Connecticut western news., 1888-01-25
FEDERATION OF LABOR.
A New York Branch Adopts a Con,
 stitution.

The Federation of Trades Convention was in | session at Albany. The report of the Commit | tee on Constitution was represented, the pre- amble of which reads:
 Recognizing the fact that the very instinct of self-preservation demands the closer union | of all trades and bodies of organized labor | in order that equality of right and privi- lege may be obtained for wage workers. We, | the representatives of the trade and labor unions of New York, in convention sembled, do hereby unite our forces in this convention and the cause of labor's emancipa- | tion, and call upon wage workers throughout | the State to join with us ln obtaining needed | industrial legislation and social reform. We affirm tte natural and legal right of all work CTS to organize themselves peaceably together, | and condemn as autocratic and un-American that spi it which inspires the lockout and black | list We believe in autonomy of trade inter- | ests, and the closest possible unity in matters of general concern, believing that in the trades | union system of organizations the wage worker will find channel through which he or she can best meet and intelligently deal with the problem and demands of the future" The constitution was presented and read. the title of the organization being s'The New York State Branch of the American Federation of La orr The object of the organization, as set | forth in article ?. is:
 ssThe object of this federation shall be the encouragement and formation of local traders and labor unions in every city and town of this | State and the federation of trades and labor | Un1OnS Ill other states, tO aSS1St III eSbaO Onsn- | ing national and international trades unions to ! agitate such questions as may be for the bene- ! fit of the working classes, in order that we | may obtain the enactment of such measures by | the State Legislature as will be beneficial to us, and the repeal of all oppressive laws which | now exist to use all means consistent with 1 honor and integrity to so correct the abuses | under which the working cl sses are laboring as to insure them their just rights and privi- leges."
 Conventions are to be held annually in AL
 hany on the last Tuesday in January. The clause with reference to the basis of repre- sentation reads:
 'sThe basis of representation in the conven-
 tion shall be as follows: Each union of 300 l members or less shali be attached to 8 nation
 al or international union when one exists, and
 be entitled to one delegate and an additional
 delegate from the next 300 or majority frac-
 tion thereof, but no union shall be allowed
 more than three representatives.
 ssNo organization which has seeded from
 any local or national organization shall be all
 lowed 8 representation or recognition in this
 Federation"
 The report of the committee was adopted
 When the ction relating to the per capita tas
 was reached 8 heated debate took place. All
 amendment that per ctpita tax of $10 pel
 year be imposed upon unions connected with
 the Federation, and of Sl5 on those not con
 nected was lost. It was finally agreed that !,
 and 1s of cent per capita tax should bt
 adopted.