National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1872-12-13
LABOR,
WORKIHGMER IN COUNCIL.

The Meeting Last NlHht--LctIrr from Hon.
Mp. Banks-Report Of the Committee
on Plntform-Dlscussion In RcRnrd to
the Admission Of Reporters.
The National worlngmen's council held q Sea-
sion last evening At their rooms, Mr.. A. r Rod |
stone, president, in the chair, and Mr. o. c. But
Ter secretary.
The credentials Of Mr. franklin Mace, Of the
worklngmens club Of Rockville, Nd, were re-
ceived and the delegate admitted.
A communication was read from the white
OAK union Of wood-wotkcrs OF Erie Pa, asking
about the workings Of the council and desiring
to unite with them. The secretary was directed
TO answer the correspondents.
A letter was written from the Hon. n. P. Banks,
stating that he would be pleased to meet with
the council and anticipate In their deliberations.
Mr.. John Reed, from the committee on plat
form and constitution, submitted report, Of
which the following is the preamble;
Whereas reduction Of the hours Of labor at
the present time II great necessity, and the re-
establishing Of an ancient system-the equal
division Of time, Of eight hours for labor, eight
hours for sleep and eight hours for mental Cul.
mental cultures essential to the restoration OF
the relaxed physical constitution and the OPP
pressed mental faculties; and whereas II IL our
established opinion that by united action and
peneyering industry and faith these may he real.
lied; and whereas experience having demon
strated that combination on the part OF capital.
lats has been the great lever by which they have
raised such combinations to power and afIiuence,
and thereby Cypress the labOrinR classes, such a.
the farmers, miners, mechanics and laborers, by
using these as the great fulcrum; therefore
Resolved, That we, the representatives. sub
scribers, Offlcers aud members, do adopt these
articles as our constitution and bylaws
The constitution SAYS that the association shall
he known as the "NatiOnal Labor Council at
wAshingtOn,n United States Of America II
shall he composed Of delegates FROM and chosen
temine for a period OF twelve months when
properly accredited therefrom. An members
shall be at least twenty.one years Of age when
presenting their credentials to the council, The
object shall be to unite all lahorlnR classes for
the purpose Of securing unity Of action on all
measures for their common good at the earliest
practical moment through honest and legal
means. The Oficers shall consist Of presl.
dent, two vice presidents, reading and financial
secretary treasurer, doorkeeper, sergeant-at-
arms, and standing committee Of 1--WE membera
All associations Of nifty members shall be- ent-
| tied to i've representatives; and one for every
additional twenty-five members Any delegate
absentng himself six meetings In succession the
council shall declare his seat vacant md 80 In
| form his association. The council shs3 have the
| right to remove member for lneNcusahle Ian
| guage or conduct. The funds shall he derived
from representatives, at the ratio OF 80 cents per
month, payable on presentation OF credentials.
No money shall be expended for any other pur-
| pose than TO meet the actual and necessary ex-
| penses incidental to the regular meetings, which
shall be open TO all DESTROYS OF attending, but
visitors shall not be allowed TO take part in the
| proceedings, and they shall retire when the coun-
| ell desires to go Into secret session. A quorum
shall consist Of Thirteen members, properly ac-
credited from at least three associations
The bylaws reclte the rules governing the
council and the duties Of the officers; after which
follows the order Of business, In which are in
Guided !" Remarks for the good Of the working
tives Of the press when In open session" The
last rules provoked some discussion.
MI. Merrill was opposed, not only to allowing
the members OF the press anything to say, hut
wished them denied admission to the sittinRs OF
the council; u mlser was counting his gold or
man Ioh6lng henroost 1t was done IN secrecy.
Mr. hedstune said that he was not only In favor
OF having the press present, hut that their dOings
IN executive session should he spread GU the
public public pages, they were now riding on car Of
part he the engine TO draw the train onward. He
wished every word Of the discussion that took
pace 70 PC spread 70 the gaze OF the public, and
the extended report Of their previous discussions
Mr.. G. H. Dennlson conceded In all Mr.. Red
Tor some snSpSr TSey WSneT OTS Sb 70 ~ ps
tered throughout the land, and II could only be
done by the medium Of the press.
Mr.. Reed said they had proposed this rule as q
part OF their regulations, and believed II the only
one ever nculcated In the rules Of an Organiza-
ton. There was sufficient In the constitution
for every man to take hold OF and deeply con-
slder, matter which was Of vital importance TO
tue workingmen. u had been said that II a lit
Lle dirty tnck was done In the meeting i would
he reported throughout the land. lie hoped II
anything OF the kind was done that they would
report and enlarge upon II.
Let Il 90 from the Atlantic TO the Pacific, and
u might be the means Of forever checking repe-
titlon OF anything Of the kind. lie hoped the
members OF the press would attend, and through
the papers give them the benefit OF their all
Mr.. Davis said that the Organization was per-
tected Tor the purpose OF giving them a voice In
the councils Of the nation, that they might he
untrammeled and stand on an equal footing with
all. " the press would lend their aid, 1t would
he well to accept II.
Mr.. Merrill understood all about the press. lie
had lived In day when they did not have any
newspapers. lie knew the press had taken away
his Sabbath and done several other things II
the mechanics could have paper OF their own,
and control II, he was in favor OF that but other.
wise the capitalists Of Wall street would have
them all. II things continued for the next two
/ years, with the press and Treasury working to-
gether, II would lead 10 revolution.
Mr.. Lipphard was In favor Of having the rule
stand Us II was and have the press, the great en-
CINE OF reform, with them. On his motion the
constitution, bylaws and order OF business was
, then adopted.
The council then proceeded to the election Of a
corresponding secretary, and Mr.. J. A. Davis
was chosen.
The Chair appointed Messrs. ]. A. Davis,
Franklin Mace, A. NJ. Hewitt, ]. Y Lippharl aud
G. VI. Miller as the commltteG Of ways and
means.
Mr.. IOvelace, from the committee on halls,
submitted report, and the committee was con.
tinued.
The council then adjourned