The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-08-19
PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
KRTLIMEN

PRESIDENTS ADDRESS.
GuSrLEMEE:
Another yesr in the history of the National
Labor Union has passed, and It becomes nv
duty, 81 your executive officer, to give an ac-
count Of my stewardship. We meet together
for consultation, and, with your united wisdom,
to carefully consider and decide upon the best
means to carry forward the great principles
which have been so repeatedly affirmed in the
platform adopted by the former sessions Of this
body.
ri ere have been three State organizations
formed since the meeting Of the Labor Con-
5ress in August last viz in Pennsylvania, Cal
iforniA, and Connecticut. The proper officers
of such organizations have the power, under
the Constitution, to issue local charters, but
there being none reported from said officers
the number of charters cannot be determined
They will, however number over one hum
dred.
Nineteen local charters have been issued
from this Office during The past year in places
where no State organization had previously ex-
sted.
TIE amount Of money received and expended
in the pres dents Ufice will be found 10 the
financial report for the year.
MANY important documents have been for
warded to this office for distribution, which has
caused considerable expenditure to re-mail u
localities where they would be likely to have the
greatest amount OF influence, and accomplis b
the object desired.
am obliged to admit that much valuable
and important business has been omitted for
the want OF means to employ a constant as
sistAnt as clerk 10 the office during my absence
on official business, for it is not reasonable tC
suppose that any one qualified for s7ch a posi-
tion, can OF sill grant his time with ut q fail
remuneration.
The amount of travel performed this year has
been far greater than during the preceding years
with but trifing expense TO the National Union
In consideration OF the vast amount of terrific
rv travelled over, embracing sixteen different
States of the Union, it has cost me many sleep
less nights and weary days, and many calls yet
remain unanswered.
The business Of the Office and want Of as
sistance, have prevented my attendance at many
important places, and l would again recon-
mend to your earnest consideration tnat, if pos
sible, qualified speakers be provided with mea ni
to visit localities vet unorgAnized, for the in
quiry is, What shall We do, and hoM shall W,
60 to work, to bring about the great reform
needed ?"
In the past year, in both national aud Stat,
legislatures, their course Of action has been very
encouraging. We find State conventions taking
up and Incorporating with their platforms a
least a portion Of our principles, which show
that our labors have not been in vain, but ths
We have stirred up volcanoes in their midst tha
are wskening politicians, and giving them T.
understand that there is a murmur swellin
upon the breeze, to which they must listen o
abide the consequence
At the last meeting Of the Labor Congress
resolution was passed that the president OF th
National Labor Union be instructed to sppoin
a committee of one from each State aud Terri
tory, whose duty IL should be to call At th
earliest practicable time National Convention
in order TO complete the organization Of Ma
tiOnAl Labor party.
In accordance with this resolution. the com
mittee were appointed, and met in Wsshingto
City, on the 18th day of January, 1871, an
performed the duty assigned them, adoptin
substantially the platform Of the National La
Dor Union, that had been affirmed and real
hrmed for the past four years by delegates frol
interus tisnAl, national trade and labor union
in showing the wisdom and foresight Of q
resolution passed at the meeting Of the FIR