18 : 
a term of six years, by a majority of votes present at the 
first stated session after the expiration of the current terms, 
provided that existing officers retain their places until their 
successors are elected. In case of a vacancy, the election 
for six years shall be held in the same manner, at the next 
stated session after the vacancy occurs. 
Sect. 2. The officers of the Classes shall be a Chair- 
man and a Secretary, who shall be elected at each January 
session. The nominations shall be open, and a majority of 
votes shall be necessary to elect. 
Secr. 3. The officers of the Academy and the Chairmen 
of the Classes, together with four members, two from each 
Class, to be annually elected by the Academy, at the Janu- 
ary session, by a plurality of the votes, shall constitute a 
Council for the transaction of such business as may be 
assigned to them by the Constitution or the Academy. 
Sect. 4. The President of the Academy, or, in case 
of his absence or inability to act, the Vice-President, shall 
preside at the meetings of the Academy and of the Council ; 
shall name all committees, except such as are otherwise 
especially provided for; refer investigations required by 
the Government of the United States to members specially 
conversant with the subject, and report thereon to the Acad- 
emy at its next January session; and, with the Council, 
shall direct the general business of the Academy. 
It shall be competent for the President, in special cases, 
to call in the aid, upon committees, of experts, or men of 
remarkable attainments, not members of the Academy. 
Secr. 5. The Foreign and Home Secretaries shall con- 
duct the correspondence proper to their respective Sam 
ments, advising with the President and Council in 
of doubt, and reporting their action to iiasibadiliees ee its 
January session. It shall be the duty of the Home Secre- 
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me 
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