Whereas several citizens of the County of S[t] Clair, who have originally emigrated from Germany, have formed themselves into a Society, for the pu[r]pose of acquiring and disseminating general and useful knowledge; and whereas such an undertaking is deserving legislative Sanction, Therefore.

Sec[Section] 1 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois represented in the General Assembly, That the said society be and they are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate to be known by the name of “The President and Directors of the German Library Society of St Clair County,” and by that name shall have perpetual succession and a common Seal, and may Change and alter the same at pleasure.

Sec 2 Be it further enacted, that said Library shall never be divided, or sold, or otherwise disposed of, nor shall it ever be removed out of the limits of the County of St Clair.

Sec 3 Be it further enacted that said Library, and all the real or personal estate belonging to it, shall be held in joint tenantry by the respective members of the said Society, and no member shall be entitled to withdraw or transfer his interest in the same, to any member or person whatsoever.

Sec 4 Be it further enacted, that the members of said society shall meet in the County of St. Clair on the third Saturday of March next, and shall elect by ballot seperately a President, two directors, and two Vice directors, the two directors to be Styled the Librarian and the Treasurer, [their?] respective duties shall be defined in the bye l[aws][,] rules [,] and regulations of Said Society; and said members

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shall hereafter annually elect the said offic[ers] in the manner aforesaid on such a day and [at such] places, as they may choose; provided that no member shall be allowed to vote by proxey in elections or any other Cases, and further provided, that female members of said society shall not be permitted to vote in said elections or any other Cases.

Sec 5 Be it further enacted, that the said Officers so elected shall continue in Office one year and until others are elected in their stead, and they or any two of them shall have power to convene the said Society on special occasions.

Sec 6 Be it further enacted, that every person whether a resident of the County of St, Clair or not, shall be admitted a member of said society, by paying an initiating fee and the ordinary contribution for the year being, and by signing the constitution of said Society.

Sec 7 Be it ^further^ enacted, that the members of said society in their meetings shall have a power to enact such bye-laws, rules and regulations as they or a majority of them may think best calculated to promote the general welfare of this institution, not contrary to the constitution and laws of this State

Sec 8 Be it further enacted, that the President and directors shall be Capable in law of suing and being suid, pleading and being impleaded, answering and being answered unto, defending and being defended, in all courts and places whatsoever, and also that they and their Successors, by that name and Style shall be capable in law of purchasing, holding, receiving

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and conveying any estate, real or personal, for the use of said Corporation: Provided, that the real estate so purchased shall be such only, as shall be necessary to promote or obtain the object of this corporation.

Sec 9 Be it further enacted, that the said President and Directors shall have power to demand and receive the money, books[,] and maps already given to said institution or in any other way belonging to it, and expend the money in the purchase of books and for other objects and purposes as directed by the said members in their meetings, and according to the bye laws, rules[,] and regulations.

Sec 10 Be it further enacted, that all moneys hereafter accruing from fines, donations[,] and contributions or from any other source, shall be laid out in books, and for other purposes necessary for the institution by said directors, according to the directions of the said members in their meetings, and according to the bye laws, rules[,] and regulations.

Sec 11 Be it further enacted, that the said members or a majority of them shall have power in the bye-laws, rules[,] and regulations to assess moderate fines for non attendance, and for breaches of the bye-Laws. generally, and for damaging, destroyed ^ing^ losing[,] or improperly detaining books belonging to the Library.

Sec 12 Be it further enacted, that any member may be expelled from the Society by a vote of a majority of all the members of the Society, but shall have the right of being heard in his defense

Sec 13 Be it further enacted, that the said members or a majority of them shall yearly assess the amount of contribution to be paid by every member for said year, and shall appoint a certain day when the said contributions is to be paid to the treasurer, and

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each new member, upon his admittance, shall pay the sum of three Dollars as an initiating fee, provided, that such as were formerly members, and widows of members shall pay no such fee.

Sec 14 Be it further enacted, that members expelle[d] under the 12^th Section of this act, or who voluntarily withdraw, or do not pay their Contribution Money according to the bye-laws[,] rules[,] and regulations, relating thereto; shall forfeit all their right, claim[,] and and title in the said Library.

Sec 15 Theodore Hilgard senior is hereby appointed President and Gustavus P Koerner, Albrecht H Trapp[,] James Sheel, and Theodore Kraft Directors of said corporation, who are authorized to act until successors are appointed under the provisions of this act, and said President and Directors are hereby authorized to take all steps and do all acts necessary to organize said society and carry into effect the provisions of this act.