The Montana Society SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLDTION, 894. CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION; ALSO, CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS WITH I^OLL OF OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE MONT AN 4^^QCI ETY OF THE SONS OF THE // American Revolution. ORGANIZED AT June 5th, 1894. Helena, Montana : Williams & Sons, Printers, 1894. FES 9 1916 \ A C3 OFFICERS. Judge DECIUS S. WADE, President Helena Captain JOHN C. DENT, Vice-President Fort Assinniboine Hon. R. H. HOWEY, Secretary! . . ...... f^ ?/. .Helena JAMES U. SANDERS, Esq., Treasurer Helena Chaplain CEPHAS C. BATEMAN, Registrar .... Fort Assinniboine BOARD OF MANAGERS. Decius S. Wade, President, ex officio Helena John C. Dent, Vice-President, ex officio Fort Assinniboine R. H. Howey, Secretary, ex officio Helena James U. Sanders, Treasurer, ex officio Helena Chaplain Cephas C. Bateman, Registrar, ex officio.. .Ft. Assinniboine Charles J. Brackett . . 5'.-. '.•':'. ■?. rl . . . . Helena J. B. Collins Miles City Arthur J. Craven Helena Cornelius Hedges Helena Alan B. Murray Cokedale Charles T. Perry Helena James L. Rogers Fort Assinniboine Frederick Dent Sharpe Fort Assinniboine Louis A. Walker Helena Almar P. Webster Helena MEMBERS. John R. Barrows, Cephas C. Bateman, Charles J. Brackett, Hardy Bryan, J. B. Collins, Arthur J. Craven, John C. Dent, CorneHus Hedges, R. H. Howey, Alan B. Murray, Charles T. Perry, James L. Rogers, Edward C. Russel, James U. Sanders, Frederick Dent Sharpe, Lilburn G. Turnley, Decius S. Wade, Harry L. Walker, Louis A. Walker, Almar P. Webster, Helena Fort Assinniboine Helena - Miles City - . Helena Fort Assinniboine - Helena Cokedale Helena Fort Assinniboine Helena Fort Assinniboine Elkhorn Helena -_ . C-^jC^ r. A^<^ 1 /^Ja-^.^U. }UiA, ^^, 8 THE MONTANA SOCIETY, tions of American freedom ; and to carry on the purposes expressed in the Preamble to the Consti- tution of our Country and the injunctions of Wash- ington in his farewell address to the American people. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP. Section i. Any man shall be eligible to mem- bership in this Society, who, being of the age of twenty-one years or over, and a citizen of good re- pute in the community, is the lineal descendant of an ancestor, who was at all times unfailing in his loyalty to, and rendered actual service in, the cause of American Independence, either as an officer, sol- dier, seaman, marine, militiaman or minute man, in the armed forces of the Continental Congress or of any one of the several Colonies or States ; or as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence ; or as a member of a Committee of Safety or Correspondence ; or as a member of any Continental, Provincial, or Colonial Congress or Legislature ; or as a civil offi- cer, either of one of the Colonies or States or of the national government ; or as a recognized patriot who performed actual service by overt acts of resistance to the authority of Great Britain. Section 2. Applications for membership shall be made to any State Society, in duplicate, upon blank forms prescribed by the General Board of Managers, and shall in each case set forth the name, occupation and residence of the applicant, his line of descent, and the name, residence and services of his ancestor or ancestors in the Revolution, from whom he derives eligibility. The applicant shall make SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. 9 oath that the statements of his apphcation are true, to the best of his knowledjTje and beHef. Upon the approval of an apphcation by the State Society, to which it is made, one copy shall be transmitted to the Registrar General of the National Society, who shall examine further the eligibility of the applicant. If satisfied that the member is not eligible, he shall return the application for correction. No election of a new member shall be valid, unless his eligibility shall be approved by the Registrar General. Section 3. A State Society may provide for life memberships by the payment into its treasury of a sum, in commutation uf annual dues, not less than tifty dollars. Section 4. Theofficial designation of the mem- bers of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution shall be " Compatriots." ARTICLE IV. NATIONAL AND STATE SOCIETIES. Section i. The National Society shall embrace all the members of the State Societies of the Sons of the American Revolution, now existing or which may hereafter be established under this Constitution. Section 2. Whenever in any State or Terri- tory, in which a State Society does not exist, or in which a State Society has become inactive or failed for two 3'ears to pa}' its annual dues to the National Society, fifteen or more persons dul}' qualified for membership in this Society may associate themselves as a State Society of the Sons of the American Rev- olution, and organize in accordance with this Con- stitution ; the}' iTiay be admitted by the General 10 THE MONTA.NA SOCIETY, Board of Managers of the National Society as " The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution," and shall thereafter have exclusive local jurisdiction in the State or Territory or in the District in which they are organized, subject to the provisions of this Constitution ; but this provision shall not be con- strued so as to exclude the admission of members living in other States. Section 3. Each State Society shall judge of the qualifications of its members and of those pro- posed for membership, subject to the provisions of this Constitution, and shall regulate all matters per- taining to its own affairs. It shall have authorit}^ to establish local chapters within its own jurisdiction, and to endow the chapters with such power as it may deem proper, not inconsistent with this Constitution. It shall have authority, after due notice and impar- tial trial, to expel any member, who, by conduct un- becoming a gentleman, shall render himself unwor- thy to remain a member of the Society. Section 4. Each State Society shall submit to the Annual Congress of the National Society a re- port, setting forth b}' name the additions, transfers and deaths, and any other changes in the membership and progress of the State Society during the prece- ding year, and make such suggestions, as it shall deem proper, for the promotion of the objects of the whole order. Section 5. Whenever a member, in good stand- ing in his Society, changes his residence from the jurisdiction of the State Society of which he is a member, to that of another, he shall be entitled, if he so elects, to a certificate of honorable demission SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. 11 from his own State Societ}-, in order that he may be transferred to the State Society to whose jurisdiction he has changed his residence ; provided, that his membership shall continue in the former until he shall have been elected a member of the latter. Each State Society shall, however, retain full control of the admission of members by transfer. Section 6. Wherever the word " State " oc- curs in this Constitution, it shall be held to include within its meaning the District of Columbia and the Territories of the United States. ARTICLE V. OFFICERS AND MANAGERS. Section i. The General Officers of the Na- tional Society shall be a President General, five Vice Presidents General, a Secretary General, Treasurer General, Registrar General, Historian General, and Chaplain General, who shall be elected by ballot b}' a vote of the majority of the members present at the annual meeting of the Congress of the National So- ciety and shall hold office for one year and until their successors shall be elected. Section 2. The General Officers, together with the Presidents of the State Societies ex officio, shall constitute the General Board of Managers of the National Society, which Board shall have authority to adopt and promulgate the By-Laws of the National Society, to prescribe the duties of the General Offi- cers, to provide the seal, to designate and make reg- ulations for the issue of the insignia, and to transact the general business of the National Society during the intervals between the sessions of the Congress. 12 THE MONTANA SOCIETY, Meetings of the general Board may be held, after not less than ten days' notice, at the call of the Presi- dent General, or, in case of his absence or inability, at the call of the senior Vice-President General, cer- tified by the Secretary General. Meetings shall be called at the request of seven members. At all such meetings, seven shall constitute a quorum. Section 3. An Executive Committee of seven, of whom the President General shall be the Chair- man, may be elected by the Board of Managers, which Committee shall, in the interim between the meetings of the Board, transact such business as shall be delegated to it by the Board of Managers. ARTICLE VI. DUES. Each State Society shall pay annuall}^ to the Treasurer General, to defray the expenses of the National Society, fifty cents for each active member thereof, unless intermitted by the National Congress. All such dues shall be paid on or before the first day of April in each year for the ensuing year, in order to secure representation in the Congress of the National Society. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS AND ELECTIONS. Section i. The annual Congress of the Na- tional Society for the election of the General Officers and for the transaction of business, shall be held on the 30th day of April, or on the ist day of May, in every year. The time, hour and place of such meet- ing shall be designated by the Board of Managers. SONS OF THE REVOLUTION. 13 Section 2. Special meetings of the Congress may be called by the President General, and shall be called by him when directed so to do b}' the Board of Managers, or whenever requested in writing so to do by at least five State Societies, on giving thirty days'' notice, specif3ing the time and place of such meetings and the business to be transacted. Section 3. The following shall be members of all such annual or special meetings of the Congress and shall be entitled to vote therein : (i.) All the officers and the ex-Presidents General of the National Society. (2.) The President and senior Vice-President of each State Society. (3.) One delegate at large from each State Society. (4.) One delegate for ever}- one hundred mem- bers of the Society within a State and for a fraction of fift}' or over. ARTICLE VIII. AMENDMENTS. This Constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting of the Congress of the National So- ciety, provided that sixty days' notice of the pro posed alterations or amendments, which shall first have been recommended by a State Society, shall be "sent by the Secretary General to the President of each State Society. A vote of two-thirds of those present shall be necessary to their adoption. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS. CONSTITUTION. ARTICLE I. NAME. The name of this Society shall be " The Mon- tana Society of the Sons of the American Revolu- tion." ARTICLE II. OBJECT. The purposes of this Society are to keep alive among ourselves and our descendants, and in the communit}', the patriotic spirit of the men who achieved American Independence ; to collect and secure for preservation the manuscript rolls, records, and other documents relating to the War of the Rev- olution ; and to promote social intercourse and fellow- ship among its members. ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP. Any person shall be eligible to membership who is a male above the age of twenty one (21) years, and is descended from an ancestor who assisted in establishing American Independence, during the War of the Revolution, in any one of the following capac- ities : 16 THE MONTANA SOCIETY, 1. A military or naval officer. 2. A soldier, sailor, or marine. 3. A member of a Committee of Correspon- dence, or Council of Safety, or other similar bod}'. 4. A member of a Provincial, or of the Conti- tinental Congress. 5. An officer in the service of one of the orig- inal Colonies or States, or of the National Govern- ment representing or composed of these Colonies or States. Provided, that such service vi^as of so im- portant a character as to render the official specially liable to arrest and punishment by the British Gov- ernment. 6. Any recognized patriot actuall}^ arrested and punished for giving aid and comfort to the pat- riotic cause. Provided, that if such ancestor, hav- ing assisted in establishing American Independence in any of the above capacities, either adhered to the enemy or failed to maintain an honorable record throughout the War of the Revolution, his previous service shall not entitle his descendants to member- ship in this Society. And provided further, that no person shall be admitted to membership unless at least one member of the Society, or some well-known citizen of Montana, shall state in writing his belief that the applicant for admission is of good moral character, and would be a worthy member of the Society. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS. I. The officers of the Society shall be a Pres- ident, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Registrar, who, with ten other members, shall constitute a Board of Managers. SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 17 2. The Officers and Managers, and Delegates to the National Society shall be elected by a vote of the majority of the members present at the annual meetings of the Society, and shall hold office for one year, or until their successors are elected. 3. The Board of Managers shall fill any va- cancy occurring among the Officers of the Society, or the members of the Board, or the Delegates to the National Society. 4. In addition to the officers above provided for, the Board of Managers may, from time to time, appoint a Chaplain, a Historian, and such subordi- nate officers as they may deem necessary, who shall hold office until the annual meeting next succeeding their appointment. ARTICLE V. MEETINGS. 1. The annual meeting shall be held on the 17th day of June, the anniversary of the battle of Bunker Hill, in every year, except when that date shall fall on Sunday or Monday, in which case the meeting shall be held on the Tuesday immediately following. 2. The hour and place of meeting shall be des- ignated by the Board of Managers. 3. Special meetings may be called by the Pres- ident, or Board of Managers, at any time. The President shall call a special meeting whenever re- quested in writing so to do by five or more members. 4. Seven members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings. 18 THE MOxVTANA SOCIETY, 5. General business may be transacted at any special meeting. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS. Amendments to this Constitution maybe offered to any meeting of the Societ}', but shall not be acted on until the next meeting. A copy of every pro- posed amendment shall be sent to each member, with a notice of the meeting at which the same is to be acted on, at least one week prior to said meeting. A vote of two-thirds of those present shall be nec- essary to its adoption. SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 19 BY-LAWS. SECTION I. ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 1. The names and proofs of qualification of candidates for membership shall be sent to the Sec- retary. They shall be referred by him to a com- mittee on membership, consisting of three members of the Society to be appointed by the President. This committee shall report, as soon as practicable, to the Board of Managers, on the qualifications and character of candidates. A vote of two-thirds of the Managers present at any meeting of the Board shall be necessary tu the election of a member. 2. The amount of the initiation fee shall, in all cases, accompany the application for membership. If the application be rejected, the amount of the in- itiation fee shall be returned to the applicant. No member shall be elected unless the initiation fee be tirst paid. 3. The Board of Managers shall have power to suspend or expel any member of the Society, for sufficient cause, by a vote of two-thirds of all the members of the Board. Provided, that at least two week's notice of such proposed action shall have been given to such member. A member so suspended or expelled shall have the right to appeal to a meet- ing of the Society from the action of the Board of Managers. 20 THE MONTANA SOCIETY, SECTION II. INITIATION FEE AND DUES. 1. The initiation fee shall be five ($5) dollars ; the annual dues three ($3) dollars ; or the payment at one time of fifty ($50) dollars shall constitute a life member, with exemption from payment of dues thereafter. 2. The annual dues shall be pa3able on the first day of June in each year. 3. A member who shall remain in arrears for three months after notice of his indebtedness has been sent him, may be dropped from the rolls by the Board of Managers. 4. The initiation fees and all payments for life membership shall be used by the Board of Managers for the purpose of publishing such documents as they may deem advisable, or for such special purposes as may be ordered by a vote of two-thirds of the Board. SECTION III. THE PRESIDENT. The President, or in his absence the Vice-Pres- ident, or in his absence the Chairman, pro tempore, shall preside at all meetings of the Society and Board of Managers, and shall have a casting vote. He shall exercise the usual functions of a presiding offi- cer, and shall enforce a strict observance of the Con- stitution and By-Laws, and regulations and rules of the Society and Board of Managers. SECTION IV. THE SECRETARY. The Secretary shall conduct the general cor- SONS OP THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 21 respondence of the Society. He shall notify all members of their election, and of such other matters as may be directed by the Society or Board of Man- agers. He shall have charge of the seal, certificate of incorporation and records, and, together with the presiding officer, shall certify all acts of the Society. He shall, under the direction of the President, or Board of Managers, give due notice of the time and place of all meetings of the Society and Board of Managers. He shall keep a record of all the pro- ceedings and orders of the Society and Board of Managers, and shall give notice to the several officers of all votes, orders and proceedings affecting them or appertaining to their respective duties. SECTION V. THE TREASURER. The Treasurer shall collect and keep the funds and securities of the Society. All moneys shall be deposited in some bank or savings institution in this State, to the credit of the " Montana Society of the Sons of the American Revolution," and shall be drawn on the check of the Treasurer for the purpo- ses of the Society onh\ Out of these funds he shall pay such sums as may be ordered by the Society, or by the Board of Managers ; he shall keep a true account of his receipts and payments, and at each annual meeting render the same to the Society, when a committee shall be appointed to audit his accounts. He shall make a report to the Board of Managers whenever called upon to do so. 22 THE MONTANA SOCIETY, SECTION VI. THE REGISTRAR. The Registrar shall keep a roll of members, and in his hands shall be lodged all the proofs of qualification for membership, and all the historical and genealogical papers of which the Society may become possessed. Under the direction of the Board of Managers he shall keep in a suitable book, copies of such documents as the owners thereof may not be willing to have in the keeping of the Society. SECTION VII. BOARD OF MANAGERS. The Board of Managers shall have the general superintendence of the interests and business of the Society ; they shall perform such duties as may be committed to them by the Society ; they shall have power to make such rules and regulations, not in- consistent with the Constitution, By-Laws and Res- olutions of the Society, as may be necessary for their own management and the government of the Society. At each annual meeting they shall make a general report. Five members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the Board. SECTION VIII. AMENDMENTS. Amendments to these By-Laws may be made at any meeting of the Society by a vote of a major- ity of the members present ; Provided, that a notice SONS OP THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 23 of the meeting and a cop}- of the proposed amend- ment shall be sent to every member at least one week prior to such meeting.