Chap. 764.—An ACT to incorporate the farmers’ fair association.

Approved March 6, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That J. C.
Featherston, H. M. Tyler, W. D. Cardwell, John Churchman, Arden
Howell, R. B. Jones, and Felix M. Jones, senior, and such other persons
as may hereafter be associated with them, be, and they are hereby, created
a body politic and corporate, by and under the name of the farmers’
fair association, and by that name may sue and be sued, plead and be
impleaded in all of the courts of this state and elsewhere, have perpetual
succession and use a common seal, and may adopt such by-laws, ordi-
nances, rules and regulations for its government and business as it
may see fit, and generally may do and perform all other acts and things,
necessary, useful and beneficial to carry this act into effect, and to pro-
mote the objects, purposes and business of said corporation.

2. The said corporation shall have power to establish and conduct
agricultural fairs in the county of Henrico, or other counties of the
state of Virginia, annually, or at other intervals; to raise, develop and
improve, or promote and encourage the raising, developing, or im-
provement of horses, mules, cattle, sheep, hogs, and other stock, poultry,
birds, fish and game, farm products of every kind, and all other articles
and things which may be shown for competitive exhibition; and may
provide for competitive exhibitions of the same, at any of their meet-
ings, upon such terms and conditions as the corporation may prescribe,
for prizes or purses offered by themselves or others; may own, buy, or
sell the same, and solicit and hold auction sales of the same at their
annual fairs or other meetings. They shall have power to encourage
physical improvement, and all lawful sports and games, to encourage and
promote horsemanship, riding, driving and the development of heavy
draft or other harness horses and mules, and to this end may hold con-
tests of speed, endurance and strength, and may offer, or have offered
by others, prizes, or purses for the same, or for any other excellencies
in horses, mules, cattle, sheep, hogs, and stock of every kind; poultry,
birds, fish, game, fruit, and farm products of every kind; needle work,
fancy work, paintings, drawings, woods, timber, lumber, farm and other
implements, machinery and manufactures, and every other article or
thing which may be made or shown for competitive exhibition. Said cor-
poration may charge gn entrance or admission fee to any of its meetings
or for special ground privileges, and at each of its meetings as many
special police as may be necessary to preserve law and order, with like
authority as county constables shall be appointed by the judge of the
county court of the county wherein the meeting is held, upon the recom-
mendation and request of the said corporation, and at its cost, to exercise
exclusive police authority over the grounds during the continuance of
the mecting. The corporation may take by gift, grant, devise, or bequest,
and may accept, purchase, lease, hold, and dispose of any real or per-
sonal estate: provided, said real estate held by them in any county at
any time shall not exceed five hundred acres, and said corporation may
borrow money and issue bonds or other obligations therefor, and may
secure the same by deed of trust, mortgage, or otherwise, on the whole
or any part of its property.

3. Suid corporation shall have a capital stock of not less than five
thousand dollars nor more than fifty thousand dollars, divided into
shares of twenty-five dollars each, with the right to prescribe the manner
in which said capital stock shall be paid and called for. Stockholders
of the company shall not be personally liable for any debt, contract, or
obligation of the said corporation, exeept to the extent of the unpaid
balance of their stock subscription.

4, The officers of the said corporation shall consist of a president,
vice-president, secretary and treasurer, and seven directors, inclusive of
the officers above named, who shall be directors by virtue of their office.

5. The principal office of the company shall be in the city of Rich-
mond, Virginia, and the annual election of officers and directors shall be
held in said city. The following officers and directors shall manage the
business and affairs of the company for the first year, and until their
successors are elected and qualified: H. M. Tyler, president; J. C. Feather-
ston, vice-president; Felix M. Jones, senior, secretary and treasurer;
and II. M. Tyler, J. C. Featherston, Felix M. Jones, senior, W. D.
Cardwell, Arden Howell, and John Churehman, and R. B. Jones.

6. Said corporation shall pav all taxes and public dues in current
money of the United States, and shall be exempt from the payment of
any charter tax.

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