Chap. 646.—An ACT to incorporate the Norfolk and Portsmouth bar asso-
ciation.

Approved March 5, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That R. H.
Baker, senior, W. W. Old, A. P. Thom, William H. White, R. B. Tun-
stall, L. W. Waring, Robert M. Hughes, T. J. Wool, H. H. Little, L. R.
Watts, William H. Stewart, C. W. Coleman, G. Hatton, G. F. Edwards,
and R. C. Marshall, and such other persons as are now associated with
them in the unincorporated society known as the Norfolk and Ports-
mouth bar association, or as may be hereafter associated with them
under this charter, be, and they are hereby, incorporated, under the
name of the Norfolk and Portsmouth bar association, for the purpose
of cultivating and advancing the science of jurisprudence, promoting
reform in the law and in judicial procedure, facilitating the adminis-
tration of justice and upholding and elevating the standard of honor,
integrity and courtesy in the legal profession. ,

2. The said corporation shall have power to adopt a seal and to change
or break the same, to sue and be sued, and in its corporate name to
take, institute and prosecute, any action, suit, or other proceeding in
the courts of the land, or elsewhere, for the purpose of punishing or
disbarring unworthy members of the profession, or persons assuming
its functions which may now be taken and prosecuted by any natural
person; to acquire by lease or purchase a suitable building or rooms,
library, and furniture for the use of the corporation; to borrow money
for such purpose and issue bonds therefor, and to secure the same by
mortgage or deed of trust, and generally to acquire by purchase, gift,
devise, bequest, or otherwise, and to hold, transfer, and convey any and
all such real or personal property as it may have and as may be neces-
sary to carry out the purposes of this corporation: provided, it shall
not hold real estate exceeding in value the sum of five thousand dollars.

3. The said corporation shall have power to make and adopt a con-
stitution and by-laws not inconsistent with the laws of this common-
wealth, rules and regulations for the admission, government, suspension,

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and expulsion of its members, for the collection of fees and dues, the
number and election of its officers, and to define their duties, and for
the safe-keeping of its property and the management of its affairs,
and to alter, modify, and change such constitution, by-laws, rules and
regulations from time to time.

4. All interest of any member of said corporation in its property
shall determine and vest in the corporation upon his ceasing to be a
member thereof by death, resignation, expulsion, or otherwise.

5. The several officers of the said association at the time of the
passage of this act shall continue to hold their respective offices, with
powers, duties, and emoluments provided by the constitution and by-
laws of this association, until their successors shall be elected and
installed, and in case of any vacancy in any of said offices such vacancies
shall be filled in the manner prescribed by the constitution and by-
laws already adopted by the said association, or as the same may in
conformity therewith, be altered and amended by this corporation, and
the present constitution and by-laws of said association shall be the
constitution and by-laws of said corporation until the same shall be
altered or amended by said corporation. All property, rights, and
interests of said association now held by any or either of the officers
thereof or any person or persons for its use and benefit, shall, by virtue
of this act, vest in and become the property of the corporation hereby
created, subject to the payment of the debts of the association.

6. This act shall be in force from its passage.