Charter of the Academy. 9 



CHARTER. 



AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE "WISCONSIN ACADEMY 

 OF SCIENCES, ARTS AND LETTERS." 



The people of the State of Wisccnstn, represented in Senate and Assembly, 

 do enact as follows: 



Sectiojst 1. Lucius Fairchild, Nelson Dewey, John W. Hoyt, Increasa 



A. Lapham, Alexander Mitchell, Wm. Pitt Lynde, Joseph Hobbins, E. 



B. Wolcott, Solon Marks, R. Z. Mason, G. M. Steele, T. C. Chamberliu, 

 James H. Eaton, A. L. Chapin, Samuel Fallows, Charles Preusscr, Wm. 

 E. Smith, J. C. Foye, Wm. Dudley, P. Engelmann, A. S. McDill, John 

 Murrish, Geo. P. Delaplaine, J. G. Knapp, S. V. Sl)ipman, Edward D. 

 Holton, P. R. Hoy, Thaddeus C. Pound, Charles E. Bross, Lyman C. 

 Draper, John A. Byrne, O. R. Smith, J. M. Biniiham, Henry Bie'z. LI. 

 Breese, Thos. S. Allen, S. S. Barlow, Chas. R. Gill, C. L. Harris, J. C. 

 Squires, George Reed, J. G. Thorp, William Wilson, Samuel D. Hastings, 

 and D. A. Baldwin, at present being members and officers of an associa- 

 tion known as " The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters," 

 located at the city of Madison, togetlier with tlieir future associates and 

 successors forever, are hereby created a body corporate by the name and 

 style of the "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters," and by 

 that name shall have perpetual succession; shall be capable in law of 

 contracting and being contracted with, of suing and being sued, of plead- 

 ing and being impleaded in all courts of competent jurisdiction; and 

 may do and perform such acts as are usually j^erformed by like corpor- 

 ate bodies. 



Section 2. The general objects of the Academy shall be to encourage 

 investigation and disseminate correct views in tlie various departments of 

 science, literature and the arts. Among the specific objects of the Academy 

 shall be embraced the following: 



1. Researches and investigations in the various departments of the 

 material, metaphysical, ethical, etlinological and social sciences. 



2. A progressive and tlion ugh scientific survey of the State, with a 

 view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources. 



8. The advancement of the useful arts, through the applications of 

 science, and by the encouragement of original invention. 



4. The encouragement of tlie fine arts, bj^ means of honors and prizes 

 awarded to artists for original works of superior merit. 



5. The formation of scientific, economical and art museums. 



6. Tlie encouragement of philological and liistorical research, the col- 

 lection and preservation of historic records, and the formation of a gen- 

 eral library. 



7. The ditt'usion of knowledge by the publication of original contribu- 

 tions to science, literature and tlie arts. 



Section 3. Said Academy may have a common seal and alter the same 

 at pleasure; may ordain and enforce such constitution, regulations and 

 bj'-hiws as may be necessary, and alter tlie same at pleasure ; may receive 

 and hold real and personal property, and may use and dispose of the same 

 at pleasure: provided, that it shall not divert any donation or bequest from 



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