The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-09-13


year also the amount due strikers.
Buffalo Union. No. 2 ss3l.7l
Ithaca q "l2 1910
Detroit :" 2 0l9.7I
Toronto " 81 le7e. q
Aurora = "4l 5O.7l
Evansville" "a 276 81
New Ipswich 20 D2
Burlington "72 50 o
Total Amount Disbursed sss1el,
AMOUNT DUE srRIKKRs.
Toronto Uuion, No. q sl72 q
Evansville . q" 81 e6 q
| New Ipswich g 20 III
Burlington " TO
Total s254. l,
| earnestly hope some sction will be ta
ken by this body to settle this indebted
ness Of the international Union.
| During the session OF this body in the
city Of st. Louis, q resolution was paased
giving the Executive Board the power tc
use the surplus monies Of the Milwaukes
Special Assessment to IiquidAte the indebt.
edness of the international Union, and 70
aid other unions on strike. In conformity
with that resolution unions we're called upon
to make full report The Secretary had
blanks prepared for that purpose, and sent
to local unions but am compelled TO
say few unions responded tc the call and
made their reports. While waiting the
reports from unions | received Q protest
from Binghamton union No. Il, claiming
that We had no power under tie Coustitu-
tion to use the surplus monies o. any Spec
ial Assessment. The protest was referred
TO the Executive Board, who could not
agree upon the question, and sodeeermin-
ed to place this matter in your hands, ask-
ing that the Law IN reference TO Special As-
sessments be made so clear that hersafter
there will be no misunderrtanGng, and
that the Board in their future adfion viii
have naught to retard them.
INTERNAL REVENUE
By the action Of this body at ita Eighth
Annual Session, authority was given me 70
have petitions printed and cir-uIated
throughout the country, with the asvice TO
unions to do their best to get signatures 10
the petition, and send to their respective
Representatives in Congress-to have the
bond system abolished also empowering
me 70 appoint q committee Of members Of
unions located near Washington, t. wait
upon Congress, and urge . repeal cf this
system. Owing to the unsettled condition
of the trade, and believing from inf1ma-
tion received that we could not accomplish
anything, | have refrained from acting in
this matter. But believing that the coming
session Of Congress will be more inclined 70
A.. n
earnestly urge upon this body the appoint.
ment of Standing Committee of good
and tried men of our organization, whose
homes are near the seat Of Government,
to attend to this question also the Tarif
question, SO far as the interests Of ouH
trade is concerned.
In the call issued for the election Of rep
resentatives to this session Of the Inter.
national Union, local unions sending rep
resentatives were requested TO instruct
them upon the following questions The
formation of State or District Unions the
abolition Of the Loaning System, and the
system Of Union and nom Mon men work
ing together, or Open Shops.
1t is not my intention to enter into any
argument on these questions, but simply u
state the reasons why these questions were
submitted to local unions for the instruc-
tions Of their representatives. You ara
aware that a portion of the Unlons OF New
York State have organized q State Union,
ard they chain for this system q more x
naSatf6ds action, and more strict and
faithful observarace III % .lE~ Ii tha ad
vocates ~ this system car produce any
arguments why this system should cos.l
into general use, it is proper that this bodI
should give this question due cOnsider4'
ton ~
During the session Of this union, held in
the city Of st. Louis, the COMMITTEES on
Constitution had under consideration the
abolition of the "Loaning System" but
fearful, that if stricken from the Coustitu-
ton at that time, it would be at great Pc
cuniary loss to local unions, requested that
it be left to the International Union at thia
session, and that tie erased from the
Constitution and Y Beneficial Clause" in
| serted in its place Believing that thia
would be Of far greater advantage to mn a.
an organization, not alone by increasing
our membership, but by making our mem
bers more self-reliant aud careful.
At the request of the Executive Board,
the question of ''Open Shops was submit
ted to a voto Of local unions. The Board
was satisfied that they had no constitution.
al grounds for their acts, still they believed
| that the necessities of the trade Mt that
time demanded lenient action, and that q
strict enforcement Of the last clause OF
Sec. 4, Art. IL, would not alone deprive NJ
of some good organizations, but lead to I
heavy specisl assessment, that would tend
to create still greater dissatisfaction- Ths
vote received upon this question was nevel
published 10 the trade, but ! will here state
that owing TO local unions not manifsstina
that interest in the question which its i'm
portance demanded, the clause was allow
cd to remain by defsult-unions not vOt
ing. II have erred in not enforcing thu
law, assure you that, in my Judgment,
acted for the best interests OF the Interna
tional and local organizations.
OPTICAL ORGAN.
At previous sessions Of this body, com
plants have been made and action takeI
to change our Official Organ" Durinl
the year past have failed to receive nm,
notice from local unions that our organ wa
not fulfilling its obligations entered int
with this body. Taking everything int
consideration the proprietor Of the ADvo
CATE has faithfully performed his duty :
this organization and local unions, and
is with pleasure that recommend to you
consideration the continuance Of th
WoRKINGMAN's Advocate an our "Ofiicia
Organ"
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me I
call your attention to the association lAts
ly organized in this country, the Indul
trial Congress. presume that every ON
of the representatives here present ha
carefully read the proceedings Of that bod
a. published in the WoRKINeMAN's ADvt
CATE, and that il needs no explanation I
nine, a. to its object, and the benefits
be derived by connection with It. Beiie'
ing that it will supply o want long felt b
the Trades organizations Of this cOuntrl
urge upon you some action boxing to