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Show UNITED IRISH LEAGUE0F AMERICA j Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By the I Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1901. ,j s '. 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 City; Patrick A. Mciiugh, M. P.. North Leltrim. and Thomas O'Donnell. M. P.. West Kerry, and at which thest gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House, New- York. Dec. 4. 1S01: "Whereas. Tbe movement in which the people of Ireland are at present engaged, as represented by the United Irish league, is one which received the hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race m all lands, in the decade from issn to DW); 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 Parneli; 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-' ,'lllmln.r the riahl ,,f n.,nJ r oM,,n,l 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 orgariijlnj" committee for the purpose of establishing establish-ing braenhes of the United Irish leases 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 eommltte, 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. 19. 1301. the president. Hon. John F. Flnerty 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 jji imury declaration is: mat in tne 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 tmong 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 llo.OOO.OOO 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-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 be 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 niles 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 hfine. a.11 the nowers and Dtrlletres of the president. Sec 2. The secretaries shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the executiva 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 shall 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. 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 purpose? of the organization, and ho 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 tf the United Irish League of America. The treasurer shall also report once w 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 rerular 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 ail 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. 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. Sfcc. 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 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 10O. shall be enti- ! tied to one delegatae at such convention, j with an alternate in case of the failure of the delegate to act. For every additional hundred members, or fraction of a hun- dred, exceeding 60 per cent, in good stand- j ing. each branch shall be entitled to one fitdditlonal delegate. Seu .10. In cities wiah a population of 10O.C0O or upwards, central councils may be elected by the branches in existence and recognized by the Provisional Organizing Or-ganizing Committee, or the executive 1 committee acting in its behalf; provided. i nrwrver, that at least-two weeks' notice tf suett intention be given the national j fHcers as representing the organizing committee: that similar notice b iven each branch then duly established in t'n particular city or town: and tilit es.-it branch claiming the riht to participate in tbe formation of such centrai co-hum! shall have paid in Its affilatlon fee to th- National Provisional ( rs; inlzing Commt-tee. Commt-tee. Not more than one such central bodv may exist in any city or town. In th formation of a central co-incil. each branch shall be entitled to three delegates. dele-gates. (In order thru proper time may be afforded for the formation of such central cen-tral councils. .March 17. lV-i i. set H thf earliest d.te .t which they may he established, estab-lished, due notiee in the form heretofore provided being in the meantim" given, i Sec. 11. Wherever, in any city or town under 1eO,HnO population, three or rr.-'re branches, properly constituted. "' tUt United Irish League of Americi exist. It Is competent for them to elect a er.tr.il council, the governina body to consist, of a president, vice president, one or nio-e secretaries, and nn executive c.imniitt, not exceeding sevn members .r least one week's notion of the intention to eUv t such a central council must he jiven th' ' national executive committee. Sec. 12. The annual subscription for membership in the United Irish League of American shall be J1.00. the levying of further dues or assessments to be :tt thn I discretion of each local branch. Sec. 11 As a temporary arrangement, and pending the action of a national con- I vention. a sum not exceeding 10 per con: of the receipts from local branches shi'll be placed at the disposal of the r- 'tion.H executive committee for the furtherance of the work of organization and the ex-Denses ex-Denses Incident thereto, any surplus remaining re-maining therefrom to bp. returned to ti e national treasurer for the general purposes pur-poses of the organization. Pec. 14. Whenever, in the judgment of the executive committee of the provisional provision-al organizing committer, such action in deemed necessary, the committee m-iy provide a card of membership of suitable design to be presented members of thi United Irish League on pnvmenl of tlielr annual subscriptions. Sec. 15. Any details not fullv rovered In the foregoing sections Khali be decided de-cided by the executive committee when that is feasible: otherwise bv the Provisional Pro-visional Organizing Committee o tho United Irtsh League of America. BRANCHES. First In accordance with the platform of the United Irtsh League, it is the de- ; sire of the executive committee that th I broadest exercise of local self-govern- ment be permitted to each branch, sub- ject only to the provisions of the constltu- tion. and the ri!ls of the organizing com- mittee. I Second Any information desired by per- I sons intending to establish branches of the United Irish League of America. I either as to the methori of establishing I them, or in relation to their working, will be gladly supplied by the officers of the national body, on application being marts j to them. i ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. JOHN F. FINERTY. I President U. I. L. of A. f . S3 Dearborn Street. Chicago. III.. JOHN O' CALLAGHAN. National Secretary. t 93 ('lobe Buildlnsr. Boston. Ma.is. T. B. FITZPATRIC.v. f National Treasurer. f 104 Kingston Street, Boston, Masx. r |