OCR Text |
Show . . UNITED SRISH LEAGUE0F AMERICA I Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By the j Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman f House, New York, Thursday. Dec. 19, I90l. I 'V-'" PREAMBLE. Adopted at a general meeting -sum-money bv the Irish envoys to America. Messrs. John E. Redmond. M. P., Water-ford Water-ford City: Patrick- A. McHugh. M. P.. North I.eitrim. 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 one which received the hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race in all lands, ia the decade from 18X0 to 1SW; and. "Whereas. The methods and objects of the United Irish league ;ire practically the same as thoue 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 leaji;e 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 thir own soil are the sovereign authority and best fitted to decide the means by which to fight Ireland's battl 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 Stated 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 tabl!sh-lug tabl!sh-lug 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 tfteir 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. "Rasolved. That when, in the opinion ef the executive eommitte. 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 I constitution in this country." Constitution of the United Irish League of America adopted at a meeting of the executive organizing rommittae, held In the Hoffman House. New York. Dec. 19. 1901. 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 ah auxiliary In Amorlca to the national organization in Ireland the United Irish league whose primary declaration s: "That in the words of the constitution of re first club of United Irfshraen ia 1792. This sadety Is censtituted for the purpose o; 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 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 ef 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 frazlng ranches of Connaught. and the reinstatement of the evicted tenants. Sixth Complete educational equality for1 all creeds in Ireland. Seventh The compulsory extension throughout Jreland 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 Gaellt language as part of the struggle for thf recovery "of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. HI. Membership Membership o! the United Irish League shall be open tc all Irish Nationalists, without dlstinctios of class or creed, and to all svmpathtzeri with the national claims of Ireland. BY-LAWS AND RULES. By-laws and rules of the United Irisb League adopted at the same meeting: Section L 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, ail 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. eitner tnrougn tne press or otnerwtse. as may be convenient; keep all reports and necessary records, with a list of the .members of the executive committee and. the provisional organising 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 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 addltioa 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 thp 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. - f Sec. 8. Matters of general Dollcy. 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 15. and thereafter 60 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 I 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 enti- 1 tied 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 bv the branches in existence and recognized by the Provisional Organising Or-ganising Committee, or the executive committee acting In Its behalf; provided. hever. that at least two weeks' notice of sn-dh' intention be given the national ri.r a. rrantna the organizing committee: that similar notice V given ' I each oranch then duly established in th ; I particular city or town: and that each branch claiming the right to participate i in the formation of stich central eo'indl I shall have paid in its affliction fee to the 1 National Provisional Organizing I'omrr.t-tee. I'omrr.t-tee. Not more than one such central badv may exist In any city or town. In the formation of a central council, each branch shall be entitled to three dele- ' gates. (In ordr that proper time may be I afforded for the formation of such central cen-tral councils. M.reh 17. lHo2. I set as tho ; carfiest date at which they may be established, estab-lished, due tiottce in the form heretofore provided tclrg In tho meantime ghren.) Sec. 11. Wherever, In any city or town J under 100,M population, three or more branches, properly constituted, of the United Irish League of America exist. It Is compettit for them to elect a. central council, thd governing body to consist of a president, vice preeldent. one or more secretaries, and an executive committee not exceeding sevn members. At leaet one week's notice of the intention to eleet such a central council must be gtven the national exeeirttve committer. Sec. 12. The annuel subscription for j membership In the United Irish League of American shall be 1.00. the levying of further dues or assessments to be at the discretion of each local branch. Sec. 13. As a temporary arrangenieC and pending the action of a national con- , veution. a sum net exeeediap W per cent of the reculpt from local branches shall 1 e placed at the disposal of the national executive committee for the fiirthe-.c of the work of organization and the expenses ex-penses incident thereto, arty surplus re-Btalning re-Btalning therefrom to be returned to the j national treasurer for the general purposes: pur-poses: of the orfanixation. Pec. 14. Whenever, In the Judgment of j the executive committee of th provisional provision-al organizing committee, such action I deemed neoansry. the committee m provide a car of membership of suitable design to be presented member of the Unite Irish Learue on payment of their annual shrrtptfons '. 3sc. 15. Any details not fullv covered In the foregoing sections shall he decided de-cided by the executive committee when that is feasible: otherwise bv the Provisional Pro-visional Organizing Committee of th. United Irish League of America. : BRANCHES. ; First In accordance with the platfortn ; of the United Irish League. It I the de- j sire of the executive committee that the j broadest exercise of local self-government be parmlttfd to each branch, subject sub-ject only to the provisions of the constitution, constitu-tion, and the rules of the organizing com- 1 mittee. Second Any information desired by per- j sons Intending to establish branches' of the United Iriah League of America, either as to the method of entahlishln ! ihem. or in relation to their working, will be gladly supplied by the officers of the national body, on application being made i j to them. j ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. j I JOHN F. FINERTY. President U. I. L. of A. I 9 Dearborn Street. Chicago. Ills. I JOHN O'CALLAGHAN. I National Secretary. j M Globe Building. Boston. Mass. f T. B. FITZFATRlCrt.. 1 l National Treasurer. 104 Kingston Street. Boston, Mass. ! j ' " i I |