The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1886-12-30
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
OF The Mount Zion Farmers Insti-
tute.

The organization OF the Mount Ziou
Farmers Institute WAS completed at d
meeting held on Friday, December l7thi
and the following declaration of priuci.
pies and bylaws adopted:
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES.
WHEREAS, BY loose aud unhusncss-
| like method of management on the part
of Il majority of farmers. ON account Oi
short crops from drouths, wet weather
and other irregularities of the season,
the low prices Of cotton and other farm
products, aud by an unjust and oppressive
system practiccd lay merchants upon
those against whom they bold deeds OF
trust, many have been reduced to alb
sOlutc poverty; Therefore.
Resolrcd, That We bring abont a change
i'll the plan of conducting our business.
That We will adopt, ~ soon as possible, a
strictly cash system aud in order To ac-
complIsh this, We pledge ourselves to use
the most rigid economy, to deny ourselves
the comforts and luXuries of both food
and apparel as tar as possible, aud IRE
wiN, if necessary, lire on bread d!0Re.
ReSOlrcd that we do not repudiatc any
debt heretofore made, although many
have been charged unreasonable prices for
supplies furnished on time. We urge that
all deptS be paid and the honor and imteg-
rity of our farming friends be maintained.
But many are unable To pay at once and
we therefore advise that they make the
best arrangement possible with those whom
they owe, and We ask merchants and all
parties holding claims against the farm
crs. secured 10y deeds of trust, not to push
their claims 50 ~ to break them up or
distress them: aud IN many instances we
feel that it would he fair and just 10 re-
ducc the claims they hold 10y taking of
the unreasonable per cent. charged.
BYLAWS.
1st. This organization shall he known
as The Mount Zion Farmers Institute, to
be composed strictly of farmers, for the
purpose of counsclmg aud cooperating
together in all matters pertaining to the
interest of the agricultural class.
2nd. The officers of this Institute shall
be Il President, Nice-I'residcnt, Secretary
and Treasurer, who shall he chosen annu-
ally by u majority vote of the members
present.
:;rd. The Institute shall hold meetings
from time to time as occasion may re-
quire, making arrangements at ono meet
ing for the holding Of the next.
4th. The President may call meetings
when necessary by giving general notice
to the members, and it shall be the duty
of all members to attend all meetings of
the Institute and for failure to do 50,
without good excuse, shall be held to
account.
9th. No one shall be, or continue a
member of this organization, who is not
upright and honorable i'll all his conduct
and dealings
9th. An Executive committee of three
shall be appointed or elected annually,
to whom shall he referred all matters of
grievances of the members, and who shall
report from time to time To the meetings
of this body for their consideration and
final action.
9TH. When member desires the coun-
sci and aid of this body in Il matter of
litigation, lie shall before entering into
said litigation, lay the whole matter be-
fore 1t meeting of the body for consider
alton, aud then it shall DO optional with
the body whether or not they give the
desired aid
eth. Any member wishing TO with
draw from this Institute may, upon ap-
plication, lie honorably dismissed.
9th. Changes may be made i'll these
BY Laws when necessary by II majority
vote of all the members, provided a
previous notice has been given.
l.. IL. WHITE, Chairman.
i N SMITH Secretary.