Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1887 — THE NEW CONSTITUTION. [ARTICLE]

THE NEW CONSTITUTION.

It Is Adopted by the Knights ot Labor—-The Important Provisions. Full Powers Given to the Executive; Board in All Matters Relating to Strikes. (Philadelphia telegram.! By returns made to the general headquarters of the Knights of Labor the new constitution of the order, embodying many important changes, has been adopted by about a three-fourths vote. A clause pioviding for the formation of national trades assemblies, sent out separately from theconstitution, and voted upon by the local assemblies throughout the order,* has also been adopted by nearly the °ame vote. Thenew constitution will be promulgated by the G eneral Executive Board in a very few days, and will go into effect immediately after its promulgation. An analysis shows that nearly half of the local assemblies that opposed the adoption of the new constitution did so on account of section 325 r . which reads: No local, or other assembly, or member, shall directly or indirectly give, sell, or have any ale, beer, or intoxicating liquors of any kind, at any meeting, party, sociable, ball, picnic or entertainment whatever, appertaining to the order. Any member found guilty of violating this law shall be suspended not less than six months, or expelled. No fine shall be imposed for this offense. Any local or other assembly so offending shall be suspended during the pleasure of the General Executive Board, ox* shall have its charter revoked by saidboard.

Nearly every assembly composed solely of Germans voted against this clause, anil herefore against the whole. The aiticle upon co-operation was adopted unanimously. It is quite lengthy, and provides for the creation and disbursement of a fund to aid co-operation enterprises. Each local assembly is required to collect and deposit a sum not less than 2 cents per month for every member in good standing. The money is to be invested by the co-operative board, and profits are to be divided equally between the general assemby, tbe co-operative fund, and the workmen who create the profit. The new constitution gives the General Executive Board full power to settle all strikes and disputes, whether sanctioned by the board or not, and it increases the powers of the General Board in many other particulars. Hereafter each district, State, national, or unattached local assembly shall be entitled to one delegate to each 3,000 members or majority fraction thereof. The term of office, over which there has been somuch controversy, has been fixed at two years. The compensation hereafter will be fixed by the General Assembly when the> officer is elected.

The national trade assemblies clause ie probably the most important of the changes. It provides that “Any particular trade or calling may form a national trade assembly by giving at least three months’ notice to each local assembly—the entire membership of which is composed of such trades—to attend a convention for the purpose of forming a national trade assembly.”’ At least two-thirds of the local assemblies must vote in favor of the trade assembly, and not less than ten assemblies, if there be that number in the order, may receive a charter. Section 3 of the article is not very strong, however, as it still leaves the matter in the hands of the General Executive Board, which, if the law has been complied with,, may instruct the General Secretary to issue a charter. Votes will be received until July 15 and recorded, although the new constitution' will be in effect some time before that.