Chap. 232.—An ACT to incorporate the Buena Vista chamber of
commerce,

Approved February 16, 1892.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia,
That J. O. Shepherd, B. C. Moorman, J. W. Talley, John
V. Blackburn, J. W. Collins, W. H. Bailie, Ambrose Tim-
erlake, E. 1. Jones, A. P. Moore, J. E. B. Stuart, S. M.
Jonald, John C. Shields, Bennett N. Bell, and Jacob Bum-
aardner and their associates, be, and they are hereby, cre-
ited a body corporate and politic, with perpetual succes-
sion, by the name and style of the Buena Vista chamber
yf commerce, and by that name shall be competent to con-
sract and be contracted with, to sue and be sued, to plead
1nd be impleaded, to answer and be answered unto, to de-
‘end and be defended in all courts and places, and in all
matters whatever, with full powers to acquire, hold, and
possess, and the same to sell, convey, and dispose of such
real estate and other property as may be necessary and
convenient for the support and transaction of the busi-
ness of the said chamber of commerce, or which may be
conveyed to the same for the security or in payment of
any debts which may become due and owing the said
chamber of commerce, or in the satisfaction of any judg-
ment at law or any decree in 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
of the said chamber of commerce shall not exceed at any
time fifty thousand dollars. The said corporation shall
have power to devise ways and means of advancing and
developing-the commercial, manufacturing, and mechani-
cal interests of the city of Buena Vista, of collecting
and diffusing information in relation to the resources
and business and trade of said town, and of making such
proper rules and arrangements for the transaction of
business among its members as it may determine to be
expedient and proper, consistent with law. 2

2. That the real and personal estate, property, funds,
revenues, and other concerns of said chamber of com-
merce, and the administration of its affairs, shall be un-
der 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 Buena Vista
as the officers for the time being shall appoint, choose a
board of officers, consisting of a president, two vice-pres-
idents, a secretary, and a treasurer, and eight directors,
who shall hold their offices for one year and until their
Successors shall be chosen. The board of officers and direc-
tors 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 government of said chamber of commerce, annex rea-
sonable pecuniary fines as a penalty for the breach thereof,
and do all such other 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-law,
rule, or reguiation shall in anywise be contrary to the con-
stitution and laws of the commonwealth of Virginia or
the constitution and laws of the United States.

3. The annual meeting of the Buena Vista chamber of
commerce 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 meeting 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 published in any newspaper
in the town of Buena Vista. Meetings of the directors
and the business meetings of the association, shall be held
in accordance with the by-laws of the association.

4. The board of directors shall control, manage and
conduct the financial and business concerns of the asso-
ciation.

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 suf-
ficient bonds for the faithful discharge of their duties and
trusts, and such bonds shall be made payable and condi-
tioned as prescribed by the by-laws of this corporation,
and may be sued on and the money collected and held for
the use of the party injured or such other usa as may be
determined on by the said corporation.

6. 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 commerce, be vested in the common council
of the said city of Buena Vista, to be held by the said
council for the use and benefit of any, the first similar or-
ganization 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 said city within
said period, then said property and estate shall vest ab-
solutely in said common council for the uses of the city
of Buena Vista.

7. All taxes due from said chamber of commerce to the
state of Virginia, shall be paid in lawful money of the
United States, and not in coupons.

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