The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-06

years ending in 1866 amounted TO SEA, 26o.
whereas, in order TO meet the liabilities it
ought, according to the most favorable as
sumption, TO bc about S425,OOO. In the
case Of the Society of Engineers, the fund
IN hand In sixteen years, ending 1866,
amounted TO $500, ,565, whereas il ought to
have been S2,363S sos. No further comment
Is needed OH the financial circumstances of
these societies. We have said enough to.
prove the necessity of acting cautiously, so
that no Trades Union in the South may
take upon itself Il liability, in the nature of
SICK benefits and superannuation and death
allowances, greater than its income will
allow it to meet, wl'a in the course of time
the influx OF new members shall have ceased
and the inilrn,itics and mortality of the old
members increase in IL corresponding degree.
The mode OF administering the affairs of
the Unions, Is simple in the extreme. An
Union comprises an aggregation more or
less numerous Of Branches or Lodges Each
Branch or Lodge hns its own committee,
which regulates its affairs and decides, ac-
cor~inS to the rules, any differences that
may arise between tho members or with The
employers. The central body is an Exccu
tive Council in the nature of an Executive
Committee, the members Of which arc ncri-
odcally elected by the several Branches
This Is really the court of appeal from the
subordinate Lodges or from individual men,
bers In most of the English Unions the
practice, when suspension of labor is con-
tcmplated, is stated TO be this: The oues-
ton is first entertained by the Branch Com
mttee Immediately concerned in the dis
putc; from that committee il is referred TO
the Executive Council for their considcra-
ton; and in the event of their approval, IL
Is submitted 10 the votes OF all the individ-
ual members of the Union, and if decided
upon by majority, the strike takes place.
The staff of the Amalgamated Engineers
Trades Union costs about $4,000 n year
and consists Of q president, vice-presidcn.
anu other olliccrs-among whom the sccrc-
tary holds an important position. The sec
"atary generally holds Office longer than the
other members of the staff In the last
named society he holds it for three years
anu is capable Of reelection. The sccrc-
taries are the mouth-pieces of the Unions.
anu exercise very considerable Influence
over their respective Unions. being In most
instances intelligent men, and no tloubt ac-
customed, to great extent, to direct the
policy of the societies.
We have now described at sufficient length
the Proridcnt features of the English Trades
Unions, and the plan of their general adj
ministration. We shall now consider the
aims and ends OF the. Unions, and the means
used for accomplishing their purposes, talk
ing care to show in what particulars the
English Unions are defective, as well rs the
degree i'll which their operations are con-
trary to, or In accordance with, the laws
which regulate labor and capital In con-
clusion, we shall cndcavor to lay down
practical plan for the thorough organization
OF Trades Unions in the South, believing.
as we do, that when properly organized and
properly understood they may be made of
the highest utility to the working classes,
and, through them, to every class OF our
people.