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Vestry.

statutes and by-laws shall ordain; the vestry of the said church shall
consist of six persons, members of the said church, who shall continue
in office for one year, and until others be chosen; and the election of Annual election.
such vestry shall be made every year, except during the year one thou-
sand eight hundred and forty-four, on Easter Monday, by a majority of
such members of the said church, as shall appear by the vestry books
to have paid one year, immediately preceding the time of such elec-

tion, for a pew or sitting in the said church: Provided, That until Proviso.
the next Easter Monday after the expiration of one year from the date
of their articles of association, members of the said church who shall
in any way have contributed to the erection of the church, or to the
support of the rector or ministers thereof, shall be entitled to vote at the
election of the vestrymen: And provided. That in case of the failure
to elect vestrymen on that day, the corporation shall not on that account
be dissolved, but the election shall be holden on some other day, in
such manner as the by-laws may prescribe.

SECTION 4. That the said vestry shall have full power to choose their Officers.
own officers; and they shall annually, at their first meeting after their
election, choose one of their own number to be one church warden; and
the rector, for the time being, shall elect another of the said vestrymen,
to be the other church warden of the said church. In case of a vacancy
in the office of rector at the time of the election, the other church war-
den shall also be chosen by the vestry, to remain until the election of a
rector, or a new election of the vestry; and during such vacancy the
church wardens, for the time being, and vestrymen, shall have the same
powers and authorities relating to the disposition of the rents and reve-
nues of the said corporation as are hereby vested in the rector, church
wardens and vestrymen: Provided, always, That it shall be the duty Proviso.
of the said church wardens and vestrymen, to elect another rector to
supply the vacancy as soon as conveniently may be.

SECTION 5. That the rents and revenues of the said Emanuel church Revenues. shall be, from time to time, applied for the maintenance and support of the rector, ministers and officers of the said church, and in the erection and necessary repairs of the church and church yard, and parsonage house, and other houses, which now do, or hereafter shall belong to the said corporation, and to no other use and purpose whatsoever.

SECTION 6. That "the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of All All Saints church Saints church, Lower Dublin township, in the county of Philadelphia," Lower Dublin, to be and they are hereby authorized and directed to make and execute a execute deed to Emanuel church, good and sufficient deed in the law, for such consideration as they may Holmesburg. think proper for the purpose of vesting in the said "the rector, church wardens and vestrymen of Emanuel church, Holmesburg, in the county of Philadelphia," their successor and assigns forever, a certain lot of ground situate on the south-easterly side of the public road leading from Philadelphia to Bristol, in the village of Holmesburg, in the township of Lower Dublin, in the county of Philadelphia, containing in front on said public road, one hundred and thirty-two feet, and in depth south-easterly two hundred and twenty-one feet to a twelve feet wide court, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, as the same lot is described in a certain indenture, dated the twenty-first day of March, Anno Domini one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, from William Bartolett and wife, to "the minister, wardens and vestrymen of the Episcopal church, in Oxford township, and All Saints church in Lower Dublin township, in Philadelphia county, and St. Thomas' church, in White Marsh township, Montgomery county, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania," recorded in the office for record

Government.

ing deeds, in and for the city and county of Philadelphia, in deed book A M, number twenty-six, page sixty-three, and so forth: Provided, That the provisions of this section shall not interfere with any interest of the St. Thomas' church, in White Marsh township, Montgomery county, in the lot above mentioned.

SECTION 7. The rules, by-laws and ordinances of the present corporation of All Saints church, as the same now are, shall be, so far as the same are applicable, the rules, by-laws and ordinances of the said corporation of Emanuel church, until the same shall be duly altered. JAMES ROSS SNOWDEN, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

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APPROVED-The ninth day of April, one thousand eight hundred

and forty-four.

DAVID R. PORTER.

Commissioners.

Site.

Election of directors.

No. 158.

AN ACT

Providing for the erection of a house for the employment and support of the poor of the city of Allegheny.

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in General Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the select and common councils of the city of Allegheny, be, and they are hereby empowered to direct that a house for the employment and support of the poor of said city, be erected upon land purchased as hereinafter directed, and Thomas Barnett, Henry Hannen, Robert S. Cassat, Thomas Farley, E. W. Stevens, Thomas H. Stewart, and John Morrison, William Tate and S. O. Reynolds, be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners, whose duty it shall be, or a majority of them, on, or before the first day of July next, to select, determine upon and purchase a site within ten miles of said city, on which said buildings shall be erected; and it shall be lawful for the persons above named, or a majority of them, to take conveyances therefor, in the name, and for the use of "the mayor, aldermen and citizens of Allegheny," and they shall certify their proceedings therein, under their hand and seals, to the mayor of said city, to be filed in his office.

SECTION 2. That it shall be the duty of the mayor of said city, on receiving said proceedings, in his proclamation for the next corporation election, to be issued at least ten days before said election, to insert a notice to the voters of said city, qualified to vote for members of councils, to elect three reputable citizens of said city, to be "directors of the poor for the city of Allegheny," for the ensuing year; and the judges of the elections of said city, shall immediately, on receiving the returns

from the several wards and election districts of said city, and casting up the number of votes therein, or within three days thereafter, certify under their hands and seals, the names of the directors so chosen; and one copy thereof they shall deliver to the clerk of the court of quarter sessions of the peace, in and for said county of Allegheny, to be filed in his office, and one copy thereof they shall deliver to the mayor of said city, who shall lay the same before the councils, at their next meeting, and shall give notice, in writing, to the directors elect, of their respective election.

SECTION 3. That every director elected in manner aforesaid, or ap- Oath. pointed as hereinafter directed, shall, within ten days after he is notified of said election or appointment, and before he enters on the duties of said office, take and subscribe an oath or affirmation before the mayor, or one of the aldermen of said city, that he will discharge the duties of director of the poor of the city of Allegheny, truly, faithfully and impartially, to the best of his knowledge and ability; and in case of neglect or refusal to take the said oath or affirmation within the time specified, and to perform the duties aforesaid, he shall forfeit and pay the sum of twenty dollars, for the use of the poor of said city, which fine shall be recoverable by the directors, for the time being, as debts of the same amount are or shall be by law recoverable.

SECTION 4. That the said directors shall meet at the town house in Meeting.

said city, on the first Monday of February next, ensuing their election,

and divide themselves by lot, into three classes; the places of the first Classification of class to be vacated at the expiration of one year; of the second class, at directors.

the expiration of two years; and of the third class, at the expiration of

three years; so that those who shall be chosen after the first election,

and in the mode above described, may serve for three years, and one

third be chosen annually.

SECTION 5. That the said directors of the poor shall forever hereafter, Contracts, suits, constitute, and make part of the corporation of the city of Allegheny ; &c. and all contracts, suits, and other acts of the directors, shall be brought and transacted by them, in the name of the mayor, aldermen, and citizens of Allegheny.

SECTION 6. That the said directors of the poor shall, and may receive, take, and hold, in the name of the mayor, aldermen and citizens of Allegheny, any lands and tenements and hereditaments, not exceeding Income limited. the yearly value of ten thousand dollars, and any goods and chattels, whatsoever, of the gift, alienation or bequest, of any person or persons whatsoever, to be applied to the support and employment of the poor of said city of Allegheny; and to purchase, take and hold, any land and tenements within the county of Allegheny, in fee simple, or otherwise, as aforesaid; and erect thereon suitable buildings for the reception, use and accommodation of the poor of said city, to provide all things necessary for the reception, lodging, maintenance and employment of said poor.

SECTION 7. That said directors, or a majority of them, shall have Officers, agents, power to appoint and employ, and at their pleasure, remove a steward &c. or stewards, matron or matrons, physician or physicians, surgeon or surgeons, and all other officers and attendants, that may be necessary for said poor, and for carrying out the intention, objects, and meaning of this act; and to bind out as apprentices, so that such apprenticeship may expire, of males, at or before twenty-one years of age, and of females, at or before the age of eighteen years, such poor children as shall come under their care; and to have, exercise and enjoy all such powers as are now vested in the overseers of the poor.

Estimate of ex

SECTION 8. That said directors, as soon as may be, after their elecpense of buildtion and organization, as aforesaid, shall make an estimate, in writing, ings, lands, &c. of the probable expense of purchasing lands, erecting the necessary buildings, and furnishing the same, and the maintaining the poor within the said city, for one year; which estimate they shall deliver to the mayor of said city, who shall lay the same before the councils at their next meeting: whereupon the said councils shall, and they are hereby authorized and required to increase the city tax, by one-fourth part of the sum necessary for the purpose aforesaid; and shall procure on loan, on the credit of the city, the remaining three-fourths thereof, to be paid in instalments, with interest, out of the city taxes.

Tax.

Loan.

Estimate of expense for supporting poor.

Tax.

Treasurer.

Warrants, &c.

SECTION 9. That it shall be the duty of the said directors, on or before the first day of March, in each and every year, to furnish the mayor of said city with an estimate in writing, of the probable expense of the poor and poor house, for one year, who shall lay the same before the councils at their next meeting; and it shall be the duty of the said councils to assess upon the persons and property living and lying in said city, and cause to be collected the amount of said estimate, which, together with the amount of the assessment and loan hereinbefore authorized, shall be paid to the city treasurer, and credited by him to the poor fund of said city, in a book to be kept by him for that purpose, and wherein shall be charged all the warrants drawn upon said fund, in the manner hereinafter provided.

SECTION 10. That the amount paid to the treasurer and credited to the said fund, shall not be taken from the treasury except on warrants drawn by the mayor, upon a requisition in writing, signed by the said directors or a majority of them, from time to time, as the same may be found necessary; and the said directors shall, at least once in every year, render a true and correct account of all moneys received by them and expended, to the committee of councils appointed to audit and settle the city accounts; and shall, at least once in every year, deliver to the mayor of said city, a list of the numbers, ages, and sex of the persons maintained and employed in the said house of employment, or supported or assisted by them elsewhere, and of the children by them bound out to apprenticeship as aforesaid, with the names of their masters or mistresses, and their trades, occupation or calling, and the mayor shall lay the same before the councils to be preserved among the records of the city.

Visitors. SECTION 11. The said directors shall at all times, when thereunto Inspection of required, submit the inspection and free examination of such visitors as books and affairs. shall from time to time, be appointed by the said councils, all their books and accounts, and also an account of all sales or purchases as shall have been made by or to them; and as soon as the said buildings shall be erected, and all necessary accommodations provided therein, notice in writing, signed by at least two of the said directors, shall be Overseers of the given to the overseers of the poor of said city, requiring them forthwith to bring the poor of said city to said house of employment, which order the said overseers are hereby enjoined to comply with, or otherwise to forfeit the costs of all future maintenance; and the charge and expense of such removal shall be paid by the said directors, at a reasonable allowance.

poor.

Provision and

SECTION 12. That the said directors shall, from time to time, receive, employment of provide for and employ, according to the true intent and meaning of this the poor. act, all such poor and indigent persons as shall be entitled to relief, or shall have gained a legal settlement in said city, and shall be sent there by an order or warrant for that purpose, under the hands and seals of

two justices of the peace, agreeably to the existing laws of this com-
monwealth, in such case made and provided; and the said directors are Out-door relief.
hereby authorized, when they shall deem it proper and convenient so

to do, to permit any person or persons to be maintained elsewhere: Pro- Proviso.
vided, The expense of their maintenance does not in any case exceed
that for which they could be maintained at the poor house of said city.

SECTION 13. That from and after the passage of this act, no alder- Orders.
man in and for the city of Allegheny, shall be entitled to any fee or
reward for granting or making an order for the relief of a pauper or
paupers chargeable to said city, and the names of paupers of one family
relieved at the same time, shall be put in one and the same order; and
the said directors are hereby authorized to administer all oaths and affir-
mations necessary for the examination of paupers, and for other pur-
poses, in relation to their official duties.

SECTION 14. That the said directors or any two of them, who shall Quorum. be a quorum in all cases to do business, shall have full power and authority to make and ordain all such ordinances, rules and regulations Rules. as they shall think proper, convenient and necessary for the direction, government and support of the poor and house of employment aforesaid, and of the revenues thereunto belonging, and of all such persons as shall come under their cognizance: Provided, The same be not re- Proviso, pugnant to this act or any of the other laws of the commonwealth or of the United States: And provided, also, That the same shall not have any force or effect until they shall have been submitted to the select and common councils of said city, and be approved by a majority of them.

SECTION 15. That a quorum of said directors shall and they are hereby enjoined and required to meet at the said house of employment, at least once in every month, and visit the apartments and see that the poor are comfortably supported, and hear all complaints and redress, or cause to be redressed all grievances that may happen by the neglect or misconduct of any person or persons in their employment or otherwise; and the said directors shall each of them receive for their services the sum of thirty dollars per annum, to defray the expense of their necessary attendance on the duties of said office.

SECTION 16. That in case of any vacancy by death, resignation or otherwise, of any of the said directors, the councils of said city shall fill such vacancy by the election of a citizen of said city, as in case of other officers of said city, to serve until the next regular election by the citizens, when another director shall be elected to serve for the remainder of the term, as if no such vacancy had happened.

Monthly meet

Pay.

Vacancy.

SECTION 17. That all claims and demands in relation to the poor in Claims. said city, existing at the time of this act being carried into effect, shall have full force and effect as if this act had not been passed; and when the same shall have been duly adjusted and settled, all moneys remaining in the hands of the overseers of the poor as well as the uncollected taxes levied for the support of the poor in said city, shall be paid over to the city treasurer, to be credited by him to the poor fund hereinbefore provided for.

SECTION 18. That as soon as the poor of the said city shall be re- Overseers abolmoved to the house of employment of the said city, and the outstanding ished. taxes collected and paid over to the city treasurer, the office of overseer of the poor within the said city shall from thenceforth be abolished.

SECTION 19. That all such fines, penalties and forfeitures, as are by Fines. law made payable to the overseers of the poor of the city of Allegheny,

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