All cooperative agricultural corporations, companies or associations, coming within the purview of this law, and heretofore organized and doing business under prior statutes and which have attempted so to organize and do business, shall have the benefit of all provisions of this law and be bound thereby on filing with the secretary of state a written declaration, signed and sworn to by the president and secretary, to the effect that such cooperative company or association has, by a majority vote of its shareholders, decided to accept the benefits of and to be bound by the provisions of this law.