An act to incorporate the Fairfield Library company.

Section 1^st

Be it enacted by the people of the state of Illinois Represented in the general assembly,

That, Thomas A Wood, William Borah, C. J. Ridgway[,] Rigdon B Slocum, Jeffrey Robinson, Caleb Wilmans, ^(^Samuel Leech,^)^[,] W^m F Turney, Joseph Wilson, Thomas Linthicum, Wesley Staten, Nicholas N Smith, Jackson Armstrong, James Mays, Edmund Pucket, L. J. S. Turney, and their associates, be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, to be known by the name of the Fairfield Library Company, and by that name shall have perpetual Succession, and a common seal, which may be altered at the pleasure of the Society.

Sec. 2^nd.

That the members of the of the Society Shall annually on the first Monday of April, elect five directors (who shall be stock holders) who shall continue in office one year and until their successors are elected, who shall be empowered to make such bye laws, rules[,] and regulations, as they or a majority of them, shall deem best calculated to promote the welfare of the society.

Sec. 3^rd

That the directors shall appoint their own Chairman, and Secretary for the time being, and hold their meetings at such times, and places as they may think proper, and the Directors shall be capable in law and equity, of suing and being sued, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended; in any court or courts, place or places whatsoever.

Sec. 4^th

That the directors and their Successors in office, shall be in law Capable of purchasing, holding[,] and conveying any personal or real estate, for the use of said corporation, not exceeding their capital stock, provided, said corporation, shall not be allowed at any one time to own more than one hundred and sixty acres of land.

Sec 5^th That the directors, shall have power to demand and receive all moneys, that are already due by Subscription or otherwise, or that may hereafter become due by fines, donations, or contributions of what nature soever; which when collected, they shall disburse in the purchase of books, Maps, or in such manner as a majority of them may deem best for the interest of the Society. all debts already contracted by individuals for the use and benefit of the Society being first paid.

Sec 6^th That it shall be the duty of the directors annually to appoint a librarian, whose duty shall be prescribe[d] by the Bye Laws of the Society

Sec. 7^th That the directors shall have power to fill [su]ch vacancies as may happen in their own body, during the time being, and to assess such moderate fines for any breach of the bye laws and for the loss or destruction of any book or books belonging to the library as may be reasonable and Just.

Sec. 8^th That the directors shall designate the mode of admitting persons wishing to become members of the Society. The capital Stock of said society shall be two thousand dollars, with the privilege of increasing the same to five thousand dollars.

Sec. 9^th The stock of the company shall be divided into shares of twenty dollars each, which shall be subscribed for and paid in as the directors may from time to time direct, provided, they are not allowed to call for more than one fifth of said capital stock per annum

Sec. 10^th That Books shall be opened for the subscription of stock in said institution, at such time and place or places, as the directors may prescribe.

Sec. 11^th That no member shall withdraw his interest from the institution, but may transfer the same to any person or persons, he may think proper, whom the society may admit as a member or members, provided that the transfer be made in the presence of the librarian, and entered on the records of the Society

Sec. 12^th That this act shall be in force from and after its passage