Congrès des U.P. mai 1904

Editor’s Notice

We anticipate that the first cahier of the sixth series, appearing on Sunday, October 2 next, will be the summary analytical catalogue of our first five series; we ask our subscribers, just as we are already thinking today about preparing the establishment of this catalogue, to think, for their part, about preparing its useful distribution; that is to say, we ask them, during the completion of this fifth series, to look for and to indicate to us to whom we might usefully send this summary analytical catalogue, as we send our announcements of new publications; to learn what will have appeared in the first five series of the cahiers, it suffices to send today one’s name and address to M. André Bourgeois, administrator of the cahiers, 8 rue de la Sorbonne, ground floor, Paris, fifth arrondissement; one will receive in October our summary analytical catalogue; to let someone know what will have appeared in the first five series of the cahiers, it suffices to send today to M. André Bourgeois the name and address of the person in whom one takes an interest; notify that person at the same time; he or she will receive in October our summary analytical catalogue.

We particularly ask our subscribers to make use of the journeys of the holidays to find us new subscribers.

The cahier one is about to read was prepared by the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris and its suburbs; it is the official report of the congress held in Paris on Sunday the 22nd and Monday the 23rd of May---Pentecost---1904, by the Popular Universities of the entire country.

The copy was revised by M. Maurice Kahn, the proofs were read, among others, by M. Maurice Kahn, and by M. Paul Kastor, secretary of the Federation of Popular Universities; M. Gaston Rabaud, notably, re-read his important third report on proofs.

Organization of the Congress

Whence and how did the idea come of bringing together in a congress all the Popular Universities of France? It would be quite difficult to establish exactly; in any case, toward the end of 1903, this idea was “in the air,” for in many conversations among comrades one heard talk of the congress as something imminent; and at the monthly meeting of the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris, on December 13, 1903, a delegate proposed “that a commission be appointed to study the possibility of a congress of all the Popular Universities of France.”

This motion was adopted unanimously, and the delegates decided to place a sum of 100 francs at the disposal of the organizing commission, to enable it to meet the initial expenses.

The commission met immediately, and on January 10, 1904, the following circular was sent to all the Popular Universities whose addresses could be obtained:

FEDERATION OF POPULAR UNIVERSITIES

28, rue Serpente, PARIS (6th arr.)

Paris, January 10, 1904

Dear Sir and Comrade,

I have the pleasure of sending you the following circular, asking you to bring it to the attention of the members of your Popular University:

Circular No. 4 on a National Congress of the Popular Universities

Some delegates from the Popular Universities at the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris and suburbs have expressed the opinion that a National Congress of the Popular Universities might be held in Paris in 1904.

The purpose of this Congress would be to study, on the basis of acquired experience, the best means of developing popular education through the Popular Universities, and to seek the most effective methods of education through lectures, courses, lessons, and festivals. It would also have to examine whether there would be an advantage for the Popular Universities and the regional Federations to coordinate their efforts through the establishment of a National Federation, without however in any way infringing upon the autonomy of the various organizations.

The Federation has appointed a provisional Organizing Commission, charged with entering into relations with the various Popular Universities of the departments and the regional Federations to ask their opinion on this subject and to submit to them a preliminary draft that would serve as a basis for discussion.

This Commission has drawn up the following preliminary draft:

--- A National Congress of the Popular Universities would meet in Paris on Sunday the 22nd and Monday the 23rd of May (Pentecost).

--- Each Popular University would send a report divided into a certain number of chapters, the same in all reports, so as to facilitate their analysis.

--- Similarly each Federation of Popular Universities would send a report.

--- With the help of these various individual reports, a certain number of general reports would be prepared, covering the various questions that concern the Popular University and the Federations, and the manner in which they have been resolved. These general reports would be printed; they would serve as bases for the discussions of the Congress; they would then be collected in a volume, accompanied by a summary of the discussions.

--- Each Popular University adhering to the Congress would pay a sum of five francs and would be entitled to two delegates. Each Federation would pay a sum of ten francs and would be entitled to four delegates. (Women may be delegates.)

--- Members of Popular Universities could individually adhere to the Congress, for a fee of three francs.

Here are the possible chapters of the individual reports. There would be as many general reports presented to the Congress as there are chapters in the individual reports.

1. General Organization Statutes, normal and extraordinary financial means. --- Relations with trade-union, cooperative, and political organizations.

2. Teaching and Education Lectures, lessons. --- Professional education. --- Festivals, artistic and recreational evenings. --- Teaching staff.

3. Supplementary Institutions Choral groups, reading and recitation circles. --- Excursions and sports. --- Youth centers. --- Mutual aid societies, etc.

4. Departmental and Regional Federations Relations with neighboring Popular Universities. --- Organization of the Federation, if applicable.

We therefore ask you to please write immediately to H. Ablonet, at the Union Mouffetard, 76 rue Mouffetard, Paris (5th): 1) whether your Popular University is disposed, in principle, to adhere to the Congress; 2) whether you have any observations to make on the provisional program set out above; 3) to give him a list of addresses of all the Popular Universities in your region, so that we can send this circular to those whose addresses we may not have.

The Congress program will be definitively settled around February 15 and immediately sent to adhering Popular Universities.

For the Members of the Provisional Organizing Commission:

H. ABLONET, Charles GUIEYSSE

In transmitting this circular, I add that steps will be taken to obtain the 50% reduction on the railways, and to obtain the best conditions of lodging.

Convinced that you will send your reply as quickly as possible, I ask you to accept, dear Sir and Comrade, my warmest greetings.

The Secretary of the Federation of Popular Universities, Paul KASTOR

At the meeting of March 13, the secretary of the Commission announced that he had received provisional adhesions from 80 Popular Universities (55 from the provinces, 25 from Paris and suburbs). The delegates therefore decided that there was reason to organize the Congress, and the Commission sent to all Popular Universities the following second circular:

Dear Sir and Comrade,

On the initiative of the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris and suburbs, a National Congress of the Popular Universities will take place in Paris on Sunday the 22nd and Monday the 23rd of May 1904 (Pentecost).

This Congress will be held in the premises of the Union Mouffetard, 56 rue Mouffetard (5th arr.).

COMMITTEE

The Organizing Committee has been constituted under the presidency of M. Gabriel SÉAILLES, professor at the Sorbonne, president of the Society of Friends of the Popular Universities; it further comprises:

Secretary: H. ABLONET, engraving worker (of the Union Mouffetard); Assistant Secretary: HAULTECŒUR, employee (of the Émile Zola Popular University); Treasurer: G. PAIRE, employee (of the Fraternelle Popular University); Members: H. CAZEVITZ, engineer E.C.P., treasurer of the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris (of the Germinal Popular University, Nanterre); CLAIR, railway union employee (of the Fraternelle Popular University); Ch. GUIEYSSE, administrator of Pages Libres, former secretary of the Society of Popular Universities; Paul KASTOR, employee, secretary of the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris (of the Foyer du Peuple Popular University); Ed. MARX, commercial traveler (of the Popular University of the 10th); Moreaux, employee (of the Égalité Popular University); TAVU, employee (of the Semaille Popular University).

PURPOSE OF THE CONGRESS

The purpose of the Congress is to study, on the basis of acquired experience, the best means of developing popular education through the Popular Universities, and to seek the most effective methods of education through lectures, courses, lessons, and festivals. It will also have to examine whether there would be an advantage for the Popular Universities and the regional Federations to coordinate their efforts through the establishment of a National Federation, without however in any way infringing upon the autonomy of the various organizations.

PLAN OF WORK

The work of the congress is divided into five sections:

General Organization Statutes, normal and extraordinary financial means.

Supplementary Institutions Relations with trade-union, cooperative, and political organizations. --- Youth centers, mutual aid societies.

Teaching and Education Lectures, lessons. --- Professional education. --- Teaching staff.

Festivals and Entertainments Festivals, artistic and recreational evenings. --- Choral groups. Reading circles. --- Recitation. --- Excursions and sports.

Departmental and Regional Federations Relations with neighboring Popular Universities. --- Organization of the National Federation, if applicable.

Popular Universities and Federations shall send their reports divided into chapters corresponding to the sections above; these reports must be precise, as condensed as possible, and written on one side of the pages only.

A general report for each section will be prepared from these documents; these reports, printed and distributed to the delegates at the opening of the Congress, will serve as a basis for the discussions.

It is therefore absolutely necessary that the reports of the Popular Universities and Federations reach the secretary before April 20, the final deadline, so that the material time remains to write the general reports and have them printed.

PROGRAM OF THE CONGRESS

Sunday, May 22: Morning: 8:30 a.m. --- Reception of delegates at the Union Mouffetard, 56 rue Mouffetard. --- Address by the president. --- Verification of credentials. --- Appointment of commissions. 10 o’clock. --- Commission meetings. Afternoon: 2 o’clock. --- Plenary session and discussion of general reports.

Monday, May 23: Morning: 8:30 a.m. --- Plenary session. Afternoon: 2 o’clock. --- Commission meetings for examination of motions. 4 o’clock. --- Plenary session. Evening. --- Banquet and closing ceremony.

Tuesday, May 24: Organized walks and excursions for delegates who can spare this day.

ADHESIONS

Popular Universities or Federations of Popular Universities wishing to adhere to the Congress (even those that have already sent a provisional adhesion) are requested to fill in the enclosed form and return it as soon as possible to the secretary, accompanied by a money order or postal order of:

5 francs for Popular Universities; 10 francs for Federations.

Each Popular University is entitled to two delegates, each Federation to four delegates. (Women may be delegates.)

Comrades from Popular Universities who are interested in the Congress may adhere personally for a fee of 3 francs.

It is desirable that the greatest number of Popular Universities adhere to the Congress and send their own delegates. However, to facilitate the adhesion of Popular Universities that their financial means or other reasons prevent from delegating one of their members, it has been decided that adhering Popular Universities may be represented by a delegate from another Popular University or by a Parisian comrade, it being well understood, however, that no delegate may hold more than two mandates.

In no case may the decisions of the Congress infringe upon the autonomy of the Popular Universities, which remain completely free and independent.

Yours sincerely, dear Sir and Comrade.

For the Committee: The Secretary, H. ABLONET

All correspondence should be addressed to H. Ablonet, 96 rue Mouffetard, Paris (5th).

Minutes of the Congress Sessions

Session of Sunday, May 22 (Morning)

Opening of the session at 9 o’clock.

Welcoming remarks to the comrades from the departments by comrade Kastor, secretary of the Federation of Popular Universities of Paris and suburbs.

Roll call of delegates from Popular Universities and Federations, as well as individual adhering members.

Appointment of the bureau:

President: M. GABRIEL SÉAILLES, President of the Society of Friends of the Popular Universities. Assessors: Madame DESPARMET-RUELLO, of the Lyon Federation. M. Dr. PLANCHON, of Montpellier. Secretaries: MM. BINVAULT, of Chinon. KASTOR, of Paris. PICIDRE, of Paris. VOGT, of Persan-Beaumont.

In taking his place at the bureau, M. Gabriel Séailles delivers the following address:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are opening the first Congress of the Popular Universities: I thank you for the honor you do me in calling me to chair its debates. I shall take care not to delay them with a long speech; I prefer to set the example of avoiding generalities that make discussions interminable and sterile. The Popular Universities are, in fact, institutions of a rather different character: they have had to meet diverse needs, take account of their environments, and adapt to them. But, in multiple forms, they pursue a single work of social education. The effort of the organizers of this congress has been to classify the object of its work under general headings that correspond to the common concerns of all the Popular Universities: relations with other workers’ organizations, trade unions, cooperatives; teaching methods; festivals, concerts, theatrical performances.

To the study of these questions, I wish that we bring a method conforming to the very institution of the Popular Universities, I mean a scientific, experimental method. Let us avoid theoretical discussions, commonplaces; let us profit from our being assembled to transmit to one another the lessons we may have received from experience itself. Let us above all be concerned with facts. Let the delegates of the various Popular Universities tell us what each has attempted to do, the results of this or that method, the successes, the failures. Nothing could be more valuable for us than this direct lesson of things, which our very gathering enables us to give one another.

I believe we would not have wasted our time, if we thus arrived, not at deluding ourselves with ambitious formulas, at posing conclusions as vain as they are absolute, but at bringing together facts, grouping documents, and drawing from them some provisional conclusions that new experiments will permit us to revise and extend. It is in this spirit that I would like to guide these debates, and I am sure that you will help me. Let us therefore set to work without delay, and let our discussions prove the usefulness of the work we are pursuing together.

Comrade Kastor provides some information about the organization of the Congress; contrary to what had been announced in the circulars, the general reports could not be printed in advance: the rapporteurs were unable to complete their work in time; moreover, the state of the Congress’s finances did not allow for such a large expense.

The announced banquet for Monday evening will be replaced by a luncheon; the planned excursions for Tuesday will not take place, as the provincial comrades must leave at the earliest.

To allow all delegates to take part in the work of the Commissions, it is decided that the Congress will appoint for each commission a bureau composed of a president, an assessor, a secretary, and a rapporteur; and that delegates will go, at their choice, to the bureau whose work interests them most.

The Congress then proceeds to appoint these bureaus, which are constituted as follows:

First Commission: GENERAL ORGANIZATION President: CAZEVITZ (Paris Federation); Assessor: EXERCITIER (Troyes); Secretary: MARS (Albi); Rapporteur: Madame WARNET (Popular University of the 10th).

Second Commission: SUPPLEMENTARY INSTITUTIONS President: MERCIER (Angers); Assessor: PERNET (Mouffetard); Secretary: CHALLAYE (Évreux and Laval); Rapporteur: CLAIR (Fraternelle).

Third Commission: TEACHING AND EDUCATION President: BOUDIOT (Montpellier); Assessor: André GIRARD (Montrouge); Secretary: Madame Maria VÉRONE (Égalité of the 9th); Rapporteur: Gaston RABAUD (Paris).

Fourth Commission: FESTIVALS AND ENTERTAINMENTS President: Maurice BOUCHOR (Paris); Assessor: MERTZ (Meaux); Secretary: COULET (Marseille); Rapporteur: Georges BAER (Foyer du Peuple).

Fifth Commission: FEDERATIONS President: FLOT (Châlons-sur-Marne); Assessor: SCHAYNER (Le Mans); Secretary: DAUDIN (Bayonne); Rapporteur: KASTOR (Paris Federation).

At a quarter past ten, the Commissions meet in their bureaus for the reading and detailed examination of the five general reports prepared from the individual reports sent by each Popular University.

Session of Sunday, May 22 (Afternoon)

Opening of the session at a quarter to three.

Reading of the report of the Second Commission by comrade Clair, rapporteur. (The First Commission had not completed its work.)

Report of the Second Commission

The relations that should exist between the Popular Universities and the trade unions, cooperatives, political groups, youth centers, and mutual aid societies are, in our view, of primary importance, in that from well-understood relations of this kind may depend the future of the Popular Universities; that is why we have thought it useful to examine these different organizations one after another and to seek what profits the Popular Universities might derive from their company without thereby sacrificing anything either of their purpose or of their independence.

Trade Unions

If we examine the reports that have been sent to us by various Popular Universities adhering to this congress, we find that the majority are on excellent terms with the trade unions; several even have their headquarters in the labor exchanges; others tell us they have no relations with the trade unions; a few even affirm they encounter hostility there.

For these last, this is truly unfortunate, for we must not forget that it is there that we can find our best clientele. The worker or employee who belongs to a union, who frequents a labor exchange, in a word who is beginning to take an interest in his own affairs, is an excellent prospect for the Popular Universities, which will be able to furnish him with the weapon necessary for the conquest of his rights: education, which by making him conscious will allow him to achieve the long-dreamed-of but never-obtained emancipation.

If we consider the question from another point of view, the Popular Universities can find in the trade unions, in the labor exchanges, a venue for their lectures, a venue which, when it is not offered to them free of charge, can nonetheless allow them to pay only half the rent, which is not to be disdained given the financial situation of most Popular Universities.

Moreover, when these two organizations are in the same premises, the festivals, social evenings, and lectures can be shared…

[The report of the Congress continues with discussions of relations with cooperatives, political groups, mutual aid societies, and youth centers; the report of the Third Commission on Teaching and Education (rapporteur: Gaston Rabaud); the report of the Fourth Commission on Festivals and Entertainments; and the report of the Fifth Commission on Federations. The Monday sessions include further plenary discussions, the adoption of motions, and the question of establishing a National Federation of Popular Universities.]