STATUTES OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 81 



6. At all elections of officers, if the suffrages should be equal, the decision shall be by lots 

 prepared by the scrutineers, and drawn by the President. 



Not-w- 



ithstanding the election of officers be annual, the Academy reserve to themselves a 

 power of removing any of them for neglect of their trust, or disobedience to the orders of the 

 Academy. 



8. A Messenger may be appointed or removed at any meeting of the Academy. 



CHAPTER II. 



Of the President and Vice-President. 



1. The business of the President, or in his absence of the Vice-President, or in the absence of 

 the President and Vice-President, then of the senior Counsellor present, shall be to preside in the 

 meetings, and to regulate the debates of the Academy and Council; to state and put questions both 

 in the affirmative and negative, according to motions regularly made ; to call for reports and accounts 

 from Committees and others ; to preserve decorum ; to summon all meetings of the Council, ami 

 all extraordinary meetings of the Academy, by advice of Council, upon any urgent occasions; and 

 to execute or to see to the execution of the statutes of the Academy. 



2. The President, or in his absence the Vice-President or presiding Counsellor, is empowered to 

 draw upon the Treasurer for such sums of money as the Academy shall direct. 



CHAPTER III. 



Of the Council. 



1. The Council shall have full authority, and it is their incumbent duty, from time to time, to 

 originate such laws, statutes, orders and constitutions, as shall appear to them to be necessary or 

 useful, according to their judgment and discretion, for the regulation, government, and promotion of 

 the design of the Academy : all which laws, statutes, orders, and constitutions, shall be by them 

 presented at a meeting of the Academy for the approbation of the Fellows ; also to prepare such 

 other matters as they may judge proper to be pursued by the Academy, in order to advance in the 

 best manner the end of its institution. Nevertheless, no Fellow is hereby precluded from laying 

 before the Academy such matters, or proposing such laws, as he shall think conducive to its benefit. 



2. The Council, with the President and Treasurer, have power to make conclusive bargains for 

 real or personal estate, for the benefit of the Academy, and to rent the same, and to give orders 



