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Show UNITED iRSSHLEAGUEOF AMERICA Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By the Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1901. PREAMBLE. ' Adopted at a general meeting sum-money sum-money by the Irish envoys to -America, Messrs. John E. Redmond. M. P.. Water-ford Water-ford City: Patrick A. McHugh. M. P.. North Leitrlm. and Thomas O'Donnell. M. P.. West Kerry, and at which these gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House, New Y'ork, Dec. 4, 1W1: "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 hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race m all lands, in the decade from ISM.) 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 Parnell: 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. pro-clalming'the pro-clalming'the right of Ireland to national self-government, thoroughly approve the principle that the Irish people on thfir own soil are the sovereign authority and best fittetl to decide the means by whic h 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 organizing 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 art, including the assessment assess-ment of fees and dues. "Resolved. That when, in the opinion of the .executive lommitte, 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 organization organiza-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 in the Hoffman House. New York. Dec. 10. M"l. the president. Hon. John F. Finerty of Chictgo presiding: THE CONSTITUTION. Article I. Tittle Pending the holding of a national convention this organization shall be known as the Provisional Organizing Or-ganizing Committee of the L'nited 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 l'nited 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 for 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 of 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 ami 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 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 tie open to all Irish Nationalists, without distinction of class or creed, and to all 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 time 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 of 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 received by them and handed over to the treasurer, with receipts for same: conduct con-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 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 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 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 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 all such meetings shall be held only with the knowledge and consent of the presi- 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. Sec. 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 of $3, 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 loo, 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 10O.COO 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, however, that at least two weeks' notice of such intention be given the national officers as representing the organizing committee: that similar notice bo given each brunch then duly established in tli--particular city or town: and that cadi branch claiming the right to participate I in the formation of such central council j shall have paid in its affiUitiou ice l" iii-! iii-! National Provisional Organizing t'onmit- I tee. Not more than one such centra, body may exist in any city or town. In th formation of a central council, each branch shall be entitled to three delegates, dele-gates, tin order that proper tim may bo afforded for the formation or' such central cen-tral councils. March 17. li2. is set as th -earliest date ;it which they may he established, estab-lished, due notice in the form heretofore provided hejnc in the meantime given. i Sec. 11. Wherever, in any city or town under l'V ponulation. three or more branches, properly constituted," of t!i-l'nited t!i-l'nited Irish League ot America exist, ir is competent for them to elect a. went n I. council, th.e governing hndv to consist of a president. ice president, one or more secretaries, anil an executive committee not exceeding sevn members. At least one week's notice of the intention to ele.'t such a central council must be given the national executive committer. Sec. 12. The annual subscription for membership in the I'nited Irish League of American shall be $1A. the levying of further dues or assessments to be at the discretion of each local branch. Sec. 1.T As a. temporary arrangement, and pending the action of a national convention, con-vention, a sum not exceeding 1 per cenr of the receipts from local branches .shall he placed at the disposal of the national executive committee for the furtherance of the work of organization and the expenses ex-penses incident thereto, any surplus remaining re-maining therefrom to be returned to the national treasurer for the general purposes pur-poses of the organization. See. ii. Whenever, in the judgment or" tho executive committee of til" provisional provision-al organizing committee, such action I deemed necessary, the committee may provide a card of membership of suitable design to he presented members of the United Irish League on payment of their annual subscriptions. Sec. 1.". Any details noi fully covered in the foregoing sc. -Hons shall be de-I de-I filled by the executive committee when that is feMsible: otherwise bv the provisional pro-visional Organizing .Committee of the United Irish League of America. BRANCHES. First In accordance with the platform of the United Irish League, it is the !"-sire !"-sire of the executive committee that the broadest exercise of local self-government be permitted to each branch, subject sub-ject only to the provisions of the constitution, constitu-tion, and the rules of the organizing committee. com-mittee. Second Any information desired by per- ; sons Intending to establish branches of the United Irish League of America. either as to the method of establishing them, or in relation to their working, will be gladly supplied by the officers of the j national body, on application being made to them. ' ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. JOHN F. FINERTY. President C. I. L. of A. 6'J Dearborn Street. Chicago, Ills. JOHN O'CALLAGHAN. National Secretary. 03 Globe Buildine. Boston, Mass. T. B. FITZPATRICc. National Treasurer. 104 Kingston Street. Boston, Mass. |