Chap. 287.—An ACT to Promote the Formation of Immigration Soci-
eties throughout the Commonwealth.

Approved March 29, 1875.

1. Be it enacted by the gencral assembly of Virginia, That
upon the petition of any seven residents in any township or
magisterial district in any county of the state, it shall be
lawful for any circuit judge to grant a charter, authorizing
the said petitioners, and such other persons as they may
thereafter associate with them, to be constituted a body poli-
tic and corporate by such name and style as an immigration
socicty as may be chosen; and they shall be invested with

all the rights and privileges hereinafter set forth, and shall

be subject to all the rules, regulations, and restrictions im-
posed by the Code of Virginia, applicable to such associa-
tions and not inconsistent with the provisions of this act.

2. Each society thus chartered shall be composed of, in
addition to the original incorporators, such persons as may
be elected members by a three-fourths vote of the directors
present at any mecting properly convened.

3. The membership otf each society shall consist of life
members paying a commuted subscription, and annual mem-
bers paying a yearly subscription, the amounts thereof to be
fixed by the directors. An entrance fee, payable on the ad-
mission of members, may he charged if the directors so de-
termine. Members shall not be liable for more than the
amount of their subscriptions.

4. The officers of cach society shall be a president, two
vice-presidents, secretary, corresponding secretary, and treas-
urer, who shall have chargo of all the business of. the society,
subject to the action of the board of directors, and under
such by-laws as may be adopted by the society, not incon-
sistent with this act or other laws of Virginia.

5. Each society shall clect at its first mecting, and an-
nually thereafter, all its officers, who may be also directors,
and a board of not less than fivo nor more than twenty di-
rectors, any five of whom shall constitute a quorum, and who
shall have general supervision and control of its affairs; both
officers and directors to serve for one year from date of elec-
tion.

6. It shall be the business of each society to bring together
buyers and sellers of Jand, and to furnish correct. informa.
tion to both classes.

7. Each society shall have the privilege of selling lands on
commission: provided, that nothing. in this act shall be so
construcd as to exempt said society from the payment of the
tux imposed by law on other land agents; and for that pur-
pose, of receiving, entertaining, and conducting persons
desiring to purchase lands, and issuing circulars, and other-
wise advertising lands entrusted to them tor sale; and of
buying, owning and improving such real estate only as may
be necessary for building and other purposes of the society.

8. Regular meetings of each society shall assemble an-
nually, on a call signed by the president and secretary, and
irregular mectings may be called at any time, in the same
manner, when decmcd necessary.

9. All moneys coming to cach society, less amount of out-
lay for necessary expenses, whether from commission on
sales of Jand, or from subscriptions, shall be held by the treas-

urer and kept account of as earnings, subject to dividend or
investment, on a two-thirds vote of the members present at
any regular meeting of the socicty.

10. No officers or directors shall be elected, nor any divi-
dend declared or investment ordered except at a regular
meeting of the socicty.

11. Certain members of each society, who shall report
themselves as prepared to do so, shall be authorized to re-
ceive, entertain and conduct persons desiring to buy lands,
and to sell Jands in the name of the society, and shall be paid
such remuneration, by commission or otherwise, as the di-
rectors may think fit.

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