The New York herald., 1869-06-08
NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL UNION.
First Days Session-The Admission of Colored
Typos and Women to be Considered-The
Proxy Delegations Discussed.

Proxy Delegations Discussed.
ALBANY, N. Y, June 7, 1859.
The National Typographical Union OF the United
States assembled O'Clock this morning in their
seventeenth annual session, in the Assembly Cham
Der Of the State Capitol. Upwards Of 100 delegates
are in attendance, and the deliberations of this
Convention are generally anticipated as being the
most momentous OF any which have marked the
history OF the organization The most prominent
however, OF the questions TO be brought before the
body is the question OF the admission to the unions
OF colored persons as members. This matter arises
on the question OF the application OF Louis H.
Douglass, son Of Fred Douglass, to be admitted to
membership OF Columbia Typographical Union, No.
lOl, Of Washington, d. O. Mr. Clapp, the government
printer, is generally understood TO be 'at the bot
tomn OF the whole NATTER he having appointed
young Douglass to position as a compositor in the
Government Printing Department Columbia Enion
declined to take any positive action In the premises,
or rather, by negative action, denied the appll-
cation for the time being by laying the matter over
for consideration at subsequent meeting. Pend
ing this postponement the National Union is assem-
bed, and the matter hardly fail to up here.
OF course IL is shrewd piece or engineering on the
part of the government printer TO throw whatever
onus may attach to the recognition rejection OF
the colored element upon the National Union.
There is feeling, however, in favor OF ignoring
the opinion that the matter should be left entirely
to the jurisdiction OF the subordinate unions to ad-
NIT or reject coored applicants as they deem most
expedient or appropriate.
But should II be forced upon the consideration or
the National Union 1t is believ "a further that great
effort will be made to shirk the main question, as TO
"color." by making the issue one OF status as
craftsman. Young Douglass learned his trade in
Rochester Subsequently he made application for
n
Union, but that union rejected him on the ground
that he was what called IN the vernacular OF the
craft a rat;r-t he had worked at certain estab-
lishment at low rates OF compensation, where no
union compositor would have accepted employment.
Through the correspondence which is maintained
by the organizations throughout the country this
fact was learned, and when ne applied for admis-
sion to Columbia Union It is claimed that he pre-
sented Eno "card,n and his request was looked upon
unfavoIably, upon the assumption that he was an
unfair workman which Is considered suffclent rea-
son for exclusion even in the case OF q white man.
The general impression prevailing IL that II the
question can be disposed OF on TINS issue IL VIII De
TO the advantage ol the Union 10 let IL take such
direction as OF course among typos as well as other
professions in his republican land Of ours" there
Is q diversity Of sentiment on this irrepressible"
subject, and any severe struggle on such question
would it Is conceded, in all probability. wofk to the
mananfIu dtsrnnt their nresent harmonions aud
nourlshing condition and unity.
In any event it is probable that the question when
brought up will be discussed in secret session.
The next important topic win be the question
and Eva r. Howard of Womens Union No. /,
OF New York city, are here, and were on
the noor at the opening OF the Convention to-
day. They come as accredited delegates and
ask the privilege OF charter, and OF coordinate
the sentiment almost If not quite universally is In
favor OF their recognition and admission and there
is little doubt OF their success. The action Of Wo-
mems Union No. during the recent strike in New
York, declining TO take the places vacated by the
strikers, has had powerful influence in their be-
The Convention will remain in session until Friday
next and the programme for the edidcation and
amusement OF the delegates, apart from the parlia
mentary debates and proceedings, embrace an ex-
oursion the river, trip to saratoga, ana grand
The President OF the National Union, Mr.. Robert
McKechnie of New York, as chairman OF the Con-
ventl on, called the delegates TO order.
The proceedings were opened with prayer by Rev.
G. G. HICKMAN. OF Albany.
Mr.. FREoKELToN, President OF the Albany Typo.
graphical Union. then delivered a brief address OF
welcome on behalf OF the Albany Union, to the Ma
tional unlon and the President responded assuring
the Albany craft OF the heartest sympathy and
wishes OF the delegates assembled.
The PRESIDENT then announced that the Conven'
tion was prepared for tue regular bu-iess.
A DELEGATE moved the appointment OF COM
mittee on credentials upon which some discussion
arose as to the question Of the appointment OF the
majority of the delegates expressed themselves In
favor OF adhering TO the old rule OF appointments by
the President, aud upon the question being submit
ted 10 the vote OF the house 1t was so carried.
The PRESIDENT then appointed the following
named delegates on the committee:-Mr. Rogers, OF
Baltimore; Mr.. wilmington, Of Alexandra, Va; Mr.
Bardeid Of LOUISVILLE; Mr.. Doughty, OF indianapolis,
and MIR Feehan, OF Albany.
On motion. recess OF one hour was then taken.
Upon reassembling Mr. WHnTINGToS, from the
Committee on Credentials, presented their report on
the credentials received. recommending their ac-
ceptance, and submitting resolution in opposition
TO the system OF representation by proxy delegates
Tne sentiment of the resolution was applauded.
The report also acknowledged the receipt OF q
communication asking recognition from Women's
Union No. /, and recommended that the repre-
sentatives from that Union be admitted to seats
The report of the committee was received and
On motion Martin Curtis ana Andrew Hagan were
respectively appointed Sergeantat-Arms and Janltor
OF the Union during It's session.
A communication from Mayor Charles A. Bleeker,
President OF the Board OF Fire Commissioners, was
receiyed and accepted, inviting the Union to visit the
various engine aud truck houses OF the department
during their solourn in this city.
A question having arisen as TO the regularity OF
the credentials submitted by number OF the dele
gates, a motion was made TO reconsider the vote
adopting the report OF the committee
A warm discussion ensued. IL being contended by
some OF the delegates that under section OF ar
Gle i've Of the cons ttution delegate entitled
TO q seat who had been appointed by the Union he
claimed to represent instead OF being elected. 10
was claimed TO be under this "appolntment prtn-
cpe that those who are delegated as proxies asked
In opposition It was claimed tnat the Convention
could not ignore the credentials when properly
Tne motion to reconsider was lost.
A resolution was adopted that q special committee
OF 1--WE be elected by this Convention TO examine all
the credentials under which proxy representation
was claimed with power to send for persons and
papers.
The PRESIDENT then delivered his annual address
IN the course or which he congratulated the Union
on the prosperity which had marked their career
since the last annual session. There had been during
that period nine new local Unions formed ana two
revived and re-established six strikes had been
reported during the year TO the Executive Commit
tee, their locations being New York, Montreal New
Haven, indianapolis, Toledo, and Trenton NJ J; ne.
yond doubt other minor strikes had occurred, out
their existence and results had not reached the COM
mlttee. In almost every instance tne strikes % nad
terminated favoraby to the Unions, they having III
some cases gained their full demands aud In others
Compromise had been effected. The New ork strlke
cost the New York Union about s2l00 $4,000 OF the
whole amount being defrayed by the treasury and |
$4,000 by contributions. Ihe results generay Oh al
the strikes showed that mutual concession was the |
best governing principle to be adopted as II was on
such basis that most OF the strikes had been con.
cluded. The Montreal strike cost about 81 100 OF
which about $500 was contributed and the remain
ing sum paid out Of the treasury The action OF the
Woman's Union the President said had been such