The record-union., 1893-04-24

tory-"the days of '49''-to unite them in
one harmonious body throughout the
State by the ties OF a friendship mutu-
ally beneficial to all, and unalIoyed by
the bitterness of religious or political
difference, the discussion of which is
most stringently forbidden in its meet
lngs; to elevate ana cultivate the mental
faculties: to rejoice with one another in
prosperity, and to extend the GOOD Sa-
marian" hand in adversely.
The mem bers must bear a good reputa-
tlon for sobriety and industry; they must
follow some respectable calling by which
to make living, and, as vital principle
OF the association, it encourages temper
ance among its members and recon-
mends total abstinence from all intoXi-
| eating drinks.
| Upon these principles and with these
| purposes in view the constitution of the
trst parlor, then known by the simple
| appellation of Native Sons of the Golden
! West, was drafted.
General y. NJ. VIM, who conceived
the idea of the formation of the society,
drafted the first constitution; it was a
simple instrument that, at that time,
scarcely contemplated the formation of
| branches outside of San Francisco: true,
some OF the older heads saw the posi-
| DlIlty OF extension at some future time,
but their earlier efforts were solely de-
| 'CeSH w bllO vi llSlL Wv IL
| organization. The constitution declared
that the name of the organization should
| be Native Sons of the Golden West, that
| Its objects were social intercourse, mental
Improvement, mutual benefit and the
| general promotion OF the interests of its
members.
Its active membership should be con-
fined to males over IL years of age, who
were born in California, or west of the
Sierra Nevada Mountains, after the 9TH day
| OF July, 1916, being the day on which
| Commodore Sloat raised the American
flag III the city of Monterey.
1t provided that the society could elect
| honorary members in consideration of
valuable services or contributions; and,
| further, that the officers should be a Presi-
dent, three Nice-P Presidents, Recording
Secretary, Financial Secretary, Treas
urer, Marshal, and an Executive Com
nittee of five, who were to be elected
semi-annually by ballot, and hold Office
| until their successors were elected and
! qualified. The thirteen officers consti-
tuted a Board of Trustees, and managed
the concerns of the association as required
| by the State laws and company bylaws.
The powers and duties of the officers
were to be those incident to their respect
| i've positions. and could be fixed and de-
| fined in bylaws passed by a majority
vote OF the members present at q regular
meeting, or special one called for that
| purpose.
Bylaws could be passed by majority
vote to carry out the objects and provis-
| ions of the constitution, which might be
| altered, amended or suspended at any
regular meeting, by two-thirds vote of
those present; but suspensions could only
last for one meeting.
The constitution might be amended by
a two-thirds vote at a regular meeting,
] oftpr the armand mani hoH hn.p
in writing and voted for by majority at
| three separate and distinct meetings.
| This constitution was adopted on july
| IL, 1870, and was supplemented by a code
! of bylaws which defined the duties OF
| the officers and the amount of dues and
the penalties for failure to pay them; they
| also provided for the payment OF sick
benefits of 81 per week, and all of the
actual funeral expenses of deceased mem
| berS, and finally, that library should be
established under the following rules:
First-A library shall be established under
such rules and regulations as the Trustees
| may adopt.
Second-Ttey shall receive, receipt for and
return thanks TO persons who may con-
tribute money, books, maps, papers, etc, for
| that purpose.
Thfrd-rhe name of each contributor shall
| be entered IN a well-bound book, to be kept
| for that purpose, showing the time, character
and value OF donations
| Fourth-A Library Committee of five shall
| be appointed by the Trustees. who shall have
special charge of that department., under the
direction of the society, and provide lectures
at least once month.
Thus the society, in the beginning, out
lined its purpose to join the beneticent
| sisterhood of traternal societies in agreea-
! Bile and profitable social intercourse, and
under conditions that should develop
and improve the young minds of its am
bilious, patriotic and enthusiastic mem
bers. Under that guidance and the in
| SEPARATIONS of those surroundings how
many minds were turned to better, higher
thought, and led to emulate the pursuits
and accomplishments of the noblest OF
the heroic of California, no one can tell
now; that great good has como out of it.
the later lives of those native son pio-
| neers eloquently affirms, and what influ-
ence it may yet exert on the common
| wealth only the future of these same men
few of whom are yet in The prime of life
and none in the meridian) can tell to the
| generation that writes their history after
they are laid away with their progenitors,
the original pioneers.
THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTION
Has passed through the variation of many
| changes and additions since then: the
first great change was made when after
a few months of experience the members
found that admitting young men at Ie
years of age gave the society the character
| of an organization of boys, and the con-
trolling minds aspired to a recognition as
a dignitied body of young men, of whom
| California might expect much in the near
future of their maturity; it was then de-
! termined to raise the age of admission to
IS years. Fred Fem, then the eloquent
chaplain, opposed the proposed amend
ment with all the force and fervor for
which he was then so much admired, but
| the iudpment of the older heads tri