The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-02-08
NUMBER III.

cussion Of the question, and its early Adop-
ton or rejection.
/ The Union then adjourned.
THIRD DAYS PRoCEEDINos-MoRNIN sEs-
SION.
The Union was called to order at nine
O'Clock BY President Kirby. After the pre-
liminAry business had been transacted, Mr..
Moore moved 20 take up for discussion the
question Of changing the ritual Of the
Union The discussion having been order
cd, Mr.. Moore himself opened it, vigor
ously opposed the proposed change, as one
that could do no good and would do much
harm. He wanted the question discussed
fully SO that delegates could vote upon it
intelligently, if vote was arrived at.
Messrs Weaver and Farley followed, ad-
vocating the same views. Mr. Smith want
ed to see the new order adopted, as he
believed it would better connect the mem
bers Of the craft together for the common
good The discussion was carried on until
noon, and in its range greaC diversity Of
matters were allowed to bej nsidered.
Personalities and charges against unions
were INDUCED in, but none Of the latter
were substantiated by written documents.
Ii was stated in the discussion that while
Troy, Albany, Syracuse and other New
York State unions come to this convention
with increased membership, those in New
York City, working under the new order
have a decreased number on their rolls.
This was answered by the statement that
the New York unions, while they had lost
numerically by the removal Of members
were stronger and better able to secure their
demands than any other unions. The dis
cussion was continued until the hour for
noon adjournment, when the convention
rose.
The change proposed is simply this In
the secret work of the IN ions under the
old law the members are bound to observe
all the rules and regulations Of the order
by a pledge Of honor. BY the new II is
proposed to place them under the obhga
tions Of an oath The principal objection
to the new order lies in the fact that very
large number Of the members Of the order
are Catholics, and for them it is impossible
to take such an obligation. The question
presents some very serious features, and it
was openly stated in the convention yester-
day that should the new order ~ adopted
it would inevitably break up the National
Union 1t was stated On the other hand
that unless the order was adopted the union
would surely 60 to pieces for lack Of cohe
sion among the members of the local
unions Others thought hat the ques
tiOn is not quite 80 serious az that, but that
the union Will maintain its existence
whether the order is adopted or not.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
At two o'clock the gavel of president
Kirby fell upon the table IN front Of HIM,
and the delegates took of their hats and
came to order for business.
NOMINATIONS FoR OFFICERS
The first thing in order was the nomina-
ton Of officers. For the Office of President
there were named
Charles II. Rihl, of indianapolis; James r.
Kirby, Of Baltimore; Meredith Moore, of
Syracuse; Richard H. Watts of Baltimore;
Ezra Thomas, Of Dayton.
For Vice President: James u. Hall. of
st. Louis; James f. Cannon, Of Jersey City
For Secretary; n b. Purlier, II Cincin-
natl; John W. Browning, Of New York; +. J.
Prail, Of indianapolis; George Weaver, of
indianapolis
For Vice Secretary: Thomas H. Kelley, of
Cohoes, New York
For Treasurer: James O'Neil, Of Albany,
NY.
TREAsURER's REPORT.
The President calling for reports from
officers, Mr.. James . Neil, Treasurer, sub
mitted his report Of the receipts and dis