The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-17
LOCAL MATTHRS.

MEcHAslcs' MEErMa.--A meeting Of
portion Of the Mechanics of Richmond, favorable
10 the formation Of . Mechanics Institutes" was
held at Odd Fello-s' Hail. last Saturday night Mr.
Thomas Samson resuming the chair, and Mr.. Jas
A. Cowardin acting as Secretary.
Mr.. Euinger, from the Committee appointed at q
former meeting TO prepare business, made the fol-
| lowing report, which was read by the Secretary
and after conversational discussion, adopted. Il
reads as follows
The Committee to whom was referred the task
| OF preparing Constitution and Bylaws for Me.
| chanics' destitute, and such suggestions as they
/ deemed proper, TO be reported to an adjourned
meeting of mechanics, beg leave to report:
That In performing their duties much time has
been necessarily employed because OF the novelty
Of the subject to them and the delay in procuring
such documents from other societies as would shed
light upon the objects before them
Having procured number OF pamphlets con-
corning other associations which have been in sue
cessfui operation, they examined them carefully
and came to the conclusion that the articles OF or
/ ganization OF the Maryland Institute came nearer
what they supposed to be needed in Richmond than
any they read, and therefore they have followed
them very closely in the papers they now present
| for the action of the adjourned meeting.
I The Constitution proposed by the Committee pro-
| poses the institution of School OF Design-a Che
mical Laboratory-a Library-Publlc Lectures and
/ an Annual Exhibition. All these enterprises it is
not supposed be promptly put in operation; but
| in due time the Committee can see no obstacle to
/ their accomplishment The School of Design,
hardly second to either of the others In Importance
is not expensive difficult to establish, and the
Lectures may be also effected at very great out
lay. The Library we can only hope to accumulate
| by degrees. The Chemical Department will be of
least importance in the beginning, and may be de-
| layed very properly until such time as from the
great advancement of the Institute 10 power and H.
| huence and the great Improvement OF those who
derive advantages from its instruction, it may be-
come expedient if not necessary. The Annual Ex-
| hibton will of course be attended with more diff
Guilty in the beginning than after the experience of
| a few years. We have the advantage, however, of
| being enabled to commence in connection with
very powerful and active association-the Agricu-
| tural Society of Virginia--which has already Of
\ fered the right hand of fellowship to the mechanics
and invited them to enhance the interest of their
own Annual Fair by the exhibition of their works
of art offering liberal inducements in the way of
premiums or medals for many branches OF mechan-
ical industry.
| For the purpose of the efficient organization of
these departments, the Constitution, the Commit.
| mittee thinks, provides in the most ample manner
In of time they hope this will be proved and
that but few years will elapse before the Institute
shall have building of its own, egibly located, in
which to have their Schools, Lectures and Exhibit
TONS
The Committee feel confident that there is moral
and physical force enough among the mechanics Of
their growing and prosperous city to commence
the work in good spirit and to carry it on to sue
cessful completion. The grand object of combining
Science and Industry, Intellect and Labor is one
that should fill every mechanic with enthusiastic
desire for its accomplishment. To enlighten our
mechanics, TO stimulate and direct genius noble
motives, and worthy our best efforts. These are
the objects of such association it is now pro.
posed to organize 1t invites the apprentices and
the youth of our city to avail themselves of the op
portsities it affords for information, and should its
labon not be unavaiing, shall soon see its good
effects in increasing the competency of Richmond
Mechanics and Artists Should it succeed, we shall
be more Independent of other cities, and more able
All ofwhch is respectfully submitted.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE I.-NAME AND OBJECT.
Sec. l. This Association shall be known and desis-
mated as the Virginia Mechanics Institute"
Sec g. The object of the Institute shall be the n-o
motion and encouragement of manufactures the
Mechanic and Useful Arts and the mental improve.
ment of the industrial classes.
ARTICLE H.-MEMBERsHIP
Sec. l. Any person may become a member of the
Institute in the manner hereinafter provided for in
the Bylaws.
Sec.2. The members shall be divided into four
classes viz: Members, junior members life mem.
beers, and honorary or corresponding members.
Sec. s. MEMBERS shall be over twenty-one years
of age and friendly to the objects of the Institute
JUNIOR MEMBERS shall be minors, not younger
than IL years of age.
five dollars to the Institute for life membership
HONORARY OR CoRREsPoNDrNG MEMBERS shall be
persons of distinguished reputation, In connection
with the objects of the Institute, such as may
have rendered it important service. They shall be
elected by the Board of Managers, at their regular
meetings. who shall report such election to the next
regular meeting of the Institute Two.thirds of
those present shall be required to elect honorary
member.
Sec The officers OF the Institute shall be fol-
lows: President, two Vice Presidents, Recording
| and twenty-five Managers-the whole Comprising a
Board of Managers. thirty-oDe in number-all of
whom shall be manufacturers mechanics residents
OF the city OF Richmond or its vicinity.
Sec. 2 The Treasurer shall give a bond for 1.-THE
faithful discharge of his duties in the sum of $1,000
with one or more securities, to be approved by the
Board of Managers said bond to be renewed annu-
ally in of reelection and in all cases to be Civ
or renewed within 10 days after the election ofths
Treasurer.
ARTICLE Iv.-MEETINGs.
Sec. l. Monthly meetings of the Institute shall be
held on the first Monday of each month.
Sec g Special meetings shall be call ed BY the Pre-
sdent, on application by the Board of Managers,
at the written request of IL members
Sec 8. AT the regular monthly meeting in April,
the Annual Reports of the Treasurer, Board of Ma
nagers, &c, shall be read.
Sec The annual meeting of the Institute for the
election of officers, shall be held on the second Mon.
| day in April, when no other business shall be in
| order
Sec 5. In default of election at the annual
ing, the existing officers shall continue in office until
| others are properly elected
ARTICLE v.-oUoRUM.
| Sec. |. Of the Iasttute.-Any fifteen members pre-.
sent at the time ana place appointed for holding the
| annual, special regular and adjourned meetings,
shall constitute quorum for the transaction of the
ordinary business of the Institutes but thirty
beers shall be required be present at all me en "a
| for the election OF any officer officers
Sec 2. All business shall be considered ordinary,
except proposition to dissolve the Institute which
shall be considered extraordinary, and shall require
ajoIity of all the members to constitute quorum
| for its consideration.
Sec. 8. Notice of extraordinary business shall be
given at least three months previous to that in which
| It is to be discussed.
| Sec. 4. of the Bodrd-At all regular or first ad
journed regular meetings of the Board of Managers
nine members shall constitute quorum for the
| action of business.
| ARTICLE vi MEMBERS FEES
Sec. l. Members, their election, shall pay to the
Treasurer initiation fee of dollar, and an
nua subscription of two dollars, pay able before
| the LIST day of September in each year.
| Sec. Junior Members, their election, hal
pay to the Treasurer initiation fee of fifty ani
an annual subscription of one dollar, payable
before the LIST day OF September of each year They
shall bs entitled to such privieges-except that Of
| voting-and subject to such regulations the Inst
| tute or Board OF Managers may determine.
| Sec. s. No member shall be entitled to vote, if il
arrears with his subscriptions; aud in shall
members be entitled the benefits of The Institute
uni. they have complied with the requirements O.
| the Constitution and B y Laws.
| ARTICLE yII.-ELECTIoNS.
Sec. l. Ali nominations of elective officers for the
annual election be made at the gular meeting
in March, at least month previous to the time
of election; nevertheless nominations may be made
on the night of the first Monday in April, provided