The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-07
Reproduced from a photograph

only slight intermission. Immediately
after the convention was called to order
the committee on resolutions, label and
constitution was instructed in its duties
and set TO work.
There was considerable discussion as to
the best and most practical ways for reach
ing the ends desired, but perfect unanim-
ity prevailed on one point-that of an
urgent necessity for better protection
among union cigar-makers and the need
of agitation for cooperation and support
by ali branches of organized labor and
friends thereof.
After the committee on permanent Or
ganization had made its second report the
convention decided upon name for the
organization, which is perpetuated In the
executive committee. The name adopted
was THE California State Blue Label
League" The object of the organization,
with reference to the protective label fea-
ture, is to take the present label out of the
hands of the local union and place it under
the control of the leagues executive COM
mittee. The label is intended to show the
people of the State a ready and compre-
hensive distinction between Eastern-made
cigars and the California product. There
will be active agitation in the Immediate
future in favor of homemade cigars, and
the boycott will be applied as far as posi-
BILE against the products of non-union
labor.
The agitation will also act against the
cigars made by union factories in the East,
notwithstanding the fact that all such
goods are stamped with the label of the
Cirgar-makers' International Union. But
there will be no boycott against Eastern
made cigars bearing the union stamp.
The duties of the executive committee,
which consists of the president viee-presi-
d ent, secretary, treasurer and sergeant-at-
arms of the league, in addition to other
matters, will be to promote the manufac-
tIlre and sale of California-made cigars and
other tobaccos with all the influence that
they can bring TO bear upon organized la
Dor, business men and the community gen.
orally.
In pursuance of this idea the convention
adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, The seal adopted by this league is
the single guarantee against Chinese and the
Eastern tenement house, disease infected
cigars, and as the union-made article is SUI
perior in every respect and does not cost any
more, as the smoker pays the same price for
his cigars in either case; moreover, every cigar
consumed and manufactured by members OF
our organization helps to give employment to
men who are citizens of this State, whose
families reside here and who spend their earn
ings here and thereby help TO advance the
interests of the whole people; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That we respectfully call upon all
consumers of cigars TO see that our blue label
and seal are upon the box when they purchase
cigars, and to accept none other.
The afternoon session was largely oc-
cupied in amending the various clauses of
the constitution of the league, and dis
cussing the duties of the officers who con-
stitute the executive board, and the mat
ter of finances in the work of carrying out
the wishes of the convention. All unions
in this State will be taxed an amount
sufficient to defray the actual working ex-
penses of the league. The executive board
was given large powers, and has authority
to not only execute the wishes of the con-
vention, but even to legislate on minor
matters connected with the work of the
league if it is found necessary. The board
throughout the year. The first regular
meeting will be held in San Jose on the
first Monday in June.
After much discussion and the presenta.
ton of many amendments the conYen-
ton formally adopted constitution by q
unanimous vote. The principal features
of the document are those already men,
toned.
It was decided to have the proceedings
of the convention, together with the con-
stitution, printed and bound In pamphlet
form for distribution among all the mem
bers of the unions in this State and also to
be sent to other international unions.
As the referendum is one of the consti-
tutional features of the international
Cigar-makers' Union all the proceedings Of
this convention will be submitted to the
~ 10 for
ton. This will be mere matter of form
as there is nothing in the proceedings to
which any union can raise a reasonable
objection.
After the secretary had been instructed