Exhibit
99.1
SECOND
AMENDED AND RESTATED
ARTICLES
OF INCORPORATION
OF
ENTERGY
MISSISSIPPI, INC.
Pursuant
to the provisions of Sections 79-4-10.05 and 79-4-10.07 of the Mississippi Code
of 1972 Annotated, as amended, the Corporation adopted the following Second
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation effective as of July 1,
2009:
FIRST
: The name of the
Corporation is ENTERGY MISSISSIPPI, INC.
SECOND
: The period of its
duration is perpetual.
THIRD
: The purpose or purposes
which the Corporation is authorized to pursue are:
To acquire, buy, hold, own, sell,
lease, exchange, dispose of, finance, deal in, construct, build, equip, improve,
use, operate, maintain and work upon:
(a) Any
and all kinds of plants and systems for the manufacture, production, storage,
utilization, purchase, sale, supply, transmission, distribution or disposition
of electricity, natural or artificial gas, water or steam, or power produced
thereby, or of ice and refrigeration of any and every kind;
(b) Any
and all kinds of telephone, telegraph, radio, wireless and other systems,
facilities and devices for the receipt and transmission of sounds and signals,
any and all kinds of interurban, city and street railways and railroads and bus
lines for the transportation of passengers and/or freight, transmission
lines, systems,
appliances, equipment and devices and tracks, stations, buildings and other
structures and facilities;
(c) Any
and all kinds of works, power plants, manufactories, structures, substations,
systems, tracks, machinery, generators, motors, lamps, poles, pipes, wires,
cables, conduits, apparatus, devices, equipment, supplies, articles and
merchandise of every kind pertaining to or in anywise connected with the
construction, operation or maintenance of telephone, telegraph, radio, wireless
and other systems, facilities and devices for the receipt and transmission of
sounds and signals, or of interurban, city and street railways
and railroads and bus
lines, or in anywise connected with or pertaining to the manufacture,
production, purchase, use, sale, supply, transmission, distribution, regulation,
control or application of electricity, natural or artificial gas, water, steam,
ice, refrigeration and power or any other purposes;
To acquire, buy, hold, own, sell,
lease, exchange, dispose of, transmit, distribute, deal in, use, manufacture,
produce, furnish and supply street and interurban railway and bus service,
electricity, natural or artificial gas, light, heat, ice, refrigeration, water
and steam in any form and for any purposes whatsoever, and any power or force or
energy in any form and for any purposes whatsoever;
To buy,
sell, manufacture, produce and generally deal in milk, cream and any articles or
substances used or usable in or in connection with the manufacture and
production of ice cream, ices, beverages and soda fountain supplies; to buy,
sell, manufacture, produce and generally deal in ice cream and
ices;
To acquire, organize, assemble,
develop, build up and operate constructing and operating and other organizations
and systems, and to hire, sell, lease, exchange, turn over, deliver and dispose
of such organizations and systems in whole or in part and as going organizations
and systems and otherwise, and to enter into and perform contracts, agreements
and undertakings of any kind in connection with any or all the foregoing
powers;
To do a general contracting
business;
To purchase, acquire, develop, mine,
explore, drill, hold, own and dispose of lands, interests in and rights with
respect to lands and waters and fixed and movable property;
To borrow money and contract debts when
necessary for the transaction of the business of the Corporation or for the
exercise of its corporate rights, privileges or franchises or for any other
lawful purpose of its incorporation; to issue bonds, promissory notes, bills of
exchange, debentures and other obligations and evidences of indebtedness payable
at a specified time or times or payable upon the happening of a specified event
or events, whether secured by mortgage, pledge or otherwise or unsecured, for
money borrowed or in payment for property purchased or acquired or any other
lawful objects;
To guarantee, purchase, hold, sell,
assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of the shares of the
capital stock of, or any bonds, securities or evidences of indebtedness created
by, any other corporation or corporations of the State of Mississippi or any
other state or government and, while the owner of such stock, to exercise all
the rights, powers and privileges of individual ownership with respect thereto
including the right to vote thereon, and to consent and otherwise act with
respect thereto;
To aid in any manner any corporation or
association, domestic or foreign, or any firm or individual, any shares of stock
in which or any bonds, debentures, notes, securities, evidences of indebtedness,
contracts or obligations of which are held by or for the Corporation or in which
or in the welfare of which the Corporation shall have any interest, and to do
any acts designed to protect, preserve, improve or enhance the value of any
property at any time held or controlled by the Corporation, or in which it may
be at any time interested; and to organize or promote or facilitate the
organization of subsidiary companies;
To purchase, hold, sell and transfer
shares of its own capital stock, provided that the Corporation shall not
purchase its own shares of capital stock except from surplus of its assets over
its liabilities including capital; and provided, further, that the shares of its
own capital stock owned by the
Corporation shall not be
voted upon directly or indirectly nor counted as outstanding for the purposes of
any stockholders’ quorum or vote;
In any manner to acquire, enjoy,
utilize and to dispose of patents, copyrights and trade-marks and any licenses
or other rights or interests therein and thereunder:
To
purchase, acquire, hold, own or dispose of franchises, concessions, consents,
privileges and licenses necessary for and in its opinion useful or desirable for
or in connection with the foregoing powers;
To do all and everything necessary and
proper for the accomplishment of the objects enumerated in these Second Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation or any amendment thereof or necessary or
incidental to the protection and benefits of the Corporation, and in general to
carry on any lawful business necessary or not incidental to the attainment of
the objects of the Corporation whether or not such business is similar in nature
to the objects set forth in these Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation or any amendment thereof.
To do any or all things herein set
forth, to the same extent and as fully as natural persons might or could do, and
in any part of the world, and as principal, agent, contractor or otherwise, and
either alone or in conjunction with any other persons, firms, associations or
corporations;
To conduct its business in all its
branches in the State of Mississippi, other states, the District of Columbia,
the territories and colonies of the United States, and any foreign countries,
and to have one or more offices out of the State of Mississippi and to hold,
purchase, mortgage and convey real and personal property both within and without
the State of Mississippi; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not
exercise any of the powers set forth herein for the purpose of engaging in
business as a street railway, telegraph or
telephone company unless
prior thereto this Article THIRD shall have been amended to set forth a
description of the line and the points it will traverse.
FOURTH
: The aggregate number
of shares which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 16,878,807
shares, divided into 3 classes as follows: (1) 1,878,807 shares of
Preferred Stock of the par value of $100 per share (the $100 Preferred Stock),
(2) 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $25 per share (the
$25 Preferred Stock) and (3) 12,000,000 shares of Common Stock without par
value. The term “Preferred Stock,” as used herein, shall mean the
$100 Preferred Stock, the $25 Preferred Stock and any other class of preferred
stock ranking on parity with the $100 Preferred Stock and the $25 Preferred
Stock as to dividends and in liquidation, dissolution, winding up or
distributions.
The preferences, limitations and
relative rights in respect of the shares of each class and the variations in the
relative rights and preferences as between series of any preferred or special
class in series are as follows:
The Preferred Stock shall be issuable
in one or more series from time to time, and the $100 Preferred Stock and the
$25 Preferred Stock shall have the same rank as to dividends and in liquidation,
dissolution, winding up or distributions and shall be identical with each other,
except as to matters relating to par values thereof, the variations between the
respective series thereof and the voting entitlement of the respective shares
thereof in cases when the shares of two or more classes of Preferred Stock are
required to vote together as a voting group or one or more classes of
Preferred Stock are required to vote with the Common Stock as a voting group;
and except further that the $25 Preferred Stock shall not have the right of
consent as provided for in Article Fourth (D)(2) for the issuance of unsecured
debt by the Corporation in excess of the amount set forth therein. The shares of
each series within a class of $100 Preferred Stock and a class of $25 Preferred
Stock shall have the same rank as to dividends and in liquidation, dissolution,
winding up or distributions, shall be identical with each other and shall have
the same relative rights except with respect to the following:
(a) The
number of shares to constitute each such series and the distinctive designation
thereof;
(b) The
annual rate or rates of dividends payable on shares of such series (or the
method of calculation thereof), the dates on which dividends shall be paid in
each year and the date from which such dividends shall commence to
accumulate;
(c) The
amount or amounts payable upon redemption thereof; and
(d) The
sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase of
shares;
which
different characteristics of clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d) above may be stated
and expressed with respect to each series in the resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors or in
these Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation or any amendment
thereof.
A series of 59,920 shares of $100
Preferred Stock shall:
(a) be
designated “4.36% Preferred Stock, Cumulative, $100 Par Value”;
(b) have
a dividend rate of $4.36 per share per annum payable quarterly on February 1,
May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, the first dividend date to be
February 1, 1963, and such dividends to be cumulative from the last date to
which dividends upon the 4.36% Preferred Stock Cumulative, $100 Par Value, of
Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida corporation, are
paid;
(c) be
subject to redemption in the manner provided herein with respect to the
Preferred Stock at the price of $105.36 per share if redeemed on or before
February 1, 1964, and of $103.88 per
share if redeemed after
February 1, 1964, in each case plus an amount equivalent to the accumulated and
unpaid dividends thereon, if any, to the date fixed for redemption.
A series of 43,887 shares of $100
Preferred Stock shall:
(a) be
designated “4.56% Preferred Stock, Cumulative, $100 Par Value”;
(b) have
a dividend rate of $4.56 per share per annum payable quarterly on February 1,
May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, the first dividend date to be
February 1, 1963, and such dividends to be cumulative from the last date to
which dividends upon the 4.56% Preferred Stock, Cumulative, $100 Par Value, of
Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida corporation, are paid;
and
(c) be
subject to redemption in the manner provided herein with respect to the
Preferred Stock at the price of $108.50 per share if redeemed on or before
November 1, l964, and of $107.00 per share if redeemed after November 1, 1964,
in each case plus an amount equivalent to the accumulated and unpaid dividends
thereon, if any, to the date fixed for redemption.
A series of 100,000 shares of $100
Preferred Stock shall:
(a) be
designated “4.92% Preferred Stock, Cumulative, $100 Par Value”;
(b) have
a dividend rate of $4.92 per share per annum payable quarterly on February 1,
May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each year, the first dividend date to be
February 1, 1966, and such dividends to be cumulative from the date of issue of
said series; and
(c) be
subject to redemption at the price of $106.30 per share if redeemed on or before
January 1, 1971, of $104.38 per share if redeemed after January 1, 1971, and on
or before January 1, 1976, and of $102.88 per share if redeemed after January 1,
1976, in each case plus an amount equivalent to the accumulated and unpaid
dividends thereon, if any, to the date fixed for redemption.
A series of 1,200,000 shares of $25
Preferred Stock shall:
(a) be
designated “6.25% Preferred Stock, Cumulative, $25 Par Value”;
(b) have
a dividend rate of $1.5625 per share per annum payable quarterly
on February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1 of each
year, the first dividend date to be November 1, 2005, and such dividends to be
cumulative from the date of issuance; and
(c) be
subject to redemption at the price of $25 per share plus an amount equivalent to
the accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon, if any, to the date fixed for
redemption (except that no share of the 6.25% $25 Preferred Stock shall be
redeemed before August 1, 2010).
Subject
to the foregoing, the distinguishing characteristics of the Preferred Stock
shall be:
(A) Each series of any class of the
Preferred Stock shall be entitled but only when and as declared by the Board of
Directors, out of funds legally available for the payment of dividends, in
preference to the Common Stock, to dividends at the
rate stated and
expressed with respect to such series herein or by the resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue of such series adopted by the Board of Directors; such
dividends to be cumulative from such date and payable on such dates in each year
as may be stated and expressed in said resolution, to stockholders of record as
of a date not to exceed forty (40) days and not less than ten (10) days
preceding the dividend payment dates so fixed.
(B) If and when dividends payable on
any of the Preferred Stock of the Corporation at any time outstanding shall be
in default in an amount equal to four full quarterly payments or more per share,
and thereafter until all dividends on any such Preferred Stock in default shall
have been paid, the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a
single voting class, shall be entitled to elect the smallest number of directors
necessary to constitute a majority of the full Board of Directors, and, except
as provided in the following paragraph, the holders of the Common Stock, voting
separately as a class, shall be entitled to elect the remaining directors of the
Corporation. The terms of office, as directors, of all persons who
may be directors of the Corporation at the time shall terminate upon the
election of a majority of the Board of Directors by the holders of the Preferred
Stock, voting as a single voting class, except that if the holders of the Common
Stock shall not have elected the remaining directors of the Corporation, then,
and only in that event, the directors of the Corporation in office just prior to
the election
of a
majority of the Board of Directors by the holders of the Preferred Stock, voting
as a single voting class, shall elect the remaining directors of the
Corporation. Thereafter, while such default continues and the
majority of the Board of Directors is being elected by the holders of the
Preferred Stock, voting as a single voting class, the remaining directors,
whether elected by directors, as aforesaid, or whether originally or later
elected by holders of the Common Stock shall continue in office until their
successors are elected by holders of the Common Stock and shall
qualify.
If and
when all dividends then in default on the Preferred Stock then outstanding shall
be paid (such dividends to be declared and paid out of any funds legally
available therefor as soon as reasonably practicable), the holders of the
Preferred Stock shall be divested of any special right with respect to the
election of directors, and the voting power of the holders of the Preferred
Stock and the holders of the Common Stock shall revert to the status existing
before the first dividend payment date on which dividends on the Preferred Stock
were not paid in full, but always subject to the same provisions for vesting
such special rights in the holders of the Preferred Stock in case of further
like defaults in the payment of dividends thereon as described in the
immediately foregoing paragraph. Upon termination of any such special
voting right upon payment of all accumulated and unpaid dividends on the
Preferred Stock, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected
directors of the Corporation by vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock,
voting as a single voting class, pursuant to such special voting right shall
forthwith terminate, and the resulting vacancies shall be filled by the vote of
a majority of the remaining directors.
In case of any vacancy in the office of
a director occurring among the directors elected by the holders of the Preferred
Stock, voting separately as a single voting class, the remaining directors
elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of the outstanding Preferred
Stock representing a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast
as a single voting class of Preferred Stock in accordance with Paragraph (E), or
the remaining director so elected if there be but one, may elect a successor or
successors to hold office for the unexpired term or terms of the director or
directors whose place or places shall be vacant. Likewise, in case of
any vacancy in the office of a director occurring among the directors not
elected by the holders of the Preferred Stock, the remaining directors not
elected by the affirmative vote of the holders of the outstanding Preferred
Stock representing a majority of the total number of votes entitled to be cast
as a single voting class of Preferred Stock in accordance with Paragraph (E), or
the remaining director so elected if there be but one, may elect a successor or
successors to hold office for the unexpired term or terms of the director or
directors whose place or places shall be vacant.
Whenever the right shall have accrued
to the holders of the Preferred Stock to elect directors, voting separately as a
single voting class, it shall be the duty of the President, a Vice-President or
the Secretary of the Corporation forthwith to call and cause notice to be given
to the shareholders entitled to vote of a meeting to be held at such time as the
Corporation's officers may fix, not less than forty-five (45) nor more than
sixty (60) days after the accrual of such right, for the purpose of electing
directors. The notice so given shall be mailed to each holder of
record of Preferred Stock at his last known address appearing on the books of
the Corporation and shall set forth, among other things, (i) that by reason of
the fact that dividends payable on any of the Preferred Stock are in default in
an amount equal to four full quarterly payments or more, the holders of the
Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single voting class, have the right to
elect the smallest number of directors necessary to constitute a majority of the
full Board of Directors of the Corporation, (ii) that any holder of the
Preferred Stock has the right, at any reasonable time, to inspect, and make
copies of, the list or lists of holders of the Preferred Stock maintained at the
principal office of the Corporation or at the office of any Transfer Agent of
the Preferred Stock, and (iii) either the entirety of this paragraph and
Paragraph (E) or the substance thereof with respect to the number of shares of
the Preferred Stock required to be represented at any meeting, or adjournment
thereof, called for the election of directors of the Corporation. At
the first meeting of stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors
during such time as the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have the special
right, voting separately as a single voting class, to elect directors, the
presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
Common Stock shall be required to constitute a quorum of such class for the
election of directors, and the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of
outstanding Preferred Stock representing a majority of the total number of votes
entitled to be cast as a single voting class shall be required to constitute a
quorum of such single voting class for the election of directors; provided,
however, that in the absence of a quorum of the Preferred Stock, no election of
directors shall be held, but upon a vote cast in accordance with the calculation
in Paragraph (E) with respect to a single voting class, a majority of the
Preferred Stock present or represented at the meeting shall have power to
adjourn the election of the directors to a date not less than fifteen (15) nor
more than fifty (50) days from the giving of the notice of such adjourned
meeting hereinafter provided for; and provided, further, that at such adjourned
meeting, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of outstanding
Preferred Stock representing 35% of the total number of votes entitled to be
cast as a single voting class shall be required to constitute a quorum of such
class for the election of directors. In the event such first meeting
of stockholders shall be so adjourned, it shall be the duty of the President, a
Vice-President or the Secretary of the Corporation, within ten (10) days from
the date on which such first meeting shall have been adjourned, to cause notice
of such adjourned meeting to be given to the shareholders entitled to vote
thereat, such adjourned meeting to be held not less than fifteen (15) days nor
more than fifty (50) days from the giving of such second notice. Such
second notice shall be given in the form and manner hereinabove provided for
with respect to the notice required
to be given of such
first meeting of stockholders, and shall further set forth that a quorum was not
present at such first meeting and that the holders of the outstanding Preferred
Stock representing 35% of the total number of votes entitled to be cast as a
single voting class shall be required to constitute a quorum of such class for
the election of directors at such adjourned meeting. If the requisite
quorum of Preferred Stock shall not be present at said adjourned meeting, then
the directors of the Corporation then in office shall remain in office until the
next Annual Meeting of the Corporation, or special meeting in lieu thereof, and
until their successors shall have been elected and shall qualify. Neither such
first meeting nor such adjourned meeting shall be held on a date within sixty
(60) days of the date of the next Annual Meeting of the Corporation, or special
meeting in lieu thereof. At each Annual Meeting of the Corporation,
or special meeting in lieu thereof, held during such time as the holders of the
Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single voting class, shall have the
right to elect a majority of the Board of Directors, the foregoing provisions of
this paragraph shall govern each Annual Meeting, or special meeting in lieu
thereof, as if said Annual Meeting or special meeting were the first meeting of
stockholders held for the purpose of electing directors after the right of the
holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a single voting class, to
elect a majority of the Board of Directors, should have accrued with the
exception, that if, at any adjourned annual meeting, or special meeting in lieu
thereof, the holders of the outstanding Preferred Stock representing 35% of the
total number of votes entitled to be cast as a single voting class are not
present in person or by proxy, all the directors shall be elected by a vote of
the holders of a majority of the Common Stock of the Corporation present or
represented at the meeting.
(C) So
long as any shares of the Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall
not, without the consent (given by vote at a meeting called for that purpose) of
the holders of the outstanding Preferred Stock representing at least two-thirds
of the total number of votes entitled to be cast as a single voting class of
Preferred Stock in accordance with Paragraph (E):
(1) create, authorize or issue any new
stock which, after issuance would rank prior to the Preferred Stock as to
dividends or in liquidation, dissolution, winding up or distributions, or
create, authorize or issue any security convertible into shares of any such
stock except for the purpose of providing funds for the redemption of all of the
Preferred Stock then outstanding, such new stock or security not to be issued
until such redemption shall have been authorized and notice of such redemption
given and the aggregate redemption price deposited as provided in paragraph (G)
below; provided, however, that any such new stock or security shall be issued
within twelve months after the vote of the Preferred Stock herein provided for
authorizing the issuance of such new stock or security; or
(2) amend, alter, or repeal any of the
rights, preferences or powers of the holders of the Preferred Stock so as to
affect adversely any such rights, preferences or powers; provided, however, that
if such amendment, alteration or repeal affects adversely the rights,
preferences or powers of one or more, but not all, series of Preferred Stock at
the time outstanding, only the consent of the holders of outstanding shares of
all series so affected representing at least two-thirds of the total number of
votes entitled to be cast with respect to the affected series in accordance with
Paragraph (E) shall be required; and provided, further, that an amendment to
increase or decrease the authorized amount of Preferred Stock or to create or
authorize, or increase or decrease the amount of, any class of stock ranking on
a parity with the outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock as to dividends or
in liquidation, dissolution, winding up or distributions shall not be deemed to
affect adversely the rights, preferences or powers of the holders of the
Preferred Stock or any series thereof.
(D) So long as any shares of the
Preferred Stock are outstanding, the Corporation shall not, without the consent
(given by vote at a meeting called for that purpose) of the holders of the
outstanding Preferred Stock representing a majority of the total number of votes
entitled to be cast as a single voting class of Preferred Stock in accordance
with Paragraph (E), with the exception that only the holders of the shares of
$100 Preferred Stock then outstanding are entitled to consent to matters set
forth in this Article Fourth (D)(2):
(1) merge or consolidate with or into
any other corporation or corporations or sell or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, unless such merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition, or the exchange, issuance or
assumption of all securities to be issued or assumed in connection with any such
merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition, shall have been ordered,
approved or permitted under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935;
or
(2) issue or assume any unsecured
notes, debentures or other securities representing unsecured indebtedness for
purposes other than (i) the refunding of outstanding unsecured indebtedness
theretofore issued or assumed by the Corporation resulting in equal or longer
maturities, or (ii) the reacquisition, redemption or other retirement of all
outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock, if immediately after such issue or
assumption, the total principal amount of all unsecured notes, debentures or
other securities representing unsecured indebtedness issued or assumed by the
Corporation, including unsecured indebtedness then to be issued or assumed (but
excluding the principal amount then outstanding of any unsecured notes,
debentures, or other securities representing unsecured indebtedness having a
maturity in excess of ten (10) years and in amount not exceeding 10% of the
aggregate of (a) and (b) of this section below) would exceed ten per centum
(10%) of the aggregate of (a) the total principal amount of all bonds or other
securities representing secured indebtedness issued or assumed by the
Corporation and then to be outstanding, and (b) the capital and surplus of the
Corporation as then to be stated on the books of account of the
Corporation. When unsecured notes, debentures or other securities
representing unsecured debt of a maturity in excess of ten (10) years shall
become of a maturity of ten (10) years or less, it shall then be regarded as
unsecured debt of a maturity of less than ten (10) years and shall be computed
with such debt for the purpose of determining the percentage ratio to the sum of
(a) and (b) above of unsecured debt of a maturity of less than ten (10) years,
and when provision shall have been made, whether through a sinking fund or
otherwise, for the retirement, prior to their maturity, of unsecured notes,
debentures, or other securities representing unsecured debt of a maturity in
excess of ten (10) years, the amount of any such security so required to be
retired in less than ten (10) years shall be regarded as unsecured debt of a
maturity of less than ten (10) years (and not as unsecured debt of a maturity in
excess of ten (10) years) and shall be computed with such
debt for the purpose of
determining the percentage ratio to the sum of (a) and (b) above of unsecured
debt of a maturity of less than ten (10) years, provided, however, that the
payment due upon the maturity of unsecured debt having an original single
maturity in excess of ten (10) years or the payment due upon the latest maturity
of any serial debt which had original maturities in excess of ten (10) years
shall not, for purposes of this provision, be regarded as unsecured debt of a
maturity of less than ten (10) years until such payment or payments shall be
required to be made within three (3) years; furthermore, when unsecured notes,
debentures or other securities representing unsecured debt of a maturity of less
than ten (10) years shall exceed 10% of the sum of (a) and (b) above, no
additional unsecured notes, debentures or other securities representing
unsecured debt shall be issued or assumed (except for the purpose set forth in
(i) or (ii) above) until such ratio is reduced to 10% of the sum of (a) and (b)
above; or
(3) issue, sell or otherwise dispose of
any shares of the Preferred Stock in addition to the 104,476 shares of the $100
Preferred Stock originally authorized, or of any other class of stock ranking on
a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or in liquidation,
dissolution, winding up or distributions, unless the gross income of the
Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida corporation,
for a period of twelve (12) consecutive calendar months within the fifteen (15)
calendar months immediately preceding the issuance, sale or disposition of such
stock, determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices
(but in any event after deducting all taxes and the greater of (a) the amount
for said period charged by the Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light
Company, a Florida corporation, on their books to depreciation expense or (b)
the largest amount required to be provided therefor by any mortgage indenture of
the Corporation) to be available for the payment of interest, shall have been at
least one and one-half times the sum of (i) the annual interest charges on all
interest bearing indebtedness of the Corporation and (ii) the annual dividend
requirements on all outstanding shares of the Preferred Stock and of all other
classes of stock ranking prior to, or on a parity with, the Preferred Stock as
to dividends or in liquidation, dissolution, winding up or distributions,
including the shares proposed to be issued; provided, that there shall be
excluded from the foregoing computation interest charges on all indebtedness and
dividends on all shares of stock which are to be retired in connection with the
issue of such additional shares of the Preferred Stock or other class of stocks
ranking prior to, or on a parity with, the Preferred Stock as to dividends or in
liquidation, dissolution, winding up or distributions; and provided, further,
that in any case where such additional shares of the Preferred Stock, or other
class of stock ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or
distributions, are to be issued in connection with the acquisition of additional
property, the gross income of the property to be so acquired, computed on the
same basis as the gross income of the Corporation, may be included on a pro
forma basis in making the foregoing computation; or
(4) issue, sell, or otherwise dispose
of any shares of the Preferred Stock, in addition to the 104,476 shares of the
$100 Preferred Stock originally authorized, or of any other class of stock
ranking on a parity with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or in liquidation,
dissolution, winding up or distributions, unless the aggregate of the capital of
the Corporation applicable to the Common Stock and the surplus of the
Corporation shall be not less than the aggregate amount payable on the
involuntary liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation, in
respect of all shares of the Preferred Stock and all shares of stock, if any,
ranking prior thereto, or on a parity therewith, as to dividends or in
liquidation, dissolution, winding up or distributions, which will be outstanding
after the issue of the shares proposed to be issued; provided, that if, for the
purposes of meeting the requirements of this subparagraph (4), it becomes
necessary to take into consideration any earned surplus of the Corporation, the
Corporation shall not thereafter pay any dividends on shares of the Common Stock
which would result in reducing the Corporation's Common Stock Equity (as in
paragraph (H) hereinafter defined) to an amount less than the aggregate amount
payable, on involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up the Corporation,
on all shares of the Preferred Stock and of any stock ranking prior to, or on a
parity with, the Preferred Stock, as to dividends or in liquidation,
dissolution, winding up or distributions, at the time outstanding.
(E) Each holder of Common Stock of the
Corporation shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each share
of such stock standing in his name on the books of the
Corporation. Except as hereinbefore expressly provided in this
Article FOURTH, the holders of the Preferred Stock shall have no power to vote
and shall be entitled to no notice of any meeting of the stockholders of the
Corporation. As to matters upon which holders of the Common Stock,
and the holders of any class of Preferred Stock are entitled to vote as separate
classes as hereinbefore expressly provided, each holder of such Common Stock and
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote, in person or by proxy, for each
share of such Common Stock or Preferred Stock standing in his name on the books
of the Corporation. As to those matters upon which the holders of two
or more classes of Preferred Stock shall be required to vote as a single voting
class, each holder of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote each share in
accordance with the calculation as follows: (i) each holder of $100
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote for each share of such stock
standing in his name on the books of the Corporation, and (ii) each holder of
$25 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one-quarter (1/4) vote for each share
of such stock standing in his name on the books of the Corporation. As to those
matters upon which the holders of Common Stock and the holders of Preferred
Stock shall be required to vote together as a single voting group, each holder
of Common Stock and each holder of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote
each share in accordance with the calculation set forth as
follows: (i) each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled to one
vote for each share of such stock standing in his name on the books of the
Corporation, (ii) each holder of $100 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one
vote for each share of such stock standing in his name on the books of the
Corporation and (iii) each holder of $25 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
one-quarter (1/4) vote for each share of such stock standing in his name on the
books of the Corporation.
Whenever the term “voting separately as
a single voting class,” “voting as a single voting class” or “single voting
class” is used herein to describe the voting rights of the holders of the
Preferred Stock, such term shall describe and refer to the calculations set
forth in this Paragraph (E) to designate the weight of the voting entitlement of
each share of each class of Preferred Stock.
(F) In
the event of any voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation, the Preferred Stock shall have a preference over the Common Stock
until an amount equal to the then current redemption price shall have been
paid. In the event of any involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, which shall include any such liquidation,
dissolution or winding up which may arise out of or result from the condemnation
or purchase of all or a major portion of the properties of the Corporation, by
(i) the United States Government or any authority, agency or instrumentality
thereof, (ii) a state of the United States or any political subdivision,
authority, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or (iii) a district, cooperative
or other association or entity not organized for profit, the Preferred Stock
shall also have a preference over the Common Stock until the full par value
thereof and an amount equal to all accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon
shall have been paid by dividends or distribution.
(G) Upon the affirmative vote of a
majority of the shares of the issued and outstanding Common Stock at any annual
meeting, or any special meeting called for that purpose, the Corporation may at
any time redeem all of any
series of said Preferred
Stock or may from time to time redeem any part thereof, by paying in cash the
redemption price then applicable thereto as stated and expressed with respect to
such series in the resolution providing for the issue of such shares adopted by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation, or in these Second Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation or any amendment thereof, plus, in each case,
an amount equivalent to the accumulated and unpaid dividends, if any, to the
date of redemption. Notice of the intention of the Corporation to
redeem all or any part of the Preferred Stock shall be mailed not less than
thirty (30) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of redemption to
each holder of record of Preferred Stock to be redeemed, at his post office
address as shown by the Corporation's records, and not less than thirty (30)
days' nor more than sixty (60) days' notice of such redemption may be published
in such manner as may be prescribed by resolution of the Board of Directors of
the Corporation; and, in the event of such publication, no defect in the mailing
of such notice shall affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption
of any shares of Preferred Stock so to be redeemed. Contemporaneously
with the mailing or the publication of such notice as aforesaid or at any time
thereafter prior to the date of redemption, the Corporation may deposit the
aggregate redemption price (or the portion thereof not already paid in the
redemption of such Preferred Stock so to be redeemed) with any bank or trust
company in the City of New York, New York, or in the City of Jackson,
Mississippi, named in such notice, payable to the order of the record holders of
the Preferred Stock so to be redeemed, as the case may be, on the endorsement
and surrender of their certificates, and thereupon said holders shall cease to
be stockholders with respect to such shares; and from and after the making of
such deposit such holders shall have no interest in or claim against the
Corporation with respect to said shares, but shall be entitled only to receive
such moneys from said bank or trust company, with interest, if any, allowed by
such bank or trust company on such moneys deposited as in this paragraph
provided, on endorsement and surrender of their certificates, as
aforesaid. Any moneys so deposited, plus interest thereon, if any,
remaining unclaimed at the end of six (6) years from the date fixed for
redemption, if thereafter requested by resolution of the Board of Directors,
shall be repaid to the Corporation, and in the event of such repayment to the
Corporation, such holders of record of the shares so redeemed as shall not have
made claim against such moneys prior to such repayment to the Corporation, shall
be deemed to be unsecured creditors of the Corporation for an amount, without
interest, equivalent to the amount deposited, plus interest thereon, if any,
allowed by such bank or trust company, as above stated, for the redemption of
such shares and so paid to the Corporation. Shares of the Preferred Stock which
have been redeemed shall not be reissued. If less than all of the
shares of the Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the shares thereof to be
redeemed shall be selected by lot, in such manner as the Board of Directors of
the Corporation shall determine, by an independent bank or trust company
selected for that purpose by the Board of Directors of the
Corporation. Nothing herein contained shall limit any legal right of
the Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of the Preferred
Stock; provided, however, that, so long as any shares of the Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Corporation shall not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire
less than all of the shares of the Preferred Stock, if, at the time of such
redemption, purchase or other acquisition, dividends payable on the Preferred
Stock shall be in default in whole or in part, unless, prior to or concurrently
with such redemption, purchase or other acquisition, all such defaults shall be
cured or unless such redemption, purchase or other acquisition shall have been
ordered, approved or permitted under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935; and provided further that, so long as any shares of the Preferred Stock
are outstanding, the Corporation shall not make any payment or set aside any
funds for payment into any sinking fund for the purchase or redemption of any
shares of the Preferred Stock, if, at the time of such payment, or the setting
apart of funds for such payment, dividends payable on the Preferred Stock shall
be in default in whole or in part, unless, prior to or concurrently with such
payment or the setting apart of funds for such payment, all such defaults shall
be cured or unless such payment, or the setting apart of funds for such payment,
shall have been ordered, approved or permitted under the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935. Any shares of the Preferred Stock so redeemed,
purchased or acquired shall be retired and cancelled.
(H) For the purposes of this paragraph
(H) and subparagraph (4) of paragraph (D) the term "Common Stock Equity" shall
mean the aggregate of the par value of, or stated capital represented by, the
outstanding shares (other than shares owned by the Corporation) of stock ranking
junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends and in liquidation, dissolution,
winding up or distributions, of the premium on such junior stock and of the
surplus (including earned surplus, capital surplus
and surplus invested in
plant) of the Corporation less (1) any amounts recorded on the books of the
Corporation for utility plant and other plant in excess of the original cost
thereof, (2) unamortized debt discount and expense, capital stock discount and
expense and any other intangible items set forth on the asset side of the
balance sheet as a result of accounting convention, (3) the excess, if any, of
the aggregate amount payable on involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the affairs of the Corporation upon all outstanding Preferred Stock of the
Corporation over the aggregate par or stated value thereof and any premiums
thereon and (4) the excess, if any, for the period beginning with January 1,
1954, to the end of the month within ninety (90) days preceding the date as of
which Common Stock Equity is determined, of the cumulative amount computed under
requirements contained in the Corporation's mortgage indentures relating to
minimum depreciation provisions (this cumulative amount being the aggregate of
the largest amounts separately computed for entire periods of differing
coexisting mortgage indenture requirements), over the amount charged by the
Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida corporation, on
their books for depreciation during such period, including the final fraction of
a year; provided, however, that no deductions shall be required to be made in
respect of items referred to in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this paragraph (H)
in cases in which such items are being amortized or are provided for, or are
being provided for, by reserves. For the purpose of this paragraph
(H): (i) the term “total capitalization” shall mean the sum of the Common Stock
Equity plus item three (3) in this paragraph (H) and the stated capital
applicable to, and any premium on, outstanding stock of the Corporation not
included in Common Stock Equity, and the principal amount of all outstanding
debt of the Corporation maturing more than twelve (12) months after the date of
issue thereof; and (ii) the term “dividends on Common Stock” shall embrace
dividends on Common Stock (other than dividends payable only in shares of Common
Stock), distributions on, and purchases or other acquisitions for value of, any
Common Stock of the Corporation or other stock if any, subordinate to its
Preferred Stock. So long as any shares of the Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Corporation shall not declare or pay any dividends on the
Common Stock, except as follows:
(a) If and so long as the Common Stock
Equity at the end of the calendar month immediately preceding the date on which
a dividend on Common Stock is declared is, or as a result of such dividend would
become, less than 20% of total capitalization, the Corporation shall not declare
such dividends in an amount which, together with
all other
dividends on Common
Stock paid within the year ending with and including the date on which such
dividend is payable, exceeds 50% of the net income of the Corporation available
for dividends on the Common Stock for the twelve full calendar months
immediately preceding the month in which such dividends are declared, except in
an amount not exceeding the aggregate of dividends on Common Stock which under
the restrictions set forth above in this subparagraph (a) could have been, and
have not been, declared; and
(b) If and so long as the Common Stock
Equity at the end of the calendar month immediately preceding the date on which
a dividend on Common Stock is declared is, or as a result of such dividend would
become, less than 25% but not less than 20% of total capitalization, the
Corporation shall not declare dividends on the Common Stock in an amount which,
together with all other dividends on Common Stock paid within the year ending
with and including the date on which such dividend is payable, exceeds 75% of
the net income of the Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a
Florida corporation, available for dividends on the Common Stock for the twelve
full calendar months immediately preceding the month in which such dividends are
declared, except in an amount not exceeding the aggregate of dividends on Common
Stock which under the restrictions set forth above in subparagraph (a) and in
this subparagraph (b) could have been and have not been declared;
and
(c) If any time when the Common Stock
Equity is 25% or more of total capitalization, the Corporation may not declare
dividends on shares of the Common Stock which would reduce the Common Stock
Equity below 25% of total capitalization, except to the extent provided in
subparagraphs (a) and (b) above.
At anytime when the aggregate of all
amounts credited subsequent to January 1, 1954, to the depreciation reserve
account of the Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida
corporation, through charges to operating revenue deductions or otherwise on the
books of the Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida
corporation, shall be less than the amount computed as provided in clause (aa)
below, under requirements contained in the Corporation's mortgage indentures,
then for the purposes of subparagraphs (a) and (b) above, in determining the
earnings available for Common Stock dividends during any twelve-month period,
the amount to be provided for depreciation in that period shall be (aa) the
greater of the cumulative amount charged to depreciation expense on the books of
the Corporation and Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida
corporation, or the cumulative amount computed under requirements contained in
the Corporation's mortgage indentures relating to minimum depreciation
provisions (the latter cumulative amount being the aggregate of the largest
amounts separately computed for entire periods of differing co-existing mortgage
indenture requirements) for the period from January 1, 1954, to and including
said twelve-month period, less (bb) the greater of the cumulative amount charged
to depreciation expense on the books of the Corporation and Mississippi Power
& Light Company, a Florida corporation, or the cumulative amount computed
under requirements contained in the Corporation's mortgage indentures relating
to minimum depreciation provisions (the latter cumulative amount being the
aggregate of the largest amounts separately computed for entire periods of
differing coexisting mortgage indenture requirements) from January 1, 1954, up
to but excluding said twelve-month period; provided that in the event any
company other than Mississippi Power & Light Company, a Florida corporation,
is merged into the Corporation the “cumulative amount computed under
requirements contained in the Corporation's mortgage indentures relating to
minimum depreciation provisions” referred to above shall be computed without
regard, for the period prior to the merger, of property acquired in the merger,
and the “cumulative amount charged to depreciation expense on the books of the
Corporation” shall be exclusive of amounts provided for such property prior to
the merger.
(I) The Board of Directors are hereby
expressly authorized by resolution or resolutions to state and express the
series and distinctive serial designation of any authorized and unissued shares
of Preferred Stock proposed to be issued, the number of shares to constitute
each such series, the annual rate or rates of dividends payable on shares of
each series (or the method of calculation thereof) together with the dates on
which such dividends shall be paid in each year, the date from which such
dividends shall commence to accumulate, the amount or amounts payable upon
redemption and the sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or
purchase of shares.
(J)
Dividends may be paid upon the Common Stock only when (i) dividends have been
paid or declared and funds set apart for the payment of dividends as aforesaid
on the Preferred Stock from the date(s) after which dividends thereon became
cumulative, to the beginning of the period then current, with respect to which
such dividends on the Preferred Stock are usually declared, and (ii) all
payments have been made or funds have been set aside for payments then or
theretofore due under sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or
purchase of shares of any series of the Preferred Stock, but whenever (x) there
shall have been paid or declared and funds shall have been set apart for the
payment of all such dividends upon the Preferred Stock as aforesaid, and (y) all
payments shall have been made or funds shall have been set aside for payments
then or theretofore due under sinking fund provisions, if any, for the
redemption or purchase of shares of any series of the Preferred Stock, then,
subject to the limitations above set forth, dividends upon the Common Stock may
be declared payable then or thereafter, out of any net earnings or surplus of
assets over liabilities, including capital, then remaining. After the
payment of the limited dividends and/or shares in distribution of assets to
which the Preferred Stock is expressly entitled in preference to the Common
Stock, in accordance with the provisions hereinabove set forth, the Common
Stock alone (subject to
the rights of any class of stock hereafter authorized) shall receive all further
dividends and shares in distribution.
(K) Subject to the limitations
hereinabove set forth, the Corporation from time to time may resell any of its
own stock, purchased or otherwise acquired by it as hereinafter provided for, at
such price as may be fixed by its Board of Directors or Executive
Committee.
(L) Subject to the limitations
hereinabove set forth, the Corporation in order to acquire funds with which to
redeem any outstanding Preferred Stock of any class, may issue and sell stock of
any class then authorized but unissued, bonds, notes, evidences of indebtedness,
or other securities.
(M) Subject to the limitations
hereinabove set forth, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may at any time
authorize the conversion or exchange of the whole or any particular share of the
outstanding Preferred Stock of any class with the consent of the holder thereof,
into or for stock of any other class at the time of such consent authorized but
unissued and may fix the terms and conditions upon which such conversion or
exchange may be made; provided that without the consent of the holders of record
of two-thirds of the shares of Common Stock outstanding given at a meeting of
the holders of the Common Stock called and held as provided by the By-Laws or
given in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors shall not authorize
the conversion or exchange of any Preferred Stock of any class into or for
Common Stock or authorize the conversion or exchange of any Preferred Stock of
any class into or for Preferred Stock of any other class, if by such conversion
or exchange the amount which the holders of the shares of stock so converted or
exchanged would be entitled to receive either as dividends or shares in
distribution of assets in preference to the Common Stock would be
increased.
(N) A consolidation, merger or
amalgamation of the Corporation with or into any other corporation or
corporations shall not be deemed a distribution of assets of the Corporation
within the meaning of any provisions of these Second Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation.
(O) The consideration received by the
Corporation from the sale of any additional stock without nominal or par value
shall be entered in the Corporation's capital stock account.
(P) Subject to the limitations
hereinabove set forth, upon the vote of a majority of all the Directors of the
Corporation and of a majority of the total number of shares of stock then issued
and outstanding and entitled to vote in accordance with the calculation set
forth in Paragraph (E), irrespective of class (or if the vote of a larger number
or different proportion of shares is required by the laws of the State of
Mississippi notwithstanding the above agreement of the stockholders of the
Corporation to the contrary, then upon the vote of the larger number or
different proportion of shares so required), the Corporation may from time to
time create or authorize one or more other classes of stock with such
preferences, designations, rights, privileges, powers, restrictions, limitations
and qualifications as may be determined by said vote, which may be the same as
or different from the preferences, designations, rights, privileges, powers,
restrictions, limitations and qualifications of the classes of stock of the
Corporation then authorized. Any such vote authorizing the creation of a new
class of stock may provide that all moneys payable by the Corporation with
respect to any class of stock thereby authorized shall be paid in the money of
any foreign country named therein or designated by the Board of Directors,
pursuant to authority therein granted, at a fixed rate of exchange with the
money of the United States of America therein stated or provided for and all
such payments shall be made accordingly. Any such vote may authorize any shares
of any class then authorized but unissued to be issued as shares of such new
class or classes.
(Q) Subject to the limitations
hereinabove set forth, either the Preferred Stock or the Common Stock or both of
said classes of stock, may be increased at any time upon vote of the holders of
a majority of the total number of shares of the Corporation then issued and
outstanding and entitled to vote thereon in accordance with the calculation set
forth in Paragraph (E), irrespective of class.
(R) If any provisions in this Article
FOURTH shall be in conflict or inconsistent with any other provisions of these
Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation the
provisions of this Article FOURTH shall prevail and govern.
FIFTH
: The
Corporation will not commence business until at least $1,000 has been received
by it as consideration for the issuance of shares.
SIXTH
: Existing provisions
limiting or denying to shareholders the preemptive right to acquire additional
or treasury shares of the Corporation are:
No holder of any stock of the
Corporation shall be entitled as of right to purchase or subscribe for any part
of any unissued stock of the Corporation, or any additional stock of any class
to be issued by reason of any increase of the authorized capital stock of the
Corporation or of bonds, certificates of indebtedness, debentures, or other
securities convertible into stock of the Corporation, but any such unissued
stock or any such additional authorized issue of new stock, or of securities
convertible into stock, may be issued and disposed of by the Board of Directors
without offering to the stockholders then of record, or to any class of
stockholders, any thereof on any terms.
SEVENTH
: Existing
provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation for the
regulation of the internal affairs of the Corporation are:
(a) General authority is hereby
conferred upon the Board of Directors to fix the consideration for which shares
of stock of the Corporation without nominal or par value may be issued and
disposed of, and the shares of stock of the Corporation without nominal or par
value, whether authorized by these Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation or by subsequent increase of the authorized number of shares of
stock or by amendment of these Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation by consolidation or merger or otherwise, and/or any securities
convertible into stock of the Corporation without nominal or par value may be
issued and disposed of for such consideration and on such terms and in such
manner as may be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
(b) The issue of the whole, or any part
determined by the Board of Directors, of the shares of stock of the Corporation
as partly paid, and subject to calls thereon until the whole thereof shall have
been paid, is hereby authorized.
(c) The Board of Directors shall have
power to authorize the payment of compensation to the directors for services to
the Corporation, including fees for attendance at meetings of the Board of
Directors or the Executive Committee and all other committees and to determine
the amount of such compensation and fees.
(d) The Corporation may issue a new
certificate of stock in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it,
alleged to have been lost or destroyed and the Board of Directors may, in their
discretion, require the owner of the lost or destroyed certificate, or his legal
representative, to give bond in such sum as they may direct as indemnity against
any claim that may be made against the Corporation, its officers, employees or
agents by reason thereof; a new certificate may be issued without requiring any
bond when, in the judgment of the directors, it is proper so to do.
If the Corporation shall neglect or
refuse to issue such a new certificate and it shall appear that the owner
thereof has applied to the Corporation for a new certificate in place thereof
and has made due proof of the loss or destruction thereof and has given such
notice of his application for such new certificate on such newspaper of general
circulation, published in the State of Mississippi as reasonably should be
approved by the Board of Directors, and in such other newspaper as may be
required by the Board of Directors, and has tendered to the Corporation adequate
security to indemnify the Corporation, its officers employees, or agents, and
any person other than such applicant who shall thereafter appear to be the
lawful owner of such alleged lost or destroyed certificate against damage, loss
or expense because of the issuance of such new certificate, and the effect
thereof as herein provided, then, unless there is adequate cause why such new
certificate shall not be issued, the Corporation, upon the receipt of said
indemnity, shall issue a new certificate of stock in place of such lost or
destroyed certificate. In the event that the Corporation shall
nevertheless refuse to issue a new certificate as aforesaid, the applicant may
then petition any court of competent jurisdiction for relief against the failure
of the Corporation to perform its obligations hereunder. In the event
that the Corporation shall issue such new certificate, any person who shall
thereafter claim any rights under the certificate in place of which such new
certificate is issued, whether such new certificate is issued pursuant to the
judgment or decree of such court or voluntarily by the Corporation after
the
publication of
notice and the receipt of proof and indemnity as aforesaid, shall have recourse
to such indemnity and the Corporation shall be discharged from all liability to
such person by reason of such certificate and the shares represented
thereby.
(e) No
stockholder shall have any right to inspect any account, book or document of the
Corporation, except as conferred by statute or authorized by the
directors.
(f) A director of the Corporation shall
not be disqualified by his office from dealing or contracting with the
Corporation either as a vendor, purchaser or otherwise, nor shall any
transaction or contract of the Corporation be void or voidable by reason of the
fact that any
director or any firm of
which any director is a member or any corporation of which any director is a
shareholder, officer or director, is in any way interested in such transaction
or contract, provided that such transaction or contract is or shall be
authorized, ratified or approved either (1) by a vote of a majority of a quorum
of the Board of Directors or the Executive Committee, without counting in such
majority or quorum any directors so interested or members of a firm so
interested or a shareholder, officer or director of a corporation so interested,
or (2) by the written consent, or by vote at a stockholders' meeting of the
holders of record of a majority in number of all the outstanding shares of stock
of the Corporation entitled to vote; nor shall any director be liable to account
to the Corporation for any profits realized by or from or through any such
transaction or contract of the Corporation, authorized, ratified or approved as
aforesaid by reason of the fact that he or any firm of which he is a member or
any corporation of which he is a shareholder, officer or director was interested
in such transaction or contract. Nothing herein contained shall
create any liability in the events above described or prevent the authorization,
ratification or approval of such contract in any other manner provided by
law.
(g) Any director may be removed,
whether cause shall be assigned for his removal or not, and his place filled at
any meeting of the stockholders by the vote of a majority of the outstanding
stock of the
Corporation entitled to
vote. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled as provided in the
By-Laws.
(h) Any property of the Corporation not
essential to the conduct of its corporate business and purposes may be sold,
leased, exchanged or otherwise disposed of by authority of its Board of
Directors, and the Corporation may sell, lease or exchange all of its property
and franchises or any of its property, franchises, corporate rights or
privileges essential to the conduct of its corporate business and purposes upon
the consent of and for such considerations and upon such terms as may be
authorized by a majority of the Board of Directors and the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote, expressed in writing or by
vote at a meeting called for that purpose in the manner provided by the By-Laws
of the Corporation for special meetings of stockholders; and at no time shall
any of the plants, properties, easements, franchises (other than corporate
franchises) or securities then owned by the Corporation be deemed to be
property, franchises, corporate rights or privileges essential to the conduct of
the corporate business and purposes of the Corporation.
Upon the vote or consent of the
stockholders required to dissolve the Corporation, the Corporation shall have
power, as the attorney and agent of the holders of all of its outstanding stock,
to sell, assign and transfer all such stock to a new corporation organized under
the laws of the United States, the State of Mississippi or any other state, and
to receive as the consideration therefor shares of stock of such new corporation
of the several classes into which the stock of the Corporation is then divided,
equal in number to the number of shares of stock of the Corporation of said
several classes then outstanding, such shares of said new corporation to have
the same preferences, voting powers, restrictions and qualifications thereof as
may then attach to the classes of stock of the Corporation then outstanding so
far as the same shall be consistent with such laws of the United States or of
the State of Mississippi or of such other state, except that the whole or any
part of such stock or any class thereof may be stock with or without nominal or
par value. In order to make effective such a sale, assignment and
transfer, the Corporation shall have the right to transfer all its outstanding
stock on its books and to issue and deliver new certificates therefor in such
names and amounts as such new corporation may direct without receiving for
cancellation the certificates for such stock previously issued and then
outstanding. Upon completion of such sale, assignment and transfer,
the holders of the stock of the Corporation shall have no rights or interests in
or against the Corporation except the right, upon surrender of certificates for
stock of the Corporation properly endorsed, if required, to receive from the
Corporation certificates for shares of stock of such new corporation of the
class corresponding to the class of the shares surrendered, equal in number to
the number of shares of the stock of the Corporation so
surrendered.
(i) Upon the written assent or pursuant
to the affirmative vote in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority in
number of the shares then outstanding and entitled to vote, irrespective of
class, (1) any or every statute of the State of Mississippi hereafter enacted,
whereby the rights, powers or privileges of the Corporation are or may be
increased, diminished or in any way affected or whereby the rights, powers or
privileges of the stockholders of corporations organized under the law under
which the Corporation is organized, are increased, diminished or in any way
affected or whereby effect is given to the action taken by any part, less than
all, of the stockholders of any such corporation, shall, notwithstanding any
provisions which may at the time be contained in these Second Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation or any law, apply to the Corporation, and
shall be binding not only upon the Corporation, but upon every stockholder
thereof, to the same extent as if such statute had been in force at the date of
the making and filing of these Second Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation and/or (2) amendments of these Second Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation authorized at the time of the making of such
amendments by the laws of the State of Mississippi may be made.
EIGHTH
: These Second Amended
and Restated Articles of Incorporation amend, restate, and supersede the
original Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, any prior
Restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments thereto, and any prior
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation and all amendments
thereto.