The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-07-07
LABOR REFORM.

The International Workingmens' Assoc
citation was formed to afforda central med;-
um of communication and cooperation be-
tween workingmen's societies existing in
different countries, and aiming at the pro-
lection, advancement, and emancipation Ct
the working classes. 1t is composed of
separate and distinct associations or "sec-
TONS" as they are called in the Interna-
tional, any number of which may exist in
one city. All the sections of country
unite in forming branch, and every coun-
try where the International exists is desig-
mated as "section." Every branch is en-
titled to send delegate to the International
Congress (which names its own time and
place of meeting), and an additional dele
gate for each additional 800 members
Each society is regularly assessed with
two cents in this country and one penny
abroad on every affiliated member, to defray
the expenses of General Council, consst-
ing of. workingmen belonging to the differ
ent countries represented in the lnterna-
tional Association, which forms an interna-
tional agency between the different
cooperating associations, so that the work.
ngmen in every country can be informed of
! the movements of their class throughout
the world. Questions of general interest
mooted in one society are discussed in all /,
aud when immediate practical steps are
necessary, as in the case of international
Quarrels, the action of the associated socie-
ties is simultaneous and uniform. When
ever opportune, the General Council also
takes the initiative in proposals to be laid
before the different national and local socie-
ties.
The platform of the International is to
the effect that the struggle for the emanci-
patton of the working classes is not for class
privileges and monopolies, but for equal
rights and duties, and the abolition of class
rule. Economical subsection of the laborer
to the monopolizer of the means of labor lies
at the bottom of servitude, social misery,
mental degradation, and political depeil-
dence. Therefore the economical emanci-
patton of the working classes is the great
end to which every political movement
ought to be subordinate as means. All
efforts aiming at that end had hitherto failed
from the want of solidarity between the
divisions of labor in each country, and from
the absence of union between the working
classes of different countries. The emanci-
patton of labor is regarded as neither a local
nOT II IutOllstl, Dut d soCiti piouiSiii, Oii
bracng all countries where modern society
exists, and depending for its solution on the
concurrence, practical and theoretical of tho
most advanced countries. ssrs
1t is noticeable feature Of the meetings
of the international in. New York that
while the French, Germans, or foreigners
generally adhered to the subject tha
brought them together, viz: Labor agains
Capital, and spoke with vigor and earnest
ness, the Americans, as rule, theorizet
. and specialized, and sought to inflict theil
peculiar hobbies upon the Association, I'M
til EXPLANATIONS of dissent from the mor'
conservative and practical foreigners warn
ed them to desist. fA
A rule of the Association forbids an,
member obtaining personal prominence b!
reason of his connection with it. For thi
and other reasons, the office of Presiden
has been abolished, and at every meeting
temporary chairman is elected. This rul
was made to prevent designing and ambi
, tious men using the Association for selfisl
ends.