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Show LIMITED IRISH LEAGUE OF AFRICA ( ; Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By ih& ? j j Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman . House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 10, 1901. i I PREAMBLE. Adopted at a general meeting sum-monev sum-monev bv the Irish envoys to America, Messrs. John E. Redmond. M. P., Water-ford Water-ford City; Patrick A. McHugh. M. P.. North Leltrim. and Thomas O'Donnell. M. P., West Kerry, and at which these 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, in the decade from 1S.M) to JSW; and. "Whereas, The methods and objects of tho 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. proclaiming pro-claiming the right of Ireland to national 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- taken to spread the organization of the United Irish league in the United States arid Canada, as an auxiliary to the movement in Ireland. "Resolved, That to that end th 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, aa 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, fn 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 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. 1901, the president. Hon. John F. FInerty of C'hictgo presiding: THE CONSTITUTION. Article I. Tittle Pending the holding of a national convention this organisation 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 of United Irishmen in 17S2. 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 cr: " 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 115,000,000 at present annually exported from Ireland, In excess of the contribution contribu-tion stirjulated bv 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 tot all creeds in Ireland. Seventh The compulsory extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing provid-ing agricultural laborers with cottage 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 Gaelia language as part of the struggle for tlw recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. HI. 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 meeting3 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 record, 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 khall 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 I 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 ait 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 i 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. 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 com- I mittee for that purpose. i 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 committe 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 ot $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 each-branch in good standing, with a mem-; 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 50 per cent, in good standing, stand-ing, each branch shall be entitled to one additional delegate. See. 10. In cities wlah 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. borver, that at least two weeks' notice Of sjicfe Intention be given tins national ,C-rrg a jsjprewrtln tba organwlna committee: that similar nottce be siren each branc h then duly established in the ' ! particular city or town; and that each branch claiming the rUnt to participate in the formation of su- 'n central council shall have paid in its ;iff!lation fee to '.ho National Provisional Organizing Commt- ' '. tee. Not more than one such central bodv may exist in any city or town. In th formation of a central council, eacht branch shall be entitled to three delegates. dele-gates. (In order that proper time may bo afforded for the formation of such central cen-tral councils. March 17. I!i2. is set as the j earliest date nt which they may be established, estab-lished, due notice in the form heretofore provided being in the mrtntlme given.) Sec. 11. Wherover. In any city or town under lOO.OCfl population, three or morn branches, properly constituted, of th United Irish League o' America exist. It is competent for them to elect a central council, the governing ody to consist ot a president, vice president, one or mort ( secretaries, and an executive committer . not exceeding sevn members. At least onei week's notice of the Inteniion to elect such a central council must be given the . national executive committer. I Sec. 12. The annual subscription for . membership in the United Irish League ; of American shall be S1.X. tlu levying of further dues or assessments to be at th9 dlcretion of each local branch. Sec. 13. As a temporary arrangement, and pending the action of n national con- vention. a sum not exceeding W per cnt of the receipts from local branches shall bi placed at the disposal of the n.itional executive committee for the furtherance t of the work of organization and the expenses ex-penses Inrldont thereto, any ptirplus re-malnlnar re-malnlnar therefrom to ,ie returner to th t ; national treasurer for the general pur- ! I poses of the organization. j Sec. 14. Whenever, in the judgment of j the executive committee of the provision- j al organizing committee, such action deemed necessary, thr committee rr.f.y provide a card of membership of suitable design to be presented members of the j United Trish Tjenan-.e on payment of th!r i ; . annual subscriptions. 1 Sec. 15. Anr details not fulh covered In the foregoing sections shall be decided de-cided by the executive committee when that is feasiMe; otherwise bv tht Provisional Pro-visional Organizing Committee of the i United Irish league of America. j BRANCHES. j Ftrst In accordance with the platform It of the United Irish League, it !s the de- I sire of the executive committee that the ! I broadest exercise of local self-govern- ' I ment be permitted to each hrancn. sub- i Ject only to the provisions of the constltu- ; I tlon. and the rnfes of the organizing com- ? mittee. , i Second Afiy information desired by per- i f sons intending to establish branches of I the United Irish League of America. ; either as to this method of establishing ; t them, or in relation to their working, will be gladly supplied by the officers of th .' national body, on application being mad 1 to them. i f ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. if JOHN F. FINERTY. President U. I. L. of A. I 69 Dearborn Stret. Chlca?o. Ills. I f JOHN O' CALLAGHAN, 1 National Secretarv. j s 93 Globe Buildiner. Boston. Mass. ! I T. B. FITZPATRICv. j I National Treasurer. 1 I 104 Kingston Street. Boston, Mass. ! |
