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Show f UNITED IRISH LEAGUE OF 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. M ; PREAMBLE. Adopted at a general meeting summon?- by the Irish envoys to America. Messrs. John E. Redmond, M. P.. Water-ford Water-ford City; Patrick A. McHugh, M. P.. North Leltrim. and Thomas O'Ponnell. M. P.. Went Kerry, and at which these gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House. New York, Dec. 4. 1591: "Whereas. The movement in which the people of Ireland are at present engaged, as represented by the I'nited Irish league, is one which received the he-dtty and unanimous approval of the Irish race in all lands, la the decade from 1&S0 to IS!: and. "Whereas, The methods and objects of the Unlteil Irish leaerue are nraotic!ly i the same as those pursued by the lttivl league under the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell; therefore be it "Resolved. That this meeting, interpreting inter-preting what we believe to be practically the unanimous sientlmpiu of the Irish rare in America, heartily indorses the Cnited Irish league movement as conducted con-ducted by the people of Ireland, and. proclaiming pro-claiming the right of Ireland to national self-government, thoroughly approve the principle that the Irish people on their own soil are the sovereign authority and best 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-on 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 thy shall havi? full power to act. including the assessment assess-ment of fees a,nd due. "Resolved. That when, in the opinion of the execntive committe. a s-uflcient 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 ta place the organisation organisa-tion on a permanent basis in America, and that, meantime, the constitution of the 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 4n the Hoffman House. New York. Dec. 18. 1901. the president. Hon. John F. Finerty of Chlctgo presiding: THE CONSTITUTION. Article L Tittle Fending the holding of a national convention this organization 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 organisation in Ireland the United Irish league whose primary declaration Is: "That in the words of the constitution of the first club of United IrUhmen In 1793, This society is constituted for the purpose of forwarding forward-ing a brothorhood of affection, a communion com-munion of rights, and a union of power imong Irishmen.' " Briefly stated, the ends to be attained re: First Full national slf-goverornent for i Ireland. iwuuu nugiuion oi laiiaiurui m 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 of Ira-land. Ira-land. Fourth To insist upon the appropriation appropria-tion to strictly Irish national uses of ths .15,000,000 at present annually sxported 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 creds in Ireland. Seventh The ' compulsory extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing provid-ing agricultural laborers with cottages and one-acre allotments. Eighth The abolition of the right of the crown to challenge jurors In political cases, except for cause shown. Ninth The preservation of the Gae'iir. language as part of the struggle for th recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. III. Membership Membership oi the United Irish League shall be open U all Irish Nationalists, without distinction of class or creed, and to ail sympathizer! with the national claims of Ireland. BY-LAWS AND RULES. By-laws and' rules of the United Irlsb 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 tim beinir. all the Dowers and Drivlleares of ! the president. Sec. 2. The secretaries shall ' keep the minutes of all meetings of the executive I committee or the provisional organizing! committee; notify members of meeting!". either through the press or otherwise, aa may be convenient; keep all reports .and necessary records, with a list of the, members of th 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 j received by them and handed over to the j treasurer, with receipts for same; con-duet con-duet 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 him from the secretaries or other sources, for the 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 ail 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 If 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 j president, treasurer and secretaries shall have power to call special meetings when-ever, when-ever, in their judgment, such action Is necessary In the interest of the organ ization. Sec. 5. The executive committee, with I the officers of the organization, may-meet 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. 1 Sec. 6. Tweh-e members shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the executive execu-tive committee, and shall be entitled to transact all necessary business, but all 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. Sec. 8. Matters of general policy, action ac-tion and organization shall be under the guidance of the executive committee, and . officers. 8tc. 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 national body, shall contribute a sum oi $C, and thereafter 60 per cent of their gross receipts ehall be forwarded to the national treasurer for the general purposes pur-poses of the organization. To becoms 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 1C0. shall be entitled enti-tled to one delegatae 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 standing, stand-ing, each branch shall be entitled to one additional delegate. Sec. 10. 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, h-ver. that at least two weeks notice Of such Intention he given the national ,frt..- an rer--'ting the organizing t committee: th.it similar notice be given each branch then duly f stabl'.hI in the particular city nr town, and that -.i.ii branch claiming the ri?ht to participate in the formation of such central couiiri: 1 shall have paid in its .ifftlation fee to tiie National Provisional Organizing Comint-tee. Comint-tee. Not more than ore such centrul boclv may exist In any city or town. In th formation of a central council. eac"i branrh shall be entitled to three delegates. dele-gates. (In order that proper time may i afforded for the formation of Hiicri central cen-tral councils. March IT. IV.;. is set as the earliest date at which they may b established, estab-lished, due notice in the. form heretofore provided being In the mecntlme given.) Sc. 11. Wherwver. in any city or town under 100.000 population, three or mure branches, properly constituted, of the United Irish League of America xist. Is competent for them to elect t central f council, the governing body to vonaidt f a prenident. vice president, one or more secretaries, anil an executive committee not exceeding svn member?. At a.t , I or.t week's notice of the intention to ele -t such a central council must be given th-" I national executive eomir.ltte Sec. 12. The annual subscription for I membership in the United Irinh League ( of Amarlcan shall be 11. 00. the levying of further dues or assessments to be at th f discretion of each local branch See. 13. As a temporary arrangement. ' and pending the action of a national con- vsntlnn. a sum not exceeding 10 per cnt . j of th receipts from local branches shall be placed at the disposal of the national- executive committee for tho furtherance f Of the work of organisation and the ex- j penses Incident thereto, any surplus re- j malnlng therefrom to be returned to the national treasurer for th general pur- I poses of the orjaniiation. j Sec. 14. Whenever, in the judgment of - the exscutJve committee of the prorlaio'i- ' at organising committee, such srtlon Is deemed necessary, ths committee my provide a card of membership of suitable design to bi presented members of th United Irish Leasrue on payment of th?ir annual subscriptions. Sec. 15. Anv details not fuIJv covered in th foregoing swetions shall be de- I cidod by th executive committee wtaen that is feasible; otherwise bv the Provisional Pro-visional Organizing Committee of th.' United Irish League of America. BRANCHES. Fir3t In accordance with the platform of the United Irish League, it is the desire de-sire of the xecutlve committee that the broadest xorclss of local self-govern- ment be permitted to each branch, su'j- , jct only to the provisions of the constitution, constitu-tion, and the rules of the organizing committee. com-mittee. Second Any information desired by persons per-sons intending to establish brfnrh-s "f the United Irish League of America. j either as to the method of establishing them, or in relation to their working, will be gladly supplied by the officers of th national body, on application being made to them. ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. JOHN F. FINERTY. President I. L. of A. i fiS Dearborn Street. Chicago, ills. ! JOHN O' CALLAGHAN. j National Secretary. ! Globe Building. Boston. Mass. I : T. B. FITZPATHIC.v. f Natiofiml Treasurer. 104 Kingston Street. Boston. Mass. |