The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-22


dstions as may seem to me best calculated
to promote the best interests Of our organ
i1ation.
PROCEEDINGS AND CONSTITUTIONS.
The last Convention left the proceeding
and revised Constitutions in the hands o
the Secretary for publication, who placed
the same in the hands of the printer soor
after the adjournment of the Convention
but owing to the noncompliance Of The
unione generally, with the request Of the
Convention (by a resolution) to advance
their first quarter dues, and their failure tc
forward promptly their dues at the end Of
each quarter, it has been impossible to
have tho proceedings completed. They
are still, so far as have been informed, moi
completed, there being but twenty-four
pages printed. You will excuse me for
saying that think the printer must have a
poor opinion of the credit of our organization
after receiving at least one-half the amount
due On his contract, by not completing the
work and waiting a few months for the
balance.
Y | do not think the Secretary, or any
officer of the National Union, should be
held responsible for the non-publication OF
these documents. The action Of the unions
in reference to their dues are the principle
cause of their publication being retarded.
Heretofore, the Secretary has given his note
for the work done the National Union, and
wait until such time as the funds would ad-
NIT of his being reimbursed, but this year
circumstances have prevented his doing So.
! can think Of nothing that has caused so
much dissatisfaction as the delay in the pub
lication of these documents. 1t has to
some extent injured the organization, BY
keeping the members in Ignorance Of the
laws passed by the Convention, and the
actions OF their delegates during its session.
And here express the desire that whatever
you may do in this matter at the close of
the present session, that you will have in
view the earliest possible publication Of all
documents necessary for the successful
workings Of the Union.
PROGRESS OF THE UNION.
Notwithstanding the extreme inactivity Of
the building trade in all sections Of the
country during the year, the National Union
has to some extent, extended its field OF IN
1uence and usefulness. The number Of
subordinate unions now working under its
jurisdiction is seventy-six. During the year
l have granted charters to sixteen new
unions, as follows:
No 4, Of Ohio, located in Columbus,
Jan. 27 No. "a, of New York, located in
Tarytown, Feb. 16 NJ; No. /, of Virginia,
located in Richmond, Feb. 16; No. 8, Of
Illinois, located in Chicago, Feb. %; No.
10, of Pennsylvania, located in Chester
City, March Is No %, Of New York,
located in Amsterdam, March "a No 5, Of
Ohio, located in Cleveland, March, 80; No.
&c, of New York, located in Brooklyn,
April 1st ; No. IL, of Pennsylvania, To-
Gated in Beaver Falls, April 10; No. II,
of Pennsylvania, located in Birmingham,
April 29 No. l, of Wisconsin, located in
Milwaukee, June 12; No. l, Of Nebraska,
located in Omaha, August 1G; No. 27, Of
New York, located in Rochester, Oct. 1 4 !;
No 4, of Massachusetts,, located in Pitts
field, Oct 16 No. %, Of New York, To-
Gated in Syracuse, Dec. 20 No. l, Of
Michigan, located in Grand Rapids, Jan. 8.
am sorry to inform you that during the
year three unions have dissolved, viz. No.
5, Of Pennsylvania No. 10, Of New York.
and No. 1, Of Connecticut, making four
Unions that have dissolved since the or
ganization Of the National Union, including
No. /, Of Kentucky, 1868.
/ had corresponded with other localities
hoping to form unions in those places,
but apprehend the dulIness Of trade has
been the cause of my not being successful
in doing so.
I October 8th, some Of the German mem
bers Of Union No. 0, Of New Jersey, aP-
piled for a charter to form German Union
in the city of Newark, to which No. 3, in
terposed no objection. provided they would
pay their Indebtedness and apply for their ira
yelling cards. The proposition being rejected
by the Germans, deemed it unjust to No.
3 to grant them a charter.
In selecting deputies 10 organize new
unions, l have endeavored to comply with
the desires of the union to be organized, and
Of selecting those nearest the locality Of the
new unions, SO that the expenses Of the
union being organized (they having to defray
the same,) should BE- as light as possible.
Y During the year the members Of ouI
league have found it extremely difficult tC
obtain employment. Business of all grades
has suffered to a great extent, and none
more than ours. Mechanics Of variou!
callings and especially those engaged in thC
house building interests, have crowded oul
+ large cities, thereby injuring, to great ex
tent the influence of our unions in these
localities, and | am convinced that had tht
year Just closed been as prosperous as thest
preceding, would have been enabled t.
T report a large accession to our numbers. Ii
viewing the past, and predicting the future
let us renew our pledge, and with confidence
in each other, and brotherly love as oul
motto, aid and assist in the great and gooc
work in which We are engaged.
STRIKES.
The following unions have during th
year informed me of difficulties existing il
! their jurisdiction. in consequence of thei
demanding an advance Of wages, a reduction
Of the hours Of labor on Saturday, an effor
on the part of their employees to reduce th
wages or for the purpose Of endeavOring t
maintain their laws in reference to appreu
ficcs No. 8, Of New Jersey, April 5tt
1 tor an advance of wages in which they wer
successful No. 5, of New Jersey, Ma
d 10th, against reduction Of wages in whic
after short struggle they were successful
by the aid Of the following unions cheerful
n responding to the request Of the Nation;
!, Executive
NJ. 25, OF HeS York, 3I5l
No. 8, OF Pennsylvania, 90
,e No. 8. of New ork, 21
No. Ii, OF New Jersey, l6
le No. S, OF New Jersey, 20