Chap. 465.—An ACT to incorporate the negro agricultural and industrial
society of Virginia.

Approved February 21, 1900.

Whereas certain colored persons, residents and citizens of the state of
Virginia, have formed a benevolent society to promote, direct, encourage,
and foster r among its members those pursuits, agricultural and industrial,
so necessary for material advancement and good citizenship; therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That Roland
Jones, B. W. Johnson, 8. C. Scott, R. F. Robinson, C. Mimms, Major
D. Lightfoot, Frank Scott, J.S. Pleasants, Jolin Chiles, James H. Hayes,
and such others as are now or who may hereafter be associated with them.
be, and are hereby, declared a body corporate and politic, under the name
and style of the nevro agricultural and industrial society of Virginia,
and as such shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, which
it may renew or alter at pleasure; and it may sue and be sued, plead and
be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, and make by-laws and
regulations not inconsistent with the laws of this state or of the United
States.

2. The object of this society shall be for the purpose of holding meet-
ings for the discussion of agricultural and industrial matters, and at
such meetings the products of its members may be exhibited under such
rules and regulations at such times and places as the board of directors
hereinafter to be prescribed may direct, the furnishing of farming imple-
ments and supplies, the lifting of mortgages, leasing and purchasing
of homes, the aiding and assisting of its members in time of need and
distress in any way, which the board of directors may see fit to direct;
to open and operate store or stores wherever the directors may deem
advisable; to encourage thrift, industry, and benevolence; to form a
mutual aid society for the benefit of members only.

3. The capital stock of this company shall not be less than five hun-
dred dollars, nor more than five thousand dollars, divided into shares
of five dollars each, payable as the board of directors may prescribe.

4. This society may hold and own land for purposes of the society
in either or all of the counties of this state: provided, it does not hold
more than two thousand acres of land in each county at the same time.

5. This society may borrow money: provided, the sum borrowed shall
not exceed five thousand dollars at any one time, and may pledge its
property, real and personal, for the redemption of its bonds or other
securities issued or made for that purpose.

6. The principal office of this society shall be located in Richmond,
Virginia, with full power in the board of directors to establish branch
societies in all the counties, towns, and cities of the state.

?. The officers of the society shall be a president, vice-president, secre-
tary and manager, treasurer and attorney, who, together with ten
directors, shall constitute a board of directors, fifteen in number, of
which the president shall be chairman.

8. There shall be an annual meeting at which all officers designated in
the preceding sections shall be elected: provided, the board of directors
hall have power to fill vacancies occurring in any of the offices of the
society prior to the annual meeting; all officers of the society shall hold
office for one year and until their successors are elected or appointed and
qualified. .

9. The board of directors shall have general power and authority,
subject to the by-laws of the society, to manage and conduct all of the
affairs of the society, regulate salaries, fix penalties of bonds, when deemed
necessary, determine questions of the appointment of additional officers
or agents, question of removal from office, make loans, cause the execu-
tion of bonds, deeds of trust, notes, and secure the same, and generally
to do and perform all that said corporation by this charter is authorized
to do.

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