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CONSTITUTION,
BY-LAWS AND STANDING RULES
OF THE
PHILADELPHIA
Y O U N G MEN 'S SOCIETY.
3}}ſlab el púfa :
PRINTED BY WILLIAM F. GED DES,
No. 9 Library street.
1833.
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A D D R E S S.
IN publishing their Constitution, the Young Men's
Society of Philadelphia, desire to accompany it with
a brief statement of the objects of the Society, and the
principles upon which it is founded.
At a period when the effect of united effort is felt in
every enterprise; when combinations are formed pro-
ductive of good and evil results, in all the various de-
partments of the community; it is of the highest im-
portance that a salutary influence be exercised upon
the habits, the feelings, and the occupations of young
men: those, who are entering upon the active business
of life, and who, as they occupy their various stations
in the world, will necessarily exert a great influence
upon the general character of society, upon whom, in
fact, that character must depend. In every communi-
ty, the young men constitute an important class; but
in this country especially, where the institutions of the
state, and all our high privileges, civil, social, and reli-
gious, depend upon the intelligence and virtue of the
people, it is of the first importance, that those upon
whom is soon to devolve the duty of maintaining these
institutions, and preserving these privileges, should be
prepared by intellectual and moral cultivation, for the
high destiny which awaits them. In view of this re-
2 A - -
6
sponsibility it is incumbent upon the young men of the
present age, mutually to encourage and support each
other in the improvement of their minds, and in the
practice of virtue, that they may on all occasions
more efficiently co-operate in all measures for promo-
ting their own, and their country’s welfare.
As one mode of contributing to the production of
this great result, the Philadelphia Young Men's Socie-
ty has been formed, with the design of promoting the
moral and intellectual improvement of its members.
In all situations, but especially in large cities, inge-
nuous young men are surrounded by difficulties, and
exposed to temptations, to which they too often fall
victims. Youth and inexperience frequently render
them unconscious of their peril, and it is not until they
have fallen, that they are aware of their danger. In
such cases, the advice of more experienced friends, or
the counsel and assistance of those who would sym-
pathize with their distress, might alleviate, if they did
not altogether avert the evil.
In a city like this, there are many young men who
have come to engage in business, far from their early
friends, and separated from all those endearing and
improving influences which are associated with home.
New to the scenes by which they are surrounded, they
yield to the seductive allurements of dissipation, with-
out reflecting upon its ruinous consequences: and in
choosing their companions they often select those who
are mostujurious to them, and not unfrequently be-
come the victims of those who make it their business to
betray the unwary. -
7
One of the greatest occasions of evil to young men
in large cities, is the want of proper occupation for
their leisure time, for those hours which are not occu-
pied with business, and which, for want of other em-
ployment, are too often devoted to dissipation and ex-
travagance;—to the injury of their character, and the
ruin of their future prospects. It is only by providing
means of relaxation, combining utility with amusement,
that this evil can be remedied. It is not by forbidding
recreation, but by devising a plan, whereby recreation
may be united with the improvement of the mind, and
the heart, that the end can be attained.
To meet, and, if possible, to remedy these evils, to
support, by mutual counsel and aid, those who are in
danger of falling, -to introduce the stranger into an
association at once attractive and instructive-to pro-
vide rational and useful recreation for leisure hours,
and, generally, to promote the moral and intellectual
improvement of young men in this city, are the objects
of this society. The means by which it proposes to
accomplish these objects are simple, and such as have
been found effectual in other places where the experi-
ment has been made. The Society is divided into se-
veral associations, arranged to suit the convenience of
members, which are to hold stated meetings for mutu-
al improvement. It is intended, (if the situation of the
Society warrant it,) to have a library and reading-
room, for the use of the members, and arrangements
will be made for the delivery of lectures on scientific,
moral, and religious subjects, and monthly or more fre-
quent sermons.
8
Sensible of the great importance of religion, and
fully impressed with the belief that it is the only sure
basis of moral excellence, it is the purpose of the socie-
ty to cultivate correct religious feelings, and, while
every thing sectarian is avoided, the great principles
of the Christian religion will be inculcated, that the
members of the Society may be prepared by habit, and
encouraged by mutual countenance and support, to
perform their duties to their country, and to God, as
patriots, and as Christians.
CONSTITUTION.
A R T I C L E [ .
N a m e.
THIS Association shall be called “The Philadelphia
Young Men's Society.”
A R T I C L E I I .
Object.
The object of this Society shall be the moral and
intellectual improvement of the young men of the city
and county of Philadelphia. w
A R T I C L E I I I.
Gover m men t .
The government of this Society shall be vested in a
President, three Vice-Presidents, a Corresponding Se-
cretary, Recording Secretary, Assistant Recording
Secretary, Treasurer, and twenty Managers, who to-
gether shall constitute the Board of Directors.
A R T I C L E I V .
As sociations.
It shall be the duty of the Board of Directors, as
soon as may be convenient, to organize the members
of this Society into subordinate Associations, through-
10
out the city and county of Philadelphia. Each Asso-
ciation shall make its own by-laws; provided always,
that they shall be consistent with the spirit of this Con-
stitution.
A R T I C L E W .
Membership.
Any young man of known moral character, and
under thirty-five years of age, who shall be proposed
to, and approved by, any subordinate Association, and
receive a majority of votes at a succeeding regular
meeting of the Board of Directors, may become a
member of the Society by signing this Constitution.
A R T I C L E V I.
Election s.
The election of officers for this Society shall be held
annually, on the third Monday in May, and in case of
a failure of an election by the Society at the time ap-
pointed, the President shall immediately call a special
meeting of the Society for that purpose, ten days' notice
whereof shall be given, and the officers for the time
being shall be continued until a new election.
A R T I C L E W II ,
Ma n n e r of Elect i ng.
All officers of this Society shall be elected by ballot,
and those who shall receive a majority of the votes
given, shall be declared duly elected.
A R T I C L E W I I I .
Q u or u m s.
Seven members at a meeting of the Board of Direc-
11
tors. or fifteen members at a meeting of the Society,
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi-
IlêSS. -
A R T I C L E I X •
Bo a r d of Di re c to r s .
The Board of Directors shall have power to fill all
vacancies which may occur in their own body, to enact
by-laws and standing rules for the regulation of the
Board and government of the Society, when conve-
nient; to originate and carry into effect any measures
consistent with this Constitution; and to direct, control,
and manage all the interests of this Society.
A R T I C L E X •
De leg a tes.
Each Association shall be represented by a delegate,
who shall have a seat in the Board of Directors, report
the acts of his Association, and be entitled to all the
privileges of a member of the Board, except the right
of voting.
A R T I C L E XI .
stated Meet in g s.
Stated meetings of the Society for reading quarter-
ly reports, and for the transaction of the general busi-
ness of the Society, shall be held on the evenings of
the third Monday in May, August, November, and
February of each year.
A R T I C L E X II.
Meet i ng of the Board of Direct or 8.
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall
12
be held on the evening of the third Monday in each
month.
A R T I C L E X I I I .
Spec i a l Me et i ng s.
The President and two Directors may at any time
call a special meeting of the Board, and a majority of
the members present at any meeting of the Board may
call a special meeting of the Society. •
A R T I C L E X I V .
‘. . - Meet i ng s, Whe re He l d .
All meetings of this Society, as well as of the Board
of Directors, shall be held within the precincts of the
city of Philadelphia. *
t A R T I C L E X W .
Pol it i c s a n d R elig i o n.
This Society, as such, shall in nowise interfere with
political affairs, so far as political parties are concerned;
and from its meetings all sectarian theology shall be
excluded.
A R T J C L E X W I ,
Ho n or a r y Members.
Every member of this Society, on arriving at the
age of thirty-five years,shall be considered an honorary
member. -
A R T I C L E X W II .
E. a. p w lºsio n -
Upon the complaint to the Board of Directors, at a
regular meeting of the Board, by any of the members
of the Society, impeaching the character of any mem-
I 3
ber of the Society; the Board of Directors, at a
succeeding regular meeting, shallexamine such charge,
timely notice having been given by the Recording
Secretary to the person accused; and if the charges
are substantiated, shall expel such member, two-thirds
of the Board of Directors then present, concurring in
the vote of expulsion.
A R T I C L E X W I I I e
- A m e n d me n ts.
No. alteration or amendment of this Constitution
shall be made except at a regular stated meeting of the
Society, and by a majority of two-thirds of all the votes
given, said alteration or amendment having been sub-
mitted in writing, at a previous stated meeting of the
Society.
BY-LAWS.
A R T I C L E [.
Duties of the Preside nt.
It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all
meetings of the Society and of the Board of Directors;
to decide all questions of order, such decision being
subject to an appeal regularly made and seconded; to
appoint all committees except such as shall be other-
wise provided for; and in case of an equal division of
votes upon any question he shall have the casting vote.
A R T I C L E II.
Duties of the Vice Preside n t.
In the absence of the President, it shall be the duty
of the Vice-Presidents, in the order of their rank, to
supply his place and perform his duties.
A R T I C L E I I I .
Of the C or responding Secret a ry.
It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary
to conduct the epistolary correspondence of the Socie-
ty; to receive and lay before the Board of Directors,
all communications respecting the Society, and to make
such reports as are required by the Constitution con-
cerning its state and progress.
15
A R T I C L E I W .
Of the Record i ng a n d Ass is t a n tº Secret a ri e s.
It shall be the duty of the Recording and Assistant
Recording Secretaries to keep regular minutes of all
the transactions of the Society, and of the Board of
Directors; to file and preserve all papers relating to
the same, to give notice to members of their admission
and to officers of their election, and to issue all notices
directed by the Board.
A R T I C L E V .
Of the Tre a s u rer.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive and
take charge of all moneys belonging to the Society;
and to make such disbursements as the Board of Direc-
tors shall order.
A R T 1 C L E V I.
St a n ding C om m i ttees.
At the first regular meeting of the Board of Direc-
tors, subsequent to the annual election, the President
shall appoint the following standing Committees: each
to consist of three members.
1. Committee of Arrangements.
Committee on Associations.
Committee on Printing and Publishing.
Committee on Lectures.
Committee on Sermons.
Committee on the Library.
Committee on Finance.
i
16
A R T I C L E W II ,
Committee of Arrange ments.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to obtain
rooms, and to make all arrangements for the meetings
of the Society and of the Board of Directors.
A R T I C L E V III .
Co m 'm v t t e e o n Association s.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to visit the
different associations, every quarter, to organize all
new associations, and to report to the Board of Direc-
tors the state of the same.
A R T I C L E I X .
Committee on Print in g and Publishing.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to superintend
the printing and publishing of all reports, addresses,
circulars, &c., ordered to be published by the Board of
Directors. -
A R T I C L E X.
Committee on Lectures.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to procure
Lecturers on such subjects and at such times as the
Board of Directors shall appoint, and to make arrange-
ments for the same.
A R T I C L E X 1 .
Committee on Ser m ons.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to solicit cler-
gymen to preach at such times as the Board may
direct before the Society, and to procure speakers to
deliver addresses at the annual meeting,
17
A R T I C L E X II . *
Committee on the Library. -
It shall be the duty of this Committee to superintend
and direct the Library and Reading Rooms of the So-
ciety. --
A R T I C L E X I I I .
r:
Committee on Finance.
It shall be the duty of this Committee to originate
plans for raising money; to examine the accounts of
all Committees by which expenditures have been made,
and at each quarterly meeting to report the state of
the finances, and in general to manage all the financial
concerns of the Society: of this Committee the Trea-
surer shall ex-officio be Chairman.
A R T I C L E x 1 v.
Chairman of Committees.
The member first named on a Committee shall be the
Chairman. . -
A R T I C L E X W .
Reports of C om m i t t e es.
It shall be the duty of each Standing Committee, to
report to the Board of Directors at each regular
meeting.
A R T I C L E X W I ,
S u spension of By-L aws.
Any By-law may be suspended in its operation on
any particular occasion, by the concurrence of two
thirds of the members present.
B 2
ES
A R T I C L E X W II .
Alter at ions a n d Alm en diments.
No new By-law shall be passed, nor any alteration
or amendment made, in the existing code, unless the
same shall have been submitted in writing at a pre-
Ceding meeting of the Board.
s T AND ING COMMITTEES.
Com m i t t e e of A r r a ng em ent s ,
WILLIAM BRADF orp, J.R. 5 Sansom-Street.
Eow ARD A. NAss AU, 281 Market-street.
STEPHEN C. SIMMons, 89 South Third-street.
On JA 8 so c i a t i on S.
CHARLEs CLARKson, 175 Market-street.
CLARK CULP, 166 Spruce-street.
Jo HN W. FARRELL, 209 Market-street.
On Print in g an d Publish ing.
HENRY PERKINs, 58 South Sixth-street.
T. LEAMING SMITH, South Fourth, above Spruce.
JAMEs B. Ro RER, 28 North Sixth-street.
O m I, e c t w res.
Osw ALD THOMPso N, 100 South Fourth-street.
RICHARD W. GREEN, 37 North Seventh-street.
BENJAMIN GERHARD, No. 1 Monroe-Place.
* Ser m o m s.
WILLIAM M. Muzz EY, 33 Sansom-street.
LEwis R. As HURST, 80 Market-street.
HUGH ELLIOT, 9 North Fourth-street. .
L i ö r a ry. -
GEORGE S. Scofi ELD, 140 South Eleventh-street.
GeoRGE SHARswoop, Sixth street above Cherry.
JAMES BAYARD, Walnut above Sixth street.
Fi n a n ce.
HUGH ALEXANDER, JR. 209 Market-street.
JAMES LAWRENCE ENGLISH, 31 Pine-street.
WILLIAM M'KEE, 130 Arch-street.
The regular meetings of the Board of Directors of
the Philadelphia Young Men's Society, are held on
the evening of the third Monday in each month,
tion.
STANDING RULEs.
R U L E [ .
Order of Bus in ess.
At the hour of meeting, or as soon thereafter as a
quorum shall be formed, the President shall take the
chair, and may cause the meeting to be opened with
prayer; the business of the Society shall then be tran-
sacted in the following order: . -
1. Reading of minutes of the previous meeting.
2. Election of candidates reported by the Associa-
3. Unfinished business.
4. Reports from Delegates.
5. Reports of Standing Committees in the order in
which they are named in the By-laws.
6. Reports of special Committees.
7. Miscellaneous business.
8. Adjournment.
R U L E II.
Motions to ch a ng e the or der of Business.
The order of business may be changed by the vote
of a majority of the members present, but motions to
that effect shall be decided without discussion. .
21
R U L E . III ,
Moti on in Writ i ng .
No motion shall be in order unless written.
R U L E I V .
Or de r of Moti on s.
When a question is under consideration, no motion
shall be in order except a motion
to adjourn
to lay on the table
for the previous question
to postpone
to commit
to amend -
which several motions shall have precedence in the
order in which they are arranged.
RUL E v.
Pre v i o us Q west i on .
The previous question shall be put in this form,
“shall the main question now be put,” it shall be admit-
ted only when demanded by a majority of the members
present, and until decided, all further debate upon the
main question shall be precluded.
R U L E VI.
Moti on to Re consider.
When a motion has been decided upon, it shall be in
order for any member of the majority, at the same or
a succeeding meeting to move for a re-consideration of
the same.
22
R U L E V II.
Motions taking with out Deb a te.
Motions to adjourn, to lay on the table, and for the
previous question shall be decided without debate.
R U L E V III .
Pre c e de n c e i n S p e a k i ng .
When two or more members shall rise at the same
time, the member farthest from the chair shall have the
precedence.
R U L E I X .
De b a t e .
Every member about to speak, shall rise and address
the chair, shall avoid all personalities; and shall speak
but twice to the same question, unless by special permis-
sion from the chair.
RULE x.
C a l l to Or d e r.
Any member transgressing any rule or By-law may
be called to order, and shall immediately take his seat,
unless permitted by the chair to explain.
R U L E X I.
For m of a n App e a l.
If an appeal be made from the decision of the chair,
it shall be decided without debate, whether it shall be
heard, and on the hearing of an appeal, no member
shall speak more than once ; the chair shall have the
precedence in speaking.
23
R U L E XII.
Re c or d in g of Votes.
At the request of one fifth of the members present,
the ayes and noes on any question shall be taken and
entered on the minutes.
R U L E X I I I.
S u s p en s i on of R u le s.
Any standing rule may be suspended in its operation
for any particular occasion, by the concurrence of
two-thirds of the members present.
| HBY-LAWS
ANI)
STANTDING RULES
OF THE
SECOND DIVISION
OF THE
PHILADELPHIA YouNG MEN's society.
135ſlabelpiſa:
PRINTED hr will.I.A.M. F. GEDDES,
No. 9 Library street.
1833.
EY - LAWS.
ARTICLE 1.
This Association shall be styled the Second Division
of the Philadelphia Young Men’s Society; and shall in
all things conform to the spirit of the Constitution of that
Society. *
ARTICLE 2. —Objects.
The objects of this Association are the moral and in-
tellectual improvement of its members and the general
diffusion of knowledge.
ARTICLE 3.-Members.
This Association embraces all the members of the
Philadelphia Young Men’s Society residing within the
limits of this district.
ARTICLE 4.—Officers.
The officers of this association shall be a Chairman,
Secretary, Treasurer, an Executive Committee of five
members, and a Delegate to the Board of Directors of
the Philadelphia Young Men’s Society.
4
ARTICLE 5.—Election of Officers.
The officers of this Association shall be elected by a
majority of the members present at the first regular
meeting in the months of March and September.
ARTICLE 6.-Chairman and Secretary.
The Chairman and Secretary will perform the duties
usually implieu in those offices.
ARTICLE 7.—Treasurer.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take charge
of the funds of the Association, and to make disburse-
ments subject to the order of the Chairman counter-
signed by the Secretary.
ARTICLE 8.—Eacecutive Committee.
It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee, to
prepare and propose subjects, for essays, dissertations,
and debates, to make the necessary arrangements for
meetings, and to direct and manage all the interests of
the Association.
ARTICLE 9,-Nominating Committee.
A Nominating Committee consisting of five members
shall be elected semi-annually in the months of March
and September; to whom all applications for member-
ship shall be made and be by them approved and report-
ed to the association previously to their being recom-
mended for election, and in case of a rejection should
5
the parties feel aggrieved, they may have an appeal to
the Association.
ARTICLE 10. –Stated Meetings.
Stated meetings shall be held on the evenings of the
second and fourth Mondays in each month. At these
meetings, essays and dissertations on literary, scientific,
or moral subjects, may be read, and questions of a simi-
lar character debated; but all subjects immoral in their
tendency or intimately connected with party politics, or
sectarian theology, shall be excluded.
ARTICLE 11.
The chair shall appoint two members to read at each
stated meeting essays or dissertations on morals or
science. He shall also appoint four members to partici-
pate in a debate on each stated meeting, two to maintain
g
the affirmative, and two the negative.
ARTICLE 12.—Quorums.
Seven members shall constitute a quorum for the tran-
saction of business.
ARTICLE 13.
In order to meet the current and necessary expenses
of the Association, fifty cents shall be contributed an-
nually by each member, and should the augmentation of
the number of its members produce an overplus in the
funds, the same shall be applied to the furtherance of
the general objects of the Society.
2 B
6
ARTICLE 14.
No By-Law shall be passed, altered or rescinded
without notice shall have been given of at least four,
weeks; but any By-Lāw may be suspended in its opera-
tion for a particular occasion by the concurrence of two-
thirds of the members present.
STANDING RULES,
Rule 1. No motion shall be in order unless written.
Rule 2. When a question is under debate, no motion
shall be in order except to adjourn, to lay on the table,
for the previous question, to postpone, to commit, or to
amend; which several motions shall have precedence in
the order in which they are arranged.
Rule 3. The previous question shall be in this form
“Shall the main question be now put?” It shall be ad-
mitted only when demanded by a majority of the mem-
bers present; and, until decided, all further debate upon
the main question shall be precluded.
Rule 4. When a motion has been made and decided
upon, it shall be in order for any member of the majori-
ty to move at the same or a succeeding meeting for a
reconsideration thereof.
8
Rule 5. Motions to adjourn, to lay on the table, and
for the previous question, shall be decided without de-
bate. -
Rule 6. When two or more members shall rise at
the same time, the Chair shall name the member to whom
precedence is to be given.
Rule 7. Every member about to speak shall rise and
address the Chair, shall avoid all personalities, and he
may speak but twice to the same question, unless by
special permission from the chair. -
Rule 8. If a member transgress any Rule or By-Law,
he may be called to order; and he shall immediately
take his seat, unless permitted by the Chair to explain.
Rule 9. If an appeal be made from the decision of
the Chair, it shall be decided without debate, whether
it shall be heard; and on the hearing of an appeal no
member shall speak more than once; the Chair shall
have the preference in speaking.
Rule 10. At the request of one-fifth of the mem-
bers present, the Ayes and Noes on any question, shall
be taken and entered on the minutes.
Rule 11. Any standing Rule may be suspended in its
operation, for any particular occasion, by the concur-
rence of two-thirds of the members present.
Rule 12. The Chair shall appoint all committees,
unless special provision be made to the contrary.
9
Rule 13. The Chair at each meeting shall read the
question to be debated on the succeeding evening, and
in the appointment of disputants, shall permit the mem-
bers to choose the affirmative, or negative side of the
question.
Rule 14. In the course of the debates no derogatory
allusions to the person or conduct of a member, or to
any religious sect or party in politics shall be permitted.
Rule 15. No disputant shall be allowed to speak
more than 20 minutes, nor more than once unless it be
to explain. After the appointed disputants have con-
cluded any member may participate in the discussion.
‘No discusssion shall ever be protracted later than 10
o'clock unless by a vote of the Association. -
Rule 16. At the hour of meeting, or as soon there.
after as a quorum shall be formed, the Chairman shall
call the association to order; after which the business
shall be transacted in the following order.
1. Reading of minutes.
2. The proposal of names as candidates.
. Unfinished business.
3
. Reports.
. Essays and Dissertations with remarks thereon.
Debates.
. Miscellaneous business.
:
. Adjournment.
10
Rule 17. The order of business may be changed by
the vote of a majority of the members present, but mo-
tion to that effect shall be decided without discussion.