1912–13 Volume 37 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

200 THE SCROLLactive' chapter was represented by a delegate, a considerable numberof alumni clubs were represented and nearly all of the generalofficers were present.The proportion of alumni was probably larger that at any previousconvention, but still the majority had young faces, and never was abetter looking lot of young men assembled in one place. The oldermen were proud of the active members who represented the chapters,of whom there were many more than the official delgates. The concensusof opinion was that the attendance was increased by reason ofthe change of date from Thanksgiving week to 'the week includingNew Years. College faculties have raised objections to Phi DeltaTheta holding conventions during Thanksgiving week or at othertimes when college is in session, because delegates and other activemembers who attended a convention at that time were absent for aweek or more from their college work. Alumni also are probablybetter suited by the new date than any other that could be chosen, becauseduriiTg the holidays they can be absent from their businesswith less inconvenience than at any other time.Really, however, the new date is a return to the date when thefirst two conventions of Phi Delta Theta were held, as it happenedexactly the same day in December. The first conventicn, of whichBenjamin Harrison was Secretary, was held in Cincinnati, December30, 1851; the second in Cincinnati, December 30 and 31, 1856.It may be noted also that the convention of 1912-13 was the secondconvention of Phi Delta Theta to meet in Chicago. The conventionof 1869 was held in Chicago, and that of 1889 in Bloomington, 111.No convention has been held by the Fraternity at a place west ofIllinois.The proportion of old convention goers was unusually large, probablylarger than ever. Of the thirteen living Past Presidents, six werepresent, Banta, H. U. Brown, Miller, Palmer, J. E. Brown and Ruick.Of former Province Presidents, there were Priest, Sanders, Hays,Haynes, Thurston and others. Then, besides the general officers forthe last two years, there were many other convention veterans, such asBallon of New York, Paul of Boston, Hamilton of Springfield, Ill-Butler of Indianapolis, Baily of Des Moines, Lange of Washington,Somerville of Mississippi and many others. It was a royalcrowd of good fellows, and worth going across the continent tomeet them. But the enforced absence of many who had attendedprevious conventions was deeply regretted, and especially the absenceof Past Presidents Mitchell and DeWitt, who have been soregular in attendance, and who have done so much of the importantwork at previous conventions. The lengthy cablegram of greetingsand good wishes from Mitchell indicated how keen was his disappointmentthat he could not attend. Others who were much missedwere Doten, Bohn, Compton, McCrillis and Rommel.