Following the turbulent meeting of April 29, the Thencanic critic reports on the May 6 meeting. Though there was some improvement in behavior, the lack of a quorum meant that no real business could be carried out. Transcription included.
Thencanic Society (Model School (Trenton, N.J.))This report, by an author known only as "F.W.", provides both praise and criticism to the Thencanic members. The author stresses the importance of proper posture, oratory, and behavior, among other points needing improvement. Transcription included.
unknownAnother brief report, albeit a mostly positive one. Transcription included.
Burgess, J. Stewart (John Stewart), 1883-1949The first critic's report by future Thencanic Secretary Benjamin Messler shows the author's love for writing by surpassing in length every known prior report. Messler remains respectful but spares no one in the Society from his criticisms, listing problems with behavior, describing rhetorical and oratorical mistakes, and begging the Society's pardon for his remarks. Transcription included.
Thencanic Society (Model School (Trenton, N.J.))A report signed only as "Critic," perhaps due to the harsh words it has for the Thencanic Society. Though brief, it shows that the problems of teenage boys continue to affect the Society's operations. The anonymous Critic caps off his report with a flourish that leads into a doodled illustration of a man in a top hat. Transcription included.
unknownA short report, but a historically interesting one as the Thencanic's debate on the "Cuban Question" marks the first mention of the events leading to the Spanish-American War the following year. Transcription included.
Packer, Donald J. (Donald Julian), 1882-1944This report focuses on the rhetorical, oratorical, and grammatical missteps of the members who spoke at this meeting. Baumgartner also discusses the generally rowdy behavior of the students. Transcription included.
Baumgartner, Charles G. (Charles Greene), 1881-1968Former Thencanic President Harvey Whitehead thanks the Society for electing him honorary member, and extends to the group his best wishes for their success. Transcription included.
Whitehead, Harvey F., 1867-1947Welling S. Katzenbach, who seems to have recently graduated from the Model School, congratulates the Thencanic Society on the election of new officers. He offers his opinions on the selected students, and offers some reflections on the debating society at the post-secondary institution he was attending at this time. Transcription included.
Katzenbach, Welling S. (Welling Sickle), 1884-1913William Bamford, Model School Class of 1896, included this letter with his book of Thencanic Society officers from 1882 to 1896. In it he explains his process of creating the work and why he assembled it. It provides important contextual information on this essential document. Transcription included.
Bamford, William B. (William Brokaw), ca. 1878-1945