Chap. 65.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 28 of chapter 167,
Code of 1873, in relation to rules.

Approved February 2, 1876.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That section
twenty-eight of chapter one hundred and sixty-seven of the
Code of eighteen hundred and seventy-three be amended
and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§ 28. When the plaintiff takes issue on the defendant's

pleading, or traverses the same, or demurs, so that the de-
fendant is not let in to dilege any new matter, the plaintiff
may, without giving a rule to rejoin, proceed as if there
‘were a similiter or joinder in demurrer. And in any
action where, for want of a plea, an office judgment would
have been entered, it shall be the duty of the clerk, whether
a plea shall have been filed or not, to place such action upon
the court docket; and in any such action so placed upon the
court docket the pleadings may be matured in court, subject
to such terms as to continuance as the court in its discretion
may impose upon either party.

2. This act shall be in force from its passage.
HAP. 66.—An ACT to incorporate The Virginia Relief Association.
Approved February 2, 1875.

1. Be it enacted by the gencral assembly of Virginia, That
William B. Rogers, Kdmund C. Robinson, George Blow, J.S.
Johnson, H. T. Alley, Nicholas K. Trout, Alfred L. Court-
rey, William 5. Gilman, James A. Collins, and their asso-
siates, be, and they are hereby created a body politic and
‘corporate, with perpetual succession, by the name and style
of The Virginia Relief Association, and by that name are
hereby made capable, in law and equity, to sue and be sued,
to plead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with,
have and use a common seal, and to alter or renew the same
at pleasure, and shall have the right to take and hold, by
purchase, gitt or any other means, not in conflict with the
laws of this state, real and personal estate not exceeding
one hundred thousand dollars, and to dispose of and convey
the same at pleasure.

2. The object of the said association shall be to establish,
in the city of Norfolk, in Virginia, The Virginia Relief Asso-
ciation, and fo provide and maintain a fund for the relief of
widows, orphans or beneficiaries of Odd-Fellows of the state
of Virginia.

3. Any person who is a member of a regularly constituted
lodge of Odd-Fellows can be a member of this association. .

4. A meeting of the members of this association shall be
called within sixty days after the passage of this act for the
purpose of electing a board of directors, to consist of nine
members, and annually thereafter. The board shall officiate
until their successors are duly elected and qualified, and shall
elect one of the members thereof as president, and one as
vice-president. ;

5. The board of directors shall elect a secretary and trea-
surer, and appoint all other subordinate officers and agents
necessary to conduct the affairs of this association, prescribe
their duties, and affix such compensation for their services as
it may deem proper.

6. The board of directors shall adopt such by-laws and
regulations as may be necessary for the government of the
association, fill all vacancies in their own body, and of the
officers and agents, that may occur by death, resignation or
otherwise; and three of these shall constitute a quorum to
do business: provided, that nothing herein contained shall be
construed as authorizing said association to establish any
lottery, raffle or gift enterprise, or to dispose of any property
by lot or chance.

7. A misnomer of the corporation in any deed, gift, grant
or devise, or any instrument of contract, shall not vitiate
the same, if the corporation shall be sufficiently described
therein to ascertain the intention of the parties.
8. This act shall be in force from its passage, and shall be
subject to amendment, modification or repeal at the pleasure
of the general assembly. .