The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-05-16
To the Secretary Of the

MANCHESTER, April 10th. 1868.
STR,-You are requested to lay the follow
ing before your Society. The vital interests
involved, Il is conceived, will Justify the Off
-cials in convening q special meeting for the
consideration thereof. The Manchester and
Stafford Trades Council having recently taken
into their serious consideration the present
aspect Of Trade Unions, and the profound
ignorance which prevails 10 the public mind
With reference to their operations and prin-
ci.les, together with the probability Of an
attempt being made by the Legislature, dur
ing the present session Of Parliament, TO in
trcduce q measure which might prove detri-
mental to the interests Of such Societies, un-
less some prompt and decisive action be taken
by tie working classes themselves, beg most
respectfully TO intimate that i! has been de-
cidsd to bold in Manchest.r, as the main
centre OF industry in the rTovioces, Con-
gress Of the Representatives Of Trades Coun-
cils, FaderAtions of Trades, and Trade Socie-
hes in General. The Congress will sssume
the character Of the annual meetings Of the
Social Science Association, in the traasac-
tions Of which Society the artisan class is
almost entirely excluded and papers, pre-
vlousiy carefully prepared py such Societies
a. elect 10 do %, will be laid before the Con-
gress on the various subjects which ut the
present time affect Trade Societies, each pa
per to be followed BY discussion upon the
points advanced, with . view on the merits
and dement's Of each question being
thoroughly ventilated through the medium Of
the public press II il further decided that
the subjects treated upon shall In.lude the
following:-
1. Trade Unions m absolut necessity.
Q. Trade Unlons and Political Economy.
Q. The Effect of Trade Unions on Foreign
Competition.
4. Regulation OF the Hours OF Labor.
5. Limitation OF Apprentices.
8. Technical Education.
7. Courts vi Arbitration and Cancellation.
8. Cooperation.
8. The present Inequality or the Lar Ia
regard 10 Conspiracy, Intimidation, Pick
citing, Coercion, &C.
10. Factory Acts Extension Bill, 1861: the
necessity Of Compulsory Inspection, and
its application to all places where wo-
men ar3 children are employed.
| III. The present Royal Commission on
Trade Unions how far worthy of the
confidence Of the Trade Unicu interest.
IL. Lsgslation OF Trade Societies.
Is. The necessity OF an Annual Congress
of Trade Representatives from the varI-
Gus centres Of industry.
All Trades Councils, Rederations OF Trades
and Trade Societies. generally, are respect
fully solicited TO intimate their adhesion u
this pfoject on or before the l2th Of May
nsxs, together with notification of the sub
ject Of tae paper that each body will under
Jake to prepare, end the number OF delegates
by whom they win be respectively represent
Cd after which date all information as "a
the place Of meeting, &C., will be supplied
It is not imperative hat al Societies should
prepare papers, 1t being anticipated that che
subjects viii be taken up by those most ca.
pabie OF expounding the principles sought tc
be maintained. Several have already sdherst
to the projecs, and have signi6ed their intsn
non oi taking up the subjects No. l, A,
and Y. The Congress will be- held on Whit.
Tuesday, the End OF June next, its duration
not to excssd Eve days; and all expenses in
Connection thsrswish, which will be very
small, and ~ economical ~ possible, will BE-
lequalised amongst those societies sending
delegates, and will mot extend beyond theiI
sittinga Communications TO be addressed
to Mr.. w. III. Wood, Typographical Institate
I29 Water Street, Manchester.
BY order OF the Manchester and Salford
Trades Council,
3. @. NICHOLSON, President.
w. H. WooD, Secretary.