Chap. 13.—An ACT to incorporate the Staunton Chamber of Com-
merce,

Approved March 230, 1887.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That W. H.
Lynn, Henry Hutchinson, F. Alexander, J. CG. Shields, Isaae
Ulitz, C. i. Haines, M. N. Bradley, M. B. WWamrick, C.D.
Weller, A. Loeb, Ricves Catt, I. M. Cushing, and their asso-
ciates, be and they are hereby created a body corporate and
politic, with perpetual succession, by the name and style of
the Staunton Chamber of Commerce, and by that name shall
be competent to contract and be contracted with, to sue and
be sued, to plead and be impleaded, to answer and be answered
unto, to defend and be defended in all courts and places, and
in all matters whatever, with full powers to acquire, bold,
possess, and the same tosell, convey, and dispose of, such real
estate and other property as may be necessary and conve-
nient for the support and transaction of the business of said
chamber of commerce, or which may be conveyed to same for
the security or in payment of any debts which may become
due and owing the said chamber of commerce, or in satisfac-
tion of any judgment at law or any decree of a court of equity
in its favor; and may make, have, and use a common seal and
the same break, alter, and renew at pleasure: provided that
the property, funds, and revenues of said chamber of com-
merce shall not be used for any other than the purpose of a
chamber of commerce: provided that the property of said
chamber of commerce shall not exceed at any time one hun-
dred thousand dollars. The said corporation shall have power
to devise ways and means of advancing and developing the
commercial, manufacturing, and mechanical interests of the
city of Staunton, of collecting and diffusing information in
relation to the resources and busjness and trade of said city,
and of making such proper rules and arrangements for the
transaction of business amony its members as it may deter-
mine to be expedient and proper, consistent with law.

Z. That the real and personal estate, property, funds, reve-
nues, and other concerns of said chamber of cemmerce, and
the administration of its affairs shall be under the exclusive
direction of the active members of said chamber of commerce,
who shall annually at such time of the day and at such place
in the city of Staunton, as the officers for the time being shall
appoint, choose a board of officers consisting of a president,
two vice-presidents, u secretary and treasurer, and eicht
directors, who shall hold their offices for one year and until
their successors shall be chosen. The board of officers and
directors of said chamber of commerce shall fill any vacancies
in the board of officers and directors during the year, and also
shall have power to make by-laws and regulations for the
vovernment of said chamber of Commerce, annex reasonable
pecuniary fines as a penalty tor the breach thereof, and do
all other such acts as appertain to a chamber of commerce.
The board of officers shall appoint such agents as they shall
deem fit and expedient: provided no by- laws, rules, or regu-
lations shall in anywise be contrary to the constitution and
laws of the commonwealth of Virginia, or the constitution
and laws of the United States.

3. The annual meeting of the Staunton chamber of com-
merce for the election of officers and other purposes, shall be
held at such time in each year as the association ‘shall by
their by-laws prescribe. But if for any cause a failure to hold
such annual mectiny shall occur, then the annual meeting and
election of officers may be held at such time and place as may
be appointed by the majority of the board of directors, upon
thirty days notice by the president or secretary being pub-
lished in any newspaper in the city of Staunton. Meetings
of the directors and the business mectings of the association
shall be held in accordance with the by-laws of the association.

4. The board of directors shall control, manave, and con-
duct the financial and business concerns of the association.

5. It shall be lawful for such corporation, when they shall
think proper, to receive and require of and from their officers,
whether elected or appointed, good and sufticient: bonds for
the faithful discharge of their. duties and trusts, and such
bonds shall be made pavable and conditioned as prescribed
by the by-laws of this corporation, and may be sued on and
the moneys collected and held tor the use of the party injured,
or such other use as may be determined on by said corpora-
tion.

6G. Should said chamber of commerce at any time cease to
exist, the property and estate thereof of whatever kind, shall
after the payment of all the liabilities of said chamber of com-
merce, be vested in the common council of the city of Staun-
ton, to be held by the said council for the use and benefit of
anv. the first similar organization to be created in said city
Within five years after the dissolution of said chamber of
commerce, and if no similar organization be created within
suid city within said period, then said property and estate
shall vest absolutely in said common council for the uses of
the city of Staunton.

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