The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-11-06

and Bylaws, and that body undoubtedly
expects he will be controlled by their pro-
visions. Now, in such q case a. the above,
where the non-union men decide to strike,-
and the members Of the Miners National
are ignored, and they, by fear of being
called "black-legs, " quietly acquiesce, and
thus violate the constitutional require
nents, they certainly would not be entitled
to ally advantages guaranteed therein.
For those reasons, to strike in such case,
and under such circumstances, the Constr
tuition does not strike them. The members
themselves do not strike on their own ac-
count 1t is the non-union element that
is doing the damage, and this organization
does not intend to be controlled and run By
men who neither belong to it nor bear any
of the responsibility that attaches to such
grave matters. The men who attach them
selves to their trade union, as a rule, are
the most intelligent, the most conservative,
and the best citizens, and hitherto nine
strikes out of ten have been instituted by
men who are outside the pale of union
principles, and have little care for the sue
cess or defeat of the movement they have
instigated. They too often are on the next
train for some other place, working even
at worse rate than the place they have
struck, and have left the good men the
union men-to fight their battle. We
have often known such men to 90 toanother
place, and dig coal to supply the market
usually filled by those on strike at a less
tonnage rate, and attend the meeting OF
the strikers, and urge them still to stand
out. This kind of practice must have an
end. 1t threatens the very existence OF
the National Organization, aid what
threatens it we must set our face against
and kill. The supremacy of the Constitu-
ton must be upheld and made to govern,
and not those who neither belong to it nor
have any principles defined, at stake. The
principles Of this institution are defined in
the Constitution. and every member has
accepted them. The means to carry out
those are also laid down, and as officers We
hold all members, under any and all cir
cumstances, to q strict adherence thereto
Non-u men, with no stated principles
and no rule of action, ought not, because
Of a momentary gain, to be permitted tc
sway the members of this Association, and
cause them to have their Constitution 8
! living lie, or make it nullity. Its provi
otcno oAO W OAiSCtS ohA AiOhh
| bers.
Mr.. Mclaughlin offered the following
and MIR. Thomas seconded
WHEREAS, Many members coming into
district, and having Miners National As
ISOLATION cards, deposit the same i'll a Lodge
but refuse to be governed by the district
rules and regulations, simply because sucl
rules are not specified III the Constitution
and General Bylaws, even though such
rules and regulations be i'll strict harmony
with the same, thus creating trouble anC
hard feelings be it therefore
| Resolved, That the Constitution b.
amended by adding the following as a new
section to Article TX "Any member
coming into district and depositing hi
card i'll any of the Lodges, become subjec
to all the rules and regulations in force il
such district from the time he deposits hi
card"
The amendment, after some considerable,
remarks, was passed upon, and with tn,
foregoing, ordered to be sent out will
others for the decision Of the Lodges
ReSolred, That the fourth Article of tn,
General Bylaws be amended by adding
new section as follows where tw,
I ApuSSS are ODG IDlllIlS SeCIlOn
where no District Board already exists, i
will be the duty Of the members to have
district formed, and ali Executive BoarC
elected to supervise he affairs of the Asso
citation there, for the purpose of promoting
the interest of the members. When sucf
district is created, Lodges subsequently,
organizing in the region must attach them
selves to the district and maintain repre-
sentation in the Executive Boara
The Convention at this stage went into
the question Of corporation on genera
terms, under a suspension of the rules eacf
member who so wished being permitted t.
speak his opinion on the subject Short bu
pointed speeches were made by Messrs
Siney, Mclaughlin, Chrisholm, James
Archibald, Russell, Pollok, and all the
members present to a greater or less ex
tent. The general tendency of the re
marks were to the effect that cooperation
in the production Of coal in new fields
would be a mighty agent in bringing about
an improved social position to the working
miner who would embark in such enter
prises. All believed the scheme contem
plated practicable, and thought this to b.
as good time to put the ball in motion a,
any other.
On the whole, they believed the princi
nc the next in succession to which trade
unionis IS must aspire. The field being {
broad one, the Convention took advantage
of it, and before eacn man had spoken his
sentiments, the night was far spent, and a.
little past eleven oclock, the Convention
adjourned till 8 A. NJ, Oh Thursday morn.
ing.