Chapter XXXI. *to incorporate the United States Agricultural Society.* April 19, 1860. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That William W
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Chap. XXXI.— An Act *to incorporate the United States Agricultural Society.* April 19, 1860. *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,* That William W. Corcoran, United States Agricultural Society incorporated.Benjamin B. French, Benjamin Ogle Tayloe, Ben Perley Poore, and John A. Smith, their associates and successors, be, and they hereby are, made, declared, and constituted a corporation and body politic within and for the District of Columbia, in law and in fact, to have continuance forever, by Corporate name.the name and style of “The United States Agricultural Society;” and by such corporate name, style, and title shall be hereafter forever able and capable, in law and equity, to sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be answered unto, defend and be defended, in tiny court or courts, or other places, and before any judge or judges, justice or justices, or other persons whatsoever, within the District of Columbia, in all and every manner of suits, actions, complaints, pleas, causes, matters, and demands of whatever kind or nature they may be, in as full and effectual a manner as any other person or persons, bodies politic or corporate, may or can do.
Corporation to hold former property of the society, and may take new, in till not to exceed $100,000. Sec. 2. *And be it further enacted,* That all and singular the goods, chattels, and other effects of what kind or nature soever, heretofore given, granted, or devised to the said society, or to any person or persons for the use thereof, or that may have been purchased for or on account of the same, be, and the said goods, chattels, and other effects are hereby, vested in and confirmed to said corporation; and the said corporation may take and receive any sum or sums of money, or any goods, chattels, or other effects of what kind and nature soever, which shall or may hereafter be given, granted, or bequeathed unto them by any person or persons, bodies corporate or politic, capable of making such gift, grant or bequest: *Provided,* That the goods, chattels, and other effects vested in and confirmed to said corporation, and the moneys, goods, chattels, and other effects which by this act the said corporation is authorized hereafter to receive, shall not in the whole exceed the value of one hundred thousand dollars.
Annual meeting. Sec. 3. *And be it further enacted,* That the annual meeting of the United States Agricultural Society shall be held in the city of Washington, on the second Wednesday of January in each and every year, at Election, &c., of officers.which meeting there shall be elected, in such manner as the constitution or by-laws of the society may provide, a president; such a number of vice-presidents as may be fixed upon by the constitution or by-laws; an executive committee, to consist of seven members, in addition to whom the president and secretary shall be ex officio members, and of which the president shall be chairman; a treasurer and secretary; all of whom shall hold their offices for one year, and until their successors are elected.
The Duty of president.duty of the president shall be to preside over the deliberations of the society, and to have a general supervision of its affairs. The duty of the of treasurer.treasurer shall be to receive and keep safely all the moneys of the society, and to disburse the same under the direction and supervision of the who shall give bonds.executive committee; he shall give bonds for the faithful performance of his duties, in such penalty as may be fixed, and such surety as may be of secretary.approved by the president.
The duty of the secretary shall be to keep all records of the doings of the society; to conduct the correspondence especially appertaining to his office; to keep the seal, and make certifi-THIRTY-SIXTH CONGRESS. Sess. I. Ch. 31, 35. 1860.13cates under the same; to issue medals, certificates, and diplomas; and to superintend all publications emanating from the society. All these officers, and the executive committee, shall perform such duties and additional Duty of executive committee.duties as may be prescribed by the constitution or by-laws of the society, not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.
And if said election shall not be made at the time prescribed herein, it may be held at some subsequent time within the year. Sec. 4. *And be it further enacted,* That the said society shall have full power and authority to make, have, and use a common seal, and the same Common seal.to break, alter, and renew at pleasure; to make, ordain, establish, and execute such constitution and by-laws as they may think proper, and the By-laws: pay of officers and for membership.same to alter, amend, or abrogate at pleasure; to fix the salaries or pay of their officers, and to fix the sum that shall be paid for life or annual membership.
Sec. 5. *And be it further enacted,* That any person may become a life or annual member of said society by paying into the hands of the treasurer Terms of membership. Honorary members. Quorum.such sum as may be prescribed in the constitution or by-laws as the fee for life or annual membership. Honorary members may be elected at the will of the society. It shall require the presence of at least fifteen members of the society to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a less number may adjourn from time to time.
Sec. 6. *And be it further enacted,* That the secretary of said corporation Secretary to keep business office tn Washington, and to make up records. Constitution, by-laws, &c., to be in force until altered at, &c. Present officers to continue until, &c.shall keep his business office in the city of Washington, and he shall make up a complete record of all the doings of the society annually. Sec. 7. *And be it further enacted,* That the constitution, by-laws, and regulations of said society as they stand at the time of the passage of this act, shall be and remain in force until altered or abrogated at a regular annual meeting of the corporation; and the officers who were elected at the annual meeting of the society in January preceding the passage of this act, shall remain in their several offices, and exercise their several duties, until the annual meeting in the January succeeding the passage of this act, and until their successors are elected.
Sec. 8. *And be it further enacted,* That Congress may at any time alter, Congress may repeal, &c., this act.amend, or annul this act. Approved, April 19, 1860.