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This Society had its inaugural meeting on 4th April 1901 in the Public Rooms (1).  Its formation had been promoted by the Committee of the Literary Institute (2) as part of an attempt to revitalise the Institute.  The Chairman was J. J. Meyrick Esq C.B. (3) and the Honorary Secretary and Treasurer was Miss Edith Callender (4). 

The Fairlynch Museum has a copy of the rules of the Society which were as follows:- 

1.This Society shall be designated the Budleigh Salterton Debating Society, in connection with the Literary Institute.

2.The Officers shall consist of a Chairman, and Secretary, to be elected annually.  The Chairman to preside at all meetings, and control the debate, his or her decision to be absolute.

3.Debates shall be held on the first Thursday afternoon in each month, at 3 o’clock in the Public Rooms.

4.Subscribers to the Literary Institute admitted free, non-subscribers may join the Debating Society on payment of 2s 6d per annum.

5.Each member may introduce a friend, non-resident in Budleigh Salterton, but visitors shall not take part in the proceedings, unless previous notice is given.

6.No member shall be allowed to speak for more than ten minutes, except the opener of the debate on either side, who shall be allowed a quarter of an hour.  No member shall be allowed to speak twice on the same subject until others have had the opportunity of speaking.

7.All remarks shall be addressed to the Chair. 

The topic for the inaugural debate still resonates with us today and was: 

“That the general influence of the modern press is mischievous, and contrary to public policy, and that what is termed the liberty of the press ought to be greatly modified” 

Mr F. Williams was the speaker for this view and Captain Johnson RN (5) was against the proposal supported by Mr F. N. Parsons.  Some of the arguments are recorded in the newspaper report of the event (1).  There does not appear to have been a particularly large attendance because when the proposition was put to the vote three people were for the proposal and five against (but according to the newspaper there appeared to have been some confusion and perhaps some people didn’t vote).  A second vote was then taken asking whether limited censorship might be enforced, and nearly all the audience voted in favour of this idea. 

Dr Brushfield presided at the second debate on the question “Is local option (sic, should this read “opinion”) desirable as solution, or partial solution, of the drinks question?”  Mr Parsons was in favour supported by Mr Wrench and Rev. A. O. Shaw, while Miss Eggar, Captain Johnson & Mr F. Williams held the contrary view.  The voting at the end was more or less equal in numbers. 

The subject of another debate on the May 9th 1901 was “Is some form of conscription desirable which would force every able-bodied man to train for the defence of the country?” (6).  Mr Thurgood spoke for the proposition followed by Rev. Keogh, Mr Blathwayt-Bean and Mr Meyrick. The opposite view was supported by Captain Johnson RN, along with Rev. D. Cork and Mr Kempson.  The final vote was in favour of conscription. 

At the Annual General Meeting of the parent organisation, Budleigh Literary Institute, on the 31st January 1902 it was recorded that there had been six debates and Miss Callender was thanked for organising them (7).  

The AGM had resolved to continue the debates but in October 1902 at a meeting of the Debating Society itself it was decided to abandon the Society (8).  The members present were invited to vote on the proposition “That it was not desirable, in view of the scarcity of speakers, to continue the Society”.  Equal numbers of votes were cast for and against.  The Chairman then gave his casting vote for the proposal. The members then thanked Miss Callender warmly for her work for the Society. 

The Society has never been revived. 

Compiled by Roger Lendon © 2013

(1) Western Times 6 April 1901

(2) See OVApedia article “THE LITERARY INSTITUTE & PENNY READINGS”

(3) Meyrick, James Joseph C.B., F.R.C.V.S. (1834-1925). He served in the Royal Artillery in Canada and Egypt and was superintendant of horse breeding in the Punjab. Author of three books. He was the first vet to be awarded the C.B.  Lived in Lilybrook, Little Knowle.

(4) Edith Isabella Callender. Born November 1853 in Rushholme Manchester to William Callender, merchant & County Magistrate. Lived with her widowed mother Hannah in Budleigh Salterton from at least 1881 (census).

(5) See OVApedia article: “Captain John Bell Johnson RN”

(6) Western Times  Tuesday 07 May 1901 

(7) Monday 03 February 1902,  Western Times

(8) Western Times - Saturday 04 October 1902

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