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Show UNITED IRISH LEAGUL0F AMERICA , i s I j I ' Full Text of the Constitution and By-Laws Adopted By the Provisional Organizing Committee at the Hoffman House, New York, Thursday, Dec. 19, 1901. ! PREAMBLE. Adopted at a general meeting sum-mnnev sum-mnnev 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'Donneil. M. P.. West Kerry, and at which the gentlemen were present, held at the Hoffman Hoff-man House. New York. Dec. 4. 1901: "Whereas. The movement in which the j people of Ireland are at present engaged. 1 as represented by the United Irish league, is on which received the hearty and unanimous approval of th Irish rae in all lands, ir. the decade from 18SD to 18P0; and. "Whereas, The methods and ohiects of the United Irish league ar 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 th right of Ireland to national self-government, thoroughly approve the principle that the Irish people on thir own soil are the sovereign authority nd 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 aryj Canada, as an auxiliary to the t movement in Ireland. 1 "Resolved, That to that nd the present meeting be constituted an organising committeo for the purpose of establishing establish-ing braenhes of the United Irish leagues throughout the country, and that, as the first step In that direction, a provisional executive committee of twenty-ono members, mem-bers, with power to add to ihelr number, and Including a president. vW:o president, treasurer and four seeretarhsu, oe ohooen by the meeting, and that they shall hav full power to act. including the assessment assess-ment of fees and dues. "Resolved. That when, in the opinion of the executive commute, 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 tho organisation organisa-tion on a permanent basts in America, and that, meantime, the constitution of the leagu4 in Ireland be adopted as the constitution in thle country." Constitution of the United Irish League of America adopted at a meeting of the executive organising committee, held In the Hoffman House. New York. Dec. 1. 1901, tho president. Hon. John F. Finerty of Chictgo presiding: THE CONSTITUTION. Article I. Tittle Pending the holding of a national convention this organization shall be kaown as the Provisional Organizing Or-ganizing Committee of the trotted Irish Art. IT. Objects The purposes of thJ organisation is to act as an auxiliary in America to the national organization in Ireland the United Irish league whose primary declaration la: "That in the words of the constitution of first elub ot United Iriahmen in 1T92, This saciety ie constituted for the pnrpoae 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 ha attained re: 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 Ira-land. Ira-land. Fourth To insist upon the appropriation appropria-tion to strictly Irish national uses of the flo.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 fraring ranches -of Con naught, and the reinstatement of the evicted tenant. Sixth Complete educational equality fof all creeds In Ireland. Seventh The compulsory extension throughout Ireland of the law for providing provid-ing agricultural laborer with cottage; fend one-acre allotments. " Eighth The abolition of the right of tho crown to challenge jurors in political cases, except for cause shown. Ninth The preservation of the Gaelli language as part of the struggle for thf recovery of Irish national freedom. And other reforms. Art. III. Membership Membership el the United Irish League shall be open t all Irish Nationalists, without distinct lot of class or creed, and to all sympathize with the national claims of Ireland. JBI-LiAWS AINU KUjLiEa. By-laws and rules of the. United Irisb League adopted at the same meeting: Saetlon 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 cha'rman shall have, for the time being, all the powers and privileges of the president. Sec. 2. The secretaries shall keep the minute of all meetings of the executive committee or the provisional organizing committee; notify members of meeting., 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 organising committee, and a list of all branches of the United Irish 1 League of America in existence. They j shall also , keep a record of all moneys received by them and handed over to the treasurer, wtth receipts for same; con- j duet correspondence under the direction 1 of the president, and otherwise assist hirr 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 tho deduction of all legitimate expenses, may be directed by the executive committee of the United Irish League of America. Th 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 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 e 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 till 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 pres- 1 ent and votinz. Sec. -8. Matters of general Dotlcy. action ac-tion and organization shall be under the guidance of the executive committee and officers. Sec. 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, snail 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 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. Sec. 10. In cities wlah a population of 100.CO0 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. hrtrver, ' thit'ai :least two weeks' notice Of suffh Intention be given t,he national f ir h representing the organizing , committee: that similar notice h stlven 1 j each branch then duly established In trie particular city or town: and that each j branch claiming the risM to participate in the formation of such centra! councii i shall hav p:1j,i jn its a'fliatlon Ite to t!? National Provisional JrganiztiiK I'ommc tee. Not more than ore such central boiiv may exist in .my cltv or town. In trt formation of a central council, each branch shall entitled to three de: g.it"S. (In order thnt proper lime may be affordod for the formation of such central cen-tral councils. March 17. !"'-'. is set as tho earliest date at which they may be established, estab-lished, due notice in the form heretofore provided being i'i tho meantime given. 1 Sec. it. Wherever, in any city or town under 100,000 population, thre or ni'r branches, properly constituted, of the United Irish League of America eilst. It Is competent for them to elect a central f council, the governing body to consist of a president. vIch president, one or more secretaries, and an executive committee not exceeding sevn members At least 1 one week's notice of the intention ro elect I siiih a central council mtmt be given the national executive committee. it-:: 12. The annual subscription '"or I membership in the United Irish League of American shall be $1.00. the !evy!:it: of j further dues or assessments to he at the I discretion of ench local branch Sec. U. As a temporary arrangement. I and pending the action of a national con- . ventioti. 11 sum net exeeedlnar 10 per cent of the receipts from local branches shall j be placed st the disposal of the national i executive committee for the furtherance I of the work of organization sni the ex- j penses incident thereto, any surplus re- mainina therefrom to be returned to the j I national treasurer for the general pt:f- : poses of the organisation t Sec. 14. Whenever, in the Judgment of j the executive comcjiitse of the provision- : al organising committee, such action l deemed r.ecegj.ary. the committee ma provide e carM of membership of sulteM-' I design to be presented members of the . i i United Irish league on payment of their annual euberiptkn. : j Sc. W- Any details not fuily covered 1 In the foregoing sections shall be 1e- elded by the executive committee when ! that is fsaslhle: otherwise b'- the Fro- visional Organizing t Committee of tho United Irish League of America. if BRANCHES. i First In accordance with the platform of the United Irish League. It is the de- i t sire of the executive committee that the J I broadest exercise of local self-govern- ' I ment be permitted to each branch, sub- I ject only to the provisions of the constitu- tlon. and the rules of the organizing com- I mlttee. Second Any Information desired by per- joos Intending to establish branches of ' f tie United Irish League of America, either an to tho method of establishing them, or In relation to their working, will be r'ad'T supplied by the officers of the , I national body, on application bei-ijr made i to them. ADDRESSES OF CHIEF OFFICERS. ' JOHN F. FINERTY. If" , President U. I. L. of A. If" 3 Dearborn Street. Chicago, Ills. ; JOHN O CALLAGHAN. j National Secretary. I ?3 Globe Building. Boston. Mj.an. T. B. FITZPATRIC.v. National Treasurer. I 104 Kingston Street. Boeton. Maw. ; j , , , , 1 |