OCR Text |
Show UNITED IRISH LEAGUEOF AMERICA h : i Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By tho Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman i House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1901. f 1 i 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 Citv; Patrick A. McHugh. M. P.. North Leitrlm. and Thomas O'Donnell. M. P.. West Kerry, and at which these Kentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House, New York, Dee. 4. 11)01: "Whereas. The movement in which the people of Ireland are at present engaged, as represented by the Cnited Irish league, is one which received the hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race in all lands, in the decade from lS-O to 1S90; and. "Whereas, The methods and objects of the Cnited Irish league are practically the same as those pursued by the land league under the leadership of Charles Stewart Parnell; therefore be it I "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 1'nited Irish league movement as conducted con-ducted by the people of Ireland, and. proclaiming pro-claiming the right of Ireland to national I self-government, thoroughly approve the 1 principle that the Irish people on their own soil are the sovereign authority and best fitted to decide the me.ms by which to fight Ireland's battle of freedom. "Recolved, That In accordance with that principle we urge that steps be immediate-lv immediate-lv 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. a the rirst step In that dtrection, 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 organization organiza-tion on a permanent basts 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 Tork. Pee. 19, 1901. the president. Hon. John F. Finerty of Chlctgo 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 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 cf 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 tmong Irishmen.' " Briefly stated, the ends to be attained 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-FourthTo insist upon the appropriation appropria-tion to strictly Irish national uses of the 115.000,000 at present annually exported from Ireland, In excess of the contribution- 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 toi all creeda 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 Gaelid language as part of the struggle for th recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. III. Membership Membership 01 the United Irish League shall be open tc I all Irish Nationalists, without distinction of class or creed, and to all sympathizer! 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 at all meetings when present; ln 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. Thp errtflria ithnll kni tho 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 thai members of the executive committee and; the provisional organizing committee, and . list of all branches of the United Irish League of America ln existence. They fchall also keep a record of all moneys 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. 1 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, ana 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 alt 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 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. 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 national 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 6ach branch must have been at least three months ln 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 lo one delegatae at such convention, with an alternate ln 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, ln 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, hver. that at least two weeks' notice Of such Intention be given the national ffWrs as reprent1nff the orsanizinj committee: that similar notice he given ' if each branch then duly established in the j particular citv or town; and that each branch claiming the rUht to participate I In the formation of such central council : shall have paid In its at'iilaflon fee to th, ' I National Provisional Organizing Commt- . I tee. Not more tnan one suc-h central body ; I may exi?t in any citv or iown. In th formation of a central council, eat-a branch shall be entitled to three dele- , ; I gates. (In order that proper time may b '. I afforded for the formation of such cen- ; I tral councils. March 17. is set as tha ' earliest date it whifh they may be etab- s lished. due notice In the form heretofore j provided beinij ln the meantime given.) Sec. 11. Wherever, in any city or town f under 100.000 population, threp or nwr-) branches, properly constituted, of the I United Irish League of America, exist, it is competent for them to elect a central council, the governing body to consist ot a president, vice president, one or mors , secretaries, and an executive committer j ! not exceeding sevn memher At U'ast one week's notice of the intention to elect , such a central council must be given the t j national executive committee. f I Sec. L'. The annual subscription for j membership ln the United Trlsh League t of American shall be $1.00. the levying of I further dues or assessments to be at th9 . I discretion of each local branch. Sec. 13. As a temporary arrangwmetrt, and pending the action of a national con- ' . vention. a sum not exceeding 1 per cent of the receipts from local branches shall be placed at th disposal of the national I exeeuttve committee for the furtherance I of the work of organization and the ex- 1 penses incident thereto, any surplus re- j mainlng therefrom to be returned to the it national treasurer for th9 general pur- I 1 r Ik. nroinlmliATI I t Sec. 14. Whenever, in the judgment of ! i the executive committee of the provision- t al organizing committee, such action la ' . f deemed necessary, the committee nay I provide a card of membership of sultabt ! f. design to bf presented members of the : I United Irish I.eatrue en payment of their if annual subscriptions. k 1 l Sec. 15. Any details not fully coverel I In the forestoing sections shall be de- . I elded by the executive committee when . j that is feasible: otherwise by the Pro- ; 1 visional Organizing Committee of th United Irish League of America. ! BRANCHES. ' j I First In accordance with the platform j I of the United Irish League, it Is the de- i I sire of the executive committee that the i j broadest exercise of local self-govern- ment be permitted to each branch, sub- ; Ject only to the provisions of the constltu- ! tlon. and the rules of the organizing com- , f mittee. i I Second Any InformatTon desired by per- 'I sons intending to establish branches of j the United Irish League of America. t either ;:s to the method of establishing ' them, or In relation to their working, will 1 f ; be gladly supplied by the officers of the national body, on application being made , i f to them. , I I ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. j f JOHN F. FINERTY. 1 f President V. I. L. of A. 'I 63 Dearborn Strset. Chicago. Ills. t f JOHN O CALLAGHAN. j f National Secretary. ' 93 Globe Buildinsr, Boston. Mass. j j T. B. FTTZPATRIO.v. ! I National Treasurer. i 104 Kingston Street. Boston, Mass. : '. i |