Constitution and By Laws of the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society, 1844

Title
Constitution and By Laws of the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society, 1844
Author
United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society
Date Created
26 May 1844
Location(s)
Philadelphia
Format
Pamphlet. 20 page(s) on 23 sheet(s).
Type
Pamphlet
Has Format
https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3r20sh0r/manifest.json
Link to Colenda
https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3r20sh0r
Physical Characteristics
Unlined Paper
Typescript
Is Part Of
The Jesselson Family Collection of Isaac Leeser Material
content
CONSTITUTION
AND
BY-LAWS
OF THE
UNITED HEBREW BENEFICENT FUEL SOCIETY,
ADOPTED
SIVAN 8, 5604, MAY 26, 1844.
(SOCIETY ORGANIZED IN FEB. 1841.)
PHILADELPHIA:
C. SHERMAN, PRINTER.
5604.
Leeser, Vice Pres.

CONSTITUTION
OF THE
UNITED HEBREW BENEFICENTFUEL SOCIETY.
PREAMBLE.
WE, the undersigned, being deeply impressed by the miseries and privations endured by the poor, from the inclemencies of our cold and rigorous winters, from the want of fuel, do hereby unite ourselves in the hope of relieving the sufferings of the poor of the Jewish per-suasion, and adopt the following Constitution and By-Laws for our government.
ARTICLE I.
The name of this Society shall be the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society.
ARTICLE II.
The funds of the Society shall be appropriated for

4
the purchase of fuel and stoves, for the relief of the poor of the Jewish persuasion.
ARTICLE III.
SECT. 1. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and twelve Directors who shall form a Board of Mana-gers, for the transaction of all business.
SECT. 2. They shall be elected by written ballot, by a majority of votes on the first Sunday in April in each and every year.
SECT. 3. If the election of officers should not take place at the regular day of election, the officers of the preceding year shall continue till a new election can be held.
SECT. 4. Vacancies in office shall be filled by the Board on such event taking place.
ARTICLE IV.
The President shall preside at all meetings; in his absence the Vice-President shall take his place, and in the absence of both, a Chairman shall be appointed from the members present.
ARTICLE V.
SECT. 1. The Treasurer shall take charge of mo-neys belonging to the Society, and shall deposit such sum or sums, in some bank or moneyed institution, as the Board of Managers may from time to time direct.

5
He shall give ample security for the faithful discharge of his duty.
SECT. 2. He shall make payments only upon the written orders of the President, or presiding officer. He shall keep a just and correct account of all moneys received and expended, which account shall at all times be open to the inspection of the Board of Mana-gers, to whom he shall give a statement of the funds, at their stated meetings, and to the Society at the An-nual meeting; in case he should leave the city, he shall appoint a person to act in his place, notifying the Pre-sident of such appointment.
ARTICLE VI.
The Secretary shall keep just and correct records of the proceedings of the Society, as also of the Board; do all other writings not connected with the office of Treasurer, prepare notices, and deliver them to the messenger of the Society.
ARTICLE VII.
SECT. 1. All meetings of this Society shall be held at a suitable place, to be appointed by the Board of Ma-nagers.
SECT. 2. The President shall have power to call spe-cial meetings of the Board, or of the Society, when-ever he shall deem it expedient; it shall be his duty to call a meeting of the Society whenever required in
1*

6
writing by seven members of the Society, or at the written request of four members of the Board.
SECT. 3. Stated meetings of the Board of Managers shall be held on the first Sundays in May, August, November, and February; in the event that a festival should happen on the day of the stated meetings of the Board, or the general meeting, the same is then to take place on the first Sunday succeeding.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECT. 1. Every male Israelite of age paying one dollar per annum, and signing the Constitution, shall be consi-dered a member; payments to be made yearly, quar-terly, monthly or weekly, the first instalment to guide the mode of payment; the members of the Board are authorized to receive the annual subscriptions.
SECT. 2. Yearly, quarterly, and monthly contributions will be received, from ladies, children, and such gentle-men, as are not members of this Society.
SECT. 3. All members will be charged with contribu-tions, till their written resignations are received and all arrears paid up.
SECT. 4. Any member paying twelve dollars at one time, shall be a life member.
SECT. 5. All legacies bequeathed to this Society, and all life subscriptions, shall be permanently invested, the interest thereof only to be used.

7
ARTICLE IX.
SECT. 1. All applications for fuel, or the loan of stoves, must be made to the Committee of Distribution of the district where the applicant resides.
SECT. 2. The benefits of this Society shall be ex-tended in the following precedence:
First.—Sick persons.
Second.—Widows and orphans.
Third.—Poor applicants.
SECT. 3. The distribution of fuel shall commence on the 1st of December, except in case of an emergency, which is to be left to the discretion of the Committees.
ARTICLE X.
SECT. 1. Whenever application is made to the Dis-tributing Committees by an Israelite, either for fuel, or the loan of stoves, it shall be their duty (in order to guard the Society against imposition,) to visit the ap-plicants and ascertain whether he is in want, and de-serving of the necessaries applied for.
SECT. 2. They may, if they think it requisite, require security in writing for the safe return of the stoves.
SECT. 3. All orders for fuel shall be signed by at least two of the Committee of the district where the appli-cant resides, to be addressed to the presiding officer; and no relief shall be granted to any applicant who shall attempt any impositions on the Society, or refuse to deliver up the stoves, whenever required by the Com-

8
mittee, unless by the unanimous consent of the Com-mittee of the district where the applicant resides.
ARTICLE XI.
SECT. 1. No greater quantity of fuel than one half of one cord of wood, or one half of a ton of coal, shall be delivered to any applicant, at one time, nor shall the quantity exceed three half cords of wood, or one and a half tons of coal, during the season; except in case of emergency, when the Committees of Distribution shall have the power of extending farther relief upon finding the applicant worthy; the quantity of fuel, however, not to exceed, in any case, two cords of wood or two tons of coal in one and the same season.
SECT. 2. The President shall keep a register, in which shall be recorded the names of the recipients, (enumerating the articles supplied or loaned, under their regular dates,) together with their residences; also the names of the securities, who shall be residents of the City and Liberties of Philadelphia; said register to be open to the Board of Managers only.
ARTICLE XII.
The Board, at their first meeting in May, shall form themselves into two standing committees, the one to consist of four persons, to be styled the Purchasing Committee, whose duty it shall be to select and pur-

9
chase fuel and stoves, and obtain proper places where to stow the same; the other committee to consist of twelve persons, to be styled the Distributing Commit-tee, who shall divide themselves into district sub-com-mittees of three persons each.
ARTICLE XIII.
The Board of Managers shall elect a Messenger, and fix his salary; whose duty it shall be to collect all moneys due to the Society, for which in every case he shall give a printed receipt, reserving the counterpart in the receipt book; he shall make weekly payments to the Treasurer, from whom he will obtain a receipt; he shall attend all meetings of the Society, and deliver all notices. He shall also give security for the faithful discharge of his duties, if required.
ARTICLE XIV.
SECT. 1. No part of this Constitution shall in any manner be altered, nor any addition made thereto, un-less the same shall have been made in writing and pro-posed at a general meeting of the Society, and con-curred in at a subsequent general meeting, by three-fourths of the members present.
SECT. 2. Nine members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
SECT. 3. The members of this Society shall have

10
power to pass all by-laws necessary for their govern-ment, provided the same be not repugnant to the Jewish Laws, the Constitution and Laws of the United States; the Constitution and the Laws of the State of Pennsylvania, or to the true meaning and spirit of this Constitution.

BY-LAWS.
ARTICLE I.
SECT. 1. The President or Chairman shall take the Chair within half an hour after the time specified in the notices for the meeting.
SECT. 2. The meeting being organized, the Secretary shall call the roll and read the minutes of the pre-ceding meeting, prior to the transaction of any other business.
ARTICLE II.
When the Vice-President or Chairman shall preside, he shall be bound by the duties and invested with the same powers which are enjoined on, and exercised by, the President.
ARTICLE III.
ORDER OF BUSINESS.
1. Officers may be elected (if at a stated meeting).
2. Reports of officers or committees shall be read.

12
3. Communications addressed to the President or Society shall be read.
4. Other business may be proceeded to on mo-tion.
5. No motion shall be received unless seconded, nor unless the mover, if required by the Chair, shall com-mit it to writing.
6. All reports shall be made in writing.
ARTICLE IV.
While a motion is before the Society no other shall be received, except to amend, postpone, reject, or ad-journ, which shall always be in order, and be decided without debate.
ARTICLE V.
All votes shall be viva voce, except in the election of officers, which shall be by written ballot; at the re-quest of any three members, the yeas and nays shall be called, and entered upon the minutes.
ARTICLE VI.
None but members who have signed the Constitution, and are not in arrears, shall be allowed to vote, or hold any office. In no case whatsoever can any proxy for voting be allowed.
ARTICLE VII.
At any special meeting of this Society no business

13
shall be transacted other than that for which the meeting was called, except with the consent of three-fourths of the members present, which shall be determined without debate.
ARTICLE VIII.
SECT. 1. No member shall be allowed to speak more than twice on the same question, without permission of the presiding officer, nor shall any member leave a meeting without having obtained permission from the Chair.
SECT. 2. Whenever a division is demanded, or the ayes and nays are called, every member present shall vote, unless excused by the majority present.
SECT. 3. For refusing to vote he shall be fined in an amount not exceeding $5, at the discretion of the Chair.
ARTICLE IX.
In case of absence of the Treasurer or Secretary at any of the meetings of the Society, it shall be their duty to send such books or papers, as may be requisite. In case of non-compliance with the foregoing, they shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $5.
ARTICLE X.
Five members shall constitute a quorum at the Board.
2

14
ARTICLE XI.
Any member elected President refusing to serve, or resigning within the year, shall pay a fine of - $10 00 Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer – 5 00 A member of the Board - - - - 3 00 Provided they have not served one year or been ex-cused by the Society.
Any member of the Board being absent from a Board meeting, shall pay a fine of 50 cents.
ARTICLE XII.
The Board of Managers may at all times strike off the name of a member who is in arrears eight quarters, and who has been duly notified of his arrearage.
ARTICLE XIII.
No By-Law shall be enacted, amended, or repealed, unless the proposition has been made at the preceding meeting, and finally agreed to by two-thirds of the members present.

OFFICERS FOR 1844.
President.
Z. A. DAVIS.
Vice-President.
ISAAC LEESER.
Treasurer.
D. SAMUEL.
Secretary.
M. A. DROPSIE.
Managers.


L. BOMEISLER,
J. L. MOSS,


M. MICHELBACHER,
ISAAC J. PHILLIPS,


H. VAN BEIL,
S. LYONS,


D. PESOA,
J. ULMAN,


A. S. WOLF,
A. HART,


J. JACOB,
H. COHEN,


Messenger.
E. S. LINZE.


10
3 Life members
52 members
MEMBERS AND CONTRIBUTORS.
All those marked thus * have signed the Constitution,
and are members.


Andrade, Joseph*
Bacon, Miss Ellena


Arnold, Morris
Beerman, J.


Arnold, Mrs. Lazarus
Cohen, Henry*


Arnold, Mrs. Margaret
Cohen, A. M.


Arnold, Mayer*
Cohen, Jos. S.


Abrahams, M., Jr.
Cauffman, M.


Asch, Morris
Cromelien, Mrs.


Ascher, M.*
Cromelien, Washington


Andrews, Lyon*
Cromelien, Miss Pauline


Arnold, E.
Collins, Abraham*


Arnold, Miriam
Cohen, Mrs. Abraham


Allen, Charles
Cromelien, Rowland


Bernheimer, Isaac*
Davis, Z. A.*


Bomeisler, Louis*
Davis, D. A.*


Bomeisler, Miss Josephine
Davis, Abraham


Berg, Mr. and Mrs. L.
Davis, Mrs. Goodman


Bartram, D.
Davis, Michael


Blum, B.
De Bruin, M.



17


De Haan, L.*
Gans, Solomon


Delissa, S.
Gans, Daniel


Dropsie, M. A.*
Gans, Meyer


Dessau, J. H.
Gumpel, Mrs.


De Young, M. H. 3
Goldsmith, N.


De Young, Dr. Philip
Greenwald, B.


Eckstein, Solomon
Geisenberger, Joseph


Elfelt, Simon
Greentree, E. J.*


Elkin, Abraham
Hohenfels, S.*


Elkin, Solomon
Hendricks, Miss C.


Eytinge, Barnet
Hart, Mr. and Mrs. A.*


Eytinge, David*
Hart, E. C.


Ehrlich, Simon
Hart, P. A.


Ehrlich, Matilda
Hart, A. L.


Elson, Herman
Hart, B. B.


Einstein, Morris
Hart, Mrs. Michael


Friedenberg, P.
Hart, Miss L. B.


Friedenberg, H.
Hart, Mrs. Sarah


Florance, Mrs. J. L. 7
Hart, Mr. and Mrs. Saml.*


Frank, P.
Hart, Miss Bluma


Frank, A.
Hays, Henry


Frank, Isaac
Hays, Mrs. R.


Friend, N.
Heffelsheim, H.


Fatman, Joseph
Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. S.*


Fatman, Lewis
Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. P.


Fatman, Aaron
Hunt, Eleazar


Gratz, Hyman
Hyman, Leopold


Gratz, Miss R.
Hunt, Jacob*



13
18


Hoffman, M.
Leviestien, H. E.*


Hanline, A.
Lieber, Mrs. Rachel


Israel, Mrs.
Linze, E. S.*


Isaacks, Washington
Linze, S.


Isaacs, Aaron
Lipman, Mrs. Solomon


Isaacs, S.
Langsdorf, Joseph


Isaacs, Mrs. E.
Leeser, Isaac*


Jacob, Mr. and Mrs. J.*
Levine, David


Jacob, Moses
Lyons, Samuel*


Jacob, Aaron
Lyons, Miss Jessica


Jacob, Morris
Lyons, Mr. and Mrs. A. S.


Jacobs, Isaac
Lyons, Jacques


Jones, H.
Lowengrund, L.


Joseph, Miss Sarah
Landman, Isaac


Joseph, Israel
Marcus, Henry*


Kayser, Solomon
Moses, Miss Sarah G.


Kayser, Charles*
Moss, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. 6*


Latz, Mr.
Moss, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. 4


Levey, Garretson*
Moss, Mr. and Mrs. John


Levy, Mr. and Mrs. L. J.
Moss, A. A.


Levy, Mr. and Mrs. I. J.*
Moss, Isaac M.


Levy, Mr. and Mrs. L. B.*
Marks, Mrs. Jochebet


Levy, Jacob I.
Marks, Miss R.


Levy, Elias P.*
May, Isaac


Levy, Aaron
May, Wendolia


Levy, Joseph
Michelbacher, M.*


Levy, Mrs. Sarah
Morrison, L. M.


Levy, Mrs. Leonard
Nordlinger,____



19
19


Noot, S. E. Cohen
Rau, M.


Nathans, Isaac
Roget, E.


Oppenheimer, A.
Rosenheim, A. H.


Oettinger, L.
Rosenfeld, M.


Ostheimer, M.
Reinhart, M.*


Phillips, H. A.*
Stein, A.


Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. J. A.*
Strauss, M. J.*


Phillips, George, 3*
Samuel, D.*


Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Simpson, H.


Phillips, Miss Madeline
Schoneman, Jos.


Phillips, Barnet
Stork, Henry


Phillips, Jacob
Stork, Hart


Phillips, Miss Ellen
Stern, Julius*


Phillips, Mr. and Mrs. I. J.*
Stern, Menks*


Piexotto, A. C.*
Spanier, M.


Peixotto, D. C.*
Switzer, R. J.


Peixotto, Miss S. C.
Solis, S.*


Pesoa, David*
Strauss, Jacob


Pesoa, Josephine
Schnoettinger,____


Prince, Miss C.
Schloss, A.


Pincus, Theodore
Steinberg, ____


Phillips, Isaac B.
Schayer, M.*


Polok, Mr. and Mrs. H.*
Steinberg, M.


Pragheimer, J.
Tobiason, Mr. and Mrs. J.


Phillips, D. A.*
Ulman, Jacob*


Rowland, P. S.
Van Beil, H.*


Rosenthal, R.
Van Beil, D.


Remak, G.
Van Loon, Mr. and Mrs. D.*



20


Van Collem, M. A.
Weil, Jacob


Wolf, A. S.*
Warburg, E.


Wolff, Ralph



Life Members.


A. Hart,
I. J. Phillips,
J. L. Moss.
Identifier
LSTCAT_item218
Date
1844-05-26

Part of Constitution and By Laws of the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society, 1844

United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society, “Constitution and By Laws of the United Hebrew Beneficent Fuel Society, 1844”, 1844-05-26, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 19, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/69066