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Northern Star (1837-1852), 26th August 1843, Edition 4 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      LET US 0 BGAN 1 ZE ! WAY TO DO SO EFFECTUALLY . The general ciy for * an efficient Plan ef Or ganizaiion " is one of the most hopeful " signs of the times . " Iibe 3 pe&ksa £ eneraJ < iesireonibej > ari of the working classes so to" apply the power that TJmos can gjve , that it may eventuate in real good to the oppressed many . They are uirwilling that their exertions should be longer frittered away on isolated and deiached portions of the system which bends them into the dnss i and they long for an opportunity to direct their concentrated energies to ihe iull overthrow of the entire system itseif , and ¦ the establishment in its stead of ihe reign of trnth and righteousness . Hence the demand for an " efj-jciest ± * ian of Or ^ ganiiition . " Bat if these desirable effects are to accrne from

      Organization , that Organization must be ctjiossi . It mast Iks one that-mil collect together the scattered sod individual units of the working classes , and unite them firmly and secoteet in one in-Tincible "whole . To be thus efficient and thus feenre , U must be icithm the law .. This 13 the first and permanent reqaMte . If this bs wanting , all efficiency is at an end ; and to tali : of secdhitt , under such circumstances , would be tricked mockery Let ^ is haTe an Or ganization triihin ihe late , and we can apply the united strength of the confederated body to a successful overthrow of faction .- let n § be vritbout ihe law . and the moment that our strength becomes formidable or eren annoying , faction wiH employ the ptrwers of the law to remove the

      antagonist from the field . This faction has always hitherto done ; this faction will always continue to -do , so long as the people permit it , by placing themselves within Its legal grasp . _ A 11 political" Unions' ' of the masses have . hitherto failed , from this cause . It is high time we learned wisdom by experience ; sud endeavoured so to organize as to secure the l > enefit of the xrw ' s Htffrxcnos , instead of being , as hitherto , the recipients of ihe " i ^ "w * S ¦ v £ 5 er . A ?> CE'" I There is one particular connected , with the Political Organization of a people against the acts or existence of its government , deserving of the most frtions attention . Hitherto it has been passed over , intiunit even notice : and this passing-over has led io zpe disruption and breaking-np of all political societies . It is thx interest op

      goverk-HESTS THAT JLLL SUCH COHBINATJOXS SHOTTLD BE "srrrHOtrr the ? aie or the uw ; and they invariably ucbik at iheir existence , and even in some cases inaxrecfly acknowledge them ; nntil ths time arrives "when the power acquired by their means is 10 Le directed for the accomplishment of the intended object . THEN do Governments step in , and with the law iii one hand , and the key of the xaol in ihe other , make short rrork of it : and tias rid ihemselTeg of troublesome customers . The policy of Government to vrink at the existence of an illegal political society when it is xceak , — -when it can do no barm , —has led many to calculate on a continuance of Buch toleration , and to conclude thai it -svas needless to st « p the least ont of the way to procure the full protection of the law . Experience

      liaslioweyer , woefully taught the folly of all snch calculations and expectations . Governments always lave , and always will , use the powers they possess to protect their own antbority and to punish those Tvho "would assail or deprive them of it . To expect they -would 4 o otherwise is to proclaim a man a natural-born fooL The people , when opposed to a government , and especially when professedly associated for that purpose , employ all the power they 3 > ossess for tie accomplishment of their object . Govejrnmenfc in u putting ^ Jown" such opposition , when it presents itself in an illegal form , does no more . The evil is in the people placing themselves in the bands of those -whose interest it is io crush their efforts for governmental reform- We must try now to avoid that eviL

      To avoid thM evil we mort Organize m accordance with the laws now in being to puoteci all associations established for Mutual Benefit , -who choose to avail themselves of that protection , by complying with the law ' s reqniremeBls . This we can easily do . ^ o do it , will involve no sacrifice of principle ; will entail no trouble ; will ran U 3 to no additional expense : bni li wB 2 save as from an . infinity of jfiiicsse ¦ sniLdouBIe-deaBng ; inasmuch as it vrfll render unnecessary Jail the efforts -we have bitherto had unceasingly to make to evade the law ; such efforts having always ended in the discovery that we had " broken the law aVihe very time we were congratnlating ourselves ob a very « lever evasion of it I Several" onilinea aid suggestions for a plan of

      Organizstion have been placed before the country . A fewTreeks ago we gave many of such Suggestions in one long article ; * &d intimated that we should , at a iutnre ' time , publish jome suggestions of onr own . Indeed ,: on several occasions , we have spoken of a iplxs in" course of ^© oncocaon , to accomplish the perfect , and safe , and secure , —because lega \ —Organization of the people . That plas we hate kow "TO p&oxclgate . At the expense of muchihonght , Binch time , and mach labour , it has been perfected : and "we hare aowlo present it to the Charfes body , ~ ma one eminenfly calculated to accomplish , the object all so generally desire-Before we insert the Plan itself we shall here give a letter from the Rev . William " HilL sent by him for

      our last publication , bat received at such a late hour as precinded the possibility of itsbeing then inserted . That leiter refers mainly to the . question of Organi--zirion ; tiiereforethi 3 i 3 tie mosliifting place for it . "With the views and reasons of M ? . Hul , we , in the main , most heartily coincide . Indeed , for a long period there has been , on this subject , a perfect onejiess of feeling between ibe present conductor of the Northern Star and Mr . Titti .. Conversations , consu 5 tations , and coansellings together , have often been hadTespectingit . At that time it was the duty of the present conductor to co-operate with Mi . Bno . is ihs ** getting-up" of lie Star ; and 5 n UtaX capacity Beveral of the articles Tespeciing the proposed Plan of Organization that have appeared from time lotime , setting Jbrth the advantages that we might obtain , iandthe ease with which they might be compassed ; several of the articles which then

      appearedin ibaSUcr , wer&froin the same pen that now writes thiB . T ^ e mention this to show that the question of Organization Ib not a new one to the pre-Bent ^ ondnctor of theS / or . Tar from it . Foraconsderable period nis aiUntion lias been directed to the subject j and he has long seen that the time would arrive srhea the improved opinion of the masses would result in the establishment of a plas at once XFFiciEHT and SAJFEj because plain , clear , denned , and legal . "With tniB introduction , necessary to enable the reader to know of the entirety of feeling in the main , oa this mbject between Mr- Hjll and ourselves , we now give nis letter ; bespeaking for it ihe calm consideration and earnest atttntioncf every man who desres to see the nnits of Chartism gathered together , and bound np as a powerful and energetic wnole : — TO THJ PEOPLE .

      MT DXAB PKreKDS , —I write ihu on board the steam "vessel at voyage from Dundee to Edinburgh . Tou "will , I know , iqoice to hear tfe&t my torn naa -done more already fox me than my hopes looked to , in Jbe -way of leSnvigtaalmg my 'waned j > nyaeal energies . Tke bracing air of these noon tains , coupled "with the partial i ^ sfc * wfci « 2 i 1 have taken , has-done much'lor me . 1 am nmch better ; and hope to be able soon to bring into our common stock of labour more strength of body , ¦ ft-nA more eonsegnent . "vigour and detwrminafion of mind , than I nave had for yeara gone by . 2 cave passed already through Xeifch , Edinburgh , Aberdeen , Montrose , Arbroatb , and Bundee . I snppose that the leypective secretaries -will have told yon all about the meetings in each place . I shall not , Cierefore , take np space -with the trumpeting of my own feme . Suffice it that I find the Scotch ,

      " All that Hiy fancy painted them" ; a cool , V h ^ tTTtg ) discriminatiBg , reasoning people , who will look before 2 iey leap , and think before they speak-Ihs "warm band of friendship greeted me in every place , sjid 1 found the temper of the people so suited to my own , that 1 am mnch at borne frith them . 1 find the movement to be beie , as in England-, very apathetic in its character . "Alas ! you know the canse too weH . " It has not yet recovered from its exhaustion . " S ™ 8 at eTery P ™ . ^ m "wounos mwfc foul , Ttat all nnripp'd the ionntMn of ner life , Oni ecmntry seetnea as id a aeadly trance , Of swoon aaa stupor flie ttanld ever lie ; Jvor once ipcal ner wonted energies , . Bat lie , qniescent , yet rcnquietly Ber iate expecBng .- '

      ! Cbespmtof the people nasnot deputedTrom them-Eatll f i ! l ^ Si asleep 5 ^^ ^ mwdJ * eak ^ m zeeent effort Iheyjrill * n , again and p ^ fyet to ihe enemy a front broadened , bolfiened , and hard ^ ed J > y all thai they hav » borne . Expert * KS teacher , anaitBlessoBB ^ iUnotbe ^^^ ^^ ficstesfa ireitoen or npon you , my English cWto ^ en , to whom I now more specially address mrs ^ We must begin to re-collect out powers . We must prepare ouraelTes not merely to demonstrate ourpowei in great displayB of meetings and petiHons ,-and processions , bat to use it for a snccessfnl -cannteraction of fi » wen-ordered and aKlfnlly arranged forces rf cormpgon . Jld&i in order to this , we must be organized 3 Che first fliiBg to be looked to is « uch an Organisation ai shall enable tb-6 wbol » people , at any given tkne , Within a reasonable period , to know the minda of e&ch oUier -npon any given quesaon t 2 mraghout the "whole eaupire .

      TbB wast of such an OrganJution is the rock on which we bare hitherto split . We have never been organised . We have always acted in sectional divisions , by which OUT strength has besn lost In the mode of its application . "We must have done with this . We must fcave an OrganJution ; such an one as can be - univef sally adopted . It must be such - an" one as may be sofdy actedlou ; wfthoitiear of interruption from the legal power , or rf perTenJon by the ennniag and the selfish , of our own [ party . To form sneb an Organisation cs Qua is most easy , if the pieple be rot obstinate ; but it TrOi regaire ttem to make mutual coEcefisions , on

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      matters vrWch are of no vital importance ; and to agrea to act harmoniously , though , in some matters they may differ in opinion . The plan of Organisation vrhich we have already bad in partial operation has proved a failure ; and I am not surprised ut it ; for , though I do think that it never had a fair chance given to It , there was much of the elements of failure in the plan itself . It was necessarily so lax and vague in its general provisions and bo indeterminate in its details ; it left so much to be enpplied by the constant vigil&nce of the people themselves , separate from the written document ; it was , in fact , of sheer necessity , so full of fence and finesse that the straightforward blunt honesty of the unguarded people was coutinnaUy running its head iagatnat some post or other . Thus , it "was continually violated ^ was never in fact brought into effective operation in any one place that I know of . We had a name to live ; while , bs a national society , we were dead .

      There is no hope for us bat from Organization ; and there is no use in any Organisation , "which is not , at the same time , so perfectly dear as to be at once apprehtnsiblp , witccub explanation by everybody so perfectly simple and comprehensive as to be fitted alike to the circumstances of every locality—bo perfectly tffisient as that it shall give the opportunity of free , and almost instantaneous , connnsnicaticm of the whole body with its several parts , so that the whole energies of the whole people may be brought to bear on atiy given point , without hesitation or delay . ' A nation *! Organization which did not possess all thf « B qualities would be nsele&s to ns ; -while any plan cf Organization , even tcongh it had all these qualities , if it -wanted the not leas important one of conformity to law , -wpuld be much worse thaa useless to na

      The dimcnUy is to ferai a plan which shall be at once perfectly national , perfectly efficient , perfectly simple , and perfectly legal . Any plan of national Organization which does not embrace all these points of commendation is unworthy of our notice . Among the many good tbines which 0 'ConneII has said , 1 remember one saying of fcis , that " the next best thing to being right yourself is to put your enemy completely in tbe "WTCEg . " I fully accord with this doctrine ; and hence I have ever been most anxious that the operations of the people should be conducted peacefully and legally . I know that , if their moral strength was but marshalled , and their numbers organized , they nre invincible and irresistible . They are able thus to carry any measure of a wholesome and

      sanatory tendency , without violating any of those forms and appearances of law with which the harpies have fenced round the carcase of corruption , in the h-pe of feasting undisturbed thereon . There is no power in any state successfully to resist the righteous demands of a people "who are nnited in purpose and opinion , and organized so as to enable them to express their opinion , and to prosecute their purpose as one man . Of this the factions are moat perfectly aware ; ac 4 hence their fcigfcest dread has ever been the Organization of the people , and their greatest care to provide against its existence . And hence , from the time when the House of Commons was first sought to be emancipated from tbe direct contronl of the Crown , and place ;! in its due position as

      an independent branch of tbe L giriature , and as the index of the peopJe * 3 mind , for a period of about 250 years , an incessant-strugsrle has bwb going on bttweep those- who would organize and those who would destroy the expression of the peoples will for good . The lynx-eyed jealonBy of faction b » s watched every movement ; and having in its own hands the power of lawmaking , has met every organised movement with new and more tight restrictioas , till it was . thonght that effectual provision had beea made against tbe possibility of any National Organization existing , other than snen as might accord with the designs and purposes of the dominant class . The laws now in force , in reference to political societies and National Orgahizition , are comprised in two most sweeping and comprehensive statutes , tbts 39 Gso . UL chap . 79 , passed in July , 1799 , and tbe

      5 " Gta III . c . IS , passed in March . 1817 ; and so well are the meshes of these two insidious and infamous statutes spread out , that it was doubtless deemed to be impossible for any •• National" Organization to escape them . By the united force of those acts , every society the members of which , or any members wheresf shall , either verbally , or in writing , subscribe , or assent to , any test or declaration , not required by law . is an unlawful combination and confederation . See the carefulness with which Villainy has drawn the net-stringB ! Not content with prohibiting such oaths , tests , or declarations as might be against the law , the words not required by law extend the prohibition to aV ro ' unlary declarations ef whatever character ; even a declared determination , by the members ot any society , to uphold the law , might by this clause be construed as illegal i ' .

      By the Acts before named , every Society composed of difercrt branches or divisions , acting is ak . t manseb sepataiely or distinctly from each other , or of tchich any part shall have any distinct President , Secretary ^ Tieai-urer , X ) degate , or other officer , ox . asy person acting as such , elected or appointed- by or fur such part , or to act ix AST officb for such parti , shall be deemed and holden to be an unlawful combination and confederacy . Now , these provisions render it totally impossible for ns to have any system of purely political National Organ i zation more efficient than the one we had , which has proved , on trial , to be an utter failure ; while the penal clauses of these laws are such as are by no means to be trifled with ; and show us that it would be

      ntter madness to connect ourselves with any Organization whereby we should bs snVje-et to them . Having declared the cases In which Societies shall be deemed *• unlawful combinations ana confederacies , " these Acts provide : — " That any member of any such society , and every person vho shall , directly or indirectly , maintain correspondence or intercourse tciih art }/ , such sociely , or vcith ariy division , branch , committee , or olher select body , president , treasurer , secretary , delegate or olher eficer . -or member thereof , as such ; or vho shall by contribution cf money or othendse , aid , abet , or support such society , or any member-thereof , as such , ihall incur certain penalties . " The penalties are of two kinds . " 1 . By summary process on information before ONE Justice of the Peace ; on conviction , a fine of twenty pounds , er three months ' imprisonment Is the comnton gaol . 2 . SY

      INDICTMENT ; on coNyicmoN , transportation FOR SETEN YEARS :-This will shew us at once that this business is not to be trifled with . We must not have an Organization which is not perfectly legal ; there is so use in our having one which is not perfectly efficient ; and the question is—Bow are we to compass both ? I Btill maintain the opinion which I have always holden , that it is impossible to do bo otherwise than by tft ^ "g advantage of some one or other of the forms and names incidental to some one or other of the special exemptions provided by the law itself .

      Charitable Societies and ReligiouB Societies * of all kinds are specially exempted from the operation of the acts I have referred to ; and , as I believe the Christian religion to incnlcate all the doctrines of truth and righteousness , as well social and political as personal ; as , in fact , I hold politics to be part and parcel of Christianity and inseparable thertfrom—being mixed up -with , springing out of . and sustaining all its principles and doctrines , 1 would be glad to see , for the first time since the age of the Apostles , a true Catholic and Christian church , acknowledging in all the fullness of their comprehensiv * import the precepts of that religion , which being hitherto talked ot , but neither - understood nor practised , has been , and is now being , made the most fearfully tffective test that ever tyranny employed for the destruction of man ' s liberty and of all dear recognition of the principles of , moral right .

      I bold tbe principles of Chartism to be Religions principles , and every ChartiBt Society to be consequently a Religions society ; and I would gladly see them so declare themselves , and leave to the vile herd of despots title option of openly and manifestly trampling on their own laws , or of crushing along with Chartism , Methodism in all its varions shapes , and all the other isms of " dissent" in all its varieties of aspect . But a very large portion of the English Chartists 'have declared against this opinion . I regret this ; I wish the people had been prepared to take what I think would be the best course ; but I am not therefore the ass to be obstinate in my own conceitedness of purpose , and seek to browbeat every body else into it . I am content to have my opinions estimated by the people , and to take for

      them just as much influence as they are thought worthy of . Still therefore , retaining my own opinion as to the best course of action , 1 now recommend to you that which I think to be the next best and the only one open to you ; and that is to organize yourselves into one immense national benefit society , embracing all the true democrats of England , Scotland , and Wales , and Ireland in one bond of brotherhood . This inay be done through tie medium of an Organization with a Land Pund ^ attacbed , to which Land Fond each member may or may not contribute , as he may feel disposed . This will enable all to use their own judgment on the Land scheme . It will force no one to give in his adhesion to that project unless he feel bo disposed . Every one

      belonging to the Organization must pay to the general fond ; and the general fund will be for purely political and agitating purposes ; while the separate Land Fund , to which every man may pay or not as hB pleases ^ will give "as a title to enrolment under the Benefit Societies Act ; and thus give ns the protection of the law instead of making us obnoxious to the law . We ahall then escape all the fangs of the Acts of Paihament I have before adverted to . We mBy make thai Organization as efficient as we please ; we may have branches , districts , wards , classes , and « very other snb-division that may be necessary , and these may all legally and safely correspond with each other j ana thus may all the uses and purposes of a National Organization be secured to us .

      Thus shall "we put oar pnymiga «» completely In the " *«> ngi" by fencing ourselves round with the provisions Sttf ^ mo rsi > socUI ' and religious , but of legal , ? £ ** ^ os all ttiese upon their own shewing . Our nrS ! may aen bid defiance to the Government Baffij ? ^ * £ *** powet ' an < 2 ™ Respite of all their sS ^ aL ™ »? *»" ¦*> o ne of two things : ttey SnlB ^ L ^ f , V ? ^ ** " 'or its extinction , « S ^^^ iSasC"J ! 5 s ~«^ srsjij ? 5 ^ irjs ¦ Z SSi ^^ TlZgsj-fiz

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      another next week . I ask no preference for mine above others , beyond what you may think due to its merits . But I : do implore yon to adopt some plan , and act on it universally . Without union , you ate powerless for good ; without Organization , your union cannot be manifest ; therefore I say , Organize , Organize , Obgawize 1 Your faithful friend and servant , William Hill . Tuesday , Aug . 15 , 1843 . We have before expressed a general coincidence

      of opinion with Mr . Hill on this matter ; the only difference between us being as to the desirability of presenting Chartism in a religious aspect . In this we certainly disagree with . Mr . HilLj and agree with the people : but as the point is rightfully fore-gone by Mr . Hill , in deference tQ the unequivocal feeling of the great body of English Chartists , it is not worth while further to allude to it . The mention of it at all is to prevent the possibility of our general expression of agreement in opinion ifwith the objeot and scope of the above letter being taken to refer to this point amongst the rest .

      At the close of his letter Mr . Hill intimates the probability of his sending a plan of Organization for publication this week . At the time of our present writing i \ has not come to hand . OUR PLAN however is in type ; and shall be immediately placod before the reader . We had it ready for publication last week , had time and space permitted us to give it : time to accompany it with the requisite explanation and commentary ; and space for the whole . Here , then , the Plan is . We present it as a whole ; devised to enable us to have the advantage of legal protection , and making provision for a plain , simple , understandable , efficient Organization of the

      people in Classes , Branches , and Districts ; with an Annual Convention of Delegates , for legislative purposes ; and with a General Executive Committee for the execution of the general plan embodied in the Laws and Constitution of the Sooiety , and for tbe carrying out of the measures of practice determined on by the Annual Convention . For this scheme of Organization we bespeak earnest investigation ; desiring each one to withhold all opinion , for or against , until he has read the whole , with the commentary that follows ; and weighed well tho reasons adduced in favour of its adoption . First , then , for the plan itself : —

      CONSTITUTION AND LAWS '

      OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , ESTABLISHED FOB THE MUTUAL BENEFIT OF ITS MEMBERS . CEnrolled under the Acts , 10 . Geo . IV . c . 56 , and 4 and 5 William IV . c 40 . J

      CHAPTER I . —BASIS . SECTION I . —OBJECTS . 1 . The objects of this Association are to effect , peaceably and by leason alone , a change for tbe butter in the condition of its Members , and of all classes of society , by inducing the body politic to act upon those principles of self-government , which , when applied to practice with the requisite knowledge , will ensure health , permanent prosperity , intelligence , union and happiness to all , by teaching bow to produce and distribute , in the wisest and most equitable manner , the beat ^ kinds ef wealth most abundantly ; and to GOVERN most beneficially , without force or fraud , by the removal' of tbe causes which produce evil , and the substitution of those which produce good .

      SECTION II . —MEANS . 2 . These objects are to be attained by the following means : — First—By creating a new public opinion in favour of this change In the condition of man , through the medium of public meetings , lectures , missionaries , discussions , petitions to Parliament , tracts , cheap publications , and the Newspaper FreBS ; all these means being so employed as to bring the objects of this Association prominently before the public , and the reasons that may be urged why the tbe principles on which this society is based ought to be ; applied to general practice ; and thus induce a // to join as members of this Association , to procure for themselves the manifold Benefits that would secure from its principles being generally adopted ,

      and the objects sought fer achieved . Second—By raising from time to time , by subscriptions among the members , or by voluntary contributions ; or bequests , or loans , various stocks or funds , for the mutual assistance , maintenance , and education of the members , their wives , and children , or nominees , in infancy , advanced age , sickness , ot other natural state or contingency ; also funds for defraying the incidental expenses of tbe society . , Third—By applying such stocks ot funds for the purchase or rental of land , whereon to employ the labour of tbe members ia the production of food and clothing , under such arrangements as shall secure Plenty to those so employed , and Benefit to all the rest .

      SECTION III . — PRINCIPLES . 3 . The fnndamental principles of this society are : — First—The end of all Government ought to be the happiness of the governed ; and to attain this end , withont injustice to any , it is necessary to subject those who have the power of making tbe laws to a wholesome and strict responsibility to those whose duty it is to obey them when made . Second—That this responsibility can be best enforced through the instrumentality of a body emanating from , and immediately subject to , the whola people ; thus completely representing their feelings and their interests .

      Third—That this representation to be just , must be equal ; and to be full and complete , must include tbe Suffrage of all who have arrived at the age of majority , and are liable to be called upon to beat arms in defence of the common country . Fourth—That to prevent cabal and party intrigue against the interests of tbe represented , it is necessary that the representatives should , annually , resign their trust into the hands of those for whom they have acted , that they may receive the reward due to their faithfulness or negligence , either in continued confidence , or in rejection in favour of some more worthy object Fifth—That the represented ought to be protected

      in the exercise of their rights of franchise , that their « nffrag <§ may be an expression of their own freely-formed and honest opinion , and not swayed by the' power of wealth or station acting upon dependency ; and this protection can he best afforded by a general adoption of the plan of private . voting , under such arrangements as shall secure the election from all chance of fraud or deceit . Sixth—That ability , talent , moral character and general fitness , ought alone to be the test or qualification { and not a mere possession of property ) , necessary to entitle a citizen to act as a representative of his fellow citizens ; and as no man , much leas a body of men , have any light to expect services without remuneration , whenever any member : of tbe body politic is called upon to

      devote hiB energies and talents for tbe weal of the people , he ongbt to be maintained at the expence of those whom he is serving . Seventh—That the first duty of the people is to env ploy a Boficient amount of its labour in the tilling of tbe *> il which it may occupy , so as to produce , if it be at all possible , within itself a sufficiency of all the first necessaries of life : and that , after each member of the body politic haa been supplied with home pkodbce up to the point of temperate enjoyment , tbe surplus wealth , if any , is alone available as an article of legitimate commerce , to give to other people in exchange for luxuries and delicacies - tbe equitable standard of value in each case being the actual amount of labour expended upon the : article , added to tbe eost of raw material , ¦ when measured by the same standard .

      CHAP . IL-MEMBERSHIP . ELIGIBILY , AND CARDS OP MEMBEBSH 1 >—4 Every person shall be eligible to become a member of this Association , by entering his name on its books ; be thereby expressing his agreement with its principles and objects , and his determination t » abide by its laws . Cards denoting membership shall be given to each individual member rwhen tfr joins ; and all cards ahall pa renewed every three months . 5 . Right of roting . —Members of the society shall have the privilege of speaking and voting on any business of the society relating to the general funds and general purposes , such as th 6 election of officers , &c ; the members paying to the Special Fund ( to be hereafter provided for ) shall alone bavo the decision of matters connected with that fund . No member , under any circumstances , shall be entitled to more than one vote .

      6 . Suspension . —The privilege of members , shall be suspended by the non-payment of subscriptions foi three months , unless satifactory reasons can be given to the managers of the branch for such non-payment : such suspension being devoted by the withholding of the quarterly renewal card , until the arrears are paid up , ot the managers are satisfied with the reason adduced for euch non-payment . - 7 . Dismissal—Membersr may be dismissed from tbe society by the managers of their branch for any aggravated offence against the principlea or laws of tbe society ; the dismissed member may appeal against such dismissal to a general meeting of tbe Branch , or to tbe District Board / whose decision shall be final .

      CHAPTER III . —ORGANIZATION . SECTION I . DIVISIONS . 8 . This Association shall consist of tbe members joined together in accoraaBca -with the preceding provisions , forming altogether » National association having Bbanches ; and shall bo governed as follows , vis .: — An asnual Convention , and General Executive Committee ; District Ceuncils ; Branch Boards ; and Classes .

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      they shall be immediately communicated to the District Secretary , so that an alphabetical list of tbe whole nominated in the district may be made out , and sent te each branch ] by the District Secretary , with the least possible delay . Tbe election for the number wanted shall teke place at a Special Meeting of the memberrin each branch ] holden for that purpose between the 21 st and 31 st days of March , in eacb year , and of which meeting a full week ' s notice shall be given . Tbe names of the persons nominated shall be put to tbe vote from the list in the older in which they stand , by the President or Chairman ; and the number proclaimed in each case , pro and con , registered by the Branch Secretary . A return , attested by the signatures of the President and Secretary shall be prepared at the meeting , ] and tranBmited by tbe next post to the District Secretary ; who shall , from ouch returns , declare on whom tbe election has fallen , and communicate such declaration to the General Secretary , and

      also to the Secretary of each branch in the District , within three ' daya after the day of meeting for election . Tbe returns from each branch shall be duly filed and preserved by : the District Secretary , amongst the papers of the Association . 25 . Annual Session . —An annual session of the Convention shall be holden on the first Monday in the third week of the month of April in each year ; and shall continue its sittings so long as is requisite for the transaction of business to be brought before it ; and it may adjourn , from time to time , within the twelve months afteriits first meeting .

      26 . Powers of Convention . —The Convention shall have power to make and revise tbe laws of the society ; to consider upon , and report as to tbe progress of the principles of the society , and the efficiency of the means employed to extend a knowledge of them , and induce their enforcement in practice ; to consult and devise new means for addressing the public mind , so as to operate upon it in favour of tbe change in condition sought to be effected by the society , that want may be unknown , ao ? d plenty everywhere abound , with a security byjtbe law for its full enjoyment ; to appoint the Beat of Government ; to elect the General Executive Committee , the General Treasurer , and the Trustees of the Society ; to appoint paid officers , and fix the amount ot salary ; and generally to transact such business as may come before it .

      27 . Qualifications of Delegates . —No person Bhall be eligible to sit as a delegate , who has not been a member of a branch at least six months , if the branch has been that time in existence ; nor shall any one be eligible who is not a regular subscriber to the funds of the society , and clear on the books . 28 . Ex-offido Members . — Members of the General Executive Committee and the trustees of the society may ait and speak in Convention , though not elected to represent any district ; bat in such case they shall not vote . j 29 . Tenure of Office . —The delegates shall be elected to serve in Convention for twelve mouths ; or until tbe next general election . • •

      30 . Removal \ of Delegates . —It any delegate should become so situated , by absence from tbe district , or otherwise , as not to be in a fit position , in the estimation of tbe district , ] to continue its delegate , the district may declare the office vacant . 31 . Facancies . —On the death , resignation , or-removat by the district ! of any delegate , tbe president and secretary of the district for which such delegate was elected , shall certify the same to the General Executive Committee , who Bhall forthwith iBsue their precept for the

      election of seme other member to supply the vacancy . 32 . Votes of \ Officers . —No lecturer or other salaried officer , elected as a delegate to Conveutiou , by any district , shall vote on questions personally affecting themselves . 33 . Place of ' Meeting . —The annual or special sessions of Convention , jshaJl fee held at Leeds , Manchester . Birmingham , Westminster , Edinburgh , Glasgow , or such other place as the enrolment of these laws may authorise , and as may be determined on by the annual Convention , or by the General Executive Committee .

      Section v .-j-genehal executive committee . 34 . Appointnienl—The General Executive power shall be vested in a Central Committee of Directors , to be chosen annually by Convention , from lists of nominations from the different branches of tbe Association , made at special meetings for the purpose , in the second week of March ! in each year ; such nominations to be sent to the General Secretary forthwith , that a general list of the whole may be in the handa of the members before the special meeting for the election of Delegates to Convention . ] 35- Officers , — -The Central Committee shall consist of a president , treasurer , general secretary , and two other members . Three persons shall also be annually appointed or confirmed by the Convention as the trustees of tfae Society , -who shall be ex-officio membera of the Board . Two competent persons shall also be appointed annually by Convention , as General Auditors . 36 . Qualification—Every member of the General Executive Committee , shall be a tegular subscriber to tbe funds of the Society .

      37 . Powers and Duties—The General Executive . Committee shall direct and control the general proceedings of the Society , for and in the name of the Society v they Bhall see that the laws are obeyed , and that tbe various orders of the Convention are carried into effect ; they Bhall receive all applications for Charters , and grant them where expedient ; they shall appoint general missionaries , and lecturers , when applied to by the district councils , and certified of their fitness . They shall publish such tracts and other works as they may consider calculated to promote the objects of the society ; they shall summon the annual or special sessions of Conventian as provided by the laws ; and generally they shall take tbe most efficient means in their power to promote the dissemination of the principles , and their application to practice . ]

      CHAPTER IV .-SPECIAL AND GENERAL DUTIES OF OFFICERS . SECTION I . —PRESIDENTS . 38 . Duties . —Tbe President of tbe society shall take the chair during the sittings of the Convention ; and he shall preside at the meetings of the General Executive Committee at which he may be present . Tbe Presidents shall only have a ] casting vote . The President of the society shall be the active superintending officer of the society . The Presidents of the district councils shall preside at the meetings of such councils , The Presidents of each Branch Board shall preside at the meetings of the branch or ' of the board at which he is present Each chairman shall superintend the business of the Branch or Board of wbioh be is chairman , and regularly authenticate the minutes , as entered and confirmed in the minute book .

      39 . Casual Chairman . —If at the hour at which the business of any meeting should cornuience the chairman should be absent , the directors , managers , or members present at such meeting respectively shall elect a chairman for the occasion .

      SECTION II—SECRETARIES . 40 . General Duties—The secretary of each board , council , or committee , ahall perform tbe following duties : . ) ( l . ) He ahall attend at all meetings of the board , council , or committee , of which he is secretary . ( 2 . ) He shall record correctly the nameB of the members there present , and keep the minutes of the proceedings in a book provided for that pnrpose ( 3 . ) He shall keep all the accounts , documents , and papers of the beard , council , or committee , in

      such form , manner , and place , and for such use , as tbe lawsjrequire , or board may appoint ( 4 . ) He shall also receive , io the first place , all monies payable to the board , council , or committee , of which fee Is secretary , and pay over the same to j the treasurer , after defraying such expences as may be directed . ( 5 . ) He shall , under the directions of the board , council , or committee , conduct its correspondence , and transact all business committed to him by the laws

      41 . Resignation of General Secretary—It the general Bscretary should wish to resign , he shall give . the General Executive ! Committee three mouths' notice , or pay a sum | equal to the three months ' salary . If his services should be dispensed with , the like notice Bhall be ' given , or the like amount of money be paid . | 42 . Dismissal—Should any secretary n « glect his duty , or conduct himself in a manner likely to be injurious to the interests of the society , the board , council , or committee for which he officiates may remove him from his situation , and supply the vacancy , until another secretary be duly appointed .

      SECTION III . —TREASDHEHS . 43 . Duties— The tteasnrer of each board , council , or committee , ahall have the charge of all subscriptions and other monies paid to the secretary ; and he shall pay all monies authorised by the resolutions of the board , council , or committee , on an order signed by not lest than two of its members ; and his books shall be a check on the secretary of the board , council , or committee . A duplicate , or abstract thereof , kept by the secretary , and authenticated by the ( treasurer , shall be laid before each council ot committee meeting . He shall balance his accounts quarUrly , and supply the secretary with an abstract thereof ; and shall , if required , attend tbe meetings of the board , council , or committee . He shall alao pay over the various funds as provided under the heads of " Funds" and " Returns . "

      SECTION IV . —TRUSTEES . 44 . Duties , —The trustees of theBoeiety fottbe time being , may , by tbe direction of the General Executive Committee , purchase land , buildings , implements , and other things which may be required for the purposes of the society . They may also bay , sell ont , or transfer stock when and ias directed by the General Executive Committee . The trustees shall , when required , execute a declaration of trust of all the stock , funds , or property standing and 'being in their names belonging to the society . ] 45 . Neglect . —If any ^ trustee of the society , at any time for a period of fourteen days , neglect any of the duties required of him , the directors may suspend such trustee , and appoint another in his place . SECTION V . —AUDITORS

      46 . Forcers . —Every auditor shall have access , at any time , for the purpose of inspection , to all the books , papers , deeds , and documents whatsoever , necessary to the due performance of his duties . Any general auditor , in the execution , of his duties , may call for the production of the bookB and papers of any branch or district . !

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      47 . Duties of General Auditors . —Tbe general accooau of the society shall be audited at least quarterly , by the auditors of the accounts of tbe General Executive Committee .

      SECTION VI—BESPONSIBILITY OF OFFICERS . 48 . Limitation . —No trustee , treasurer , or other officer of tbe society , shall be liable to make good anj deficiency which may arise in the funds of the seciety , unless such persons shall have respectively declared by writing under their hands , deposited and registered in like manner with the laws of the society , that they awi willing so to be answerable ; and every such effieer , or the whole of them collectively , may limit such responsibility to the sum specified in sneb . instrument or writing- But every such officer shall be personally responsiblefor all monies or other effects actually received by him on account of , or to and for the use of the society ( 10 Gao . IV . 56 , b . 22 . 1

      49 . Priority of Claims—Any monlea or effects belonging to tbe society , or any deeds or securities relating to the same and coming into the possession of any officer ef the society , may be recovered before any other debts are paid or satisfied , on the death or bankruptcy , &c , of such officer ( 4 and 5 WilL IY . c . 40 , s . 12 ) .

      SECTION . VII— OFFICES . 50 . Vacancies—Every vacancy in any office , unless otherwise provided for , shall bi filled up by the bod ; in whom is vested the original appointment But in the meantime the vacancy may be filled up by the other members of the committee or board until tho general body shall appoint 51 . Re-eligibility—On the termination of the tenure of any office , the retiring member may be re-elected .

      CHAPTER V . —BUSINESS . SECTION I . —MEETINGS . 52 . General Executive Committee Meetings . — -The Ganeral Executive Committee shall meet weekly , or oftener if necessary , at snch time as they shall appoint , at the general office of the Society in Mich place as the enrolment of these laws may authorise , and as the Convention may determine . 53 . District Council Meetings . —Bach District Council shall meet monthly , or oftener if necessary , at such place as they shall appoint . 54 . Branch Board Meetings . —The Board of each branch shall meet weekly , or oftener if necessary , at each time as they shall appoint

      65 . General Meetings . —Every branch shall hold meetings as of ten as expedient for the purpose of conversation , bearing lectures or discussions , or otherwise extending tbe general principles , and promoting good feeling , intelligence , and morality . Meetings for business shall be constituted of thoBe who hold cards of membership for thecurrerd quatier . None else shall be allowed to take part in them , or vote either for the election of delegate to Convention , District Council , or Branch Board ; or any matter affecting the Association . 56 . Notices . —No business , except of the most urgent nature , to be determined by the meeting , shall be considered at a general meeting , witbont at least seven days' notice ; and at quarterly meetings no business shall be transacted implying expense or other responsibility tu absent members , unless at least ten days ' notice thereof has been given . Such notices shall be made to the Secretary in writing , and hung up in the meeting room of the branch .

      5 f . Adjourned Meetings—Meetings held according to adjournment Bhall be devoted exclusively to the business for which the meeting was adjourned .

      SECTION . II ELECTIONS . 58 . fates . —At elections of officers , and delegates to Convention , the votes shall be taken by a show of hands , unless a ballot be demanded ; and when a ballot : is demanded , the votes Bhall bs taken by the use of voting papers , where more than one person is to be elected ; or by the use of balls where that is more convenient . 59 . Scrutineers—Two members shall be appointed as scrutineers , to receive the votes , and report tbe result 60 . Time—An hour shall be fixed , after which no vote shall be reeeived ; and every election shall be finished by the meeting then assembled , and without adjournment .

      SECTION III . —QUORUMS . 61 . Quoi-um of Boards . —Three of the members shall be a quorum of eacb Board ; bat snch quorum shall be unanimous in all its resolutions , unless there be present a majority of the members of the Board . SECTION IV . —CORRESPONDENCE . 62 . By Secretaries . —All official correspondence shall be conducted through and by the agency of tha several secretaries ; and no letter or document shall be considered genuine , unless expressed as signed by order and on behalf of the body by whom it is authorized .

      CHAPTER VI . —DISSEMINATION OF THE

      PRINCIPLES . 63 . Lecturers . —The public promulgation of the principles and objects of the society shall be more particularly confided to salaried lecturers and district missionaries . The amount of salary shall be determined by each district . 64 . Examination . —No individual shall be appointed to tbe office of lecturer or district missionary , unless he is a member of the society , and until he has been exa > mined aB to his qualification by the District Council . He shall produce testimonials of good character . He shall answer general questions ; and he shall satisfy tbe examiners that he possesses the requisite oraterial powers for lecturing and debating ; and the District Council shall certify as to his fitness to the General Executive Committee , who shall then make the appointment

      65 . Certificate . —Each lecturer at . d district missionary shall , upon his appointment , receive a certificate of such appointment from the General Executive Committee ; and upon any such lecturer or missionary resigning his situation , or being dismissed therefrom , he shall deliver back such certificate : such appointment , withdrawal , or dismissal , to be published in the organ of the Bocieiy , signed by the officers who usually sign official documents . No one but those bearing such certificate , or appointed by the District Council as a local lecturer , shall be allowed to lecture in any branch , or bo recognized as lecturers of the society .

      66 . Dismissal . —Any lecturer or district missionary shall be deprived of his office for neglect of duty , ot such discharge of it as would injure the cause which he was appointed to promote ; or on account of mental or moral incapacity . Such dismissal to be by the General Executive Committee on application from a District Council or Branch Board , and satisfaction given that the case calls for such an exercise of power . 67 . Local Lecturers . —The District Council may appoint , after examination , parties to the station of local lecturers , who , along with the district lecturer , shall be under the controul of the District Council .

      CHAPTER VII . —FUNDS , SECTION I . —GENERAL EXPENCES . 68 . General Fund—A fund for defraying the general expences of the Soeiety , such as salaries of General Secretary , and other general officers , salaries of lecturers or missionaries , rents of Halls , or places of public meetings , &e ., &c , shall be raised as follows : — First—By each member paying two-pence for his card of membership when he firat enrols Mb name on tbe Society ' s books ; and one penny every time it is renewed , which shall be every three months . Second—By each member contributing weekly to such fund the sum of one penny , either direct to the branch secretary , or through the class-leader , or weekly visitor , as may be determined on by tbe branch itself . Third—By donations and contributions from friends :

      and by collections at the general meeting for lectures , discussions , conversations , or entertainments . 69 . Appropriation of General Fund—The sums of money received by each Branch Secretary for cards of membership shall be monthly remitted to the General Secretary for the use of the General Executive Committee . The General Executive Committee shall also be entitled to , and receive , one fourth of the member ' s weekly subscriptions , which shall be remitted monthly to the General Secretary , by the Branch Secretary . The other three-touxths of the penny weekly subscription , along with the donations , contributions and collections , shall be lodged with tbe Branch Treasurer , to be used by the Branch Boards for local expences , and tor the satisfying of the levies of the District Council for missionary and lecturing purposes ; which , levies shall always be at the rate of a certain sum per member throughout the district ; and when laid , shall be paid by tbe Branch Treasurer , to the District Treasurer , or to his order .

      SECTION II—SPECIAL FUND FOB THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE MEMBERS ON THE LAND . 70—Land Fund—A fund for the purchase or rental of land , and for the erection of suitable buildings , shall be raised by subscription , at tbe rate of sixpence ( or threepence ) per week from such members as may be able and willing to contribute to such fund . 71 . Fines . —Every contributor to the land fund neglecting to pay the weekly contributiens to that fond shall be fined for such neglect at the following rates : — For one month , one halfpenny ; „ two months , one penny ; „ three months , fourpence ;

      „ four months , eightpence ; „ five months , one shilling ; „ six months , one and sixpence ; and „ each subsequent month , one shilling ; And any contributor continuing such neglect until the fines incurred thereby are equal to the amount of all the monies actually paid by him to the land fond , anch contributor shall thereupon be dismissed , and such monies shall be applied in discharge of the fines so incurred . But the directors Or local managers may remit any of the Mid fines upon satisfactory evidence being given them of sickness or other sufficient oocasioa for such neglect .

      72 . Appropriation of Fines . —All rams arising from the payment of fines under the above tale shall form part of the land fund . 73 . Check Card . —Every member shall be provided with a check card , on which all contributions to the land fund shall be entered at the time of his paying the same , and this card shall be a sufficient voucher for all sums so paid , until they reach the sum of one pound , when a certificate , or scrip , shall be given him , agreeable to the following form .- — ( Continued in our seventh page . ) -

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      THE NORTH E ft N _^ J & - i - - — — r

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      SECTION II . —OBGANIZATION OF BRANCHES . 9 . Formation of Branches . —Persons desirous of forming a branch of this society , Bhall forward to tbe genaral Executive Committee an application for A CHARTER , signed by at least ten names , and in accordance with the following form : — We the undersigned inhabitants of In the county of , having been made acquainted with the objects , principles , and laws of the " National Charter Association for Mutual Benefit , " and being desirous of promoting tbe objects of that society , and willing to abide by the rules which are now promulgated , or which may be from time to time enacted , in accordance with the constitution of the society , and in accordance with the laws protecting Benefit Societies , do hereby request that a Charter may be granted to aa to open a branch of the society in abovementioned . - Name of street tfa «» e ( in full ) . Agt . Trade . or place of abode .

      An ffiA raralnf nf nn ^ h finnTfanM / tm tu Aano . af 17 «» a On the receipt of such application , the General Executive Committee shall institute inquiries as to tbe knowledge and general fitness of such persons for promoting the genera ) objects of the society ; and upon satisfaction as to these particulars , a CHARTER authorizing the applicants to open a Branch of the National Charter Association for Mutual Benefit , shall be issued , and to remain a Branch of the said Association , so long as they Labour to promote its interests , and advance its objects , by a strict adherence to its laws and constitution , and a due performance of the duties of membership . For such Charter the sum of — shall be paid to the General Execntlve Committee .

      10 . Constitution of Branches . —Eacb branch shall consist of the persons to whom a Charter lias been granted , and of the persons enrolled under it , so long aa they continue to comply with tbe laws of the Association : but neglect of the laws , or nonconformity thereto , shall subject any branch so offending to forfeiture of its Charter , at the discretion of the General Executive Committee . Against ; such decision the branch may appeal to the Annual ; Conference , at its next session , whose decision Bhall be final . Should that decision be in accordance with the decision of the Executive Committee , tbe monies in hand , belonging such branch , shall be returned .

      1 L . Duties of Branches—Each branch shall carry into effect the rules as to the admission , suspension , or dismissal of members ; the collection and application of funds ; tbe obtaining and management of places for public meetings , and for meetings of tbe members and their families , for business , instruction , and entertainment ; and generally to co-operate to carry out the objects of the Association . 12 . Government of Branches . —The Board , or Committee of Management of each branch shall consist of seven members ; namely ,, a president , secretary , treasurer , and four others who shall be appointed by the members of the branch .

      13 . Election , and Tenure of Office . —Three members of suoh Board Bhall resign office each quarter in rotation ; the members elected by Ihe fewest votes going out at the end of the first quarter ; and afterwards the three next longest in office . All the members to be eligible to re-election . The nominations shall be made at least two weeks before the day of election ; and the election shall take place at a general meeting of the branch held within seven days of tbe 1 st of the respective months of March , June , September , and December , in each year . The persons then elected shall enter upon office on the 1 st day of tbe following month .

      14 . Duties of Branch Boards—The duties of the Branch Boards shall consist of general supervision of the business of the branch ; entering into arrangements for the due possession of a place of public meeting , where desirable ; and for the due occupation of such place of meeting for lectures , discussions , discourses , meetings for members , and all other purposes not unlawful or inconsistent with the objects of the Association . They shall also arrange for the enforcement of the rules of the Association , by providing means for the due collection of the subscriptions of the members , either by the Branch Secretary weekly sitting at an appointed time and place to receive them ; ox by Visitors appointed to wait weekly upon the members at their own homes to collect them ; or by Class Leaders , whenever it is deemed expedient by the members of any branch to ; form themselves into classes ; and tbe branch boards shall generally listen to , and carry out , the suggestions and instructions of the

      members of the branch , when such instructions do not palpably infringe on toe general laws and rules of the body . 15 . Classes . —Whenever tbe members of any branch determine that it might conduce to the welfare and advantage of the Branch to be divided into Classes , the Branch Board have hereby the *' power to constitute them of as many members as may be determined on , according to locality . Each Class , When constituted , shall choose for itself a Leader , subject to tbe confirmation of the Branch Board . The duties of the Leader will be to a # ange for conversational meetings with his class , at a place of meeting most convenient ; to hold friendly discussions relative to the principles and objects of the Association ; to read the tracts , and authorized documents and reports of the general body ; to collect the subscriptions of the members , and weekly hand them over to tbe Branch Secretary ; and generally to infuse a spirit of kindness and forbearance amongst the members .

      16 . Appointment of Auditors . —At the time of each election for members of the Branch Board , two Auditors Bhall also be appointed , to remain in office till their snecessors are appointed . They shall be nominated and appointed just in like manner as the Branch Boardmen . Their duty shall be to look over the accounts of the banch as often as they please ; but never less than twice a quarter ; and , at the end of the quarter , report to the general meeting of members tbe condition in which they find tbe books at tbat tima They are not to confine their attention to a mere adding up of the accounts ; bat : satisfy themselves as to the correctness of each item , by calling tor explanation and vouchers whenever there is the least doubt- It will also be their duty to report immediately to tbe branch , whenever they discover any , the slightest defalcation ; or 5 departure from tbe strictest rules of business and order .

      SECTION III . —ON OHOANIZAl'ION OF DISTRICTS . 17 . Formation of Districts , —Qre&t Britain shall be divided into districts , comprising a union of branches for ; district purposes , conformable to arrangements which may from time to time be made by the Annual Convention , and subject to such revisions by tbe General Executive Committee , as local or temporary circumstances may call for . The size of the district shall be governed by the necessities of each case , regard being first had to the ability of tbe confederated branches to maintain and employ a district lecturer .

      18 . District Councils . —Each district shall be geverned by a District Council , consisting of one member from each branch , elected by tbat branch to serve for one quarter ; and one member from each branch , as district delegate , to be elected every mohtb . The nomination and election of the Quarterly District Councilman shall take place at tbe same time , and iu the eame manner , as , the nomination and election of tbe Branch Board ; the lection of the monthly delegate at the usual weekly meeting of the branch , after a week ' s previous nomination . IP ' . Place of Meeting . —The District Board , so constituted , shall meet either in a fixed place regularly ; or move from place to place , as shall be deemed most advantageous by the majority of branches comprising tbe district .

      20 ; District Officers . —In addition to the District Board , so constituted , the branches in tbe district shall also appoint a District Secretary and a District Treasurer . Nominations for these twe officers may be made by any branch , three weeks previously to the election of Branch Boards and District Councilmen ; such j nomination to be immediately communicated to tbe secretary of each other branch throughout the district . The votes of each branch shall be taken for each candidate ; and those who have the majority of votes ; when the declaration is made by the Branch Secretaries at the first District Council meeting after such voting , ¦ hall be deemed to be elected . The District Secretary and Treasurer shall attend the D . btrict Meetings , and shall be at liberty to speak thereat , but not to vote .

      21 . District Auditors . —Th * District Council , at their first meeting in every quarter , shall appoint two auditors from amongst the members of the Association , not District Councilman ; and these auditors are required to perform similar duties , and are hereby invested with the necessary power over the accounts of the District Council , as the branch auditors have over the accounts of the branch . 22 . i Duties of the District Council . —The District Council shall make arrangements for tbe district lecturer to lecture in each locality of the distriot , according to their best judgment / they shall examine as to the fitness of any lecturer in their district applying to beeome general lecturer for the sooiety , and certify

      their opinion to the Executive Committee : they shall examine , appoint , and suspend voluntary or local lecturers ; see that their labours are suitably directed ; draw up regular plans for local lecturing ; assist in superintending the arrangements for places of meeting in the several branches ; or make the necessary arrangements for taking and occupying a place on behalf of thewhole district , where it is determined to have only one place of public meeting in the district , that operations rpay be concentrated . ; They Bhall also review and finally determine all matters of complaint appealed from any branch in the district ; see to tho general efficiency of the branches ; and generally , cooperate to carry out the objects of the sooiety .

      I SECTION IV — ANNUAL COtfVENTIOW . 23 . Constitution . —The legislative powers of this Association shall be vested in an ; Annual Convention of Delegates from the several districts of the Association , j The scale of representation being one delegate for every five hundred members . 24 . Mode of Nomination and Election . —Every branch in the district shall have the power to nominate the number ! of Delegates required for their district , at a meeting of the members holdea specially for that purpose between the 31 st day of January and the 7 th day of February in eacb year . When the nominations are made ,

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 26, 1843, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct816/page/6/