The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1909-02-25
The Belfast Board of Trade.
1t was Organized at an Enthusiastic Meeting
Held Friday Evening, February 18th

1t was Organized at an Enthusiastic Meeting
Held Friday Evening, February 18th.
For some time past few publc-spirited
citizens had been holding conferences with a
view to establishing board of trade, and last
week when paper was circulated pledging
support to such an organization it met with a
prompt response from business men and the
citizens generally. Before the call was issued
for a meeting for the purpose of organizing
over one hundred and fifty names had been
secured and on the day of the meeting there
were 164 signatures The meeting was called
for 7.30 p. m. Friday at the Memorial building,
and the attendance was so large that it was
necessary to adjourn from the police court
room to the hall above. Fully 200 were present
when the meeting was called to order by Mr..
O. E. Frost, who read the original agreement
to organize board of trade and notice of this
meeting The agreement was as follows:
We, the undersigned, citizens of Belfast be-
hevlng that an association of business men
could be used advantageously in the advance
ment of the industrial and commercial inter-
ests of our city, agree that we will earnestly
endeavor to be present at meeting to be held
at the Police Court room, February 19, 1909, at
!oU p Ill., 10 participate Ill IDe TSdIllAdllOH W
be known as the Belfast Board of Trade. We
further agree that we will become members of
such an association when it is organized, pay
ing such initiation fees and dues and becoming
subject to such rules and regulations as may be
determined by committee having this matter
in charge.
Mr. Frost nominated Hon. R. F. Dunton for
temporary chairman, the nomination was sec
onded by j. H. Howes and vote being taken
he was declared elected. In taking the chair
Mr.. Dunton referred to meeting held little
more than eight years ago when, owing to the
death of one of our leading citizens, long con-
nected with the business and industrial inter-
ests of Belfast, the shoe factory was closed and
many of our people had moved or were moving
away. A meeting was held at that time to see
what could be done to restore our lost industry
and it was successful. Mr. Dunton said that
in order to facilitate the organization some
preliminary steps had been taken, but nothing
was binding and the meeting could make any
change it thought proper. He called for the
election of a secretary and Wilmer J. Dorman
was nominated and elected.
On motion it was then voted to proceed to
the organization of board trade to be known
as the Belfast Board of Trade, and Messrs
Charles S. Bickford, Ralph H. Howes and
Orrin ]. Dickey were appointed a committee
on bylaws They subsequently reported as
follows:
ARTICLE 1.
MEMBERSHIP
Any citizen of Belfast or vicinity may be-
| come member of this association the pay
ment of--doars and signing these by
laws, provided he shall have been proposed
and elected at regularly called meeting, not
more than three negative votes appearing
against him.
I There shall be annual membership dues of
dollars, payable within thirty days after
! the annual meeting, but member shall be
required to pay admission fee and annual
dues the same year. A refusal to pay the an
nual dues, if persisted in for ninety days after
/ the same become due, shall be construed as
| withdrawal from the association and the names
of all members refusing shall be dropped
from the roll of membership.
ARTICLE II.
OBJECTS.
The objects of this association shall be to
promote and foster trade, commerce, manu-
factures, public Improvements, and the general
interests of Belfast and vicinity; to facilitate
business intercourse; to encourage wise and
needful legislation; and to promote and enlarge
/ friendly intercourse among members.
ARTICLE III.
| The officers of this association shall be
chosen annually by ballot and shall consist of a
President, three vice Presidents, a Secretary
and Treasurer, who, together with ten di-
rectors (also chosen by ballot) shall consti-
tute Board of Managers of whom five shall be
a quorum for the transaction of business. The
officers shall serve until others are chosen and
installed in their places.
ARTICLE ".
DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
The President shall preside at all meetings
! of the association and Board of Managers, if
present, and perform such other duties as he
may be authorized to perform by these by
laws, or by vote of the association or Board of
Managers.
In the absence disability of the President
the available vice President standing first in
order on the list, shall act as President.
| The Secretary shall keep a correct record
of the proceedings of all meetings of the as
sociation and Board of Managers, collect all
membership fees and dues and turn them over
to the Treasurer, and perform such other
duties as may be required of him by these by
| laws, or by the association or Board of Mana
gers.
The Treasurer shall receive all moneys be-
| longing to the association and pay out the
same, only as authorized by vote of the Board
of Managers, or a finance committee appointed
by them.
The Board of Managers shall have the gen
| eral management and control of the work of