Chap. 647.—An ACT to incorporate the imperial union of the city of Rich-
mond.

Approved March 6, 1900.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That John
V. Ryan, James E. Farber, Sidney J. Smith, Thomas W. Russell, and
Joseph R. Griffith, and their associates, successors, and assigns, be, and
they hereby are, constituted a body corporate and politic, by the name
of the imperial union, and by that name shall be known in law, and
shall have perpetual succession, and shall have the power to sue and he
sued, plead and be impleaded, and may make and have a common seal,
and alter the same at pleasure, and shall have, exercise, and enjoy all the
rights, powers, and privileges pertaining to corporate bodies and neces-
sary for the purposes hereinafter set forth; and may make a constitution,
by-laws, rules and regulations consistent with the existing laws of this
state for the government of all under its authority, for the management
of its money, estates and properties, for the due and orderly conduct
of its business and affairs, and for the collection, investment, and dis-
bursement of all funds under its control; the general objects of said
corporation being:

First. To unite fraternally all acceptable persons of sound bodily
health and good moral character, between the ages of sixteen and sixty-
five, inclusive;
Second. To give and render all material aid in its power to its mem-
bers and those dependent upon them;

Third. To establish benefit funds for the relief of distressed, sick,
and disabled members;

Fourth. To establish benefit funds from which the members of said
corporation, who shall have complied with all the rules and regulations
thereof, may receive at the end of a certain period, a sum not exceeding
five thousand dollars, which may be payable in one lump sum or in
monthly or annual installments; or from which said benefit funds, on
satisfactory evidence of the death of a member who has complied with
such rules and regulations, a sum not exceeding five thousand dollars,
which may be payable in one lump sum or in monthly or annual install-
ments, shall be paid to the family of such deceased member as such
member shall have directed, or in case of failure so to direct them to
the legal representatives of such deceased member;

Fifth. The said corporation may acquire and own, by gift, grant, pur-
chase or otherwise, real estate not to exceed five acres, except that said
corporation may further acquire and own by purchase or otherwise anv
real estate that may be sold at any public sale for a debt due said cor-
poration ;

Sixth. The principal office of the said corporation shall be in the
city of Richmond, in the state of Virginia, with power to establish
branches throughout the United States and territories thereof and
other countries, on complying with the laws of such states, territories
or countries;

Seventh. All taxes and debts due to the state of Virginia shall be
paid in Jawful money of the United States, and not in coupons from the
bonds of the state of Virginia.

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