1 5 5] GOVERNMENT 23 



associated with the secret society, have been introduced into 

 the labor organization. The influence of the fraternal or- 

 der is shown also in the use of names, such as " grand 

 forge," or " grand lodge," " subordinate lodge," " grand 

 vulcan," " grand knight," " conductor " or " guide," " door- 

 keeper," or " inside and outside guards." But the consti- 

 tution of the Sons of Vulcan provides for a more highly 

 centralized form of government than any fraternal order 

 was likely to possess. 



The nature of the government of the early local unions 

 in the iron trades of the United States cannot be set forth 

 definitively. No constitution of any of these early unions is 

 extant. No doubt, government is too high-sounding a 

 phrase to apply. The workmen gathered in simple and 

 informal shop meetings, and elected a presiding officer viva 

 voce. These meetings were held sometimes within the in- 

 dustrial establishment, more often perhaps in some dingy 

 room over a store or a saloon, usually on Saturday night. 

 They were clandestine in character, because of the work- 

 men's fear of discharge. When the need arose, special 

 committees were created to lay the demands of the jour- 

 neymen before the employer. 



The form of government of the local union, so far as we 

 know, has never undergone any radical change. It is still 

 essentially government by mass-meeting. Originally five 

 " practical workers " was the minimum number necessary 

 to organize a local union. In 1880 the minimum was in- 

 creased to ten. The whole body of members assembling 

 " at least once in every two weeks " is the final authority 

 for the transaction of all business, legislative, executive and 

 judicial. The general meeting may adopt amendments to 

 the by-laws, may bring to trial accused members and by a 

 two-thirds vote suspend or expel them, and may order the 

 payment of bills for local expenses ; but it has no power to 

 declare a strike. The sole authority to legalize a strike is 

 vested in a special committee created for this purpose by 



