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Demosthenian Hall, June 17, 1942
The joint meeting of Demosthenian-Phi Kappa literary societies was
called to order by George 0. Marshall, president of Demosthenian.
Mr. Marshall introduced Mr. B. Ball Battle, president of Phi Kappa.
Mr. Battle said, "This is the first time in the three years
that I've been at the University that I've seen a real courteous
meeting of Phi Kappa and Demosthenian," and added, "I
think all the meetings should be this way." An applause came
free the members of both societies.
Mr. Marshall then stated that the purpose of the joint meeting was
to take some definite stand on the kind of reception that should
be given the governor by the University students upon his arrival
Thursday, June 18. He then asked Jimmy Moore to give the Phi Kappans
a brief outline of the proceedings of the earlier meeting of Demosthenian.
Mr. Moore spoke briefly on the discussions that arose in the Demosthenian
meeting.
Mr. Battle of Phi Kappa moved that two members from each society
be appointed to act as a committee in making decisions for the two
societies. The motion was seconded and carried with one dissenting
vote.
Mr. Edwards immediately asked that no members of the Student Political
League be included on either committee.
George Doss and Jimmy Moore of Demosthenian and Ben Howell and Buddy
Outz of Phi Kappa were appointed as the committee to formulate plans
for the Governor's reception.
Wilbur Orr of Demosthenian made a motion that the two societies
go on record as favoring silence instead of what he termed "rabble-rousin,"
at the governor's Introduction. The motion was carried with one
dissenting vote.
Billy Dixon of Phi Kappa arose and said that he favored some "booing"
at the governor.
Mr. Battle of Phi Kappa asked the members of both societies to refrain
from “stirring up" any wild demonstrations among the student
body.
Mr. Edwards gained the floor and drew laughter from members of the
two societies. He said, "I'm in favor of buring the governor's
effigy and putting on demonstrations. Let's all stage a march on
Sanford Stadium "hollerin" and making lets of noise. Let's
go out to the grocery stores and buy all the rotten tomatoes we
can find at the cheapest possible price. Let's hurry out and put
props around all the buildings to keep them from falling when 'Gene
comes over."
He continued, "I'm even in favor of gathering five or six little
negroes to carry down to see the governor." "Let's tell
Mr. Talmadge," he said, “that we'd just as soon go to school
with negroes as with anyone else.'
Mr. Edwards then said that "politics is becoming too much of
an issue with the literary Societies.”
Mr. Firor asked Mr. Edwards to yield. He asked, "But don't
you think that rather than politics this is an issue of "self-
preservation for the students?'
Back on the floor Mr. Edwards said, "you mean to say that what
is decided in this meeting will decide whether Eugene Talmadge is
elected to the governor's seat next September?"
Mr. Firor answered, “No, I'm afraid it won't, but I wish to hell
it would."
Mr. Battle of Phi Kappa said he thought Mr. Edwards’ plan was a
good method for a mob to use, but that the dignity of neither of
the literary societies would ever be lowered by the employment of
such tactics as these advocated by Mr. Edwards." He added,
"the members of Demosthenian and Phi Kappa are serious. The
best days that the students of the University of Georgia have seen
were the days in which Phi Kappans and Demosthenian. have stuck
together," and ended by saying that "we are not going
to be influenced now by the insignificance of mob violence."
The meeting then adjourned after 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Joiner, Secty.
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