MECHANICSVILLE AID SOCIETY

Years ago, I came across a small publication that was printed in Knoxville. It consisted only of four pages, and was printed on very thin cheap pulp paper. It was titled the Constitution of the Mechanicsville Aid Society. Over the years I have come across advertising pieces issued by the handful of businesses that existed in Mechanicsville, and such things as area church bulletins and publications from Knoxville College, located in that area. However, that small pamphlet is the only publication I've ever seen that was issued by a group specifically identified as a "Mechanicsville" community organization.

Years ago, I donated the pamphlet to a library. However, I did make a photocopy of the item, and I just recently ran across that copy among my collection of old Knoxville memorabilia.

I decided to reproduce the pamphlet and add it here on my web site, thinking there may be a few people who might be interested in reading that relic. I am uncertain when the pamphlet was printed, but I believe it was probably issued in the early twentieth century. Whether that organization was African American, White, or perhaps a combination of both groups who were then living in the Mechanicsville community, is not known. However, the wording in the document seems to makes it evident that this was strictly a female organization.

Ron Allen

_______________________

CONSTITUTION OF THE MECHANICSVILLE AID SOCIETY

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

__________

Article 1. This Society shall be known as the Mechanicsville Aid Society.

Article 2. The time of meetings shall be the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at half past two o'clock P.M.

Article 3. The object of this Society shall be to aid the sick and afflicted, the poor and distressed, of Mechanicsville.

Article 4. All person must pay and come to become a member and pay five cents per month as dues. Any member failing to come or pay their dues for three successive months are (? illegible) financial.

Article 5. No person of questionable character can become a member of the Society.

Article 6. Any member of this society indulging in intoxicating drinks as a beverage is subject to expulsion. Any member who tattles or tells lies concerning the Society must be expelled.

Article 7. The Officers of this Society shall consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and a Treasurer.

Article 8. A fine of twenty-five cents shall be put upon the President and Secretary unless the Secretary for absence, unless the Secretary sends the book and her excuse, in which case she shall be excused.

Article 9. All Committees shall be appointed by the Chair.

Article 10. Five members shall constitute a quorum. Applicants shall be elected by a two third vote of all the members present.

Article 11. All members shall address the Chair before speaking on any subject before the house, and be allowed to speak three minutes, but not over seven minutes, on any one subject.

Article 12. Members of the Society, when taken sick, must notify the President.

Article 13. Members of the Society failing to attend open meetings, entertainments, or anything else gotten up by the Society, unless prevents by sickness or other reasonable excuse, must pay the same as those who attend, and are not considered as members until those fines are paid.

Article 14. Applicants, to borrow money, must see the Chairman of the Executive Committee, and the Chairman will call the others together, and after they have agreed, the applicant must present the Society with a promissary note stating the length of time they want the money, and will promise to pay the interest required by the Society.

Article 15. All monies loaned by the Society must be paid within ninety days.

Article 16. The Society will not loan any money to any one who does not belong to the Society, unless some member stands for it.

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

Sec. 1. The President shall be the executive officer of the Society ; preside at all meetings ; enforce observance of constitution and laws ; see that all officers perform their duties ; appoint all committees ; put all questions before the house ; give decisions of vote ; shall not vote herself except in the case of a tie ; she, with the Secretary, shall call all special meetings when necessary, and shall sign all drafts and orders given by the Society.

Sec. 2. The Vice President must render the President such assistance as may be required, performing all duties in absence of the President.

Sec. 3. The Secretary shall keep a correct minute of all the meetings held by the Society, of all monies taken in or paid out ; and write all orders given by the Society ; make a report at the close of each term.

Sec. 4. The Treasurer shall take care of all the monies of the Society, and shall keep a correct account of all taken in or paid out ; also make a full report at the close of each term.

Sec. 5. The Executive Committee shall see to all monies loaned by the Society ; call the officers together when a member applies for money , and report decisions of the same ; also look after all entertainments, etc.

Sec. 6. The Sick Committee shall visit the sick ; look into their needs and report the same to the President ; in the event the sick member should need attention at night, the committee members will take turn about until all have served, when the other members of the Society shall assist.

Section 7. The Executive Committee shall see to it that applicants are suitable persons to become members of the Society, and report the same at the next meeting. No member, or any other person, need not expect aid unless they are really in need.

__________________________