The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-18
Yours respectfully,
r. f. TRKvELrcK.
BRICKLAYERs' NATIONAL UNION
SECRETARY's OFFICE, IS GROVE ST.
NEW YORK, Jan. 80, 1871.

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SEcRErARY's OFFICE, IS GROVE ST.
New YORK, Jan. 80, 1871.
To tho Officers and Members of Local
Unions
BROTHERS: have sent you this
day, by express, q number of copies of
the Constitution Of the National Union.
as amended at the Pittsburgh Conven-
ton. The proceedings, which are nov
in the printers hands, will be ready
for distribution about the middle Of
February; thus you viii see that no
time has been lost in disposing of the
business Of this Office. But while The
officers Of the National Union are will.
ing to discharge all their obligations
promptly, and 70 the best Of their
humble ability you must not forget
that our best efflrts in the interests Of
our trade will prove utter failures, IN
less you aid us by your cheerful coop
Grafton; and | may add that this I'D.
vice will apply with equal force to in
dividual members of subordinate uni
ons, who should at all times render
willing allegiance to the officers Of
their union, whoever they may be. No
member should imagine, or act, 40 II
our organization is maintained by him
or for him; we are all dependent, and
no one is greater than another. EV-
cry one has his part TO perform. An
officer who administers the laws Of bis
union fearlessly and impsrtislly, in
sures good discipline; and the mem
Der who attends the meetings Of his
union regularly, takes an interest in
its proceedings, and is on easy terms
with the treasurer, implies that Ia has
confidence III his union and its officers
and whenever this spirit animates both
officers and members, there can be no
such word az fail.
Now, then, | have duties to perform.
am obliged to have the Constitution
and Proceedings, and Quarterly Jour
nails and other documents printed, in
order that you may all know what is
going on outside Of your own union.
And now | will tell you what you must
do: You must make out and mail oil
quarterly reports at the proper time;
you must answer without delay, all
communications seeking information;
and, lastly, you must be on hand every
quarter with your dues.
For several years past il has been
customary for the National Union, or
the Secretary, to request unions to for
ward the amount of one quarters dues
in advance, TO enable the Secretary to
60 on with the work this have not
asked, preferring TO be personally re-
sponsible for all the liabilities Of this
Office, until relieved by the regular
quarterly remittances but while
know the National Union il as good az
gold, it is sometimes difficult to con-
vince creditors OF the fact; 60, IL there
are unions that will voluntarily send
one or two quarters dues to the Treas
urer, Walter Ii. Dobson, at Washing
ton, will esteem it very great favor,
as shall then lie able to prosecute the
work with more vigor and effect.
| hope you will always remember
that 1t il not only our duty to strength
en- unions already in existence, but that
we should never allow an opportunity,
where it is desirable To organize new
union, to pass by unimproved. When
ever any OF your members travel 70
other places, they should not wait
day longer than is necessary to deposit
their travelling card with the union OF
the place, if there is one, bat if there
be none, | hope they will 20 to work
at once to organize one. True union
men are known by their zeal in the
cause, and their desire for it's advance
ment Let US all work And where
a travelling card is deposited, | hope
certificate Of deposit" will be sent %
the union which granted the travelling
card 1t was for this purpose blank
certificates OF deposit were issued
And now | have a word TO say TOR
unions in arrears. Ii you have been
do not despair. Stand oy
your principles. II you have internal
Jrouble-if there are misunderstanding
and conflicting opinions, let them come
10 an end, for they benefit only the
nan Of means, and lnjure only the man
who labors. | ask You to stop 1t. Let
Dy-gones be by-gones; commence
over again, and put yourselves III goou
standing with the rest Of your crail
and share it's successes and adverslhes'
If, however, a union has concluded 70
70 its way, indepynd II Of the Natlon'
Il Union, hope when i has satlSneu
tself Of it, error, that it will come
pack again. Let it rme as the prod
gal, and we will receive our WayWaIu
lister.
With my best wishes for your We
are and prosperity, and with the mop
hat good fellowship will prevail a. al
ines among the unions and their meu
,ers, | am sincerely your friend anu
'rother, JOHN w. bROWNlNe'
GscrefnTU