Letter from Robert Underwood Johnson to John Muir, 1909 Oct 22.

Creator

Robert Underwood Johnson

Creator

Robert Underwood Johnson

Recipient

John Muir

Transcription

American[letterhead]October 22, 1909Sir:I have the honor to inform you that you have been duly chosen a member of The American Academy of Arts and Letters I beg to inclose herewith the Constitution list of members and rosette of the organization.Will you kindly advise me of your acceptance of the electionI have the honor to be Respectfully yours,Robert Underwood Johnson[Permanent?] SecretaryMr. John Muir.04613 George Whitfield ChadwickAbbott Henderson ThayerJohn MuirCharles Francis Adams04613 [1]Please preserve for referenceCONSTITUTION OF THEACADEMY OF ARTS AND LETTERSI. ORIGIN AND NAMEThe Academy of Arts and Letters is an association primarily organized by the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Its aim is to represent and further the interests of the Fine Arts and Literature.II. MEMBERSHIP AND ELECTIONSIt shall consist of not more than fifty members, and all vacancies shall be filled from the membership of the National Institute of Arts and Letters. No one shall be elected a member of the Academy who shall not have received the votes of a majority of the members. The votes shall be opened and counted at a meeting of the Academy. In case the first ballot shall not result in an election a second ballot shall be taken to determine the choice between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes on the first ballot. Elections shall be held only on due notice under rules to be established by the Academy.III. AIMSThat the Academy may be bound together in community of taste and interest, its members shall meet regularly for discussion, and for the expression of artistic, literary and scholarly opinion on such topics as are brought to its attention. For the purpose of promoting the highest standards, the Academy may also award such prizes as may be founded by itself or entrusted to it for administration.IV. OFFICERSThe officers shall consist of a President and a Chancellor, both elected annually from among the members to serve for one year only; a Permanent Secretary, not necessarily a member, who shall be elected by the Academy to serve for an indeterminate04613 [2]period, subject to removal by a majority vote; and a Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be appointed as follows: Three members of the Academy shall be elected at each annual meeting to serve as a Committee on Finance for the ensuing year. They shall appoint one of their number Treasurer of the Academy to serve for one year. He shall receive and protect its funds and make disbursements for its expenses as directed by the Committee. He shall also make such investments, upon the order of the President, as may be approved by both the Committee on Finance and the Executive Committee.V. DUTIES OF OFFICERSIt shall be the duty of the President, and in his absence of the Chancellor, to preside at all meetings throughout his term of office, and to safeguard in general all the interests of the Academy. It shall be the duty of the Chancellor to select and prepare the business for each meeting of his term. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep the records; to conduct the correspondence of the Academy under the direction of the President or Chancellor; to issue its authorized statements; and to draw up as required such writings as pertain to the ordinary business of the Academy and its committees. These three officers shall constitute the Executive Committee. VI. AMENDMENTSAny proposed amendment to this Constitution must be sent in writing to the Secretary signed by at least ten members; and it shall then be forwarded by the Secretary to every member. It shall not be considered until three months after it has been thus submitted. No proposed amendment shall be adopted unless it receives the votes in writing of two-thirds of the members. OFFICERSPresident: W. D. HOWELLS,Chancellor: W. M. SLOANE,Permanent Secretary: R. U. JOHNSON,33 E. 17th Street, New York.Executive Committee.Finance Committee: JAMES FORD RHODES, W. M. SLOANE,R. W. GILDER.