The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-20
THE CIGAR MAKERS CONVEN
TON

u
Ninth Annual Session of the Cigar Max
srs' international Union, and ~ the ADvo.
CATE had the honor of being again selected
a. the Official Organ Of the International
and Local Unions, it may not be amiss for
us to cursnrily glance at few Of the more
salient points in its Legislation.
A careful perusal Of the Constitution
submitted for adoption the Arguments
employed by the delegates during its dis
cussion, and the motives which doubtless
controlled their action, prove conclusively
that they we're alive to the exigencies of the
occasion, and were prepared to sacrifice
their petty prejudices and predictions tc
secure the welfare anG perpetuity Of the or
gAnization. And while it is more than
possible that exception will be taken in
ne quarters to certain portions, by
's'e - being too radical, by others as be-
ing too cOnservative-we believe on the
whole 1t will meet with the appreciation Of
an overwhelming majority IF the local
unions and the members Of the craft. We
are emboldsned to make this assertion, af-
ter reading the circular issued by the Off
GERS Of the New York State Union, which
does honor alike to their heads and their
hearts, advising its abandonment, and a
renewed allegiance to the principles and
officers Of the international This action
is the more commendable, because the ad-
vocates Of State or District Unions-the all
engrossing -contended, inch by inch,
for the recognition Of their principles, and
only surrendered when it was demonstrated
that a clear majority were opposed to their
adoption.
But while the expediency of establish
ing State or District Unions, has been de-
cided in the negative, an enlightened and
generous legislation has conceded all, OF
nearly all that was requested by its advo-
Gates. Larger scope has been given to the
unions, and if the Constitution sub
mitted is adopted, we believe that the
veriest growler will be satisfied with the
latitude granted.
Without noticing them in routine, we
propose to briefly refer to few Of the more
radical changes contained In the submitted
Constitution
l. The abolition Of the Iodni,sg system
Whatever may have been the intention Of
the International in recommending this
system, and there is no doubt it was land
able one-there is less doubt that it has
become an intolerable nuisance, and that
the very class designed to be bens6tiAd
thereby have remained The back groa..S
HlE6tMW ~ rule, set of dead beat I'D
ventures snd professional tramps have de
pleted the treasurtes OF honest men. II
--s4ted and sustained brood of vultures
who $euld rather sponge on their quas
unionism than settle down to an honest
hours employment. These facts are so pa
tent, that no argument is required to prove
their correctness.
g. The substitution of the ,oord "shalF' 70,
''may"-in the enforcement of many Of it,
provisions, is also step in the right direc.
ton. The Law is for the lawless and the
disobedient. The enforcement Of 9 Just
penalty makes Q trade society. A good
lord and good devil-policy never did anc
never will accomplish anything Men mus,
be taught to learn the value Of an obliQa.
ton, and the sooner they are taught the
better.
s. The establishment of the Beneficial
System Ii worthy of all praise Self-inter.
est is the key to the human heart. In the
recognition of this fact lies the success Of
the English Trades Societies. What they
are our unions may become. Let the work.
man, who says he has . wife and family to
provide for, understand that IL pays to be.
long to a union, and within one year two
hundred per cent. will bs added to its
membership.
4. The adoption Of arbitration uhensver
and wherever practicable. disproves emphat-
ically the oft-repeatsd Islander, that unions
are the nurseries of strikes. But while We
wish the aystem every success, candor
forces the Cromwsllian motto, Trust i'm
God-but keep your powder dry"
8. The increase Of the -obscer5 salaries
commands endorsement. Tho laborsr. il
worthy Of his hire, il, or should DO q ear
6inal principle in, and Practieed BY all our
labor and trades organizations. Under the
new Constitution the President has the
supervision Of al strikes, and ia paid for
such supervision. Divestsd Of lne-l pre-
jaAise-, and representing the interests of
the entire craft, it II safe to affirm thst the
dernier resort viii only be sanctioned and
an assessment levied when necessity i'm
perstively demands it. The Secretary also
has heretofore been burdened with duties
for which no communicate recompense
has been awarded. Under the new regime
o qssid pro quo will be rendered, for which
q guarantee in afforded that the interests Of
the international will be faithfully attend
Cd to. The penny wise and pound fool
ish" policy has been discarded, and We are
satisfied that the result viii prove the wis
dom 81 such action.
6. Biennial issstead Of Annual Sessions.
This is also an important move in the psth
Of progress, and if carried cut viii doubt
less save thousands Of dollars to the local
treasures. Should occasion warrant an
extra session can be called but unless
some Unforeseen circumstance occurs, there
il plain sailing for the next two years, and
the Patterson Convention will doubtless re-
cord an unexampled attendance and degree
Of prosperity among the craft.
Permission to Unionists to spork IN Opsn
l.