The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-05-19
Lawrence Building Associat,on


the purpose of devising some means Of
employment, and for sdsancins the inter
ests Of our new and popnlous city. Mr.
LYsSuR was called to the Chair. and Mr.
Woicott chosen Secretary. The object
of the meeting was stated by the Presi-
dent. Rev. G. W. Hutchinson, and G.
w. Brown. Esq, being severally called
upon, advocated at length tie propriety
of organizing a building association, in
which labor and capital should be united.
On motion committee was appointed to
draft a Constitution and Bylaws for
such a society. and the meeting adjourn
ed to meet attwo O'Clock in the afternoon
At. the appointed time the meeting
again convened, at which the Chairman
submitted draft for Constitution
This was discussed at length, amended,
and passed over to meeting in the even
ing. At the evening meeting it was
again considered, and various matters
pertaining to the organization discussed
with deep interest. At late hour the
meeting adjourned to eight o'clock on
the 18th inst. An afternoon session was
held, at which the Constitution and By
Laws were finally adopted, and the Off
GERS were elected under it as follows -
PREAMBLE.
Owing to the growing wants Of the
town of Lawrence, and its present inca
pability Of supplying suitable buildings.
for places of business and dwelling,
thereby greatly retarding its progress
and offering but little opportunity to men
of capital tc invest, and to mechanics and
laborers to obtain work; therefore we,
the undersigned, in view of this, and for
the purpose of remedying the above
named evils. do hereby form ourselves
into an Association, and pledge ourselves
to be governed, in all things connected
with said Association, by the following
Constitution and By Laws.
CONSTITUTION.
ART. i. This Association shall be
known as the LAWRENCE BUILDING AsSo-
CITATION. ,f
ART g The officers of the Association
shall be President, Secretary, Treasur-,
er, Building Committee of fivemembers,
and Board of Arbitration, consisting of
three members.
ART 3. The duties of the Presideni
shall be such as usually deyolve upon
similar officers. He, in connection with
the Secretary, may call meeting at any
time of the members of the Association,
and shall call special meetings upon the
written request of FIVE members.
Art. 4. The duties of the Secretary
shall consist in keeping faithful record
of the proceedings of each meeting, as
also strict account between the mem
bers and the Association. He shall, as
Financial Agent, preserve all the con-
tracts, specifications, ond herdoeuments
and instruments of writing of said Asso-
citation; and it shall be his special duty to
guard its interests, and report the pro-
gress of all business affairs to each meet
ing. He shall also, in conjunction with
the President, countersign all orders up
on the Treasury, which shall be drawn
by the Finance Committee, or which the
Association at any regular meeting may
direct.
ART s. The duties of the Treasurer
shall be to receive and pay over, on order
of the Finance Committee, countersigned
by the President and Secretary, all mon
eyswhich may come into his hands in
his official capacity. He shall keep an
accurate account of all receipts and ex-s
ofthe Association, and report
the condition of the same at the first reg
ular meeting in each month, and at any
time when called upon by a vote of the
Association. He shall give bonds in the
sum of FIVE hundred dollars, before en-
tering upon the duties of his office, for
the faithful discharge of the same, which
bonds must be approved by the financial
Committee, and may be increased to any
larger amount by a vote of the-Assoeia-
ton.
ART. 6. The duties of tie Building
Committee shall be to select sites and
building material, to decide, in concert
with the Presidentand Secretary, upon the
plans and specifications for buildings; to
direct the operations of workmen; super
intend the entire work; and decide upon
the value of labor, dc. Their action
may be controlled or directed by the As
at any time by majority of
votes.
ART. Z. The Board of Arbitration shall
hear and adjudicate all matters of differ
enee between members, and between
members and the Association, and make
such award as to them shall appear equit-
able and Just; which award shall be bind
ing upon all parties. They shall also
constitute Committee of Finance, and
shall audit all bills which shall be pre-
sented to them, either by the members
or others, and, if found just, they shall
draw upon the Treasurer forthe payment
of the same. Sss
ART. 8. The officers shall be elected
by ballot, at the first regular meeting In
each January, April, July and October,
and continue in Office until their success
sors are qualified.
Arr. 8. Meetings for the transaction
Of business shall be held regularly on
each Saturday evening, at which the of
tcers and committees shall make full re-
portsof all their proceedings.
ART. 10. The Association may, at any
time, appointspecial meetings for special
purposes.
ARF.11. Bylaws may be adopted at
any time which do not contrayene this
Constitution, by two-thirds vote of all
the members present.
Arr. IL. This Constitution NAV be
altered or amended at any regular meet
ing of the Association, by two-thifds.
vote of all the members. one weeks pre-
sious notice having been given of the
proposed amendment; or the same may
be amended at any time By the unami-
nous vote Of all the members, on the call
Df the yeas and nays.