Constitution and By Laws of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee
- Title
- Constitution and By Laws of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Date Created
- 1 January 1851
- Location(s)
- Philadelphia
- Format
- Pamphlet. 24 page(s).
- 1
- Type
- Pamphlet
- Physical Characteristics
- Typescript
- content
-
Rev. Isaac Leeser. 371. Walnut St
CONSTITUTION
AND
BY-LAWS
OF THE
HEBREWBENEVOLENT SOCIETYOFMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
Instituted, September 1st, 1850.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY JOHN YOUNG, BLACK HORSE ALLEY,
1851.
CONSTITUTION
AND
BY-LAWS
OF THE
HEBREWBENEVOLENT SOCIETYOFMEMPHIS, TENNESSEE.
Instituted, September 1st, 1850.
PHILADELPHIA:
PRINTED BY JOHN YOUNG, BLACK HORSE ALLEY,
1851.
LEESER LIBRARY, HEBREW EDUCATION SOCIETY.
FORM OF PETITION.
To the President and Members of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee. The subscriber respectfully represents, that he is desirous of becoming a member of your society, and is ready and willing to uphold, and support, your Constitution and By-Laws. His age is [...] years, and resides in [...] Signed, [...]
PREAMBLE.
WHEREAS, it having been found necessary and ex-pedient, by the Israelites of this community, to unite themselves, and establish a society, for the purpose of promoting our sacred religion, and to give a stability to our cherished institutions, it is then our first and paramount duty, to administer to the wants of the poor and needy, succor the widow and orphan, to visit and alleviate the sufferings of our sick brethren, and also to bury the dead of the house of Israel.
CONSTITUTION.
ARTICLE 1.—Title.
This society shall be known by the name of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee.
ARTICLE 2.—Officers.
The officers of this society shall consist of a Pre-sident, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Board of Trustees (consisting of three,) who shall serve for one year.
ARTICLE 3.
Time of holding Election, and Quorum.
The officers shall be elected annually, on the first Sunday in October, provided a quorum be present, which shall consist of nine members; and no busi-ness of any character whatever, shall be transacted at any time, unless there be a quorum present.
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ARTICLE 4.—Manner of conducting Elections.
All elections shall be determined by ballot: the bal-lot box shall be placed before the President, and all ballots shall be deposited by the member voting in the same, and shall be inspected by the President and counted by the secretary.
ARTICLE 5.—Duties of the President.
The President shall preside over all meetings, and enforce strict order and decorum, and a prompt ad-herence to the Constitution and By-Laws, and shall call special meetings, whenever five members shall request the same; and has power to draw upon the Treasurer for such sums as may be voted upon, or such amounts as the By-Laws may authorize him to expend, having all orders on the Treasurer counter-signed by the Vice President; and it shall be his duty to see that all officers perform their respective duties, and shall not vote at any meeting unless there be an equal division, when he shall give the casting vote.
ARTICLE 6.—Duties of the Vice President.
The Vice President shall assist the President, if necessary, in preserving good order, and during the absence of the President, he shall perform his duty, and shall countersign all orders on the Treasurer.
ARTICLE 7.—Duties of the Secretary.
The Secretary shall keep a fair and impartial record of all proceedings of the society, and shall receive all moneys due the society, and shall, once in every month, pay over to the Treasurer all sums received by him, and take a receipt for the same, and shall notify each member residing in this city, in writing, of every called meeting, under the penalty of twenty-five cents, and shall report, to the next meeting,
5
under the like penalty, any member that may be three months in arrears; and shall, under like penalty, notify such member, in writing, within five days after the expiration of the three months, of his indebted-ness, (provided he resides in this city;) and shall lay before every quarterly meeting, a full and correct statement of the finances of the society, and shall present a list of all members that may be in arrears, for dues or fines, and the amount that each may owe the society, and shall, under the penalty of twenty-five cents, notify, in writing, (as soon after as it may be ascertained,) every member residing in this city, that may be six months in arrears.
ARTICLE 8.—Duties of the Treasurer.
The Treasurer shall receive all moneys from the Secretary, and give his receipt for the same; he shall pay all orders drawn by the President, and counter-signed by the Vice President, and shall keep a cor-rect account of all moneys received by him; and shall lay before every quarterly meeting a full and correct report of all cash received, orders paid, and produce the vouchers for the same, and exhibit the amount of balance in his hands.
ARTICLE 9.—Duties of the Trustees.
The Trustees shall hold in trust, for the use and benefit of this society, all property of every descrip-tion, which it may become possessed of, and shall receive from the Treasurer all sums of money he may have in hand over fifty dollars, and give their receipt for the same; always leaving that amount in his hands, to meet any contingency that may occur; and should they deem it advisable to invest the funds of the society in any manner, so that interest accrue from it, they are vested with power to do so, provided
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it be approved of by any meeting, such approval to take place prior to said investment; or they may de-posite the same in the Planters' or Union Bank, to the credit of this society; and the same shall always be subject to the order of the President, if counter-signed by the Vice President, upon ten days' previous notice; and they shall, under the penalty of twenty-five cents, make a correct report to every quarterly meeting, of all sums received by them, or of any de-posite or investment made by them, and shall pro-duce their vouchers for the same.
ARTICLE 10.—Existence of Society.
This society shall not be dissolved so long as nine members are willing to continue the same.
ARTICLE 11.—Amending the Constitution.
No alteration or amendment shall be made in this Constitution, or annexed By-Laws, unless by a ma-jority of two-thirds of the members, residing in this city, being present, and notice being given at a pre-vious assembly, at least thirty days prior, to the proposed meeting for amendment.
BY-LAWS.
LAW 1.—Stated Meetings.
A regular meeting shall be held on the first Sunday in every month, at 3 o'clock, P. M., a general attendance is expected; thirty minutes after the time specified for attending a regular or called meeting, the roll will be called, and every absent member shall be fined twenty-five cents, unless he can render to the next meeting a satisfactory excuse for his absence.
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LAW 2.—Requisites for Membership.
Every applicant for membership shall not be less than eighteen, nor over fifty years of age, and known to be an Israelite of good moral character, exempt from disease, and capable of obtaining a livelihood.
LAW 3.—Initiation Fee.
Any person wishing to become a member of this society, must send in his petition, accompanied with four dollars, that being the amount of initiation fee.
LAW 4.—Manner of Electing Members.
If any applicant for membership be known by three members to be of good standing, he shall be balloted for, and should he receive two-thirds of the votes pre-sent, he shall be declared elected; and should said applicant be unknown, his petition and initiation fee shall remain in the hands of the Secretary until the next meeting, during which time, it shall be the duty of the President to make enquiry respecting the cha-racter and habits of said applicant, and if it be found that he possesses the necessary qualifications, he shall be balloted for.
LAW 5.—Petitions presented the second time.
Should any applicant for membership not receive a sufficient number of votes to elect him on the first presentation of his petition, he cannot become an ap-plicant again in less than three months, and should he not be elected at the second balloting, his petition shall not be received again by this society.
LAW 6.—Disqualification for Membership.
No person, under any circumstances or considera-tions whatever, can become a member, who has mar-ried contrary to the laws of Moses and Israel.
8
LAW 7.—Eligibility for office.
No member shall be a candidate for President, or Vice President, who has not arrived at the age of maturity (21 years).
LAW 8.—Manner of addressing meetings.
Any member wishing to speak, shall rise, and re-spectfully address the presiding officer, and shall not be permitted to speak in any other language than English, under the penalty of twenty-five cents, in order that every member present may understand what is proceeding.
LAW 9.—Fines for disturbing Meetings.
In order to have the business of the society pro-gress with despatch and good decorum, should any member disturb the meeting, or make any personal allusions, or use profane language, or conduct himself improperly in any manner, such member shall be fined twenty-five cents for the first offence, and fifty cents for the second, and should he continue to act disorderly, he shall be expelled by a majority of those present, it being our desire to meet as brothers, and that good feeling, friendship and harmony shall exist toward each other.
LAW 10.—Subjects disconnected with the Society.
No member shall introduce at any meeting, any subject whatever disconnected with the Constitution or By-Laws, which may be calculated to agitate, or create any excitement among the members, under a fine of twenty-five cents for the first, and fifty cents for each succeeding time.
LAW 11.—Fine for leaving Meeting.
Should any meeting be organized, and any mem-
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ber leave, so that a quorum is not present, such mem-ber shall be fined fifty cents for the first time, and one dollar for the second violation of this law.
LAW 12.—Monthly Dues.
Each member shall contribute the sum of fifty cents monthly, for the support of this society, which shall be applied to the general fund.
LAW 13.—Not paying Dues or Fines.
Should any member not pay his dues or fines, for three months, twenty days after that period, he shall not have the right of voting, or holding any office, and shall be suspended from all benefits accruing from this institution, and shall not be entitled to receive the same again in less than sixty days, after paying up all arrears; and should he be six months in arrears, and not liquidate the same, after receiving notice, in writing, from the Secretary, of his indebtedness, he shall be declared, at the next meeting expelled from the society, without any vote being taken.
LAW 14.—Wishing to Withdraw.
Any member wishing to withdraw from this so-ciety, can do so by tendering his resignation in writing, accompanied with the amount which may be due from him, which resignation shall be received and a discharge granted; but, in no case will the resigna-tion be received, unless all arrears be first paid, and should he fail to comply with this law, he shall be considered still a member, and subject to the provisions of law 13.
LAW 15.—Expelled Members.
Any person applying for admission into this society that has been a member, and forfeited the same by
10
not paying their dues or fines, shall not be balloted for, until all arrears are paid which they may stand indebted in up to the time of their expulsion.
LAW 16.—Amount at the disposal of the President.
The President shall not be vested with power to bestow on any applicant for relief, or for any purpose whatever, a larger sum than five dollars, unless voted for at a previous meeting.
LAW 17.—Sick Members.
Any member that may be taken sick, or meet with any accident, so that he is unable to follow his occu-pation, shall be entitled to the benefits of the society during the time of his indisposition; and if said sick member resides out of this city, he shall notify some officer of his indisposition, accompanied with a certi-ficate from his attending physician, stating the time he was unable to attend to his regular business.
LAW 18.—Weekly Benefits.
Any member that is sick, and unable to follow his occupation, shall receive three dollars per week, from the funds of the society, and be exempt from dues during his indisposition.
LAW 19.—Marrying contrary to Religion.
Should any member marry contrary to the laws of Moses and Israel, he shall, in such case, immediately forfeit all claim to membership.
LAW 20.—Absent Members.
Should any member be absent from this city for one or more years, and upon his return he will pay up all arrears due the society during his absence, he shall be considered still a member, and not having forfeited his membership.
11
LAW 21.—Officers neglecting Duty.
Any officer neglecting or refusing to perform his duty, or acting contrary to the Constitution or By-Laws, shall be arraigned before the next meeting, and if the charge against him can be substantiated, he may be dismissed from office, by the vote being taken, and two-thirds present, being in favor of such dis-missal.
LAW 22.—Resignation or Removal of President.
Should the President resign, or be removed by any occurrence, during his term of office, the Vice Presi-dent shall serve as President until the annual election.
LAW 23.—Officers Resigning.
Should any officer resign, or leave the city for three months, such vacancy shall be filled at the next meet-ing, provided such vacancy occurs previous to the first of July; if after that period, the President shall fill such office by appointment, until the annual elec-tion.
LAW 24.—Relief Committee.
The President shall appoint, at the annual election (or as soon after as convenient) a Relief Committee, consisting of three, who shall serve for one year, whose duty it shall be to report to him if any member be sick, or if any needy or sick brother of Israel be among us, in order that steps may be immediately taken to administer to his wants, or alleviate his suf-ferings as much as lies in our power.
LAW 25.—Attending Sick Members.
Should any member, or sick brother of Israel re-quire some person, or persons, to watch over him by day or night, the President has power to appoint one or more members, as he may deem most expedient,
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to perform such duty; or, should he deem it advisa-ble, he is authorized to hire from the funds of the society, some person or persons to perform such duty.
LAW 26.—Not attending Sick Members.
Any member who shall refuse to watch over a sick member, or brother, or furnish a substitute, when ap-pointed to do so by the President, shall pay a fine of one dollar.
LAW 27.—Refusing to become a Member.
Any person residing in this city, or in any of the adjacent counties, who refuses to become a member, when solicited to do so by any officer, shall not be en-titled to the benefit of law 25.
LAW 28.—Duty of all Officers.
It shall be the duty of every officer to solicit every brother of Israel that may come here for the purpose of residing among us, or any Israelite visiting this place, and residing in any of the adjoining counties, to become a member of this society.
LAW 29.
Duty of Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees.
Should the Secretary, Treasurer or Trustees fail to present their book or books, and vouchers, to every quarterly meeting, they shall be fined fifty cents for the same, or should either of the above officers fail to pro-duce their books and vouchers to any called meeting, when notified to do so, by the President or Vice Pre-sident, they shall pay a fine of fifty cents for such neglect; or, should either of the above officers have their book or books belonging to the society defaced, so that the writing is not legible, or should either of
13
them lose any book, (except by fire,) such officer shall pay a fine of five dollars for the same.
LAW 30.—Committee of Finance.
There shall be appointed at the annual election, (by the meeting) a committee of three, who shall serve for one year, whose duty it shall be to examine the books, vouchers, and quarterly reports of Secretary, Treasurer, and Trustees, and shall, under the penalty of fifty cents each, report to the next monthly meet-ing concerning them, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees to deliver their books and vouchers to the committee when applied for, in default of which they shall be fined one dollar each, at the next meeting.
LAW 31.—Duty of officers whose term has expired.
All officers, whose term of office has expired, shall deliver over to their successors, within five days after his election, all moneys, books, papers, or property of any description, which he may have in his possession belonging to the society, and take a receipt for the same, under the penalty of two dollars.
LAW 32.—Honorary Member.
As a mark of esteem to any person, that has been a benefactor of this institution, they may be elected an honorary member, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this society, (except the right of voting, receiving weekly benefits, and holding any office,) and shall be exempt from dues and fines, and on their election shall be notified of the same in writing, signed by the President and attested by the Secretary.
LAW 33.—Manner of Collecting Fines.
All fines shall be collected the same as monthly dues, and applied to the general fund.
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LAW 34.—To establish a Burial Ground Fund.
There shall be twenty per cent. taken from all the money accruing from initiation fees, dues, fines and donations, for the express purpose of establishing a distinct and separate fund, to be called the Burial Ground Fund, which shall be used for no other pur-pose whatever, than is designated in the By-Laws of Burial Ground; and should that fund at any time, not be sufficient to carry out the purposes for which it is intended, such sums may be loaned or appro-priated out of the general fund, as may be deemed necessary for that purpose, and there shall be a dis-tinct and separate account kept of both funds.
LAW 35.—Constitution and By-Laws.
Every member shall be entitled to receive one copy of the Constitution and By-Laws free of charge, and should any member want an additional copy, he shall pay twenty-five cents for the same.
RULES OF ORDER.
SECTION 1. When the presiding officer calls the meeting to order, there shall be a general silence ob-served, and the business of the day commence in the following order:
SEC. 2. ORDER OF BUSINESS.
1. Roll to be called.
2. Minutes of previous meeting read.
3. Excuses for absence at previous meeting.
4. Petitions for membership.
5. Election of members.
6. Reports of officers.
7. Do. committees.
8. Officers not performing their duty.
SEC. 3. If more than one rise to address the meet-
15
ing at the same time, the President shall decide who is entitled to the floor—such decision shall be without appeal.
SEC. 4. No motion shall be discussed until the same has been seconded, and put to the meeting by the President.
SEC. 5. If any member, while speaking, be called to order, by any member, he shall take his seat, until it be decided whether he is in order or not.
SEC. 6. Every member present shall vote on all questions, unless excused by the chair; and should the President discover that any member has not voted, he shall make enquiry, and cause such member to assign his reason for not doing so.
SEC. 7. When any business has been decided upon, it shall be in order for any member voting in the ma-jority at the same meeting, to move a reconsideration thereof.
SEC. 8. No subject which has been discussed and lost by a majority, shall be presented again for the consideration of any meeting, in a period shorter than one year after its defeat.
Index to Constitution and By-Laws.
PAGE.
Amending the Constitution, - - - - - 6
Amount at the disposal of the President, - - - 10
Absent members, - - - - - - - 10
Attending sick members, - - - - - 11
Committee of Finance, - - - - - - 13
Constitution and By-Laws, - - - - - 14
Duties of the President, - - - - - - 4
" Vice President, - - - - - - 4
" Secretary, - - - - - - 4
" Treasurer, - - - - - - 5
" Trustees, - - - - - - 5
Disqualification for membership, - - - - 7
Duty of all officers, - - - - - - - 12
" Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees, - - 12
" Officers whose term has expired, - - 13
Existence of Society, - - - - - - 6
Eligibility for office, - - - - - - 8
Expelled members, - - - - - - 9
Form of Petition, - - - - - - - 2
Fines for disturbing meetings, - - - - 8
Fine for leaving meetings, - - - - - 8
Honorary members, - - - - - - 13
Initiation Fee, - - - - - - - 7
Manner of conducting elections, - - - - 4
" " electing members, - - - - - 7
" " addressing meetings, - - - - 8
Monthly dues, - - - - - - - 9
Marrying contrary to religion, - - - - 10
Manner of collecting fines, - - - - - 13
Not paying dues or fines, - - - - - 9
Not attending sick members, - - - - - 12
Officers, - - - - - - - - 3
" resigning, - - - - - - - 11
" neglecting duty, - - - - - 11
Preamble, - - - - - - - - 3
Petitions presented the second time, - - - 7
Requisites for membership, - - - - - 7
Resignation or removal of president, - - - 11
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PAGE.
Relief committee, - - - - - - - 11
Refusing to become a member, - - - - 12
Rules of order, - - - - - - 14
Stated meetings, - - - - - - - - 6
Subjects disconnected with society, - - - 8
Sick members, - - - - - - - 10
Title, - - - - - - - - - 3
Time of holding election and quorum, - - - 3
To establish a burial ground fund, - - - - 14
Wishing to withdraw, - - - - - - 9
Weekly benefits. - - - - - - - 10
The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year:—
BENJAMIN EMANUEL, President.
MOSES SIMONS, Vice President.
EMANUEL LEVY, Secretary.
JACOB BLOIM, Treasurer.
Nathan Levy, Trustees.
Henry Oppenheimer,
Moses Bomberger,
BY-LAWS OF BURIAL GROUND.
PREAMBLE.
Whereas, we have obtained a Burial Ground, which will be of considerable expense, in clearing, arrang-ing and keeping the fence, ground and wash house in good order and repair. The members of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of this City, wish it distinctly and and emphatically understood, by every Israelite under whose notice this Society may come, that we do not positively make any charge whatsoever, for the ground, on which any person may be buried, the small sum which may be asked from those (whose circumstances will admit of paying) that are not mem-bers of this Society, who may wish their relatives or friends buried in our ground, is solely for the purpose of assisting to pay for keeping the ground well enclo-sed and arranged, and also, for keeping the wash house in good repair, and purchasing any article that may be necessary to be used about the premises.
BY-LAWS.
LAW 1.— Burial Ground Fund.
The twenty per cent. taken from the general fund, and all donations which may be given towards the support of the burial ground, as well as all sums that may be received from interments, shall go into a fund to be called the Burial Ground Fund, which fund shall be applied and used solely as follows: for the purpose of defraying the funeral expenses of those
19
that may die in need, and for improving and keeping in order and repair, the ground, fence, and wash-house, and purchasing such things as may be neces-sary to be used about the premises.
LAW 2.—Who shall be buried.
No person possessed of sane mind, under any cir-cumstance or considerations whatever, shall be buried in our ground, that has not died in the Jewish faith, or expressed a desire previous to death, to be entered among Israelites.
LAW 3.—Members Rights.
Every member, who has not forfeited the benefits of the society, shall be entitled to the use of the ground, free of charge, for the purpose of burying said member on, his wife or unmarried children, under the age of 18 years.
LAW 4.—Widows' and Orphans' Rights.
Should any member die, that had not forfeited the benefits of the society at the time of his death, his widow, and his children, who are under the age of 18 years at the time of their demise, are entitled to be buried free of charge.
LAW 5.—Those that are not members.
Every person applying for interment, whose cir-cumstances will admit of it, shall pay not less than five, nor more than twenty-five dollars, for the same.
LAW 6.—Duty of the President and two Members.
It shall be the duty of the President, and any two members he may select, to enquire of the relative or friend applying for interment, (should it not be known to them,) in what manner the deceased came to his or her death, and if married, was he or she married according to the laws of Israel, and if the deceased
20
died in the Jewish faith; and it shall be their duty to enquire into the circumstances of the deceased, or re-lative, or friend, and after ascertaining the above facts, they are vested with full power to appoint the place where the corpse shall be buried, and to fix the sum to be paid towards keeping the ground and improve-ments in order, which decision must, in all instances, be adhered to.
LAW 7.—Pesident and Members' decision.
The sum assessed by the President and two mem-bers, for the purpose of keeping the ground in order, shall in every instance be paid, previous to the grave being dug.
LAW 8.—Burying the Poor.
Any member, brother or sister of Israel that may die among us, without having the means of defraying their funeral expenses, shall be buried out of the funds of the society; and the President is vested with power to have the said member, brother and sister, buried, and draw upon the Treasurer for the cost thereof.
LAW 9.—Forfeiting the Benefits.
Any member, who has forfeited the benefits of the Society, in case he should die, or any member of his family, shall pay the same for burial as those that are not members.
LAW 10.—Where to be Buried.
Every person that may be buried on our ground, (except those mentioned in laws 11 and 12,) shall be laid on the row next to the last body interred, and under no circumstances or considerations, shall any parti-cular place be selected or reserved for any person or persons whatever (except the place enclosed, which is for interring any member or connections of Joseph T. Andrews on.)
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LAW 11.—Died or Married contrary to Religion.
Any person that may have committed suicide, or was married contrary to the laws of Israel, or it is not positively known in what faith they died, shall in no instance be laid in any other place, than the row designated for that purpose.
LAW 12.—Site for Suicides.
There shall be selected, by the superintendents, as much ground as they may deem necessary, which shall be reserved and kept, for the purpose of burying any person that may have died according to law 11.
LAW 13.—Fine for keeping Keys.
The keys of the burial ground shall be deposited with the President, and any member taking the same, and not returning them within one day, after at-tending to his duty, or visiting the ground, shall be reported by the President to the next meeting, and fined twenty-five cents, for each violation of this law.
LAW 14.—Duty of the President.
It shall be the duty of the President to keep the keys of the burial ground, in some place where they can be obtained at any moment they may be wanting, and should he fail to do so, (unless in the possession of some other person.) the person applying for them, shall under the penalty of twenty-five cents, report the president to the next meeting, who shall be fined one dollar for neglect of duty.
LAW 15.—Immediate Repairs.
Should any repairs be wanting to the house, fence, or ground, which will not admit of delay, the Presi-dent is authorized to have the same done, and draw upon the Treasurer for the amount, which the same may cost.
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LAW 16.—Duty of Superintendents.
There shall be elected annually on the first Sunday in October, four Superintendents, who shall serve for one year, whose duty it shall be to confer together, from time to time, respecting what improvements they may deem necessary to be made about the burial ground, and shall report the same to meetings for action, and they are authorized to receive proposals and let out contracts for repairs or improvements, that have been acted upon by any meeting, and it shall be their duty to inspect and examine all work which may be done about the ground or premises, and if done in workmanlike manner, they shall re-ceive the same and give the parties filling such con-tract, a certificate to the President stating the same, and it shall be their duty to visit the burial ground once in every three months, under the penalty of fifty cents each.
LAW 17.—Contracts or Proposals.
All contracts or proposals, for work to be done on or about the premises of the burial ground, shall be made in writing, stating what is to be done, and the price to be paid for doing the same, and the time in which said work shall be accomplished, and all work shall be delivered in workmanlike order, and shall be subject to the inspection and approval of the Super-intendents.
LAW 18.—Duty of Surveyors.
There shall be appointed by the President, on the first Sunday in October, (or as soon after as conve-nient,) six committees, consisting of two in each, who shall serve for two months, as Surveyors of the bury-ing ground, whose duty it shall be, once in every month, during their term, to visit said ground, under the penalty of twenty-five cents each time, for the purpose
23
of ascertaining the condition of the premises, and should any part of the house or fence be out of repair, they shall immediately report the same to the Presi-dent, under a fine of twenty-five cents, and they shall make a correct report of the condition of the premises to the next meeting after the expiration of their term of service.
LAW 19.—Resignation of Superintendents.
Should any Superintendent resign or be removed, by any cause, such vacancy shall be filled at the next meeting, provided said vacancy occurs previous to the first of July, if after that time, the President shall fill such office by appointment.
LAW 20.—Coffins not be opened.
No coffin shall be opened (except in case of any accident) after leaving the place where the corpse was shrouded.
LAW 21.—Furnishing Funerals.
No person shall be buried upon our ground, unless the Coffin and Hearse be furnished, and grave dug, by the person appointed for that purpose, by the society. (This law shall not apply to the coffin in which any corpse may be brought to this city in.)
Rules for conducting the Burial Ground.
RULE 1. Every grave shall be two feet apart.
" 2. Each and every row shall be parallel and continued on until full.
" 3. The right hand corner, coming in at the gate, shall be reserved and used for burying those that have died according to law 11.
" 4. Every person that may have use for the washboard, shall transport the same, from the burial ground and back again to its proper place, at their own expense.
Index to By-Laws of Burial Ground.
PAGE
Burial ground fund, - - - - - - - 18
Burying the poor, - - - - - - 20
Contracts, or proposals, - - - - - - 22
Coffins not to be opened, - - - - - 23
Duty of the president and two members, - - - 19
Died or married contrary to religion, - - - 21
Duty of the president, - - - - - - 21
Duty of superintendents, - - - - - 22
Duty of surveyors, - - - - - - - 22
Forfeiting the benefits, - - - - - 20
Fine for keeping keys, - - - - - - 21
Furnishing funerals, - - - - - - 23
Immediate repairs, - - - - - - - 21
Members' rights, - - - - - - - 19
Preamble, - - - - - - - - 18
President and members' decision, - - - - 20
Resignation of superintendents, - - - - 23
Rules of conducting the burial ground, - - - 23
Site for suicides, - - - - - - - 21
Those that are not members, - - - - - 19
Who shall be buried, - - - - - - 19
Widows' and orphans' rights, - - - - - 19
Where to be buried, - - - - - - - 20 - Identifier
- LSKAP13-1169
- Date
- 1851-01-01
Part of Constitution and By Laws of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee
Tennessee Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, “Constitution and By Laws of the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Memphis, Tennessee”, 1851-01-01, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/65510