Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-08
ORDERS COMBINING.
A Conference Of Representatives Of
Patriotic Societies
TO CONSIDER UNIFORM VOTING.
Correcting Existing Political Evils Through
the Ballot.
Mr.. STEPHEN COLLINS is A DELEGATE

will leave tomorrow evening for New York
to attend 8 conference Of the executive heads
of all American patriotic societies and
orders, to be held in the Union Square
Theater on Tuesday. The meeting is called
by Mr.. Henry Baldwin, and those to be in
attendance go by invitation, and not as rep
resentatives of the various organizations to
which they belong. The conference is to be
known as the Patriotic Congress Of Amer
ican Orders, and it is called for the purpose
of devising some uniform line of action for
all American orders to pursue, and to adopt
means, ifpOssible, by which twill be made
practical for all organizations to work to-
gether in dealing with the political ques-
tions of the day.
1t is not the intention to try to consolidate
the orders, but to concentrate their work In
iurthering their objects For instance, the
American Mechanics is q strong order IN
Pennsylvania, and they are especially in
terested in the matter of immigration and
public education. The Loyal Orange
League and the American League are strong
in the Western States, and have similar OBJ
jectS. The idea is to harmonic all the work,
and with a combined membership OF over
a million, it is hard to estimate the work
that they might be capable of doing The
meeting Tuesday will be attended by such
men as the Grand Master, Thomas Milligan,
of the Loyal Orange League, Of Everett,
Mass; Frank W. Hendley, National Secre-
tary of the Patriotic Sons of America, of
Cincinnati; Charles w. Elliott, President
Harvard University; Andrew Powell, New
York; Frank A. Davis, Berkeley, CAL;
James NJ. Greer, Esq, Memphis; Hon. Chas.
/. Hovt, Rosendale, Wis; George S. Baker,
New York; S. B. Pratt, Marlboro, Mass;
W. d. j. Hambly, San Jose, CAL; S. M.
Douglass, Rochester; Henry Baldwin, of
New York, and Stephen Collins, State Vice
Councillor Of the Jr. o. o. A. NJ.
WORTHY OBJECTS.
The purpose of the conference is to con-
slider:
First-The dangers that menace our country.
What they are. How they are made up. Why
they are dangerous. To examine or to prepare
a way for a full, clear and honest explanation
of each and all of them in detail.
Second-The means we have Ill hand and can
use, and the plans we can inaugurate to meet,
TO fight, to master and overturn these wicked
things that would take away our liberties.
The question of immigration will be con-
sidered first. A paper will be presented
containing recommendations that immi-
grants should be required to pass an exam
ination before proper United State official
before being permitted to take passage; that
tbev should be of good moral character,
and that they should contribute to the
United States Treasury a sum sufficient to
insure the landing OF only those who are
proper for citizenship. On the matter of
naturalization and citizenship, attention
will be called to the fact that in IL States
man may vote in city, local, State or United
States elections by simply declaring his in
tention to become a citizen, and an effort
will be made to have the laws amended so
that none but actual citizens be allowed to
vote. A proposition to extend the term to
IA years and to allow no person to vote who
cannot understand, read, write and speak
the English language (deaf and dumb ex-
cepted) will be submitted.
The question of education will be made
subject for discussion, and recommenda-
fion will be made to place the free school
system under the Federal Government to
establish national university. The paper
on this subject to be considered contains the
following:
GAIL the children should be taught OF
every class of citizens, and to the end that
the instructions should be suitable, the
State shall have the right to appoint visi-
tors, who shall inspect schools, both public
and private, and prescribe standard. The
teaching of foreign languages to be aband-
oned IN all public schools. The teaching of
American history, the American system OF
government and political economy 10 be
especially introduced in all schools of every
grade, public and private.
Opposition will be made to the recogni-
ton of anY national church of belief, or
to the giving of any public moneys, credits,
property or the use of the same, or the
enacting Of any special laws for the benefit
of religious sects or bodies.
HOME AND LAND QUESTIONS.
The American home and public lands
will also be considered, and an effort will be
made to devise plans whereby the working
man may be able to secure his homestead
free and clear of all membranes.
Monopolies, combinations and trusts will
be handled, and recommendations will be
made to place all combinations formed for
the purpose of restricting the production
and distribution of wealth under the control
of wise and healthful laws The following
is an abstract from the paper on "Amer-
canism" to be considered:
"A purer type of Americanism is needed
Americans need to be Americanized. The
cultivation of selfreliance, the knowledge
ol actual worth of things American and less
dependence upon influence from outside.
We need the encouragement and support of
the newspapers. How shall we develop and
strengthen a distinctively American free
press? The various organizations have the
power and should compel the public repre-
sentatiYes in Congress, Legislatures and
public positions to place their gifts of Office
and honor only in the hands of men who are
conspicuous for their civilization. Parti-
sanship, as now understood and practiced.
10 one of our greatest dangers and evils.
We should have less hyphenated Ameri-
cans. There should be established such a
public sentiment as not only those born on
the soil, but those who come from outside
shall be glad, and feel it an honor to be
known simply as Americans" The follow
ing plans for organization will be sub
mitted:
First-It is not wise to form a new party.
but rather a compact organization, which
shall hold the balance of power. Have
every man who joins the organization
pledged, while he follows his political
preferences as TO party organization. Have
these principles clearly and fairly stated in
two or three points to which every loyal
citizen of either party can subscribe
PARTY OF PRINCIPLE.
Seeond-All must harmonic on a plat
form, and our votes and influence must be
cast solid for the party which will support
our principles, even though it be the partv
which we have previously opposed. Form
American clubs everywhere, and influence.
as far as possible. one or both of the old parties
70 adopt our views. II neither party will
aid us, then with our clubs organized
throughout the nation we will be able to
form q party of our own and accomplish our
objects. Third-Unite all the existing
orders and societies, permitting them to re-