Conditions Governing Use

The materials from Washington and Lee University Special Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user assumes full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used should be fully credited with the source. Permission for publication of this material, in part or in full, must be secured with the Head of Special Collections.

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Robert J. Bell Papers, WLU Coll. 0639, Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. In some cases the citation format may vary. Please contact Special Collections' staff to verify the appropriate format.

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of two sets of handwritten notes on debates hosted at Washington and Lee, likely by way of the Graham Philanthropic Society, written by Robert John Bell during his time as a student at the University. The first debate centers on the effect of the construction of railroads in the South by "Northern Capitalists" (sic.), while the second one follows the state of education in the South after the American Civil War, particularly in regards to race relations and public schools.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• College Students
• Debates and debating
• Public schools
• Race relations
• Railroads
• Reconstruction (United States: 1865-1877)
• Washington and Lee University