The Irish standard., 1890-09-20
DAVITT'S NEW Project.
The Irish Democratic Labor Fedora.

| Q62l Will SOOU D6 E6hEu OF ID0 l1Gel3
founded organization known as tht
Irish Democratic Labor Federation, II
may be judicious, If here summarize
it's programme. The leading idea i:
that both the skilled and the unskilleC
workers of ireland should form them
selves. through their respective soc1e
ties, into federated body for the pro-
section and advancement of the genera
labor interests of the country.
Each Of those societies has the right
to govern itself in all matters relating
to it's particular constitution, while all
of them, acting in federated capacity
have the right Of directing the general
policy to be pursued in furtherance OF
the welfare Of the Labor cause.
However, 1t is. provided that every
such policy or programme Of action
must be submitted for discussion and
amendment at annual congresses of the
labor organizations! Of the country.
Funds for the carrying on Of the work
OF the Federation are to be derived from
contributions from the societies, such
contributions to be IN proportion to
memberships; and it is in the power OF
| the executive council of the Federation
to levy tax from the general body Of
members to supplement the regular
contributions if necessary. but the levy
must be made, not directly, but through
| the respective societies.
The objects for which the Federation
has been founded are definitely set out
in six short paragraphs, and the first of
these objects is stated to be ito obtain
for Ireland the right TO manage her own
affairs through Home Rule Parlia
ment, for the better development Of the
trade and industries Of the counurv, and
the general advancement of all it's in-~
terests.'
The second object IS ''to defend the
rights of the working classes of Ireland,
and make manual labor respected
The third object is to improve the So
cial condition OF the workers by endeay.
oring to procure healthy dwellings for
them in town and country, by promot-
ing legislation to tighten taxation on
them, by increasing their opportunities
for general improvement and by amend
ing the Laborers' Act and making it's
application compulsory.
The remaining objects of the Fedora
tiOn are 60 advocate the reduction Of
the laboring hours of the working
classes to reasonable limit; to obtain
free education for the children of the
people, and ito advocate such settle.
ment of the land question as will secure
to the nation it's supreme right to the
soil and be best calculated to benefit
directly ths entire community" This
last is Undoubtedly our old friend ''land-
naturalization" in very transparent
disguise.
The means by which these objects are
to be attained may be briefly set forth.
The legislature is to be influenced by
organization and public opinion; the
election of workingmen to all positions
of public trust IS to be promoted; cordial
cooperation with the working clas es
of Great Britain for the defence and ad-
vancement of the rights of lalor in that
country is to be sought; and, finally,
universal adult suffrage, the abolition
of all vexatious difficulties in the way
of the registration of voters, and the
abolition of all property qualifications
IN municipal and poor law elections are
to be demanded.
Such is the programme that is to be
put before the labor convention which
Michael Davlttt means to call for next
October.
Esther-Do tell me, Jack, what is
schooner?
Jack. WHY, YOU know, a schooner is
a two-masted sailing vessel. thought
you were up in yachting.
Esther Not especially, and THOUGHT
you didn't care for it, but I heard Mr.
Sharp say the other day that you could
manage more schooners than any fellow
satlthe hotel. w ..ss