The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-08-30


action Of the jacques Cartler Typographi-
cal Union of Montreal, in reply to the I'M
Just requirements of Bishop Bourget, of
that diocese, scarcely knowing which to
despiSe most-the arrogant assumptions Of
an ecclesiastical bigot, or the unmanly
subservience of a class of men, professedly
Trades Unionists, whose action is synony-
nous with cowsrdice and treachery.
Although the readers Of the ADVOCATE
are familiar with the merits Of the contro-
versy, which were presented at length by
correspondent, al the action taken has yet
to secure the sanction of the International
body, and involves matters Of the gravest
import to our Trades Unions in general,
the more publicity given to them the bet
ter. The facts are as follows A member
of the Jacques-CArtier Typographical
Union. named Samuel Chabot, who WAS
also member of the Catholic Church, fell
of barge in the harbor Of Montreal. ON
the 10Th Of June last, and was drowned
Application for Christian burial was refused
ON the plea that as he had been mem
Der of Trades Union organization, his
remains could not be inferred in consecra-
ted ground.
Upon representation to the Cure of No
tire Dame, NJ Rousselot, the body Was al
lowed to be placed in the vault until such
time n the Bishop was put in possession of
facts concerning the Society.
1t was then that the Jacques Cartier
Union took the matter in hand AT its re-
quest the Secretary, Mr. Crosby, address
ed his Lordship-as he is styled -inquiring
on what grounds he had condemned the
Society In few days after the following
reply was received
MONTREAL, June 70, 1873
SIR Without entering into discussion as
to the nature of the Jacques Cartier Typo
graphical Union, his Lordship, the Bishop Of
Montreal, in reply to your letter Of Yesterday
has instructed me TO notify you that your So
ciety is interdicted, because it engages in
things unjust and condemned: for example
to make strikes and to prevent honest and
quiet workmen, who do not belong to the So
ciety, engaging in an office in which your
members work, to oblige those who do not
belong to your Society to join, under penalty
of being refused work This is t.ninently I'M
Just. have the honor to be. sir,
Your very humble servant,
J. O. PARE. Priest.
The same afternoon that the above came
to hand, the President had ALI interview
with the Bishop, who informed him that
he (the Bishop was opposed to Trade
Societies, and also to strikes, etc. A copy
Of the Constitution was then handed him,
with the request that he would suggest such
alterations as would accord with the views
Of the Church. A few days afterwards
the amended Constitution was received, -
which contained a number Of radical
changes, all reference to the International
Union, travelling cards, and the number Of
the Union being stricken out.
On the LIST Of July, Mr.. Crosby again
wrote to his lordship, humbly requesting
him to reconsider his action using among
other nonsensicsle expressions, the following
MY Lord, there is no trades organization
il the world so liberal rs the International
Typographical Union Its constitution is not
framed after that Of any European society. Ii
opposes tyranny such has existed and
does exist on the other side Of the Atlantic
Which is simply bosh. There are bali
dose,. National Trades organizations which
are Just as illegal as the Typographical
Union Its Constitution !. similar to that
Of several European Societies and it op-
poses tyranny such as has existed and does
exist on this side of the Atlantic
After further consideration, the Bishops
objections were somewhat modified his
ultinlatum being embraced in the following
request
L. To add to clause first Of Article L. q for
NAL protest against any alliance with the In
ternational Of Europe or any other organiza-
ton intended to undermine the social and re-
igiOus order.
9 To strike from the rules ard regulations
of your Society everything that might author
lie strikes.
3. Not to employ unjust means, or those
opposed to individual freedom, to lessen the
number of printers.
These requirements were unanimously
adopted by the Union, and committee ap-
pointed to revise the Constitution and
make the changes required, and 50 the
matter rests.
Now We insist that the Jacques Cartier
Union, by its action, has stultided itself,
and tacitly acknowledged that the suspi-
cions of Bishop BOurget were too well
founded. Having assured his lOrdship that
it had no connection, directly or indirectly,
with the InternatioAAls of Europe it did
all that he or any other man had right TO J
expect, and it would have been a. consist
ent to require formal protest against HYa
alliance with the Reformers or Conser NJ:
tives as with the Internationals. It.
simply q requirement he had no rigH no
make, and that they had no right to az OC -
With regard to the second requirl 500
it will be seen that the right to str 500 XII
der any circumstances ia denied-aihne, INC
ton to which no honorable Tradest the
ist will subscribe. 1t il well knOners' vi
every National Convention has dpss.'
past advocated arbitration instead OF m
AZ mode of settling all disputs ~!
only recognized them as dsr"ier kd;na or
but none have gone, or ever will !,
der existing circumstances-so faholds
deny the right to strike when all h good
means have failed 1t is conditid agen -
gives all the advantage to the good II
and virtually places the employ But
mercy. S's'
The third requirement il, to say Gus tn
rather ambiguous Who il to dng~ M
the Justice, or the injustice OF ~.
annnlouad Z IIndar nm amnloYar n8nt ~ n