Transcribed and submitted by Herman Lindsey Stricklin

Parker School House
June 26th, 1881

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The people of the vicinity of Parker School house met to organize a debating society.

Came to order [and?] called J. N. Davis to the chair & proceeded to business. Elected J. N. Davis President for the entire term & J. E. Lindsey Secretary. Appointed M. P. Thornton, J. E. & J. A. Lindsey as committee to write by-laws for the government of the Society, said rules to be presented at the next ensuing meeting for correction and adoption. After some discussion, selected the following question for debate at next meeting [:] Resolved That the love of women wields a greater influence over man than the love of money.

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Rules and Regulations

Rule 1st – There shall be a President whose duty it shall be to call the house to order & to preserve good order while the Society is in session.
Rule 2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to call the roll & mark absentees & to present a minute of each meeting.
Rule 3d. No member shall leave the house while the Society is in session without first addressing to Pres. & getting permission from him,
Rule 4th . No member shall speak while a speaker is on the floor or at any other time without permission from the President.
Rule 5th. Each speaker shall take his place on the floor immediately when his name is called for that purpose.

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Rule 6th. No one shall be allowed to speak after his him has expired.
Rule 6th. Each speak shall stop speaking when his time expires.
Rule 7th. All members enrolled shall have equal right to speak on any subject by getting permission from the President.
Rule 8th. Any one violating the above rules shall be liable to a fine of not more than 15 cts. nor less than 5 cts.
Rule 9th. Any one refusing to submit to the above fine shall be suspended for 2 weeks after which time if he does not come forward and pay off his dues, shall be expelled from the society.
Rule 10th. The Pres. [sic] shall have power to enforce any of the above rules.

//s// J. E. Lindsey, Sec.

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Debaters

Aff. [Affirmative] Woman Neg. [Negative] Money
J. E. Lindsey M. P. Thornton
G. W. White S. R. Rainey
Willie Thornton J. A. Lindsey
E. G. Davis Sam Wade
D.[?] S. Davis W. H. Howell
Each speaker allowed not more than twenty minutes except the first speaker of the Aff. who shall have 8[?] minutes reply at the close.
All necessary business transacted the Society adjourned to meet ext Saturday half past 7 o’clock P.M.

J. E. Lindsey, Sect.
J. N. Davis, Pres.

Note: The Parker School was located on the north side of  Indian Creek, to the southeast of present day Memorial Baptist Church.