the Society's Library in 1829.

1830-1838: Includes report on the Stimson case, report on the selling of Ogilby's Address, report on the case of Mr. Mann and report on Everett's Address. Also includes the Society's secret motto (in Greek) "Improvement and Friendship."

1839-1844: Includes reports on the printing of Everett's and Wirt's addresses, an 1840 membership catalogue of the Peithologian Society of Columbia College with its constitution, a report on the affair of W. Philips for revealing Society secrets, reports on Junior Exhibitions, and report on Cox's Address.

1845-1850: Includes the report on the case of I. P. Strong, the "Van Loon Fuss," evidence of T. B. Romeyn, report on the portrait of Dr. Cannon, the 1848 report on the New Hall [Van Nest], and report on the Muller case.

1851-1853: Includes the report on the Revision of the Constitution (1852), report on the case of A. H. Hoffman, and regarding honorary membership of faculty in the Peithessophian and Philoclean Societies -- "the said joint committee agree that all aclaims based upon precedent or traditional treaties shall hereafter be and hereby are repudiated forever: and further that each and every member of the Faculty of Rutgers College shall henceforth be ex officio a member of both societies." (December, 1853).

1854-1873: Includes reports of continuing rancor between Peitho and Philo over professorial membership despite the resolution of 1853, report on the Berdan Affair regarding revealed secrets of the Society and many topics of debate.

1874-1891: Includes report on new constitution [1878], "Peithessophian Society vs. Phillip W. Pilcher," the 1879 Tiffany design for a Society pin and general business.

Minutes of the Society: This subseries begins with a list of "Rules of Order at a Regular Meeting." This belongs properly to the by-laws, however, it is filed here to serve the user as a guide to the format of the minutes of the Society. The typical meeting began with a call to order by the President, or in His abscence another officer. This was followed by a reading from the Bible or a prayer. Minutes from the previous meeting were read and (usually) accepted. Business matters were discussed and committee reports were presented. Literary exercises normally followed. These exercises included debates, speakers, and readings. If a debate had taken place, the Society officer would decide the winner of the debate. The membership would uphold or reject the officer's ruling. The Society was then adjourned.