Chap. 123.—An ACT incorporating the Supreme Grand Lodge,
Grand United Order, Knights of King Solomon.

Approved February 16, 1886.

Whereas certain persons, residents of Virginia, West Vir-
ginia, Maryland, North Carolina, South. Carolina, Georgia,
Alabama and the District of Columbia, have formed an asso-
ciation to promote benevolence and morality, and to encour-
age science, art, and industry m said states and the United
States: therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
A. Solomon Walton, A. Alexander, C. De Juster, A. Johnson
I. P. Brockenton, Dr. C. Baylor Jackson, Frank Ellis, M. C.
Young, S. D. Jones, J. P. James, Joseph Sexton, M. D. Cary,
M. E. Parker, M. E. Banks, G. Hampton, M. L. Brown, J.
W. Roberts, B. James, E. Rainey Roberts, forming executive
board, and their successors in office, be and are hereby consti-
tuted a body politic and corporate by the name and style ot
the Supreme Grand Lodge, Grand United Order of Knights
of King Solomon, and as such shall have perpetual succession
and a common seal, which it may alter or renew at pleasure,
and may sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, contract
and be contracted with, and make.all needed by-laws, ordi-
nances and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of the
commonwealth. |

2. The purposes and objects of the corporation shall be to
unite fraternally all acceptable colored men and women of
every profession, business and calling; to give all possible
moral and material aid to its members and those dependent
upon them, by assisting and encouraging them and each other
to obtain employment; to promote benevolence and charity,
by establishing a widows’ and orphans’ benefit fund, from
which, on the satisfactory evidence of the death of a member
of the corporation who had complied with all its requirements,
a sum not exceeding two thousand dollars shall be paid to his
or her family, or as said deceased member may have directed;
to provide a fund for the relief of sick and distressed members,
and to aid suffering humanity in every possible manner; to
pay to all members who have remained such twelve consecu-
tive years and who have paid their dues during that period, a
sum equal in amount to one-half of his or her death benefit,
the remainder to be paid at death, in the manner hereinbefore
described.

3. The said corporation shall provide for the election 6f such
officers as it may deem necessary to effect its objects, who shall
continue in office until their successors are duly elected, quali-
fied and installed, and shall provide for the holding of its an-
nual or biennial meetings at such times and places as a major-
ity of its voting members may select.

4. The said corporation shall have power to create, hold and
disburse, under such rules and regulations as it may deem ne-
cessary to effect its object, all funds that may come into its
hands for that purpose, which funds shall in no case be liable
to the individual debt of any member or members; and the
said corporation shall in nowise be affected by the laws govern-
ing insurance companies in this state.

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