Chapter LXXXIX. to establish a Library for Young Men in the District of Columbia
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Chap. LXXXIX.— An Act to establish a Library for Young Men in the District of Columbia.August 11, 1856. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* ThatColumbia’s Library for young men incorporated. James Dunlop, chief justice of the circuit court in the District of Columbia; John T. Towers, mayor of the city of Washington; Henry Addison, mayor of the city of Georgetown, Joseph Henry, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, John S.
Meehan, librarian for Congress, and their successors in said respective offices; with such person as the mayor of Washington may designate; and with such person as the mayor of Georgetown may desig-THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Ch. 89. 1856.459nate; are hereby created a corporate body forever, under the name of “Columbia’s Library for Young Men,” and in that name to sue and be sued, in any court of competent jurisdiction. Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted,* ThatPower to hold property. said corporation may receive and possess property, real and personal, not exceeding in value one hundred thousand dollars, for a library, for the purpose aforesaid.
If a lot and house shall be granted, or devised for said library, and the same shall be accepted by said corporation, no sale thereof shall be made without the consent of Congress. Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted,* ThatCorporate powers. power is given to said corporation to appoint needful officers, messengers, and laborers, and to compensate them; to pass such by-laws, rules, and regulations as may be necessary to carry into effect this apt; to alter, amend, or revoke them; to limit the ages within which the young men of said District may be entitled to the benefit of this act; to diffuse knowledge among them in such ways as shall be best calculated to instruct them, to elevate their morals, and fit them for usefulness, and to receive assurances of permanent aid from the corporations of Washington and Georgetown, and either of them, to sustain said institution by annual or other aid.
Sec. 4. *And be it further enacted,* ThatPresiding officer. the corporations may elect a presiding officer from one of their number. If this shall be omitted, the person holding the office first named shall preside, if present, and in succession, in case of absence in the order of the offices designated in the first section. Sec. 5. *And be it further enacted,* ThatMeetings. the meeting to organize may be held at such time and place within said District, as a majority may designate, having given notice in writing three days to all the members.
Semi-annual meetings to be held at the library room, on the first Mondays of January and July. AllRecords. votes, resolutions, by-laws, regulations, and other proceedings to be recorded, and subject to the inspection of each of the corporations of Washington and Georgetown, or committee of either. Sec. 6. *And be it further enacted,* ThatProperty exempt from taxes. the property of said corporation shall be exempted from all public assessments and taxes so long as the same shall remain dedicated to the purposes of a library.
Sec. 7. *And be it further enacted,* ThatTerm of office of appointees of the mayor. each person designated as provided by the mayor of Washington or Georgetown, may bold his appointment two years, and until his successor shall be appointed. Sec. 8. *And be it further enacted,* ThatThis act may be altered, &c. it shall be lawful for Congress at any time hereafter to amend or repeal this act. Sec. 9. *And be it further enacted,* ThatThis act not to authorize the issue of currency. nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize said corporation to make, issue, or put in circulation, any bill, draft, check, promissory note, or change ticket, or any thing else promising or agreeing to pay money intended to circulate as money, or the tendency of which shall be to circulate as money or currency.
And the violations of any one of the provisions of this section shall be aPenalty for violation. forfeiture of the charter herein granted, and a fine of fifty dollars against each one of the directors voting for the same. Sec. 10. *And be it further enacted,* ThatLiabilities not to exceed capital, and stock holders individually responsible. the debts and liabilities of the said corporation shall not at any time, exceed the amount of their capital, and that each stockholder shall be held liable, in his or her individual capacity, for all the debts and liabilities of the corporation, however incurred or contracted, to be recovered by suit, as other debts and liabilities, in any court, or before any tribunal having jurisdiction of the case.
Approved, August 11, 1856. Chapter XC: for the Belief of Bridget Maher. 11 Stat. 460 1856-08-11 Chapter XC Little, Brown and Company text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-11 34 1 private 460THIRTY-FOURTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Ch. 90, 91, 92, 93. 1856.
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Chapter LXXXIX
to establish a Library for Young Men in the District of Columbia
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