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Show UNITED IRISH LEAGUE Or AMERICA ( Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By the Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman j House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1901. PREAMBLE. Adopted at a general meeting sum-money sum-money bv th Irish envoys to America, Messrs. John E. Redmond." M. P.. Water-ford Water-ford City: Patrick A. McHugh. M. P.. North Leitrim, and Thomas O'Donnell. M. P.. West Kerry, and at which thes gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House, New York, Dec. 4. 1901: "Whereas, The movement in which the people of Ireland are at present engaged, as represented by the United Irish league. Is oni which received the hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race m all lands, in the decade from la0 to 1S90; and. "Whereas, The methods and objects of the United Irish league are practically the same as those pursued by the land league under the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnpll; therefore be it "Resolved. That this meeting, interpreting inter-preting what we believe to be practically the unanimous sentiment of the Irish race in America, heartily indorses the United Irish league movement as conducted con-ducted by the people of Ireland, and, proclaiming pro-claiming the right ot Ireland to national self-government, thoroughly approve the principle that the Irish people on their own soil are the sovereign authority and beat fitted to decide the means by which to fight Ireland's battle of freedom. "Resolved, That in accordance with that principle we urge that steps be Immediately Immediate-ly taken to spread the organization of the United Irish league in the United States and Canada, as an auxiliary to the movement in Ireland. "Resolved, That to that end the present meeting be constituted an organising committee for the purpose of establishing establish-ing braenhes of the United Irish leagues throughout the country, and that, as the first step in that direction, a. provisional executive committee of twenty-one members, mem-bers, with power to add to their number, and including a president, vice president, treasurer and four secretaries, be chosen by the meeting, and that they shall have full power to act, including the assessment assess-ment of fees and dues. "Resolved, That when, in the opinion of the executive committe. a sufficient number num-ber of branches of the United Irish league for the purpose has been established, the executive committee shall summon a national na-tional convention to place the organisation organisa-tion on a permanent basis in America, and that, meantime, the constitution of tho league in Ireland be adopted as the constitution in this country." Constitution of the United Irish League of America adopted at a meeting of the executive organizing; committee, held In the Hoffman House. New York, Dec. IS, 1901. thft nrenirient Hon. .Tnhn V Wlruwt-r of Chictgo presiding: THE CONSTITUTION. Article I. Tittle Pending the holding of a national convention this organisation shall be known as the Provisional Organizing Or-ganizing Committee of the United Irish League of America. Art. II. Objects The purposes of this organization is to act as an auxiliary in America to the national organization in Ireland the United Irish league whose primary declaration is: "That in the words of the constitution of the first club of United Irishmen in 1792, "This society is constituted for the purpose of forwarding forward-ing a brotherhood of affection, a communion com-munion of rights, and a union of power among; Irishmen.' " Briefly stated, the ends to be attained are: First Full national self-government foi Ireland. Second The abolition of landlordism in Ireland by means of a universal and compulsory com-pulsory system of land purchase. Third The putting an end to periodical famine in the distressed districts ot Ireland. Ire-land. Fourth To insist upon the appropriation appropria-tion to strictly Irish national uses of the 15.000,000 at present annually exported from Ireland, in excess, of the contribution contribu-tion stipulated by the act of union. Fifth To secure the redistribution of the frazing ranches of Connaught, and the reinstatement of the evicted tenants. Sixth Complete educational equality for all creeds in Ireland. Seventh The compulsory extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing provid-ing agricultural laborers with cottages and one-e.cre allotments. Eighth The abolition of the right of the crown to challenge jurors in .political cases, except for caus.i shown. Ninth The preservation of the Gaelic language as part of the struggle for the recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. III. Membership Membership of the United Irish League shall be open to all Irish Nationalists, without distinction of class or creed, and to ail sympathizers with the national claims of Ireland. BY-LAWS AND RULES. By-laws and rules of the United Irish League adopted at the same meeting: Section 1. The president shall preside a all meetings when present; in his absence one of the vice presidents; or, in the absence ab-sence of both, a chairman shall be elected for the meeting by the members present. The chairman shall have, for the ttaie being, all the powers and privileges of the president. Sec. 2. The secretaries shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the executive committee or the provisional organizing committee; notify members or meetings, either through the press or otherwise, as may be convenient; keep all reports and necessary records, with a list of the ; members of the executive committee and the provisional organizing committee, and a list of all branches of the United Irish League of America In existence. They shall also keep a record of all moneys received by them and handed over to the treasurer, with receipts for same; eon-duct eon-duct correspondence under the direction of the president, and otherwise assist him as may be necessary. Sec. 3. The treasurer shall keep a correct cor-rect record of all moneys received by htm from the secretaries or other sources, for tho purposes of the organization, and he shall give his receipt for the same. He shall also transmit from time to time to the treasurers of the fund in Ireland such sums as. after the deduction of all legitimate expenses, may be directed by the executive committee of the United Irish League of America. The treasurer shall also report once a month, or more frequently it necessary, the financial condition con-dition of the organization to the president. presi-dent. . Sec. 4. In addition to the holding of stated meetings at regular intervals, the president, treasurer and secretaries shall have power to call special meetings whenever, when-ever, in their Judgment, such action is necessary in the interest of the organization. organ-ization. Sec. 5. The executive committee, with the officers of the organization, may meet at any time for the consideration of matters affecting the welfare of the organization, if it is not found practicable to call a meeting of the entire membership member-ship 'of the provisional organizing: committee com-mittee for that purpose. Sec. 6. Twelve members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the executive execu-tive committee, and shall be entitled to transact all necessary business, but ail such meetings shall be held only with the knowledge and consent of the president. presi-dent. Sec. 7. Any appeal from the decision of the chair, to be sustained, must be supported sup-ported by two-thirds of the members present pres-ent and voting. See. 8. Matters of general policy, action ac-tion and organization shall be under tho guidance of the executive committee, and officers. Stc. 9. Any twelve or more persons, acting act-ing by authority and under the direction of the executive committee of the provisional pro-visional organizing committee, shall be entitled to form a branch of the United Irish League of America. Such branches, as a preliminary to affiliation with the natkmal body, shall contribute a sum of $5, and thereafter 50 per cent of their gross receipts shall be forwarded to the national treasurer for the general purposes pur-poses of the organization. To become entitled en-titled to representation at the national convention of the United Irish League of America each branch must have been at least three months in existence prior to the date of such convention: and each branch in good standing, with a membership mem-bership not exceeding 100. shall be entitled enti-tled to one deiegatae at such convention, with an alternate in case of the failure of the delegate to act. For every additional hundred members, or fraction of a hundred, hun-dred, exceeding 50 per cent, in good stand-in?, stand-in?, each branch shall be entitled to one additional delegate. See. io. In cities wiah a population of 100,000 or upwards, central councils may be elected by the branches in existence and recognized by the Provisional Organizing Or-ganizing Committee, or the executive committee acting in Its behalf; provided, hoover, that at least two weeks' notice tf such intention be given the national . t'fiers as representing the organizing t committee: that sirrilar notic b Rivpn each braneh then d'tlv established in the 1 particular city or town: and that cici braneh claiming th rich to p.irti.-ipate in the formation of sueh central council ! shnll have paid i'l i; :i i filation fe to th. National Provisional Organizing Commt-tpe. Commt-tpe. Not moro t h : i ri one sueh central bodv may exist in any rity or tow:i. In th formation of a central council, eneh branch s:iali bo entitled to thr--e delegates. dele-gates. (In order that proper tl:v,- may he afforded for the formation of sueh c-n- ! tral councils, March 17. ltf. is set as tho earliest date at which they niny b established, estab-lished, due notice in the form her.'toforo provided belnif in tho meantime given. See. 11. Wherever, in any city or town under 100,000 population, three or nr branches, properly constituted, of thu United Irish League of America exist, it is competent for them to elect a central council, the governing body to consist of a president, vi'-o preside r. one or more secretaries, and an executive committer not exceeding svn members. At lea.'t . j one week's notice of the Intention to elect such a central council must be given tho national executive committee. Sec. 12. Tho annual subscription for membership in the United Irish League of American shall be Jl.00. the levying of further dues- or assessments to be at the discretion of each local branch. Sec. 13. As a temporary arrangement, and pending the action of a national convention, con-vention, a sum not excecdlDi? 10 per cent , , of the receipts from local branches shall be placed at the disposal of the national executive committee for the furtherance of the wrk of organisation and the expenses ex-penses Incident thereto, any surplus remaining re-maining therefrom to be recurned to the national treasurer for the general purposes pur-poses of the organization. j Sec. 14. Whenever. In the Judgment of the executive committee of the provision- j al organizing committee, such action la ) deemad necessary, the committee mar provide a card of membership ot suitable design to be presented members of tiao United Irish Leayie on payment of their annual subscriptions. Sec. 15. Any details not fuUy covered in the foregoing sections shall be decided de-cided by th- executive committee whea that is feasible: otherwise by the Provisional Pro-visional Organizing Committee of th United Irish League of America. BRANCHES. First In accordance with the platfarra of the United Irish League, it is the desire de-sire of the executive committee that the. broadest exercise of local self-govern- j ment be permitted to each branch, rob- J jeot only to the provisions of the constitution, constitu-tion, and the rofea of the organising com- Second Any Information desired by per sons Intending to establish branches of I the United Irish League ef American, j I either as to the method of establishing f them, or in relation to then- working. wi; I be gladly mipplied by the officers of the national body, on application beinc mads I to them, ADDRESSES OF CHTEB OFFICERS. . JOH2T F. FINERTT. j President U. I. L. of A. i S9 Dearborn Street. Chicago, Ilia, J j JOHN cy CALLAGHAN. National Secret aryw ; 93 Globe Bulldlnr. Boston. Mass. I T. B. FITZPATRIC-v, ! I National Treasurer. f 104 Kingston Street. Boston. Mass. |