Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-02-25
The Land League.
WORK OF THE AMERICAN BRASCHEs MEM
BEEsIIIP Oh 400 900

WORK OF THE AMERICAN BRASCuE5 A MEM
BEEsuIP CE 400 900
There has been great deal said Of late
| about the American branches of the Land
League, which are spIinging up in every
corner OF the country, and showing an
| amount of enthusiasm ard energy which,
considering their distance from the scene of
the struggle, is a remarkable proof of the
depth of feeling upon the subject among the
Irish citizens of the Republic. To the Amer
ican public there is not little mystery about
the organization on this side of the Atlantic,
its extent, aims, and methods, and some IN
formation on the subject may be of interest.
The Irish National and-League of the
United States exists in every State and Ter
ritory in the Union. In May last, con-
ventlon or conference, composed of gen
tlemen specially invited, was held in New
York. MIR. McCafferty was elected president,
MIR. Davitt was elected secretary and Rev
Lawrence Walsh was elected treasurer. A
constitution and bylaws were then adopted,
and the efforts Of the Irish people in the
United States were invited to organize an
auxiliary organization to that in Ireland.
This was the foundation of the Land League
OF the United States. Another convention
was held at Buffalo on the 18th of January,
when T. A. Collins of Boston was elected
president. There arc from !, 800 to 1000
branches now established, with an average
membership of 100 each. Within the next
two months il is expected that the League
will have from 800, 900 to 400, 900 members
enrolled. 1t must be understood that this
American organization is wholly auxiliary
1t does not assume to dictate to any extent
the policy of the Irish body, nor even to
offer advice as 10 the management of the
movement, on the other side of the Atlantic
The constitution and bylaws adopted by the
American branch of the League provide for
the government Of the organization by
president, two vice presidents, secretary
and treasurer, all of whom are to be elected
at the general convention-the president,
treasurer and secretary constituting the Cen
tral Committee. The regular meetings of
this council are Leld once in three months, or
on special call at any time, and all funds
received from the various branches in this
country are forwarded by the treasurer
to the Central Treasury in Ireland
The council, at its regular quarterly meet
ings, examines and audits all bills and the
accounts of the secretary and treasurer,
passes upon all questions of discipline and
adjusts all disputes arising in and among the
branches. The general convention is TO be !
held once year, and can be called together
at any time by fifty branches of the league.
Each branch numbering fifty members or
more is entitled to one delegate to the gener-
al convention, and an additional delegate for
every two hundred members The bylaws |
provide that each member on being admitted |
shall pay an initiation fee of one dollar in |
most cases, though the various branches may |
place the initiation fee higher The ex-
penses of each branch are thus betrayed, to- |
gether with monthly assessments. Some |
branches meet weekly and some fortnightly |
The funds of each branch, after defraying |
necessary expenses, are forwarded to the /
Central Treasury. The general objects of
these organizations are defined in these by |
laws as being ito furnish moral and financial |
aid to the National Land League in Ireland |
in its efforts to obtain such changes in the |
system of Irish land laws as will make those
who cultivate the soil of Ireland its owners"
BY another bylaw the introduction or dis |
cussion Of American politics, or anything
relating thereto is not allowed nj any meeting |
of the organization.