The morning call., 1894-05-06
IS NOT IN POLITICS.
Platform and Principles of the
A. p. A.
Hereafter the Public Is to Be Invited
to Witness the Society's
Proceedings.

DES MONIES, May 5.-The Supreme
Council Of the A. p. A. completed its
abors here tonight, after four DAYS ses-
sion. The most important work was the
preparation of the declaration of princi-
pies for the order, which was drawn up
during the two days conference. and is an
important document in every way. The
statement that Supreme President Tray
nor had recommended twenty-one years
residence for naturalization was an error.
His recommendation was ten years, ana
the Supreme Council finally decided that
seven years should elapse between an
aliens declaration of intention and nat
uralzation. The council passed a resou-
ton asking that this correction be made
by the press. The declaration of princi-
pies is as follows:
First-Loyaty TO true Americanism. which
knows neither birthplace, race, creed or party.
Is the first requisite for membership In the
A. p. A.
Second-The A. p. A. Is not a political party.
and does not control The political affilation OF
| its members, but ii t aches them to be intensely
active in the discharge of their political duties,
in or out OF party lines, because IL believes that
all problems confronting our people Will be
best solved by conscientious discharge Of the
duties OF ClIIZ6USDlp Dy eNely luulVluudi.
Third-While tolerant of all creeds 1t holds
that subsection to and support of any ecclesi-
astcaI power not created and controlled by
| American citizens, and which claims equal Il
| not greater sovereignty than the Government of
! the United States Of America, is irre concilable
| with citizenship. 1t is therefore opposed to
| The holding OF Offices i'll national or municipal
government by any subject OF supporter OF
such ecclesiastical power.
Fourth-We uphold the constitution OF the
| United States of America, and no portion more
than its guarantee CT religious liberty to be
guaranteed TO the individual, and not to mean
that under It's prot ction any American
| ecclesiastical power can claim absolute control
over the education of children growing up un-
der the stars and stripes.
Fifth-We con Sder the non-sectarian free
| public school The bulwark of American institu-
| tions-the best place for The education OF Amer
| lean children. To keep them such we protest
against the employment OF subjects OF any un-
| American ecclesiastical power as officers or
teachers of the public schools.
| SixIh-We condemn the support out OF the
| public treasury by direct appropriation or by
! contract of any sectarian school, refOrmatory
| or other Institution not owned and controlled
| by public authority.
| Seyenth-Believing that exemption from tax
alton is equal TO a grant OF public funds. we
! demand that no real or personal property be
exempted from taxation the title to which is
| not vested in the national or State governments
! or in any Of their subdivisions.
| Eighth-We protest against the enlistment In
the United States army, navy or militia of any
| State Of any person not an actual citizen OF the
| United States.
| Ninth-We demand for the protection Of our
| citizen laborers the prohibition OF The impor-
tati0n OF Dauper labor and the restriction OF all
immigration 10 persons who can show ineir
ability and honest intention to become self.
supporting American citizens.
Tenth-We demand a change OF the natural
ization laws by the repeal OF the act authorizing
the naturalization OF minors without previous
declaration of intention, and by providing that
no aliens shall be naturalzed or permitted to
vote In any state of the Union who cannot
speak the language of the land aud who cannot
prove seven years continuous residence in this
country from the date OF his declaration Of In.
tentiou.
Eleventh-We protest against the gross
negligence and laxity with which the judiciary
OF our land administer the present naturaliza-
tion laws against the practice of naturaizng
aliens at the expense OF committees or candi-
dates as the most prolific source Of the present
prostratiOn of American citizenship to the
basest uses.
Twelfth-We demand that all hospitals,
asylums, reformatories or other institutions in
which people are under restraint be at all times
subject to public inspection, whether they are
maintained by the republic or by private cor
porations or individuals.
Thirteenrh-We demand that all national or
State legislation affecting financial, CONNER cial
or Industrial interests be general in character
and in no instance in favor of any one section
of the country or any class Of people.
The council tabled every motion at
! tempting to commit the order to any dis
tinct line of policy on the money, labor,
suffrage, temperance or other party aues-
tions, and also adopted resolution declar-
| ing that no committee or other authority
in the order could bind the members to
any political action beyond their negative
obligation. The council approved Of the
draft of bill for the suppression of immi-
grafton, which Will be sent to Congress for
legislation, and for bill subjecting con-
vents aud similar institutions to public In
spection.
1t was resolved that Washington, D. c..
be the meeting place after 1896, and that
all meetings be held with open doors, the
public to be invited to witness and listen
to all resolutions