The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-08-19
ment as reported, when it was adopted b
sections rs follows:

mcuC aS repOrOeQ, W00n IL was adopted b
sections rs follows:
. PREAMBLE
This organization shall be known az th
National Labor Union of the United States, an
shall be composed Of such labor and trade or
ganizati0ns may now or shall hereafte
exist.
IRIS OBJECT.
The object Of this organization il to examiD
and discuss in Congress assembled al Rriev
ances, which oppress labor; TO educate AM
elevate the working masses and secure tn,
enactment aud adoption of such laws as vii
insure justice 10 all.
This Union shall hold an annual National LaboI
Congress, to be composed of delegates from
the various trade and labor organizations, which
shall be entitled to representation on the fol-
loving basis: local trade or labor organiza-
tons, to one delegate international or nation.
al trade or State labor associations, to two re-
PRessntatives, and sn additional delegate for
every 5000 members or fractional part thereof.
| DUTIES OF OFFIOERA
The president shall preside at an meetings
He shall preserve order and enforce the Ia 9,
and perform such duties az pertain to his ofic.
During the recess be shall have power TO ap-
! point members of the Executive Committee in
States where they have not been chosen, and
In case Of non-performance Of duty, shall i'm
mediately remove them and fill all vacancies.
Three months previous to the assembly Of the
congress- he shall issue an official call, to the
State Executives for the same, and sao cause
its publication in the labor journals of the
country. All necessary expenses connected
with the performance of his duties shall
be betrayed by the National Labor Union, and
- e. n =
shall receive the sum Of =
This Constitution shall not be construed as
preventing the various trades from org ganizine
| separate State trade organizations nor shall it
be construed or prevent said State or local
trade organisation from being represented ia
this Congress.
The vice Presidents shall, ia the absence or
disability Of the president, perform the duties
of his Office, in rotation.
The recording Secretary shall keep a correct
record Of the proceedings Of the National
Labor Union, and perform such other duties as
may be required Of him.
The treasurer shall receive all moneys; pay
all bills and orders which may be drawn on 6im
aud properly Attested; he shall keep debit
and credit account, and report at each meeting
Of the National Labor Union he shall make to
the President quarterly report Of finances for
submission TO the various organizations.
| Il shall be the duty Of each and every officer
Of the National Labor Union, whenever their
term of once shall have expired, either by lin.
itation, resignation or removal, TO turn over TO
their respective successors in Office, or to the
President, ON demand made by him, all books,
papers, vouchers, blanks, money or property,
Of whatever kind, belonging to this Union.
Each State organization shall make such
laws for its own guidance az may to Il seem
most effective, provided that such laws or reg
ulatiOns do not i'm anyway conflict with the con-
sGituGiOn Of the National Labor Union.
On the payment of three dellsrs, . charter
shall be granted, on the application of seven
or more persons, who have subscribed to ard
are pledged to carry out the principles of the
National Labor Union.
The president Of the National Labor Union
10 hereby authorized to issue a charter to anv
State or Territorial organization whenever the
application made is signed by delegates Of at
least Eve local labor unions which shall meet at
the call Of the executive officer Of the State OF
Territory.
AZ snan Tne duty vi vaCn laOOr OfRanlzl-
IiOn n report to the executive officer Of its
State such information as may be necessary
for the performance of his duty until State
Union is formed, and then the reports shall
be made BY the president Of such State Union.
at least once in three months.
REvENUE.
The revenue Of the National Labor Union
shall be as follows
International or National Trades Unions shall
pay $40, State Labor Unions, $40; delegates
| from local labor and trades organizations. 2
/ cents per member.
| No delegate shall be entitled to a seat in the
National Labor Congress until the tax re-
qured by the Constitution has been paid
w. ~c Al n r ~
shall be held on the ID Tuesday 10 September
in each year, and shall commence at ten
o'clock.
ORDER OK BUSINESS
l. Report Of Committee on Credentiala
2. Roll Of Members
8. Reading Of Minutes
4. Report Of OHicers.
3. Reports Of Standing and Special Com
mittees.
6. Receiving communications and bills.
'. Reports and petitions Of Local Organiza-
tons
Q. Unfinished Business
! 9. New business.
10. Election Of 0Gicers.
Il. Good and Welfare OF the Union.
IL. Adjournment
ANY alteration or amendment Of this Consti-
tuition shall require two-thirds vote.
VIZ. SYLvY,
A. c. CANERON,
JOHN SIEEY, Committee
Mrs. T. O. Il. WILLARD,
III. 0. SHELDON.
When the section prescribing the salary
Of. the President was reached, Mr.. Sylvif
Of Pa, moved to fill up the blank with
$500.
Mr.. Hinchcliffe suggested $500. Mr..
Davis moved that it be $1,000.
The article was then postponed to await
the report Of the Finance Committee.
Mr.. Day of N. Y, moved to postpone
the vote on final adoption of the Constitu-
ton until tomorrow morning. Agreed.
On motion Of Mr.. Cogswell Of ILL.,, the
election Ct officers was made the special or
der for o'clock, P. NJ, tomorrow.
On motion Of Mr.. Day, the following
resolutions we're unanimously adopted.
Resolved, That this Congress representing to
a large extent the greIt laboring interests Of
the United States, thanks the international
Workipgman's Association of Europe. and their
associates in the United States for the kindly
sentiments expressed in their address to this
body.
| Resolved, That committee Of the National
Labor Union be appointed by the president OF
this organization within the next thirty d,ys, to
answer said address, and to procure authentic
information respecting the great events special
| ly referred 70, and such other information as
may seem necessary in our efforts to promote
the true interests Of labor, civilization and
progress throughout the civilized world.
The Auditing Committee offered par
tial report which was received.
Moved by Mr. johnson that the commit
tee be empowered to settle with the Presi-
dent MS far rs they are able.
The chair announced that Horace ii.
Day had made the Congress present oi
$50, and thanked Mr.. Day for the same.
By Mr.. Jno. A. Mcclure
Resolved, That a committee be appointed %
report a feasible plan to assist INDECENT emf
l.