International Working Men’s Association
[The Minutes are in Eccarius’s hand on p. 133i of the Minute Book].
Citizen Lucraft in the chair.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
Citizen Jung was well received at the Silver Cup carpenters’, but they are too poor to grant money. He also waited on the Hatters’ Committee; a majority had voted against granting money because the funds were low and they had already a weekly levy. The bookbinders put questions about the French branch [in London] and about the political character of the Association. He had stated that Dupont had written his private opinion about the Hyde Park demonstrations and that the celebration of the anniversary of the last revolution was the act of the French refugees in London. This explanation was considered satisfactory[282]; they voted a loan of £10 for Geneva. [Jung] had not received the money yet from the shoemakers in the City.
Citizen Jung met accidentally a member of the Executive of the Amalgamated Engineers, who stated that the Council was inclined to join, that the question was on the programme, and he advised this Council to send a delegate to the next conference.
A letter was read from Mr. Owen Greening at Manchester, stating the reasons why no patterns had been sent for La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Cards. It was agreed that 500 new cards be printed. The old form of the card was then modified and Citizen Jung deputed to get the order executed.[283]
Members present: Buckley, Eccarius, Jung, Huleck, Mrs. Huleck, Lessner, Lucraft, Marx, Maurice.
H. Jung, Chairman
J. G. Eccarius, Secretary
[The Minutes are in Eccarius’s hand on p. 133j of the Minute Book]
Citizen Jung in the chair.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The Secretary [Eccarius] announced that the organ-builders had sent six months’ contribution for 42 members. The cigar-makers inquired how much they were in arrears.
Citizen Jung stated that he had received a letter from the Secretary of the Cigar-Makers advising not to press a deputation for Geneva at present.
Citizen Marx proposed that as the Belgian Government has dragged this Association into the miners’ affair, an official denunciation of that government ought [to be] published by the Council. Seconded by Maurice and carried unanimously.
Citizen Dupont was instructed to write to. Belgium to obtain the facts of the case.[284]
Citizen Lessner proposed, Dupont seconded, that the Secretary write to the Executive of the Amalgamated Engineers to inquire whether they would receive a deputation from this Council at their next conference.
The Council then adjourned to Tuesday, May 19.
Members present: Dupont, Eccarius, Jung, Lessner, Marx, Maurice.
Chairman
[Unsigned]
[The Minutes are in Eccarius’s hand on pp. 133j-34 of the Minute Book]
Citizen Cohn in the chair.
He made a statement respecting the reasons that had prevented him attending of late. His society has voted the new contribution. Upon the questions sent by the Council, the cigar-makers have appointed a committee of six to report upon them.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
The Secretary [Eccarius] read a letter from the Secretary of the Sunday League respecting office accommodation. Eccarius, Lessner were deputed to wait on the Council of the Sunday League on Thursday. The deputation Was instructed not [to] enter into any arrangements if the rent be more than £1 1s. a month.[285]
Marseilles. The branch thinks it has been neglected by the Council of London. Want to know the number of members of the Association. Are going to forward the second instalment of contributions. Want rules of co-operative societies, and are going to discuss co-operation. They also sent the list of the newly elected committee.
The French Secretary [Dupont] was instructed to reply and refer them to the Congress Minutes for number of members, etc.
It was further agreed that’ as many members as could, should bring rules of co-operative societies to the next meeting.
Members present: Buckley, Dupont, Eccarius, Huleck, Mrs. Huleck, Lessner, Mrs. Morgan, Maurice, Shaw.
Chairman [Unsigned]
J. G. Eccarius, Secretary
[An error in the original: “May 25” instead of “May 26.” The Minutes are in Eccarius’s hand on pp. 134-35 of the Minute Book]
Citizen Shaw in the chair.
The Minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.
Eccarius reported that the Sunday [League] had agreed to the terms proposed, and that Mr. Morell would bring a copy of the agreement.
Citizen Jung reported that he had waited on the City shoemakers on behalf of the Geneva strike, but they had been too busy with other things. He had also seen the bookbinders. He thought the contribution would be carried but they would not send a delegate.
A letter from Geneva stated that the dispute was at an end. Most trades had resumed work on the conditions agreed upon in April. The locksmiths and tin plate-workers had reduced their hours to 10. The master joiners had made a “log” which the men resisted. If it came to a strike no foreign aid would be required. 1,260 members had joined the Association since the lock-out. Paris had sent 10,000 francs.
A letter from Brussels stated that De Paepe was too much occupied at present to write himself, therefore somebody else wrote.[286] A few particulars were mentioned concerning the iron and the coal trade. De Paepe will send papers.
The nine members of the new Paris Committee have been sentenced to one month’s imprisonment and 100 fr. fine with one month’s grace.[287] The main points of the prosecution were the telegrams sent from London to prevent [men] from coming [when] strikes have been on in the various trades.
Citizen Dupont proposed that the Swiss Secretary be instructed to write to Guillaume to inquire the reason why Paris had received Congress reports and London not, also to demand the written Congress documents. Agreed.
The Chairman suggested that an address of denunciation be issued against the French and Belgium governments. Agreed.
Citizens Marx, Jung, and Dupont were appointed as a committee to draw up the address.[288]
Citizen Marx gave notice that he should move a resolution concerning the meeting of the next Congress which could not meet at Brussels as the alien law had been renewed.[289]
Mrs. Huleck announced that a Paris shoemakers’ society had entered into an alliance with the English Amalgamation of Cordwainers.
Citizen Jung nominated and Mrs. Huleck seconded Citizen Jules Johannard to become a member of the Council.
Mr. Morell came, but had lost the agreement.
The Council adjourned [at] 10:30 to 256, High Holborn on Tuesday next.
Members present: Buckley, Dupont, Eccarius, Hales, Huleck, Mrs.’ Huleck, Lessner, Marx, Maurice, Shaw.
Geo. Odger, Chairman