Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-02-01
/ De MOGRdTIG
UNION
THE MEMBERSHIP GOVERNS
THIS GREAT COMBINATION OF
WAGE-EARNERS.
GOVERNS

The local unions of the Interna-
tional Typographical union are about
to nominate candidates for the vari-
GUS International offices. Nomina-
lions are made at the regular Feb
ruary meetings OF the local unions.
The election will take place on the
third Wednesday i'm May. Inasmuch
as The typographical union is the
Oldest and best conducted trade
union on the North American con.
tinent, some information as to its
methods OF self-government will be
of particular interest at this time.
Many persons outside the ranks of
organized labor are unfamiliar with
the democracy that prevails in al
most all trade unions. AS a demo
cratic body the international Typo-
graphical union Of North America
is the pioneer, and stands pre-emi-
neLt as such in the organized labor
movement.
The typographical union is a free
association OF economic equals. men
and women, for be it known women
are admitted to membership in this
organization upon the same basis as
are men, one of the cardinal princi-
pies of the union being equal paw
Tor men and women for equal ser
vices performed. The international
union is composed of unions scat
tered throughout the United States
ana Canada, and it's jurisdiction ex-
tends from Alaska to the PhiIip-
pines. Each local union administers
its local affairs in conformity with
international rules and regulations
said rules and regulations being de-
Veloped by the combined local unions
and administered by central bodv
known as the executive council IN
the interest of all the locals. This
executive council is composed of GER
tain of the international officers
VINO are elected by the referendum
Tor terms of two years.
When, more than fifty years ago
representatives. from the unions scat
tered throughout the United States
met and organized a national bodv
which developed into the present in
ternational organization, the initia-
tive and referendum were hit IttIa
known or used, so that up to about
ten years ago the annual convor
ton, composed of delegates from tbe
animated unions, elected all Of tba
international officers and formulated
the rules and regulations. This hoe
now been changed. While the annual
delegate convention is retained ali
or the international officers oro
nominated and elected by the rotor
endum, legislation is initiated and
all constitutional laws and amend
mehts must be submitted TO the roe-
erendum The officers of all local
unions are elected by the local ref
erendum. In fact, the way in which
these men and women. associated in
a voluntary organization for their
collective benefit, govern themselves
Is one Of the greatest expositions Of
democracy extant.
Not only does each local union
govern itself but each union sbon
Is organized into a chapel. the mem
oers elect chairman and secretary
ana such other officers as they NAV
deem necessary, depending upon the
size of the chapel The chapel for
initiates and adopts rules for the
government Of its members. and if
is the duty of the chapel officers
TO see that all union and chapel laws
arc lived up to. These chapels are
not only for the benefit OF the mem
Ders' but are a protection TO the
employers. as the members arc as
Jealous i'm seeing that the office rules
are observed as they are to see that
the union laws are lived up to.
All members Of union have a
voice in the discussion of all mat
ters before the union, but only those
who have been members i'm good
standing for six months have a vote
on certain questions. such as. for