The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-10-18
EVIDENCE AND DOCUMENTS IN THE CASE OF THE EXPUL-
SION OF NJ J. KENNEDY ORDERED PUBLISHED BY
REFERENDUM.

In accordance with state committee
referendum No 4, which carried, the fol
lowing. being all the documents on file
in this office, pertaining to the expulsion
from the party of NJ. j. Kennedy, is
hereby published:
Letter from the secretary of Seattle
Fifth Ward:
Seattle, Wash, April %, 1912.
Frans Bostrom, Secy.,
Everett, Wash
Comrade-At the last regular business
meeting, Comrade NJ j. Kennedy was sus-
pended for one year from said local for
ordering the police to our meeting to
preserve order as he admitted. This for
your information.
WILLARD PRICE,
Secy. Fifth Ward Local.
The following is the answer by the
state secretary:
Willard Price, Secy. Local Fifth Ward,
Seattle, Wash
Comrade-Section II of the state con-
stitution (see the BALLOT gives the local
the power to exclude Objectionable mem
bers, provided certain specified regula-
tions are followed. There is no section
that gives the local the power to expel
or even suspend members FROM THE
PARTY without the sanction of the
state committee (the state executive com
mittee acting for the state committee)
The only exception in the case of sus-
pension is the constitutional supplement
pertaining to the circulation of defama-
tory rumors. Exclusion from the local
doesn't mean exclusion from the party.
In the case of Kennedy, if the local
wishes him suspended from the party, all
the evidence as it appears upon the min
utes of the meeting must be presented
before the executive committee, to show
that fair trial has taken place.
Special attention is called to the fact
that at least ten days must expire be-
tween the regular meeting at which the
charges were preferred and the meeting
at which sentence was rendered, and that
all paid up members must be notified in
the meantime, provided it is feasible to
obtain their actresses. I write this in
order that you may avoid troubles which
surely will come from irregular proceed
ngs. Kindly keep this office posted on
what is done in this matter.
Yours for the revolution,
FRANS BOSTROM,
State Secretary.
Granite Hotel, 1905 9Th Ave.
Seattle, Wash, May 2, 1912.
To Frans Bostrom, State Secretary
Treasurer. Socialist Party of Washing
ton and Members of the State EXecu-
tive Committee:
Comrades wish to appeal against
the unconstitutional action of Local Fifth
Ward. Seattle $. P.-of which | am a
member in good standing-at regular
meeting held April %. 1912, in suspend
inr me from membership in the local for
one wear. This action was taken in my
absence, without notice, without trial,
without notifying the members Of the
local that such action was TO be taken.
Such act or acts are IN violation Of
section , Old constitution, and sections
II and 49, new constitution
Locals NAV nv a majority vote eX
clule Objectionable members. but such
exclusion shall take place AZ a meeting
decided unon AZ regular local meeting
not loss than zen iays previously and
al members paii up ~ the first ~ the
current month Shs'l in the meantime. b.
notified IN writing etc."
u 4 local has The power - suspend
one member for 4 year ~ 4 ragHlar 1pcal
meeting. II follows logically that =. the
local has me power ~ suspend Ten
members ~ fifty members without mott
fic1tian. trial ~ defence. IN their al
-euea. Take. f1r example. What hap.
reaed to me of the meeting ~ Local
Fifth Ward ON april g. 1913 when
Local Fifth Ward hv motion suspended
me fog one year. &o charges were dIa5
msI near .he close of -he meeting aa0u.
1880 p. m- when nearly an o.; the mem