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Constitutions.

S A BASIS of action in the government of an association ef people, who propose to hold regular and frequent meetings, it becomes necessary to make a specific agreement by such association of the course of action they will pursue, and the rules by which they shall be governed in their deliberations. This agreement is termed a "

In its preparation, care should be taken, while making it sufficiently explicit, to have the document as concise, clear and distinct as possible.

In the adoption of a constitution by an assembly, it is usually customary to consider it section by section. After it has been accepted, the secretary should make record of the constitution in a blank-book suitable for the purpose. This should be signed by the members of the society, who consent to accept of the same as their fundamental rule of action.

Amendments to the constitution should be made in the same book with convenient marks for reference showing where they may be found.

By-Laws.

When it is desired to add matter more clearly defining certain articles of the Constitution, such explanatory notes aretermed '' When the Constitution is quite explicit, for most associations by-laws are unnecessary. If it is desirable, however, to be very minute in explanation, that members of an association may fully understand their rights and duties, by-laws are sometimes quite essential, When added, they should follow immediately after the Constitution.

Explanatory words giving the character of each article in the Constitution, may be placed above, or at the left side of the article, as shown in the following forms.

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

PREAMBLE.

RUELTY to Animals being a prevailing fault, calculated to cultivate the baser passions of man's nature, it becomes necessary, in order to counteract the same, to take individual and united action in opposition thereto. The better to accomplish a reform in this direction, the undersigned agree to form an association, and be governed in their fundamental action by the following

{{center|{{Smaller|CONSTITUTION}}

{{rule|6em}} {{center|{Smaller|TITLE.}}}} The title and name of this Society shall be "{{Smallcaps|The Sacramento Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,"

{{center|{{smaller|OBJECTS.}}}} {{Smallcaps|Article II.}} The objects of this Society are to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals within the limits of the City of Sacramento; to enforce all laws which are now or may hereafter be enacted for the protection of dumb animals, and to secure by lawful means the arrest, conviction and punishment of all persons violating such laws.

{{center|{{smaller|OFFICERS.}}}} {{Smallcaps|Article III.}} The officers of this Society shall be a President, six Vice-Presidents, a Counsel, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and an Executive Committee of nine persons, who shall constitute the Board of Directors. The President, Counsel, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee. The officers shall be elected annually by ballot, and shall hold their offices until others are elected to fill their places.

{{center|{{Smaller|Members.}}}} {{Smallcaps|Article IV.}} Any person, male or female, may become a member of this Society upon election by the Society, or Executive Committee, and the payment of the sum of two dollars; and the annual membership fee shall not exceed that amount,

Sec. 2.—Any person may become a life-member of this Society, upon the payment to the reasurer of the sum of twenty-five dollars,

{{center|{{smaller|ANNUAL MEETING.}}}} {{Smallcaps|Article V.}} The annual meeting of this Society shall be held on the first Thursday in April of each year, when the annual election of officers shall take place.

Sec. 2.—Every member of the Society who has been such for ten days or more, and who is not in arrears for dues, shall be entitled to vote at the said election.

Sec. 3.—At the annual meeting the Executive Committee shall present a general report of its proceedings during the past year, and the Secretary and Treasurer shall also present their annual reports.

Sec. 4.—Special meetings of the Society may be called by the President, (or in case of his absence or inability, by one of the Vice-Presidents),  and shall be so called upon the written request of fifteen members. Notice of such meeting shall be inserted in at least two daily papers of the city of Sacramento. {{nop}}