The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1901-01-12
PERKINS, LETTER.
President % the CiEarmakcrs Union
issues Letter OF Acceptance.

President of the Cisarnakcrs Union
issues Letter OF Acceptance.
The following is the letter of accept
ance of President G. w. Perkins of the
international Cigarmakers' Union of
the denomination for president:
Fellow craftsmen: In accepting the
nomination, SO generously accorded me,
for the responsible office Of Interna-
tional President, l do so with a deep
sense of gratitude and with full ap-
probation of the duties thereof.
To successfully administer the great
trust, one must have unlimited faith
and belief in trade unions. A flattering
apologist, who only partly believes in
trade unions, cannot successfully de-
fend and protect their interests
The aims Of the International Union
to my mind, briefly stated, are to
thoroughly organize our craft, that we
may thus obtain the full fruits of our
Ia bor, and to strive while doing so to
obtain the best possible results in in
creased wages, shorter hours, benefits
of all kinds--Which l fully approve
and generally improved conditions for
the present membership, regardless of
what economic condition exists.
We should aim to combat present
conditions with practical methods, in
stead of experimenting with disturbing
but high sounding theories. The chief
aim should be Immediate good results,
to obtain which the tried and true
methods that have stood the test and
proved potent enviable position in the
labor world, should not be discarded for
theoretical methods, based on mis-
directed enthusiasm and partisan poll
teal action, that, when applied, lead
to discord, contention, and defeat.
Methods which. arc associated with
any plan that will ground the Internal
tional Union on a partisan political
basis or make it a part of any political
party, with the turmoil strife, division
and corruption associated Herewith,
should not in the light Of passing
events be endorsed.
l am in full accord with methods that
arc clean-cut, pure, comprehensive and
born of experiences, which have been
put into practice by uncompromising
trade unionists, and that have made
the international Union One Of the fore
most and the largest ;r;dc union Of
skilled WOrkmcn in our country.
l favor q fair provision whereby a
member can guard against accidental
suspension.
If we were going backward or
standing still, l would be as eager as
the first to look for improved methods
but the fact that we have now close
to $4,000 members, proves the correct
ness and efficiency Of our methods. We
have not only maintained wages and
| retained our membership during one of
the greatest industrial deprcsions ever
known, but have actually gained about
| 1000 members since the lase election,
The international Union can justly feel
proud of and afford to cling to methods
that despite the fact mat it has as
great, if not greater obstacles to con-
tend against than any other trade en-
| able it to claim a greater per cent of
organized members than any other
craft. Methods that have raised wages
from 10 to so per cent, shortened the
hours of labor to eight per day, and
paid out $4,6Sp,000 IN benefits to its
members, with money honorably &C.
quired, and in the obtaining OF which