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Show UNITED IRISH LEAGUE OF AMERICA ( . Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By tha Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman $ House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, IQ01. 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 Leltrlm. and Thomas O'Donnell, M. P.. West Kerry, and at which theso gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House. New Tork, Dee. 4. 1901: "Whereas. The movement in which the people of Ireland are at pres-nt engaged, as represented by the United Irish league, la one which received the hearty and unanimous approval of the Irish race in all lands, in the decade from 1S0 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 Pnrnell; 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. proclaiming pro-claiming the right of Ireland to national self-government, thoroughly approve the principle that the Irish people on their own soli are the sovereign authority and best fitted to decide the means by which to fight Ireland's battle of freedom. "Renolved, 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 ati organising committee for the purpose of establishing establish-ing braenhes of the United Irish teaguas 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 thehr 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 commHte, a sufficient number num-ber of branches of the UniUd 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, nnd 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 organising committee, held In the Hoffman House. New Tork, Dec. 18. 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 Committer of the United Irish League of America. Art. IL Objects The purposes of thW organisation 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 of United Irtahmn In 1792, This society Is constituted for the purpose of forwarding forward-ing a brotherhood or affection, a communion com-munion of rights, and a union of power among Irishmen.' " Briefly stated, the ends to be attained mra: First Full national self-srovernment 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 115.000,000 at present annually exported from Ireland, In excess of the contrlbu-l contrlbu-l tlon 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 fof all creeds In Ireland. Seventh The compulsory extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing provid-ing agricultural laborers with cottages and one-aere allotments. Eighth The abolition of the right of th crown to challenge Jurors In political cases, except for cause shown. Ninth The preservation of the Gaelifl language as part of the struggle for the recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. III. Membership Membership ol the United Irish League shall be open t 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 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 organising 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 thei 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 Tecefved 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 ss may be necessary. Sec. 3. The treasurer shall keep a correct cor-rect record of all moneys received by htm 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 j 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 organisation. organ-isation. 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. 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 rational 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 leaet three months In existence prior to the date of such convention: and each branch In good standing, with a memr bership not exceeding 100. 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 60 per cent. In good standing, stand-ing, each branch shall be entitled to one additional delegate. See. 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 Organizing Or-ganizing Committee, or the executive committee acting In Its behalf: provided. bowver, that at least two weeks' notice pf Mich Intention be given the national frj'"'rs aa representing the - organizing committee: th.it similar tmtle le clven each brain h then duly established in th j particular city or towt: and th.it each I branrh rl. liming the riht t: participate , In the formation of such rentrai council ; shall have p;ild in its affilaMon fee to the National Provisional l rpar.i7:lii? Commt-tee. Commt-tee. Not more than one such centr.il ho.lv may exist In any cltr or town. In the formation of n central council, end branch shall be entitled to three delegates. dele-gates. (In order th-u proper time may bo afforded for the format ion of such central cen-tral councils. March 17. VTZ is set as tho ! earliest date at which they may be established, estab-lished, due notico hi the form heretotore provided beins In the meantime given. See. 11. Wherever, in any ciy or town under tOO.OPO population, three or mor" branches, properly constituted, of tha United Irish League of America exist. It la competent for them to elect a central council, the governing hudy to consist of a president, vice president, one or more , secretaries, and an executive committer not exceeding sevn members At least one week's notice of the Intention to elect such a central council must oe given the : i national executive committee. ; . Sec. 12. The annual subscription for membership in the United Triah l.ea?:;e of American shall be J1.H0. the levying of further cities or assessments to be nt tie discretion of each local branch. Sec. 11 As a temporary nrrangement. and pending the action of a national con- t ventfon. a sum not exceeding 10 per cent of the receipts from local branches shall be placed at the disposal of the national executive committee for the fnrtherarte of the work of organization and the expenses ex-penses incident therfto. any surplus remaining re-maining therefrom to be returned to the j national treasurer for tha general pur- , poses of the organisation. j Soc. It. Whenever. In the Judgment of j the executive committee of the provisional provision-al organising committee, snch actfon U deemed necessary, the committee mar provide a card of membership of suitable design to be presented members of the United Irish League on payment of their annual !ubcrlptions. J Sec. IS. Any details not-fully covered In the foregoing sections shall be decided de-cided by the executive committee when that Is feasible: otherwise bv the Provisional Pro-visional Organising Committee of the United Irish League of America. ; BRANCHES. First In accordance with the platform of the United Irish Lague, it Is the de- j 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 rufcs of the organizing committee. com-mittee. Second Any Information desired by per- ; ions 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 national body, on application being made to them. ! ' ADDRESSES OF CHTEF OFFICERS. JOHN F. FINFRTT. j President U. T. L. of A. ( 69 Dearborn Strict. Chicago. Ills. JOHN O' CALLAGHAN. j I National Secretary. j 93 Olobe Building. Boston. Mass. j T. B. FITZPATRIOiv. ( National Treasurer. ! f 1P4 Kingston Street. Boston. Mass. j |
