UC-NRLF 
 
 B ^ EbD l^^ 
 
SOCIAL SCIENCES 
 
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY 
 
 of 
 
 THE EARLY 
 
 ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 «/ PRINTERS 
 
 By ETHELBERT STEWART 
 
 Special Agent United States Bureau of Labor 
 
 Published by 
 The. International Typographical Union 
 Indianapolis, Indiana 
 ^ • ,1907 
 
 117 LIBRARY 
 
I 
 
A Documentary History of 
 
 the Early Organizations 
 
 of Printers 
 
 By ETHELBERT STEWART 
 
 Special Agent 
 United States Bureau of Labor 
 
 Published by the 
 
 Intemarional Typographical Union 
 
 Indianapolis, Indiana 
 
 1907 
 
SOCIAL SCIENCES 
 
 This Documentary History originally appeared 
 in Bulletin No. 61, issued in November, 1905, 
 by the United States Department of Commerce 
 and Labor. It is reproduced in its present form 
 by order of the Colorado Springs Convention 
 of the International Typographical Union. 
 
 Gin 
 

 W5 
 
 xWi^L-^ 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY fflSTORY OF THE 
 EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS^ 
 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 TlHAT a number of disconnected typographical societies existed 
 I in various parts of the United States prior to the formation of 
 ■ the unions as now constituted, while not perhaps generally 
 known, will not be new to students of the history of labor or- 
 ganizations. The references to these early organizations arc 
 usually hazy, containing no more than a mere statement that they ex- 
 isted at certain dates, with no evidence offered of the truth of even these 
 statements. In this article it is believed the first attempt is made to be 
 specific in the information presented about these early organizations. In 
 this respect at least the article represents pioneer work in its field, not 
 only in the reproduction of documents, but in the resort to minute books 
 of these societies, as a source of information about other kindred so- 
 cieties. Thus the transcription of circular letters from other societies, 
 upon the records of the Columbia Society, or the New York or Phila- 
 delphia societies, has furnished documentary proof of the existence of 
 many printers' organizations nowhere else referred to. So far as the 
 documents could tell the story little else has been said. Such explana- 
 tion as seemed absolutely necessary to an understanding of the docu- 
 ments, as, for instance, the changing industrial conditions which prompt- 
 ed the intense feeling against the professional editor or publisher who 
 was not at the same time a "practical printer" has been given briefly in 
 notes; while the effect of the great employ-yourself movement socialism 
 of 1830 to 1850, so apparent in the radicalism of the documents of that 
 period, is briefly referred to in the text. The addresses "to the trade" 
 or "to the public" have been reproduced in full, and for the most part 
 without comment, the one object always kept in view being to let the 
 workingmen of that period tell their own story. Point of view is every- 
 thing, and as it is very difficult, if not impossible, to state another man's 
 point of view except from your own, the only way to be sure of getting 
 the early printer's point of view is to let his documents present his case. 
 Even then it is hard to realize why some things which seem so trivial 
 today were so serious to men in 1815 or 1830. 
 
 a Acknowledgments are due to Mr. K. H. Cressingham, of New 
 York, for the loan of valuable material in connection with the New York 
 Typographical Society of 1809; to the ofl^cials of the library of congress 
 for many courtesies; to the officers of the International Typographical 
 Union; to Mr. James C. Britton, of the bureau of labor; and to the 
 officers of the Washington Typographical Union. 
 
 002 
 
ireau 
 
 4 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Because of this conviction, that in dealing with the affp.Vc .f 
 generation other than our own the best wav to tH \J , ^ 
 
 price lists, and minute books, and 
 
 h canvass was made or attempted. 
 
 missed would bring up any new 
 
 T„e period covered by .=.u.. doiu;;™^^ iff™ l.t foTs""',; "'°"''- 
 
 the 
 
 such 
 
 There 
 
 po,.ib,e'.r;s-o7d »;:;■;-;;::.; ^'^.r '::tllT: \" '""', 
 
 n.. e,o.i,>., i, i, ,„., b„, ffic:„ ■.ri.L i.r' "r*'''"r!,f 
 of in»„eL^r,rNLi::,Tr''i^Lf -LT-bT'sJioLii S": 
 
 necessary to follow a subject to its final disposition 
 the woman compositor question and the uniform 
 
 . ,ec.;o. o, .e coi„,"''„rd-,?„i.rey:rrrd ';;""■; r^er 
 
 Copies of constitutions and price lists as far back as 180 TrT 
 
 »row,b ,ro„ the benefit .0 ;,;;., er.,;.;r„'r!:; ""r"f r' 
 
 i^ot only are the economic reasons for some of thr thJr,^ a 
 t..e unions (as .imitation of apprentices) to be lu^d t^ T.^^ 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 5 
 
 history: but the gradual transformation of sentiments into customs, and 
 the evolution of trade interests into "union principles," goes on so 
 gradually before our eyes in these minute books that we can under- 
 stand them better. 
 
 In the early constitutions and minutes of these organizations will 
 be frequently found stated in terms those "union principles" which 
 have since become a part of the subconscious thought life of the "union 
 man," and no longer printed or stated, because nobody m the union 
 supposes it necessary to state basic principles. Just as no man in intro- 
 ducing his wife specifies that a legal marriage ceremony has been per- 
 formed, or in talking about his children stops to explain that they were 
 born in honorable wedlock: and the man who asks for an explanation or 
 a verification of these taken-for-granted and socially fundamental as- 
 sumptions, unless he represents some semi-savage tribe where such 
 status is not indubitable, is simply inviting trouble for himself. bo 
 much of this unrevealed ultimate principle exists; so much depends upon 
 an understanding of this submerged or subconscious, and to the trade 
 unionist axiomatic, hence never expressed thought life, that students of 
 organizations coming from a different mental atmosphere often fa. to 
 find in unions that which is the reason for their existence-thc soul of 
 purpose by which they live. 
 
 These "fundamental principles of trade unionism are often the 
 codified experiences of former generations under industrial conditions 
 that no longer exist, and can not now be understood by a mind not in- 
 heriting an intuitive perception of them, except by a study of the early 
 organizations in which they were formulated and of the conditions which 
 suggested them. Of no other institution is it more true than of trade 
 unions that they can only be read in the present by the light of the 
 past. 
 
 BEGINNINGS. 1786 TO 1830. 
 
 Whatever of associated effort there was among printers prior to 
 ,70s was temporary, having a single purpose, and when this was ac- 
 complished the compact was dissolved. It was the custom in all trades 
 to call a "general meeting" of the trade whenever a matter of impor- 
 tance to all presented itself. Such calls were signed by one or two 
 men of recognized influence in the trade. These meetings, usually held 
 in private homes, were organized by the election of officers, a statement 
 was made of the purpose in calling the trade together, and after dis- 
 cussion resolutions were adopted embodying the views of those present 
 upon the question presented. When the meeting had deeded what the 
 attitude of the trade was to be, all those present, if wilhng to do so. 
 signed an agreement to stand by each other during the difficulty. Com- 
 mittees were appointed, and frequent meetings were held during the 
 trouble, especially if it proved to be a strike and of some duration, thus 
 creating the impression that a permanent association of journeymen had 
 been formed. It is certain that some of the strikes in colonial times 
 were undertaken with no more of an organization than this, and while, 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 there is nothing inherently improbable about the existence of permanent 
 unions in colonial times, since they had been in existence in England 
 and Europe for many generations before, yet we should be cautious 
 about concluding from such a statement as "The journeymen bakers of 
 New York went on strike in 1741," that therefore there was an organi- 
 zation, other than a temporary understanding, among them. 
 
 The first, probably, of such understandings among journeymen 
 printers was in New York city in 1776, when a demand for an increase 
 of wages was made by them and refused by their employers, with the 
 result that a strike was called, which, proving successful, the associa- 
 tion ceased. Again, in Philadelphia in 1786 an attempt by the employers 
 to reduce wages to $5.83 "4 a week was made the occasion for calling 
 the trade together. The statement issued by the printers at this meeting 
 has fortunately been preserved, and was as follows: 
 
 "At a meeting of journeymen printers of Philadelphia held at the 
 house of Henry Myers on Wednesday evening, the 31st ultimo, the fol- 
 lowing resolutions were unanimously entered into and ordered tran- 
 scribed for publication. In consequence of an attempt having been 
 made by some of our employers to reduce our wages to 35 shillings per 
 week: 
 
 "Resolved, That we, the subscribers, will not engage to work for 
 any printing establishment in this city or county under the sum of $6 
 per week. 
 
 "Resolved, That we will support such of our brethren as shall be 
 thrown out of employment on account of their refusing to work for less 
 than $6 per week. 
 
 "Philadelphia, June 7, 1786." 
 
 This document is signed by twenty-^ix printers, probably comprising 
 a majority of the competent men in the city at that time. There are 
 indications that this struggle lasted for some time, but none whatever 
 that the organization of printers had any purpose beyond the immediate 
 one of resisting that reduction of wages, or any existence after this 
 single purpose was accomplished. The document is important, however, 
 as showing that the sentiment of supporting each other in time of a 
 strike, out of which the union strike-benefit fund grew, existed among 
 printers long before unions as such were formed. 
 
 In 1795 an organization was formed in New York city known as 
 "The Typographical Society," comprising in its membership most of 
 those working at the trade at that time. It was the first known society 
 devoting its energies to trade conditions and wage scales that existed 
 for any appreciable length of time, (a) So far as known it was the 
 
 a The "Company of Printers of Philadelphia," organized in 1794, 
 was an association of employers and job printers, not of journeymen, 
 as is so often stated. While it is not the purpose of this article to go 
 into the question of employers' associations, yet this one of 1794 is so fre- 
 quently referred to as a labor organization, its constitution being listed 
 in a very recent bibliography of trade union publications as such, that 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK PRINTERS 
 
 first society not called into existence by an immediate exigency of the 
 trade, and ceasing to exist when that exigency was removed. The 
 
 it seems advisable to settle the matter definitely by reproducing the docu- 
 ment, a copy of which is preserved in the library of congress. It will 
 be noted that article 14 provides that the company shall "regulate the 
 prices at which its members shall execute printing work, determine the 
 terms if employing journeymen, fix penalties for the violation of their 
 regulations,' etc., and is signed by nine individuals and firms, among 
 them some who were of more than local importance as printers and pub- 
 lishers. (See Bishop's History of American Manufacturers, \'ol. i.) 
 The term "printer" was applied only to employers in the earlier times, 
 and, later, to both employers and journeymen. 
 
 Aside from the historical value of the document itself and the im- 
 portance of eliminating it from the literature of trade unionism, it is 
 submitted as one of the few constitutions extant of a form of associa- 
 tion known as "companies," which formed a link between the merchant 
 guilds of the late middle ages and the employers' associations of today. 
 The document follows: 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE COMPANY OF PRINTERS OF PHILA- 
 DELPHIA, 1794. 
 
 Assured that the interests of every profession depend, in a high de- 
 gree, on the union and co-operation of its members; impressed with the 
 necessity of associating for the purpose of securing those advantages 
 which are at present attached to the printing business, as well as for 
 the purpose of extending them; and persuaded that such association will 
 conduce to insure the harmony and good fellowship of those by whom 
 it is composed; we, the subscribers, printers of the city of Philadelphia, 
 do hereby constitute ourselves a society, under the name of the Com- 
 pany of Philadelphia Printers. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 The company shall be formed of such printers of the city and liber- 
 ties, as are present at the adoption of this constitution; of such as shall 
 join the company within one month subsequent to said adoption, and of 
 such as shall be hereafter elected in conformity to the third article. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Every person previously to his being considered a member, shall 
 subscribe the constitution, and by such subscription solemnly engage to 
 comply with the articles thereof, as well as such regulations as may be 
 made under the same. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 A printer may become a candidate for admission into this company, 
 either on application by letter or on the nomination of a member; in 
 either case his name shall be submitted to the company, at one regular 
 meeting, and be balloted for at the next regular meeting; should, how- 
 ever, an unanimous voice be expressed for proceeding to an immediate 
 election, all delay shall thereby be suspended. If the votes of two- 
 thirds of the members present be in his favor, he shall be elected a 
 member. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 A member on admission shall pay the sum of $2 and the sum of $1 
 annually afterward during his membership. 
 
 Article %'. 
 There shall be four regular meetings in every year, viz., on the 
 
DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 Typographical Society of 1795 lived two and one-half years, or 
 
 far into 1797. and succeeded 
 
 m securing an increase of wages to $1 per 
 
 In 1799 the Franklin Typographical Society of Journeymen Print- 
 ers, of New York, was organized. Mr. David Bruce, the famous type 
 
 second Tuesday of January, April, July, and October, and on such other 
 
 said'm'let.ny°"'^^"^ '^'" ^^ ^^ adjournment, or as shall be fixed b" 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 Six members shall be sufficient to proceed to business. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 There shall be chosen by ballot, on the second Tuesday of Tanuarv 
 in every year, a President a secretary, a treasurer, and a committee of 
 three members, who shall be called the committee of inquiry. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 at thfneS r'eg'ulaTmeeSng?""'' '" ^"^ °^'="' '""'^ ^^^^ ^^ -PP'-<i 
 Article IX. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the president, or, in his absence, of a chair- 
 inan, to preside at al meetings; to preserve order among the members • 
 to call a special meeting whenever he sees it expedient; or at th^ rwuesi 
 
 !he icrSSr "" ' """"" °' "" ~™P"V%hairde.„Tve S 
 
 Article X. 
 
 SlllTS,„.'" "" "'""" " "" •^'""y- ' ""«.rrpr, ,SJ„?i 
 
 Article XI. 
 as shalf^^rorne ^^n *1"*^ °^ ^^^ treasurer to receive such sums of money 
 
 Article XII. 
 mati^n lii^lV*'-^ ^^^ ''"*^ °^ ^^^ committee of inquiry to obtain all infor- 
 
 Zl^rZ\°^'^' company; and to obtain information of the state o'f the 
 
 s'ame''?o^he"c"omy"ny':^'^""" *° ^""'^^^ "'' -^-^"^ and to'^epo^rf the 
 
 Article XIII. 
 
 Article XIV. 
 When the company are organized, they shall have the power to 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS q 
 
 founder, was its first president. Tliis society formulated the first com- 
 plete wage scale ever adopted by the printers of New York city, and 
 went on strike for its enforcement. No copy of this scale has been pre- 
 served. It demanded 25 cents per :,ooo ems, and not less than $7 per 
 week in book and job offices, and $8 per week on newspapers. None of 
 its records and no copy of its constitution could be found, but from con- 
 temporary newspaper files it is learned that the "Franklin Typograph- 
 ical Society assembled at the house of Mr. P. Becanon, No. 87 Fair 
 street, to celebrate the twenty-sixth anniversary of American Independ- 
 ence July 4, 1801." 
 
 The Daily Advertiser, of New York, in its issue of February 4, 
 1803, printed the following notice: 
 
 "A regular meeting of the Franklin Typographical Society will be 
 held at their rooms, 63 Stone street, on Saturday evening, February 5, 
 1803. Members are requested to be punctual in their attendance. 
 
 "By order of the president: 
 
 "John Collins, Secretary." 
 
 regulate the prices at which its members shall execute printing work; 
 to determine the terms of employing journeymen; to fix penalties for 
 the violation of their regulations; and, in general, to adopt such rules as 
 may be considered conducive to the prosperity of the printing business. 
 
 Article X\'. 
 Any member may withdraw from the society by removal from the 
 city; by a relinquishment of the printing business; or by signifying his 
 disposition thereto at a regular meeting: Provided, That, in the last in- 
 stance, he do not cease to be a member until the next regular meeting: 
 And also proi-idcd. That on such secession he place in the hands of the 
 treasurer the sum of ten pounds for use of the company; should, how- 
 ever, two-thirds of the members present dispense with the payment of 
 this sum, it shall not be demanded. 
 
 Article X\'I. 
 Any proposition of amendment to this constitution shall be made at 
 a regular meeting, and not be brought to decision until the next regular 
 meeting: previously to which notice shall be given to the members by the 
 secretary, that it is proposed to alter the constitution. 
 
 Article XVII. 
 
 A member may te expelled for misconduct by a majority of the 
 company, provided that such expulsion be made at a regular meeting, 
 and that such meeting be not the one at which it is proposed to expel 
 him. 
 
 Article XVIII. 
 On the adoption of this constitution the company shall proceed to 
 the choice of officers, who shall hold their appointments until the day 
 fixed upon for the annual election of officers. 
 Adopted September ii, 1794. 
 
 VV. Young. 
 Robert Cochran. 
 Richard Folwell. 
 Samuel H. Smith. 
 William Gibbons. 
 HoFF AND Derrick. 
 Tacob Johnson. 
 William W. Woodward. 
 MoRDECAi Jones. 
 
lO A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It would appear from this that the society had grown too large to 
 meet in the private homes of its members and strong enough to have a 
 hall, or at least rooms of its own. 
 
 In its issue of September 19, 1803, the New York Evening Post had 
 the following acknowledgment: 
 
 "The president of Franklin Typographical Society, of New York, 
 acknowledges the receipt of $83.50 from the Philadelphia Typographical 
 Society for the relief of such of our members as may be distressed in 
 consequence of the prevailing epidemic." 
 
 The minutes of the Philadelphia Society show that at its monthly 
 meeting in June, 1803, "it was voted to contribute $83.60 to assist the 
 printers in New York city who may be suffering from ravages of the 
 yellow fever." 
 
 The Franklin Typographical Society of New York ceased to exist 
 in 1804, but the bill of prices formulated by it remained the standard 
 of wages until September 20, 1809, when the New York Typographical 
 Society, organized early in that year, formulated a new scale. 
 
 As further tribute of a documentary character to the work of this 
 society of 1799-1804, may be cited the first paragraph of a letter written 
 August 25, 1809, by the secretary of the New York Typographical So- 
 ciety: 
 
 "New York, August 25, 1809. 
 
 "Gentlemen: The board of directors of the New York Typograph- 
 ical Society, by a resolution passed the 19th instant, have directed me 
 to inform you that the customary price per token for working super- 
 royal paper is 37^^ cents, and 48 tokens (which is supposed to be the 
 number you work per week) at that price would be $18. The present 
 society, however, have yet no established prices, either for presswork or 
 for composition, but the price which is here mentioned is that which 
 was instituted by a former association in this city, and which we be- 
 lieve is now generally conformed to." 
 
 So much space has been given to this organization because to it be- 
 longs the credit of formulating the first detailed scale of wages pre- 
 sented to employers in the printing business in the United States, and 
 because, curiously enough, while the earlier society of 1795 is some- 
 times mentioned by writers, this much more important one of 1799- 
 1804 is not referred to by any of them. 
 
 The Philadelphia Typographical Society was organized in 1802, and 
 enjoys the distinction of being the oldest existing organization of the 
 craft. Up to 183 1 it existed as both a benevolent and a trade society, 
 as was the rule among the early societies. In 1831 it became a purely 
 benevolent association, and as such exists today. 
 
 February 22, 1802, this society formulated a list of prices (which 
 is believed to be identical with that of the New York Typographical 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK I'klNTKRS 
 
 II 
 
 Society in 1800), and, prefacing it with a neat address to the employ- 
 ers, submitted it for acceptance. (a) A photographic reproduction of 
 the only copy of this price list known to be now in existence is here 
 presented. 
 
 C^. 
 
 Philadelphia, Februanj 22, l»2. 
 
 THE *• PhiUdtlphl* T) pogmphicil Society," take ihe liberty to 
 furnish you with their Lhi of Prices. We hope that we shall be indulged « iih at 
 leaVt .1 cajidid examination ul' our demands. ...wc presume you arc not uiMC^uitintcd 
 with many of them. Wc would wish to be placed on a footing, at leait, uith me- 
 chanics.... our wages have, in no instance, kept pace uiiU them. We have the merit 
 of not bving the most dissatisfied, and in no one instance of demanding any thing 
 unjuit. \Ve have, in the following sLilciVicni, confined ourselves to what a majority 
 of the employers in this city give. Our object is, to have one unifonn price estubli^hed. 
 In doing this, we shall act us men towards men. ...no person will leave his employ 
 until he has given a reasonable- notice. ...in return, «e expect that )our conduct 
 towards us will be equally candid. Indeed, ue cherish a hope-, that the time is not 
 C»r distant, when the employer and the employed will vie with each od>er, the one, in 
 ollwiiii^ i» competent salary, the other, in deser^it,^ it. Under these impressions ue 
 ttibinit th« following prices tu your decision. 
 
 COMPOSITION ^ PRESS WORK. 
 
 £W. Cits Ool. Cu 
 
 Per week, not less than 8 00^ Per week, not less than 8 00 
 
 Every 1000 m's, from Brevier to > „. ^ All paper below medium, per token 30 
 
 English, inclusive 3 n Ditto above medium 37i 
 
 Common Rule or Figure work . . . 50 > Broadsides, per token . .'..... 75 
 
 s Cards, per pack . 12; 
 
 i A single pack of cards 30 
 
 J AU small jobs . . ... 30 
 
 Gsoics Whiti, P ret idem. 
 JoMH Chilos, yice-Pretident. 
 WliiiAM LiTTLC, Secretary. 
 
 W. W. Wand.. 
 £. Conrad, / Standing 
 B. Greaves, V Committee. 
 J. M'Uvaiae, 
 
 / Standing J A 
 V Committee. / F 
 
 W. Scott, 
 A. Scott, 
 P. Dcnham, 
 
 c«>r To-.'.-. 
 
 Joh. W Mkn 
 
 Jo.^ (WfoH. 
 
 lr.Jo.«, 
 
 
 
 Fnncil WrijWr. 
 
 FwlTiVLaudir. 
 
 John Do.. 
 
 (?«s-«. 
 
 Henry Guv>o. 
 SttpUn S.»cU. 
 
 WUI.imCulc. 
 HoUn M..,.U. 
 
 W.ll»m P Luc. 
 
 Jokn WhItJ,. 
 
 Ptinck Mylbfia. 
 
 AI...«J« Bolud. 
 
 Silut HmI. 
 
 Ixmc.C CovTrt,. 
 
 J.m« W.niiMj. 
 
 Tkom.! To-n. 
 
 
 J.he, K.n.lcr. 
 
 Sui«I Ak<rm>o. 
 
 TkJ^ dImJ.' 
 
 NKhrtu Konifck. 
 
 Wj*.m'fl"hWI, 
 
 John Coop,,. 
 
 SJrfD»- 
 
 .J.m..M-K.b(H.. 
 
 Tl»0.>. S«..n. 
 
 AnW Co1.™J« 
 
 JuMt Mnni. 
 
 Joh«B«»n), 
 
 Id, AH^^M.,.- 
 
 CMHu l.w. 
 
 J«<* B«T««. 
 
 Huc< H C.bbt. 
 
 WUlLm AVi«*r. 
 
 WJlumConKi,. 
 
 A»d„. S«^,. 
 
 hH< PilM*. 
 
 ■».;.i~». 
 
 
 •<IV.M •ktWM 
 
 •mmI (urr 
 
 
 o The bibliography appended to Sidney and Beatrice Webb's "History 
 of Trade Unionism" in Kngland gives "the scale of prices of the Edin- 
 burgh compositors for 1805" as the oldest printers' scale. It may there- 
 fore develop that this Philadelphia price list is the oldest in the lan- 
 guage. 
 
12 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The constitution of this society, which was not finally adopted until 
 November 6, 1802, is given in full in Appendix A, No. i, and is be- 
 lieved to be the oldest constitution of a labor organization extant in the 
 United States. No printed copy of the document was found, but a tran- 
 script was made from the minutes of the society for the purpose of this 
 article. 
 
 While the constitution gives prominence to the sick and funeral 
 benefit features of the organization, as did the early craft guilds and 
 still earlier burial societies, nevertheless, unlike them, it does not en- 
 tirely conceal its industrial purposes. The journeymen printers had se- 
 cured the acceptance by the master printers of tlieir price list of Feb- 
 ruary 22, and under "a desire to consolidate the present good under- 
 standing and harmony which now happily subsists among the brethren 
 of our profession," the constitution of November 6 was adopted. In 
 addition to a sick benefit of $3 a week and a funeral benefit of $10, "in 
 every case when a member may be thrown out of employ, by reason of 
 his refusing to take less than the established prices," the board of di- 
 rectors "shall advance, if required, on his own security, in their discre- 
 tion, such sum per week as will be sufficient to defray his ordinary ex- 
 penses," and, furthermore, if such person was unable to return the 
 money so loaned, then an assessment should be levied upon the mem- 
 bership to repay the same. To this incipient strike-benefit fund was 
 added an obligation upon the part of at least the officers of the society 
 to use their influence to secure employment for members in preference 
 to non-members, and, above all, membership in the society was condi- 
 tioned upon having "served an apprenticeship satisfactory to the board of 
 directors." It is impossible to read the minutes of the meetings of these 
 early societies, however, without being convinced that the serious pur- 
 pose of their exister.ce was not made prominent in their published docu- 
 ments. They had an exoteric and an esoteric side. To the public they 
 pointed out their benevolent features. The real work was done in ex- 
 ecutive session. However, a great many of their members joined them 
 because of these benevolent features, and thought their mission confined 
 to this, so that there were always two factions, one demanding more and 
 more of trade regulation by the society, the other opposing any inter- 
 ference in trade matters, and constantly urging a further extension of 
 the mutual benefits, from an "alimoner's" point of view. 
 
 At its monthly meeting of December, 1802, the society appointed a 
 committee to draft a memorial to congress praying for an additional 
 duty on all imported European books. April, 1803, it raised the price 
 of composition on daily newspapers to 30 cents per 1,000 ems, placed a 
 charge of 20 cents on each alteration from copy after proofs were cor- 
 rected, and passed a "lost-time" rule as follows: 
 
 "Whenever an employer agrees to pay for lost time it shall be at 
 the rate of 15 cents per hour." 
 
 In June, 1803, the society raised the initiation fee to $2; voted 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 
 
 13 
 
 $83.60 to the printers in New York who were suffering from yellow 
 fever; then passed the following not at all eleemosynary measure: 
 
 "Whereas, Several employers have taken laborers at presswork, 
 and thereby the business has been materially injured: Therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That no member of this society shall be permitted to 
 work at presswork with any person who is not regularly bred, bound 
 apprentice till 21 years of age, except under penalty of expulsion." 
 
 In 1806 it began expelling members on first offense for working be- 
 low the scale of prices, and in February, 1807, extended the obligation 
 to all members, theretofore resting upon officers only, to aid members 
 in securing employment in preference to non-members by the passage 
 
 of the following: 
 
 "Resoked, That if any member of this society who shall procure 
 employment for any person or persons who are not members of this 
 institution in preference, and knowing at the time of the procuring of 
 such employment that there are members of this society then out of 
 actual employment, such member or members so offending shall on con- 
 viction be subjected to a fine of $5, and for second offense be liable to 
 suspension or expulsion, at the discretion of the directors: Provided, 
 nevertheless, That this resolution shall not be construed to the preju- 
 dice of members interesting themselves in behalf of strangers in dis- 
 tress or emigrants from Europe." 
 
 The year 1807 marks the development by the Typographical Society 
 of Philadelphia of much that has been thought to have originated with 
 modern unionism, such as the demand for the exclusive employment of 
 union men, the monthly "working card," and the adoption of a system 
 very suggestive of the "house of call," or union employment bureau. 
 At the meeting held April 4, 1807, the initiation fee was raised to $4 
 and the funeral benefit increased to $25. After these concessions to the 
 "alimoners" this resolution was passed and a committee appointed in ac- 
 cordance with its terms: 
 
 "Whereas, Many illegal practices and abuses hostile to the estab- 
 lished regulations of this society, as ^^•ell as injurious to the interests 
 of each and every industrial member thereof; and whereas, also, the 
 said abuses and illegal practices on the part of the employers* are tamely 
 submitted to, and in some instances connived at by the employed, to 
 remedy which and to make such further inquiries as they may deem 
 necessary, 
 
 "Resolved, That a committe be appointed to inquire into the pres- 
 ent state of the art, and whether any and what abuses are practiced, 
 and what regulations it may be expedient on the part of the society to 
 adopt, to check and do away with all such abuses and irregular prac- 
 tices hostile to the interests and well-being of its members, and that the 
 committee report the results of their investigations." 
 
14 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Apparently there is a studied vagueness about this resolution so un- 
 usual that one is at a loss to understand it until it is learned from the 
 report of the committee that the resolution is aimed not at members of 
 this society, but at the master printers, who were cutting prices and 
 employing "two-thirders," or persons who, not having finished their ap- 
 prenticeship, were willing to work for anything they could get. The re- 
 port of the committee follows: 
 
 "In reviewing the present state of the art, it is with considerable 
 regret that we dissent from a very prevalent opinion, which we can not 
 think was even true when it was first formed. 
 
 To say that 'printing was in a highly flourishing condition' may 
 be well enough applied to themselves by the gang of pettifogging mas- 
 ter printers, but the great body of the journeymen and the few respec- 
 table master printers know it to be false. The prices received by the 
 master printers six years ago were better for common work than what 
 they receive at present. At that time all common work gave them 64^ 
 cents, whereas at present they only receive 45 cents, and in some cases 
 even less. 
 
 "The committee are of the opinion, that in order to maintain that 
 harmony which as yet happily exists between the society and the mas- 
 ter printers, it would be expedient to hold a conference with them on 
 the subject, and make such regulations in the prices as the nature of 
 the times may require, and enable employers in all cases to give the 
 preference, and, if possible, never to employ any other than members of 
 this society, or at least men who have served a regular apprenticeship." 
 
 September, 1807, the society adopted the following regulation: 
 
 "Resolved, That cards be printed by the society, to be renewed by 
 the secretary every month, for the benefit of those out of employ- 
 ment, stating that they are not in arrears; and such persons who can 
 not produce the same, on inquiring of a member for a berth, he is pro- 
 hibited from informing the said person under penalty of $1 for every 
 such offense." 
 
 As yet no journeymen's society had been strong enough to main- 
 tain, indeed none had had the temerity to advance any apprenticeship 
 regulations. There was a customary apprenticeship rule that had come 
 down from the masters' guilds to the effect that a term of six years, 
 between the ages of 15 and 21, was necessary to constitute a journey- 
 man. But the old guild conditions were gone, and the new conditions 
 were only forming; neither the conditions nor the workmen's societies 
 were ripe for a definite stand on the regulation of apprenticeship. The 
 Philadelphia society, at its meeting of December, 1808, took such stand 
 as it could on the problem by enacting that no member should teach an 
 apprentice who was not bound before his eighteenth year; the penalty 
 for violation being not only expulsion from the society but notices of 
 such expulsion to be sent to the other societies of printers. This is the 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 first intimation of the exchange of names of objectionable printers, 
 which afterward developed into the "unfair lists," "rat lists," etc. 
 The regulation as passed reads: 
 
 "That from and after the ist day of January, 1809, no person, a 
 member of this society, shall teach or assist in teaching any person in 
 the art of printing who may have arrived at the age of 18 years. 
 
 "And be it further resolved. That if any member or members of the 
 Philadelphia Typographical Society shall, in violation of the rule in that 
 case made and provided, undertake to instruct, or in any manner assist 
 to instruct, in any branch of the art of printing, any irregular person 
 included in the foregoing resolution, such member or members shall, 
 on conviction, be expelled from the society, and notice of such expul- 
 sion shall be communicated to the different typographical associations 
 throughout the United States as the president of tlie board of directors 
 may think proper." 
 
 The latter part of this resolution not only marks the beginning of 
 the "unfair list," but raises the question as to what other typographical 
 associations existed in the United States at that time. 
 
 So far as can be definitely ascertained, from original records at 
 this late date, there were no other such societies in existence in Decem- 
 ber, 1808. In "Thomas's History of Printing" it is stated that "The 
 Boston Typographical Society was organized in 1803," without giving 
 any clue to the authority for the statement. In 1809 the Philadelphia 
 society received a communication from the Boston Typographical So- 
 ciety, stating that it had just completed and presented a scale of prices 
 to the employers. The letter gives an impression that the society had 
 been but recently organized, though it does not say so. This soci- 
 ety seems to have been short lived, as another of the same name was 
 organized November 25, 181 5, as appears from a letter in the minutes 
 of the New York society, a copy of which is transcribed elsewhere. 
 The records of the Boston Typographical Society, after its demise, were 
 placed in the library of the Franklin Typographical Society, of Boston, 
 which was organized in 1822 as a purely beneficial society, admitting to 
 membership both employers and employes, and prevented by its consti- 
 tution from taking any part in trade matters. This society still exists, 
 but the records of the journeymen's organization have been lost. The 
 latest mention of the Boston Typographical Society is in 1826, when it 
 sent a communication to the Columbia Typographical Society, at Wash- 
 ington, D. C, as shown by the minutes of the latter society. The 
 Faustus Association of Printers was organized in Boston in 1805, but 
 this was an employers' association, to regulate prices of work done for 
 the public. It can not, therefore, be confidently asserted that there 
 were any societies, outside of Philadelphia, in existence when the Phila- 
 delphia society passed its resolution in December, 1808; but it is not 
 improbable that there were such in Boston and Baltimore. The Balti- 
 more Typographical Society is referred to in 1815 as one of the older 
 
l6 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 societies. The date of its organization has not been ascertained, and 
 none of its records could be located. Unfortunately, also, the present 
 typographical union of Baltimore, organized in 1831, lost its records in 
 the great fire of February, 1904, just a few months before the collection 
 of data for this article was begun. 
 
 The condition of the trade in New York city seems to have dete- 
 riorated rapidly after the collapse of the union in 1804. In June, 1809, 
 a coterie of printers met in the private house of Mr. David Reins, 49 
 Barclay street, to discuss the question of organization. A committee 
 was appointed to draft a constitution and report Saturday evening, 
 July I. At this meeting the constitution was presented, adopted, and 
 an organization perfected by the election of S. W. Andrews, president, 
 and David Reins, secretary. One of the most active men in the or- 
 ganization of this society, known as the New York Typographical So- 
 ciety, was Mr. Samuel Woodworth, author of The Old Oaken Bucket. 
 All efforts to secure a copy of this constitution for the present article 
 have proved futile. From the start the society took what was at that 
 time a radical stand along trade lines, though embodying in its plan the 
 beneficial features common to all trade societies of the time. 
 
 The first efforts of the society were directed toward the education 
 of the journeymen in the purposes of the organization, and inducing 
 them to join. At a meeting held July 29 two members (pressmen work- 
 ing at the office of the American Citizen) reported that when they noti- 
 fied their employer that they could not longer work for less than the 
 customary standard of wages fixed by the scale of 1800, they were both 
 discharged and their places given to "two strangers." A committee 
 was appointed to wait on the "strangers," and later, when this commit- 
 tee reported, a letter was ordered to be sent them which so explicitly 
 states the purpose of the society that it is transcribed in full: 
 
 "New York, August 25, 1809. 
 
 "Gentlemen: The board of directors of the New York Typograph- 
 ical Society, by a resolution passed the 19th instant, have directed me 
 to inform you that the customary price per token for working super- 
 royal paper is 37^^ cents, and 48 tokens (which is supposed to be the 
 number you work per week) at that price would amount to $18. 
 
 "The present society, however, have yet no established prices, either 
 for presswork or for composition; but the price which is here men- 
 tioned is that which was instituted by a former association in this city, 
 and which we believe is now generally conformed to. [This was the so. 
 ciety of 1 799-1804.] 
 
 "The board of directors, however, actuated only by motives of in- 
 terest for the profession, have also directed me to inform you that, hav- 
 ing expressed your determination to use all honorable means to increase 
 the wages, both of compositors and pressmen, if necesary, and to sup- 
 port and maintain the honor and dignity of the trade, the best manner 
 in which you could evince your sincerity would be by joining the so- 
 ciety, whose objects and conduct you seem to have mistaken. To estab- 
 lish equitable prices for our labor is the principal object for which we 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 17 
 
 have recently associated, and which we hope in a sliort time to accom- 
 plish. The first step toward this is an increase in our numbers, and 
 we conceive it to be the duty and the interest of every journeyman 
 printer in the city to come forward and unite with his fellow-craftsmen 
 in promoting an object which has for its end the benefit of the whole. 
 
 "Should you, gentlemen, conceive the above observations satisfac- 
 tory and have a desire to promote the objects we have in view, I would 
 observe that the board of directors meet every Saturday evening at the 
 house of Mr. Clark, (Harmony Hall), to whom an application can be 
 made at any of tiieir meetings. "D. II. Reins, Sec'y N. Y. T. S." 
 
 The organizers of this society began at once, as a part of their vig- 
 orous policy, to open communication with all similar organizations in 
 the country, to which they mailed a circular letter dated September 9, 
 :8o9, and which proposed nothing less than an exchange, from time to 
 time, of what is today known as "unfair lists;" tliat is, that whenever a 
 printer does what to the union is considered an unfair thing in trade 
 matters, other unions shall be notified of the fact. That this principle 
 was then new, or practically so, is inferred no less from the arguments 
 used in the circular to maintain it, than from the letter of the Phila- 
 delphia society in reply. Both these letters follow: 
 
 "New York, September 9, 1809. 
 
 "Gentlemen: In all classes of society experience has proven that 
 there have been men who, laying aside those principles of honor and 
 good faith which ought to govern their conduct toward their brethren, 
 and for a mere gratification of private interest, have set aside the obli- 
 gations they were under by violating the ordinances which they had 
 pledged themselves to maintain. 
 
 "It is for the interest of the profession that such persons (if any 
 there are) should be discountenanced; and to the end that the knowl- 
 edge of their sins should follow them, the directors of the New York 
 Typographical Society have directed me to open a correspondence with 
 you, by requesting, if compatible with your constitution, that in cases 
 where members of your society or others of the profession may have 
 
 acted dishonorably toward it, and should leave for this city, 
 
 you would be so good as to transmit information to them, the favor of 
 which, on a like occasion, would be reciprocated. 
 
 "The directors of the N. Y. T. S. sincerely hope that an instance of 
 this nature may never have to be recorded, yet it appears to them tliat 
 the adoption of a rule like the above might be attended with mutual 
 benefit. There is nothing wiiich acts more powerfully on the human 
 mind than shame. It makes the coward bold, the miser generous; and 
 it is to be hoped that it will ever deter a journeyman printer from con- 
 ducting unworthily toward his brethren when innate principle is want- 
 ing. 
 
 "Accept the assurance of my esteem for you gentlemen, and my 
 
 sincere wishes for the prosperity of the society. 
 
 "D. H. Reins. Sec'y N. Y. T. S.' 
 
l8 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 To this elaborate argument for and cautious statement of one of 
 the protective features of unionism, so universally understood today 
 that it is never stated in terms, the following equally remarkable reply 
 was received from the Philadelphia society. The "second letter of the 
 23d" referred to was one announcing the completion of the wage scale 
 of September 20 by the New York society. 
 
 "Philadelphia, October 28, 1809. 
 
 "Sir: Your letter of the i8th ultimo and 23d instant came duly to 
 hand, and I have to apologize for the delay in forwarding an answer. 
 
 "That of the i8th embraced a principle which was not readily ac- 
 ceded to — and the consideration of it was twice referred to the opinion 
 of a select committee — a report was made this evening and finally 
 adopted by the following words: 'The committee thinks proper to re- 
 port that they have considered the letter referred to them, and are of 
 the opinion that the principle set forth therein is a good one, and will 
 have a tendency to promote the interests of the two societies, therefore, 
 
 " 'Resolved, That whenever any member of this society shall act de- 
 rogatory to the principles of this constitution, and shall leave this city 
 for New York, information shall immediately be forwarded to the New 
 York Typographical Society.' 
 
 "As I am decidedly opposed to the principle, it can not be expected 
 that I should dilate upon it. I beg leave, however, to assure you that 
 the will of the majority is my guide, and that I shall consider it my 
 duty to act in strict conformity to the resolution. 
 
 "Your second letter of the 23d instant has given inexpressible 
 pleasure to the members of the board and of the society in general. 
 The energetic measure you have taken, had been so long wanting in the 
 respectable city of New York that the friends of equal rights reflect 
 with disgust upon the humiliating condition in which our brethren suf- 
 fered themselves to remain there; and the following hope now held 
 forth that they have broken their manacles with a determination that 
 they shall never be riveted again, will be fostered and cherished, nay, 
 assisted, as far as constitutionally may lay in their power. But the old 
 adage will here apply, and should be attentively considered: 'He that 
 will not help himself shall have help from nobody.' Persevere in your 
 laudable struggle, and remember that no great end was ever yet at- 
 tained without danger and difficulty. 
 
 "Be pleased to accept my best wishes and regards for your society, 
 and believe that I am, with the sincerest respect, your humble servant, 
 
 "John Childs, 
 "President Typographical Society of Philadelphia." 
 
 September 20, 1809, the society adopted a scale of prices, no copy 
 of which has been found, but which it is known did little more than re- 
 store the scale of 1800 on common work while providing for the classes 
 of work not covered by any former standard of wages. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 A circular letter was printed and sent to tlie master printers, of 
 which a copy follows: 
 
 TO THE MASTER PRINTERS OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 
 
 "Gentlemen: Between employers and employed there are mutual 
 interests depending, mutual duties to perform. To the end that these 
 may result in harmony, certain rules and regulations should be adopted. 
 Therefore, we, the journeymen printers of the city of New York, having 
 duly and deliberately taken into consideration the present irregular 
 state of the prices in many of the printing offices, and conceiving that 
 they are inadequate to a comfortable subsistence, have united them- 
 selves into an association for the purpose of regulating and establishing 
 the same. The annexed list, framed with a due deference to justice 
 and equitability, is presented with a view that it may meet your appro- 
 bation." 
 
 Upon receipt of the above the master printers formed an organiza- 
 tion, and as a first move asked for a postponement of the date when the 
 new regulations should go into effect. This the journeymen declined. 
 To gain time, the masters' association then agreed to the demands, but 
 at once began to advertise in other cities and towns for printers, offer- 
 ing good wages and permanent positions. As an offset, the Typograph- 
 ical Society's board of directors instructed the secretary to — 
 
 "Inform the different typographical societies in the United States 
 that this board have reason to believe that it is the object of the mas- 
 ter printers of this city, by advertising for a great number of working- 
 men, to fill the city with hands and thereby be enabled to reduce the 
 prices of work in this city to their former standard." 
 
 The members of the society were instructed to send information of 
 the situation by letter to all outside journeymen of their acquaintance. 
 
 Evidently the master printers were having some success with their 
 plan, and, to bring the matter to immediate issue, the Typographical So- 
 ciety called a strike, beginning October 30, 1809, for the enforcement 
 of their scale. Most of the master printers soon agreed to the scale, 
 but quite a number fought the issue bitterly, and what was for that 
 time a strike of considerable duration resulted. Strike benefits were 
 paid weekly, and it is not until December 18 that the last entry on the 
 minutes is found recording money appropriated to the "brethren who 
 had been thrown out of employ in consequence of their refusing to 
 work for less than the established prices." 
 
 During this strike the society discovered that one of its members 
 had secretly arranged to work for less than the scale in an office osten-. 
 sihly paying the society's rate of wages. Immediately the other mem- 
 bers of the society refused to work in tlie office with him, and requested 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 that he not only be expelled from the society but that his name be sent 
 to the other societies. For some time the society was busy expelling 
 members who had secretly worked below the scale during the strike. 
 However, the struggle had cleared the atmosphere perceptibly. 
 
 As showing the situation before the strike, it may be stated that 
 the report of a committee appointed by the society to "investigate the 
 state of trade" and "list those working for less than the established 
 price" showed compositors working at 20 cents per 1,000 ems, pressmen 
 working at 25 cents per token (240 sheets), and numberless boys at 
 from $4 to $4.50 per week. At one office they report: 
 
 "There is a man working at press who occupies the situation of two 
 journeymen, who is said to have served no apprenticeship at the busi- 
 ness." 
 
 Out of their experience came an amendment to their by-laws, 
 passed December 23, within a week after the close of the strike: 
 
 "No person shall be admitted a member of this society unless he 
 shall have duly and regularly served the term of three years as an 
 apprentice to one branch, namely, either as a compositor or as a press- 
 man." 
 
 On December 30, 1809, they issued a circular letter, going into the 
 ■whole matter of "half-way journeymen," afterwards called "two-third- 
 ers," and the laxity of apprenticeship regulations. It was addressed to 
 the employers, and as it is the earliest survey of the situation in the 
 trade from the workman's point of view it is, notwithstanding its length, 
 given in full below: 
 
 TO THE MASTER PRINTERS OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 
 
 "Gentlemen: Viewing with deep concern the improper practices 
 in many of the printing offices in this city, the journeymen composing 
 the New York Typographical Society have appointed the undersigned 
 committee to address you on the subject, and represent the many evil 
 effects they have on the art of printing in general and its demoralizing 
 effects on its professors. 
 
 "The practice of employing what is termed 'halfway journeymen' 
 in preference to those who have served their time, while it holds out 
 encouragement to boys to elope from their masters, as soon as they 
 acquire a sufficient knowledge of the art to be enabled to earn their 
 bread, is a great grievance to journeymen, and almost certain ruin to 
 the boys themselves. Becoming masters of their own conduct at a 
 period of life when they are incapable of governing their passions and 
 propensities, they plunge headlong into every species of dissipation, 
 and are often debilitated by debauchery and disease before they arrive 
 at the state of manhood. And it also tends to an unnecessary multi- 
 plication of apprentices, inasmuch as the place of every boy who 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 2I 
 
 elopes from his master is usually supplied by another, while at the 
 same time the runaway supplies, after a manner, the place of a regular 
 journeyman, and one who, probably, has a family dependent on his 
 labor for support. 
 
 "We would also beg leave to call your attention to a practice as 
 illiberal and unjust as the former, and attended, perhaps, with evils 
 of a more aggravating nature. We mean that of taking grown men 
 (foreigners) as apprentices to some twelve or fifteen months, when 
 they are to be turned into the situations of men who are masters of 
 their business; which men are to be turned out of their places by mis- 
 erable botches, because they will work for what they can get. By 
 these means numbers of excellent workmen, who ought to be orna- 
 ments to the profession, are driven by necessity to some other means 
 of support. When a parent puts out a child to learn an art, it is with 
 the pleasing idea that a knowledge of that art will enable him, when 
 he becomes a man, to provide for himself a comfortable subsistence. 
 Did he know that after laboring from his youth to manhood to acquire 
 our art he would be compelled to abandon it and resort to some busi- 
 ness with which he was totally unacquainted to enable him to live, he 
 would certainly prefer that he should in the first instance seek a liveli- 
 hood on the sea, or by some other precarious calling, than trust to the 
 equally precarious success of a trade overstocked by its professors. Of 
 the number that have completed their apprenticeship to the printing 
 business within the last five years, but few have been enabled to hold 
 a situation for any length of time. . And it is an incontrovertible fact, 
 that nearly one-half who learn the trade are obliged to relinquish it 
 and follow some other calling for support. 
 
 "Under the direful influence of the unwarrantable practices, the 
 professors of the noblest art with w^hich the world is blessed, have be- 
 come "birds of passage," seeking a livelihood from Georgia to Maine. 
 It is owing to such practices that to acknowledge yourself a printer is 
 to awaken suspicion and cause distrust. It is owing to such practices 
 that the professors of the noble art are sinking in the estimation of the 
 community. And it will be owing to such practices, if persisted in, 
 thnt to see a book correctly printed will, in a few years, be received 
 as a phenomenon. 
 
 "To render an art respectable it is indispensably necessary that 
 its professors should be perfect masters of their calling, which can 
 only be acquired by serving a proper apprenticeship. And, in our art, 
 it is not always time that perfects the printer. For it is too often the 
 case, that boys of little or no education are taken as apprentices which 
 the first services as devil frequently preclude the knowledge of, until 
 they are bound, when the discovery is too late to be remedied. Owing 
 to the deficiency, they make but sorry printers; whereas, had they 
 learned some trade which does not particularly require a good educa- 
 tion, they might have been perfect masters of it and better able to gain 
 a livelihood. These are evils, gentlemen, which we sorely feel, and 
 which it is in your power to remedy; and we sincerely hope that this 
 
22 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 appeal to your justice and humanity may meet with that consideration 
 which its importance demands, (a) 
 
 "D. H. Reins. 
 
 "W. BURBRIDGE. 
 
 "S. Johnson." 
 
 A letter from the Philadelphia society in September, 1810, in- 
 formed the New York City organization of the new wage scale, that 
 of September 20, and the strike for its enforcement in the former city. 
 Immediately an extra meeting of the Ilew York society was called to 
 act upon it. The following extract from the minutes shows how a 
 feeling of unity of interest was rapidly growing among the workmen 
 of the neighboring cities of that date. The minutes are those of the 
 special or called meeting: 
 
 "A letter was read from the journeymen printers of Philadelphia, 
 accompanied with a circular list of prices, which they are now standing 
 out for, and urging us to co-operate with them in order to obtain their 
 just demands; and the board, conceiving the nature of the communica- 
 tion of the utmost importance, came to the immediate resolution of 
 
 a It is impossible to read this circular, and the subsequent struggle 
 the unions had for fifty years with the runaway-apprentice and "two- 
 thirder" problems without recalling that oldest of journeymen printers' 
 documents, preserved in the British Museum, and quoted in full by 
 Brentano in his History and Development of Guilds (note to p. 97), as 
 follows: 
 
 The case and proposals of the free journeymen printers in and 
 about London humbly submitted to consideration. Licensed October 23, 
 1666. 
 
 Whereas there are at this present in and about the city of London, 
 to the number of 140 workmen printers, or thereabouts who have served 
 seven years to the art of printing, under lawful master printers, and 
 are reduced to great necessities and temptations for want of lawful em- 
 ployment, occasioned partly by supernumary apprentices and turnovers, 
 which have increased the number almost twice as many, on the whole, 
 as would be sufficient to discharge all the public and lawful work of the 
 kingdom. The workmen printers above-mentioned, etc., propose: i. 
 That no foreigners (tliat is to say) such an one as has not served seven 
 years to the art of printing, under a lawful master printer, as an ap- 
 prentice, may be entertained and employed by any master printer for 
 the time to come. 2. That a provision may be made to hinder the in- 
 crease of apprentices and a limitation appointed as to the number, etc. 
 3. That no turnovers be received by any master printer, but from a mas- 
 ter printer; and that no master printer turning over any apprentice to 
 another master printer may be permitted to take any other apprentice 
 in his place till the full time of the said apprentice so turned over be 
 expired; for, otherwise, the restraint and limitation of apprentices will 
 be evaded, and the number supplied by turnovers. 
 
 It is significant to note that the remedy proposed by this first craft 
 guild of London printers in 1666 — i. e., limitation on the number of ap- 
 prentices was precisely the one eventually adopted by the typographical 
 societies in the United States, beginning with the New Orleans Society 
 in 1839, and finally adopted by the Washington (D. C.) Union in its 
 constitution of 1867, the last of the local unions to adopt the measure. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 23 
 
 convening the general society, and the following was immediately 
 passed: 
 
 " 'Resolved, That a general extra meeting of this society be called 
 on Monday, the 24th instant, for the purpose of giving general infor- 
 mation to the members of the proceedings of the journeymen printers of 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 " 'Resolved, Unanimously, that we highly approve of the proceed- 
 ings of our typographical brethren of the city of Philadelphia in the de- 
 mand for a raise of prices. 
 
 " 'Resolved, etc.. That we pledge ourselves to each other that we 
 will not take any situation vacated by any of our brethren in Phila- 
 delphia under the present circumstances. 
 
 " 'Resolved, etc., That it be recommended to the members of this 
 society to make the proceedings of this meeting known as general as 
 possible. 
 
 " 'Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be transmitted by 
 the secretary to the Philadelphia Typographical Society.' " 
 
 On .Xugust 7, 181 1, the society added an article to its constitution 
 limiting the age at which apprentices at presswork may begin and pro- 
 hibiting members from working with men receiving less than the scale. 
 The words of the amendment were: 
 
 "No member of this society shall be permitted to take with him as 
 a companion at press a person who is of full age at tlie commencement 
 of his apprenticeship; nor shall any member of the society work in 
 an office where a person is employed for less than our established 
 prices, under the penalty of expulsion in either case." 
 
 A side light is thrown on the conditions which furnish a justifica- 
 tion from the trade-unionist point of view, for the first provision of 
 the above article, when on July 24, 1813, a committee reports on a 
 proposition for membership. This applicant proves to have been a 
 weaver by trade; but as weaving "gave him a pain in the breast," he 
 got a situation in a livery stable. I'-rom that he went into a printing 
 office as a pressman. Even his employer testified before the committee 
 that when he came to work for him "he did not know how to scrape 
 a ball, and by his appearance and conduct thought he was never in a 
 printing office before." The society refused him admission "since he is 
 a weaver, not a printer." Apprenticeship was felt to be their only 
 protection, and as a safeguard the pressmen (who worked in pairs) 
 were prohibited from taking as companion a man who had "broken 
 into the trade" after he was 21 years of age. 
 
 Early in 181 5 the society began debating the question of a new 
 wage scale. One was finally adopted October 7, 1815, a copy of which 
 will be found in the Appendix hereto. (Appendix B, No. i.) This 
 scale further restricted the apprentices by requiring the employer to 
 pay the pressmen an extra piece price where apprentices were being 
 taught the trade. Not only did the society adopt a new scale, raising 
 the rates to 27 cents per 1,000 ems and $9 per week, but at the same 
 
24 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 meeting, by unanimous vote, adopted a resolution that "a committee 
 of three be appointed to confer with the different typographical societies 
 in the United States, the duty of which committee shall be to induce 
 (if possible) the journeymen of Philadelphia, and Albany in particular, 
 to raise their prices to at least the same standard as ours." 
 
 The new wage scale was accepted by most of the employers, but 
 involved the society in a strike for its enforcement in a few minor 
 offices. From a clause in a letter the New York society sent to the 
 societies in Albany, N. Y., and Washington, D. C, in 1816, in response 
 to notices of the adoption of new wage scales by those societies, it will 
 be seen that the employers of New York were the first to insist upon 
 or at least suggest the idea of a uniform wage scale for the entire 
 country, an idea which for other reasons agitated the various societies 
 for nearly a half century afterwards. The clause referred to states: 
 
 "That you should pursue the measures you are now pursuing has 
 been the desire of both the journeymen and employers of this city 
 for the following reasons: It was urged by the employers last summer, 
 when our journeymen made a demand for higher wages, that unless 
 journeymen in other places would raise their prices to an equilibrium 
 with those we had presented, it would induce the booksellers to send 
 their work out of the city, as the difference in the price for which 
 work could be done elsewhere would more than pay for the transporta- 
 tion." 
 
 It must be remembered that at this time and for nearly a quarter 
 of a century afterwards newspapers employed such a small percentage 
 of the printers that the societies paid little attention to anything else 
 than the book and job offices. 
 
 After the strike to enforce the wage scale of 1815 the society had 
 again to discipline a number of its members. Some of the early socie- 
 ties had admitted to membership employers who paid the scale. While 
 this society had never done this, a member who had been admitted as 
 a journeyman did not lose any of his rights in the society by becoming 
 an employer. The obligation or pledge required members not only to 
 demand the scale of prices as journeymen, but to pay it should they 
 become "masters." The experiences of the strike forced a new measure 
 upon the organization. The temper of the society was to be tested by 
 the trial of an extreme case, and one member who had become an em- 
 ployer subsequent to joining the society was brought up on a charge 
 having six separate counts, three of which read as follows: 
 
 "First. For an attempt, in combination with a few employing 
 printers, to lessen the established wages of journeymen. 
 
 "Second. For introducing into the printing business men wholly 
 unacquainted with it to the exclusion of regular-bred workmen. 
 
 "Third. For refusing to give employment to members of this so- 
 ciety and employing one not a member in preference — a direct violation 
 of the solemn pledge he has repeatedly given us." 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTERS 
 
 25 
 
 The other three charges were, in substance, that he had given cur- 
 rency among the masters to tlie plans and purposes of the society 
 contrary to his obligation; that he had permitted his name to be added 
 to the advertisement of other employers in advertising for "strangers" 
 to come to New York and take the places of the striking printers; 
 and lastly, that he i.ad injured his brotiier members of the society. 
 On motion, a resolution of expulsion was passed, which resolution pro- 
 vided: "And his name, with the nature of his offense, be transmitted 
 to the different typographical societies in the United States." To safe- 
 g^uard the future and make permanent tlie lesson learned, the by-laws 
 were amended by the addition of the following: 
 
 "Experience teaches us that the actions of men are influenced almost 
 wholly by their interests, and that it is almost impossible a society can 
 be regulated and useful where its members are actuated by opposite 
 motives and separate interests. This society is a society of journey- 
 men printers, and as the interests of the journeymen are separate and 
 in some respects opposite to that of the employers, we deem it im- 
 proper that they should have any voice or influence in our deliberation; 
 therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That when any member of this society shall become an 
 employing printer he shall be considered without the limits of the 
 society and not to vote on any question, or pay any dues in the same." 
 
 No device was to be permitted to lessen the piece price of a quan- 
 tity named in the scale. Under the old system of printing playing 
 cards but one was printed at a time. Some master printer devised a 
 scheme of setting up two cards in a form and then claimed a reduction 
 from the pressmen's scale for presswork. The meeting of June 7, 181 7, 
 was devoted to a solution of the problem: "If two cards of the same 
 be set and worked two at a pull shall they be charged less than if they 
 were worked singly?" The decision of the society was that "every 
 52 cards so worked be charged a pack." (a) Members were held to hon- 
 est work for their employers and expelled from the society for an un- 
 workmanlike thing as surely as for an act prejudicial to the interests of 
 other w-orkmen. In November, 181 7, a member was expelled and his 
 name sent to all known societies because he had "turned wrong a half 
 sheet of 24's, and without mentioning the fact to his employers left 
 the city, even neglecting to note down the signature letter in his bill — 
 conduct highly derogatory to the New York Typographical Society and 
 disgraceful to himself as a member." 
 
 Out of the conditions in the industry were rapidly developed the 
 
 a The principle involved here has always been contended for by 
 British trade unions, but not, as a rule, by those of the United States, 
 at least until recently. The claim is that labor should have a once- 
 established percentage share of the product, regardless of time involved 
 in its production. This is now a dictum of the unions that seek to main- 
 tain "a competitive equality" among employers, but is not a part of the 
 typographical union's creed. 
 
26 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 measures which soon became the customs, which, ossifying, became the 
 anatomy of subsequent trade unionism — the bones and framework of 
 all modern organizations along trade lines. These "fundamental prin- 
 ciples of trade unionism," which are never now expressed in constitu- 
 tions, or elaborated in resolutions, because too thoroughly understood 
 to be expressed, or require expression, are but the successful experi- 
 ments of the formative period in its life, made permanent by time; 
 the sediment of experience petrified. As witness to this development 
 it is worthy of note that at its meeting in November, 1817, the society 
 resolved to keep a register of members, and their places of employment. 
 One member was appointed as the representative of the society in each 
 printing office, and at each meeting as their names were read they must 
 give information "as to the state of trade and the chances of employ- 
 ment for more of our members." A list of those out of work was also 
 to be kept, and these in the order of registration were to be notified 
 of any vacancies or opportunities for employment reported at each 
 .meeting. How suggestive this is of the "father of the chapel," the 
 "house of call," and the "waiting list," and each of the early societies 
 developed similar features. The aggressive element was, however, being 
 defeated in another direction. In 1816 the society had made applica- 
 tion to the state legislature at Albany for an act of incorporation. The 
 assembly passed the bill, but the senate inserted an amendment, which, 
 while preserving all of the social and "benefit" features of the society, 
 prohibited it from interfering in any manner with trade matters, or 
 attempting to influence the wages of labor. This amendment to its 
 bill the society declined to accept, and the matter went over for two 
 years. In 1818 the bill came up in its original form again, and was 
 again passed by the assembly. Mr. Thurlow Weed, who had joined the 
 society in October, 1816, just after it had established its wage scale of 
 1815, but before industrial peace had been entirely secured, had charge 
 of the society's bill in Albany. Mr. Weed seems to have been thor- 
 oughly in sympathy with the trade regulation interests of the organiza- 
 tions, but the senate was not to be moved. After two years of effort 
 to secure what it wanted from the legislature, the society finally ac- 
 cepted the senate's terms and adopted, as section 5 of Article I of its 
 constitution, the following: 
 
 "Sec. S. In no case shall the society interfere in respect to the 
 price of labor." (a) 
 
 The society exists to-day and is financially prosperous, but it 
 passed out of the class of organizations considered in this article by its 
 acceptance of this legislative charter in i8i8. On its beneficial side 
 it had a most elaborate system for the relief of needy members, going 
 so far as to furnish and pay watchers for the sick. The large area of 
 its jurisdiction was divided into sections with visiting committees for 
 
 a From a copy of the constitution as printed in 1833, to be found 
 in the library of congress. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATION'S OF PRINTERS 27 
 
 each. It was as active in matters of mutual benefit and help as on its 
 trade side. The mutual aid element in these early societies has been 
 fully written up heretofore by scholars who, judging only from their 
 printed constitution, and not having access to the minutes or records, 
 have assumed that they were merely mutual aid and burial societies. 
 There is no disposition here to question or even to ignore this element 
 in these societies, but to bring to light from the minutes the evidence 
 that whatever livery of charitable clubs they wore in public, in their 
 hall rooms they were labor organizations. 
 
 Considerable space has been given to this New York society of 
 1809 because of its trade aggressiveness. In trade matters it was the 
 stormy petrel of the early societies, and but for the clipping of its 
 wings in :8i8 the societies organized in the movement of 181 5 to 1820 
 would probably, under its influence, have been as distinctively and as 
 openly trade unions as were those organized from 1830 to 1850. 
 
 In order to follow more closely the career of this New York Typo- 
 graphical Society from its inception to the surrender of its trade in- 
 fluence, there has been some sacrifice of strict chronological arrange- 
 ment. It remains, however, but to state that from the time of its or- 
 ganization, July I, 1809, until it ceased to be a labor force in 18 18, it 
 had enrolled 237 members. 
 
 During the war of 181 2 the secretary of the society, Mr. David H. 
 Reins, organized a company of artillery composed entirely of printers 
 for the defense of the harbor of New York; just as the Philadelphia 
 society, by unanimous vote in September, 1814, resolved to appropriate 
 one day's labor for each of its members "on the fortifications now 
 erecting for the defense of the city," and on October 14, 1814, ap- 
 pointed a committee of three "whose duty it shall be to receive applica- 
 tions of the wives of such members of this society now absent in the 
 service of the country, under the requisition of the president thereof, 
 as may stand in need of assistance, and that they report at every 
 meeting of the directory the sum they think proper to be allowed to 
 each." 
 
 The Philadelphia society, after passing the resolution of Decem- 
 ber, 1808, forbidding its members to instruct an apprentice who was 
 more than 18 years of age at the commencement of his apprenticeship, 
 and providing for the transmission to other societies of the names of 
 expelled members, as elsewhere referred to, followed this up in March, 
 1809, by requiring all members to take the obligation formerly exacted 
 only from officers, including the pledge "that I will procure employ- 
 ment for any member or members of this society in preference to any 
 other when occasion may require." 
 
 Early in 1809 the society began proceedings to secure incorpora- 
 tion. Some alteration in the constitution was required by the courts 
 preliminary thereto, though the exact character of the change does not 
 appear on the minutes. In December, 1809, however, "the committee 
 appointed to procure an incorporation reported that the constitution 
 had been handed to the judge of the supreme court for signature on 
 that day and that Mr. Franklin's fee as counsel was $8, which he 
 
28 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 would not accept, but returned to the committee as a donation to the 
 funds of the society." 
 
 July 14, 1810, the initiation fee was raised to $5 and a clause added 
 to its constitution which has caused the downfall of more societies 
 than any other one thing with which they had to contend, to the effect 
 that members who paid their dues for twenty years became "free mem- 
 bers," entitled to all the benefits of the society for life without further 
 payment. The effect of this will be referred to elsewhere. 
 
 In September, 1810, the society presented a new scale of prices to 
 the employers, which seems to have been unsatisfactory. No copy of 
 this price list has been found. A strike for its enforcement seems to 
 have been a disastrous failure, almost depleting the society's treasury 
 and greatly reducing its membership. At the beginning of 1810 there 
 were 119 members in good standing, 14 joined during the year, and 78 
 resigned or were expelled, leaving the membership 55, or only one 
 more than in 1802 at its close of the first year of existence. 
 
 Apart from its patriotic attitude in 1814, referred to above, the 
 benevolent features of the society occupied its energies until June, 
 1816, when the pressmen formulated a scale and issued the following 
 address to the employers. A similar statement was issued by the com- 
 positors, bearing the indorsement of the society, which raises the ques- 
 tion as to whether the pressmen belonged to the society or whether 
 the society as such indorsed only the demands of the compositors and 
 not those of the pressmen. The only copy of this address and price list 
 found was transcribed on the minutes of the New York Typographical 
 Society as a communication from Philadelphia. The document itself 
 seems to emanate from a mass meeting rather than from the society. 
 The Philadelphia society seems not to have become a purely benevolent 
 association until 1831. Whether or not the pressmen acted independ- 
 ently of the society in this matter the address and scale is worth pre- 
 serving here. 
 
 "to the employing printers of the city and county of PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 "Gentlemen: The pressmen are induced, from a duty which they 
 owe to themselves, to call your serious attention to what they here 
 present you. The general prices that they now receive for their work 
 were established fourteen years since [by the scale committee of 1802]; 
 it will therefore appear obvious to every person that there has been a 
 great increase since that period in the population of our country, like- 
 wise a wide extension of our commerce, agriculture, and manufactures. 
 The consequence has been a very considerable rise in the things neces- 
 sary for the comfort of man. They are decidedly of the opinion that 
 almost all mechanics have had an advance in their wages in proportion 
 to the rise in the necessaries of life, taken in the aggregate; while 
 the printer, whose profession is not second in point of merit to any 
 other, is left as it were to stem the torrent of adversity with an empty 
 pocket. Heaven forbid that this should be the fate of those whose 
 labors tend so essentially to the promulgation of knowledge through- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 29 
 
 out our extensive country. And they likewise believe it to be an indeli- 
 ble fact, long since established, that Philadelphia is famous for its 
 workmen in the art preservative of all arts, both in skill and faculty; 
 but with shame they are compelled to say (notwithstanding our city is 
 the emporium of art) that they receive a less award for their services 
 than is awarded in any of the other cities of the Union. From a sense 
 of imperious duty incumbent upon them as respectable members of 
 society, they now make the demand, fully confident that it is moderate 
 and just. The laborer is worthy of his hire. 
 
 "They therefore anticipate that you will, with liberality becoming 
 your profession, give your decided approbation to the annexed scale 
 of prices. Your opposition we ought not to expect. We are, however, 
 directed by the meeting to inform you that we have been authorized 
 and directed to correspond and confer with you individually, or to 
 meet any committee that may be appointed on your part for that pur- 
 pose. You will, therefore, gentlemen, please to inform us of your de- 
 termination as soon as possible, as we have to report to the next meet- 
 ing. On our part, we assure you that we will use our utmost endeavors 
 in this conference to produce a good understanding and to avoid, as 
 far as possible, those inconveniences and altercations which invariably 
 arise out of an imperfect understanding, well aware that it is too often 
 cherished by those whose position 'does not command a view of the 
 whole ground.' 
 
 "(Signed by order of the meeting.) "J. C. Dowden, 
 
 "P. Miller, 
 "Geo. IIitner, 
 "John Douglas, 
 "O. P. Merrill, 
 "Committee on behalf of the Journeymen Pressmen. 
 
 "Philadelphia, June 17, 1816. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 "Pressmen to receive not less than $9 per week for 10 hours 
 work per day. Paper — medium and below medium, not less than 33]/} 
 cents per token; when the number is less than four tokens, to be 
 charged 35 cents per token; above medium 37!^ cents per token; stereo- 
 type editions to be charged 35 cents per token; broadsides, medium, 60 
 cents per token; royal, 75 cents per token. Cards — for one pack and 
 not exceeding two packs, 33^ cents; when the number exceeds two 
 packs, to be charged iz'/i cents per pack. 
 
 "The result of this appeal is not known. In April, 181 7, the society 
 appointed a committee styled The Committee of Employ, 
 
 "Whose duty it shall be to receive the name or names of such 
 person or persons belonging to this society as shall from time to time 
 be out of employment, which committee shall thereupon take all just 
 and honorable methods of procuring situations for such applicants. 
 
 "Said committee shall meet at least twice in every month, and 
 shall make report to the board of directors at every meeting thereof of 
 
30 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the number of applicants (designating their names), and generally of 
 the progress made in the duties of said committee, which report shall 
 be duly entered on the minutes by the secretary and read at each 
 stated meeting of the society." 
 
 From time to time committees were "appointed to investigate the 
 state of the printing business in this city" until February 5, 1831, 
 when, by resolution, it was decided "that this society from and after 
 the first day of April, 1831, be dissolved," and a committee was ap- 
 pointed to turn all its assets into cash and divide the funds among 
 the members. Before the date set for dissolution arrived, however, 
 namely, February 12, it was decided "that we do now agree to form 
 an association for benevolent purposes;" and that while the cash on 
 hand should be divided among the members, "the library and book- 
 case and the burial lot" should be given to the new organization, pro- 
 vided the donor of the burial lot (Mr. Ronaldson) would consent to 
 the transfer. 
 
 Thus died the trade regulation features in one of the oldest socie- 
 ties. As a society it still exists, as does the New York society of 1809. 
 Never so aggressively industrial as some of the others, the Philadelphia 
 society was conservatively a trade organization from 1802 to 1831, and 
 even after that, in 1832, it being rumored that one of its members was 
 about to employ women as compositors, and had offered a non-union 
 printer a situation as foreman in case women were emplowed, the feel- 
 ing in the society was so strong that the member in question felt called 
 upon to write a letter to be spread upon the minutes of the society 
 denying that he had ever intended to employ women, (a) 
 
 The following table, compiled from the records of this society, 
 shows the growth in membership and receipts and expenditures for half 
 
 a This is the first mention found of women in the trade. Later the 
 question became of utmost importance to printers, and a brief summary 
 of its history seems necessary here, since the final disposition did not 
 occur until after the date set as a limit to the general text of this ar- 
 ticle. January 17, 1835, a special meeting was called by the Washington 
 (D. C.) Society because of the alarm occasioned by a statement pub- 
 lished in a local paper "that girls were being employed as compositors 
 in newspaper offices in Philadelphia," to break a strike. Resolutions 
 were adopted and embodied in a circular letter sent to the typographical 
 societies of Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Baltimore, asking if 
 any girls were so employed, if so, how many, and what action these so- 
 cieties "proposed to take to prevent the further progress of this evil?" 
 The records do not show that any replies were received. The national 
 convention of 1854 devoted much of its time to a discussion of the 
 "woman question," as the Detroit Union had asked for instructions in 
 the matter. The proceedings of the convention contain pages of resolu- 
 tions on all sides of the problem, none of which passed. The matter was 
 referred to a committee which recommended that the regulation of the 
 subject be left to local unions, since "the employment of females, as 
 compositors, can never become so general or extensive as to affect the 
 trade materially." At a meeting of the Boston Typographical Union 
 held June _i4, 1856, a motion that "any member working in any office 
 that employs female compositors should be expelled from the union," 
 was "laid over" for future consideration, and April 11, 1857, the same 
 union passed a resolution "that all females be allowed by this society to 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIOXS OK I'RINTKRS 
 
 31 
 
 a century, from its organization in 1802 to the date set as tlie limit to 
 this article, 185^: 
 
 STATISTICS OF MEMBERSHIP AND OF RECEIPTS AND EXPEND- 
 ITURES DURING THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF THE PHILA- 
 DELPHIA TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 Died, 
 resigned, 
 
 or 
 expelled. 
 
 In good 
 stand- 
 ing. 
 
 Receipts. 
 
 Dues, 
 fines, 
 initia- 
 tions. 
 
 180.64 
 70.94 
 
 162.00 
 S2.62 
 
 From 
 other 
 sources. 
 
 116.87 
 
 $3.75 
 
 229.38 
 
 48.00 
 
 1(19.78 
 
 48.70 
 
 168.00 
 
 44.00 
 
 333.00 
 
 52.00 
 
 209.88 
 
 31.00 
 
 172.00 
 
 833.00 
 
 193.00 
 
 65.34 
 
 138.37 
 
 74.90 
 
 251.38 
 
 70.34 
 
 232.62 
 
 78.19 
 
 247.50 
 
 95.93 
 
 203.87 
 
 95.67 
 
 130.25 
 
 67.92 
 
 128.50 
 
 21.98 
 
 118.50 
 
 35.75 
 
 123.87 
 
 314.09 
 
 161.88 
 
 71.54 
 
 128.87 
 
 62.81 
 
 154.63 
 
 999.05 
 
 115.50 
 
 73.25 
 
 199.25 
 
 80.25 
 
 114.75 
 
 76.50 
 
 137.91 
 
 91.00 
 
 158.25 
 
 297.12 
 
 463.35 
 
 
 429.36 
 
 loo.no 
 
 473.84 
 
 112.00 
 
 &»0.19 
 
 45.00 
 
 831.00 
 
 70.00 
 
 620.49 
 
 77.65 
 
 688.13 
 
 88.10 
 
 569.56 
 
 KKI.(0 
 
 729.24 
 
 112.00 
 
 835.24 
 
 132.(W 
 
 1,03(1.(4 
 
 150. (K) 
 
 l,(Ki8.(4 
 
 278.00 
 
 1,156.21 
 
 162.00 
 
 1,161.15 
 
 162.(10 
 
 1,221. (K) 
 
 162.00 
 
 1,340.76 
 
 162.00 
 
 1,642.34 
 
 163.10 
 
 1.533.53 
 
 162.00 
 
 1.630.42 
 
 162.00 
 
 1.564.5(1 
 
 328.90 
 
 1.S08.12 
 
 233.71 
 
 Death, 
 sick, or 
 out-of- 
 work 
 benefits. 
 
 12.00 
 41.00 
 36.00 
 65. W 
 79.(10 
 194. CHI 
 101.00 
 31. (Hi 
 105.00 
 103.00 
 75. W 
 48.00 
 129. (H) 
 183. (HJ 
 215. (HI 
 270.00 
 143. (H> 
 114. 50 
 259.5(1 
 101.50 
 36.CKI 
 163.50 
 162.(10 
 248.00 
 328. CO 
 55. (HI 
 368.57 
 267. (HI 
 150.00 
 295.52 
 297.54 
 203.67 
 462.84 
 260.36 
 267.72 
 648.35 
 1,331.84 
 827,13 
 1,293.35 
 1,264.72 
 782.99 
 1.235.35 
 1,362.16 
 1.566.88 
 l,8<il.69 
 1.568.23 
 
 Reorganization. Funds divided equally. 
 
32 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The year 1815 was a memorable one for printers' societies. Bos- 
 ton, Mass.; Albany, N. Y., and Washington, D. C, organized during 
 the year, and while the date of the organization of the Baltimore Typo- 
 graphical Society is not known, the first mention of it is also found 
 during this year. The first meeting of the Washington printers for 
 the purpose of organization was held December 10, 1814, at the pri- 
 vate house of Mr. H. L. Lewis, in whose parlor the society met, for 
 some years, paying him $1 per month for the privilege. At this first 
 meeting a committee was appointed to draft a constitution, "with in- 
 structions to model the same as nearly as may be practicable by that 
 of the Philadelphia Typographical Society." This committee reported 
 in January, 1815; the constitution was adopted, and the society organ- 
 ized with 19 members. Nine more were added during the year, making 
 a total of 28 at the close of 1815. (a) 
 
 A copy of this constitution copied from the records of the society 
 for this report will be found in Appendix A, No. 2. As it is avowedly 
 based on the later developments of that of Philadelphia, no copy of 
 which subsequent to 1802 was found, the reader should compare the two 
 for himself. 
 
 The fact should not be overlooked that the Washington society 
 (called the Columbia Typographical Society) was modeled after the 
 most conservative and largely beneficial of the earlier societies — that of 
 Philadelphia; while that of Albany, N. Y., evidently organized at the 
 instigation of the emissaries from the New York City society, was pat- 
 terned after that more agrressive body. But if the "first object of the 
 Columbia society was benevolence," it also proposed to "regulate 
 prices," and in the conflict of factions, almost evenly divided as to 
 numbers (except under extreme provocation, as in 1836), it was at 
 once liberally benevolent and conservatively persistent in trade matters, 
 being the only one of the old societies that has survived until to-day, 
 and developed into a modern trade union, rather than a mutual benefit 
 association. 
 
 On June 15, 1815, a committee of correspondence was appointed, 
 
 work in all branches of the business, provided they receive the scale of 
 prices adopted by this union." The Philadelphia delegates to the na- 
 tional convention of 1855 were especially "instructed to oppose any 
 recognition of the employment of females as compositors." Nearly 
 every national convention debated, and every local union, in cities at 
 least, had to adopt a policy in regard to this subject. Finally a "union 
 of women printers" was organized in New York city in 1870 and sought 
 admission to the national, and the national convention of 1872 settled 
 the matter by admitting women to full membership in local unions and 
 demanding for her labor the same price paid to men. 
 
 a As no information has hitherto been obtainable relative to the 
 membership of these organizations, the accessions to this society, by 
 years, is here noted up to 1840. As stated above, it had 28 members at 
 the close of 1815. In 1816 it added 15 to its membership; 5 in 1817; 
 9 in 1818; 5 in 1819; 9 in 1820; 6 in 1821; 5 in 1822; 14 in 1823; 10 in 
 1824; 13 in 1825; II in 1826; 9 in 1827; 11 in 1828; 2 in 1829; 4 in 
 1830; II in 1831; 7 in 1832; 5 in 1833; 71 in 1834; 33 in 1835; 17 in 
 1836; 31 in 1837; 17 in 1838, and 17 in 1839, making a total of recorded 
 names in twenty-five years of 365. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 
 
 33 
 
 which reported July i that it had sent the following circular letter to 
 the typographical societies of Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, 
 Albany, and Uoston. The copy here given is from the minutes of the 
 original society. It differs in phraseology on minor points from the 
 copy made from the records of the New York society as received. 
 
 "Washington, July — , 1815. 
 "To the President of the Society, at ; 
 
 "Sir — 15y a vote of the Columbia Typographical Society, we were 
 appointed a committee of correspondence: In pursuance of which ap- 
 pointment it has become our duty, thro' you, to address the society 
 over which you preside, informing them of the organization, in the 
 District of Columbia, of a society under the above title: having for 
 its object, first, benevolence, and, second, the establishment of a regu- 
 lar system of prices. In the obtainment of these views, we feel as- 
 sured of the good wishes of your body, as well as of every friend to 
 the profession. 
 
 "In the infancy of associations of this nature difficulties will fre- 
 quently occur, tending to dampen the fondest expectations of tlie 
 most sanguine. That we have had to contend with svich difficulties we 
 will not attempt to deny, but by a determined perseverance on the 
 part of each member, they have been caused to vanish, and we now 
 indulge the pleasing hope that our society is firmly and permanently 
 established. With satisfaction we have it in our power to state that, 
 with but few exceptions, every journeyman in this District is now 
 a member of this society. The few who are not, we have the strongest 
 reasons for asserting, will in a short time attach themselves to us. 
 
 "We are also directed to state, for the information of the journey- 
 men in your vicinity, the wages given in the District, viz. : 
 
 During the session of congress, per week $10 00 
 
 Working on a Sunday 2 00 
 
 During the recess, per week 9 00 
 
 For pressmen and compositors — 
 
 Composition, per 1,000 ms. for brevier and upward 28 
 
 Composition, per 1,000 ms. for less than brevier 3iVi 
 
 Presswork, per token iiVi 
 
 Presswork, per token, on newspapers ijYz 
 
 "Journeymen are altogether employed by the week during the ses- 
 sion of Congress. 
 
 "We give this notice with a hope that it may prevent journeymen 
 at a distance engaging at less prices than those above quoted. 
 
 "With a request that reciprocal communications having a tendency 
 to benefit the profession may at all times take place, 
 
 "We have the honor to be, sir, yours, etc., respectfully. 
 
 "(Signed) "Jas. Petticrew. 
 "]. Gideon, Jr." 
 
 This letter brought but two replies, one from Baltimore (a) and 
 a The letter from the Baltimore society makes so clear the fact that 
 
34 
 
 A DOCUM"ENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 that of the president of the New York Typographical Society, which 
 society sent a further communication, received October 7, notifying the 
 Columbian society of a strike in New York to enforce the scale of 
 prices, and asking that no Washington printers be permitted to take 
 situations in New York until the trouble was over. At this meeting of 
 October 7 a "committee was appointed to draft a list of prices similar 
 to that of Baltimore." This committee reported and the list was ap- 
 proved November 4, 181 5. It is reproduced herein (Appendix B, No. 2) 
 and is to be. understood as representing the wage conditions in both the 
 
 that organization was likewise as thoroughly economic in its purpose as 
 were the others that it is reproduced here, since no otlier documents of 
 this early Baltimore society have been discovered. 
 
 Baltimore, December 8, 1815, 
 To the President of the Columbia Typographical Society : 
 
 Sir — I hasten to comply with a requisition of the Baltimore Typo- 
 graphical Association, imposed on me by a vote of that body at their 
 last meeting, viz., a reply to a communication received from a committee 
 of the society over which you have the honor to preside — under the 
 name and title first mentioned. Previous, however, to entering into the 
 performance of this task it becomes a duty incumbent on me as a friend 
 to a mutual interchange of sentiments between associations of this na- 
 ture, as well as individuals, to explain, so far as is within my power, 
 the causes which have produced this almost unpardonable delay — a delay 
 so derogatory to the feelings and so contrary to the wishes of every 
 member of our body. 
 
 Your communication bears date of June 30, 1815. It was, I believe, 
 received in due season, and promptly laid before the next meeting after 
 its receipt, which meeting einpovvered and required the then secretary to 
 forward a reply, expressive of the thanks of the association for the at- 
 tention you have shown them, the pleasure they always experience in 
 the establishment of any regulations which have the least tendency to 
 promote the interest and happiness of our brethren in every section of 
 the Union, their congratulations that you have so completely succeeded 
 in rebuffing the many obstacles naturally incident in the formation of 
 such associations, and their readiness at all times to co-operate with you 
 in all and every measure which may have for its object the mutual in- 
 terest of both associations and the profession generally. The above or- 
 der, from causes not yet explained, has not been complied with, nor was 
 known until the last meeting. 
 
 Hoping that the above-recited fact will be sufficient to remove any 
 unpleasant sensations from your minds which may have been excited in 
 consequence thereof, I embrace the present occasion of complimenting 
 you on the fundamental principles of your association — "benevolence" 
 and the "establishment of a regular system of prices." The first is one 
 of the noblest virtues of the human heart and the last very essential to 
 the promotion of the interest and happiness of every association of a 
 mechanical nature. 
 
 To conclude, sir, you may be assured that we will always feel proud 
 to receive any communication from the Columbia society which may, in 
 the least, have a tendency to favor the views or carry into effect the 
 objects of each association, and will ever be ready at any moment to act 
 with alacrity in conjunction with it on any measure that might lead to 
 our mutual benefit. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, with the sentiments of respect (on be- 
 half of the Baltimore association), your very obt. humble servant. 
 
 John Revell, 
 President of said Association. 
 
 Mr. Alexander Graham, 
 
 President of the Columbia Typographical Society. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 35 
 
 cities (Washington and Baltimore) at that time. The society ordered 
 ISO copies of this price list printed. 
 
 The Boston Typographical Society of 1809 had apparently ceased 
 to exist, as another of the same name was organized November 25, 
 1815, and on March 2, 1816, on the eve of a demand for an increase 
 of wages, sent the following letter to the various societies: 
 
 "Boston, March 2, i8i6. 
 "Sir: A society bearing the name of the 'Boston Typographical 
 Society' was formed in this town on the 25th of November last past, of 
 which Mr. P. F. Quearean is president; Henry Nichols, vice-president, 
 and William Learned, secretary. 
 
 "On Monday next, 4th of March, the journeymen of this town and 
 vicinity calculate to receive the prices which they have adopted. The 
 employers have already been informed of our determination and we 
 doubt not they will be obstinate at first, but must eventually agree to 
 give us the prices we ask, provided we are united and the journeymen 
 of your city do not think proper to come to this town for work at the 
 call of the masters, as they will doubtless many of them advertise for 
 workmen in a short time. 
 
 "We, therefore, earnestly request that you will give notice to the 
 members of your society of our proceedings, and as it is all important 
 that we should be left to manage our own affairs in our own way, you 
 will please give us every necessary aid in the present contest which 
 'try men's souls.' 
 
 "We are, sir, with respect, yours, etc., 
 
 "Eliakim Fish, 
 "Geo. Singleton, 
 "Wm. Kerry, Jr., 
 "Cominittcc. 
 
 "P. S. — Should you observe in the newspapers an advertisement 
 for journeymen wanted in this place, we request you to advertise in 
 our behalf that there are between 50 and 60 journeymen out of employ 
 in Boston." 
 
 October 4, i8t6, the aggressive Albany society, which, as stated 
 above, had been organized in 1815, sent the following letter to all 
 societies: 
 
 "Albany, October 4, 18 16. 
 "To the President of the Washington City Typographical Society, 
 
 Washington: 
 
 "Sir — All bodies formed for the purpose of maintaining the rights 
 of those concerned thercm, while at the same time they afford relief in 
 cases of distress to which any of their members may be exposed, ought 
 to possess the means of holding up to the contempt of those societies 
 who have the same just and benevolent ends in view, such persons as 
 either from self-interest or perverseness endeavor to defeat the object 
 of such associations. 
 
36 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "Influenced by these sentiments, the Albany Typographical Soci- 
 ety authorized the undersigned to communicate to the different societies 
 in the United States their willingness to co-operate with them in the 
 furtherance of all lawful measures conducive with the interests of the 
 business, and at the same time to forward the names of several un- 
 principled persons to you, and through you to the Washington City 
 Typographical Society, who, for months past, have been and are still 
 working in the office of Messrs. in this city below the prices es- 
 tablished by the society. 
 
 "Their names are — — , , , , , . 
 
 "What renders their conduct the more censurable is the fact of 
 their being several times warned of the consequences which would result 
 from their proceedings, but persisting notwithstanding. 
 
 "By order of the society, 
 
 "John B. N. Steinbergh, President. 
 "John Henshall, Secretary." 
 
 While this was recognized as a radical step to take at that time, 
 there was no refusal to comply with the request of the Albany society. 
 It was, in fact, no more than the Philadelphia society had reluctantly 
 conceded to the New York society in 1809. The Albany society seems 
 to have refused to permit its members to work in offices with men re- 
 ceiving less than the scale almost from the first. This society seems 
 to have been the first to give currency to the term "rat" as applied to 
 a printer who works for less than the established wages, and struck 
 against the employment of a man designated as a "rat" in 1821. To 
 the credit of this stormy little society in Albany, N. Y., let it be said 
 that in a subsequent letter it took up the case of at least one of these 
 men and rescinded its action. The letter gives an inside view of the 
 industrial conditions of the time which renders it pre-eminently worth 
 preserving. 
 
 "We have become more fully acquainted with the causes which 
 compelled Stephen Dorion to accept of the illegitimate prices. It ap- 
 pears he was among the first of those who refused to comply with the 
 views of the employers and consequently lost his situation. He went 
 to New York in pursuit of work, but could not procure any. He re- 
 turned again to this city and after sacrificing all his property, amount- 
 ing to about $100, besides contracting a heavy debt for the support of 
 his family, with starvation staring him in the face, without the least 
 hope or possibility of procuring any assistance from our society, and, 
 from the conviction that 'rats' in abundance could be procured to 
 carry on the work of destruction, he chose rather to work at reduced 
 wages than to become an inhabitant of a gaol or a poorhouse. There- 
 fore we hope he may be exonerated from the odious appellation of 
 'rat' " 
 
 Twenty years later (1838), St. Louis, Mo., protested against a too 
 strenuous hounding of "rats," and it was one of the first acts of the 
 
EARLY OROAXIZATIOXS OF PRIXTKRS 
 
 Z7 
 
 national organization of 185^ to call a halt on the abuse of this custom 
 by local societies. 
 
 From 181 6 to 1827, so far as can be determined from the minutes 
 of tlie Washington society, communications between the various socie- 
 ties practically ceased, but each was active in its own field. The 
 problem of a uniform wage scale throughout the country, begun by the 
 complaint of the employers of New York City in the strike of 181 5, 
 now became a serious question to the societies from another point of 
 view. The price lists were printed separately from the constitutions, 
 and the earlier constitutions in most societies made no direct reference 
 to wage scales. Some members claimed that working for less than the 
 wage scale was not a violation of the constitution. Roving printers 
 also claimed that if they did not work below the scale of the society 
 they had originally joined they were not violating any obligation. The 
 Washington society's scale was higher than that of any northern city, 
 and, as the Government printing made the capital a sort of Mecca for 
 "tramp" printers, this society became the first serious victim of this sub- 
 terfuge. 
 
 To settle the claim made by home members, who insisted that the 
 scale was not a part of the organic law, the society, February i, 181 7, 
 ordered 250 copies of the constitution printed "with the list of prices 
 annexed thereto." This plan was adopted by Boston in 1825, and grad- 
 ually by all societies, and the reason for it is as stated above. It is kept 
 up to this day by local printers' unions. This, however, only partially 
 settled the trouble with itinerant compositors, (a) 
 
 a The division of sentiment on the uniform w-age scale was apparent 
 in the call for the national convention of 1836, in which the Washington 
 society sought to estop the convention from dealing with uniform rates 
 by the very terms of the call, while Cincinnati had made the original re- 
 quest for a national convention in the hope of securing uniform rates 
 of wages. In the convention of 1854 a resolution was introduced that 
 all members should consider the bill of prices a part of the by-laws, and 
 the convention of 1855 formulated a pledge, to be taken by all members, 
 which covered the question in the following manner: 
 
 I, ■ , hereby solemnly and sincerely swear * » » 
 
 that I will, without equivocation or evasion, and to the best of my 
 ability, so long as I live, abide by the constitution and by-laws, and the 
 particular scale of prices of work acknowledged and adopted by this or 
 other typographical unions of the United States, of which I now am or 
 may become a member, and that I will at all times, by every honorable 
 means in my power, procure employment for members of our union in 
 preference to all others. So help me God. 
 
 Gradually the eastern and southern societies had educated the itin- 
 erant printers and gotten rid of the uniformity question when it came 
 up again from^ the river cities upon which it had been forced by the 
 steamboat printing office. Even in the Chicago convention of 1858 the 
 demand for "a uniform price list for all unions in the United States" 
 came up. The "demand" came from the river cities as usual. It was 
 finally disposed of at this convention of 1858 by the adoption of the fol- 
 lowing resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That it is hereby recommended by the National Typo* 
 
38 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 April 4, 1818, the society adopted an entirely new constitution, both 
 in preamble and nearly every section. It broke away, practically, from' 
 the ultra conservatism of the Philadelphia model, and placed the 
 Washington society more in line with that of New York City prior to 
 its acceptance of a legislative charter. A copy of this constitution, 
 taken from the minutes, is reproduced (Appendix A, No. 3) as the 
 best documentary evidence of the development of this society, and as 
 an excellent siiecimen of the constitutions of all the more aggressive 
 societies of that date. 
 
 The special agitation of the apprentice question began in Washing- 
 ton in 1 818, and while the constitution of that year does not go beyond 
 requiring "a satisfactory apprenticeship," nevertheless from the min- 
 utes it is learned that candidates for membership were not only vigor- 
 ously questioned on this point, but were required to prove by written 
 statements from' "their masters" that they had served "a four-years' 
 apprenticeship." Even after admission members were held liable to 
 expulsion if it was discovered that there "had been irregularities in his 
 apprenticeship." A case of this character came up July i5, 1818, when 
 it was charged that one Fleming had no right to membership. Fleming 
 proved that he had served two and a half years' apprenticeship in 
 Dublin, Ireland, and afterwards a short-term apprenticeship in Phila- 
 delphia, but this was claimed irregular, as the entire term must be 
 under one master to protect the trade against "runaways." The vote 
 on his expulsion being a tie, he was saved only by the casting vote of 
 the president. The constitution of 1818 provided for certificates of 
 membersship, especially traveling certificates, and remitted the dues 
 of members while traveling outside the District of Columbia, provided 
 they joined any other society while so traveling and brought back with 
 them a clear record from the society so joined. February 16, 1819, the 
 society ordered 250 certificates of membership and made it obligatory 
 for members to carry them when at work, whether in the District or out. 
 The constitution was again revised in 1821, when the faction opposed 
 to any trade interference had again secured a majority in the society. 
 This revision is not here reproduced, as there are no important 
 changes, except that four years' apprenticeship is made an "indispensa- 
 ble qualification for all persons hereafter admitted." All reierence to 
 other societies was stricken out, and a member absent from the District 
 must pay dues upon his return precisely as though he had not been 
 absent. 
 
 The first clause of article 17, section i, states that "a majority 
 
 graphical Union that the subordinate unions of Louisville, St. Louis, 
 Memphis and New Orleans confer with each other for the purpose of 
 establishing a uniform scale of prices for work done by printers on 
 steamboats running on the Ohio, Missouri and Mississippi rivers, and 
 that the united action of the New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and 
 Louisville unions shall be regarded by the National Typographical 
 Union as having full power and authority to regulate all matters per- 
 taining, thereto, provided that the representatives of the unions named 
 may admit to their councils representatives from other places interested. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 39 
 
 of the society shall determine on all charges alleged against any mem- 
 ber, whether they are of a nature cognizable by the rules of the soci- 
 ety." As the event proved, it was under this provision that all inter- 
 ference in trade matters was to be ruled out of order by the "ali- 
 moners," who, at that moment, held a majority against the "industrial- 
 ists." The society was not ready, however, to take a step which might 
 compel the surrender of its right to interfere in wage matters. At a 
 meeting held December i, 1821, a resolution was introduced looking to 
 the incorporation of the society by Congress. The trade-regulating cle- 
 ment among members feared that this would result, as it had in New 
 York City, in taking away all power to interfere in prices of labor. 
 It being pretty generally conceded that this might result, the debate 
 was along that line. The vote was a tie, the president casting his vote 
 against the project of incorporation. It was not until October 4, 1823, 
 that a trade question was forced before the society, at which time the 
 question as to whether or not setting minion for 30 cents a 1,000 ems 
 on a newspaper was a violation of the price list was decided in the 
 negative. April 3, 1824, charges were lodged against three men — one 
 a foreman, one a proprietor for whom the others worked, and the third 
 a journeyman — all members of the society, charging the two former 
 with paying the latter less than the scale, and the latter with working 
 under the scale. The contention was that it was none of the society's 
 business, if all parties to the arrangement agreed to it willingly as in- 
 dividuals. 
 
 The test of strength between the two factions came on the ques- 
 tion as to whether this was a charge "of a nature cognizable by the 
 rules of the society," under article 17 of the constitution, as quoted 
 above, and a majority voted that it was. The membership of the so- 
 ciety had been waning for some time — but six new members joined in 
 1821, five in 1822. Some improvement began to be noted, however, 
 and in 1824, for the first time, the society joined in a civic parade on 
 the Fourth of July as a society, wearing silver "printers' rules" as 
 badges. From the minutes it appears the society was out in full force, 
 forming "in front of the President's house." In the parade they had 
 a press on a wagon "printing and distribviting from it copies of the 
 Declaration of Independence." 
 
 At the June meeting in 1827 the spirit of the progressive element 
 began to stir anew, and a communication was ordered to be sent to 
 the New York City and Philadelphia societies. For ten years there 
 had been no correspondence between these organizations. The letter 
 of the Washington society (a) brought replies from both the societies 
 
 a Copy of a communication to the presidents of the New York and 
 Philadelphia typographical societies: 
 
 Washington City, July 9, 1827. 
 President of the New York Typographical Society: 
 
 Sir — At a stated meeting of the Columbia Typographical Society of 
 Washington, held on the 7th instant, the president was "requested to 
 forward a copy of our constitution and by-laws to the society over 
 
40 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 addressed. They were faint-hearted letters, however, indicating that 
 those societies, as such, were not more progressive than this one at that 
 time. The letters are not of sufficient historical interest to reproduce 
 them here. Of considerable more importance is a resolution intro- 
 duced by Mr. VV. H. Blaney, January s, 1828. Mr. Blaney was a 
 member of both the Philadelphia and Washington societies. During 
 1827 he had been visiting in New York City and Philadelphia. His 
 acquaintance with the views of the printers of these cities was wide, 
 and the plan he proposed was without reasonable doubt approved by a 
 strong minority in all three of the societies, though it must be remem- 
 bered that the New York City society was prevented by its leg'slative 
 charter of 1818 from embarking in such a project, nor is it entirely 
 certain that the Philadelphia society had not, as a society, lost its con- 
 trol over price regulation, Mr. Blaney's plan was embodied in the 
 following: 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee be appointed from this society to 
 devise means to form a connection with the Philadelphia and New 
 York typographical societies for the support of prices in each city, and 
 report the same at the next stated meeting." 
 
 The resolution was tabled, as the time was not yet come for this. 
 Here, however, we have the first hint (unless it be true that the New 
 York society did make the same proposition to Boston in 1816) of a 
 grouping of printers' organizations, such as was accomplished in 1836. 
 
 From 1828 on, the scrutiny of applicants for membership, on the 
 point of their having served a full term of apprenticeship, became more 
 and more searching and jealous. 
 
 which you preside, and to request a reciprocation of favors on the part 
 of your society." 
 
 In compliance with this request, I take pleasure in forwarding our 
 constitution and requesting that you will forward us a copy of yours in 
 return. The object of transmitting this instrument is, to open a corre- 
 spondence with our brethren of New York, in the hope that, if kept up 
 between the societies, it may be of mutual benefit. Any facts or infor- 
 mation that may have that tendency will be thankfully received on our 
 part, and we shall not fail to notify you of all matters which may be of 
 moment, or likely to prove interesting to you. 
 
 Within the covers of the constitution you will find our list of 
 prices, and the names of all the members of our society, up to the time 
 it was printed. This latter information will prove interesting to some 
 of our brethren of your city, if there shall be tound among these signers 
 of our constitution the names of any of their friends. It naturally gives 
 us pleasure to procure information of the companions of our earlier 
 years, and to learn, after a long separation, whether they are yet alive 
 or whether they have passed that bourn from which no traveler returns. 
 
 This communication, and the constitution, will be handed you by 
 our secretary, Mr. Francis G. Fish, who is on a visit to some of the 
 principal Atlantic cities, and to his friends at the eastward. He is rec- 
 ommended to your favorable regard, and will be the bearer of any favor 
 you may wish to send us in return. 
 
 Very respectfully, sir, I have the honor to be your obedient servant, 
 
 Wm. Kerr, Jr., 
 President Columbia Typographical Society. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 41 
 
 The trouble with the printer to the United States Senate, Gen, 
 Duff Green, which cemented the scattered societies and made new ones, 
 and of which much will be said later, began early in 1829. At a meet- 
 ing held July 4, 1829, the president of the society reported that he had 
 held several fruitless conferences with and had six letters from "Mr. 
 Duff Green on the subject of a reduction of the established prices." 
 
 At the meeting of February 7, 1829, a resolution to have the society 
 incorporated by Congress was voted down by a decisive majority. 
 This idea of incorporation was always associated more or less with 
 that of surrendering control over wages, and the time for that had 
 passed. A new impetus was coming to organization — new plans form- 
 ing, a new opponent arising, who in an attempt to crush was destined 
 to solidify the trade organizations. 
 
 THE PERIOD FROM 1830 TO 1852. 
 
 The fatal mistake of the early societies was the "free membership" 
 section in their constitutions. A member who paid his dues for a cer- 
 tain period — ten years in Washington, ten years in Baltimore, and 
 twenty in Philadelphia, or who paid a lump sum equivalent to the 
 accumulated dues of such periods, became a free member, entitled to 
 all the benefits of the societies without further payment. When this 
 maturing period arrived the society found itself with a list of non- 
 paying members which acted as a discouragement to new members, 
 because on the latter must fall the entire expense of the organization 
 while the "free members" got most of the benefits. 
 
 The societies generally ceased to exist about the time the first list 
 of free members appears. Baltimore, organized in 1814 or 1815, ceased 
 to exist in 1825 or 1826; Philadelphia, organized in 1802 (with a twenty- 
 year paying period adopted in 1810), disbanded to reorganize on another 
 basis in 1831, and so on. The reason the Washington society did not 
 go down under the baneful influence of this provision was that the 
 printing business in Washington was so unevenly distributed. When 
 Congress was in session the city was filled with itinerant printers who 
 paid their dues while they stayed, but few of them settled down so as 
 to ever become "free members." This influx and exodus of printers, 
 resulting from sessional work, made possible the preservation of the 
 Columbia Typographical Society, notwithstanding this defect in its 
 early constitution; and this society, by the preservation of its minutes, 
 has made possible a fairly comprehensive study of the character of 
 these early societies, as well as furnishing a fair index, through its 
 correspondence, of the progress of organization elsewhere. 
 
 The older organizations, almost without exception, called them- 
 selves societies. The new organizations were adopting the term "asso- 
 ciation." In 1830 the New Orleans Typographical Association was 
 organized, as appears from a notice of organization sent by it to the 
 Philadelphia society. In 1832 this New Orleans association issued a 
 price list radically increasing the scale of wages; no copy of this list 
 has been found. This organization seems to have collapsed within a 
 
42 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 year or two, and was reorganized, or another of the same name organ- 
 ized, May 9, 1835. 
 
 The printers of New York City were becoming dissatisfied, and a 
 strong element began to feel that the typographical society, hampered 
 as it was with legislative restrictions, was not sufficient for their needs. 
 On November 19, 1830, a mass meeting of printers employed on the 
 daily papers of the city was called, and the following resolution passed: 
 
 "Resolved, That it was never the intention of the printers employed 
 on the morning and evening papers to make a schism between them- 
 selves and the New York Typographical Society (some of whom are 
 members of that society). So they disclaim and refute the many in- 
 sinuations prepared to convey that idea." 
 
 It is not at all clear that the old society attempted, as an organiza- 
 tion, to check the move to organize the printers along trade lines; 
 and it is certain that many members of the old society became mem- 
 bers of the new when it was formed. 
 
 The formation of a new association along strictly trade lines oc- 
 curred June 17, 1831. A price list was issued, for the enforcement of 
 which the association seems to have become immediately involved in 
 a strike. A copy of this list, with a few changes made in 1833, more 
 to clear up ambiguities than to change the scale, will be found in 
 Appendix B, No. 4, of this report. The constitution, as revised in 
 1833, will also be found in outline in Appendix A, No. 5. The organ- 
 ization continued in existence until about 1840. It should be under- 
 stood that its organization was mainly due to the compositors on daily 
 papers. There were 220 members in 1833. 
 
 The constitution of 1833 was prefaced with a most remarkable doc- 
 ument, called "Introductory remarks." Probably no similar statement 
 covering the period will be found written by workmen themselves. 
 They give their point of view in language which, to put it mildly, must 
 be considered vigorous. Some of the conditions complained of were 
 local to New York City, but many of their grievances were general in 
 the trade, and especially that of what would now be called child labor, 
 out of which grew the apprenticeship restrictions later on. 
 
 Notwithstanding its length, the undoubted historical value of this 
 document warrants its complete transcription here. It should be ex- 
 plained, perhaps, that in this, as in all the early documents, the term 
 "printer" is often, though not exclusively, used to denote the employer, 
 or proprietor, of the printing establishment, instead of the journeyman 
 or compositor. 
 
 "introductory remarks. 
 
 "The Typographical Association of New York was instituted on 
 the 17th day of June, 1831. It may not be deemed improper to state 
 some of the causes which led to its formation; and, in doing thjs, it 
 will be necessary to revert to the condition of the printing business for 
 some years past. 
 
EARLY OROAXIZATIOXS OF PRIXTKRS 
 
 43 
 
 "In the year 1809 the New York Typographical Society was formed, 
 for the purpose of sustaining a uniform scale of prices, and of afford- 
 ing pecuniary relief to the sick and distressed of its own members, 
 their widows and orphans. This institution has continued to the 
 present time; but the principal object of its first formation has long 
 since ceased to claim any part of its attention. In 1812, war occur- 
 ring between this country and Great Britain, the business suffered 
 extremely, and continued in a depressed state until 181 5 or 18 16, wiien 
 it was found necessary to call a general meeting of the journeymen 
 in the city, to take into consideration the propriety of revising the scale 
 of prices; and after considerable debate between employers and em- 
 ployes, a scale was agreed upon, which was adopted by the New York 
 Typographical Society. The demands of the workmen were very gen- 
 erally acceded to, and for some three or four years business was very 
 brisk. 
 
 "In the year 181 8 the society was incorporated by an act of the 
 legislature, and, being prohibited by the terms of its charter from inter- 
 fering with the scale of prices, it became merely a mutual benefit in- 
 stitution. 
 
 "In the meantime, the seeds of declension in the trade were grad- 
 ually sown, and the fruit began to appear in various ways. Some 
 printers from a distance, having heard that business was good, and, be- 
 ing determined to obtain it at all hazards, located themselves among 
 us; and to secure a sufficient quantity of work commenced operations 
 on terms that could not be afforded, if they wished to obtain a fair 
 remuneration for their labor, or act honestly by the workman. The 
 consequence was, that while a few grew rich at the expense of the jour- 
 neymen, old-established printers, who had before paid honorable prices, 
 were obliged to reduce their charges for work, or lose much of their 
 business; and as their receipts were diminished, the wages of the jour- 
 neymen were by degrees reduced, until, instead of a uniform scale of 
 prices, every man was compelled to work for what he could obtain. 
 
 "Another cause of depression was the practice, which then prevailed, 
 and has continued more or less to the present time, of employing run- 
 away or dismissed apprentices for a small compensation. These were 
 called two-thirds men, and have always proved a great pest to the pro- 
 fession. Added to this, roller boys, having gained admission to the 
 interior of a printing office, have in a short time found their way from 
 the rear to the front of the press, to the discharge of the regular 
 pressman. 
 
 "The trade, also, as far as pressmen are concerned, had suffered 
 extremely by the applications of machinery to that branch of the busi- 
 ness; and while a few individuals were growing rich, as they asserted, 
 for the benefit of the public at large, many who had spent from five to 
 seven years of the flower of their lives in acquiring a knowledge of 
 their profession, were left without employment, or were obliged to re- 
 sort to some business with which they were unacquainted, and thus 
 constrained to serve a sort of second apprenticeship. 
 
 "Matters continued in this condition for a number of years. Mean- 
 
44 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 time the business of stereotyping had increased to a great extent; and 
 the numerous improvements in the art, or rather the motto of multum 
 in parvo literally reduced to practice, rendered it every year more 
 and more difficult for compositors to support themselves and their fam- 
 ilies. To the disgrace of some employers, every advantage was taken 
 of the necessities of the workmen, and impositions were continually 
 practiced upon thtni. 
 
 "Men, however, when borne down by oppression, rise in their 
 strength, and assert their rights. The journeymen printers of the 
 city of New York, from a sense of justice to themselves, and those 
 employers who had uniformly paid honorable prices, resolved to unite 
 as an association for the purpose of elevating the business to a proper 
 level. Numbers of them were engaged on the several daily newspapers 
 of this city at prices deemed sufficient when there was little labor and 
 scarcely any competition, but which were found totally inadequate 
 when all vied with each other to present the latest news to their read- 
 ers. To accomplish this, the workmen were almost entirely deprived 
 of their rest for nights together. 
 
 "Scarcely any employment can be more laborious than that of pub- 
 lishing a daily morning newspaper. Many of the offices are in the 
 most crowded parts of the city; and, not having been built for the 
 purpose, are illy calculated to afford a good circulation of air, or 
 v.hat is next in importance, good light. To the injurious effects of 
 these and similar causes, many of the most worthy of the profession 
 have fallen victims; and others, after a short endurance, have found 
 their faculties so impaired, and their constitutions so debilitated, as 
 to be rend red incapable of undertaking any other permanent employ- 
 ment for their future support. It requires the united exercise of the 
 mental and bodily labor of the persons employed, for nearly the whole 
 night, and a considerable portion of the day; being seldom able to allot 
 more than seven hours to rest and refreshment. To be thus confined 
 for such a length of time, inhaling the stagnant air of a printing office, 
 is sufficient to enervate a man of the most vigorous constitution. 
 
 "Under all these circumstances, a general meeting of the trade was 
 called about the ist of June, 1831, at which a committee was appointed 
 to draw up a just and equitable scale of prices. The committee made 
 their report to an adjourned meeting, which adopted it; and on the 17th 
 day of the same month the Typographical Association of New York 
 was established, and a constitution and by-laws framed for its govern- 
 ment. 
 
 "A circular to the employing printers was forthwith issued, cover- 
 ing the new scale of prices, and respectfully asking them to accede to 
 it. Most of them, to their honor, saw the justice of the demand, and 
 promptly awarded the w-ages asked for. There were some, however, 
 both among the book offices and daily newspapers, who altogether re- 
 fused, and have managed, from that time to the present, by a constant 
 change of workmen (for no honorable journeyman, after a knowledge 
 of the facts, would remain a moment in such degraded employment), 
 to evade the demands for a fair compensation. It is a source of con- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 45 
 
 solation, after all, that the expenses of those establishments where the 
 prices are not paid are greater than those where they are, owing to the 
 incompetency and dishonesty of those employed. 
 
 ■'Among the means made use of to depress the business by those 
 who withhold from the workmen their just demands, has been adver- 
 tising in several of the newspapers in Scotland, and elsewhere in 
 Oreat Britain, that a great opening for printers existed in New York, 
 tliereby inducing many to leave the comforts of home in the old coun- 
 try, to seek for a precarious subsistence on this side of the Atlantic. 
 Many, to their regret, can testify, of the truth of this assertion; and 
 the feelings of the man, by whose unprincipled conduct this breaking 
 up of kindred and subsequent disappointment in obtaining the means 
 of support have happened, are not to be envied. Perhaps the day may 
 come, when remorse, like a subtle poison, may lurk about his heart, 
 and cause him to do an act of justice to those who have been swindled 
 by his deception. 
 
 "\\'hen the association was informed of the means taken by un- 
 principled men to injure the business, a circular was immediately ad- 
 dressed to the printers of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, and dispatched by one of its members. The association has 
 since learned, by letters, from Europe, that the appeal has had an 
 extensive circulation, and has tended in a great measure to counteract 
 the evil contemplated by the original advertisements. 
 
 "Since its formation, the association has steadily advanced in 
 strength and respectability, and has repeatedly been called upon to 
 settle disputes arising between employers and journeymen; and it is 
 gratifying, that, in all instances where it has been appealed to, its de- 
 cision has been respected and acted on by the parties concerned. 
 
 "These repeated appeals, in cases of difficulty, have induced it 
 again carefully to revise the scale of prices, explaining those points 
 which were before involved in doubt, and amplifying others, so that no 
 other construction can be given to them than the true one. As the 
 trade has for a long time, and particularly since the introduction of 
 stereotyping, been burdened with numerous grievances and vexations, 
 which while they employed much of the journeyman's time, were never 
 paid for, these things have in the revised scale been taken into consid- 
 eration, and a proper compensation awarded. In doing this, however, 
 proper attention has been paid to the interest of the employer; for if 
 any of the vexations spoken of arise from either carelessness or the 
 want of skill of the workmen, it shall be at his expense. It is intended 
 that the revised scale of prices shall be for the benefit of both honora- 
 ble employers and journeymen who know their business; but shall be 
 of no service to those unfledged apologies for humanity who obtrude 
 themselves on a profession of which they know nothing, and to which 
 they can be little else than a burden and a disgrace. 
 
 "Many of the latter class of individuals have made their appear- 
 ance in this city, in consequence of advertisements inserted in papers 
 whose proprietors do not pay the prices; but they are found, on trial, 
 to be too bad even for such infamous uses. Some of them are run- 
 
46 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 away apprentices; others are destitute not only of honorable feeling 
 but of all knowledge of their business, and generally trace their defects 
 to the want of proper instruction from their masters. The consequence 
 to the good workman is, that he is frequently made to suffer from er- 
 rors committed by these pretenders. 
 
 "As all institutions, in their infancy, are liable to imperfection, the 
 Typographical Association could not expect to be exempt from the 
 common lot. It was found that the constitution under which it has 
 Jiitherto acted, was in many things defective; and it was deemed proper 
 to appoint a committee to revise that instrument. This has been done, 
 and the association, after a long and arduous discussion adopted the 
 constitution, by-laws and rules of order published in the following 
 pages. 
 
 "It now only remains for the members to be just to themselves 
 and the printing business will take its proper stand in the community. 
 To do this it is necessary that all journeymen coming within the juris- 
 diction of the association should become members, and strictly abide by 
 the principles of the constitution." 
 
 December 6, 1834, the Columbia Society at Washington received a 
 letter from the New York Typographical Association containing a list 
 of the "rat offices," and another of the individual "rats" in the city. 
 The strike had not been entirely successful, but the association recov- 
 ered and seems to have been strong enough in 1835 to prevent the em- 
 ployment of non-union printers in New York. The evidence of this, 
 such as it is, is to be found in the minutes of the Washington society, 
 which show that September 26, 1835, a former member of the society, 
 expelled for his connection with the strike of March, 1835 (the Duff 
 Green strike), plaintively asks to be reinstated, his principal reason 
 being that he wants to go to New York. 
 
 "I have," he says in his application, "for a long time past wished 
 to go to New York, but I can not procure employment there without I 
 take with me a certificate from this society, which, of course, I can 
 not procure unless the society will reinstate me in my membership, 
 which I now most respectfully and earnestly request them to do." 
 
 Some doubt about the association's power to prevent employment 
 of non-union men in the city at least two years later is, however, sug- 
 gested by the impassioned address of June 29, 1837, which it issued: 
 
 "To the journeymen printers of Nctv York City and vicinity: 
 
 "Fellow Craftsmen — At an adjourned meeting of the Typograph- 
 ical Association of New York City, held at the association rooms on 
 Saturday evening, June 24, 1837, information having been given of a 
 regularly organized 'combination' on the part of certain of our em- 
 ployers to take advantage of the present depressed state of our trade, 
 and business in general, in order to reduce our present prices, and to 
 render us, if possible, obedient vassals to the nod of the oppressor, a 
 committee was appointed to address you in this particular, and urge you 
 to a prompt and resolute resistance. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 47 
 
 "That committee is of opinion, tliat the time has now arrived when 
 you are to prove to the world one of two things — either tliat you are 
 freemen and capable of understanding and maintaining your rights; 
 or that you are base and servile sycophants, ready and willing to re- 
 ceive whatever compensation and terms your employers may choose to 
 allow. 
 
 "You are now to show whether, in your judgment, your employers 
 or yourselves possess the right of fixing a value on your labor. If 
 there yet remains one spark of the courage, manhood and determina- 
 tion which sustained you when forming the present scale of prices, let 
 the employing printers of New York and the United States, see that 
 it still exists, and can be easily fanned to a flame; let them see that 
 the insignificant and paltry pittance which you now obtain for your 
 support shall not be reduced at their pleasure — that for them to grow 
 richer you will not consent to become poorer. 
 
 "That a pressure exists, and that it is more difficult for all em- 
 ployers to procure money with which to meet expenses, we are all 
 aware, but why should your wages be reduced on that account? 
 
 "The prices for printing advertisements and for newspapers have 
 not been reduced. 
 
 "The prices that are now paid to printers are no more than will 
 barely support them, and the common necessaries of life are even 
 higher than when your present scale was formed. Then why should 
 you submit to a reduction? Why be the passive minion of the will of 
 tyrants? 
 
 "The committee can discover no reason why you should, and it is 
 their opinion that if true to yourselves you will not be. 
 
 "Depend upon it, that if, in obedience to the mandate of grasping 
 avarice — if because your employers say you must, you determine to 
 yield, and go to work for less than the scale demands, you will not 
 only cover yourselves with the consequent odium, but you will neces- 
 sarily involve yourselves in debt from week to week; for it is folly to 
 suppose that if your wages are once reduced your employers will of 
 their own accord advance them again, even though business should re- 
 sume its accustomed course. No, having accomplished their purposes, 
 and brought you in submission to their feet, they will keep you there, 
 and the iron hand of oppression will be laid more heavily than ever. 
 
 "Your employer knows well, that without constant employment, 
 your wages are not sufficient for your support, and those of the unholy 
 alliance which is now raising its hydra head against you, are no doubt 
 impressed with tha belief, that by seizing upon the present period of 
 depression in the trade, they may compel you to work for whatever 
 they may please to pay. 
 
 "The committee would not be understood to include all employers 
 as coming under their just reprehensions. No, thank Heavens, there 
 are honorable exceptions, there are employers who have an eye to the 
 comfort and happiness of their employes, their reward no man can 
 take away, for it consists in the pleasing consciousness of an exercise 
 of a measure of justice and the performance of noble action. 
 
48 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "Our criticism applies to but a dishonorably combined few, whose 
 object seems to be to shift the severity of the times from their own 
 shoulders to the shoulders of their journeymen, caring little for their 
 sufferings so that they escape — fattening on the profits of your labor, 
 while your wives and children are denied many of the common neces- 
 saries of life. 
 
 "The truth is your employers are much more abl« to pay the exist- 
 ing prices than you are to have your wages reduced, the pressure oper- 
 ates in a much greater degree to your disadvantage than to theirs, the 
 depreciated 'shinplasters' of the banks, which are bought up, no doubt, 
 with considerable profit to the purchasers, are palmed off upon you in 
 requital for your toil, as though each rag was worth its face in gold, 
 these rags you must take, though on every dollar you get for your 
 labor you suffer a heavy loss. Patiently you have borne all this, and 
 would continue still to bear it; but in the name of even-handed justice, 
 and for the sake of Heaven, your wives and your children, let the line 
 of demarcation be here drawn — say to the overreaching oppressor, 
 Thus far shalt thou come, but no farther. 
 
 "The committee are well convinced that the chief reason the unprin- 
 cipled combination of your employers have thus dared to invade your 
 rights, and attempt the reduction of your wages, is because of a ru- 
 mored want of the union spirit among yourselves. Without union 
 nothing can be effected — with it, everything. Come forward, then, you 
 who are not members of the association; and join in putting a shoulder 
 to the wheel. Support the association, and the association will support 
 you. There are some of you now in the city who are not members, why 
 is this? You all receive the benefits which result from it. Why, then, 
 do you not join it, and thereby extend its benefits? 
 
 "The committee would also respectfully impress on the minds of 
 the members the necessity of a strict attention at all meetings of the 
 association and a firm support of its principles. Let each and all of us 
 determine upon union, strong and effectual union, and let the watch- 
 word be. The prices of the association must and shall be sustained. 
 
 "Chas. a. Adams, 
 "H. D. Bristol, 
 "W. H. McCartenay, 
 "Geo. Hatten, 
 "W. N. Rose, 
 
 "Committee." 
 
 June 6, 1840, it sent out another "rat list," which seems to indicate 
 that it went down in another strike during that year, and was fol- 
 lowed by the Franklin Typographical Association of 1844, which will 
 be referred to further on. 
 
 The Baltimore Typographical Society, being the second of the 
 name, began its existence November 26, 1831, with 25 original mem- 
 bers, adding 24 more names to its roll within a month. This seems 
 to have been about all the journeymen printers in Baltimore, as dur- 
 ing the next six months, or up to June 30, 1832, it had added but 
 
EARLY ORGAXIZATIOXS OF PRINTERS 
 
 49 
 
 S members. At that date it had expelled i, and 5 had forfeited mem- 
 bership. The constitution and scale of prices were not adopted until 
 June 2, 1832. This constitution is fully outlined in Appendix A, No. 4, 
 and the scale of prices given in full in Appendix B, No. 3. This or- 
 ganization still exists as Typographical Union No. 12, and, next to 
 the Washington union, is the oldest existing trade organization among 
 the printers, it being, of course, understood that while the Philadelphia 
 organization of 180J, and that of New York of 1809 still exist, they 
 have long since ceased to be labor organizations. 
 
 In the minutes of the Columbia Typographical Society, under date 
 of February 3, 1832, is mentioned a communication from the Typo- 
 graphical Society of Cincinnati, Ohio, asking for the Washington list 
 of prices, and announcing the organization of the printers in Cincinnati. 
 
 In November, 1833, the Philadelphia Typographical Association 
 was formed, the society of 1802 having become a purely benevolent 
 institution in 183 1. This organization immtdiately opened a corre- 
 spondence with all other known societies, as was beginning now to be 
 the custom, (a) and at its meeting held June zt, 1835, passed the fol- 
 lowing: 
 
 "Resolved, That an advance of zyi cents per 1,000 ems be de- 
 manded in addition to our present scale of prices. 
 
 "Resolved, That work by the week in book and job offices and on 
 
 o As the letter from the new Philadelphia organization to the older 
 one in Washington is of something more than local interest, it is given 
 here. 
 
 Philadelphia, March 9, 1834. 
 
 Sir — I am induced to attempt this intrusion on your attention in 
 consequence of a resolution of the Philadelphia Typographical Associa- 
 tion, authorizing a correspondence to be established with the typograph- 
 ical trade societies throughout the Union. The ostensible object of this 
 scheme is to elicit and impart authentic intelligence connected with the 
 interests of the members of our common profession, and it is hoped the 
 imperfect manner in which the project may be commenced will not be 
 suffered to occasion the end proposed to he disregarded. 
 
 The society in whose name these paragraphs are penned was organ- 
 ized about five months since. Its primary and paramount intention is 
 the determination and support of adequate wages for journeymen print- 
 ers. That it must acknowledge so late an origin may appear singular; 
 but as the exposition due this point might possibly demand a larger 
 space than is allowable at present, it is proposed (with your permission) 
 to recur to it at proper length in a future communication. 
 
 The outlines of a constitution have been agreed upon, but the de- 
 tails are still undetermined. A scale of prices is also under revision, 
 copies of both which will be forwarded when sufficiently complete. The 
 principles of association are literal and definite; the eligibility of candi- 
 dates consisting in their being practical printers, not less than 21 years 
 of age, and in actual connection with the business. 
 
 As respects numerical strength, the institution may be called feeble; 
 but its originators were fully aware that the mental climate of our city 
 might be found rather uncongenial to the rapid growth of such a scion 
 of the liberty tree; and though they have not as yet decided cause to 
 exult in the result, there is certainly no cause for regret. 
 
 Since the formation of this association, a trades union has been 
 commenced, and which now embracej a majority of the mechanics' so- 
 
50 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 afternoon papers be $9 per week (10 hours to constitute a day's work)^ 
 and 20 cents an hour for overwork — morning papers to be charged $10 
 per week where they work by the week." 
 
 This association seems tci have gone out of existence in 1839 or 
 1840. 
 
 Early in 1834 the Benevolent Typographical Society of Richmond, 
 Virginia, was formed, and on March i issued a letter to all societies. 
 This letter is here reproduced, not alone because of its value in de- 
 scribing labor conditions in the trade, but as further evidence that 
 "benevolence" was not the most serious purpose of these organizations 
 even when they put it first in their name. In reading the statement 
 that no "rat" could obtain work in Richmond, it must be remembered 
 that "rat" meant a man working below the scale, and not necessarily 
 that a non-member of the society could not secure employment. 
 
 "Richmond, Va., March i, 1834. 
 "Dear Sir — The journeymen printers in this city have recently 
 formed a society. Previous to the formation of this society we had no 
 regular prices. The highest price given was 25 cents for both MS. 
 and printed copy. On the ist of February of the present year, we 
 adopted a constitution (a copy of which I herewith communicate) ; 
 together with by-laws for our government, and likewise a scale of 
 prices. This scale of prices, as you will perceive, fixes the price for 
 the composition of MS. at 30 cents — that for print at 28 cents — 5 cents 
 for MS. and 3 for print more than the highest price previously given. 
 There was no alteration made in the price for presswork, the wages 
 previously given being generally considered sufficiently high — the de- 
 mand for pressmen having always been so great as to put it out of 
 the power of the employers to make deductions in that branch. 
 
 cieties in the city. Its present objects appear rational and useful, and 
 its progress thus far is reported as satisfactory. 
 
 Business with us is, of course, dull; indeed, there is scarcely a vol- 
 ume in progress in Philadelphia. But the spring is dawning upon us, 
 in whose very name there is relief; and since men's perverseness can 
 not mar the seasons or derange the sublime machinery of the planet on 
 whose surface their mad pranks are played, we think ourselves war- 
 ranted in looking forward to better things — in the solemn determination 
 (I would hope) that our next passover shall not find us unprepared. 
 
 Having thus endeavored to fulfill my instructions as far as is prac- 
 ticable at this time, I have now to request that this sheet, or the sub- 
 stance of its contents, may be laid before your society at your earliest 
 convenience; and we shall await advices of the order taken thereupon, 
 and also of the general state of affairs at Washington in the typograph- 
 ical department with equal respect and interest. Wishing you the per- 
 fect consummation of your best wishes and endeavors, I remain, with 
 much respect, 
 
 Vours. H. C. Orr. 
 
 P. S. As our association commits its correspondence to the care of 
 the vice-president, any communications intended for the institution may 
 be addressed to myself, at No. 227 Mulberry street, or at the office of 
 the Daily Chronicle, Philadelphia. H. C. O. 
 
 The President of the Columbia Typographical Society. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 51 
 
 The scale of prices was adopted on the ist of February. A reso- 
 lution passed requiring them to go into operation on the loth of that 
 month. The employers were furnished with a copy of the list of 
 prices on the 3d — very short notice. When the loth arrived, the em- 
 ployers, without a single exception, gave the wages asked for. 
 
 "Things go on as smoothly under the new arrangement as before. 
 All the printers here, with the exception of four or five, have joined 
 the society. These, however, receive the wages fixed by the society. 
 So far we have no rats. Before the society was formed we did have 
 a few, who did not receive the highest prices then given. All of these 
 have joined the society and promised to receive, in future, for their 
 labor no less than the wages fixed by our scale of prices. 
 
 "I deem it unnecessary to say more at present than to desire you to 
 send us a copy of your constitution, etc., that we may see how our 
 brethren in your city are driving on. I likewise desire that you will 
 write me a few lines, giving a history of the origin and progress of the 
 society of which you are a member, and to lay this communication 
 before your society at its next meeting, that they may know we have 
 formed a society here, and so on. Communicate, likewise, if you 
 please, the fact of the existence of our society to as many societies of 
 this kind as you may know to have been formed. I desire this, not to 
 put you to trouble, but to be sure of giving the information desired. 
 It is my intention to write to as many as I have yet heard of. If you 
 will be so kind as to comply with my request in this particular, be 
 pleased not to omit to state that it is impossible to obtain work at our 
 business in Richmond as a rat, so as to save those whose intentions 
 were to make the attempt the trouble and expense of the voyage. 
 "Respectfully, 
 
 "R. S. Redford, 
 "Cor. Sec. Ben. Typ. Soc. of Richmond. 
 
 "The CoRRESPON-DiNG Sec'y Tvp. Soc'y at Washington. 
 
 "N. R. — I should like to hear from you previous to the next meet- 
 ing of our society, which takes place on the ist Saturday in April. 
 
 "R. S. R." 
 
 It will be necessary here to relate the trouble that the Columbia 
 Typographical Society at Washington had in 1834 with one of the 
 local newspaper proprietors. Gen. Duff Green, who was also printer 
 to the United States Senate. This difficulty drew the typographical 
 organizations of the country into closer touch than anything before 
 had done, and led directly to the national organization of 1836. 
 
 The apprentice question had been a source of infinite trouble to 
 the societies from the very first. From time to time the term of ap- 
 prenticeship had been lengthened by various societies increasing it 
 from three to four, then from four to five years, in the vain hope of 
 reducing the competition from this source. Rut there was no effective 
 means of preventing apprentices from running away, and the longer 
 
52 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 apprenticeship only increased the temptation to do so, hence made 
 matters worse. True, the master could legally compel the return of a 
 runaway, if he could find him, but the supply of new apprentices and 
 of other runaways willing to work for one-half or two-thirds the estab- 
 lished price for journeymen made it unprofitable to search for escaped 
 apprentices. The fact that a runaway apprentice could, and would, be 
 so employed at rates higher, to say the least, than his apprentice rates, 
 operated also to put a premium on running away. All of the early 
 societies had had more serious trouble with this than had that of 
 Washington, which was exceptionally fortunate in many ways. In 
 1833, however, General Green began employing "two-thirders" on his 
 paper, the United States Telegraph, and later introduced a large num- 
 ber of boys as apprentices in doing the Government printing. He now 
 proposed (1834) to establish what he called the Washington Institute, 
 but which was termed by the printers "a manual-labor school." In this 
 institute he proposed to take 200 boys each year and teach them the 
 printing trade, allowing them $2 a week each for their work, which $2 
 was not, however, to be paid to them, but kept as a trust fund and in- 
 vested by their employer for such of them as should remain with him 
 the full period. 
 
 The first intimation of the excitement which this matter finally 
 caused is found in the special meeting of January 11, 1834. At this 
 meeting its president stated that its object was to take into considera- 
 tion the subject of Gen. Duff Green's speech at the late celebration of 
 the Columbia Typographical Society, and to adopt such measures as 
 would more effectually protect the society against his plans, if attempted 
 to be carried into execution, and concluded by offering the following 
 preamble and resolutions: 
 
 "Whereas, At a late meeting of the Columbia Typographical So- 
 ciety, Duff Green, editor of the United States Telegraph, did declare 
 that he intended to monopolize all the work that was possible, and 
 that he had intended to employ a large number of children to take the 
 place of the journeymen now employed by him, and that he wished to 
 raise up a respectable class of men to take our places; and 
 
 "Whereas, The patronage of the press of this city is almost wholly 
 derived from the Government, and that we have a right, as men, to 
 participate in its profits, which his views, if carried out, would engross 
 to himself; be it 
 
 "Resolved, That the Columbia Typographical Society are desirous 
 of adopting such measures as shall be advantageous to the employing 
 printers, in this city, insure their own rights, and preserve the respect- 
 ability of the profession. 
 
 "Resolved, That we look upon the proposed measure of Duff 
 Green, editor of the United States Telegraph, as visionary in its final 
 results, subversive of our rights, as journeymen printers, and destruc- 
 tive of the profession to which we belong: 
 
 "Therefore, resolved. That a committee of be appointed to 
 
 take the subject into consideration, and prepare a report of their 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 53 
 
 deliberations, which when they have completed, they shall submit to a 
 general meeting of the printers of this district, to be called by them, at 
 such time and place, as they shall deem fit and proper." 
 
 After considerable discussion, Mr. Freeland offered the following 
 
 as a substitute: 
 
 "Resolved, That it is the opinion of this society that tlie practice 
 which has lately come into vogue, of employing an undue number of 
 apprentices, is destructive of the rights and interests of journeymen, 
 and detrimental to employing printers; 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, whose business 
 it shall be, whenever they shall think it necessary to do so, to call a 
 general meeting of the printers of this city to take the subject into 
 consideration." 
 
 The committee at this time reported against taking any action until 
 something more definite was evolved. Up to this time no organiza- 
 tion of printers had attempted to restrict the number of apprentices. 
 In nearly every city except Washington the custom of employing a 
 few journeymen to direct the work of many so-called apprentices was 
 firmly established. In a letter to the Columbia Typographical Society 
 March 21, 1834, Gen. Duff Green takes the position that any objec- 
 tion to his "school for printers" by the society must be based upon an 
 assumption of the right of the society to "regulate the number of 
 apprentices which I may think proper to employ, and to otherwise in- 
 terfere so as to defeat the end I have in view." 
 
 In reply the society denied that it "assumes the right to regulate 
 the number of your apprentices or that of any gentleman." In a letter 
 dated April 7, 1834, General Green says to the society's committee: 
 
 "Your society can have no right to inquire into the age of the per- 
 sons whom I employ. * » « But if, instead of employing 50 jour- 
 neymen, I find it to my interest to employ but 10, any attempt on your 
 part to enter into a combination to drive those 10 out of my employment, 
 without I would give employment to the other 40, would be an offense 
 against my rights, for which the laws have made ample provision, and 
 which it would become my duty to enforce." 
 
 An elaborate "prospectus of the Washington Institute" was car- 
 ried on the first page of Mr. Green's paper, the Telegraph, for some 
 time, acting practically as an advertisement for boys to fill his school. 
 The society appointed another committee to report on the matter. 
 This committee was of the opinion that Mr. Green would be able to 
 fill his school (this being the point upon which the former committee 
 had advised non-action), and recommended that a protest be formu- 
 lated and given as wide a circulation as the prospectus had enjoyed, (u) 
 
 a One paragraph of the committee's report is here given as indica- 
 tive of the social conditions: 
 
 The committee have understood, also, that it is the intention of Mr. 
 
54 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 This protest was accordingly issued, and sent not only to every print- 
 ers' society, but to the unorganized printers employed on the principal 
 papers throughout the United States. In addition to this protest, which 
 was issued by the society, as such, a pamphlet was published containing 
 the proceedings of a public mass meeting, together with an "Address 
 to the people of the United States," emanating from the meeting 
 (such addresses were common in those days), the expense of printing 
 the pamphlet being met by a collection taken up at the meeting. This 
 pamphlet, a copy of which is in the Library of Congress, and the 
 "protest," copied from the minutes of the society, are here repro- 
 duced in Appendix A, No. 12. The Baltimore society had taken action 
 on the subject from newspaper reports and sent a letter to the Colum- 
 bia society in time to incorporate it in the proceedings of the public 
 meeting. It will be noted that the protest contained an appeal to jour- 
 neymen printers not to come to Washington to act as teachers in the 
 proposed school. It was the fear of this that prompted the appointment 
 of a committee of seven, under the following resolution, adopted March 
 7, 1834: 
 
 "Ordered, That a committee of seven members be appointed by 
 the chair, whose duty it shall be to confer with each other, and report 
 to this society, at their next meeting, what, in their opinion, would be 
 the most proper and effectual course to pursue to bring about the es- 
 tablishment of a national typographical society." 
 
 Response was received from the typographical society at Louis- 
 ville, Ky., inclosing- a copy of its constitution and resolutions against 
 "the Duflf Green school for printers," and on the same date from 
 Charleston (S. C.) Typographical Society, indorsing protest against 
 the school. This is the first reference found to these societies. Rich- 
 
 Green, in organizing his school, to draw a portion of his scholars from 
 the houses of refuge in the northern cities. Now, although the com- 
 mittee object not to the character of any boy, when it is affected only by 
 his origin, believing that when he comes to man's estate he must stand 
 or fall by his individual merit, yet there is no doubt, from the facility 
 with which these boys may be obtained by Mr. Green, the society will 
 have a delicate and difficult matter on hand in attempting to prevent 
 their employment in this school. With the principals of these extensive 
 institutions, the specious and deceptive arguments of the prospectus will, 
 no doubt, have powerful weight and influence. So far, then, as the suc- 
 cess of the project of Mr. Green shall depend merely on the attainment 
 of scholars, it is likely to be insured by the readiness with which, no 
 doubt, the i)rincipals of those houses will supply him with the boys un- 
 der their charge. The committee can conceive of no other mode of pre- 
 venting this consummation than by circulating among these gentlemen a 
 direct refutation of the principles laid down in the prospectus. It is in 
 no degree their interest to aid Mr. (^reen in his schemes — they look 
 only to the welfare of their charge; and, if it shall appear to them, as 
 in the end, should we adopt this course, it no doubt will, that, instead 
 of benefiting the boys for whose future welfare they are in a measure 
 responsible, the scheme of Mr. Green will be more likely to blast their 
 prospects in life, be assured they will not be instrumental in aiding the 
 establishment of the Washington Institute. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 55 
 
 mond, Va., responded, and later other southern societies. December 
 13, 1834, the Philadelphia association notified the Washington society 
 that Gen. Duff Green was employing printers in Philadelphia and else- 
 where "on condition that they would have no connection with the so- 
 ciety," and that as fast as he secured "strangers" "society men" were 
 being discharged. Matters went on from bad to worse until a strike 
 was declared against General Green March 14, 1835, the causes alleged 
 being "against the employment of too many apprentices," for the so- 
 ciety's scale of prices (or against "two-thirders"), because of discrimina- 
 tion against "society men," and for the discharge of the foreman. With 
 the details of this long strike itself we have nothing to do. It was, 
 however, the occasion of bringing the scattered associations into closer 
 touch with each other. For the first time in its history the Washington 
 society sent out a "rat circular." Philadelphia and New York promised 
 to restrain their members from accepting employment in the Washing- 
 ton establishment, and the Philadelphia association expelled all its mem- 
 bers who did so. Later the Washington society asked New York, Phila- 
 delphia, Baltimore, and Boston for a list of all "two-thirders" and 
 names and description of all "rats" in those cities. This request seems 
 to have been ignored. 
 
 October 14, 1835, the Washington society passed the following reso- 
 lution: 
 
 "Resolved, That the members of this society having heretofore de- 
 termined not to accept employment in the office of Duff Green, do 
 still adhere to that resolution, and will neither accept employment in 
 that office, nor in any other office in which any hands or hand employed 
 by the said Green since the 28th of March, 1835, or by his successor, 
 E. R. Gibson, may hereafter be employed, until the obnoxious indi- 
 vidual or individuals be discharged." 
 
 This sweeping resolution, exceedingly radical for that day, and cer- 
 tainly so for this society, was forwarded to all other societies in the 
 United States and endorsed by most of them, thus foreshadowing the 
 action of the national convention of the next year (1836), making "a 
 rat" so declared by one printers' organization to be considered such 
 by all. 
 
 Two other societies are mentioned in 1835 for the first time. First, 
 that of the Mississippi Typographical Association, of Natchez, Miss., 
 which sent out a "rat list" as a result of a strike September 19, 1835, 
 and another communication November 6; and, second, the New Orleans 
 Typographical Association, organized May 9, 1835, indicating that the 
 society organized there in 1830 had ceased to exist. 
 
 In June, 1835, the Franklin Society, of Cincinnati, had a strike 
 against a reduction of wages in one establishment. It seems that 
 "strangers" were brought in from Pittsburg and elsewhere. Novcmhcr 
 6, 1835. the Cincinnati society sent out a circular calling for a national 
 convention. No copy of this circular has been found, but upon its re- 
 ceipt the Washington society appointed a committee to report on the 
 
56 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 subject. This report, which was accepted and issued to other societies 
 as a call for the convention, was as follows: 
 
 "Mr. Wm. Walters, from the committee, to whom was referred the 
 circular from the Franklin Typ. Society of Cincinnati, proposing a 
 National Typ. Society, presented the following report: 
 
 Your committee have carefully read the report and resolutions of 
 the Franklin Typographical Society, of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 "The resolutions propose — 
 
 " 'ist. That each society in its own district be sustained by all 
 others in the prices it may establish. 
 
 " '2d. That journeymen bringing certificates of membership in any 
 society, of good standing, receive a preference over all others in the 
 efforts made to procure them employment. 
 
 " '3d. That rats, pronounced such by one society, be considered as 
 such by all other societies.' 
 
 "If there be a community of men, which, more than another, has 
 felt the necessity of a closer union amongst the different typographical 
 societies of the United States, it is our own. During the two last 
 years the society and many of its members have been the victims of the 
 most unrelenting persecution and proscription. Single handed they 
 have encountered the force of this opposition, for although one or two 
 societies nobly cheered our efforts, the great body of them stood aloof, 
 apparently idle spectators of the controversy. Any other course, how- 
 ever, could scarcely have been looked for from them, when we consider 
 the distance which separates them and the absence of any effective 
 bonds of union between them. 
 
 "A close examination of the resolutions proposed by the Franklin 
 Typ. Society has convinced your committee that they do not go far 
 enough. Each of the propositions has been in [a] degree, and is now 
 enforced by almost every society in the Union. There is, however, no 
 obligation to uphold them existing amongst any of the societies, and 
 our own experience teaches us that the declaration we have all made 
 'to procure employment for a member of the society in preference to 
 any other person' has been but loosely observed; or, to use the more 
 forcible language of the Franklin Typographical Society, 'the certificate 
 of membership ought no longer to procure from us a mere assent of 
 the good standing of the holder, but should call forth our active friend- 
 ship for the bearer — our zealous effort to get him into employment in 
 preference to all others.' 
 
 "All this and much more should be done; and the question for us 
 to consider is, what are the means necessary for its accomplishment? 
 what additional measures are necessary in order to permanently, not 
 merely transiently, to assent to such regulations amongst the different 
 typographical societies of the United States as shall ensure to every 
 member of every society, a proper equivalent for his labor, and a good 
 prospect of constant employment while ever he shall remain within the 
 pale of the honorable members of the craft? 
 
 "Deeply impressed with the importance of the measure, your com- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRTNTKRS 
 
 57 
 
 mittee are about to propose, in order to accomplish these most desir- 
 able results, they beg leave to assure the society that it has not been 
 without the most mature reflection that they have brought forward the 
 resolutions which are appended, and which they believe will alone pro- 
 vide a remedy sufficiently ample for the widespread evils which arc now 
 felt. 
 
 "Resolved, That it be recommended to the different typographical 
 societies of the United States to form a union of societies, under such 
 name as the convention to be held for that purpose shall designate. 
 
 "Resolved, That in order to form such union, a convention be held 
 in the city of Washington on the 3d day of March next, to be com- 
 posed of three delegates from every typographical society existing in 
 the United States. 
 
 "Resolved, That the convention shall have power to draft a consti- 
 tution, and such other regulations as shall be thought proper for the 
 government of the union, which constitution shall be submitted to the 
 local societies for their adoption; and whenever two-thirds of the local 
 societies shall agree to the said constitution, the government of the 
 union shall be considered as formed, and annual meetings take place ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 "Resolved, That the power now possessed by the different societies 
 to regulate the prices within their respective limits, shall not be in- 
 fringed by any regulation of the convention. 
 
 "Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be forwarded to every 
 typographical society in the United States; and that such of them as 
 shall agree to them, be requested to appoint delegates, without further 
 notice, to attend the convention. 
 
 "(Signed) "\Vm. Walters, 
 
 "J AS. Brown, 
 "Wm. W. Clrras." 
 
 The report and resolutions having been read, the second resolution 
 was amended by inserting the first Monday of June as the time of the 
 meeting of the convention, and as amended were adopted unanimously. 
 
 Letters approving of the convention and promising to send dele- 
 gates were received from Harrisburg (Pa.) Typographical Association 
 August 26, 1836 (first mention); Baltimore. July 3°: Nashville. Tcnn.. 
 August 26; Philadelphia, August 27; Cincinnati, August 28; Richmond. 
 Va., October 14, and later letters along the same line were received 
 from New Orleans, and from Mobile, Ala. (first mention). New Or- 
 leans named two members of the Washington society and asked that 
 they be permitted to act as proxy delegates from New Orleans, thus in- 
 augurating from the very start that system of proxy representation that 
 has many times since so nearly disrupted organizations. October 14. 
 1836, the Washington society met to elect delegates to the convention 
 and appoint a committee to arrange for the same, since it was to be held 
 in Washington. At the meeting the society decided to "pay all the ex- 
 penses of the National Typographical Convention." 
 
 The first convention of the National Typographical Society met in 
 
58 
 
 A ^DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the aldermen's chamber, city hall, Washington, D. C, November 7, 
 1836, the session lasting five days. Delegates were present from the 
 typographical societies in Baltimore, New York city, Washington, Har- 
 risburg. Pa., Philadelphia, and by proxy from New Orleans. The dele- 
 gate from the Philadelphia association was excluded from the conven- 
 tion, not because of any objection to the association, but because the 
 Washington society succeeded in proving that the delegate himself was 
 one of the men that had worked for a time in the Duff Green establish- 
 ment during the strike. The Philadelphia association evidently was not 
 aware of this when it elected him, as he was immediately expelled by 
 that association. 
 
 The convention was welcomed in an address from the mayor of 
 the city, Hon. Peter Force, (a) who had joined the New York Typo- 
 graphical Society in 1812, and was its president in 1815. In i8i5 he 
 joined the Columbia Typographical Society, and became its first "free 
 member" in 1826. 
 
 The convention adopted a constitution (which as amended in 1837 
 is given in the appendix hereto) and issued two addresses, one to the 
 various typographical societies in the United States, the other to the 
 printers of the country in general. Both of these documents appear in 
 Appendix A, No. 9. 
 
 To the local societies the convention appealed for a closer relation 
 one with the other; proposing uniform regulations regarding appren- 
 tices; that runaways from one office should not be permitted to work 
 in any other; that members expelled from one society for any good 
 cause shall not be admitted to membership by any other society; that 
 no member of any society should work in any printing office where 
 such expelled member is employed, until he is reinstated by the orig- 
 inal society; there was to be an exchange of "rat" lists, and, most im- 
 portant of all, the societies were advised to open their doors to mem- 
 bership for all printers then working at the trade as journeymen, 
 whether they served an apprenticeship or not; then after organizing all 
 these, put up the bars and require a six-year apprenticeship. There had 
 
 a \'isitors going up in the Washington monument may see carved in 
 one of its largest stones the name "Peter Force." Students of indus- 
 trial history prefer, however, to remember him by a monument of very 
 different character. Mr. Force was for a number of years one of the 
 proprietors of a job printing office in Washington. Here he executed 
 many of the "broadsides" so ciiaracteristic of the time, and here was 
 printed the constitutions of many civic societies of all kinds. He seems 
 to have had a keen intuition of the historical value of things, and early 
 began a collection of tracts, broadsides, constitutions, etc., which he ulti- 
 mately gave to the library of congress as the Force Collection of Tracts 
 — a veritable gold mine of industrial information, especially as relating 
 to tlie southern states. In those days tracts and "broadsides" occupied 
 relatively the position of magazine articles and newspaper discussions of 
 today, and their preservation for future reference was of utmost impor- 
 tance. Mr. l'"orce was of great assistance to the typographical societies 
 as an employer in their struggle with the apprentice problem. As indi- 
 cated in the text, he was mayor of Washington, and was employed by 
 tlie government to plan or outline a system for a government printing 
 establishment. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTI-RS jg 
 
 for years been two factions in the societies— one. seeing that the ap 
 prenticeship requirements were creating an army of printers sufficiently 
 large to do all the work, outside of the societies because of ineligibility. 
 wanted to temporarily let down the bars and organize the trade, and 
 then increase the requirements; the other faction, sticking to the old 
 traditions, sought to remedy the evil by increasing the severity of ap- 
 prenticeship. It seems that the societies had elected delegates to the 
 convention from the more radical factions in nearly every instance. 
 This entire address should be carefully read as being a presentation by 
 the workmen themselves of their view of the situation. 
 
 The address to the printers of the United States in general, whether 
 organized or not, is likewise of importance and interest. There arc a 
 few references in this document that require some explanation at the 
 present time in order to be understood. The early printer expected to 
 work a short while as a journeyman, then start a paper or job office 
 for himself. His employer was "a practical printer" like himself. The 
 appearance of the publisher who simply owned the plant and employed 
 men to do the work of editing as well as printing the paper alarmed the 
 early compositors. These tirades against the "speculator on the labor 
 of printers," and against "the hireling editor," are but the manifesta- 
 tions of his natural alarm at the commencement of the changing condi- 
 tions. The advent of large capital into the printing business suggested 
 to him the possible permanency of journcymanship for him as an indi- 
 vidual. What he said and did was his protest against the prospect of 
 being involved in a permanent wage condition. All the documents of 
 this period must be read with this constantly in mind, and especially 
 this address to the printers in 1836.(0) 
 
 a Speaking to tlie toast "The 'Practical Printer' Editor," before the 
 Franklin Typographical Society, of Boston, at its twenty-third anniver- 
 sary banquet (this society was organized in 1822, but was never a trade 
 organization), Hon. J. T. Buckingham, editor of the Boston Courier, 
 said that when he was a young man the printer considered it a reproach 
 if he did not edit his own paper. "Every journeyman expected to have 
 a printing office and a paper of his own. Originally, of course, the 
 great printers — Caxton, Gutenburg, Faust — were all scholarly men." 
 Continuing, Mr. Buckingham said: "In the year 181 1 .Messrs. Young 
 and Miners, printers and proprietors of the Massachusetts Mercury, at 
 the suggestion of the late Reverend Doctor Morse, of Charleston, en- 
 gaged a gentleman from New Haven as an editor for their paper, which 
 then took the name of the 'New England Palladium;' and this, so far 
 as I can learn, was the first instance in Boston of employment of a pro- 
 fessional editor. At this time (January 15, 1848) I am the only indi- 
 vidual now living in Boston, if not in tlie Commonwealth, wlw unites 
 the printer and the editor in one man." 
 
 Beginning thus in 181 1 this "innovation," as the printers called^ it. 
 spread until it became one of the grievances complained of by the New 
 York Printers' Association in 1831, and was made one of the burdens 
 of the address of the national convention of 18.16. In i8jH a resolution 
 was introduced in the Washington Typographical Society demanding 
 that members be not permitted to work for proprietors not themselves 
 "practical printers." And in 18.19 a circular appeal was sent from an 
 association in Mississippi to all printers' organizations requesting thctn 
 to refuse, after a given date, to work for the non-printer^ who. as a capi- 
 talist, was merely "speculating on the labor of printers." 
 
 The immediate cause of this circular from the south was no doubt 
 
6o A DOCXIMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A notice printed on the cover of the published proceedings of this 
 convention of 1836, and dated November 26, is of interest. It follows: 
 
 "Since the adjournment of the convention the committee on publi- 
 cation have learned with much regrtt that two attempts have in the 
 
 the fact that Gen. Duff Green had, after leaving Washington, attempted 
 to organize "The American Literary Company," operating from Colum- 
 bia, S. C, his plan still being to employ boys under the guise of teach- 
 ing them a trade. The co-operative ideas of the time, or what may be 
 called the great employ-yourself-movement of 1830 to 1855, vvhich, among 
 other things, produced the "Brook Farm," had something to do with it, 
 too, as such ideas were in the air; but the "practical printer's" inbred 
 fear of the "professional editor" and the "speculator" was the energiz- 
 ing thought. The reply of the Washington society to this circular ask- 
 ing that journeymen refuse to work for men not themselves practical 
 printers is full of historic significance and is quoted in full. It also 
 shows that all hope of the national organization's success had not been 
 lost in 1839: 
 
 Washington, D. C, September 22, 1839. 
 
 Dear Sir — I have laid before the Columbia Typographical Society 
 the papers which you forwarded on the subject of "real and counterfeit 
 printers." Every member was furnished with a copy of it at a special 
 meeting; and on the evening of the last convention — the first Saturday 
 of the present month — the subject was laid upon the table, nem. diss. 
 
 A resolution embracing the same subject was offered for our con- 
 sideration about fifteen months ago. After some debate, it was indefi- 
 nitely postponed. No one has since moved that its consideration be re- 
 sumed. Some of our members, privately, thought the intentions of the 
 resolutions impracticable. For instance, they would say: "How can you 
 cause the mammoth establishments of New York and other cities to be 
 resigned to the practical printer? Where can you find practicals with 
 sufficient capital or credit to undertake such establishments? It is true 
 some printers might refuse to work for the present employers, in ex- 
 pectation of achieving the desired result; but in the present disunited 
 condition of the craft others could be found who would ptrform the la- 
 bor required." Such arguments as these are plausible, and the novelty 
 of the proposition has not yet become familiar to those immediately in- 
 terested. 
 
 Should, however, the National Typographical Union ever go into 
 operation and the printers be awakened to the true sense of danger 
 threatened by newspaper speculators — when all of our profession shall 
 be bound by a brotherly tie, united in the same cause, with a detcrMiina- 
 tion to make it prosper — then, only then, can we look with conidcnce 
 to the consummation of our wishes. But at present, wlien not one- 
 fourth of the printers north of Baltimore belong to the local societies, 
 and all means to induce those who are not members to join one, or 
 create a society where none exists, have proved fruit'ess. it seems su- 
 p-rerogatory to urge the measure at the time set forth in Mr. North's 
 circular. The great subject of tlie union should be the first to grasp 
 .and occupy our minds. We should persevere in urging concert of action 
 and association. Without it we can do nothing toward effecting the ob- 
 ject communicated. 
 
 It has occurred to many of us that if the southern and western 
 states were to form a typographical union, it would soon extend to 
 other portions of the country. It would be more expedient in the direc- 
 tion named than elsewhere, as journeymen there are more free to act 
 for themselves, not having much, if any, fear of an army of apprentices 
 being thrust into their places if they should dare to assert their dearest 
 rights. You, of course, know that such has been the procedure in a few 
 cities of the north. Boys of hut a few months' initiation in the pro- 
 fession infest thf-m from the neighboring towns, and in Philadelphia men 
 are not considered rats if they get the prices exacted by the tariff, al- 
 
EARLY ORGAXIZATIOXS OF I'RI.VTF.RS d 
 
 south been made to injure the journeymen. Tliey would, therefore, 
 urge upon all printers in every city, town, and village where no society 
 exists to establish one as soon as practicable to enable them to be repre- 
 sented in the National Typographical Society in September next." 
 
 The "two attempts to injure the journeymen" referred, no doubt, 
 to the strike in Richmond, \'a., in November, 1836, to enforce the ap- 
 prentice section of the local constitution, and to fight the union in 
 Augusta, Ga., was making against that printers' Banquo, Gen. Duff 
 Green, who had taken his boys' scliool idea with him and gone to 
 South Carolina to organize "The American Literary Company." The 
 Augusta association had gotten out a circular, similar to the Washing- 
 ton society's "protest," which circular was printed in the Washington 
 papers at the expense of the local society. At the request of the Au- 
 gusta association the Washington society had a transcript of its min- 
 utes, and all documents and letters relative to the Uuff Green matter, 
 made and forwarded to the former organization — no smalj nor inex- 
 pensive task in those pre-typewriter days. 
 
 The second convention of the National Typographical Society met 
 in New York city September 4, 1837, with delegates from eight so- 
 cieties in the United States, and a fraternal delegate from Nova Scotia, 
 who was seated with full powers, predictive of admission of Canadian 
 unions into the National, thus forming the present International Typo- 
 graphical Union in 1869. It is doubtful whether the proceedings of 
 this convention were ever printed. No copy has been found in the 
 search for data for this report. The report of the Washington dele- 
 gates will, however, give an idea of the proceedings, and is here tran- 
 scribed entire from the minutes of that society: 
 
 "Washington, January 6, 1838. 
 
 "The delegates appointed by the Canadian Typographical Society. 
 to attend the national association, which was to assemble in the city of 
 New York on the 4th Sept., 1837, beg leave to submit the following re- 
 port: 
 
 "That your delegates have been prevented from making a report by 
 the nonarrival of the printed proceedings of the meeting, which wa» 
 
 though at work in the same shop where the two-thirders abound. Now. 
 a great many printers from the Quaker City, and others who countenance 
 the rat svstem, go south and west; and if matters could be so .-irrangert 
 that the 'itinerants would be denied work in your and other section* un- 
 less they could produce their certificates of membership from hnral so- 
 cieties, it would make them, from necessity, join .iss.x-iations and hcc.mc 
 interested in them. This might, with some additions or amendment!., 
 add strength to the infant weakness of the organic state of our uni-n. 
 and prepare a clear path for the progression of practical printers to the 
 objects of their special attention. . . j . _,^:. 
 
 With great respect, thanks for your attention, and a due apprecia- 
 tion of Mr. North's intentions, 
 
 I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant. 
 
 L. A. CioamcHT, 
 Cor. Sec. C. T. So,-ifly. 
 
 Mr. Thomas Palmer, Raymond, Miss. 
 
62 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 left under the control of the New York members. Altho' we have re- 
 ceived a letter intimating that they would be soon sent on, we still have 
 been disappointed. It is a matter of regret to us, as we find it almost 
 impossible to direct your attention to the necessary acts which require 
 your immediate cooperation; and which alone can enable us to discharge 
 our task satisfactorily to ourselves. 
 
 "That your delegation arrived in New York on the second of Sep- 
 tember, and were notified to meet at the sheriff's room, in the city hall, 
 on the 4th, which was kindly granted by the public authorities of said 
 city. Eight societies being represented, viz., New York, Philadelphia, 
 Ilarrisburg, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Mobile, New Orleans, and Wash- 
 ington. The meeting was organized by calling to the chair one of this 
 society's delegation, and appointing A. I. W. Jackson, of Baltimore, 
 as secretary. That their first act was to revise the constitution, adopted 
 by the convention which met at Washington in November, 1836. That 
 after a labored investigation of that instrument, they made some amend- 
 ments, in order to accord with the views and instructions of the sev- 
 eral members. That they continued in session till Saturday, the 9th, 
 inclusive, when, severally, having subscribed the new constitution, they 
 adjourned sine die, to meet again at Pittsburg, ne.xt September, and 
 that they were then invited, and attended a public dinner given by the 
 New York association, in courtesy to the members of the national asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 "Your delegates, not having the constitution to refer to, must, of 
 course, be excused from entering into a detail of the several articles; 
 but they would remark that, in article :oth, twenty-five per cent is to 
 be levied of the different societies, annually, by a prescribed rule, to 
 defray all expenses incurred by the association; their instructions were 
 for thirty per cent. 
 
 "Article 13 furnishes the mode of checking the practice of employ- 
 ing two-third apprentices. This is of initial importance to the whole 
 fraternity, and requires consideration commensurate with its impor- 
 tance; for all can realize the complete prostration which such a cus- 
 tom must create. The proposed check, adopted by the association ap- 
 pears as simple as it is easy of accomplishment, if judicious measures 
 alone be pursued. This plan is by the granting to travelers the 'union 
 card,' which was introduced into the convention's constitution at Wash- 
 ington. Many duties are enjoined on local societies, which must be re- 
 ferred by you to committees, to mature and prescribe a mode of opera- 
 tion for carrying them into effect. 
 
 "Your delegates are aware that the society will look for an expres- 
 sion of their opinion as to the utility and future prospects of the asso- 
 ciation, and, therefore they will present their views in as brief a man- 
 ner as possible. From all they could learn from their intercourse with 
 the gentlemen composing the assembly, they are of the belief that no 
 other plan could be adopted that would prove so efficacious and satis- 
 factory to all concerned, and guard the craft against the innovations 
 which are daily arising to drive the regular and good workman out of 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 63 
 
 employment, or to reduce their wages to the standard of the cupidity of 
 some employers who forget the rights of their fellow-men. 
 
 "That the anticipated prospects of the association may be evidenced 
 from th« interest taken in it by all associations in the United Sutcs 
 and Nova Scotia, whose delegate was admitted to a seat during the dis- 
 cussions. It is the opinion of your delegation, that the employer and 
 the journeymen were never on such amicable terms of friendly feelings 
 as they are at the moment, which certainly is ominous of our success in 
 this great cause. 
 
 "In closing the imperfect report they have made, they would con- 
 gratulate the society on the high respect in which they are at present 
 held by both employers and journeymen, as well in Washington, as 
 throughout the whole country; and they sincerely pray this band of 
 union may never be severed by any untoward circumstance, originating 
 on your part. They now conclude by recommending the following reso- 
 lution for adoption: 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee be appointed to receive the printed 
 proceedings of the association, and to report on their contents as sooA 
 as practicable, or on any matters concerning said association. 
 
 "(Signed) "James Clephane. 
 
 "James Handlev." 
 
 The national society did not hold a convention in 1838. In .\ugiist 
 of that year the following announcement appeared in the papers in 
 most of the cities where printers were organized: 
 
 "national typographical society. 
 
 "Meeting postponed. — The undersigned, officers of the National 
 Typographical Association, composing the board of control, at the ear- 
 nest solicitations of a number of delegates and societies forming said 
 association, have, after mature deliberation, resolved on a postpone- 
 ment of the next meeting, and hereby give this public notice to the 
 different societies of printers attached to said association, as well as 
 those desirous of connecting themselves thereto, that the next meeting 
 of the National Typographical Association will be held in the city of 
 Pittsburg, Pa., on the first Monday of September. 1839, at which time 
 and place it is fondly expected the representatives from the different 
 societies will be in attendance. 
 
 "A. I. W. Jackson, Baltimore. 
 
 '■President. 
 "Wm. Wellington, Philadelphia. 
 
 "Recording Secretary. 
 "Chas. Albert Davis, .V<-«' Vork, 
 
 "Corresponding Secretary. 
 "James Clephane, Hashington. 
 
 "Treasurer. 
 "Board of Control. 
 "August 10, 1838. 
 "The publishers of newspapers throughout the United Slates will 
 
6^ A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 confer a favor on the craft in general, by giving the above notice one 
 or two insertions." 
 
 Whether this postponed convention ever met is not known and may 
 well be doubted. The general laws for. the government of local soci- 
 eties appear to have been promulgated by the New York convention of 
 1837. They were gotten out in leaflet form by the Washington society 
 for its own use, as follows: 
 
 "Columbia Typographical Society. 
 
 "Resolved, That the general laws recommended by the National 
 Typographical Society to the local societies for their government be 
 printed for the use of the members. 
 
 "Test: 
 
 "W. A. Kennedy, Secretary. 
 
 "December i, 1838. 
 
 "general laws. 
 
 "Article i. Every apprentice shall serve until he be 21 years of 
 age; and at the time of entering as an apprentice shall not be more 
 than 16 years of age; and every boy taken as an apprentice shall be 
 bound to his employer in due form of law. 
 
 "Art. 2. No runaway apprentice shall be received into any office 
 in the United States attached to the national association, either as an 
 apprentice or journeyman. 
 
 "Art. 3. That on the death of his master, or if, from any cause, the 
 office wherein he was indented shall be discontinued, he may be taken 
 into another office, and be regularly indented to finish the term of his 
 apprenticeship. 
 
 "Art. 4. After the ist day of January, 1844, it shall not be lawful 
 for any local society to consider any application for membership iinac- 
 companied by sufficient proof that he had served the period of five years, 
 as a regularly indented apprentice at the printing business. 
 
 "Art. s. That after the ist day of January, 1839, it shall not be 
 lawful for- any local society to permit members of said society to work 
 in any office where boys may be taken as apprentices to the printing 
 business, to serve for a less period than five years. 
 
 "Art. 6. The local societies shall have the power to establish such 
 tariff of prices as may be suitable to the section of country in which they 
 may be located. 
 
 "Art. 7. It shall be the duty of all local societies, working under 
 the jurisdiction of the national association, to sustain each other in 
 their list of prices or such other regulations as they may adopt for their 
 government. 
 
 "Art. 8. That all local societies suspend so much of their constitu- 
 tions as requires a term of apprenticeship as a qualification for mem- 
 bership; and that they admit all who are at work at the business as 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 65 
 
 journeymen so soon as it shall be ascertained that the proposed refla- 
 tions of the association upon this subject shall be adopted by two-thirds 
 of the societies. 
 
 "Art. 9. Any person presenting his union card from one society, 
 under the jurisdiction of the national association, to another society un- 
 der the same jurisdiction, and paying the monthly dues called for by 
 their constitution, shall be entitled to the trade benefits of said society. 
 
 "Art. 10. Local societies shall recognize but two classes of printers 
 — employers and journeymen — that is, persons who carry on business 
 solely as employers and those who work as journeymen, in the manner 
 prescribed, and at the prices demanded by such society. 
 
 "Art. II. It shall be the duty of local societies to have prepared an 
 annual report of their condition, showing the number of members ad- 
 mitted for the j'ear preceding; the amount of receipts from initiation, 
 dues, and fines; the number of newspapers and periodical publications, 
 together with all offices of whatever character, under the immediate con- 
 trol of practical printers, at the time of making such reports; also, 
 those under the control of others than printers, and such other informa- 
 tion as may be in possession of said local societies, in reference to the 
 profession generally; said report to be transmitted to the national asso- 
 ciation at its annual meetings. 
 
 "Art. 12. That the societies be requested to forward to the national 
 association, annually, the number, as near as may be ascertained, of ap- 
 prentices in the district of country over which the society has jurisdic- 
 tion; also, of all the journeymen — distinguishing members of the so- 
 ciety from others. 
 
 "Art. 13. That men pronounced rats by one society, shall be con- 
 sidered such by all others, until reinstated by said society. 
 
 "Art. 14. A local society, on the suspension or expulsion of a mem- 
 ber, shall give information to all other societies as soon as practicable, 
 and make annual report to the national association. 
 
 "Art. 15. That it be made obligatory on the members of the respec- 
 tive societies to solicit all printers in good standing to join some local 
 society. 
 
 "Art. 16. That every society which may henceforth be established, 
 transmit the title, list of officers, and its locality, to the corresponding 
 secretary of the National Typographical Association. 
 
 "Art. 17. The above regulations, when adopted by two-thirds of the 
 local societies, shall become binding upon the whole, as general laws. 
 for the government of the craft." 
 
 To return now to affairs of the local societies, the Philadelphia 
 Typographical Association sent out a letter dated June 16, 1834, on the 
 state of trade, saying: "For several months the book offices have not had 
 work enough to employ even their apprentices, and when we may safely 
 anticipate a favorable change we are unable to say as we are anxious to 
 hear." July 11, 1835, the same association wrote that it was ha' ing 
 trouble as a result of "having taken measures to effect an advance in 
 the price of our labor;" that the employers were advertising in other 
 
66 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cities, and asked the Washington society to "prevent that influx of stran- 
 gers upon which the employers (a) rely in connection with the defec- 
 tion, which, in a small degree, we are sorry to say, they have effected 
 for defeating the purposes of this association." Later, August 30, 1835, 
 the association sent out a circular saying the trouble was over, (b) 
 
 a It may be of interest to note that an employing printers' associa- 
 tion was formed just before this in Philadelphia, it being organized 
 February 7, 1835. A scale of prices for composition and presswork, by 
 which all contracts for such work were made, was adopted and made a 
 part of the constitution. Members violating the contract scale were 
 subject to fine or expulsion. Evidently the "Printers' Company of 1794 
 had ceased to exist. 
 
 b The steam press was beginning to alarm the pressmen, and curi- 
 ously enough they proposed at first to meet it just as, in after years, the 
 glass workers' unions and the coal miners' unions proposed to meet the 
 machine, i. e., by reducing their wages for hand work to a point where 
 it would not pay the employers to install steam presses, except that the 
 pressmen proposed to do it by exactly the methods they opposed when 
 applied by the employers to typesetting — by the introduction of boys 
 into the business throuijh a subdivision of labor. A resolution was 
 passed by the Washington society with this in view October 14, 1835, as 
 follows: 
 
 Resolved, That a committee be appointed to inquire into the ex- 
 pediency of making such alterations in the price of presswork and the 
 introduction of rollers and roller boys as will enable employers to have 
 their work done as cheap, better, and with greater certainty by hand 
 than by the use of steam or power presses, while at the same time press- 
 men will be able to make as good wages, if not better than under the 
 present system. 
 
 As showing the attitude of the early printers toward machinery the 
 two following remarkable letters are taken from the minutes of the 
 Washington society:' 
 
 [Copy of a letter laid before the society by a member.] 
 
 Warrenton, Va., October 6, 1840. 
 
 Dear Sir — Through you I would respectfully inform the typograph- 
 ical society of Washington that I have invented and made a machine for 
 setting and distributing type; which machine is now in complete opera- 
 tion in this place, and will, according to the estimate of practical print- 
 ers, do the work of four men; the cost not to exceed $20. Being poor 
 myself, my object is to realize something like a compensation for my 
 time, labor and ingenuity; and being aware that it may perhaps conflict 
 with the interest of your society, I have concluded to propose to sell 
 them the exclusive right for the District of Columbia. To effect tliis 
 object, I propose that your society deputize some one to decide upon the 
 merits of the same; pledging myself to let them have it, as a body, for 
 less than I can get from an individual proprietor. 
 
 Let me hear from you early, or by the society. Respectfully, 
 
 I. D. IIlLL. 
 
 [Reply.] 
 
 \\'asiiington, November 18, 1840. 
 Mr. I. n. Hill: 
 
 Sir — In compliance with a resolution of Columbia Typographical So- 
 ciety. I acknowledge the receipt of your letter, apprising it of your in- 
 vention and your desire to dispose of it to said society. And, I am also 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 67 
 
 August 6, 1836, the Nashville (Tenn.) Typographical Society sent 
 out its revised constitution and price list, both of which will be found 
 in full in the appendix. It will be noticed that this society binds itself 
 by its constitution (art. 14) to "co-operate with the National Typograph- 
 ical Society" and to be represented in its convention. This society had 
 thirty-five members in 1836, and the "chapel" system was firmly estab- 
 lished in all offices. 
 
 During 1836 a letter was received from the Typographical Society 
 at Columbia, S. C. The letter, however, does not make clear whether 
 the society had just been organized or not. This society sent out a "rat 
 list" in 1842, and seems to have gone down in a strike of that year. 
 
 December 3, 1836, the Washington society, "owing to the advance 
 in the price of products generally" (by which is meant the cost of liv- 
 ing) (a) asked for "an advance of about 10 per cent on our present 
 tariff prices for the employing printers of the District;" and appointed 
 a committee to revise the scale and call on the employers. January 7, 
 1837, the committee reported that the employers had agreed to the new 
 scale, and it was ordered printed. (See Appendix B, No. 6.) It is im- 
 possible to ignore the evidence of the slowness of the world's affairs in 
 those days when we reflect that this was the first change in price list 
 adopted by the society since the original one of 1815, and that was but 
 a schedule of prices already paid and had been in existence for several 
 years. Wage scales that last twenty-two years without alteration will 
 not be numerous in this century. 
 
 February 4, 1837, the Typographical Society at Lexington, Ky., sent 
 out a circular, which, like the one from Columbia, S. C, does not state 
 clearly when the society was formed. 
 
 In 1838 the St. Louis (Mo.) Typographical Association sent out a 
 protest against a perpetual "ratting" of printers who had conducted 
 themselves honorably in other cities. The occasion of this was that a 
 
 instructed to say, that, while they wish you success in your undertak- 
 ing, they do not feel themselves justified in offering you any pecuniary 
 aid; nor do they feel willing to abet in bringing into operation anything 
 that would encroach upon the rights of those who have given years of 
 labor and privation to acquire a knowledge of a business which they had 
 reason to believe would yield them a support in after life. You propose 
 to distribute and set type by machinery! Shade of the immortal Faust. 
 thou art forever eclipsed. Rut should your invention prove beneficial 
 to the craft, we will hail you as a benefactor. Your profc-ssums of re- 
 gard for this society, and the craft at large, are duly appreciated. 
 Yours respectfully, in behalf of Col. Typo. So., 
 
 David H. Hanlow. 
 Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 a As indicative of the cost of living, the prices quoted from the 
 central market at Washington, D. C, September 18, 1837. arc here re- 
 produced: "Beef, from 6!4 to izVi cents per pound; corned l>ccf. 8 
 cents; veal, 6J4 to 10 cents; pork, 12 cents; mutton. fiVi to 10 cents per 
 pound; lamb, 50 to 75 cents per quarter; ham, 14 cents per pound; but- 
 ter 20 to 2S cents; butter, print, 31^ to iyVi cents; lard. \2V, cents 
 per pound; chickens, $2 to $3 per dozen; eggs, 15 cents; corn (green). 
 12H cents per dozen; potatoes, 50 cents per bushel; sweet potatoes, J7y4 
 cents per peck; corn meal, %i.i zYi per bushel; rye meal, 80 cent* per 
 bushel." 
 
68 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 printer who had worked in the Duff Green plant in Washington, D. C, 
 in 1836 or 1837, went to St. Louis, Mo., and obtained a situation, when 
 it was discovered he was on the rat list sent out from Washington. 
 The St. Louis society testified that the man had "conducted himself hon- 
 orably" in St. Louis, and wanted to know how long the rat list was ex- 
 pected to last. The Washington society in reply granted its permission 
 to the St. Louis association to accept this man as a member, and annulled 
 its rat list of 1836. 
 
 May 4, 1839, the Washington society adopted the "chapel system." 
 From Louisville, Ky., came a letter stating that the Louisville Typo- 
 graphical Association was formed April i, 1839. "There having been 
 heretofore two societies in this city, which now exist no more, we have 
 organized upon entirely different lines." During the year several so- 
 cieties were heard from for the first time, some only recently organized, 
 while others appear to have been in existence for some time. Vicksburg, 
 Miss., for instance, sent out a "rat list" and asked for an exchange of 
 same; Columbus, Ohio, was first heard of July 6, 1839, the letter not be- 
 ing preserved in the minutes. Detroit, Mich., sent out a strike notice 
 stating that the association had been compelled to strike for wages due 
 and unpaid. Rochester, N. Y., reported that an organization had just 
 been effected; as did Frankfort, Ky., and Tallahassee, Fla. The letter 
 of the latter organization, with the reply of the Washington society to 
 that of Frankfort, Ky., are of sufficient importance to reproduce here in 
 full; as is also a letter of the Washington society to the Boston Typo- 
 graphical Society, which was organized in 1838.(0) 
 
 o Below is a copy of the letter received from the Tallahassee (Fla.) 
 association, giving rates of wages and cost of living at that time: 
 
 Tallahassee, November 30, 1839. 
 Gentlemen — The journeymen printers of Tallahassee have formed 
 themselves into an association for the purpose of regulating prices, as 
 well as for their general benefit. They have also instructed me to ad- 
 dress you, in behalf of the association, to beg that you will warn those 
 who feel desirous of coming to this place, against the propriety of do- 
 ing so under an engagement for less than the prices we have adopted, 
 which are $18 per week — that they will have to pay here, for board, 
 from $6 to $10 per week; clothing and other expenses double, and often- 
 times treble to that of the northern prices, and all other things in pro- 
 portion. 
 
 In craving the endeavors of your excellent association in our be- 
 half, I am, sir, in the name of the Florida Typographical Association, 
 Most respectfully, your obt. ser't., 
 
 S. L NowLiN, Sec'y. 
 To THE President and Members 
 
 OF THE Wash. Typo. Society. 
 
 The following is in reply to a letter from Frankfort, Ky.: 
 
 Washington, October 6, 1839. 
 
 Dear Sir — Mr. Jefferson laid your circular and letter before the 
 
 Columbia Typographical Society last evening; and our members were 
 
 much gratified on being informed of a new auxiliary in the "profession 
 
 of letters." We look to your section of country with as much solicitude 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 
 
 69 
 
 The most important event of this year (1839), however, in view of 
 the continued apprenticeship troubles, was the action of the New Or- 
 
 as we do to the north for the advancements of our interests; and are 
 pleased to perceive in each a proper attention evinced to the subject. A 
 new society was formed in Boston about a year ago and it now numbers 
 seventy members. The old one was composed of a few journeymen and 
 of master workmen, "who now control its operations, thereby destroy- 
 ing the purposes for which it was established." The Hoston circular 
 remarks that the journeymen are "now prepared to assert their rights, 
 which they have too long neglected." This may be called "a in 
 the east." Since that period three other societies have been established, 
 of which yours is one. 
 
 While we are receiving such pleasing intelligence, we indulge the 
 hope that the recommendations of the national society have been re- 
 garded in framing the local constitutions. Among those the regulation 
 of apprentices is prominent: Every boy to serve for five years, to be 
 bound to his employer in due form of law, and to serve until 21 years 
 of age. The employers of Washington have sanctioned it, and those 
 elsewhere will, also, if they be made to understand how important it 
 will be to their interests and to ours. 
 
 In behalf of the Columbia Typographical Society, wishing you suc- 
 cess and everything which may advance your prosperity, I am, gentle- 
 men, yours respectfully, 
 
 I. A. GOBRICHT, 
 
 Cor. Sec. C. T. Society. 
 Messrs. Wm. Blanchard and J. R. Watson, 
 
 Frankfort, Ky. 
 
 The following is in reply to a circular sent out by the Boston so- 
 ciety as reorganized in 1838: 
 
 Washington, October 6, 1839. 
 To the Members of the Boston Typographical Society: 
 
 Gentlemen — The circular from your association was read to our so- 
 ciety last evening. The members were particularly pleased with its 
 spirit, as much from the fact of a new ally to our cause as from the ex- 
 pression that a "portion of the journeymen, animated by the noble ex- 
 ample set them by their brethren of the south, have at last awoke from 
 their supineness, and are now prepared to assert and maintain their just 
 rights, which they too long have neglected." It is from the north that 
 we have most to fear — it is in that section of country so many innova- 
 tions are made upon the profession; and it is there where journeymen 
 — many of them — have remained passive to the employer's injustice. 
 But, happily, in this age of reform, the "printer's trade" partakes of its- 
 influence, and every day develops some improvement in his condition. 
 Typographical societies are increasing everywhere, and all seem ani- 
 mated by the same principle of action. 
 
 The employers of this city have acquiesced in our proposition (sug- 
 gested by the national society) that every apprentice shall be bound to 
 his employer in due form of law — to serve five years — till 21. In a few 
 vears, if this rule be generally adopted and adhered to, the important 
 benefits resulting from it will be manifest. This is the great object to 
 which we should direct our attention, as it will eventually extirpate rats. 
 two-thirders, and runaway apprentices; and then we shall "sec the day 
 when the craft, and every member of it, shall be respected, as we are 
 convinced they possess the ability" to eflfcct the reformation. 
 
 In behalf of the Columbia Typographical Society, wishing you every 
 success, and hoping, with you, "that a good feeling may pervade the 
 journeymen printers of the union," I subscribe myself. 
 
 Respectfully yours, J- A. GoBmciir, 
 
 Cor. Sec. Col. T. S. 
 
70 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 leans Typographical Association. September i, 1838, this organization 
 sent out a circular letter notifying all societies that it was on strike 
 against one office in the city, that of David Felt & Co. August 3, 1839, 
 it sent out a "rat circular," doubtless growing out of the same difficulty. 
 In its constitution as revised September 14, 1839 (see Appendix A, No. 7, 
 where this is reproduced in full), this association prohibits (art. 12) any 
 member from working "on any English daily morning paper, on which 
 any apprentices may be employed." This is a far more radical solution 
 than has been attempted by any typographical union of today, except 
 that of New York city, where apprenticeship is abolished in daily news- 
 paper offices by agreement, and in Philadelphia, where the union consti- 
 tution prohibits them. January 8, 1840, the Boston association sent let- 
 ters asking for wage scale and stating it was making a list of wages 
 paid in all cities. Jackson (Miss.) Typographical Association was organ- 
 ized in 1840. The collapse of the National Society disheartened the lo- 
 cal societies and gave the "benefit" faction, or the "alimoners," as they 
 were called, the floor and the argument for a year or two. 
 
 April 4, 1840, the Mobile (.\la.) association, and June 6 of the 
 same year the New York association, each sent out "rat circulars" as a 
 result of strikes in which both organizations seem to have gotten their 
 death blow. Nowhere, outside of New Orleans, was the apprentice 
 trouble settled or even mollified, and even there it was controlled only 
 in the morning newspaper offices. The Washington society was permit- 
 ting special exceptions to its apprentice regulations; and in Philadelphia, 
 society members were working with boys and "two-thirders" until it was 
 said there were just journeymen enough in an office to tell the appren- 
 tices what to do. The whole subject was chaotic. In January, 1842, the 
 Wasfiington society appointed a committee to go over the entire matter. 
 The "alimoners" had a majority of the committee and were for the repeal 
 of all laws attempting to regulate trade affairs of this kind. The mi- 
 nority report was for strict enforcement. Taken together, these reports 
 form the most important document of this period on the subject. Not 
 only do we get here an inside view of the workings of the two factions 
 in the societies of the early printers, but we get a view of the situation 
 as seen by those most interested. For that reason the report, notwith- 
 standing its length, is given below: 
 
 "The committee appointed upon the apprentice regulations at the 
 last stated meeting submitted the two following reports, which were re- 
 ceived : 
 
 "The committee of the Columbia Typographical Society, to whom 
 the following resolution was referred, viz.: 'Resolved, That this society 
 appoint a committee to inquire into and report upon, the expediency of 
 either modifying, repealing or more rigidly enforcing the apprentice 
 regulations of the said society' — ask permission of the society respect- 
 fully to present their views in the following report: 
 
 "That your committee, in accordance with the above resolution, have 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK I'RINTKRS 71 
 
 duly considered the matter referred to them, and given to it that atten- 
 tion which the importance of the subject demands. That your committee 
 consider the above-named regulations were recommended by the general 
 convention of printers, with the intention, (in connection with other 
 measures,) to unite the societies of the difTerent cities for the advance- 
 ment of the interests of the craft; and could only be beneficial by gen- 
 eral adoption. That such has not been the case is evident to everyone, 
 for they have only been carried out by one society besides this. That, 
 as said project of union has totally failed of success, this society is un- 
 der no obligations to other societies to enforce said regulatii)ns. That 
 this society, itself, having violated the regulations in the case of the 
 boy (Bailey) taken into the office of Mr. Allen, and failed to enforce 
 them in numerous other instances where they have been openly violated, 
 can not now, with any hope of success, resolve to enforce them. Can 
 this society demand of employers an adherence to regulations that the 
 society was the first to violate? These regulations, by mutual agreement 
 between them, were equally binding upon this society and employers; 
 but, by your own act, ii^ the opinion of your committee, you have ab- 
 solved the employers from all obligation to adhere to them. When vio- 
 lations of said regulations have occurred, and been reported to this 
 society, you have, more than once, appointed committees to confer with 
 the employers on the subject, but without any satisfactory result. Some 
 have promised to comply with the wishes of the society; others have 
 treated you with contemptuous silence, and all have continued to vio- 
 late the apprentice regulations, as long as it was their interest to do so. 
 That, in the opinion of your committee, the aforesaid regulations oi)erate 
 in favor of the employer, and against the interests of the journeymen: 
 the long term of apprenticeship and the legal power given to the master 
 to make the apprentice serve the full term of five years, certainly offers 
 greater inducements to employers to take apprentices, and bring them in 
 competition with journeymen, than the old system, under which — the 
 term of apprenticeship depending altogether on the will of the boy, the 
 master possessing no legal power to detain him — there was less induce- 
 ment to bring apprentices in competition with journeymen. In a word, 
 the regulations, as they now stand, are a dead letter, and as long as 
 they remain in, and are acknowledged by, this society, as a part of its 
 constitution, without, at the same time, enforcing them, they are a dis- 
 grace and reproach to us. That, in the opinion of your committee, it is 
 inexpedient to modify or enforce said regulations. That, in the opinion 
 of your committee, if this society, in its wisdom, should sec fit to repeal 
 the said regulations, it will settle all differences now existing between 
 this society and employers in relation to apprentices, prevent future col- 
 lisions of the same nature; still the murmurs and dissatisfaction of a 
 large and respectable minority of this society; and give peace and good 
 feelings where we have long had agitation and angry contention. 
 
 "In conclusion, your committee would respectfully recommend the 
 following resolution for adoption, and ask to be discharged from the 
 further consideration of the subject: 'Rcsohed. That the apprentice 
 
n 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 regulations of the Columbia Typographical Society be, and they are 
 
 hereby, repealed.' 
 
 "c. w. c. dunnington, 
 "John T. C. Clark, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 "A minority of the committee of the Columbia Typographical So- 
 ciety, to whom was referred the subject of a repeal or modification of 
 the apprentice regulations of said society, respectfully begs leave to re- 
 port: 
 
 "That he has given the matter his most serious attention and 
 weighed all the arguments that presented thernselves to his mind; for 
 and against these regulations, in the calm balance of reflection. For 
 the repeal of the regulations, there appear to exist the following reasons: 
 First, because the regulations were framed to meet a general law on the 
 subject, to be in force in all cities throughout the Union, whereas said 
 general law has only been complied with in one city besides this. Sec- 
 ond, because the regulations were not made in accordance with long- 
 established usage, either in this or in any other age and country, but 
 were merely got up as an experiment, which experiment has failed to 
 stand the test of five years' successful application. Third, because this 
 society has itself specially authorized an infraction of the regulations in 
 one instance and not promptly condemned their infraction in other in- 
 stances. Fourth, because a very respectable minority in this society, in 
 number and character, have always regarded the regulations as irregu- 
 lar, and not within the purview of the society's original jurisdiction — a 
 minority which has sufficiently increased of late to call for some con- 
 cession, or else the most convincing arguments, from the majority. 
 
 "These reasons appear to be of such weight as to entitle them to 
 great consideration. The closing part of the last season might seem to 
 many particularly cogent as regards the mere expediency of repeal, from 
 the fact that the regulations of a society of operatives can scarcely ever 
 be beneficial or effective, unless approved by two-thirds of those who are 
 to carry them into effect. The undersigned has been mindful of the 
 strength of the reasons in favor of repeal, and also of the deduction 
 which may be naturally drawn from the closing portion of the last; but 
 he has deemed it due to the investigation in which he is engaged, to 
 turn to the other side, and see what reasons may be offered for the re- 
 tention and maintenance of these regulations. They may be stated as 
 follows: First, the regulations prevent a too rapid multiplication of 
 journeymen, by withdrawing from parents and guardians the induce- 
 ment of putting boys to the business as a temporary stay or relief, who, 
 having served a couple of years, are turned out to compete with journey- 
 men of more mature experience. Second, they improve the quality of 
 such apprentices as do serve, by affording them ample time to learn their 
 business, a complete knowledge of which always stimulates them, in 
 every situation in life, to a regard for the honor of the craft. Third, 
 masters will readily start the printing business with apprentices only, 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 73 
 
 when they can transfer or abandon such apprentices at will. Fourth, 
 boys who are initiated into the business from temporary expediency, be- 
 sides excluding journeymen to a certain extent, while serving their ap- 
 prenticeship, frequently return, on the failure of other business, at a 
 time when those who have made it the business of their lives can 
 scarcely procure employment at it — thereby increasing the general dis- 
 tress among the craft. Fifth, this society, from its foundation up to a 
 very short period before the adoption of these regulations, showed its 
 partiality for long apprenticeships by requiring four years of such serv- 
 ice to be one of the constituent qualifications of membership. Sixth, 
 the small number of apprentices now, in this city, compared with what 
 there were when these regulations were established, affords the most 
 irrefragable evidence of the efficacy and good result of the regulations. 
 
 "The undersigned, after such a hesitancy as is involved in the fore- 
 going citation of the merits of the case, has concluded to, and does, 
 recommend an adherence to the apprentice regulations. He believe* 
 they have been productive of much good to the master, the journeyman, 
 and the apprentice: to the master, by increasing his net profit on the 
 apprentice's labor; to the journeyman, by limiting the number of his 
 competitors; to the apprentice, by affording him a competent experience; 
 and to all, through an amenity and congeniality of sentiment engen- 
 dered by the system. He thinks that their repeal would be but an enter- 
 ing wedge to split and divide our society on all the regulations which 
 it has established for the general welfare. He also believes there is no 
 middle ground. Modification would only multiply the attacks of those 
 interested in repeal, as well as the enemies of the society. Special in- 
 stances may occur where an exception to the regulations will be neces- 
 sary — such as where the family to which an apprentice belongs is remov- 
 ing from one section of country to another; but in such special instances 
 the undersigned apprehends a vote of two-thirds can readily be obtained 
 to authorize such exception. 
 
 "In conclusion, the undersigned asks that the committee be dis- 
 charged from the further consideration of the subject. 
 
 "(Signed) "F- J"""*"*- 
 
 "Mr. Delano offered the following resolution: 'Resolved, That the 
 apprentice regulations be enforced forthwith." For which Mr. Drew 
 offered the following as a substitute: •Resoked, That a committee of 
 vigilance be appointed, to consist of one member of this society in each 
 office, in the city, to supervise the admission of apprentices into the re- 
 spective offices in which the members of the committee may be engaRcd; 
 and that, on the admission of a new apprentice into an office, the com 
 mittee be required to wait upon the employer, on the authority of the 
 society, and inquire whether such apprentice has been taken in accord- 
 ance with the regulations of this society, and to report the same to the 
 society; and that said committee also be authorized to pursue a like 
 course with regard to those apprentices who are now working in offices 
 contrary to the rules of the society.' " 
 
y^ A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Nothing, however, came of it at this time. By resolution the so- 
 ciety had appointed a committee November 6, 1841, to make a list of 
 all the "journeymen now employed in the several offices of this city 
 designating the number that are members of this society, the number 
 that have been, but from any cause have ceased to be members; and the 
 number that have never been attached to the society." 
 
 April 2, 1842, a resolution to prohibit members from working with 
 non-members after January i, 1843, was introduced, this being the first 
 attempt in Washington to discriminate against merely non-union men as 
 distinguished, of course, from "rats," or men working under the scale. 
 The argument of the resolution is identical with that used by unions 
 against the non-union man today: 
 
 "Whereas, Experience has clearly demonstrated that it has been 
 only by the formation and continuance of the Col. Typ. So. that the 
 craft have been enabled to attain their present prosperous condition, in 
 a moral and pecuniary point of view, in this city; and 
 
 "Whereas, A crisis has arrived in the affairs of the profession, 
 which calls for a rally of all members of the craft in support of the 
 constitution and regulations of the society; and believing that all who 
 work at the business in this city are benefited by the existence of said 
 society, and bound, both by honor and interest, to contribute to its sup- 
 port. Therefore, 
 
 . "i. Resolved, That every person working at the business will be re- 
 quired to make application to join this society within one month from 
 the time of his commencing work at any office in this city, at a regular 
 stated meeting of the society. 
 
 "2. Resolved, That on the refusal or neglect of any to comply with 
 the regulation contained in the foregoing resolution, or in case of the 
 rejection of such applicant, the members of this society shall cease to 
 work in any office where such person may be employed. 
 
 "3. Resolved, That the foregoing resolution go into effect, as an 
 amendment to the constitution, on the ist day of January, 1843." 
 
 As a similar resolution was introduced in 1847, this, if passed (the 
 minutes do not show whether it was or not), does not appear to have 
 been very effective, but is none the less indicative of the sentiment of 
 the time. 
 
 In New York city early in 1844 the Franklin Typographical Asso- 
 ciation had been founded for the purpose of securing an advance in 
 wages. The scale, which was 28 cents per 1,000 ems and $11 a week, 
 was agreed upon at a meeting held April 13, 1844, to take effect April 
 15. At a meeting held on the latter date the following resolutions were 
 passed: 
 
 "Whereas, The Franklin Typographical Association have designated 
 the 15th day of April, 1844, as the time for the revised scale of prices 
 to go into operation; and 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 "Whereas, It is necessary for the association, to protect those who 
 may be thrown out of employment in consequence thereof, Therefore, 
 
 "Resolved, That all persons who may be thrown out of employment 
 in consequence of demanding the advance designated in the scale, be 
 requested to report themselves to the board of management at Stoneal's 
 Hotel, Fulton street, on Monday, April 15, 1844, between the hours of 
 10 a. m. and 10 p. m. to receive such information, instructions and as- 
 sistance as circumstances may require. 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make arrange- 
 ments for the firing a salute of 100 guns on Monday, April 15, 1844, in 
 honor of the large number of the generous and liberal employers who 
 have already signified their willingness to pay the new scale." 
 
 This firing of guns was premature, if intended as a celebration of 
 victory. May 6, 1844, the association opened reading rooms and a 
 house of call at No. 109 Nassau street for the use of all the journeymen 
 printers, and where "members of the association out of employment are 
 requested to call and register their names and addresses." It was, in 
 fact, a "headquarters of the strikers" such as we know today. Matters 
 grew worse and worse for the association. July 22 the following "ad- 
 dress" was issued: 
 
 "The corresponding secretary of the Franklin Typographical Asso- 
 ciation having been duly appointed by the board of managers to confer 
 with certain printers concerning prices, respectfully submits the follow- 
 ing report: 
 
 "Saturday morning, July 20, I called on John F. Trow, the corpora- 
 tion printer, and stated to him that I had been appointed by the associa- 
 tion, to inquire of him if there was any truth in the rumor that he was 
 about to reduce prices in his book office. He answered me very haugh- 
 tily, 'Suppose there is?' I said that I did not come to explain why he 
 should not reduce prices, but merely to ask what truth there was in the 
 rumor. Again he replied, 'Suppose there is?' I asked him if that wa» 
 his only answer. He replied that he acknowledged no right in the as- 
 sociation to ask him questions; that the association had been the cause 
 of difficulty in his office, and that he was determined to 'set his face 
 against' this or any other association that should assume the right of 
 dictation as to what men should receive for their labor. He should 'set 
 his face against the association.' He held that he had the right to pay 
 what he pleased for work, and that no one had a right to say a word in 
 the matter; and he was 'determined to set his face against the associa- 
 tion.' 
 
 ".'\fter this ebullition of superfluous breath, the gentlemanly corpo- 
 ration printer set his back against me and I walked off. 
 
 "Printers of New York! have you no interest in this matter? A 
 portion of your number, by great exertion formed an association— upon 
 a liberal and benevolent plan— have adopted a scale of prices to which 
 
76 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 these very men acceded, and which every honorable employer considers 
 fair and just. 
 
 "This scale of prices will put more money in your pocket in a month 
 than the association will take from you in a whole year. 
 
 "H you who are not members of our association would come up and 
 join — if you would help yourselves fight your own battles — we might 
 give such answer as would effectually convince Mr. John F. Trow, and 
 otliers of his belief, that free and independent men, men who earn an 
 honest livelihood by the sweat of their brow, have a right to dictate to 
 fellow-men — aye though their names be not blazoned six several times 
 in gorgeousness of gold leaf and black paint upon the walls of a four- 
 story building. 
 
 "Hut if the mass of journeymen printers will remain idle in this 
 business — if they will shun all opportunity for benefiting themselves — 
 ti:cn they must submit to be insolently told that they have no right to 
 ask a fair return for their labor, that they must take what their mas- 
 ters choose to offer, and be silant; they must be content to cringe before 
 the sou less tyrant who by any means may happen to possess control 
 over a case of type and a rickety press; they must be content to live or 
 die, to feast or starve, as the greed and avarice of the employer may 
 dictate. 
 
 "Fellow-journeymen! have you not as fair a right to sunlight and 
 shade, to air and existence as any other breathing mortal? If so, then 
 protect that right, for it is in danger. The men who would deprive you 
 of a portion of your hard-earned wages, were willing for their own in- 
 terests to pay the scale at the time of its adoption. 
 
 "Business was brisk then, work was plenty, and men were in de- 
 mand. Now work is scarce, and for that reason these fellows would cut 
 down your wages! as if the laborer was responsible for the decrease of 
 business, and his wife and children must be punished and starved so 
 that the employer's account of profits and gain may foot up as they did 
 when business was good. Oh, charitable, enlightened, benevolent logic 
 that would reduce the compensation for work because work is scarce. 
 
 "In view of these circumstances, we call upon the journeymen print- 
 ers of New York to come up, not to help us individually, nor for the 
 purpose of parade or display, but come up for the benefit of yourselves, 
 for your own protection, for the protection of your wives and children— 
 for the protection of their honor — for the protection of the honor and the 
 dignity of labor, and the character of freemen; all of which are endan- 
 gered by the illiberal, selfish and unjust actions of a certain number of 
 purse-proud mortals. 
 
 "T. F. Ottarson, 
 ''Corresponding Secretary," 
 
 The last meeting of this militant association, so far as can be 
 learned, was held December 21, 1844. About this time, or possibly in 
 1843, an attempt was made to found a national secret society, to be 
 composed of picked men from the local associations in all cities, and 
 to be called "The Order of Faust." The move was started in New 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK I'RINTHRS 7- 
 
 York City, and it is said that such of the leaders as were approached 
 in Albany, Washington, Cincinnati, Boston and Philadelphia were 
 ready to join and to found co-ordinate branches. Only rumors of it 
 ever reached the surface, and if such secret society was ever really 
 formed it did not get beyond New York, and never exerted any in- 
 fluence. 
 
 The years from 1844 to 1847 were remarkable for nothing but the 
 same old temporizing struggle over apprentices, and the ever-swelling 
 army of "two-thirders," which was augmented continuously from 
 the apprentices. In 1845, in Washington, a group of printers forming 
 a committee from the society were arrested upon a charge of "con- 
 spiracy," as the result of an attempt to enforce the society's appren- 
 ticeship regulations, which all of the employers (including those caus- 
 ing the arrest) had agreed to for years, but which nobody, not even 
 the society, had paid much attention to. The extent to which appren- 
 tices were substituted for journeymen, as compared with the present 
 time, can be best realized by reference to an incident in Detroit. Mich. 
 In 1846 the apprentices struck on a Detroit newspaper, and publication 
 was suspended for two days because there were not journeymen enough 
 to do the work. November 22, 1847, the Albany (N. Y.) association 
 sent out a letter stating that contractors had taken the state printing 
 at 17 cents per 1,000 ems, and were hiring boys at $3 a week to do the 
 work. The next year the Albany union limited the number of appren- 
 tices. In 1847 the Baltimore association adopted a constitutional 
 amendment limiting apprentices at the ratio of one apprentice to each 
 three journeymen. In the convention of 1850 the Baltimore delegates, 
 as well as those of Albany, urged limitation, and referred to that of 
 their own unions, but without mentioning the ratio. Mr. H. T. Ogden, 
 of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was a delegate to the convention of 1850. in 
 an interview for this report kindly supplied this important information. 
 Mr. Ogden went to Cincinnati in 1847, and his first employment was in 
 a job office where there were three journeymen and five boys, called 
 apprentices, but were only so in name. Mr. Ogden thinks that was 
 about the ratio throughout the Middle West at that time. Few offices 
 had more than one or two journeymen. He remembers that in the best 
 office in Lexington, Ky., in 1836, there was one journeyman and five ap- 
 prentices in the news composing rooms and one journeyman and one 
 apprentice in the job room. In 1847 Mr. Ogden corresponded with the 
 Baltimore union and got its apprenticeship limitation rule, which was 
 adopted by the Cincinnati union in 1848. In 1849 there seems to have 
 been a rivalry between the radical and conservative elements, the 
 former wishing to further restrict apprentices by increasing the ratio to 
 r to 4. Mr. Ogden was the candidate of the "i to 3" party, ind was 
 elected president of the union. The Cincinnati scale in 1848 was |io 
 a week. The scale for 1853 will be found in Appendix D, No. la. 
 
 In 1848 the Typographical Union of Boston was organized. A 
 preliminary meeting to discuss organization was held December 8, 1848. 
 at the residence of Mr. Henry K. Oliver, who later became the fir»t 
 chief of the first bureau of the statistics of labor. Final organization 
 
78 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was effected December i6, 1848, with approximately sixty members. The 
 prices paid at that time were 25 cents per 1,000 ems to first-class jour- 
 neymen in the best offices and 16?^ cents to "two-thirders," who out- 
 numbered the journeymen about two to one. The union issued a cir- 
 cular in December, 1848, in which it said: 
 
 "There are in Boston 156 journeymen working 12 hours each 
 day and 7 days each week, who receive on an average of $9.25 per 
 week. There are 323 journeymen working 10 hours each day and 6 
 days each week, who receive on an average of $6 per week." 
 
 The scale of prices demanded by the union in 1849 was 28 cents 
 per 1,000 ems, with a weekly rate of $13 on morning papers; for even- 
 ing and semi-weekly papers, 28 cents per 1,000, and $10 for weekly rate. 
 Job offices and weekly papers paid the same piece rate, or $9 a week 
 on weekly rate; time work was 20 cents an hour. 
 
 The Pittsburg (Pa.) Typographical Association, formed in 1849, 
 issued a scale of prices, which is reproduced in Appendix B, No. 8. 
 This union proposed at first only a three-year indentured apprentice- 
 ship for all boys employed in offices; but in 1850 or 1851 adopted a 
 limitation of apprentices at "i to 3." The Boston union of 1848 tried 
 to solve its problems by refusing to admit to membership any who had 
 not served a four-year apprenticeship and had recommendations as a 
 good printer. It is difficult to see how this would solve the problem 
 of the "two-thirder," who was content to remain a two-thirder and out 
 of the union, however, as it is not at all clear that members refused 
 to work with non-union men at first, and certainly not with non-union 
 men who claimed to be only apprentices, as the "two-thirders," when 
 driven to defense, invariably did. In 1849 the Boston union had a 
 long and bitter strike to enforce its new scale. 
 
 December 29, 1849, a meeting attended by 27 compositors from 
 the daily newspaper offices was held in New York City to discuss 
 organization and the prospects of securing a uniform scale of wages 
 throughout the city. This was accomplished January 19, 1850, by the 
 organization of the New York Typographical Union (now "Big Six") 
 and the adoption of a scale calling for 32 cents per 1,000 ems, which 
 the employers acceded to without friction. Hon. Horace Greeley, having 
 accepted an invitation to do so, was elected its first president; "working 
 cards" with his signature as president still exist and are greatly prized 
 by their owners, (a) 
 
 a The New York Tribune of January 21, 1850, contains the follow- 
 ing notice of the organization and condensation of the constitution 
 adopted: 
 
 At a meeting of the New York Printers' Union held on Saturday 
 evening, January 19, 1850, the following officers were elected: President, 
 Horace Greeley; vice-president, Edgar II. Rogers; recording secretary, 
 William li. Prindle: financial secretary, R. Cunningham; corresponding 
 secretary, George Johnson; treasurer, Thomas N. Rooker. 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE NEW YORK PRINTERS* UNION. 
 
 The objects of the union shall be the maintenance of a fair rate of 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTERS -y 
 
 A typographical union existed in San Francisco. Cal.. and one in 
 Trenton, N. J., in 1850; but whether organized in that year or not. is 
 not known. The San Francisco scale of wages was $5 a day. Likewise 
 the printers of Savannah, Ga., and those of Syracuse, N. Y., report or- 
 ganization and trouble in September, 1850, but do not clearly indicate 
 how long they had been organized. 
 
 wages, the assistance and encouragement of good workmen, the support 
 of members in sickness and distress, the relief of deserving prmtir* 
 who may visit our city in search of employment, the establishment of a 
 library for the use and instruction of members, and to use every means 
 in our power which may tend to the elevation of printers in the scale 
 of social life. 
 
 1. The officers of this union shall consist of a president, vice-presi- 
 dent, a recordmg secretary, a financial secretary, a corresponding secre- 
 tary, a treasurer, a financial committee of three to serve one year, a 
 visiting committee of seven to serve for three months, a relief commit- 
 tee of five to serve for six months, and a board of five trustees to be 
 elected annually. 
 
 2. The regular meetings of the union are to be held on the first and 
 third Saturdays of each month, and special meetings may at any time 
 be called, at the request of six members, signified in writing to the 
 president. 
 
 3. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum for the transacting of 
 business. 
 
 4. The initiation fee is $1, and application for admission mav be 
 made through any member, the applicant first depositing in the hands of 
 the financial secretary the sum of $1. 
 
 5. At the next meeting after his proposition the union shall take 
 his request into consideration and it shall thereupon be balloted for by 
 ball ballots, and if the applicant shall receive three-quarters of all the 
 ballots, he shall be entitled to a certificate of membership. 
 
 6. Any printer who has attained the age of 21 years, who is in 
 sound health, and of good moral standing in society, may become a mem- 
 ber by complying with the requirements of the constitution. 
 
 7. Members may pay their dues monthly if they prefer if, and 
 should the liabilities of the union in consequence of benefits to sick and 
 superannuated members exceed the receipts thereof, then three-quarter* 
 of the members present at a regular meeting, or at a special (in which 
 not less than twenty members shall form a quorum) shall have pi)\\cr 10 
 lay an assessment not to exceed the sum of $j in any one year upon 
 every member of the union in addition to all other constitutional dues. 
 
 8. In addition to the initiation fee of $1, the sum of $6.50 per an- 
 num will be required from each member as dues, payable quarterly on 
 the first Saturday of April, July, October and January. 
 
 9. Members who are rendered unable to work by sickness shall re- 
 ceive the sum of $4 per week, and in case of death of a member's wife. 
 $20. In case of the death of a member an assessment of js cents upon 
 each member will be made for defraying the funeral expense*. The 
 surplus, if any, to go into the general fund. 
 
 10. No member shall be entitled to receive any benefits until he 
 shall have been a member one year. 
 
 11. Whenever a new member is proposed a committee of investiga- 
 tion of the members shall he appointed to inquire into the qualification* 
 of the candidate and report in writing at the next regular meeting. 
 
 12. The widows and orphans of members who arc qualified at the 
 time of their decease shall, upon the recommendation of a committee 
 appointed to investigate the circumstances, be allowed such assutances 
 as the union may from time to time direct. 
 
 13. This union may at any future time adopt a scale of pr»cet for 
 the governance of the trade- and any printer who may be working lor 
 less than such scale shall not be considered a proper perton to be • 
 member of this union. 
 
8o A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The present typographical union in Philadelphia was organized 
 August 10, 1850, adopting a constitution and by-laws (reproduced in 
 Appendix A, No. 8), and price list, which is given in full in Appendix 
 B, No. 9. This constitution limits apprentices, and prohibits its mem- 
 bers from working with "two-thirders." The union was immediately in- 
 volved in a strike. September 18, 1850, there were 425 members en- 
 rolled and 30 journeymen who had refused to join, but were not work- 
 ing below the scale. September 21 the "vigilance committee" reported 
 55 "two-thirders" and 60 unbound boys in the printing offices of the 
 city, and gave name and detailed personal description of each. The 
 strike lasted into December, when the committee reported to the union 
 that it could not win the strike with the demands as they then stood; 
 recommending the repeal of the limitation on apprentices, that being the 
 one demand most bitterly opposed by employers, and the one which 
 alienated public sentiment. The sections of the by-laws limiting appren- 
 tices were repealed, as the union was unable by strike to enforce them. 
 September 28, 1850, the New York union issued a call for a national 
 convention, Boston and Philadelphia joining in the call. 
 
 The National Convention of Journeymen Printers of the United 
 States met December 2, 1850, in New York City, with delegates from 
 unions in the following cities: New York City; Albany, N. Y. ; Balti- 
 more, Md. ; Trenton, N. J.; Philadelphia, Pa., and Louisville, Ky. The 
 cities heard from by letters read in convention were Boston, St. Louis, 
 San Francisco, Washington and Cincinnati. The time of the convention 
 of 1850 was largely taken up with the discussion of a proposition to 
 limit the number of apprentices. Mr. Conway, of Baltimore, started it 
 by offering the following resolution: 
 
 "Resolved, That the principle now in successful operation in Balti- 
 more city, limiting the number of apprentices in the various printing 
 offices, be earnestly recommended to the trade throughout the country." 
 
 All the delegates seemed to favor limiting apprentices, but some 
 construed the resolution as committing the convention to the Balti- 
 more plan of restriction, and others wanted the local unions to quietly 
 adopt the plan without the publicity which the adoption of the reso- 
 lution by the national convention would excite. This was the view of 
 the Philadelphia delegates, one of whom, Mr. Keyes, objected princi- 
 pally to the Baltimore method and introduced the substitute resolution 
 which finally passed, as follows: 
 
 "Resolved, That the limiting of the number of apprentices be ear- 
 nestly recommended to the various unions throughout the country, for 
 their adoption." 
 
 The report says: "All agreed as to its utility and justice; the only 
 question was as to its expediency." The Philadelphia delegate espe- 
 cially, "though favorable to the principle in itself, was opposed to its 
 being so openly proclaimed. He thought it would be employed to injure 
 
 i 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS Ol' I'KINTKKS yj 
 
 the trade." It will be remembered riiiladelpliia had just lost a strike on 
 this issue. The Baltimore delegates were divided on the wisdom of 
 openly demanding the restriction, Mr. Conway, however, carrying the 
 question by an address in which he said: 
 
 "The gentlemen on the other side urge that it should be adopted bjr 
 the different unions quietly, without exciting attention to the subject. 
 He thought that the adoption of it by the different unions would excite 
 more attention and hostility than the mere recommendation of it, by 
 this convention. But he did not think we could be injured by any 
 opposition which either its adoption or its recommendation Itiight pro- 
 voke. The same objection might be urged to every measure of re- 
 form which was proposed. If we are going to be regulated in our 
 actions by the opinions of the employing class, and those whom they 
 control, we might as well go home at once and submit ourselves entirely 
 to established usages. » ♦ * jf there were people hostile to this 
 [limiting apprentices], so were there people hostile to the assembling of 
 this convention, or to the adoption of any measure calculated to redeem 
 the trade from the control of the capitalist. We are not here to con- 
 sult their selfish views, but our own interests, in our actions upon this 
 as well as all other measures. 
 
 "The New York delegates described the apprentice situation in that 
 city and favored the resolution calling for a limitation. 'Too many print- 
 ers have been manufactured of late years. New York City affords a 
 miserable proof of this fact. The system is prolific of "rats." Let ap- 
 prentices be limited and journeymen would be in demand. The price of 
 labor would be increased and placed in a position which would enable 
 it to compete successfully with the power of capital.' " 
 
 The resolution was adopted, and the printers' organizations from 
 i8so stood committed to the principle of limiting the number of appren- 
 tices as a defense against what had amounted to child labor, althouRh 
 the local unions of Baltimore, Albany, New Orleans and Cincinnati had 
 been acting upon this principle for several years previously. 
 
 After debates and amendments, the convention finally agreed upon 
 the following: 
 
 "Resolved, That this convention recommend to our brethren 
 throughout the country the formation of unions on the following !»»«»: 
 
 "Resolved. That a standing national executive committee, of three 
 from each state, be appointed to enforce the execution of all resolu- 
 tions of this convention, bearing upon the different sections here repre- 
 sented; to gather information on all matters of interest to the trade: \o 
 report the same quarterly to the different unions, and to the next con- 
 vention when it assembles; to make arrangements for the assemblinR of 
 the next convention, and also to attend to whatever else the convcn.inn 
 may direct, during the interim between the adjournment of this and the 
 assembling of the next convention. 
 
 "Resolved, That this convention strcnn-M-Ov iirer the journermea 
 
82 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 printers of every city and town in the United States (provided there 
 are six or more employed in such place) to form themselves into unions 
 and establish connection with each other for the purpose of securing 
 united action upon every question involving the interests of the trade; 
 and that on and after the ist day of February, 1851, no journeyman 
 printer, coming from any city or town known to contain the organiza- 
 tion provided for above, will be allowed to work in any locality embraced 
 within this organization unless he exhibit a certificate of membership 
 from the society situated in the place from which he comes." 
 
 This resolution was the result of a compromise. The committee 
 originally appointed by the convention to draft a plan had reported a 
 very modest resolution, urging organization. One of the delegates 
 from Baltimore, Mr. M. F. Conway, who throughout the proceedings 
 advocated the more radical measures, proposed as a substitute fer the 
 committee report one which would prevent any printer, after Febru- 
 ary i, 1851, getting work in any city represented in that convention 
 unless he was a member of a union in the town he came from. This 
 would compel every town where ten printers were employed to form a 
 union if any of the ten should ever desire to get employment in any 
 other town or city where a union existed. The New York delegates 
 declared such a rule could not be enforced in New York City; the 
 union there was not strong enough. Mr. Conway was willing to except 
 New York City from the provisions of the resolution, owing to the 
 weakness of the organization there. Philadelphia likewise opposed this 
 radical action, and finally Delegate Greene, of Louisville, Ky., proposed 
 as a substitute the above compromise resolution, which was adopted. 
 The interest in this debate is the side light it throws on the relative 
 strength of the unions in the various localities then as compared with 
 the present, and the exhibition of good sense by the convention in ruling 
 against an extreme measure, which would doubtless have arrayed the 
 employers and unorganized printers solidly against it at its very in- 
 ception. 
 
 The basis upon which local unions were to be organized was stated 
 by resolution, under seven headings, as follows: 
 
 "First. Regulation and adjustment of the different scales of prices, 
 so as not to conflict with each other. 
 
 "Second. Giving traveling certificates to their members, in good 
 standing, to be legal for one year, which shall recommend the holders 
 thereof to assitance and traveling expenses from the union in any 
 city or town wliere they can not obtain work: Provided, Said holders 
 have done nothing in the meantime, by a course of intemperance or 
 otherwise, to disqualify them from the same, of which fact the national 
 executive committee shall notify the unions or societies in otlier places. 
 
 "Third. Keeping a registry of the names of 'rats,' and other un- 
 worthy members of the trade, and description of their person, to be 
 sent to every union or society in the country, and to be kept by each 
 union for reference. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 8j 
 
 "Fourth. Receiving no stranger as a member of any union or tociety, 
 who shall not produce a legal certificate of membership from the society 
 or union of the place to which he belongs. 
 
 "FifUi. Levying a monthly contribution upon each member, suffi- 
 ciently large to enable it to accumulate within two years a sum equiva- 
 lent, at least, to $io for each member, as a reserve fund, in view of 
 their being compelled to quit work in vindication of their rights. 
 
 "Sixth. Establishing the right of any sister union or society to call 
 upon them for pecuniary assistance, if necessary, to the amount of |i 
 from each member: Provided, That all sums thus loaned shall be repaid 
 in monthly installments, equivalent to at least s per cent of the original 
 loan; the first installment to be paid within one month after the diffi- 
 culty calling for the loan shall have passed away. 
 
 "Seventh. Granting certificates from one union, to enable the mem- 
 bers thereof to become attached to any other, without paying an entrance 
 fee, provided the holder intends residing permanently within the bounds 
 of the union into which he seeks admission." 
 
 Another important move by this convention was to make a clear- 
 cut distinction between trade organizations and benefit associations. 
 The early printers were not actuaries, nor had the fine adjustment of 
 premium rates to risks and expectancy been made by any one in those 
 days; hence the inaccurate calculations at the base of the old benefit 
 societies naturally led to charges of bad management of funds, and 
 the trade-regulating purposes of organization were swamped and lost 
 with the collapse of the "benefit system." 
 
 After the discussion of a resolution, in which every delegate par- 
 ticipated, a substitute resolution was offered and passed unanirdously, 
 as follows: 
 
 "Resolved, That it be recommended to all typographical trade as- 
 sociations to abolish the so-called benefit system." 
 
 The contract system of doing public printing was denounced, al- 
 though the convention put on foot a plan by which the combined unions 
 of the country were to bid on the Government printing and execute the 
 same in a national union office in Washington. The establishment of a 
 Government Printing Office was denounced, and Congress called upon 
 to let the contracts only to "practical printers." The jewel of consist- 
 ency did not at all times adorn the proceedings. Numerous plans for 
 permanent national organization and extension of the chain of local 
 unions were discussed. 
 
 The convention issued an "Address to the journeymen printers of 
 the United States," which will be found in full in Appendix A. No. to. 
 
 This address, which "the committee took the liberty to append" to 
 the convention proceedings, and thus preserve, had, they state, "already 
 been published in many of the newspapers." It is not the purpose of 
 tliis article to comment on the documents submitted; but as this addrrw 
 would be considered extremely radical if issued by the International 
 
§4 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Typographical Union to-day, and as it is extremely improbable that any- 
 thing bordering on some of its sentiments could be passed in that organ- 
 ization, it is but fair to call attention to the fact that the lines between 
 radicalism and a progressive conservatism were not so clearly defined or 
 sharply drawn then as now. An attack upon the wage system of in- 
 dustry did not mean then what it means now. Such attacks had been 
 and were being made by the humanitarians of that day; and Greeley, 
 Dana, Alcott, Thoreau, and all they of the Brook Farm and countless 
 other experiments, were decrying the wage system without exciting any- 
 body, even themselves. Their plan of establishing co-operative communi- 
 ties and groups, like the Brook Farm or the proposed printing offiv-.e to 
 do the Government printing, "abolished the wage system" for individ- 
 uals and groups of individuals. It did not matter that their idea was to 
 extend these until all would eventually be in some group, since that was 
 so palpably impossible or infinitely remote in time that it was a perfectly 
 safe subject for discussion. That these reflections upon the wage sys- 
 tem in those days did not mean what the same language would mean 
 to-day is shown from the fact that the same convention unanimously 
 passed a resolution opposing a Government printing office. There was 
 nothing inconsistent about this then, for the theory that the wage 
 system can only be ultimately abolished for all by the final absorption 
 of industries by organized government had not been definitely formu- 
 lated by any school of thinkers in this country at that time. The 
 socialists of that day were St. Simonites, not Bellamyites, nor yet 
 Carl Marxians. Nevertheless, it is well to note that the history of 
 the typographical union is marked by the gradual elimination of gen- 
 era! propositions from its councils; the progressively emphatic tight- 
 ening of the lines on strictly trade matters. Its strength lies largely 
 in its experience and the long line of precedents established, which 
 enable it to know the best thing to do and to do that quickly and 
 with firmness. It is organized not vaguely at the top by the Interna- 
 tional alone, nor solely by the more compact local union; but in every 
 union printing office there is a chapel, or office organization, and its 
 discipline and control, as well as its attempt to adjust grievances, settle 
 troubles, or make agreements begins at the chapel. 
 
 The national executive committee was composed as follows : 
 
 Nciv York. — T. J. Walsh, Albany; Edwin H. Rogers, Peter Mac- 
 Donald, New York City. 
 
 Pennsylvania. — R. B. Smyth, John F. Keyser, W. B. Eckert, Phila- 
 delphia. 
 
 New Jersey. — Charles Bechtel, John Ilartman, William Gillipsy. 
 Trenton. 
 
 Alaryland. — M. F. Conway, Frederick Young, John W. Peregoy, 
 Baltimore. 
 
 Kentucky. — George E. Greene, J. L. Gibbons, Raymond Lynch, 
 Louisville. 
 
 The committee elected M. F. Conway, of Baltimore, as chairman of 
 the national executive committee. 
 
 The Second National Convention of Journeymen Printers met in 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 85 
 
 Baltimore, September 12, 1851. and organized with Mr. J. L. Gibbon*, 
 of Louisville, Ky., as chairman. Delegates were present representing 
 unions in New York City, Albany. Utica, Boston, Philadelphia, Pitt*- 
 burg, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Louisville, Cincinnati, Richmond, and 
 Trenton. A constitution was adopted, which, when ratified by the local 
 unions in five states, was to be the basis for a new and permanent or- 
 ganization, to be called the National Typographical Union. A copy of 
 this document will be found in Appendix A, No. 11. 
 
 Methods for promoting organization among printers and denuncia- 
 tions of the system of letting public printing by contract to the lowest 
 bidder occupied most of the time in their discussion, and little besides 
 the adoption of the constitution was done. A minority report from the 
 three strongest men on the general committee advised against permanent 
 organization and the adoption of a constitution at that convention. 
 Only one part of their report is important here. One principal reason 
 the minority gave was "that inasmuch as there are but 1 1 unions rep- 
 resented in this body, while there must be at least 50 in active opera- 
 tion throughout the country, and the unorganized material for as many 
 more," the minority did not believe it wise to attempt to construct a 
 permanent organization until a larger number of unions could be rep- 
 resented. Mr. Henry T. Ogden, of Cincinnati, was one of those sign- 
 ing this minority report, and he was interviewed on the statement made 
 that "there must be at least 50 unions in active operation" at the time 
 of this convention. Mr. Ogden's wonderful memory, reading back 
 from 1904 to 1851 with astonishing clearness, corroborated most em- 
 phatically the opinion forced by this investigation. He said: 
 
 "The use of the number 'fifty' was not the result of careful count- 
 ing; in fact, was not based upon any actual knowledge. It was a mere 
 guess. Mr. Conway, of Baltimore; Mr. Walsh, of Albany, and myself 
 thought we had better go slow on permanent constitutions, and as one 
 of the arguments, called attention to the mass of unrepresented printers. 
 Another thing is that, while the distinction between the old benefit 
 society with non-trade-interference constitution and the union idea was 
 very clear and strong in 1851, there was still a hope that all these bene- 
 fit societies would unionize their membership bodily as soon as a strong 
 national union was formed, and we were still counting on these. Never- 
 theless, I doubt if all three of us could have made a list of fifty, even 
 counting the benefit societies." 
 
 The apprenticeship recommendations of the convention of 1851 were 
 less radical than those of 1850, the evident policy being to throw every 
 important matter over to the convention of 185^. When. howe%er. the 
 convention of 1852 assembled it was as the Third National Convention 
 of Journeymen Printers, as the unions from the necessary five different 
 states had not yet signed the constitution of 1851 and paid the requi- 
 site $s. It was not until the fourth day of that convention— that ». on 
 May 6, 1852— that the needed signatures were obtained and the Natioaal 
 Union formed. By resolution, however, the convention on the third 
 
86 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 day of its session declared itself as acting under the constitution of 
 1851. There were delegates from Cincinnati, Indianapolis, New York 
 City, Albany, Louisville, Baltimore, Pittsburg, Harrisburg, Philadelphia, 
 Columbus, Boston, St. Louis, Memphis, Cleveland, and from Richland 
 and Ashland, Ky. Not all of these delegates, however seemed inclined 
 to take part in the convention, and the permanent organization was 
 formed upon definite assurances from but seven unions, as follows: 
 New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Albany, 
 and Pittsburg. Prior to the organization of the National Union, hence 
 within the scope of this article, the convention adopted a report of the 
 "committee on business," covering many of the questions that have been 
 brought down historically to this point. The two most important of 
 these resolutions were the following: 
 
 "Second. Resolved, That we discountenance the system known as 
 the two-thirds 'system, and strongly recommend to the subordinate 
 unions the propriety of crushing an evil so prejudicial to our interests 
 and our rights. 
 
 "Fourth. Resolved, That subordinate • unions be recommended to 
 use their influence, as far as possible, to do away with the employment 
 of apprentices on daily papers." 
 
 It must not, however, be inferred that either of these problems was 
 solved by resolutions. As stated above, on May 6, 1852, the organiza- 
 tion of National Journeymen Printers passed into the present National 
 Union, and the limit set upon this article is reached. 
 
 Quite a number of local societies and unions did not immediately 
 join in this national movement. The Washington society, which was 
 the prime factor in the national organization of 1836, declined to enter 
 that of 1850 or 1852, and was the last of the older organizations to join, 
 which it did in 1867. In Appendix B will be found the wage scales of this 
 society down to 1866, which was the last issued as an independent society. 
 The Washington union did not limit apprentices until it joined the 
 National Union in 1867. 
 
 No account is here taken of the local unions that withdrew from 
 the National and remained out for a few years. There was, however, 
 an organization movement in the Territories of the extreme West that 
 was entirely outside the sphere of influence of the National Union, and 
 must be referred to. The only document left by this movement, so far 
 as known, was found in 1904 in an old job printing office in Salem, 
 Ore. The original is the property of the typographical union of that 
 city. There is a copy in the collection of the Oregon Historical Society, 
 at Portland. The original is on parchment, and is as follows: 
 
 "journeymen printers' convention. 
 
 "Pursuant to notice the printers of Oregon and Washington Ter- 
 ritories met in convention in Portland, on Saturday evening, June n, 
 1853, for the purpose of organizing a typographical society. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS gy 
 
 "On motion, T. F. McFIroy was called to the chair, and K. M. Waite 
 appointed secretary. 
 
 "On motion. Ed M. Cowne, W. B. Affleck. H. S. Stipp and R. D. 
 Austin were appointed a committee to draft resolutions. 
 
 "The committee on resolutions reported the following, which were 
 unanimously adopted: 
 
 " 'Whereas, We, the printers of Oregon and Washington Territo- 
 ries, in considering the great disadvantage attendant upon the present 
 system of our labors in these Territories, and with a view of obviating, 
 as far as practicable, present evils, and establishing a basis upon which 
 all connected or interested in the cause of right can heartily indorse, 
 consider the organization of an association for mutual protection and 
 advancement of the journeymen printers of the above-named Territories 
 necessary; therefore, be it 
 
 " 'ResoheJ, That this association shall be known as the "Oregon 
 and ^^'ashi^gton Typographical Society," and we, as members, consider- 
 ing the present rates of labor disproportionate in comparison with other 
 mechanical branches; therefore, be it 
 
 " 'Resolved, That after the 20th day of June, 1853, we, as members 
 of this society, will not work at the printing business for less prices 
 than the old-established rates of $1,500 per year or $5 per day, and will 
 use all honorable means in our power to prevent ratting by either em- 
 ployers or those employed. 
 
 " 'Resolved. That any printer belonging to this society accepting a 
 situation and working for less than these rates shall b« treated by us as 
 a dishonorable man, and we hold it our privilege to publish him to the 
 world as a rat. 
 
 " -Resolved, That as members of the craft known as the "art pre- 
 servative of all arts" we will protect each other in the same, and do all 
 in our power to hinder an innovation among us. 
 
 " 'Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be presented to 
 the publishers of the different papers in Oregon and Washington Terri- 
 tories for publication.' 
 
 "On motion, a committee of five was appointed to draft a constitu- 
 tion and by-laws. 
 
 "The following persons were chosen by the chairman: W. H. .Af- 
 fleck, E. M. Waite, Ed M. Cowne, H. S. Stipp, and J. R. Thoman. 
 
 "On motion, the following corresponding secretaries were appointed: 
 W. B. Affleck, Portland; Ed M. Waite, Salem. Oregon Territory, and 
 T. F. McElroy, Olympia, Washington Territory. 
 
 "On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on Sunday. June 18. at 
 
 8 o'clock p. M. _, _, . 
 
 "T. F. McEuiOY. Chtttrman. 
 
 "E. M. Waite, Secretary." 
 
 To summarize, we find documentary evidence that New York City 
 had an organization, probably temporary, in 1786; another forme! m 
 1795 and existing until late in 1797: a third existing from i79'> to .m<m. 
 another organized in 1809 and existing as a trade organization to i 18. 
 
88 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and as a mutual benefit society still in existence. Again, in 1831 a 
 trade organization formed principally by newspaper compositors, and 
 existing until about 1840, the exact date of its dissolution not being 
 known. Again, in 1844 an organization which seems to have continued 
 only from April to the last of December of that year, and, lastly, the 
 present union, which was organized in January, 1850. In Philadelphia 
 the printers organized in 1802, continuing as a trade organization with 
 benefit features until 1831, when it was reorganized as a purely benefit 
 society and as such still exists; another association, organized in 1833, 
 lasted until 1839 or 1840, and in 1850 the present union was organized. 
 
 In Boston the evidence of an organization in 1803 is not quite con- 
 clusive; one organized in 1809 lasted until 1826 (that of 1822 being a 
 non-trade-regulating society); another in 1838, the date of the dissolu- 
 tion of which was not ascertained, and the present union, formed in 
 1848. 
 
 Baltimore, in 1814, organized a society which existed until 1826, the 
 present union having been organized in 1831. 
 
 Washington organized in 1815 the society which still exists as 
 Union No. 10 1, and is the oldest existing union of printers, if not the 
 oldest union in any trade, in the United States. Albany, N. Y., had an 
 organization from 1815 to 1827, another in 1847. New Orleans, one in 
 1830, which must have collapsed in a short time, as another was organ- 
 ized in 1835, existing until about 1845. The present union was formed 
 in 1852. 
 
 Cincinnati organized in 1832 a society which appears to have lasted 
 until about 1840. The present union was organized in 1846, though not, 
 of course, under its present charter, as all charters were dated by the 
 National Union and then reissued and dated by the reorganized inter- 
 national, which was not done until 1869. Richmond, Va., and Charles- 
 ton, S. C, appear in 1834. Louisville, Ky., had an organization in 
 1834; another in 1839, which seems to have survived until 1847. I" 
 183s is found the first mention of or reports from organizations in 
 Natchez, Miss., and Nashville, Tenn. In 1836 the fir^t record is made 
 of organizations in Harrisburg, Pa.; Mobile, Ala., and Augusta, Ga. 
 The Columbia, S. C, society was also organized in 1836, the society 
 existing until about 1842. An organization was formed in Lexington, 
 Ky., in 1837. St. Louis had an organization in 1838, which appears to 
 have been in existence some time when first heard from through a cir- 
 cular letter issued by it protesting against a continuous rat list. In 
 1830 first mention is noted of organizations in Frankfort, Ky. ; Rochester, 
 N. Y.; Tallahassee, Fla. ; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Mich., and Vicks- 
 burg. Miss. 
 
 Organizations were formed in Jackson, Miss., in 1840; Pittsburg, 
 Pa., in 1849; San Francisco, Cal., in 1849 or 1850; Savannah, Ga. ; Syra- 
 cuse, N. Y., and Trenton, N. J., in 1850. The organization in Oregon 
 and Washington Territories of what appears to have been a delegat'- 
 union occurred in 1853. Lastly, two national organizations were organ- 
 ized, that of 1836 and that of 1850, which reorganized in 1852 as the 
 present national body of printers. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 89 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 APPENDIX A. NO. 1. 
 
 First Constitution of the Philadelphia Typographical Society, 
 Adopted November 6, 1802. 
 
 Preamble. — The formation of institutions for the mutual benefit 
 and assistance of one another having been found by experience to be at- 
 tended with much good, when conducted with regularity, and supported 
 with energy; and it being wise and expedient to provide in the ihiy of 
 prosperity for the exigencies of adversity, we, the subscribers, with these 
 ends in view, and a desire to consolidate the present good understand- 
 ing and harmony which now happily subsists among the brethren of our 
 profession — have naturally considered, adopted, and declared ourselves 
 bound to each other by the following articles: 
 
 Article i. The society shall be called and known by the name of 
 the "Philadelphia Typographical Society." 
 
 Art. 2. The concerns of the society shall be governed by a board 
 to consist of a president, vice-president, twelve directors, a treasurer, and 
 secretary, the former of whom to be elected by ballot, and to hold their 
 respective offices as follows: 
 
 Art. 3. The president shall be elected in general meeting, on the 
 first Saturday in the month of November in every year, by a majority 
 of the members present, and shall hold his office during the term of one 
 year. 
 
 Art. 4. The vice-president shall be elected on the first Saturday in 
 the months of November, March and July, in every year, by a majority 
 of the directors present, and be chosen from among their own body, and 
 shall hold his office during the term of four months. 
 
 Art. 5. The directors shall be elected by ballot, the first monthly 
 meeting after the adoption of this constitution; and immediately after 
 their election and installation shall divide themselves into four classes 
 and the members of the first class shall hold their office during the term 
 of one month — the members of the second class during the term of two 
 months, the members of the third class during the term of thr<c month*, 
 and the members of the fourth class during the term of four month*. %.< 
 that at every monthly meeting there may be an election for three di- 
 rectors, and in case of the death, resignation, or disability of any di- 
 rector or directors, then the president for the time being shall give no- 
 tice thereof, and at the first monthly meeting thereafter another jK-r^.n 
 shall be elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by such death, resignation, 
 or disability aforesaid. 
 
 Art. 6. The treasurer shall hold his office during the term of one 
 year, and be elected as follows: On the first Saturday m November in 
 every year in general meeting, or on the first Saturday thereafter. 
 three candidates for this oflSce shall he elected by ballot, and on the 
 first meeting of the board thereafter one of the three persons, as afore- 
 said, elected shall he appointed, by a majority of voices of the 1 rr-r r-s 
 (except the president, vice-president and secretary, who 
 permitted to vote upon this occasion) as treasurer of tt • 
 the directors who shall vote lor him must become surrtir 
 ful execution of the duties of his ofl^ce in the manner hr:. 
 
 Art. 7. The secretary shall be appointed by the president, by, and 
 with the advice and concurrence of the board, and hold his office dunng 
 
 their pleasure. 
 
90 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Art. 8. All acts of the board of directors shall be in the name of 
 the Typographical Society of Philadelphia, and signed by the president 
 for the time being, attested by the secretary. 
 
 DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Art. 9. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all gen- 
 eral and special meetings of the society and board of directors, to keep 
 order therein, and generally to do such things as to his office may of 
 right appertain and belong. 
 
 Art. 10. In the absence of the president, or, in case of disability, 
 death, or resignation, the vice-president shall preside, until the re- 
 moval of such or until another person to fill the vacancy shall be elect- 
 ed, and perform the like services as the president — and in case of the 
 absence, disability, death, or resignation of the president and vice- 
 president, then the board of directors shall appoint a president pro 
 tempore. 
 
 Art. II. The directors shall have power to pass by-laws for the 
 government of themselves, and of the general meetings, resolutions and 
 acts not derogatory to the true intent and meaning of the constitution, 
 and generally to transact all and every such business for the good and 
 well-being of the society, and is not in this constitution determined to 
 be done in general meeting. 
 
 Art. 12. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all dues, 
 fines and forfeitures collected by the secretary for the use of the so- 
 ciety — and receipt to the secretary therefor — to keep exact and true ac- 
 counts of all moneys received — and of his expenditures, and to make no 
 disbursements, unless authorized to do so by a majority of the directors 
 who voted the appropriation, expressed in their own proper handwriting 
 on the warrant directed to him for that purpose — and shall, also, when 
 thereto required, by a majority of the board, or of the society in gen- 
 eral meeting, make out, and present a just and true account of his re- 
 ceipts and expenditures, and the amount of cash in his hand — and on 
 his disability, resignation, or expiration of his term of service deliver 
 over to his successor, in the presence of the board, or three of their 
 members, all the money and accounts in his possession, belonging to the 
 society, under pain of forfeiting his and the directors' security, afore- 
 said. And in case of the death of the treasurer, then the receipts and 
 accounts of the secretary shall be sufficient vouchers against his heirs, 
 executors, or administrators. And on the death, resignation or disabil- 
 ity of the treasurer the vacancy occasioned in said office thereby, shall 
 be filled as directed in the sixth article. 
 
 Art. 13. The secretary shall give regular attendance to all special, 
 general, and stated meetings of the society and board of directors, shall 
 keep an exact and plain minute of their proceedings, collect all dues, fines 
 and forfeitures of the members; which he shall immediately deliver to 
 the treasurer, and take his receipt therefor in a book to be provided for 
 the purpose, and generally do all and every such things, when thereto 
 required by the board or the society in general meetings as to them 
 shall seem proper. For all such services, if punctually performed, he 
 shall receive at the rate of $1 per month, at the discretion of the board. 
 
 INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Art. 14. Immediately after their election the respective officers 
 shall be entitled to take their seats, on subscribing to the following dec- 
 laration: I do solemnly declare that I will, to the best of 
 
 my ability, execute the office of and that I will not divulge any 
 
 of the proceedings of my brethren, required by them to be kept secret, 
 and that I will, to the utmost of my power, procure employment for 
 any member or members of this society, in preference to any other, 
 when occasion requires. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS ,,, 
 
 ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Art. 15. No person shall be eligible to become a member of this 
 society who shall not have served an apprenticeship satisfactory to the 
 board of directors, to whom he shall make application in person, and 
 they shall thereupon proceed to the election by ballot, and if the can.i. 
 date shall obtain a majority of two-thirds of the board present he «hall 
 tiien be declared a member of this society, and receive a certificate 
 thereof. 
 
 DUES, FINES AND FORFEITURES. 
 
 Art. 16. Every person on subscribing to the constitution shall pay 
 into the hands of the secretary, to be by him delivered over to the trcas 
 urer, the sum of $1, which may thereafter be increased to any sum ndt 
 exceeding $5; and in addition thereto the sum of ^s cents per month 
 until he shall have been ten years a member of the society, or be rcn 
 dered incapable, by sickness or otherwise, in the opinion of the board. 
 to pay such an installment, and if any member shall neglect, or refuse 
 to make his monthly payment for three successive months, he shall not 
 be entitled to vote at any election, to hold any office in the society, or 
 to receive any benefits therefrom, until such payments shall be made. 
 AH fines and forfeitures levied by the board of directors, in virtue of 
 this constitution, shall be paid into the treasury for the benefit of the 
 society, and if any person shall neglect or refuse to pay such fine or for- 
 feiture three months after the same shall have become due, the board 
 shall thereupon issue a notice to the judges of elections forbidding them 
 to receive the votes of such delinquents, or to make returns of any vote 
 which may be given for him to fill any office in the society, and in case 
 such fine or forfeiture shall be incurred by the secretary, he shall be 
 liable to expulsion; two-thirds of the directors present concurring in a 
 vote for that purpose. 
 
 JUDGES OF ELECTIONS. 
 
 Art. 17. It shall be the duty of the society in general meeting, 
 or, in case of their neglect, then the president for the time being to ap 
 point three fit and qualified persons to preside at any election to be held 
 in general meeting for officers of the society, and the said judges shall 
 make out an exact and true return, certified under their hands, of the 
 number of votes given for every person voted for, and deliver such re- 
 turns to the president, who shall thereupon declare the person or persons 
 having the greatest number of votes to be elected, and, in case of a tie 
 between any two or more candidates, the board shall declare which of 
 them is to exercise and hold the office. 
 
 QUALIFICATION OF VOTERS. 
 
 Art. 18. No person shall be entitled to vote without he shall have 
 received a certificate of membership; nor then if he shall be three 
 months in arrears in his monthly payments; or, a notice has been tMurd 
 to the judges of election against him, as mentioned in the sixteenth ar- 
 ticle. 
 
 ALIMONY. 
 
 Art. 19. When the funds of the society shall have amounted «o 
 $Too the board of directors may award such sums to sickly .iii.l •■■■■> 
 tressed members, their widows and children, as to them 11 
 and proper; provided, that such sum shall not exceed $31 
 In every case where a member may be thrown out of emi'l 
 his refusing to take less than the established prices, they 
 if required, on his own security, in their discretion, such siun s'^r «cck 
 as will be sufficient to defray his ordinary expenses, ami if «iich mem- 
 ber, by sickness or otherwise, should be rendered unable to refund the 
 amount, or part of the sum so advanced, the board may levy .1 lax upon 
 
92 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 every other member of the society, which shall be sufficient, or in part 
 sufficient, to defray the amount advanced as aforesaid. And further, no 
 person shall receive the benefits arising from this article until he shall 
 have been six months a member of the society, unless he is a stranger, 
 and in absolute distress. And furthermore, that the sum of $io be al- 
 lowed, from the funds of the society, to the widow or nearest relative 
 of any deceased member for the purpose of defraying funeral expenses. 
 
 TREASURER'S SECURITY. 
 
 Art. 20. Before the treasurer enters on the duties of his office he 
 shall give obligation to the president, vice-president and secretary for 
 the time being, thereby promising to refund the amount of any moneys 
 which may be in his hands, belonging to the society, on his death, resig- 
 nation, or removal from office, which obligation shall be signed by and 
 equally obligatory on those directors who, by their votes, may have se- 
 lected him for the office. 
 
 BADGE. 
 
 Art. 21. The badge of the society, when such distinction shall be 
 necessary, shall be a silver rule, to be procured at the expense of each 
 member, of such size and dimensions as the board may direct, and on 
 one side shall be engraved the member's name and on the other side a 
 press — and as soon as the distinction shall be established a gold rule 
 shall be provided for the president, and belong to him, to his successors, 
 who may hereafter fill the office. 
 
 GENERAL MEETINGS. 
 
 Art. 22. A general meeting of the society shall be held the first 
 Saturday in every month for the purpose of electing officers, hearing 
 the reports of the board of directors, and making monthly payments. 
 
 SPECIAL MEETINGS. 
 
 Art. 23. A special meeting of the society shall be held whenever 
 the board of directors shall think necessary, or, in case of the failure of 
 their stated meetings, the president for the time being shall think 
 proper. 
 
 REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION. 
 
 Art. 24. No alteration or amendment shall be made to this consti- 
 tution unless two-thirds of the society present shall concur therein. 
 Adopted November 6, 1802. 
 
 John Childs, 
 Alex. Scott, 
 Wm. Little, 
 S. Sewall, 
 George White, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 2. 
 
 Original Constitution of 1815. Columbia Typographical So- 
 ciety, 'Washington, D. C. 
 
 Preamble. — Whereas, experience having proven that the association 
 of individuals, and the formation of societies, for the express purposes of 
 benevolence, have seldom, if ever, failed to meet the sanction of both 
 God and man, we, therefore, with these ends in view, and by this incon- 
 trovertible truth strongly impressed, with the hope, that our endeavors 
 will, in like manner, merit the commcndntion of all good men, and draw 
 down upon all our undertakings the benign influence of our Creator, to 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS ()1- PRINTERS 
 
 unite, and form ourselves, as one body, for the mutual benefit nf 
 binding ourselves one to the other in manner following: 
 
 Article I, The society shall be called and known by the name of 
 "The Columbia Typographical Society." 
 
 OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY. 
 
 Art. II. The concerns of the society shall be managed and con- 
 ducted by a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, who shall b« 
 elected by ballot, and shall hold their respective offices for and during 
 the term of one year; from and after the first Saturday of January next. 
 
 Art. III. In case of the death, resignation, or disability of any of- 
 ficer, the president, or in his absence the vice-president for the time be- 
 ing, shall give notice thereof, and at the first monthly meeting thereafter, 
 another election shall be held to fill the said vacancy, occasioned by such 
 death, resignation or disability as aforesaid. And in all cases where the 
 election of officers does not take place on the day specified in this consti- 
 tution, it shall be equally binding if it takes place at the next meeting of 
 the society thereafter; and the persons so elected as aforesaid, shall hold 
 the said office until the first Saturday of January next ensuing. 
 
 Art. I\'. All acts of the society shall be in the name of "the presi- 
 dent, on behalf of the Columbia Typographical Society," and shall be 
 signed by the president, for the time being, attested by the secretary. 
 
 DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 
 
 Art. V. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all stated 
 and special meetings of the society, and to keep [order] therein, and gen- 
 erally to do such things as to his office may of right belong — 
 
 Art. VI. In the absence of the president, or in case of his disabil- 
 ity, death, or resignation, the vice-president shall presi<lc, until the re- 
 moval of such disability or another person shall be elected |.. fill such 
 vacancy; and in case of the absence, disability, death, or resisnation of 
 bcth the president and vice-president, then the members present shall 
 proceed to appoint, by ballot, a president, pro tempore. _ 
 
 .^rt. VII. The secretary shall give regular attendance at all special 
 and stated meetings of the society; shall give an cxnct and plain minute 
 of their proceedings; collect all dues, fines, and forfeitures of the mem- 
 bers, which he shall immediately deliver to the treasurer, and take his re- 
 ceipt therefor, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and generally to do 
 all and every such thing, when thereto required by the society, as to them 
 shall seem proper. . „ , 
 
 Art. VIII. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all dues. 
 fines, and forfeitures collected by the .secretary for the use of the so- 
 ciety, and give a receipt to the secretary therefor; to keep exnct n^.l 
 
 true accounts of all moneys so received, and of his cxpen.. - 
 
 shall make no disbursements unless authorized so to do bv 
 
 the society; and shall also, when thereto required by a r 
 
 e-ociety. make out and present a true and just account "f '' 
 
 expenditures, and the amount of cash in his hands; and 0:1 
 
 resignation, or expiration of his term of service, deliver ..■• 
 
 ccssor, in presence of the society, all the monevs and accou 
 
 session, belonging to the society, under p.nin of forfeiting 1 ,^^.„,, 
 
 his bond. And in case of the death of the treasurer, then the rcvcrf 
 
 and accounts of the secretary shall be sufficient vouchers. 
 
 TREASURER'S SECURITY. 
 
 Art. IX. Before the treasurer shall enter upon the ^"«'** .?'„i'l.'lwii 
 fice, he shall give bond to "the president, in "'^Th/innrored br t^ 
 T„,^n»r,„h;ral Isnr-irtv.' " w th such security as shall be approrcd i>y ">« 
 
 Typographical Society,' " with such security 
 
94 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 society, thereby promising that the amount of the moneys which may be 
 in his hands, belonging to the society, shall be refunded on his death, 
 resignation, or removal from office; and in all cases where the person 
 elected to fill the office of treasurer, shall refuse or neglect to give bond, 
 with such security as aforesaid, the treasurer, for the time being, shall 
 hold the office until another person is chosen, who will comply with the 
 terms of this article. 
 
 Art. X. The society shall make all necessary by-laws, and rules 
 for their government, in addition to this constitution: Provided, That 
 nothing therein contained shall be construed in any way to contravene 
 the provisions of the same. 
 
 ADMISSION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Art. XI. No person shall be eligible to become a member of this 
 society, who is not, at the time of his application, a resident of the Dis- 
 trict of Columbia, and who shall not have served an apprenticeship satis- 
 factory to the society; to a member of which he shall make application 
 in person, which application must lay over for consideration to the next 
 staled meeting of the society, when they shall proceed, by ballot, there- 
 upon; and if the candidate shall have a majority of two-thirds of the 
 inemhers present, he sliall then be declared a member of the society, and 
 receive a certificate thereof. 
 
 EXPULSION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Art. XII. Whenever such satisfactory evidence of the immoral or 
 improper conduct of any menber of this society shall be exhibited to the 
 society, by a member thereof, as may induce them to consider such per- 
 son unfit to be continued a mc'-:'ber, they shall expel such person as 
 aforesaid, two-thirds of the members present concurring in a vote for 
 that purpose. 
 
 DUES, FINES, AND FORFEITURES. 
 
 Art. XIII. Every person subscribing to this constitution shall pay 
 into the hands of the secrctarv the sum of $2 each; and a monthly con- 
 tribution of 25 cents, unless he shall have been ten years a member of 
 the society, or rendered incapable by sickness or otherwise, in the opin- 
 ion of the society, to pay the same. And if any member shall neglect or 
 refuse to make his monthly pavments for three successive months, he 
 shall not be entitled to vote upon any ciuestion, or at any election, to 
 hold any office in the society, or to receive any benefit therefrom, until 
 such payment shall be made; and if any member shall be nine months 
 in arrears, for monthly dues, fines, or forfeitures, notice thereof shall be 
 given him by the secretary of such arrearages, and if he neglects or re- 
 fuses to pay the same, _ within three months thereafter, he shall there- 
 upon be expelled: Provided ahvays, That this artic'e shall in no manner 
 affect persons actually sick or absent from the District. 
 
 All fines and forfeitures levied by the society, by virtue of this con- 
 stitution, shall be paid into the treasury for the benefit of the society. 
 And if any person shall neglect or refuse to pay such fine or forfeiture 
 three months after the same shall have become due, the secretary shall 
 inform the president, who shall thereupon declare the fact to the society, 
 and refuse receiving his vote until the same shall have been paid, and 
 shall, therefore, make no return, (if he shall have been voted for, for 
 any office.) of such votes. And in case such fine, or forfeiture, shall be 
 incurred by either of the officers, they shall be liable to be expelled, two- 
 thirds of the society concurring in a vote for that purpose. 
 
 ALIMONY. 
 
 Art. XIV. The society may award such sums to sickly or dis- 
 tressed members, their widows and children, as to them mav seem meet 
 and proper: Provided, That such sums shall not exceed $3 per week. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS 
 
 95 
 
 And no person shall receive the benefit arising from this article until he 
 shall have been three months a member of this society, unless he is a 
 Stranger and in absolute distress. 
 
 And further, That the sum of $15 be allowed, from the fund* of 
 this society, to the widow or nearest relative of any deceased member, 
 for the purpose of defraying funeral expenses, etc. 
 
 BADGE. 
 
 Art. XV. Every member of this society shall furnish him.ielf with 
 a silver rule, of such size and dimensions as may be established by the 
 society; on one [side] shall be engraved the member's name, and on the 
 other a press; and a golden rule shall be provided for the president, for 
 the use of him and his successors in office, on one side of which shall be 
 engraved "President of the Columbia Typographical Sixricty," and on 
 the other side a press, over which shall be an appropriate motto to be 
 hereafter designated and expressed verbatim by the society. 
 
 At all processions of the society the members shall wear their badge 
 suspended by a blue ribbon from the second buttonhole of the coat. 
 
 STATED MEETINGS. 
 
 Art. XVI. A stated meeting of the society shall be held the first 
 Saturday of every month. 
 
 SPECIAL MEETINGS. 
 
 Art. XVII. Special meetings of the society shall be called when- 
 ever any five members shall request the president to call the same; and 
 the president shall thereupon direct the secretary to notify the members 
 accordingly. 
 
 CERTIFICATE OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Art. XVIII. As soon as practicable after signing this constitution 
 the president shall furnish each member with a printed certificate of 
 membership, in the following words, signed by him and attested by the 
 secretary: . , . , „ ^ 
 
 Be it known, That A. B. having complied with all the provisiotu 
 of our constitution, is hereby declared a member of "The Columbia 
 Typographical Society." » t^ - 
 
 Given under my hand and seal this — day of A. D. 181 — at 
 
 the city of Washington, in the District of Columbia. 
 
 President. 
 
 Attest: 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 BY-LAWS. 
 
 Art. I. Any member, duly elected to an office, or appointed on a 
 committee, who shall refuse to serve therein, shall pay the sum of 3$ 
 cents; unless an excuse be given and accepted. .^^„a 
 
 Art. II. No resignation of office or membership shall be accepted 
 without notice in writing being given thereof, and all dues, fines, and 
 forfeitures, if any, being first paid. _ . . , j • .u« — 
 
 Art. III. Any member who shall leave the room, during the ses- 
 sion of the society, without leave from the presiding officer : or who thai 
 otherwise transgress the principles of decorum, or violate the n,.i..r» .ir,.! 
 rules of order, in the opinion of the chair, or, on appeal, u. • 
 of a majority; or who shall appear at any meeting in a state 
 tion; or who shall introduce into the society s room, or ca'j 
 troduced, previous to adjournment, any drink other than wntrt. • ~ - ; 
 shall in any wise interrupt the business or harmony of such '^"""•l- 
 shall he fined, at the discretion of a majority P^"^"»-. '"»">;,"'" nrijl 
 exceeding $s, or dealt with in any manner such majority may thinir 
 proper. 
 
g5 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 RUi.ES OF ORDER. 
 
 1. The president, or in his absence, the presiding officer, shall de- 
 cide all questions of order; subject, however, to an appeal to the de- 
 cision of a majority of members present; but any one member may call 
 another to order, subject in like manner to the decision of the chair, or 
 to an appeal. 
 
 2. All committees shall be appointed by the presiding officer. 
 
 3. No debates shall take place on any subject or motion, which is 
 not reduced to writing. 
 
 4. All unfinished business shall be first in order, unless otherwise 
 directed by a majority of votes; the standing order shall then be the 
 proposing of new members, and reports of committees. 
 
 5. Any member of the majority may move for the reconsideration 
 of a subject on the same or at first stated meeting thereafter, on 
 which the said subject has been determined, but not afterwards. 
 
 6. \\'hen two or more members rise to speak at once, the presiding 
 officer shall name the one to speak first. 
 
 7. No member shall speak more than twice on one subject, unless 
 to explain, with permission from the chair, in which case he is to con- 
 fine himself strictly to such explanation. 
 
 8. No person shall be permitted to enter or remain in the society's 
 room during its session except regular members. 
 
 9. If any petition or subject in writing be ofifered for consideration, 
 a committee shall (if deemed necessary) be appointed to consider it and 
 make report thereon. 
 
 10. A motion for adjournment, or an order for a subject to he on 
 the table, shall always be in order, and be decided without debate. 
 
 11. The president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary shall not 
 be liable to serve on any committee. 
 
 12. All resolutions, in writing, shall be read first by the person 
 oflfering the same, then to be handed to the secretary, and, by hirn, read 
 again; when the question for consideration shall be put by the chair, and 
 if agreed to consider it, it shall then be open for discussion and read a 
 third time before its final passage. 
 
 13. The president shall not vote on any question unless there be an 
 equality •£ votes on the same, in which case he shall have the casting 
 vote. 
 
 14. The president may give his opinion on any question under de- 
 bate, if requested; but not otherwise. 
 
 15. The presiding officer shall, during the hours of business, have 
 his head uncovered. 
 
 16. In debate, each member rising to speak, shall address Mr. 
 President," with his head uncovered, and shall remain so until he re- 
 sumes his seat. 
 
 17. Any rule or bv-law, in case of necessity, may be suspended, for 
 the time being, by the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present. 
 
 18. No member shall serve on two committees at the same time. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 3. 
 
 Second Constitution of the Columbia Typographical So- 
 ciety, 1818. 
 
 Preamble. — Whereas, the formation of societies, for the better se- 
 curing and more effectually maintaining the privileges and prerogatives 
 of any well-disposed class of men is consonant with, and sanctioned by, 
 every principle of justice and equity; And, 
 
 Whereas, the association of individuals, for the purposes of benevo- 
 lence, is, we have a right to believe, approved by the Deity, while, it 
 meets with the wishes of every liberal-minded member of the community 
 — we, therefore, actuated by these motives, do unite ourselves as one 
 body, for the mutual benefit of each, binding ourselves, one to the other 
 in form and manner following: 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK TRINTHRS o- 
 
 Article I, Section i. The society shall be known and called by the 
 name of the "Columbia Typographical Society." 
 
 Art. II, Section i. The concerns of the society shall be managed 
 and conducted by a president, vice-president, treasurer, and secretary, 
 who shall be chosen annually — at the first stated meeting of the society, 
 in the month of January, each succeeding year. 
 
 Art. Ill, Section i. All acts of the society shall be in the name of 
 the president, on behalf of the "Columbia TypoRraphical Society," and 
 sliall be signed by tlie president for the time being, attested by the aecre- 
 tary. 
 
 Art. IV, Section i. It shall be the duty of the president to preside 
 at all stated and special meetings of the society, and to keep order there- 
 in, and generally, to do such things as to his ofhce may of^ right belong. 
 
 Art. \', Section i. In the absence of the president, or in case of 
 his disability, death, or resignation, the vice-president shall preside, until 
 the removal if such disabilitv, or another person shall be elected to fill 
 such vacancy; and, in case of the absence, disability, death, or resigna- 
 tion, of both the president and vice-president, then the members present 
 shall proceed to appoint a president pro tem. 
 
 Art. \'I, Section i. In case of the death, resignation, or disabilitv 
 of the vice-president, secretary, or treasurer, the presiding officer shall 
 give notice thereof; and, an election to fill the vacancy thus occasioned 
 shall be held at the first monthly meeting after such notice shall have 
 been made known. And, in all cases where an election to fill such va- 
 cancy docs not take place at the time above specified, it shall he e<iually 
 binding if it takes place at the next meeting thereafter; and the pers<in 
 then elected shall hold his oflfice till the expiration of the term to which 
 his predecessor was appointed. 
 
 Art. \TI. Section i. The secretary shall regularly attend at all 
 stated and special meetings of the society; shall keep exact and plain 
 minutes of their proceedings; collect all dues, fines and forfeiture* of 
 the members; and. generally, do and transact all and every such business 
 as the societv mav deem meet and proper. 
 
 Sec. 2. All moneys collected by the secretary by virtue of this ar- 
 ticle, shall be immediately delivered over to the treasurer, (in the pres- 
 ence of tlie presiding officer.) and his receipt t.-.ken therefor; which shall 
 be entered in a book to be kept for that purpose. In the absence of 
 the treasurer, he shall receipt for all such moneys to the presiding of- 
 ficer. . 
 
 Art. VIII, Section i. The treasurer, before entering upon the du- 
 ties of his office, shall give bond to the president in the name of the Co- 
 lumbia Tvpographical Society, with such security as may be approved by 
 the society, thereby promising that the amount of the moneys which may 
 be in his hands, belonging to the society, shall be refunded on his death, 
 resignation, or removal from office, and, in all cases where the person 
 elected to fill the office of treasurer, shall refuse or neglect to Rye bond 
 with security, as aforesaid, the treasurer, for the time being, shall hold 
 the office, until another person is chosen who will comply with the afore- 
 going terms. . n j „ 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all du«. 
 fines and forfeitures, collected by the secretary, for the use of the so- 
 ciety, and to give a receipt therefor; to keep exact and true accounts ol 
 all monevs so received, and of his expenditures; and he shall make no 
 disburseriients unless authorized so to do by a majority ol the socifiy. 
 under a warrant of the president. And, on his disability, resignation, or 
 the expiration of his term ot service, he shall deliver over to his suc- 
 cessor, in the presence of the society, all the moneys and .»""""«''" ^.^ 
 possession, belonging to the society, under pain of forfeiting "".P*"*"J 
 of his bond. In case of the death of the treasurer, then the receipu and 
 accounts of the secretary shall be sufficient vouchers. „.^:„, -f 
 
 Sec. 3. A committee shall be appointed at every «»»"'''. '"'!''"« "' 
 the society in the month of December, to audit the treasurer s ^» '"»^ 
 and make report of the state thereof to the society: ^''^,''''| .^'i;^* 
 society may at any time, when, in the opinion of a majority "JJ"'^ 
 bers, It shall be expedient, cause the treasurer to make out and prrM-m 
 
g8 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 a true and just account of his receipts and expenditures, and of the 
 amount of cash in his hands. 
 
 Art. IX, Section i. Any person desirous of joining this society, 
 shall make application to a member thereof; whose duty it shall be to 
 make known such application to the society; with the applicant's pre- 
 tensions to membership; which shall lie on the table one month. 
 
 Sec. 2. Such applicant being introduced at tlie next stated meeting 
 of the society, the presiding officer shall put to him interrogatories, as, 
 in his opinion, may be meet and proper; and, if he has served an ap- 
 prenticeship to the -satisfaction of the society, and the investigation be 
 otherwise favorable, the meeting shall then proceed to ballot for such 
 candidate; and a majority of the members present agreeing to his ad- 
 mission he shall be declared duly elected a member of the society. 
 
 Art. X, Section i. Every person, on subscribing to this constitu- 
 tion, shall assent to the following declaration, which shall be adminis- 
 tered by the presiding officer: You , do solemnly pledge 
 
 your word that you will conform to, and support, the constitution and 
 by-laws laid down for the government of this society; that you will, at 
 all times, procure employment for a member of this society, in prefer- 
 ence to any other person and that you will not divulge their proceedings 
 required to be kept secret. 
 
 Sec. 2. Before the president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer, 
 enter on their duties, they shall assent to the following declaration: 
 
 You , do pledge your honor, that you will to the best of 
 
 your ability, discharge the duties devolving on you as of this 
 
 society. 
 
 Art. XI, Section i. Every person, on subscribing to this constitu- 
 tion shall pay into the hands of the secretary the sum of $2 each; and 
 a monthly contribution of 25 cents each shall be assessed and required of 
 every member of this society, until he shall have been ten years a mem- 
 ber, or except he be rendered incapable, from sickness, or some other 
 cause, in the opinion of the society to pay the same; or unless herein- 
 after otherwise provided. And, if any member shall neglect to make his 
 monthly payments for three successive months, or shall at any time, 
 when requested, refuse to pay the same, he shall not be entitled to vote 
 upon any question, or at any election; to hold an office in the society, or 
 to receive benefit therefrom, until such payments shall be made. 
 
 Sec. 2. All fines and forfeitures, levied by this society, by virtue of 
 this constitution, shall be paid into the treasury, for the benefit of the 
 society. And if any person shall neglect or refuse to pay such fine or 
 forfeiture, three months after the same shall have become due, the sec- 
 retary shall inform the president, who shall thereupon declare the fact to 
 the society, and refuse receiving his vote, upon anv question, until the 
 same shall have been paid; and shall, likewise, make no return (if he 
 shall have been voted for to any office) of such votes. And in case such 
 fine or forfeiture shall be incurred by either of the officers; they shall 
 be liable to be expelled; two-thirds of the society concurring in a vote 
 for that purpose. 
 
 Sfc. 3. Should any member be nine months in arrears, for monthly 
 dues, fines, or forfeitures, notice thereof shall be given him by the sec- 
 retary, of such arrearages; and if he neglects or refuses to pay the 
 same, within three months thereafter, he shall, thereupon, be ex- 
 pelled: Provided, ahmys. That such part of this article as relates to ex- 
 pulsion, shall, in no manner, aftect persons actually sick or absent from 
 the District. 
 
 Art. XII, Section i. Any member of this society, who shall here- 
 after leave the District, shall provide himself with a certificate of honor- 
 able membership; under hand of the president, attested by the secre- 
 tary; and shall, (if he join a similar association during his absence) on 
 his return, be exonerated from paying all and every due, fine or for- 
 feiture, which might otherwise have' been incurred; and shall be entitled 
 to all privileges and immunities which he would have been; had he not 
 left the society as aforesaid; provided, he. on his return, produce a cer- 
 tificate of uniform correct conduct from the president of an association, 
 as aforesaid, while a member thereof. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS ^ 
 
 Sec. 2. But should a member leave the District in any other man- 
 ner than as before specified, and, on his return, w!sh again to join the 
 association, he shall be charged with his monthly dues, for and during 
 the time he has been absent, unless, in the opinion of a majority of the 
 members of this society, after an investigation by a committee appumtcd 
 for that purpose, he be considered unable to pay the same: I'ro^xdtd, 
 That in this last instance, he pay the amount of the initiation fee re- 
 quired by the preceding article of this constitution: And, proxided. 
 further, That this article shall in no manner affect such persons as have 
 been ten years a member of this society: or, having obtained a certificate 
 from this association, as above prescribed, may have resided where a 
 similar society did not exist. 
 
 Art. XIII, Section i. Such members as are charged with having 
 forfeited their seats from a violation of the constitution, by-laws or regu- 
 lations of this society shall have one month's notice given them of such 
 charge by the president, to enable them to make their defense; which not 
 being made at the next monthly meeting of the society, or. being made 
 and not deemed satisfactory, the society shall expel any such person, two- 
 thirds of the members present concurring in a vote for that purpose. 
 
 Art. XI\', Section i. The society may award such sums to sickly 
 or distressed members, their widows or children, upon representation be- 
 ing made by two or more members of the necessity therefor, as, in their 
 opinion, may be meet and proper: Provided, That such sums shall not 
 exceed $5 per week; and no person shall receive the benefit arising from 
 this article, until he shall have been three months a member of tnis so- 
 ciety, unless he is in absolute distress. 
 
 Sec. 2. And further. That the sum of $20 be allowed, from the 
 funds of the society, to the widow or nearest relative, of any deceased 
 member: Provided, It shall appear upon proper investigation, they shall 
 stand in need thereof; for the purpose of defraying funeral expenses, etc. 
 
 Art. X\', Section i. A quorum of the society shall consist o( 
 eight members, at all stated or special meetings; but, no money belong- 
 ing to the society shall be appropriated unless sanctioned by six of said 
 eight members, if there shall not be more than eight present: Prmjidtd. 
 however. That if there shall be more than eight present, a majority of 
 two-thirds thereof, shall be necessary to make an appropriation. 
 
 Art. XVI. Section i. A stated meeting of the society shall be held 
 on the first Saturday of everv month. 
 
 Art. XVII, Section i. Special meetings of the society shall be 
 called whenever any five members shall re(iuest the president to call the 
 same; and the president shall thereupon direct the secretary to notify 
 the members accordingly. ... 
 
 Art. XVIII, Section i. Additional to this constitution, the society 
 shall make all necessary by-laws and rules for its better government: 
 Provided, That the provisions of this constitution be not affected thereby. 
 
 Art. XIX, Section i. As soon as practicable after signing thi» 
 constitution, the president shall furnish each member with a printed 
 certificate of membership, under the society's seal, in the following 
 words, signed by him, and attested by the secretary: ,..,,, ^ 
 
 Sec. 2. Be it known, that A. B. having complied with all the pro- 
 visions of our constitution, is hereby declared a member of the Colum- 
 bia Tvpographical Society. , , . . .. • j.« „# 
 
 Given under our hand and the seal of the society. Jhiis^ —rtay^ol 
 
 rfttJtml. 
 
 "vpographical Society. . . . 
 
 Given under our hand and the seal of the society, this 
 — , 181 — , at the city of Washington, in the District ol 
 
 Attest: 
 
 -, SeCTftary. 
 
 Art. XX, Section t. No alteration or amendment »»>»" ^ "^^'^ 
 this constitution, unless four-fifths of the memlKrrs P'"*"'- ',X"/ 
 therein; nor then, unless all motions to that effect lie over for consider. 
 tion one month. 
 
 Washington City, April 4. >8i8. 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 4. 
 
 Outline of Constitution of the Baltimore Typographical So- 
 ciety, Adopted June 2, 1832, 
 
 The Baltimore Typographical Society (second organization \yith the 
 same name) was organized November 26, 1831. The constitution was 
 not adopted until June 2, 1832. It was, in outline, as follows: 
 
 Preamble — We, the subscribers, members of the Baltimore Typo- 
 graphical Society, in order to form a union among ourselves, to preserve 
 regularity and decorum in our proceedings, to awaken and reward emu- 
 lation in our brethren, in the art and mystery of printing, to guard 
 against those extremities of sickness and sorrow, to which, without any 
 fault of our own, we are, nevertheless, (from the infirmity of our com- 
 mon nature), daily and hourly subject, and to secure, after our depar- 
 ture from this world, some little provision for our widows and orphans, 
 or others, endeared to us by the interesting ties of blood or affinity, do 
 enact, declare, and establish the following as our constitution and future 
 rules of government. 
 
 Article I states that "this society shall be known and called by the 
 name of the Baltimore Typographical Society." 
 
 The territorial limits of its jurisdiction are not specified, as they are 
 in other documents. 
 
 The usual list of officers are provided for and their duties defined, 
 the only difference being that this society had a preference for official 
 committees rather than individuals, such as a "committee of correspond- 
 ence" of three, a "visiting committee" of five members. The powers of 
 the president were somewhat greater than in most of these societies, and 
 point toward subsequent developments in later unions along this line. 
 Article III of the constitution says: 
 
 Section i. It shall be the duty of the president to preside, and 
 preserve order and decorum at all meetings of the society; to silence 
 disorderly debate, govern the transactions of all business appertaining 
 thereto, and give a casting vote on any question which can not other- 
 wise be decided; he shall have full power to call special meetings; sign 
 all orders on the treasurer, and perform all other duties required by the 
 constitution and by-laws. 
 
 Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of the visiting committee to receive 
 and act upon all applications for relief, visit the sick members, etc., 
 check on the treasurer for the amount of aid, necessarily and constitu- 
 tionally, to be afforded, which shall be indorsed by the president and 
 secretary before payment (subject always to deductions for dues, fines 
 and forfeitures), with all other duties devolving upon them as a visiting 
 committee, and make report of their whole proceedings at the next 
 stated meeting. 
 
 The secretary was "exonerated from the payment of monthly dues, 
 and allowed 50 cents for each meeting." However, "if the secretary 
 shall absent himself from a meeting of this society, without being pre- 
 vented by sickness of himself, or death in his family, he shall forfeit 
 his monthly remuneration and an additional sum of 25 cents; and if he 
 does not send the books, then he shall be amerced in a sum of 50 cents 
 for such omission of duty in addition to the first-named sums." 
 
 The initiation fee prescribed by the Baltimore society was $3, and 
 monthly dues 25 cents, with a forfeiture of membership when arrear- 
 ages amounted to $1.50, unless the member was sick or absent from the 
 city. Payment of dues for fifteen years made one a "free" member. 
 Honorary membership for life could be secured for $5, but carried with 
 it only the right to attend the meetings and vote for regular officers. It 
 does not seem to have been necessary even to have been a printer in or- 
 der to secure honorary membership. The qualifications for membership 
 are declared by Article VI: 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS iqi 
 
 The indispensable qualifications of all persons hereafter admitted 
 as members cf this society are, a good moral character, industriou* 
 hafcits, and a practical knowledge of the art and mystery of letierpres* 
 printing, having acquired the same by an apprenticeship of it least four 
 
 years, during minority. 
 
 ADMISSION OF MKMBKRS. 
 
 Art. VII. Any person desirous of becoming a member of this so- 
 ciety may make application through any member thereof, whose duly it 
 shall be to make known such application to the society, which applica- 
 tion may, if not otherwise determined, lie over until the next stated 
 meeting, when the society shall, if deemed expedient, proceed to ballot 
 for the candidate; and if two-thirds of the voters present agree to hi« 
 admission, he shall be declared by the presiding officer to be dulv elected. 
 
 Sec. 2. No proposition for membership shall be considered as be- 
 fore the society, nor to be acted upon, until the applicant's pretentions 
 shall have been stated by the member or members proposing and recom- 
 mending him. 
 
 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS. 
 
 Art. VIII. Every person to be regularly admitted a member of 
 this society shall accede to the following declaration: 
 
 You, ■ — , do hereby pledge your honor, that you will 
 
 conform to all the rules and regulations established by the constitution 
 and by-laws of the Baltimore Typographical Society; that you will, on 
 all occasions, procure employment for a member of this society in pref- 
 erence to any other person; that you will encourage, as far as in your 
 power, a friendly feeling among the members; discountenance all vice 
 and immorality in them; and, as far as may be, endeavor by your ac- 
 tions and counsel, to urge in the members, generally, a spirit of industry 
 and fidelity — to the end. that the membership of this society, of which 
 you [are] becoming a member, may be the best recommendation to em- 
 ployment, and the highest assurance for the faithful discharge of all con- 
 fidence and trust reposed in you; and you also pledge yourself not to 
 divulge any of the proceedings of your brethren in this society. 
 
 Article X is devoted to "trials and expulsions." Sections 3, 4 and s 
 
 follow: 
 
 Sec. 3. Any attempt by a member to deprive another of member- 
 ship, or good standing in the society by bringing false charges against a 
 member before the society, with evidently malicious intent, shall, on 
 trial and conviction by the society, be punished by a fine — in a sum of 
 not less than $1, nor more than $5 — suspension, or expulsion, as the. so- 
 ciety may determine, by a majority present. 
 
 Sec. 4. Frequent intoxication, gross immorality, needless and fre- 
 quent neglect of business, so that his employer is seriously injured, or 
 the member's family thereby reduced to a state of suffering, shall, upon 
 information and conviction by the society, be punished with suipension 
 or deprivation of membership, as the oflfcnse may he: all mieslions of 
 suspension or deprivation of membership shall be, without debate of pro- 
 priety, in all cases, by ballot, and a majority of legal voters present nec- 
 essary to decide on such questions. . . 
 
 Sec. 5. Any member guilty of an evasion of the provwions ol this 
 constitution, by-laws, or list of prices, for the purpose of working for a 
 less sum than is therein determined; taking a boy to leach him prwa- 
 work for less than his services for thirteen weeks, or half his « a ires lor 
 twenty-six weeks, if by the piece — or if by the week te.ich him f.r » \em 
 sum than $26, or $1 per week for twenty-six weeks; pri«:ure the dis- 
 charge of a member from an office upon a false accusation, or injure the 
 interests of his employer by revealing the secrets of the office, unnec«- 
 sarily, shall, upon conviction, be deemed expelled by the society. 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 FORFEIT OF MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Art. XI. No member, under forfeit of membership, shall work in 
 an office where a boy, not an origmal apprentice of that office, is em- 
 ployed for less than the i.st of prices demands, unless the boy, so em- 
 ployed, is under 17 years of age, or shall have come from an office, the 
 proprietor of which shall have deceased or declined business; nor shall 
 any member, under the same forfeiture, work in an office where any per- 
 son or persons are employed for less than the list of prices calls for. 
 
 FORM OF CERTIFICATE. 
 
 Art. XIY. Any member, on leaving the city, shall, upon applica- 
 tion, have a certificate of membership, bearing date at the period given, 
 siirned by the president and attested by the secretary (or in the case of 
 the death, absence from the city, or resignation of the president, signed 
 by the vice-president), if it shall appear by the books of the society that 
 all arrears are paid up, and no charges of improper conduct are pend- 
 ing against him, m the manner following: 
 
 City of Baltimore, , 18 — . 
 
 This is to certify that at a meeting of the Baltimore Typographical 
 
 Society, held of the — day of , one thousand eight hundred and 
 
 , was regularly admitted a member of the society, 
 
 and is recommended to the typographical societies throughout the coun- 
 try, and to printers generally. Given under our hand, at the city of 
 
 Baltimore, in the state of Maryland, this — day of , one thousand 
 
 eight hundred and ; and in the year of the institution of 
 
 the society. 
 
 , President. 
 
 Attest. , Secretary. 
 
 BENEFITS. 
 
 Art. XV. Any person after being one year a member of this 
 society, shall be entitled, upon written application, to receive the sum 
 of $2.50 per week, during his indisposition, whilst so much remains in 
 the funds: Provided, His sickness does not arise from immoral con- 
 duct; but he shall not be entitled to any support for such affliction, un- 
 less the application be made during the time of its continuance; and 
 the visiting committee shall, in no case, pay any member's claim for 
 time elapsed, more than one week previous to application. The visiting 
 committee shall have a discretionary power, and may require the aid of 
 a physician, in all cases of doubt as to the capability of any member to 
 attend to his usual business. 
 
 Sec. 2. At the death of any member of this society (after having 
 been one year a member) the sum of $,^0 shall be allowed by the society 
 for defraying his funeral expenses; and, each and every member of the 
 society shall pay into the hands of the secretary, at the next stated 
 meeting, the sum of $1, as an extra contribution, towards replenishing 
 the funds. 
 
 "Sec. 3. On the death of any member of this society who has not 
 been twelve months a member, the sum of $15 shall be paid toward de- 
 fraying his funeral charges; and, at the next stated meeting of the so- 
 ciety, an extra contribution of 50 cents shall be paid by each and every 
 member to replenish the funds. 
 
 Sec. 4. The society shall attend the funeral of all deceased 
 members. 
 
 FEIGNING SICKNESS. 
 
 Art. XVI. Should any member feign himself sick or disabled, for 
 the purpose of deriving benefits from this society, or while he is deriv- 
 ing benefits therefrom, such member shall be expelled the society, and 
 forfeit all rights therein. 
 
EARLY ORGAXIZATIONS OF I'KINTKK.- ,y^ 
 
 RECEIVING MEMI'.ERS FROM OTHER SOCIETIES, 
 
 Art. XVIII. Any person presenting a certificate of membership 
 from any other typographical society to this, shall be entitled to a 
 seat as a member, and enjoy all the benefits of this society, it the s... 
 ciety from which he comes reciprocates the same privilege 
 
 Article 3 of the by-laws of the Baltimore society says: 
 
 Art. 3. All members absent from a stated or adjourned stated 
 meeting, when the roll is called, shall be fined b'A cents; and, if abwnt 
 from the meeting during the whole evening, to be fined 25 cents — and 
 no exoneration from payment by any excuse, except confinement by 
 sickness. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 5. 
 
 Outline of Constitution of the New York Typographical Asso- 
 ciation of June, 1831, as Amended in 1833. 
 
 An outline of the constitution of the New York Typographical 
 Association of June 1831, as revised and amended in 1833, is here 
 given. This is not intended as an outline in the ordinary sense, for 
 the portions of the constitution having a bearing on subsequent devel- 
 opments are given in full. Only matter that is of a merely antiquarian 
 interest is omitted. 
 
 The preamble of the constitution states that "The journeymen 
 printers of the city of New York, with a view to elevate the character 
 and advance the interest of the profession, by maintaining a just and 
 uniform scale of prices for their labor, do hereby resolve to form them- 
 selves into a society under the name of the Typographical Association 
 of New York, and do enact for their government, the following consti- 
 tution and by-laws:" 
 
 Section i of Article I states: 
 
 Section i. The jurisdiction of this association shall embrace the 
 city of New York and the villages of Brooklyn, Jersey City. William*- 
 burg and Hoboken. 
 
 The articles defining the officers and their duties do not require 
 special notice, beyond the mention that the fiscal affairs and general 
 management of the association were delegated to a board of director* 
 consisting of twelve members, divided into four classes, the entire num- 
 ber of one class to be retired and their successors elected each month. 
 This made a four-months' tenure of office for each director, thouRh he 
 changed his class each month, and each month three new men came in, 
 except that members were not deemed ineligible for re-election, ••«••.■ 
 member going out of office in the fourth class might bo ro c'rcr, J m 
 the first class. The secretary's salary was to be a sum 
 $20 per annum to be regulated by the board, and be exr- 
 payment of monthly dues." In case he neglected to at' 
 of the association he was to be "fined in a sum not exci • 
 for each delinquency, to be deducted from his yearly salnry i;.. • > m^ 
 
 itor, or doorkeeper was also exempt from monthly dues an<l t" be 
 awarded a salary by the board of directors, but within a constitutional 
 limit of "$6 per annum." The treasurer must never have to excer^ 
 "$15 of the funds of the association" in his nossession at one time: all 
 over this to be deposited in "the savings bank ' subject only to the order 
 of the board of directors. ...... -• .• 1 u, .:i^ 1 .„ 
 
 Each officer-elect on assuming his office affirmatively subKfibcd to 
 the following: 
 
 Do vou solemnly declare that you will, to the betit of yo« »'.•*';'•*][ 
 execute 'the office of ? That you will support the cnM.tui.oo 
 
104 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of this association, and all by-laws founded thereon? And that you 
 will act in this capacity for the general benefit of the members thereof, 
 when opportunity offers or occasion requires? 
 
 No member in arrearage for dues or fines to the extent of I2j4 
 cents or who had not been a member six months was eligible for elec- 
 tion to any office. The initiation fee was $1.50, 50 cents of which 
 must accompany the application for membership, the balance paid on 
 night of election to membership. The monthly dues were 12% cents, 
 until this amounted to $20, when the party so paying was to be consid- 
 ered "a free member." 
 
 Then, as now, the pledge of the initiate bound him not only to de- 
 mand the scale while working as a journeyman, but to pay it should he 
 ever become an employing printer. Article 4, covering the subject of 
 membership is in full, as follows: 
 
 Article IV. — Election and initiation of members. 
 
 Section i. Applications for admission into this association must 
 be made to the board of directors, either personally or through any 
 member of this association. The applicant must first deposit, or cause 
 to be deposited in the hands of the secretary, the sum of 50 cents, upon 
 which the board shall take his request into consideration; and if it 
 shall satisfactorily appear that he is a regular journeyman printer, of 
 the age of 21 years, and not working for less than the prices established 
 by this association, the results of such inquiries shall be reported to the 
 next meeting. 
 
 Sec. 2. A person favorably reported to the association shall be bal- 
 loted for, and the votes of three-fourths of the members present shall 
 entitle him to admission; when, having signed the constitution, and 
 paid the additional sum of $1, he shall be entitled to a certificate of 
 membership. 
 
 Sec. 3. Candidates who do not come forward within three months 
 after being notified of their election, shall forfeit their deposit money, 
 unless a satisfactory excuse for the delay be rendered. Should a candi- 
 date be rejected, his deposit shall be returned. 
 
 Sec. 4. Newly elected members of this association shall be intro- 
 duced by the individuals who first proposed them to the board of di- 
 rectors, or such other suitable person, or persons, as may be designated 
 by the chair. The members of the association will rise on the entrance 
 of the candidate and remain standing until he be conducted to the pre- 
 siding officer, who shall address him as follows: 
 
 "Sir— I have the pleasure of informing you that you have been 
 elected a member of the Typographical Association of New York. Be- 
 fore your name is added to the roll, it is my duty to ask, Do you un- 
 derstand the objects of this association? Will you, both as a journey- 
 man and an employing printer, support the constitution and scale of 
 prices of this association, and all by-laws founded thereon? Will you 
 attend all meetings of this association, and embrace every proper occa- 
 sion to promote its reputation and enhance its prosperity? And where 
 your influence is desired by individuals of the profession, and their 
 claims as workmen are equal, always give the preference to members of 
 this association? 
 
 "As your answers are satisfactory and trusting that you will ever 
 bear in mind the principles upon which this association is founded, I 
 now tender to you the right hand of fellowship. As an earnest of the 
 sincerity of the declarations you have just made, you will sign this con- 
 stitution, which defines your rights and duties." 
 
 The older typographical society of New York admitted both em- 
 ployers and employes in the industry. Indeed this seems to have been 
 the real source of its undoing as a labor organization and the securing 
 of a charter which prohibited it from interfering with rates of wages. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATION'S OF PRINTERS ,05 
 
 The Typographical Association provides against splitting upon this rock 
 by section 2 of Article \', which says: 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member of this association who shall establish the 
 printing business on his own account, will forfeit his title to membership; 
 but in event of his again becoming a journeyman, he shall be entitled to 
 
 all his former rights and privileges. 
 
 Other important articles, covering the matter of relief, containing 
 the germs of the "strike-fund" idea, "out-of-work benefiu," and esub- 
 lishing the "chapel," are the following: 
 
 Article Xl. — Of the funds. 
 
 Section i. The funds shall not be appropriated to any other pur- 
 pose than to defray the necessary expenses of the association, and the 
 pecuniary relief of its members. In no case shall the allowance to 
 members exceed $3 per week to single men, and $4 to married men, and 
 the board of directors shall determine the right of applicants to the 
 per week allowar.ce specified in this section. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member who may be thrown out of employment in 
 consequence of not obtaining a price for his labor that shall be in ac- 
 cordance with the scale and having a certificate to that cflfcct from the 
 "father of the chapel," in the office wliere he was last employed, shall 
 be entitled to the weekly relief specified in the preceding section while 
 he shall remain unemployed; but, if it shall satisfactorily appear that 
 he makes no effort to obtain another situation or refuses honorable 
 employment when offered him, and continues to draw from the treasury, 
 his weekly allowance shall be immediately stopped, and his claim on 
 the funds be suspended for the term of six months. 
 
 Sec. 3. No member shall be entitled to the weekly allowance 
 above specified, who may be in arrears for fines or dues, exceeding the 
 amount of 50 cents. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any sum that may be earned hy a member during the 
 week that he receives pecuniary relief, shall be deducted from his 
 weekly allowance. 
 
 Sec. s- Whenever the amount of moneys in the treasury shall ex- 
 ceed $500, appropriations may be made for the relief of sick members, 
 and also for the burial of deceased brethren. 
 
 Article VII. — Of the chafel. 
 
 Section i. In each printing office within the jurisdiction com- 
 prised in Article I, section i. where journeymen connected with this as- 
 sociation are employed, there shall be established what is techoKrally 
 called a "chapel," and an experienced journeyman printer chosen to 
 preside thereat, who shall be constituted and known in his ofticul 
 capacity as "father of the chapel." To this chapel shall be referred for 
 settlement any difference that may arise between cmnloyer and em- 
 ployed, or between journeymen; and the disagreements shall be adjudgert 
 by the chapel, and its decision acquiesced in and supported by «» 
 members respectivelv. . ... 
 
 Sec. 2. When doubts arise respecting the construction which may 
 be given to any article, or articles, in the scale of prices, a ch-ipel 
 shall be immediately summoned, at which the father shall pre»i<t<-. when 
 the difficulty shall be canvassed, and the decision of the majority De 
 binding upon all. , . , , , , . „,^,. 
 
 Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the father of the chapel to renort 
 the nature of the difficulty, and the decision thereon, to «he proident 
 of the board of directors, who shall, if in their opinion necessary, brmg 
 the subject before the association. . . ,, . 
 
 Sec. 4- Every member of the association in the office •h-^" *•'« 
 a voice m the chapel: but if the majority, m large """ces. d«ide to 
 delegate the trust to chapels consisting of five, seven, or nine member.. 
 
I06 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of which the father to be always one, it shall be competent for them to 
 do so. The father of the chapel to be elected by a majority and con- 
 tinue in office three months. 
 
 Sec. 5. No chapel shall be formed in any printing office where 
 there are less than three members of the association employed; and any 
 difficulty originating in, or any demand for relief, emanating from such 
 office, shall be laid before the board of directors. 
 
 Article X on "Impeachment and Trial of Members" provides that 
 "any breach of the constitution, by-laws, or scale of prices of this asso- 
 ciation, shall constitute just grounds for impeachment, admonition, fine, 
 or expulsion of any of its officers or members." It is also provided that 
 "conduct calculated to bring into contempt, or derision, the association 
 as a body" is punishable in like manner. Charges must be made in 
 writing, a copy furnished the member against whom they are made at 
 least one week before the date of the meeting at which they are to be 
 taken up. A majority vote convicts. 
 
 Article XI of the "scale of prices" says: 
 
 Section i. The scale of prices for labor, appended to this consti- 
 tution shall, in all cases, be considered as a part thereof, and no rnem- 
 ber of this association shall, on any pretense whatever, work, either 
 directly, or indirectly, for prices less than those specified therein. 
 
 Article X of the by-laws establishes an employment office, or out-of- 
 work" register, with priority rights. The latter, however, would not 
 appear to amount to a waiting list based upon establishments and gri- 
 ority rights therein. The article says: 
 
 A book shall be kept at the association room for the purpose of 
 registering the names of such members as are in want of employment, 
 and also of vacant situations, and any journeyman who may have placed 
 his name on the book shall forfeit 6 cents for every twenty-four hours 
 his name shall remain thereon after he has obtained a situation. 
 
 By-law XII requires: 
 
 It shall be the duty of the members of this association to inform 
 strangers, who come into the offices where they are employed, of the 
 established prices, and also of the existence of the association, and of 
 the necessity of becoming members. 
 
 APPENDIX, A, NO. 6. 
 Constitution of the Nashville Typographical Society, 1837. 
 
 Preamble.— Whereas, it is the duty of every member of a laudable 
 calling, to use his best exertions toward enhancing and dignifying said 
 calling, by adding to the quantum of its virtue and intelligence — as 
 well as for mutual protection and defense, as for the purpose of culti- 
 vating a friendly feeling and intercourse toward each other; and 
 
 Whereas these objects are more attainable by the formation of so- 
 cieties composed of the same class of persons than by other means: 
 
 Therefore we, the subscribers, printers residing in the city of Nash- 
 ville, desirous to forward the aforesaid ends, have agreed to form our- 
 selves into a society, and for our government adopt the following con- 
 stitution: 
 
 Article I. — Organisation. 
 
 Section i. This society shall be called the "Nashville Typogr?ph- 
 ical Society." 
 
 Sec. 2. This society shall have for its objects the various purposes 
 stated in the preamble and constitution. 
 
 Sec. 3. The society shall hold its regular meetings on the first 
 
EARLY ORGAXIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 Saturday in each month, and seven paying members shall constitute a 
 quorum to transact any business confided by this constitution. 
 
 Article II.— 0/ the officers. 
 
 Section i. The officers of the society shall be a president, vice- 
 president, secretary, treasurer, and five directors, to be elected annu- 
 ally at the regular meeting in April, by ballot. 
 
 Sec. 2. The newly-elected officers shall not enter upon the duties 
 •of their offices until the adjournment of the meeting at which they have 
 been elected; and before taking their scats, shall individually or col- 
 lectively, as the case may be, make the following pledge, administered 
 by the president: 
 
 "You, A B, do hereby pledge your honor that you will endeavor, to 
 the best of your ability, to discharge the various duties incumbent on 
 you (or each of you, as the case may be) by the constitution and by- 
 laws of this society; and that you will act impartially in all things per- 
 taining to your duties whilst officers of this society." 
 
 Article III. — Of the president. 
 
 Section i. The president shall preside over the deliberations of 
 the society, but shall not, whilst in the chair, enter into debate, or give 
 his opinion on any question except such as relates to order; but may at 
 any time leave the chair for that purpose, and appoint a memlxr to fill 
 the same: Provided, lie does not speak more than twice on the same 
 question. 
 
 Sec. 2. The president shall not vote on any question, except in 
 case of a tie, when he shall have the casting vote; but in elections, he 
 shall have his vote as a member only. 
 
 Sec. 3. The president shall have power to nominate all commit- 
 tees, but the nomination shall be confirmed by a vote of the society. 
 
 Sec. 4. The president shall have power to inflict fines for unneces- 
 sary absence, misbehavior, or neglect of duty, not exceeding $1 for any 
 single offense; but any member may appeal to the society for a release 
 of fines: Provided, His appeal have a second. 
 
 Sec. s. The president may call special meetmgs when he and the 
 board of directors shall deem it necessary. 
 
 Article IV. — Of the vice-president. 
 
 Section i. In the event of the death, absence or disability of the 
 president, the vice-president shall act as president. ,...,. , . . 
 
 Sec 2 In the event of the death, absence or disability ol both 
 president and vice-president, the society shall fill the vacancy by a pro 
 tempore appointment. 
 
 Article V.—Of the secretary. 
 
 Section i. It shall be the duty of the secretary to keep a true and 
 legible record of the proceedings of each meeting in a well-bound b-wk 
 kept for that purpose. . , „ 
 
 Sec 2. The secretary shall act as collector, and all moneys re- 
 ceived by him for the society, shall be paid over to the treasurer forth- 
 with, taking a receipt for the same in a book kept by him for that pur- 
 
 ''°^^'Sec. 3. It shall be his duty to notify members of the society of all 
 special meetings; also, newly elected members of thr;r rlrrl!. n. _ _ 
 
 Sec. 4. He shall keep a box or trunk, in w! 
 ing to the society shall be deposited by him, and 
 
 Sec. 5. In consideration of the ordinary il 
 secretary shall be exempt from the payment of h' , . , , ,'. . 
 
 Sec. 6. In case of^the absence of the secretary, his (...rr vt,., r-r 
 filled by a pro tempore appointment, and the person so appointed snail 
 
I08 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 be exempt from the payment of his monthly dues for the meeting he 
 may act as secretary. 
 
 Article VI. — Of the treasurer. 
 
 Section t. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all 
 moneys collected by the secretary for the use of the society, and re- 
 ceipt to him for the same. 
 
 Sec. 2. He shall keep a true and correct account of all moneys re- 
 ceived by him, and of all expenditures. 
 
 Sec. 3. He shall make no disbursement unless by an order of the 
 society, which order shall be signed by the president and countersigned 
 by the secretary. 
 
 Sec. 4. The treasurer shall make a report _ of the state of the 
 finances to the society at the regular meetings in July, October and 
 January, and at the April meeting he shall make his report in conjunc- 
 tion V. ith the secretary and board of directors, for which purpose they 
 shall have free access to the books of the secretary and treasurer, as 
 well as all other papers belonging to the society. 
 
 Szc. 5. The treasurer shall be required to give bond and security 
 to the president, when the sum in the treasury shall amount to $100. 
 
 Article VII. — Of the directors. 
 
 Section i. The board of directors shall, within ten days after their 
 election, meet and choose one of their number to act as chairman, who 
 shall also act as secretary of the board. 
 
 Src. 2. They s'liall inquire into the claims of applicants for relief, 
 and recommend relief to indigent printers or their families, in such 
 crs^s as in their judgment they may deem proper; and also have a gen- 
 eral supervision of the interests and concerns of the society. 
 
 Src 3. The board of directors shall act as a standing, correspond- 
 ing and publishing committee, to transact such business as the society 
 may from time to time direct. 
 
 Sec. 4. In case of the death of a member of the society, the board 
 shall have the superintendence of the funeral. They shall likewise 
 make strict inquiry into the circumstances of the deceased, and if they 
 deem it necessary, shall recommend a sum not exceeding $30, to defray 
 the expenses of the funeral. 
 
 Sec. 5. The board shall inform all journeymen printers on their 
 arrival in this city, of the existence of this society, and furnish each 
 individual with a copy of its constitution. 
 
 S;^c. 6. The chairman of the board shall have power to assess a 
 fine of 50 cents for non-attendance at their regular monthly meetings, 
 when a satisfactory excuse is not given, which fine shall be reported to 
 the secretary and charged on his book. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any member of the board who shall neglect to attend 
 their regular monthly meetings for three months successively, shall be 
 reported to the society by the chairnian of the board, and if said mem- 
 ber can not give a satisfactory excuse for such neglect of duty, he shall 
 be deprived of his office, and the society shall go into an election to fill 
 the vacancy. 
 
 Sec. 8. The chairman and two other directors shall have power to 
 transact any business intrusted to the board by this constitution. In the 
 absence of the chairman, a pro tempore appointment shall be made to 
 fill the vacancy. 
 
 Sec. 9. The board shall meet regularly on the last Saturday in 
 each month, for the transaction of business that may be laid before them. 
 
 Article VIII.— 0/ the chapel. 
 
 Section i. There shall be a chapel in each office where there are 
 three members of the society (exclusive of the foreman). 
 
 Sec. 2. The chapel shall choose one of the members to preside, who 
 shall be called the father of the chapel. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OI- I'RINTKRS ,09 
 
 Sec. a. The chapel shall have the supervision of all ditipute* be- 
 twixt journeymen, and such other business as concem* their office 
 alone^ and which can not be brought immediately before the society. 
 
 Sec. 4. Journeymin belonginR to this society shall be under the 
 regulation of their respective chapels, and each chapel shall have power 
 to enforce the payment of all dues to the society. 
 
 Sec. 5. In case any journeyman employed in this city, should neg- 
 lect or refuse to present his name to the society for membership, it 
 shall be the duty of the chapel to refuse to work with him. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any member of the society who may be dissatisfied with 
 the decision of a chapel, will have the right to an appeal to the society: 
 Provided, Said member is not in arrears. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any decision made by one chapel shall be considered bind- 
 ing on the others, unless disapproved of by the society. 
 
 Sec. 8. All business done by chapels shall be in private. 
 
 Article IX. — Qualifications. 
 
 Section i. No member shall be eligible to any office in this society 
 who is in arrears to the society, at the time of election, the sum of $1 
 or upward, or who has not been a member at least six months. 
 
 Sec. 2. The qualifications for membership shall be a good char- 
 acter, industrious habits, and a good practical knowledge of the art of 
 letterpress printing. 
 
 Sec. 3. No person shall be admitted to membership in this society 
 who is known to be a runaway apprentice, or has not served his appren- 
 ticeship. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any person wishing to become a member of this society. 
 must make the same known in writing to the chairman of the board of 
 directors, whose duty it shall be to lay the sane before the board at 
 their next monthly meeting, and if the board shall deem the applicant 
 worthv of membership, the president shall present his name to the so- 
 ciety, and if it be found that three-fourths of the voting members pres- 
 ent are in favor of his admission, he shall be declared duly elected. 
 
 Sec. 5. When any person is duly elected, he shall, before taking 
 his seat, inake the following promise: 
 
 "You, C D, do hereby pledge your honor, that you will conform 
 to all the rules of this society, that you will not divulge any of the pro- 
 ceedings that are not intended to be made public: that you will en- 
 deavor to cultivate a friendly feeling among the members, so th.it ."''"« 
 a member of this society, may give the highest assurance of the faithful 
 discharge of all confidence and trust reposed in you. 
 
 Article X. — Dues, fines, etc. 
 
 Section i. The initiation fee shall be $2: monthly dues 50 crniv 
 to fall due on the day before the regular monthly meetings. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member being absent at roll call without a sufhcicni 
 excuse shall be fined 121/2 cents, for absence the whole meetinjc.^ 5" 
 cents, and for leaving the room whilst the society is in s<— ^i-ii. «it tit 
 permission of the president, not less than i-'^j or more ti 
 
 Sec. 3. Anv person neglecting or refusing to pay 
 society for two months, shall be debarred all the privilrw^ 
 until all such dues are paid up; and if not paid up with ■ 
 he shall be expelled, and shall not be again admitted unU-s hr y.i-." ah 
 dues and is elected as a new member. 1 , ,k- iniiininn 
 
 Sec. 4. The society may, at any time raise or lower «»"^ '""'»"" 
 fee or monthly installments by a vote of three-fourths ..f tl.r %..t.nK 
 members present. 
 
 Article XI.— Life membership. 
 
 Section i. Any member who shall have resided in thr..tvt^^ 
 twelve years, having paid up, rcKuIarly. all ,''''^,,'^"". »"^,,^""|,'!'\"„,, ,;> 
 a right to membership during life, without further installments, .in.i an, 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 member on admission, or at any time afterwards, paying into the treas- 
 ury, the sum of $25, shall, also, in like manner, be considered a member 
 for life. 
 
 Article XII. — Benefits. 
 
 Section 1. The benefits and reliefs of this society shall be extended 
 to its members or their families, and to all the deserving of the profes- 
 sion. 
 
 Article XIII. — Certificate of membership. 
 
 Section 1. Any member applying to the president, and stating his 
 intentions to leave the city, or quit the business, shall be entitled to a 
 certificate, signed by the president and countersigned by the secretary: 
 Provided, He is not in debt to the society, and is not lying under any 
 charge of misconduct before the society. 
 
 Sec. 2. On said member leaving and returning at any distant period, 
 he shall be received as a regular member v.'ithout the payment of install- 
 ments for the time of his absence: Provided, He deliver his certificate 
 to the president by the first regular meeting after his return to the city; 
 but if he should neglect or refuse to comply with the above, he must be 
 admitted in the same manner as though he had never been a member. 
 
 Article XIV. — Miscellaneous. 
 
 Section i. The anniversary of the society shall be celebrated by 
 such suitable arrangements as the society may think proper to make, and 
 any member refusing to attend, without a reasonable excuse, shall be 
 fined the sum if $2, said fine to be charged to him on the secretary's 
 book. 
 
 Sec. 2. Upon the death of any member of this society, the members 
 shall fill tlie funeral train, and wear crape on the left arm for thirty 
 days in honor of the deceased. 
 
 Sec. 3. This society shall, as far as practicable, co-operate with the 
 "National Typographical Society," and endeavor to be represented at its 
 annual meetings. 
 
 Sec. 4. The society may, at any time, make such rules and regula- 
 tions as they may deem expedient, relative to the wages, and their de- 
 portment toward workmen who are employed under the regular wages. 
 
 Sec. 5. No person published by the society'as a "rat." shall be re- 
 leased without the unanimous consent of the voting members present at 
 a regular meeting. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any attempt by one member to injure another member's 
 good standing, without sufficient cause, shall be punished at the discre- 
 tion of the society. So also shall gross immorality, frequent and need- 
 less neglect of business to the serious injury of the employer, or the 
 bringing the individual's own family to a state of want or suffering, or 
 any other act which is evidently wrong, and calculated to injure or bring 
 a stigma on this society or its members, shall be taken cognizance of, and 
 every case of expulsion shall be made known to all societies in corre- 
 spondence with this. 
 
 Sfc. 7. A charge of the violation of the above section must be made 
 in writing, with the name of the person tnaking the charge, and the sec- 
 retary shall notify the accused to appear at the next regular meeting, 
 and sliou'd he neglect or refuse to appear for two successive meetings, 
 the society shall proceed to try him, appointing a member to manage his 
 case fir liii-.i. 
 
 Sec. 8. The president shall act as judge, and the other members, 
 with the exception of the accuser or accused, shall act as jurors, and any 
 member may be used as a witness. The accuser shall first produce his 
 evidence, having a right to cross-question the witnesses. The accused 
 shall then proceed in the same manner in his defense. After all the evi- 
 dence has been Inid before the society, the vote sliall then be taken by 
 ayes and noes — gui'ty or not guilty — and two-thirds shall he required to 
 convict. On conviction a majority may assess the penalty. All may 
 vote except the accuser and accused. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 Sec. 9. Any member who shall reproach another, or any of the 
 family of a deceased member, with having received the benefits of thi« 
 society, shall, for the first offense, be fined $5, and for the second, ex- 
 
 Sec. 10. Any member of this society, on becoming an employer. 
 shall forfeit his membership. j i • .1 f n 
 
 Sec i:. This constitution may be altered or amended m the lollow- 
 ing manner. The alteration or amendment shall be offered at --nc 
 monthly meeting, and entered on the mmutes. and shall lie on the table 
 for further consideration until the next monthly mcetmg, when it may 
 be adopted by three-fourths of the voting members present. 
 
 BY-LAWS. 
 
 I All members shall address the chair standing, and in all c.ises 
 where two or more shall rise, and a controversy or contention take place 
 as to who shall have the floor, the president shall decde which meml^r 
 JhaH speak first, and the others standing shall take their seats or be sub- 
 
 ^^""^ T. Th^president shall have power to check any member addrcssinK 
 the chair on any subject, who shall wander from the subject: he shall 
 also orde'r any member to take his seat who shall indulge m p.-rsonal.. 
 
 *'^^' 3. Any member refusing to come to order when ^^lled upon to do 
 so by the chair, or any member behaving <^:^"r%\^y J'. Z^'TZ^tud 
 shall be fined not less than 25 cents nor more than $;. and "ot permittee 
 
 ^^ 't ^^^ "^inritrJ'nTi ^:^Z:l fha^n twice on .he 
 
 --v"^o^^o^-°^aif b^in '^i^'^mir ^^^^ion^<^^ r t^ 
 
 is disposed of, except a motion to adjourn, which shall aUa)s be in 
 °"^^6 The minutes of each and every meeting of this society shall be 
 signed by the president and secretary Heharred the privilcRri. 
 
 ""■s'.'Vn'rS'a.r proposing a dissolMion of .!.» ..c»>y .h.H b. "■ 
 
 '° ''ro.°Re%%trof''Jomm'itttes and resolutions must be .ubmi.ted in 
 ""'Tf- No member shall be entitled to a vote in this wcicty. until 
 after Jhe^ayment.o^f ^'>^^,}tr;'e"c"nsidered. except on motion of one of 
 *^« "^I'^'lrnle or by-law of this society shall be suspended for .ny 
 P"^"?:" No amount shall be received from any member 1e*s than the 
 full amount of his dues 'oj^e society ^ , , ^„y „,,r,J mrrt.nit 
 
 of the^soSy.t;TvJre''of\^hrt^.Sr;hs oT'the voting mem,.. P.^^-^ 
 
 ORDER OF BUSINESS. 
 , The president shall take the chair and call the mccn. ■ 
 ' The secretary shall call the roll. . 
 t. Read ?he minutes of the last meeting. 
 A. Assessment of fines. 
 
 Collection of fines, dues etc. 
 
 6. Application for membership. 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 7. Initiation of officers and members. 
 
 8. Presentation of bills against the society. 
 
 9. Reports of committees. 
 
 10. Reports of officers. 
 
 11. Vacancies in committees and offices to be filled. 
 
 12. Unfinished business. 
 
 13. Business of the evening. 
 
 14. Discharge of members tor absence, misconduct, etc. 
 
 15. Adjournment. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO, 7, 
 
 Constitution of the New Orleans Typographical Association, 
 as Revised and Adopted September 14, 1839. 
 
 Preamble. — The printers of New Orleans, feeling the necessity of 
 organization for tue purpose of securing a fair, just, and uniform com- 
 pensation for their labor, and to provide for such of their craftsmen as 
 may be unable through ill health to support themselves, have associated 
 together. Tliey deem it clearly established by experience, that the in- 
 terests and prosperity of the producing classes can only be sustained by 
 the acticn of the whole, concertrattd and united. By union only, can 
 they accomplish the object of their association. Therefore, fully believ- 
 ing' that the best interests of the trade will be promoted — the respectabil- 
 ity of the profession advanced — the harmony of the whole secured by 
 the establishment of an umpire for the settlement of disputes — we have 
 formed ourselves into a body, to be styled the "New Orleans Typograph- 
 ical Association," and adopt the following constitution and by-laws for 
 our government. 
 
 ARTICLE I. — Jurisdiction and government. 
 
 Section i. The jurisdiction of this association shall embrace the 
 city and parish of New Orleans and .the city of Lafayette. 
 
 Six. 2. The concerns of this association shall be managed by a 
 president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and six directors. 
 
 Six. 3. The president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer and six 
 directors, shall be elected by ballot on the second Saturdays of May and 
 November and hold their resnective offices for the term of six months, 
 or until thei-- successors shall have been chosen. A majority of votes 
 shall constitute a choice. 
 
 Article II. — Duty of the officers. 
 
 Section i. It shall be the duty of the president to attend all meet- 
 ings of the association and of the board of directors; to preside at, and 
 keep order therein; he shall be authorized to call extra or special meet- 
 ings of the association or board of directors at any time he may think 
 proper, or at the request of a majority of the directors, or ten members 
 of the association. 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the vice-president to attend all 
 meetings of the association and board of directors, assist in keeping or- 
 der therein, and to preside in the absence of the president. 
 
 Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the secretary to attend all meetings 
 of the association and board of directors, and keep a true and faithful 
 record of all the transactions therein; publish notices of stated and spe- 
 cial meetings, in such form and manner as may be ordered by the board 
 of directors; receive initiation fees and monthly dues, collect all fines, 
 etc., and immediately upon the receipt of such moneys deposit the same 
 with the treasurer, who shall receipt to him therefor. He shall likewise 
 keep a book, in which each member's name shall be inserted in such 
 manner as to show when he wns admitted, the amount of dues he has 
 paid, ,Tnd when he withdrew, died or was expelled; which book shall be 
 tlie register of the association; and he shall also keep such other book 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS Ol- PRINTERS 113 
 
 or books, as may be, from time to time, directed by the association. At 
 the opening of each meeting, he shall read the minutes of the prrcedins 
 and intervening meetings of the association and board of directors, and 
 perform such other duties as may be compatible with his office. For the 
 faithful performance of these services, he shall receive a salary not ex- 
 ceeding $60 per annum, to be regulated by the board, and he exempted 
 from the payment of monthly dues. In case of non-attendance at meet- 
 ings, he shall, at the option of the association, be fined in a sum not ex- 
 ceeding $3 for each delinquency, to be deducted from his annual salary. 
 
 Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to attend all meclmRs 
 of the association; to receive all moneys collected by the secretary, and 
 to receipt to him for the same; and to keep a true and faithful account 
 of all the moneys received and expended, lie shall not make any dis- 
 bursements whatever, without a written order approved of by a majority 
 of the board of directors, and signed by the president, except in cases 
 provided for under the head of relief. He shall render a detailed ac- 
 count of all the financial atfairs of the association to the board of di- 
 rectors, at their regular meetings in May and November. Hcforc enter- 
 ing upon the duties of his office, he shall give an obligation or bond to 
 the association, backed by such surety or sureties as may be approved of, 
 thereby engaging to refund all the moneys and other property of the as- 
 sociation, which may have been intrusted to his care, at the expiration of 
 the time for which he was elected, or on his resignation or removal from 
 office. The treasurer shall deposit all moneys in his possession over J50, 
 and shall exhibit the certificate of deposit to the board of directors, at 
 their monthly meeting. 
 
 Sec. 5. The board of directors shall meet on the first Saturday of 
 each month, and shall have power to make their own by-laws, provided 
 they do not militate against the spirit of the constitution, or such reiru- 
 lations as may be made from time to time by the association. It shall 
 be the duty of the directors to audit and settle the accounts of the 
 treasurer, secretary and committee of relief. All appropriations of the 
 funds, except in cases provided for under the head of relief, shall be 
 made through the treasurer, and an order to that effect, approved by a 
 majoritv of the board and signed by the president, shall be considered a 
 sufficient warrant therefor. They shall render to the association, at its 
 regular meetings in May and November, a true and faithful account of 
 all the affairs of the association. They shall likewise receive all applica- 
 tions for membership, and report on the eligibility of candidates for ad- 
 mission. Any member of the board of directors, who may fail to attend, 
 shall be fined 50 cents for each neglect. 
 
 Article III. — Of elections. 
 
 Section 1. A general election for officers of the association shall 
 be held on the second Saturdays of May and November in each year, of 
 which previous public notice shall be given by the secretary. . 
 
 Sec. 2. The secretary and two members, to be named hytfie chair. 
 shall officiate as inspectors or judges, at each election: and it shall be 
 their duty to see that no member votes more than once, and to rxclude 
 from voting all such members as are in arrears for dues or fincv Im- 
 mediately upon the closing of the polls, they shall canvas the tickcls 
 that have been received, make out a correct report in writing of ttic num- 
 ber of votes given for each person, and deliver it to the presiding omcer, 
 ■who shall thereupon declare the result of the election. 
 
 Sec. 3. Immediately after the election, the respccliye oB>ccr». pre- 
 vious to taking their scats, shall subscribe to the following .i--. .'H. n. 
 which shall be administered by the presiding officers: l>" ■ 
 declare that you will, to the best of your ability, cxccul.- 
 
 ? That you will support the constitution of this .1-- 
 
 all bv-laws founded thereon? And that you will act in th.v 'i-'> - • ■■ 
 the general benefit of the members thereof, when opportunity ortci. of 
 occasion requires it?" . c i . <:„.. .hati not 
 
 Sec. 4. Any person who is in arrearage for dues or fines, shall luH 
 be eligible for election to any of the offices before mentioned. 
 
114 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Article IV. — Election and initiation. 
 
 Section i. Application for admission into this association, must be 
 made to the board of directors, either personally or through a member 
 of this association. The applicant must deposit in the hands of one of 
 the members of the board of directors, the sum of $5; upon which the 
 board of directors shall take his request into consideration; and if it 
 shall satisfactorily appear that he is a regular journeyman printer, of 
 the age of 21 years, and not working for less than the prices established 
 by this association, the result of such inquiries shall be reported at the 
 next regular meeting of the association. 
 
 Sec. 2. A person favorably reported to the association, shall be bal- 
 loted for, and the votes of three-fourths of the members present shall 
 entitle him to admission; when, having signed the constitution, he shall 
 be entitled to a copy of it, and a blank certificate of membership, which 
 blank certificate may be filled at the end of three months from the time 
 of his admission, or at the discretion of the board of directors. 
 
 Sec. 3. Candidates who do not come forward within two months 
 after being notified of their election, shall forfeit their deposit money, 
 unless a satisfactory excuse for the delay be rendered. Should a candi- 
 date be rejected, his deposit money shall be returned. 
 
 Sec. 4. Every newly elected member shall be introduced by the in- 
 dividual who proposed him to the board of directors, or such other mem- 
 ber as may be designated by the presiding officer; who shall address him 
 as follows: "Sir, I have the pleasure of informing you that you have 
 been elected a member of the New Orleans Typographical Association. 
 Before your name is added to the list, it is my duty to ask. Do you un- 
 derstand the objects of this association? Will you, either as a journey- 
 man or foreman, support the constitution and scale of prices of this as- 
 sociation, and all by-laws founded thereon? Will you attend all meet- 
 ings of this association, and embrace every proper occasion to promote 
 its reputation and enhance its prosperity? \Vhere your influence is de- 
 sired by individuals of the profession, and their claims as workmen are 
 equal, will you always give the preference to members of the association, 
 and also pledge yourself not to divulge any of the proceedings of the as- 
 sociation?" [If his answer be in the affirmative, the president will reply 
 as follows:] "As your answers are satisfactory, and trusting that you 
 will ever bear in mind the principles upon which this association is 
 founded, I will now tender you the right hand of fellowship. As an 
 earnest of the sincerity of the declaration you have just made, you will 
 now sign this constitution, which defines your rights and duties." 
 
 Sec 5. Any member of this association who shall establish the 
 printing business on his own account, will forfeit his title to member- 
 ship; — but in the event of his again becoming a journeyman, he shall be 
 entitled to all his former rights and privileges. 
 
 Article Y. — Of monthly dues. 
 
 Section i. Each member of the association, with the exception of 
 the secretary, shall pay into the treasury the sum of 50 cents per month. 
 
 Article VI. — Of the funds. 
 
 Section i. The funds shall not be appropriated to any other pur- 
 pose than to defray the expenses of the association, and the pecuniary 
 relief of its members. 
 
 Sec. 2. Any member who may be thrown out of employment in 
 consequence of not obtaining the price for his labor in accordance with 
 the scale of prices, shall be entitled to a weekly allowance of $5; and 
 the board of directors shall determine the right of applicants to the per- 
 week allowance, specified in this section. If it shall satisfactorily appear 
 that he makes no effort to obtain another situation, or refuses honorable 
 employment when offered him, and continues to draw on the treasury, 
 his weekly allowance shall be immediately discontinued, and his claim 
 on the funds be suspended for the term of six months. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 1,5 
 
 Sec. 3. No member shall be entitled to the weekly allowance speci- 
 fied, who may be in arrears for dues or fines. 
 
 Sec. 4. Any sum that may be earned by a member during the wetk 
 that he receives pecuniary relief, shall be deducted from his weekly al- 
 lowance. 
 
 Article VII. — Of the chapel. 
 
 Section 1. In each printing office, within the jurisdiction of this as- 
 sociation, wherein members ot it are employed, there shall be established 
 a chapel, and an experienced journeyman from among them chosen to 
 preside thereat, who shall be constituted and known in his official ca- 
 pacity as father of the chapel. To this chapel shall be referred for set- 
 tlement any difference that mav arise between the employer and the cm- 
 ployed, or between the journeymen, and the disagreement shall be ad- 
 judged by the chapel; but in case either party should feel itself ag- 
 grieved after the matter in dispute has been canvassed and decided 
 by the chapel, it shall be the duty of the father to lay the case before 
 the association, whose decision shall be final. 
 
 Sec. 2. The father of the chapel shall be elected by a majority, and 
 continue in office for three months. 
 
 Sec 3. No chapel shall be formed in any printing office in which 
 there are less than three members of the association employed. 
 
 Article \'III. — Of impeachment and trial. 
 
 Section i. Any breach of the constitution, bylaws, or scale of 
 prices of this association, shall constitute just ground for impeachment, 
 admonition, fine or expulsion of any of its officers or members. 
 
 Sec 2. Impeachment and trial of members shall supersede all other 
 business before the association, unless otherwise directed by a vote of 
 two-thirds of the members present. 
 
 Sec 3. Any member shall be competent to impeach another "'«•"'• 
 her, on either of the following specifications: i. Of any violation of the 
 constitution, by-laws, or scale of prices. 2. Of conduct calculated to 
 bring into contempt or derision the association as a bodv. 
 
 Sec 4. All charges and specifications shall be reduced to writinn. 
 notice thereof given at a general meeting, and a copy or copies •h"''''' 
 served on the member or members against whom they are made, by the 
 secretary or other authorized officers of the association, at least one 
 week previous to its regular or monthly meeting. 
 
 Sec 5. No member sliall be twice arraigned upon the same ctiarges 
 and specifications. A majority of votes, exclusive of the party impli- 
 cated, shall, in all cases, determine the innocence or delinquency of the 
 accused. 
 
 Article IX.— 0/ relief of members. 
 
 Section i. Any member who may become sick, or otherwise inca^ 
 pacitated from pursuing his business, shall be entitled to the sum oi »n 
 
 ^^^ Sec -. In the event of death of any member of this association 
 the sum of $80 shall be drawn from the treasury, to defray his funeral 
 e.\pens^es. ^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ president, at the first »"'*']"?"'[ 
 the board of directors, after their election, to divide said .»«»fd •ntu 
 three committees, to act as committees of relief. The committees snail 
 serve alternately for the period of two months. ■ •, ,( ^ 
 
 Sec 4. It shall be the duty of the committee of r.lrri 1 ■ •.- t t r 
 members who mav be unable to attend to their 1 
 health, so soon as such inability may come to their k: 
 tain if they need the assistance of the association; 
 shall visit such members at least once a week durin^| ■ 
 pay to them the sum allowed by the constitution, and take rr,r.,,,s ,,.c. 
 for, in a book provided for that purpose. . 
 
 Sec 5. It shall be the duty of the committee of relief to make a 
 
Il6 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 detailed statement of the moneys expended, to whom paid, etc., at the 
 expiration of their term of office; which report shall be incorporated 
 with the proceedings of the board. 
 
 Sec. 6. No member shall be entitled to the benefits of the preced- 
 ing provisions, who may be in arrearage for dues or fines. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any member who may feign illness, for the purpose of re- 
 ceiving the benefits of the foregoing provisions, shall be expelled, on 
 proof thereof. 
 
 Sec. 8. Any member who may speak in derision of another, for re- 
 ceiving the assistance of the association, shall be reprimanded for the 
 first offense, and expelled for the second. 
 
 Sec. 9. The committee of relief shall make a statement of the 
 moneys wanted for carrying out the foregoing provisions, from time to 
 time, as found necessary, to the secretary, who shall examine the same, 
 and certify to its correctness — upon which certificate, the president shall 
 draw on the treasurer for the amount. 
 
 Sec. 10. The treasurer shall pay the drafts of the president for all 
 purposes coming under the head of relief, without the intervention of 
 the board; and such order shall be deemed a sufficient voucher for such 
 payments. 
 
 Sec. II. The secretary shall a.ssess on each member the sum of fifty 
 cents extra, on the meeting next succeeding that on which appropria- 
 tions are made to inter members. 
 
 Article X. — Time of meeting. 
 
 Section i. A general meeting of this association shall be held on 
 the second Saturday of every month, for the purpose of hearing the pro- 
 ceedings of the board of directors, collecting dues, and transacting such 
 other business as may come before it. 
 
 Sec. 2. At all the meetings of the association, eleven shall be a 
 quorum to proceed to business. 
 
 Article XI. — Of the scale of prices. 
 
 Section i. The scale of prices appended to this constitution, shall, 
 in all cases, be considered as a part thereof; and no member of this as- 
 sociation shall, on any pretext whatever work, either directly or indi- 
 rectly, for prices less than those specified therein. 
 
 Article XII. — Of apprentices. 
 
 Section i. No member of this association shall work on any Eng- 
 lish daily morning paper, on which any apprentices may be employed. 
 [This article is not considered applicable to any apprentice now in such 
 office.] 
 
 Sec. 2. No member of this association shall work on any English 
 paper, or in any book or job office, where any apprentice is employed, 
 who may not be bound for a term of not less than four years during 
 minority. — [This clause is not to apply to any existing contracts.] 
 
 Sec. 3. In order to find proprietors of evening papers and job of- 
 fices an opportunity to test the capacity of boys intended for apprentices, 
 the latter shall be allowed a novitiate of two months. 
 
 Article XIII. — General provisions. 
 
 1. No additions, alterations, or amendments shall be made to this 
 constitution, or scale of prices thereto appended, unless one month's no- 
 tice shall have been given of such intention at a general meeting of the 
 association, and three-fourths of the members present concur therein. 
 
 2. No French journeyman (not a member), within the jurisdiction 
 of this association, shall be amenable to its rules or regulations, except 
 he interfere with the English compositors or pressmen. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS I17 
 
 BY-LAWS. 
 
 VT4 Toard^r director' to' meet on the Saturday .ven.ng preccd.ng the 
 meetings of the assoc'ati°n ^^ j,,^ ^^^^ ,ubj^, ex- 
 
 2. No membtr shall ^peak more xna ^^^^ addre»» 
 
 cept by leave of the association ^''f ,^P^,f^'^^'^„7t be interrupted wh.le 
 himself to the P.'-f >f -"^ "^^j";, officer! when he shall think proper to 
 fan1un?'to"VTer^or'\o'admoS h,m to a closer adherence to h.s sub- 
 ^''''\ When two or more niembers rise at once, the presid.ng officer 
 
 ^^^"i^S :^o^^^^^J^^:- ^t^ S!'^o'" tStS: 
 
 When a question, /«°'"^>°" % '" 'dent' unless to postpone the further 
 tion shall. be fdmit ed by the prcsulem^^^^ ^^ ^V^J ^^ ,^, 
 consideration thereof to ^'^ '°J V^f^d' j^at shall appear to the president 
 ?o"1ie"s?roTthe'Tpintt^"r!'nciptorthe resolution or motion under con- 
 sideration. ^^^ ci,, 11 be decided by the president; but in ewe 
 
 of a^ppe?i"?ro^rhl' XSiot'lh'e%'sTociation^ shal? determine by vote. 
 without debate ^,,„„,ider any former resolution or vote, can only 
 
 bemt^y'armber w^.o..ted indiema^n^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^^„ , 
 
 7. Any officer or member °Vj^""'^^.:,,,o„t scndinR or rendering, at 
 
 to, and pay a fine of 50 cents ^^^^ ^„j fin„ shall not 
 
 penalty of 25 cents. , fp ghall refuse or nfR'^t to 
 
 '^ ,0. Ik case f"y^d'''^<=*,°'' °[° successive mectinRS. his scat shall be 
 take his seat at the board for two sycce^sive^^.^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ "'""i ,7^ 
 considered as vacated, unless he sna ^^ chairman of every committee 
 M. The ^fcretary shal furnish he ^h^^,^^^. ^^j . njcmber of 
 ^.tUV. a list of the names ot the 'cspi.i.i.> , assiened him, ne 
 
 neglect. , „ ^,i.p „ut the account of each member, and 
 
 ''««•,. U sfc... be .b. <>»Jvof-™be„ "',.... ir.'$"vil »r^: 
 wo,.'t.,r/,°ee"Sf.»7,o,£..be;^^^^^^^^^ 
 
H8 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 RULES OF ORDER. 
 
 1. At the time appointed, the president shall call the meeting to 
 order, and request the secretary to call the roll and collect the monthly 
 dues and fines. 
 
 2. The minutes of the preceding meetings of the association and 
 the board of directors shall be read by the secretary. 
 
 3. Business remaining over from former meetings shall be acted on, 
 or further postponed. 
 
 4. Candidates shall be balloted for. 
 
 5. Reports of committees shall be read and considered. 
 
 6. Communications shall be read and new motions received. 
 
 7. The secretary shall report the amount of money received, as 
 also the names of those who have not paid the full amount of their dues 
 and fines. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 8. 
 
 Constitution of Philadelphia Typographical Union, Adopted 
 August 10, 1850. 
 
 Article I. — Title and acts. 
 
 Section i. This institution shall be known by the name of "The 
 Journeymen Printers' Union, of Philadelphia." 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts shall be in the name of "The Journeymen Printers' 
 Union, of Philadelphia," and shall be signed by the president and secre- 
 tary for the time being. 
 
 Article II. — Manner of voting. 
 
 Section 1. On all questions or motions, except the election of of- 
 cers, and the election and expulsion of members, the members shall vote 
 viva voce. 
 
 Sec. 2. In the election of officers, and in the election or expulsion 
 of members, the members shall invariably vote by ballot. 
 
 Sec. 3. All questions or resolutions in reference to prices shall be 
 debated and adopted in committee of the whole. 
 
 Article III. — Membership. 
 
 Section i. An indispensable qualification of all persons admitted 
 members of this union, shall be a practical knowledge of the art of let- 
 terpress printing. 
 
 Sec. 2. All applications for membership in this union, shall be pre- 
 sented by members, at the stated meetings, at which time the preten- 
 sions of the applicant shall be distinctly made known; and, if a majority 
 of the voters agree to the admission of the applicant, he shall be de- 
 clared to be duly elected. But any person elected to membership, who 
 shall neglect to sign the constitution for one month after his election, 
 (provided notice in writing be given him,) shall be considered to have 
 forfeited his right to admission, unless he shall show satisfactory cause 
 for such neglect. 
 
 Sec. 3. All candidates for initiation shall be waited upon outside of 
 the door of the place of meeting of the union, by the vice-president, or 
 such other member as shall, for the time being, fill his place, who shall 
 inform such candidate that there is nothing in the constitution of the 
 union conflicting with his religious or political principles, be they what 
 they may; and, should he be satisfied to proceed, shall read to him the 
 following pledge, and if he should consent to take the same in the pres- 
 ence of the assembled members of the union, he shall be introduced to 
 the president, and requested to raise his right hand whilst repeating 
 these words: — "I, (repeating his own name) hereby solemnly and sin- 
 cerely pledge my honor as a man, that I will not reveal any business, or 
 proceedings of any meeting of this union; and that I will, without 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PUINThKlJ ,,g 
 
 equivocation or evasion, and to tlic best of my ability, so long as I shall 
 remain a member thereof, abide by the constitution and by-laws, and the 
 particular scale of prices of work acknowledged and adopted by it; and 
 that I will, at all times, by every honorable means within my power.' pro- 
 cure employment for members of this union, in preference to persons 
 not connected therewith." 
 
 Sec. 4. Members-elect, on signing the constitution, shall pay to the 
 financial secretary the sum of $1, (which may at any time hereafter be 
 increased to a sum not exceeding $2,) together with the further sum of 
 25 cents in each and every month thereafter. 
 
 Sec. 5. Should any member nei;lcct to pay his dues and fines for 
 three successive months, or refuse to make payment when requested by 
 the financial secretary, he shall not be entitled to receive the quarterly 
 password; and should any member be six months in arrears in said pay- 
 ments, it shall be the duty of the financial secretary to notify him of 
 the same, and of the penalty attached to further neglect; which penalty 
 shall be set forth in the by-laws: Provided, That no penalty shall attach 
 when sickness is the cause of the delinquency. 
 
 Sec. 6. Absence from the city shall in no case exonerate a member 
 from dues during such absence; but any member may draw his certificate 
 of absence, by paying all dues and fines standing against him; and, upon 
 again presenting his certificate, shall be reinstated in the union: Pro- 
 Tided, He shall have been guilty of no acts in violation of the constitu- 
 tion and by-laws of the union during his absence. 
 
 Sec. 7. A majority of the members present shall decide whether 
 charges alleged against a member are of such a nature as to be cognii- 
 able by the rules of the union. 
 
 Sec. 8. All accusations against the character of a member must be 
 made in writing, and referred to a committee of five, who shall examine 
 into the same, and recommend to the union what order shall be taken 
 upon them. 
 
 Article IV. — OMcers._ 
 
 Section i. The officers of the union shall consist of a president, 
 vice-president, recording secretary, financial secretary, treasurer, busi- 
 ness committee (consisting of 15 members), and a doorkecncr. 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at all meet- 
 ings, and preserve order therein, draw all orders on the treasurer au- 
 thorized by the union, and transact such other business as may apper- 
 tain to his office. 
 
 Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the vice-president to perform all the 
 duties appertaining to the office of the president, in case of his absence, 
 resignation or death. ' . 
 
 Sec. 4. The recording secretary shall attend all meetings of the 
 union, and keep correct and plain minutes ot the proccedinps; notify all 
 persons elected members, and also all persons elected to ofhcc, not pres- 
 ent at the time of election, and transact such other business as the 
 union mav, from time to time, assign him. I'or the performance of 
 these duties he shall be allowed the sum of $1 for each meeting. 
 
 Sec. 5. The financial secretary shall attend all meetings of the 
 union, and shall keep accurate accounts of all dues and fines, and shall 
 collect them. And all moncvs he may collect shall be immcdiatclv paid 
 to the treasurer, in the presence of the presiding officer. He shall al-ui 
 keep a list of those members who shall be more th.in three months 111 
 arrears, and may hand their names to the presiding officer. Mr .i.,i| 
 
 notify all members who may be six months in arrears, and -f • •- •- 
 
 attached to further neglect. He shall furnish to any mem 
 
 desire it (provided said member sh.ill first pay all arrr.v 
 
 him) a certificate of absence, certifying he is in good st >■ 
 
 union. He shall also perform such other duties pertaining • 
 
 cial business as the union may from time to time direct. 
 
 formance of these duties he shall be entitled to the sum <■■ 
 
 meeting: Fro-iJcf/. That it shall be the duty of both the r^ ^ 
 
 retarv and the financial secretary to deliver over, within scvr,, .,..>•» 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 after the expiration of their terms of office, resignation or removal, all 
 books, papers, or other property belonging to the union. 
 
 Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive all sums of 
 money in behalf of the union from the financial secretary, and give his 
 receipt therefor. He shall keep true and accurate accounts of all the 
 money received and expended on behalf of the union. He shall make 
 no disbursements without a warrant from the president, attested by the 
 financial and recording secretaries. He shall also give such security fur 
 the safe-keeping of all moneys belonging to the union as the business 
 committee shall deem necessary. He shall also, within seven days after 
 the expiration of his term of office, or in the event of his resignation or 
 removal, deliver over to his successor all moneys or property in his pos- 
 session belonging to the union. 
 
 Sec. 7. It shall be the duty of the business committee to attend to 
 the general correspondence of the union. They shall receive reports 
 from all committees connected with the state of the trade in this city 
 and county, and elsewhere, ana all statistics in connection therewith, 
 and perform such other business as the union may from time to time 
 direct. They shall make reports to the union at every meeting. 
 
 Sec. 8. It shall be the duty of the doorkeeper to attend at the 
 door, and he shall admit no member without the password. He shall an- 
 nounce the name of any member at the door without the password to 
 the president, who shall admit him and give him the password: Pro- 
 vided, He shall be in good standing in the union. 
 
 Article V. — Elections. 
 
 Section 1. The election for all officers of this union shall be held, 
 annually, on the second Saturday in August. 
 
 Sec. 2. The judges of the election (to consist of two) shall be ap- 
 pointed by the president on the evening of the election, which election 
 shall be held by general ticket. They shall announce the result of the 
 election to the president, who shall declare to the union the names of 
 the successful candidates.* 
 
 Sec. 3. Should a vacancy occur among the officers of the union, 
 (not otherwise provided for) the presiding officer shall give notice of 
 the fact, and an election shall be immediately held to supply the va- 
 cancy for the remainder of the term. 
 
 Article VI. — The funds. 
 
 The funds of the union shall be applied to defraying the necessary 
 expenses, and for such other purposes as may be provided for in the by- 
 laws. 
 
 Article VII. — Meetings. 
 
 Section i. The stated meetings of the union shall be held on the 
 second Saturday in each month. 
 
 Sec. 2. In the recess a special meeting of the union may be called 
 by the application of a majority of the business committee to the presi- 
 dent, in writing, when he shall direct the recording secretary to give 
 public notice calling the union together. 
 
 Sec. 3. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum. 
 
 Article \'III. — Disputes. 
 
 Should difference or disputes occur between the employer and cm- 
 ployed, or between the journeymen in an office, in which rnembers of 
 this union are employed, (relative to any matter within the jurisdiction 
 of this union,) it shall be the duty of such members to adjudge, if pos- 
 sible, the matter in dispute; and in case either party shall feel aggrieved, 
 the difference may be brought before the union, whose decision shall be 
 final. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 121 
 
 Article IX. — Amendmetils, dissolution, and by-laws. 
 
 Sec. 1. No alteration or amendment shall be made to this constitu- 
 tion, without the concurrence of two-thirds of the members present at *. 
 stated meeting; and the proposed alteration or amendment, which must 
 be in writing, shall be read by the president at two successive mectmg« 
 before final action shall be had thereon. 
 
 Sec. 2. No resolution or motion, tending to dissolve the union, 
 shall be in order, while eleven members require its continuance. 
 
 Sec. 3. In addition to the constitution, the union shall make all 
 necessary by-laws and rules of order: Provided, They contain nothing 
 inconsistent with the constitution: And prozidcd also. That no fine it 
 other penalties imposed by the constitution and by-laws shall, in any 
 case, be remitted, excepting cnly that of expulsion, which may be com- 
 muted by the votes of a majority present to a fine of not less than $3, 
 nor more than $5. 
 
 Article X. — Password and pledge. 
 
 Section i. The president shall, at the end of every quarter, chanite 
 the password, which he sliall give to every member who may be in gotid 
 standing in the union, separately and in a whisper to each: and no mem- 
 ber shall make use of the password for other purpose than to enter the 
 union. 
 
 Sec. 2. Should the printers of any or every other city in the L'ni.m 
 form themselves into similar unions, and desire to connect with thi* 
 union, it shall be the duty of the president to establish such connection; 
 and he shall, provided the majority present assent, establish a traveling 
 password, which shall be legal for one year, and grant traveling ccrliti- 
 cates to members, certifying that the holder is in good standing m the 
 union, and recommending him to the kindness and protection of all 
 unions with which this union may connect. 
 
 Sec. 3. Should a convention or congress of delegates from the dif- 
 ferent trades or bodies of workingmen in this city and county, or else- 
 where, be at any time held, it shall be the duty of the union to elect 
 two or more delegates for the purpose of representing this union. 
 
 Article XI. — Honorary members. 
 
 Section i. Any person of a good moral character, who may have 
 learned the art and mystery of printing, may be proposed for honorary 
 membership, if at the time of such proposition, he shall be out o» «"' 
 business, and known as a friend to the principles of this union: and it 
 elected by a majority of the members present, he shall receive from the 
 president such certificate of the fact, as may be provided for the pur- 
 
 ^°^^'Sec. 2. Honorary members shall be admitted to all the meelinps of 
 the union, and enjoy the same privileges as members, with the exception 
 of the right to vote or hold office, and the title to benefits. 
 
 BY-LAWS. 
 
 Article I.— Meeting. 
 
 The hour of meeting shall be, from the ist of Ocfjbe^ »" 't!/*',°8 
 April, at 7.30 o'clock; from the ist of April to the ist of October, at H 
 o'clock. 
 
 Article II. — Installation of officers. 
 
 Section i. All officers-elect shall be installed <>" «''« «"' . '"'^ 
 meeting after the election: and it shall be the duty of the president to 
 install all newly elected officers. . . , . 
 
 Sec. 2. All newly elected officers, upon being ^'•'^"""^. ' V'"^ * ;„5 
 the presiding officer, shall range themselves in front of h« <Jc.k. ana 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 subscribe to the following pledge, which he shall dictate to them: — "I 
 do hereby pledge myself to faithfully perform the duties of the office to 
 which I am elected, to the best of my ability, and for the benefit and 
 honor of the union." 
 
 Article III. — Committees — How and when appointed, duties, etc. 
 
 Section i. The president shall appoint all special committees, and 
 fill all vacancies, vmless otherwise provided for. 
 
 Sec. 2. The business committee shall, in addition to the duties pre- 
 scribed in the constitution, perform the following: — They shall keep ac- 
 curate accounts of the number of men and boys employed in each office 
 in the city and incorporated districts, as well as of any suspicious cir- 
 cumstances in connection therewith, which may be reported by the chair- 
 man of any office: they shall also have charge of all correspondence of 
 the union, and keep, as neariy as possible, a correct account of the state 
 of the trade in other cities with which we may connect; they shall also, 
 whenever they deem the interest of the craft demands it, call special 
 meetings of the union. It shall also be their duty to recommend to the 
 union any course of action which, in the performance of their duties, 
 they believe to be beneficial to the union and craft in general. For the 
 Ijetter performance of these duties, the chairman may, at his option, 
 divide the committee into subcommittees, each to consist of at least two, 
 for the management of particular branches of the business. 
 
 Sec. 3. The business committee shall elect from their number three 
 auditors, for the purpose ot auditing and settling the accounts of the 
 financial secretary and treasurer, who shall make report thereof in writ- 
 ing quarterly, to the business committee. 
 
 Sec. 4. The business committee shall be constituted as follows: — 
 Five members from hands on daily papers, and ten from those in book 
 and job offices and on weekly papers respectively; and it shall be the 
 duty of the judges of the election to select from the list voted for. the 
 five hands on daily papers having the highest number of votes, and the 
 remaining ten from the book and job offices and weekly papers respec- 
 tively, having the highest number of votes, who shall be declared duly 
 elected: Provided, No two of said committee shall be elected from one 
 office. 
 
 Sec. 5. All special committees shall report in writing at the next 
 stated meeting, unless otherwise ordered. 
 
 Sec. 6. No member shall be appointed on a special committee, un- 
 less present at the time of appointment; nor shall any member be com- 
 pelled to serve two successive terms on any one committee. 
 
 Article IV. — Reliefs, etc. 
 
 Section 1. When the hands in any office shall be called upon to 
 quit work in vindication of their just rights, as prescribed in the scale 
 of prices adopted by this union, each housekeeper and married man shall 
 be entitled to receive $5 per week, and each single man, not a house- 
 keeper, $3, until he obtain employnent: Provided, That no hand or body 
 of hands shall so quit work without the sanction of the chairman of the 
 business committee; but should he not deem the matter of sufficient im- 
 portance to warrant him in sanctioning the strike, he shall, if requested 
 to do so by the parties interested, call a special meeting of the union, 
 when the decision of a majority present shall be final: Provided, also, 
 That this section shall not go into effect until the present difficulty with 
 the employers be settled. 
 
 Sec. 2. If any member on a strike shall refuse employment when 
 offered to him, he shall forfeit all claim upon the union for the weekly 
 allowance: Provided, That if such member do not earn by such employ- 
 ment a sum equivalent to that provided for in the preceding section, the 
 balance shall be made up to him by the union; his bills and receipts be- 
 ing considered sufficient vouchers of the amount he earns by such em- 
 ployment. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS , , • 
 
 Sec. 3. If any member shall be discovered attempting to impose 
 upon this union, by making false returns of the amount he has earnc<i 
 while on a strike, he shall be debarred from further bcnctits for the 
 period of six months, and shill be incompetent to fill any office, or take- 
 part in any debate in this union for one year. 
 
 Sec. 4. It shall be the duty of the president, when any h.nnd or body 
 of hands are legally on a strike, to keep a list of their names, and to 
 draw weekly an order on the treasurer, attested by the recording and 
 financial secretaries, in favor of each hand, for the sum which may be 
 due him under these by-laws. 
 
 Sec. 5. Strangers arriving in the city shall be allowed to work, un- 
 til the next stated meeting of the union, when they must become mem- 
 bers. Should he or they neglect or refuse to join the union, it shall be 
 the duty of the hands employed in the office to quit work, and insist 
 upon his or their discharge. 
 
 Sec. 6. If any stranger, a member of our craft, shall not obtain 
 employment within one week, and decides to leave, he shall be entitled 
 to receive a sum not exceeding $4, to defray his expenses out of the 
 city; an order for which may be drawn by the president attested by the 
 recording and financial secretaries, on the treasurer: Provided, The 
 union from which he holds his certificate creates a similar provision in 
 favor of members of this union. 
 
 Article \\ — Members, their duties, etc. 
 
 Section i. It shall be the duty of the hands employed in every of- 
 fice to appoint from their number a chairman, whose duty it shall be to 
 report to the business committee, in writing, once a month, the condi- 
 tion of the office in which he may be chairman: the number of men and 
 boys employed, and such other matters as he may deem of importance to 
 the union. He shall also be the medium of communication between the 
 hands and the employer, in all questions cognizable by the rules of this 
 union. It shall also be tiis duty to announce to all strangers going to 
 work in the office the necessity of becoming members of the union, as 
 prescribed by section 5. Article I\', of these by-laws. He shall also keep 
 a schedule in which members of this union who are unemployed may in- 
 scribe their names and residences, and, should any vacancy occur, he 
 shall notify them of the same immediately. Should he neglect to per- 
 form any of these duties, he shall be fined in a sum not less than ^s 
 cents, nor more than 50, at the option of the union. 
 
 Sec. 2. If any member accept work in any office where the hand* 
 have struck on any question involving the rules of this union, and sh.ill 
 refuse to quit work when ordered to do so by the chairman of the office, 
 he shall be expelled from the union. 
 
 Sec. 3. In no case shall members of this union work in .my office. 
 after the 2d day of September, 1850, where hands arc employed who re- 
 fuse to join the union; and should any member do so, he shall be fined 
 or expelled, at the option of the union. , ■ . # 
 
 Sec. 4. No member expelled from this union shall be readmitted for 
 a sum less than $3 ; and his monthly dues shall be charged to him from 
 the time of his expulsion to his rcadmission, and he shall not be eligible 
 to any office in this union for one year after his rcadmission. 
 
 Sec. 5. All journevmen printers residing in Pliiladelphi.i at the 
 time of the formation of this union, who shall refu.se to jom on or br 
 fore the 2d day of September, 1850, shall be charged %i mili.ition fee: 
 Provided, That on application of any member of the craft. *''" '^ con- 
 scientiously opposed to the principle of secret association, atid who may 
 signify his disposition to adhere to our scale of prices, rules, cic.^he 
 shall, if the majority present consent, be deemed an h(m..r:irv ;• . ■•■ rr 
 of this union, and shall be entitled, should he desire it t > 
 
 the presi<ent a certificate, by paying such sum as may I 
 vote of the union: And provided further. That per- 
 membership under the first provision of thi? section, and " 
 
 receiving the advanced rates, shall be willing, for the whulc time titi* 
 
124 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 employed to pay such percentage of the advance as may be decided upon 
 by the union. 
 
 Sec. 6. Any member six months in arrears for dues and fines, who 
 shall not pay such arrearages at the next stated meeting shall be sus- 
 pended; and it shall be the duty of the hands employed with him to quit 
 work, and insist upon his leaving the office or paying such arrearages: 
 Provided, He shall be previously notified by the financial secretary, as 
 provided in the constitution. 
 
 Article VI. — Apprentices. 
 
 Section i. Any apprentice in the last year of his time, who rnay 
 express a desire to become a member of this union, may do so by paying 
 the initiation fee; but no monthly dvies shall be exacted from him, nor 
 shall he have the right to vote or take part m any debate until he attains 
 his majority when he shall be considered a full member. 
 
 Sec. 2. No member of this union shall work in any office where the 
 number of apprentices ranges over the following ratio: — Book and job 
 offices shall be entitled to 2 apprentices; where more than 9 and less 
 than 15 journeymen are permanently employed, 3 apprentices; where 
 more than 15 and less than 20 journeymen are permanently employed, 4 
 apprentices; and in no case whatever shall more than 5 apprentices be 
 allowed in any one office: Provided, That this section shall not apply to 
 offices where a greater number of legal apprentices are employed at the 
 time of the formation of this union. 
 
 Sec. 3. Should attempts be made to introduce apprentices into any 
 office where the above ratio are already employed, it shall be the duty of 
 the chairman of said office to report the fact to the business committee; 
 and should they, after an investigation, be satisfied that the spirit of the 
 preceding section has been violated, it shall be their duty to order the 
 hands employed in such oflSce to quit work and protest against the intro- 
 duction of such apprentice or apprentices; and should such hands, or 
 any one or more of them, refuse to quit work when so ordered by the 
 business committee, he or they shall be fined or expelled at the option of 
 the union. 
 
 Sec. 4. No member of this union shall work in any office where a 
 boy shall leave his employer after he is 16 years of age, unless said em- 
 ployer shall die or decline business, or said boy shall be otherwise legally 
 discharged. 
 
 Sec. 5. No member of this union shall work in any newspaper of- 
 fice where an apprentice or apprentices are employed. 
 
 Article VII. — Tzvo-thirders, etc. 
 
 Section i. Any individual working for less than the scale of 
 prices of this union, who is not bound by indenture or by contract for a 
 term of five vfars, shall be deemed a rat, and a list of such individuals, 
 with a description of their persons, shall be kept by the business com- 
 mittee; and it shall be their duty to furnish any body of printers in 
 other cities or towns, who may connect with us, a copy of the same, 
 with a request to transcribe and retain it for reference. 
 
 Article VIII. — Fines, etc. 
 
 Section :. Any officer absent at roll call shall be fined 12^^ cents; 
 if absent over half an hour 25 cents. 
 
 Sec 2. Any officer having charge of books, who shall fail to have 
 them in the meeting, at roll call, shall be fined 25 cents. 
 
 Sec. 3. Any member appointed on a committee, who shall refuse 
 or neglect to perform, his duty shall be fined 25 cents for each neglect 
 or refusal. 
 
 Sec 4. The recording secretary shall be subject to a fine of 25 
 cents for negVcting to perform properly the duties of his office. 
 
 Sec 5. The financial secretary shall be subject to the following 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS ,J5 
 
 fines: For neglecting to notify members when in arrears for dues or 
 fines, each offense i2'/2 cents; for neglecting to make quarterly or other 
 reports, 50 cents; for neglecting to perform such other duties as the 
 constitution or union may require, for each offense 25 cents. 
 
 Sec. 6. The treasurer and auditors shall each be subject to the fol- 
 lowing fines: For neglecting to make quarterly or other reports, 50 
 cents each; for neglecting to perform such other duties as may be re- 
 quired of them by the union, 25 cents for each offense. 
 
 Sec. 7. Any member into.xicated, or making use of profane lan- 
 guage in the meeting, or refusing to obey the president when called to 
 order, or using disrespectful language toward the officers or members 
 of the union, shall be subject to such fines as may be imposed by the 
 union. 
 
 Sec. 8. Members neglecting to notify the financial secretary when 
 they change their residences, shall be fined n'A cents. 
 
 Sec. 9. Any member of the business committee, who shall neglect 
 business or duties intrusted to him, shall be fined 25 cents for each 
 offense. 
 
 Article IX. — Miscellaneous. 
 
 Proposition for Membership. — Every member proposing a candi- 
 date for admission shall do so in writing, with his name and address; 
 and, provided no objection be made, the candidate may be elected ami 
 introduced the same evening. 
 
 Payment of Bills. — All bills against the union must be presented 
 to a meeting before being paid, unless the bill contracted has been or- 
 dered by the union. 
 
 Change of Residence. — Members changing their residence, shall 
 give notice to the financial secretary within one month. 
 
 Divulging Private Business. — Any member revealing business of 
 this union ordered to be kept secret, shall be subject to such punish- 
 ment as the union may direct. The doorkeeper shall receive $1 per 
 meeting for his services, and shall admit no one without the password, 
 except by order of the president. Should any member be at the door 
 without the password, he shall announce the fact together with the name 
 of the member, to the president. 
 
 Alteration of By-Laws. — No proposition to alter, suspend, or an- 
 nul these by-laws, shall be acted upon until it shall have been submitlc.l. 
 in writing, to a previous regular meeting of the union; nor then, with- 
 out the concurrence of two-thirds of all the members present. 
 
 APPENDIX A, No. 9. 
 Constitution and Documents of the First National ConTcn- 
 
 tion of Printers, 1836. 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL TYlH)GRAPnir.\T ASSd 
 
 CIATION, OF NOVEMP.ER u, i8j6. Ab AMENDKn 
 
 SEP'I EMBER 5, 1837. (a) 
 
 a This constitution was originally adopted at the Washington meet^ 
 ing of the National Typographical Society m 1836. but '" f'y'" •«■"»* 
 amended the following year, when the name was changed to >«tion«l 
 Typographical Association. . , _^.;,„ ,< 
 
 Whereas experience has proved that the interests and prosper.l> "I 
 the typographical profession of the United ^<a»" "" ""' *"" ""•■"" r»?i, 
 and promoted but by the united efforts of the whole body. ""^ "' 'J', 
 acter^nd standing properly elevated by the feeble ^ff"'''' .•'/, '";''^ '\"h'; 
 societies: And whereas it has become necessary for the *«•''"' ,"''';' 
 craft that a bond of friendship, feel.ng. and nbhg.it.on. ^^'f' "^\ 
 amongst all societies throughout the Union: Having '" ^J^*,'"' ^^ 
 complishment of these desirable results, and of l^^'"?" .°"' f""»' j;^,"^' 
 to our employers and ourselves, the several local societies at present or^ 
 ganized, do agree to form themselves into a united society, to be ue- 
 
126 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Article I. (b) 
 
 Section i. This association shall be known and called by the name 
 of the "National Typographical Association," and shall be composed of 
 such local associations as shall acknowledge this constitution and its 
 accompanying by-laws. 
 
 Sec. 2. Each local society shall be entitled, for twenty contributing 
 members or less, to one delegate to this association; over twenty and 
 not exceeding forty, two delegates; above forty, three delegates; to be 
 duly elected from the contributing members of said society: Provided, 
 Nothing herein contained shall prevent any society from filling up their 
 delegation by pro.xies, if said proxies be contributing members or mem- 
 bers of some society attached to this association. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 A convention, consisting of delegates from the several local associa- 
 tions, shall be held annually — the convention in session having power to 
 appoint the place of meeting of its successor. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 The convention shall have power to pass such general laws for the 
 government of local societies as may not conflict with any regulations 
 of said societies, so far as they exercise, or may hereafter exercise, the 
 right to establish prices for the district of country over which they have 
 jurisdiction. 
 
 Article IV,. 
 
 Section i. The officers of this association shall be a president, 
 vice-president, recording and corresponding secretaries, and treasurer, 
 who shall be elected annually, bv ballot, and hold office until their suc- 
 cessors shall be chosen. A majority of the votes of all the members 
 present, being necessary to constitute an election. 
 
 Sec. 2. The officers of this association shall constitute a board of 
 
 nominated The National Typographical Association, and enact for their 
 government the following constitution: 
 
 b Below will be found noted the changes made from the constitu- 
 tion of 1836: 
 
 Article I, Section i. This society shall be known and called by 
 the name of "The National Typographical Society," and shall be com- 
 posed of delegates from each regularly organized society in the United 
 States. 
 
 Section 2 did not contain the proviso of that of 1837, but did con- 
 tain after the words "contributing members of said society" this sen- 
 tence: "The delegates thus elected shall have power to enact all gen- 
 eral laws for the government of local societies." which is clearly incon- 
 sistent with Article II of 1836 and Article III of 1837. 
 
 Article X. The constitution of 1836 left the per cent blank and 
 there was slightly different wording. 
 
 Article XI of constitution of 1836 is: "The first meeting of the 
 National Society shall be in the city of New York, on the first Monday 
 of September next; [1837] and thereafter at such time and place as the 
 society shall annually determine." 
 
 Article XII of 1836 said "an engraved card, to be called the union 
 card." 
 
 Section 2 of Article Xli of 1837 does not appear in constitution of 
 1836. 
 
 Article XV of 1836 does not appear in that of 1837, and was as 
 follows: "So soon as any local society shall ratify this constitution, 
 they may, immediately thereafter, elect a delegate or delegates, under 
 the provision of the same, to meet, as is provided for in Article XI of 
 this constitution, fully empowered to act on any of the propositions 
 emanating from this convention for the consideration of local societies." 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS ,27 
 
 control, for the adjustment of any difficulties which may arise durinf; 
 the recess of the convention, subject to the supervision of the said »m<j- 
 ciation at their next meeting. 
 
 Sec. 3. The board of control shall also have power to originate ail 
 correspondence necessary for the management ann welfare of the pro- 
 fession. It shall be their duty also to hold correspondence with local 
 societies, and such European societies as may desire to correspond with 
 them. They shall solicit from said societies in Europe and America in- 
 formation of the condition of the trade: and lay before the ass.K-i.ition. 
 at each annual meeting, a message, accompanied by all corrcsivunlrnce 
 and documents which they may have received in their official capacity. 
 They shall give a statement of the expenses incurred by them: also, 
 such plans for the future management of this board as experience may 
 suggest. 
 
 Sec. 4. The board shall have power to fill all vacancies that may 
 occur in their body during the recess of the convention. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 Section i. The president shall preside at all meetings of the con- 
 vention, and preserve order therein — shall put all questions and an- 
 nounce the decision; he shall be entitled to vote upon all questions. 
 
 Sec. 2. The president shall sign all bills passed by the convention, 
 and all drafts upon the treasury. 
 
 Sec. 3. In case of the absence of the president the vice-president 
 shall preside. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 Section i. It shall be the duty of the recording secretary to keep 
 correct minutes of the proceedings of the convention, file and preserve 
 all papers intrusted to his care. 
 
 Sec 2. He shall receive and pay over to the treasurer all moneys 
 that may come into his hands for the use of the National ,\«sociati<in. 
 and take receipts from that officer for the same; also, attest all drafts 
 upon the treasury. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the corresponding secretary to carry on all 
 correspondence with European societies, and to answer calls for infor- 
 mation from local societies in the United States. He shall preserve a 
 correct copy of his correspondence, and lay the same before the associ- 
 ation at its annual meetings. 
 
 Article VIII. 
 
 The treasurer shall receive all moneys from the recording seere- 
 
 tarv. and receipt to him for the same; pay all bills passed by Hi-- c-n 
 ven'tion, signed bv the president, and attested by the sccret.iry; v^-- 1 
 true account of all moneys received and disbursed, .ind make .t •■■ '• 
 at each annual meeting of the association. He shall, when lrK.i..v ■■•. 
 rected by the president, immediately deliver over to his successor m 
 office all moneys, books, etc., in his possession belonging to the a**^'"; 
 tion. He shall give such surety for the faithful performance of h«s 
 duties as the convention may deem satisfactory. 
 
 .Article IX. 
 
 Immediately after their election, the president, vice prrspimt. sec- 
 retaries and treasurer shall assent to the following declaration. 
 
 "You. A B, do solemnlv pledge your w;ord and honor, in the prr« 
 ence of this convention, that you will, to the b«tof your ab.l.tv d..^ 
 charge the various duties incumbent on you as - „ of ine .^aii"n«i 
 
 Typographical Association during your term of omce. 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Article X. 
 
 Each society, or association, shall annually pay into the treasury of 
 this association, 25 per cent, on the whole amount received into their 
 treasuries, for defraying the expenses of the attendance of their dele- 
 gates, and other necessary expenditures; but should the amount in the 
 treasury be insufficient, an additional tax shall be levied on the local so- 
 cieties, proportioned on each according to amounts last paid in. 
 
 Article XI. 
 
 A majority of the societies represented shall constitute a quorum for 
 the transaction of business; no money to be appropriated but by a vote 
 of two-thirds of the delegates in attendance. 
 
 Article XII. 
 
 Section i. There shall be issued by the officers of the National As- 
 sociation, in blank form, (under the control of that body) to local so- 
 cieties, for the use of their members, a card, to be called the "union 
 card," with suitable designs and inscriptions; and it shall be the duty of 
 the local societies to issue one of these cards to every member in good 
 standing, when about to leave the section of country over which they 
 may have jurisdiction; and on the member's arriving under the jurisdic- 
 tion of another society, and depositing his card with the president, or in 
 his absence with any other officer, and receiving a certificate of such de- 
 posit, it must secure for him the confidence and good offices of that 
 body; and, in case of his departure, in good standing, from said place, 
 the proper officers of the society will give him another similar card, 
 which shall be his passport with the next society. The card to be as 
 follows: 
 
 This is to certify that the bearer hereof, ■ , is a mem- 
 ber of the ; and, at the time of issuing this card, is in 
 
 good standing, and as such will receive the confidence, friendship, and 
 good offices of all societies under the jurisdiction of the National Asso- 
 ciation. 
 
 Given under our hands at , this — day of •, 18 — . 
 
 , President. 
 
 , Secretary. 
 
 Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of every member of any association or 
 society, on arriving in a place from another section of country, to wait 
 on some one connected with the association, and show his card. And 
 that it be further the duty of said member waited on, to introduce (as 
 soon as practicable) the stranger among his craftsmen of the association, 
 for examination of card. 
 
 Article XIII. 
 
 This constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting of the 
 National Association, to suit a majority of the local societies then repre- 
 sented: Provided, No alteration shall be made unless notice be given at 
 the previous annual meeting. 
 
 ADDRESS TO LOCAL SOCIETIES BY THE CONVENTION OF 
 THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY IN 1836. 
 
 In proposing the general rules for the management of the local so- 
 cieties, the committee deem it a matter of so much importance to the 
 permanency and efficiency of the contemplated union, that they can not 
 forego the opportunity to impress upon the members of such societies 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF TRINTKRS 
 
 120 
 
 the strong necessity which exists for yielding so much of opinion, of 
 power, and of government, as shall be required to give harmony, stabil- 
 ity, and efficacy to the whole system. To accomplish the great purpose* 
 aimed at, and to secure a good organization, something of conccsM.iii 
 much of resolution and determination — will be needed. The princip.-il 
 object should never be lost sight of — the glorious result thereof should 
 forever be kept in view, and a comparison should be drawn between our 
 present inefficient, unorganized, and, in too many respects, deplorable 
 condition, with the energetic discipline and strength constituting its re- 
 verse. 
 
 The advantages which will accrue to the profession from the adop- 
 tion of some equitable plan of union, are incalculable; and the recom- 
 mendations of the committee are such as, in their judgment, will be 
 most feasible, provided a proper spirit of conciliation, allied to an un- 
 shaken firmness of purpose, shall be observed on the part of the local 
 societies. Our employers, though some of them may be opposed to us a 
 while, will eventually become convinced that, in endeavormg to amclio.- 
 rate our own condition, we have not forgotten their interests, but have. 
 on the contrary, consulted and secured them; and your committee con- 
 ceive that, in no recommendation of theirs, is the least principle of right 
 infringed or reason violated, but strict and impartial justice extended to 
 all concerned. 
 
 If it be made obligatory upon the parents or guardians of boys to 
 have them bound as apprentices for a certain term, (not less than six 
 years), does the employer suffer injustice? By no means. He is l)cnc- 
 fited. The employer, the journeymen, and the apprentice, are all bene- 
 fited by this regulation, and the provision made to bring into member- 
 ship, in one or the other of the several local societies, all who may not 
 be connected therewith — and after a distant specified period to admit 
 none who have not served six years at the trade, will be found, upon 
 proper reflection, to be productive of the happiest results, as it will >c- 
 cure to the employer the whole time of the apprentice, and prevent th;>sc 
 from working as journeymen who have not served a regular apprentice- 
 ship. , . 1 • • 
 
 The committee would, therefore, again urge upon the local societies 
 the propriety of deep and mature deliberation, and they conlidently hope 
 that, when the few innovations upon long-established usages, which the 
 nature of the subject necessarily imposed, shall come before them for 
 consideration, they will receive that approval to which their merits may 
 entitle them. .... • • .-„ 
 
 [The regulations below, when adopted by the respective societies, 
 through their representatives, will become binding upon the whole, as 
 general laws, for the government of the craft.] ., . . , 
 
 .\rticle I. Every apprentice shall serve until he be 21 years 01 
 age; and at the time of entering as an apprentice shall not be more than 
 15 years of age; and every boy taken as an apprentice shall be bountl to 
 his emplover in due form of law. ... • . • . ol.. :- 
 
 Art. '2. No runaway apprentice shall be received into any ofhce in 
 the United States attached to the National Society, either as an appren- 
 
 ^""^ ART°T"Tny'boy who may be legally released from his master, may 
 be received into another establishment to serve out the ^'^V''"''","' ^"^ 
 apprenticeship, provided he has not been legally released for his own 
 bad conduct. ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^.^ ^^^^^^ .^ j^„„ »,:L^"v"!f " ,'':^ 
 
 office wherein he was indented shall cease «" »"^.. .»'«•. "'7,*;;^ n"f hi. aiC 
 another office, and be regularly indented to finish the term of hi. ap- 
 
 ^"■^"!(^'t- After the - day of -. .«-.!« shall no. U l..f . i - 
 
 any local society to consider any application f-r rnemt..- 
 panied by the credentials of. the applicant th.nt he had sr: 
 of six years as a regularly indented aPP'''"*''^*^. »' '''« ^'' 
 
 \rt 6 That after the — day of ; — it shall nut ... • • _ 
 
 any locll society to permit members of said society to work ... -..> otlkc 
 
130 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 where boys may be taken as apprentices to the printing business, to serve 
 for a less period than six years. 
 
 Art. 7. The local societies shall have the power to establish such 
 tariff of prices as may be suitable to the section of country in which 
 they may be located; always having a due regard to the wants of the pro- 
 fession. 
 
 Art. 8. It shall be the duty of all local societies, working under 
 the jurisdiction of the National Society, to sustain each other in their 
 list of prices, or such other regulations as they may adopt for their gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Art. 9. That any individual violating the constitution or regulations 
 of the local society of the district in which he resides, shall be sum- 
 moned to appear before the society to which he is attached; and if it 
 should be proved to the satisfaction of said society that the individual 
 has committed the offense, that he shall be forthwith expelled; and that 
 no member of any society be permitted to work in an office where he 
 may be employed, unless said individual shall be reinstated by the society 
 from which he had been expelled. 
 
 Art. 10. That all local societies repeal so much of their constitu- 
 tions as requires a term of apprenticeship as a qualification for member- 
 ship; and that they admit all who are at work at the business as jour- 
 neymen, so soon as it shall be ascertained that the proposed regulations 
 of the convention upon this subject shall be adopted by two-thirds of the 
 societies. 
 
 Art. II. Any person presenting a certificate of membership from 
 one society, under the jurisdiction of the National Society, to another 
 society under the same jurisdiction, and paying the monthly dues called 
 for by their constitution, shall be entitled to the trade benefits of said 
 society. If he shall pay in addition the usual initiation fee, he shall be 
 entitled to the full benefits of the society. 
 
 Art. 12. In case it shall be necessary in any local society to strike 
 for an advance of wages, it shall be the duty of all other societies to 
 contribute such sum as may be necessary to sustain them: Provided, 
 The board of control of the National Society previously sanctions the 
 strike. 
 
 Art. 13. No member of any society shall contract for more work 
 than he can perform in person on one machine or press (whether for a 
 master printer, publisher, or bookseller) at the same time. 
 
 Art. 14. Local societies shall recognize but two classes of printers 
 — employers and journeymen — tliat is, persons who carry on business 
 solely as employers, and those who work as journeymen, in the manner 
 prescribed, and at the prices demanded by such society. 
 
 Art. 15. It shall be the duty of local societies to have prepared an 
 annual report of their condition, showing the number of members ad- 
 mitted for the year preceding: the amount of receipts from initiation, 
 etc., said report to be transmitted to the National Society at its annual 
 meeting. 
 
 Art. 16. That the societies be requested to forward to the board of 
 control, or to the National Society, when in session, the number, as near 
 as can be ascertained, of apprentices employed in the district of country 
 over which the society has jurisdiction: also, of all the journeymen — 
 distinguishing members of the society from others. 
 
 Art. 1 7. That men pronounced rats by one society, shall be con- 
 sidered such by all others. 
 
 Art. 18. No person shall be admitted into a society until he attains 
 the age of 21 years. 
 
 Art. 19. A local society, on the suspension or expulsion of a mem- 
 ber, shall give information to all other societies, and make annual re- 
 port to the National Society. 
 
 Art. 20. That it be made obligatory on the members of the respec- 
 tive societies to solicit all nrinters to join some local society. 
 
 The foregoing constitution, etc., of the National Typographical So- 
 ciety was adopted by the undersigned delegates, representing the soci- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS ,3, 
 
 eties attached to our several names, at the City Hall in the citv of 
 Washington, on the nth day of November, 1836 ' 
 
 Charles A. Davis, 
 John L. Brown. 
 Augustus H. Krauth. 
 
 From New York. 
 F,ZRA Grossman, 
 VVm. Sharpless, 
 Jas. F. Haliday, 
 
 From Harrisburg, Pa. 
 JoH-N F. Cook. 
 Geo. Johnston. 
 VVm. Holliday. 
 
 From Haltimore, Md. 
 J no. Stock well, 
 James Clephank. 
 
 \V. W. CURRAN. 
 
 From WashinRton, D. C. 
 A. F. Cunningham, 
 Charles F. Lowrey. 
 
 F"rom New Orleans, La. 
 
 ADDRESS TO THE PRINTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED 
 STATES ISSUED BY NATIONAL TYPOGRAPH- 
 ICAL SOCIETY CONVENTION OF 1836. 
 
 City Hall, Washington City, November 11, 1836. 
 Fellow-Craftsmen : 
 
 The delegates from the different societies which were invited to 
 meet at Washington on the 7th day of November instant, to form a con- 
 vention, to take into consideration the present condition of the printing 
 business, being about to close their labors, they feel desirous to address 
 you, in order to lay before you the motives which induced the call, and 
 which urged them to adopt measures to form a constitution for the oriR- 
 inating and management of a general association, under the denomina- 
 tion of "The National Typographical Society," to be held annually, anil 
 to be composed of delegates from all societies in the different section* 
 of the United States, proportioned to the rate of their sitting member*. 
 
 From recent attempts at encroachments on the rights of journey- 
 men, and to prevent such in future, it has been judged most prudent to 
 seek safety in union. This concert of action becomes the more impera- 
 tive, since we daily perceive the rapid strides which printing is m.iking 
 over a vast e.xtent of country, and the measures which may be adopted 
 to injure us. It is a lamentable fact that the newspaper press h.is al- 
 most entirely passed from under the control of meiiilnr-. "f t'n- i.rofr*- 
 sion, into the hands of speculators and partisans. ■• ' t the 
 
 feelings and sympathies of the craft, create disscn iltie* 
 
 when they can not make them subservient to their ■ 
 
 As nothing of a permanent nature could b<- un! r'n 
 
 vention, it confined itself solely to recommendatory iii« , 
 were suggested during the several meetings which wcr«- 
 much important matter to the societies to accomplish be! 
 
 firm and ratify the constitution. But in the meantime, il : ^ 
 
 on us to make you acquainted with the various topics which cinjjgcJ our 
 time and attention, and the results at which wc have arrived. 
 
 In looking back but a few years, we may almost snv .i fer^- ^T>nt^s. 
 associations by men in the humbler spheres of life ■• • 
 by men of sound legal knowledge, as a departure • 
 which ought to be considered as a combination au n 
 and contrary to common law, for which opinions th- . 1 1 , u 
 
 many strong judicial precedents to sustain them. Hut .ilr-M.v ii-^ "■ 
 true principles of political knowledge sprcid almost with the cclerily ol 
 sound, and stamp the improvements of the age. All that dread ol <un 
 
132 A DOCUjVIENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ger has disappeared, and given place to more congenial feelings. So 
 much so, that it has now become the duty of the working classes to watch 
 the employment of capital in the hands of the speculator. Indeed, it is 
 an important object for the study of legislators, to restrain the capitalist 
 in his wild career of gain, that he may not injure the poor mechanic 
 in the line of his profession. Should this ma.xim be overlooked, the 
 wealthy of the land may increase in riches, but the most abject poverty 
 and distress will be sure to follow in the track. Does it not then be- 
 come the industrious mechanic to protect himself and family from pau- 
 perism, by adopting a mode of defense which will cause a more general 
 distribution of that property which is produced by his hard earnings? 
 
 To you, fellow-craftsmen, who take a pride in your profession, and 
 look upon the present degraded state of the press as a public misfortune, 
 which must eventually corrupt the morals of the community, and destroy 
 our free institutions, we would appeal to arrest this evil; or, before 
 many months pass over, the art of printing will no longer give support 
 to its professors. The demon of misrule has entered the sacred temple 
 of liberty, corrupted its officiating priests, and profaned the holy altar. 
 This picture is too true, and has already alarmed the fears, and occupied 
 the attention of many good men of our land, and among that number, 
 the patriotic and enlightened Noah Webster; as a proof of which, we 
 give the following living picture of the press from the pen of this great 
 
 "The press, when judiciously managed, is one of the greatest bless- 
 ings of a civilized people; when abused, it is the most powerful instru- 
 ment of mischief. Probably no civil privilege in this country is so much 
 perverted and abused. In no country is reputation held so cheap. 
 Slander, like the scythe of death, levels all worth and distinction; the 
 press, one of the noblest instruments of improvement, is converted into 
 an instrument of deception, and the means of making citizens hate and 
 oppress each other. The moral effect of this abuse is lamentable; for it 
 seems to have become a ruling belief of partisans that a man has a 
 right to defame those who differ from him in opinion." 
 
 Thank God, but few of these corrupt conductors of the press are 
 practical printers! Unfortunately, however, they manage to carry on 
 this warfare by the service of boys, raising six or eight at a time for a 
 few years, to subserve their nefarious purposes, and then cast them on 
 the profession for support. By this means, they continually keep the 
 stream flowing into the laiger cities, driving the journeymen from 
 tlieir positions to make room for those youths who will labor for a mere 
 pittance to obtain a livelihood, and hence become an object to some 
 avaricious employers — inconsiderate men. 
 
 This we consider a cruel and an unjust practice, and are deter- 
 mined, as far as lies in our power, to meet the evil with energy and 
 firmness. We call upon each local society to unite with us in denounc- 
 ing it, and upon every parent or guardian to protect the interest of 
 their charge, by compelling their boys to be regularly bound as appren- 
 tices, and to be taught a full knowledge of their business, and not to al- 
 low them to be thrown into the company of immoral and profligate 
 youths, encouraged by receiving more money than they are acquainted 
 with the value of. 
 
 We would earnestly advise every society not to lose one day in 
 adopting some specific act on this head, that all may feel the benefit. 
 The suggestions of the National Society's constitution will point out a 
 mode to regulate you in this all-important and long-complained-of eyil, 
 which has already ruined the business in more than one city; we must 
 congratulate those societies who have undertaken to check this wicked 
 custom, and we hope they will expose those who traffic at their neigh- 
 bors' cost. 
 
 We can not embrace, in this brief address, the one-half of the ob- 
 jects brought before this convention; but one serious evil we must not 
 omit, because, if longer persisted in, it will reduce us to the wretched 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATION'S OF PRINTERS j^^ 
 
 condition of the servile tools of party, which must deprive us of the 
 most distant hope of ever benefiting ourselves by our profession. This 
 evil exists in a country, too, where the press is considered free, and 
 the principles of lioerty are well known. We have allusion to that un- 
 just and pernicious practice of the legislatures of many States, as well 
 as of the Federal Government, of bestowing all their printing and bind- 
 ing in such a manner as to reward their zealous partisans, even to the 
 smallest job, when they are not only not printers, but entirely unac- 
 quainted with the art, to the exclusion and utter ruin of the practical 
 man. This ought not to be submitted to, and we must endeavor to have 
 it altered, if necessary, by means of the ballot box, in calling on all 
 whose interests may be concerned to unite with us. It is the duty of 
 all upright and honest legislators to protect all classes, and not to op- 
 press one class of citizens to elevate another. We may compete with 
 capital, but can not contend against the powerful influence of a State. 
 Security in the right of what we possess is the principal object of the 
 social compact, and the property of the working man consists in the 
 knowledge of his calling, and any infringement of that right is at once 
 subversive of all civil institutions. 
 
 We can not overloox what has been pointed out to us since we as- 
 sembled here, through the puljlic papers. A joint stock company, we un- 
 derstand, is about being formed in Boston (a) to carry on printing by 
 means of boys; and we also perceive, from a prospectus published in the 
 United States Telegraph, that a more formidable inroad is about to be 
 made by a joint stock company with a capital of $500,000 under a pre- 
 tended charter. This chimerical plan, of itself, could not excite one un- 
 easy sensation in the breast of any practical man; but, in this age of 
 speculative mania, others may attempt the same or similar projects. The 
 following simple extract will at once exhibit the manner by which our 
 interests might be destroyed by the failure or success of such under- 
 takings : 
 
 "It is proposed ^ays the prospectus) to manufacture the paper used 
 in printing, and thus save the expense of drying it for market, nutting 
 it into bundles, transportation to market, commission, interest, and guar- 
 anties, equal at least to 20 per cent. 
 
 "A greater saving can be made by the employment of boys m com- 
 position, printing, and binding. This, with the profits on periodicals. 
 reprints, and elementary books, will secure to the stockholders a good 
 dividend." 
 
 Our efforts, in endeavoring to enlist your feelings and co-operation, 
 are intended for the benefit of all, individually and collectively. \\ e 
 are aware that our friends will expect from this convention <i.mr r.i;uU 
 tion with respect to the price of labor; but we believe n 
 meddle with the concerns of local societies— and. thcrct 
 standard of wages; but we judge it better to obligate n 
 tain each other in our general interests, when prudence : 
 interference. We. therefore, call upon you, jJirouRf" >; 
 to concert measures to have delegates sent to ."The Natr 
 ical Society," that its exertions might be felt, sinniltnnr 
 end of the Union to the other, in sustaining the li 
 our profession. In those sections of the country 
 yet established, we trust the craft will sec the ii' 
 uniting themselves in some bond of union. \VIut< 
 fession may be but few and scattered, a chapel, or ^.■^lc s,:, • ■■ 
 may be concerted to appoint a delegate or proxy. „„,■„,„,,. 3,1, i.,.. 
 
 To the rising profession of the VVest. we would P"«'^"'^['> /;•:,; 
 our soIicitations,%s they Promise to become the "«"^„; K""":^'""';^ ^; 
 people's press, and the protectors of the f'-««^'"7, ^ "f *''*;,„Tr„ ^T- b^ 
 present is a most important era. However s mall their numbers may Of 
 
 a We understand that the Boston company h.is already gone into op 
 
 eration. 
 
134 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 they ought now to concentrate and unite themselves together, for tlie 
 least procrastination may perhaps prove an insuperatile obstacle to their 
 progress. They have no ancient prejudices to contend against — no in- 
 veterate habits to overcome; which must make the task to them a pleas- 
 ant and easy one. and on which might be predicated many a useful and 
 valuable institution. Libraries or reading rooms might be got up, and 
 made the channel of much friendly intercourse between them. Through 
 this means of acquiring information, they might, with a giant's arm, 
 protect the yet almost uncorrupted West from the hireling editor's con- 
 taminating pen, and become the true recorders of the nation's progress 
 to greatness and glory, in the peaceful pursuits of civil life, or in en- 
 couraging the citizen soldier when called on to battle against the op- 
 pressor for liberty and independence. 
 
 Although we do consider it the duty of all printers to join and lend 
 their aid to some association, we would rather invite than use coercive 
 measures to induce them to become members. We would do this in the 
 best of faith, that we might have all the good and moral men of the 
 craft enrolled as brothers of one family, and none to stand aloof but the 
 unworthy and debased. We hope the different societies will, accordingly, 
 so amend the qualification articles in their respective constitutions as to 
 make all who are now ineligible from want of certificate, etc., of ap- 
 prenticeship, good members, who may be at the same time working at the 
 business as acknowledged journeymen. When the National Society's 
 constitution is ratified, then six years will be the minimum standard of 
 apprenticeship for boys to be bound. This regulation the employing 
 printer will find to be of primary importance to his interest and welfare. 
 And thus, reciprocally blending our interests, we may stand united, and 
 oppose the efforts of the selfish speculator, or the partisan politician. 
 Under such a union, we will make our press to be heard, whether in the 
 turmoil of a republic or in the dead calm of a despotism. 
 
 Through the agency of the various delegations a statistical table 
 will be annually furnished, and regularly published, of the number of 
 newspapers and periodicals in the United States; the names and profes- 
 sions of editors; men employed, members or not members of a society; 
 boys bound, etc., so that we may possess all necessary information con- 
 cerning the management of the palladium of our rights, which the pub- 
 lic, as well as the craft, should know. 
 
 We fear we have transcended our limits for publication, and must 
 omit much of what we would wish to suggest. We would remark, how- 
 ever, that the union we are about to form is but an association of social 
 feelings, to ascertain the condition of our trade, and make regulations 
 for the government of ourselves; we have encroached upon no man's 
 rights, nor committed an act that we shall ever have cause to regret. 
 The interests of the employer and journeyman have been assimilated, 
 and, we hope, rendered permanent for the time to come. 
 
 The convention transacted its arduous duties with the greatest har- 
 mony and good feeling towards each member; and perhaps never did a 
 meeting take place under more propitious auspices than this convention 
 did, and which promises much to the future of the profession at large. 
 With great arespect, and good wishes to all the profession, we bid you 
 adieu. 
 
 APPENDIX A, NO. 10. 
 
 Address Issued by the Convention of 1850 to the Journeymen 
 Printers of the United States. 
 
 For some time past the project of calling together a national con- 
 vention of journeymen printers has met with consideraWe attention and 
 favor from the trade in various portions of the country. Aware of this 
 fact, and partaking also in the general desire, the unions of New York, 
 Philadelphia, and TJoston about a month since issued a circular, request- 
 ingthe different societies throughout the country to send delegates to a 
 national convention, to be held in New York, on Monday, December 2, 
 
EARLY ORGAXIZATIOXS OF PRINTERS 135 
 
 1850. In consequence of the very short space of time intervening be- 
 tween the receipt of the circular and the meeting of the convention, but 
 five States have sent delegates, viz.: New York, New lersey, Pennsyl- 
 vania, ^laryland, and Kentucky. These delegates met in convention at 
 the time and place specified, and, through their committee, now address 
 you. 
 
 It is useless for us to disguise from ourselves the fact that, under 
 the present arrangement of things, there exists a perpetual antagonism 
 between labor and capital. The toilers are involuntarily pitted against 
 the employers: one side, striving to sell their labor for as much, and the 
 other striving to buy it for as little, as they can. In this war of inter- 
 ests, labor, of itself, stands no chance. The power is all on the other 
 side. Every addition to the number of laborers in the market decreases 
 their power: while the power of capital grows in a ratio commensurate 
 with the increase of the capital itself. On the one side, the greater the 
 number of dollars, the greater the ability to succeed in the conflict; on 
 the other the greater the number 6f laborers, the less the ability to suc- 
 ceed. Add tn this the fact that wealth accumulates, on the one side. 
 much faster than the laborers accumulate on the other, and the utter im- 
 potency of unorganized labor in a warfare against capital becomes mani- 
 fest. 
 
 To remedy the many disastrous grievances arising from this dis- 
 parity of power, combination, for mutual agreement in determining rate* 
 of wages, and for concert of action in maintaining them, has been re- 
 sorted to in many trades, and principally in our own. Its success has 
 abundantly demonstrated its utility. Indeed, while the present w-iges 
 system continues in operation, as an immediate protection from press- 
 ing calamities, it is clearly the only effective means which labor can 
 adopt. So far as it extends, it destroys competition in the labor market; 
 unites the working peonle. and produces a sort of equilibrium in the 
 power of the conflicting parties. 
 
 This being the case, it appears evident that an extensive organiza- 
 tion, embracing the whole country, would secure to our own, or any 
 other trade, a power which could be derived from no other source. Tl.<- 
 delegates here assembled have come together deeply impressed with i.:^ 
 conviction. Thev regard such an organization not only as an sk^''' i 
 immediate relief,' but also as essential to the ultimate destruction ..t v. -■ 
 unnatural relations at present subsisting between the interests ■ t : • 
 emploving and employed classes. .-MI their activities have accr- : , 
 been regulated with a view to the establishing of such an org.ini- .• 
 They have recommended the formation of societies in all the cit > ~ 
 towns throughout the country. They have rendered it obligat-r'. 
 all members of the profession traveling to any point embrace. 1 ■ • 
 representation here, for work, to have with them certific.-iti> ..t :■ 
 ship from the society located in the place from which tlu . 
 have established a national executive committee, to urge t 
 of their recommendations and requirements. They have 
 that committee to use their utmost exertions to have at , ,, , 
 
 tion of the whole country in the next national c""^*^"''^ "'.f „.l,f <CZ 
 have ordered to be held in Baltimore, Md.. on the lath of next 5«p- 
 tember. . ,, i •!, • » .-■,,,*- t>i,- 
 
 The members of this convention arc well assured th.T t" -r. nr i.r 
 adoption of the measures they recommend, they must r.^ 
 alone which are best calculated to effect the immediate «■ 
 individual members of the trade. The establishment ot :. . 
 zation must be effected upon certain principles. In t.t 
 advantages of the operation of those principles are tcit .y 
 establishment of that organization will he ^^"'•'•"l^,";, ' . 
 The principles, therefore, recommended by the <^"";'"''"". ^.„ 
 urges the formation of societies throughout the country .yr - 
 not fail to enlist in their favor the most potent cons.deratlon^ 
 
 '"*"Flrst.-'Tn"'u;de'rsta'n'dTng in the regulation of Ka.es of r,,^,, „. 
 different localities, so that. V^°«%i" -""' ^'»^^,."'?^ ^'^^ Khetr. 
 become so comparatively high as to induce work to DC »*ni ci.c 
 
136 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Second. The enforcement of the principle of limiting the number 
 of apprentices; by which measure a too rapid increase in the number of 
 workmen, too little care in the selection of bovs for the business, and 
 the employment of herds of half men at half wages, to the detriment of 
 good workmen, will be effectively prevented. 
 
 Third. The issuing of traveling certificates, by which the distresses 
 of brother craftsmen, incurred in journeying from one place to an- 
 other, in search of work, may be relieved. In this we have one of those 
 means of attracting and attaching to our societies men who, not troubled 
 largely with abstract principles of strict duty, are nevertheless will- 
 ing to become "repentant prodigals" for the sake of the "fatted calf." 
 Besides, it is eminently calculated to produce a warmer attachment on 
 the part of superior men, inasmuch as it will bind them in ties of grati- 
 tude, and in the luxurious fellowship of good deeds. 
 
 Fourth. Measures to prevent disgraced members of the profession 
 enjoying, anywhere in the United States, those privileges which belong 
 exclusively to honorable printers. They consist in keeping a registry 
 of "rats," to be sent by the executive committee to every union in the 
 country, for reference; and admitting to membership no stranger, who 
 does not produce evidence of his having been a member in good standing 
 of the society, if any existed, in the place from which he comes. 
 
 Fifth. The gradual collection of a sum of money by each union suf- 
 ficient to enable it to hold out successfully against the employers, in the 
 event of a contention for higher wages. 
 
 Sixth. The recognition of the right of a union to borrow from any 
 other, when necessary, a sum of money to the amount of ,$i for each 
 member thereof, to be repaid in a manner prescribed. This is intended, 
 in conjunction with other matters proposed, to strengthen each indi- 
 vidual society in the struggles which it may he called on to make, from 
 time to time, against unjust employers. Its efficacy needs no explana- 
 tion. 
 
 Seventh. Measures for the attainment of several other objects of 
 less importance, which are calculated to give efficacy to the whole. 
 
 Such has Ijeen the main work of the convention; and, while the 
 members thereof are aware that it is but the commencement of an un- 
 dertaking which in its full completion, must necessarily be more or less 
 protractive, they look with confidence to those who shall follow them, in 
 subsequent conventions, to conduct it to a successful consummation. 
 
 The project of establishing a joint stock office, at Washington City, 
 for the purpose of executing the printing of the United States Govern- 
 ment, was introduced into the convention; but its newness, as a matter 
 of practical concern, to the great body of journeymen printers, with the 
 necessity of having a thorough deliberation on so important a matter, and 
 the propriety of delegates being elected with special regard to its con- 
 sideration, prompted its reference to the next convention. The prac- 
 ticability of the working people employing themselves, and realizing the 
 profits of their own labor, there can be no doubt might! be illustrated 
 and established, if the journeymen printers of the United States would 
 resolve to try the experiment. In fact, our Philadelphia brethren have 
 already, to a great extent, succeeded in an eft'ort of the kind. A pub- 
 lishing establishment has been instituted in that city, by the union there; 
 and thus far has answered the most sanguine expectations of its pro- 
 jectors and friends. If a similar concern, on a large scale, could be in- 
 stituted in Washington, a similar result might be reasonably appre- 
 hended. The subject is, at least, well worthy a full and deliberate con- 
 sideration: and may be regarded as one of the most important and in- 
 teresting which will engage the attention of the next convention. 
 
 Combination merely to fix and sustain a scale of prices is of minor 
 importance compared to that combination which looks to an ultimate re- 
 demption of labor. Scales of prices, to keep up the value of labor, are 
 only necessary under a system which, in its uninterrupted operation, gives 
 to that value a continued downward tendency. But when labor deter- 
 mines no longer to sell itself to speculators, but to become its own em- 
 ployer; to own and enjoy itself and the fruit thereof, the necessity for 
 scales of prices will have passed away, and labor will be forever rescued 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 137 
 
 from the control of the capitalist. It will then be free, fruitful, honora- 
 ble. The shackles of a disastrous conventionalism will have fallen from 
 its limbs; and it will appear in the character which nature designed it t. 
 sustain. This is certainly a consummation most devoutly to be ^'. - ■ ' 
 and, however difficult it may be to attain, if within the range ■■; : 
 bility, ought to constitute the great end to which all our other an.. .,:. ; 
 efforts should be made subsidiary. 
 
 The journeymen printers of the United States arc earnestly in- 
 voked, by their brethren here, to employ their most effective endeavors 
 in the prosecution of this work. Its success now rests with them; ar.d 
 it is to be hoped they will feel the full weight of the responsibility. \\ .■ 
 beg them to take into favorable consideration the nicasurts u'. 
 recommended for their adoption. We beg them to assist the li.v 
 executive committee, by every possible means, in the fulfillment .1 ;•- 
 duties. We beg them to circulate the official proceedings of this O'li 
 vention, (published in pamphlet form by the union of I'hiladrlpln.i ) 
 wherever such circulation will be calculated to excite an iiitcrot in 
 the movement. And we beg them finally to send a full reprcscntatiun 
 to the next convention, from every section of the country. They owe 
 a duty which they are thus called upon to discharge, not only to us, who 
 have commenced in this movement — not alone to themselves, who arc so 
 deeply interested in it — but also to the laborers of all trades and voca- 
 tions, who are anxiously awaiting the development of some sure plan of 
 amelioration, which they can all adopt. Public opinion places us at the 
 head of the mechanical professions. Let us not belie that opinion, by 
 falling behind it. Something is expected of us: and when the next con- 
 vention assembles, let its numbers and its actions justify and rcali/e the 
 public expectation. Let something be evolved, during its deliberation*, 
 which will redound to the benefit of our own trade, and, by way of ex- 
 ample, to the benefit of all others. 
 
 Respectfully, M. F. Conwav. 
 
 Geo. E. Greene, 
 And. J. Atkinson, 
 J. T. Nafew, 
 Chas. Beciitei. 
 
 Ccmmittfc. 
 By order of the convention: 
 
 John W. PEtEOOv, 
 
 I'resUfnt. 
 Geo. E. Greene, 
 M. C. Brown. 
 
 I'ice-l'rcsiJents. 
 F. T. Ottarson, 
 John IIartman, 
 New York, December 7, 185". Stcrclariti. 
 
 APPENDIX A. NO. 11. 
 Constitution of 1851. National Typographical Union. 
 
 We, the representatives of the typographical associations -f lb- 
 States of Maryland, Pennsylvania. New York. Ohio, Kentucky. \ >• 
 ginia, Massachusetts and New Jersey, in national convention assemble!. 
 for our government, do ordain and establish the following: 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 Section i. This body shall be known by the name of -The S'v 
 tional Typographical Union," and shall be acknowledged. "^'P'^'; ""J 
 obeyed as such by each subordinate union in the V'""«'>- .'' •'''Y ^.", 
 sess original and exclusive jurisdiction in all matters perUining i- «"<■ 
 
138 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 fellowship of the craft in the United States. All subordinate unions 
 shall assemble under its warrant, and derive their authority from it, en- 
 abling them to make all necessary local laws for their own government. 
 It shall be the ultimate tribunal to which all matters of general impor- 
 tance to the welfare of the members of the different unions shall be re- 
 ferred, and its decision thereon shall be final and conclusive. To it 
 shall belong the power to regulate, fix and determine the customs and 
 usages in regard to all matters appertaining to the craft. It shall pos- 
 sess inherent power to establish subordinate unions who shall always act 
 by virtue of a warrant granted by authority of this body. 
 
 Article 11. 
 
 The members of this National Union shall be composed of its elec- 
 tive officers and the representatives from subordinate unions, acting 
 under legal, unreclaimed warrants granted by this National Union. 
 
 Article III. 
 
 Section i. The elective officers shall be a president, two vice-presi- 
 dents, (who shall be chosen from different States), a recording secretary, 
 a corresponding secretary, and a treasurer — all of whom shall be elected 
 annually, by ballot, and be installed and enter upon the duties of their 
 offices at the termination of the session at which they are elected. They 
 shall attend each meeting of the National Union, and perform such 
 other_ duties as may be enjoined by its laws and regulations. No officer, 
 who is not also a representative, shall be permitted to vote, e.xcept the 
 president, in case of equal division. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 Section i. The president shall preside at the meetings of the Na- 
 tional Union, preserve order, and enforce the laws thereof. He shall 
 have the casting vote whenever the National Union shall be equally di- 
 vided: but shall not vote at other times. During the recess of this 
 National Union, he shall, in conjunction with the vice-president, have a 
 general superintendence over the interests of the craft; and make report, 
 immediately upon the assembling of the National Union, of his acts and 
 doings in relation thereto. He shall not hold any office in a subordi- 
 nate while acting as president of this National Union. 
 
 Sec. 2. The vice-presidents shall assist the president in the dis- 
 charge of his duties, and shall take precedence of rank in proportion to 
 the votes received in the election of each (i. e. the officer receiving 
 the highest number of votes shall rank before the one receiving the 
 lower number). In the absence of the president and first vice-president, 
 the second vice-president shall preside. 
 
 Sec. 3. The recording secretary shall make a just and true record 
 of the proceedings of the National Union, in a book provided for that 
 purpose; keep accounts between the National Union and subordinates 
 under its jurisdiction; read all petitions, reports and papers to be laid 
 before the National Union, and perform such other duties as may from 
 time to time be required of him. 
 
 Sec. 4. The corresponding secretary shall conduct the correspond- 
 ence of the National Union, and transact such business as appertains to 
 his office. Copies of all communications transmitted or received by him 
 shall be laid before the National Union. 
 
 Sec. s. The treasurer shall keep the moneys of the National Union, 
 and pay all orders drawn on him by the president and attested by the 
 recording secretary, under the seal of the National Union. He shall lay 
 before the union at each regular session a full and correct statement of 
 his accounts, and before entering upon the duties of his office give such 
 security as the National Union may require. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS xjQ 
 
 Article V. 
 
 Section i. Representatives from subordinate unions must be actua' 
 members, in good standing. Tliey must be elected by the body they rep- 
 resent for the term of one year — and furnished with a certificate of 
 election. 
 
 Sec. 2. Each subordinate union shall be entitled to three repre- 
 sentatives in the National Union, and each representative shall he en- 
 titled to one vote. The expenses of the attendance of said representa 
 tives shall be defrayed by the unions they respectively represent. 
 
 Article \'I. 
 
 The National Union shall meet annually on the tirst .Monday in 
 May, at such place as shall from time to time be determined upon. 
 
 Article VII. 
 
 The revenue of the National Union shall be derived as follows: 
 For a warrant for a subordinate union, $5, and 5 per cent upon the total 
 receipts of subordinate unions. 
 
 Article \'III. 
 
 In case of death, resignation, disqualification, or refusal of the 
 president elected to serve, the duties of the office for the remainder of 
 the term shall be performed by the vice-presidents in the order desig- 
 nated bv this constitution. And in case of death, resignation, disquali- 
 fication "or refusal of the above officers to serve, then a president pro 
 tern, shall be elected. In case of the death, resignation, disqualification, 
 or refusal to serve, of any officer, the preceding officer for the time l>c- 
 ing shall appoint some qualified person to perform the duties until the 
 next regular meeting of the National Union. 
 
 Article IX. 
 
 A majority of the representatives of the several unions under the 
 jurisdiction of this National Union, shall be necessary to form a quorum 
 for the transaction of business. All questions, unless otherwiie pro- 
 vided for, shall be decided by a majority of the votes given. 
 
 Article X. 
 
 Sectio.n- I. General laws for the government of the cnft t»:rrtich 
 out the jurisdiction of this National Union, may be n 
 forced by this bodv: and any union within «ts juriscl.ri 
 abide by its laws and decisions shall be expelled. 1 he 
 shall also upon the request ot any subordinate union un ■ ^ ^ 
 
 tion, establish ceremonies of initiation into the ranks ot ^k -1 
 
 "^'^ Sec. 2. The National Union shall from time to time enact »uch bv- 
 laws as it mav deem necessary: Prozuied. That such by-law. will not 
 conflk^t^with J"^;^ constitution.^^ amendment of this constitution mu.t he 
 
 offered to the National Union, at a regular session thereof: ^^;^J'\^ 
 
 nnded. it shall be entered on the minutes. At the next 
 the amendments may be considered and if a(fr'"f1 '" '.; 
 the vote given, shall become part of the constitution .\ 
 the laws of the National Union shall be made in like r; .. 
 
140 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 law of a general application shall be adopted, unless submitted and en- 
 tered on the minutes at the regular session previous to being adopted. 
 
 J. L. Gibbons, Louisville, Ky. 
 H. A. Guild, New York. 
 E. H. Rogers, New York. 
 Thos. J. Walsh, Albany, N. Y. 
 M. F. Conway, Baltimore, Aid. 
 RoBT. J. Bruce, Baltimore, Md. 
 George H. Randell, Baltimore, Md 
 Washington Ashton, Baltimore, 
 
 Md. 
 Myron H. Rooker, Nezv York. 
 Wm. C. Figner, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Wm. B. Echert, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 J. B. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 Geo. W. Jones, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 John H. Fasy, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Geo. Wadham, Boston, Mass. 
 Chas. a. Randell, Boston, Mass. 
 H. H. Boardman, Boston, Mass. 
 J. Richard Lewellen, Richmond, 
 
 Va. 
 James H. Walford, Richmond, Va. 
 Aug. Donnelly, Baltimore, Md. 
 W. G. Williams, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 Henry T. Ogden, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 Hiram H. Young, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 Chas. Bechtel, Trenton, N. J. 
 Tohn W. Cassedy, Trenton, N. J. 
 Alex. W. Rook, Pittsburg, Pa, 
 W. J. Irvin, Harrisburg, Pa. 
 A. C. Pool, Harrisburg, Pa. 
 
 SCHEDULE. 
 
 Third. If fiv 
 
 tion as early as the 
 
 committee shall call 
 
 First. This constitution being adopted, shall be signed by the mem- 
 bers of this convention, published by its authority, and forwarded by 
 the national executive committee to the different typographical unions 
 and associations, for their ratification. 
 
 Second. As soon as the unions of five different States shall signify 
 to the executive committee their willingness to comply with the princi- 
 ples and requisitions of the constitution, and accompany the same with 
 the regular fee of $5, the said executive committee shall issue their 
 circular, announcing that the National Typographical Union has been 
 formed, and request all subordinates who have ratified the constitution, 
 to elect representatives in pursuance of its provisions, who shall assemble 
 on the first Monday in May, 1852, in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 ions, as specified above, do not ratify the conven- 
 5th day of May next, then the national executive 
 a national convention, to assemble at such time 
 thereafter as they in their judgment may deem proper, to be held in the 
 city where the first session of the National Typographical Union would 
 have been held, had it been formed as above. 
 
 Also, 
 
 Resolved, That a national executive committee of one from each 
 typographical society here represented be appointed, to enforce the execu- 
 tion of all resolutions adopted by this convention, collect information on 
 all matters in relation to the trade, and report the same to the next con- 
 vention. 
 
 Resolved, That the Secretary from New York be authorized and re- 
 quired, in conjunction with the national executive committee, to take 
 charge of the proceedings of the convention together with the address 
 of the executive committee, and have them printed, subject to orders for 
 the same, from all local typographical associations, or societies, at a 
 price to be fixed by said secretary. 
 
 Resolved, That the various local societies be earnestly requested to 
 order, for circulation in their respective localities and districts, such 
 number of copies of the above-mentioned proceedings as may be neces- 
 sary to supply all newspapers and printers in their own district, or else- 
 where, as they may deem proper. 
 
 Resolved, That the officers and members of the various societies 
 throughout the country are hereby requested to have the proceedings of 
 this convention, or an outline thereof, published in all newspapers with- 
 in the circle of their influence. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS i-i 
 
 APPENDIX A. NO. 12. 
 
 Protests Against the Washington Institnte. 
 
 PROTEST OF THE COLUMRIA TVPOGRAI'IIICAL SOCIETY 
 AUGUST 19, 1834. 
 
 Protest of the typographical society, addressed to the public gen- 
 erally, and particularly to the printers of the United States, against the 
 Washington Institute, a school about to be organized in the city of 
 \\'ashington, by Duff Green, which proposes to substitute, in the print- 
 ing business, the labor of boys for that of journeymen. 
 
 Columbia Typographical Society, August 19, 1834. 
 
 The Columbia Typographical Society of the District of Columbia, 
 solemnly impressed with the responsibility under which it rests, and the 
 duty which it owes to the interests of its members, and to the welfare 
 of the profession generally, has deemed it its duty to make public the 
 statements which follow, under the hope and belief, that, as the igis 
 of the law is powerless for the protection of the occupation of its mem- 
 bers, the stern voice of public opinion may aid in accomplishing the 
 overthrow of the evil which threatens the prosperity of tlie printing 
 business, and of which it is the purpose of this paper to treat. 
 
 For the first time since its organization this society now appears at 
 the bar of the public. During the entire period which has elapsed 
 since its formation, which took place in the year 181 5, nearly twenty 
 years ago, it has never had occasion so to appear. Considerations of a 
 high character, from which it must not shrink, involving, it may be, its 
 own existence, has prompted the step which it has now taken; and 
 which must stand as its apology before an enlightened and just com- 
 munity. 
 
 The course of the society since its origin has been strongly marked 
 by prosperity; from a number not exceeding twenty, who were present 
 at its organization, it has extended its members tenfold; ;oo names 
 being now enrolled upon its constitution, as living and active members. 
 some of whom are conductors of the public press at different p>ints 
 of the Union, contributing, it is believed, a solid reputation to its char- 
 acter and standing. This course of unexampled prosperity, the society 
 is perfectly aware, is mainly owing to the just character of its pro- 
 ceedings, which will be found to prevail throughout its history; its 
 fundamental rule of action, which it has never broken, has c%cr been 
 to infringe in no degree on the rights of the empl»yer: and. •should 
 occasion ever demand it, t6 maintain, with steady and determined pur- 
 pose, the rights and interests of its own members. The ni.iin cbjrct of 
 the formation of the society, however, was benevolence. No diflTicuhy 
 between the employers of that day and the journeymen oit'i;'/ rie t'l'- 
 society could have been the cause of its formation, becar, -• 
 adopted the prices throughout as they found them. Tin 
 journeymen were established by the employers thcmseh' 
 formation of the society, and has never been changed «•: 
 be changed to the present time by cither party, except m tw> ;ii-.t.imc^. 
 which v.e may have occasion to notice hereafter. . 
 
 But although benevolent purposes were the immediate occasion of 
 the formation of the Columbia Typographical Society, that other in- 
 terests of the members composing it were taken into consK rration of af 
 that time is plainly apparent, by the f.ict that the society did adopt and 
 merge in its proceedings a list of prices for the Rovcrti • . nt • f '^■^ r~r-n 
 i.eis in this city. It has always been the undcr-r 
 that the price received for their labor must confor: 
 the society. The employers tliemselves r-em to 
 justice of this arrangement as no serious difficultv. • 
 cise of whatever of power the society possessed, has cvrr in-rn m:u<- it« 
 
 °™Beyond this point, however, it has never been claimed hcrciofote 
 
142 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 that the power of [the] society should be extended. How far it would 
 be justified in endeavoring to maintain, where they have been wantonly 
 attacked, the permanent interests of the members composing the society, 
 or of the business which they pursue, is a question wliich we shall pass 
 by, until we shall have stated more fully the immediate occasion of the 
 publication of this paper. 
 
 It is with feelings of the most painful regret that the society has 
 now to announce to the public that a scheme is in agitation, if not 
 already organized, the operation of which, it is confidently believed, will 
 destioy the occupation of the great body of its members, and vitally in- 
 jure the business which they pursue. 
 
 The scheme referred to was announced by its author (Mr. Duff 
 Green) on the ist of January last; since which time the society, through 
 a committee appointed for that purpose, has endeavored to_ dissuade him 
 from carrying it into operation. The correspondence vvhich took place 
 on that occasion will be found at the close of this expose, (a) 
 
 On perusing the letters of Mr. Green, the reader will perceive that 
 he proposes to organize in the city of Washington, an establishment to 
 be called the Washington Institute. The prospectus of this institution, 
 which has been published and circulated by its author, to what extent 
 or amongst whom is not known, discloses the following as its prominent 
 features: 
 
 From 100 to 200 boys are to be engaged, whose duty it shall be to 
 work at the printing business, under regulations therein prescribed. 
 
 Preceptors, to be drawn from the ranks of the journeymen, and 
 from other sources, are to be employed to superintend the education of 
 the boys. 
 
 The amount of the labor of each shall be put down in a book to be 
 kept for that purpose; and, at the period of his graduation, whatever 
 amount shall appear to his credit, beyond a certain daily task to be 
 fixed for him, shall be loaned to him on interest, for a certain term of 
 years, to enable him to commence the publication of a newspaper or 
 some other business. 
 
 These are believed to be the only features of the institution which 
 it is necessary to portray al this time, in order to a fair understanding 
 of its character. Some of its details, of minor importance we iriay have 
 occasion to notice hereafter. 
 
 The object of the institution is declared to be "the regeneration of 
 the American press, and the improvement of the character of the mem- 
 bers of the craft;" but, as during its operation, the proprietor contem- 
 plates discharging from his employment the journeymen at present in 
 his office, except such as may be required to act as preceptors to the 
 boys: and judging also, from the following facts which the occasion has 
 compelled the society to make public, we are bound to believe that the 
 main object of the formation of the Washington Institute is the per- 
 sonal aggrandizement of the proprietor. 
 
 It is scarcely necessary to state that the great body of the printers 
 of this city are now, and have always been, employed upon work, ema- 
 nating from the Government. Up to the year 18 ig the printing of 
 Congress had been given out by contract; but that body, becoming dis- 
 satisfied with the manner in which the work had been executed, ap- 
 pointed a committee on the subject who reported a joint resolution, the 
 provision of which required that each House should elect its own print- 
 ers, by ballot, for the svibsequent Congress, and fixed upon a scale of 
 prices to be given for the execution of the work based upon the prices 
 given by the employers to the journeymen. 
 
 This resolution was adopted by both branches of Congress, and has 
 the form as well as the force of law. It remains in existence at the 
 present moment. 
 
 The prices of the labor of the journeymen were thus, in a measure 
 sanctioned by law, and both the printers in Congress, and the journeymen 
 
 a These letters are omitted, as the text makes their content"; suffi- 
 ciently apparent. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS ^^ 
 
 employed upon the work seem to have considered themselves as bound 
 in honor and justice not to interfere with the established wages. No 
 interference of the kind was ever made by the journe>Tncn up to the 
 present moment, nor by any one of the employers until the period oi 
 the election of Mr. Green as Printer of the House of Representatives 
 in 1828. 
 
 Within a year after the election of this gentleman he attempted to 
 reduce the wages of journeymen from $10 to $8 per week thruunhout 
 the year, although his pay as printer was regulated by the same law 
 and was precisely the same in every respect as that of his predecessors. 
 This attempt was of course resisted by the journeymen, and successfully 
 resisted. 
 
 The next attempt of Mr. Green to reduce the price of the labor of 
 journeymen, which took place during the progress of the following year, 
 was as follows: The nature of that reduction we will briefly describe: 
 In executing the printing for Congress it is frequently necessary to 
 work to a late period of the night. The regular working hours of^ the 
 journeymen were from 8 a. m. to 8 p. m. After the last-mentioned 
 hour, if their services were required, it was customary to pay them at 
 the rate of 20 cents an hour. This sum had been uniformly paid by the 
 former printers to Congress, and was considered the fixed price through- 
 out the city. No regulation on the subject, however, had ever been 
 adopted by the society, and Mr. Green, having ascertained this fact, im- 
 mediately reduced the price of this portion of the labor of the journey- 
 men in his employ to :6 2-3 cents the hour — that sum being the rate per 
 hour at $10 per week; and, at this moment, actually pays but this sum. 
 
 The journeymen acquiesced in this reduction solely because, al- 
 though the rate was below the customary price, it infringed no regulation 
 of the society. It is true that the nature of "extra work," as it is called, 
 exposed those who had it to perform to great fatigue, at the risk of the 
 loss of bodily health; but this sacrifice the journeymen were willyig to 
 make rather than break that peace which had existed for such a number 
 of years between themselves and their employers. 
 
 Not satisfied with effecting this reduction in their wages, the aggre- 
 gate of which amounted to a considerable sum, .Mr. Green struck yet 
 another blow at the interests of the journeymen; not this time by re- 
 ducing the rate of their wages, but by excluding a great number ol 
 them from emplovment through the agency of boys; forty or fifty ot 
 whom he employed about the period of his second congressional term 
 as printer. This unjust and ungenerous policy, although submitted to. 
 as were his other measures, without any public complaint from the jour- 
 neymen, defeated itself in less than two years; it contained the seeds 
 of its own destruction. The bovs themselves, seeing the use that was 
 thus attempted to be made of them, held a meeting on the subject, and 
 one and all abandoned his employment. To us this w.is no matter ot 
 surprise. They had become, in a measure, initiated in the businc«. and 
 had begun to feel the full throb of those principles of honor, maj- 
 nanimitv and justice, the germ of which, we are proud to believe. 1* 
 planted 'in the heart of the practical printer. 
 
 we nave iiius lunuwiu mv ,.wu..^v. ^ . • . .. i.;. 
 
 with the printing business in this city, up to the period prior to h.^ 
 late election by the Senate as printer to ' '•]« »'°''y- J,*^' j'^^V *„ T.^ 
 are here enumerated, and others which could be enumerated of s.m.Ur 
 
 character, are truths.' susceptible "^ r'-""^*'*'**'^/^' ^!.°"han' thai 
 of iustice The society has no motive in detailing them other than thai 
 lichTpring?from'th'e overruling dictates o/,,^'"" r^^l^^^^X %7y 
 ervation of the rights of its members, and of the busmcss thereby tney 
 earn their bread. -i u, h-,- 
 
 And now, we ask any candid man to say. it ne tii 
 perused the foregoing facts, whether the XVashington li 
 another scheme, springing from the fruitful mmd of its 
 press and injure the journeymen— another "mk " »''^ <^. 
 has constantly been engaged in forging ''""PK *''f .*, a, 
 residence amongst them intended to oppress "^f' rj'K»'{;- ^ 
 with iron force, the prosperity of their profession. In .1. 
 
144 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the main object of which is to promote^ the personal aggrandizement of 
 the proprietor, at the expense of the journeymen, and in utter disre- 
 gard of their interests. 
 
 All, or nearly all, the internal regulations of the Washington Insti- 
 tute will be found to corroborate the truth of the view just taken of its 
 object. The first and most prominent of these regulations is, that the 
 nioncy to which the student is entitled at the period of his graduation 
 is not handed to him as property which is legally his own, but is loaned 
 to him as the property of the proprietor. Now, the practice which cus- 
 tom has sanctioned in the printing business, during the whole period of 
 which we know anything of its history, is that whatever sum an appren- 
 tice has earned beyond a certain daily task which is set for him, seldom 
 exceeding -that fixed by the regulations of the Washington Institute, is 
 not loaned, but paid to him as the fruit of labor to which he is justly 
 and honorably entitled. We venture to ,say, that there is scarcely a 
 practical printer now living who can not remember the feeling of delight 
 with which, when a boy, he received from the hands of his employer 
 the amount of his weekly "overwork." _ 
 
 Another regulation of the institution, and which will further con- 
 firm the view we have taken of it, is, that any student becoming sick, 
 or otherwise unable to attend to his duties, shall be "dismissed from 
 the school," and supported till the restoration of his health by his par- 
 ents or guardian, if he be so fortunate as to possess either. This regu- 
 lation, which we are almost ready to pronounce inhuman, as it is un- 
 charitable and unjust, is another infringement of the practice which 
 custom has sanctioned in our business. 
 
 These two regulations, taken in connection with the fact that $15,- 
 600 will be annually saved, according to the estimate of the proprietor, 
 by the substitution of the labor of boys for that of journeymen, prove, 
 we think, beyond a doubt, that in framing the project of the Washington 
 Institute, its proprietor had almost a single eye not to the objects of 
 philanthropy but to his own pecuniary welfare. 
 
 There are other features of this institution, not however connected 
 with this view of it, to which the philanthropist must object. Solitary 
 confinement is the punishment to which the students are liable, "sub- 
 stituted" as the proprietor remarks for "corporal punishment." 
 
 Now, it is a matter of great doubt in the minds of enlightened men, 
 whether the substitute here mentioned has contributed in any degree to 
 the moral improvement of society in this or any prior age. But can it 
 be possible that the proprietor of the Washington Institute has now to be 
 informed that the brutal punishment of flagellation has almost entirely 
 ceased in all well-regulated offices in this country, and without the sub- 
 stitution, in any instance, of the more odious punishment of solitary 
 confinement? The application of such a system to youth, the season of 
 buoyancy of spirit and innocency of thought, can have no other than 
 the most deleterious effect upon the ripening attributes of the mind, 
 gradually hardening it against the common sympathies of our nature. 
 
 "The end of this school" (says the prospectus) "is to educate men 
 that they may have intelligence to think for themselves and" (as the 
 effect of such education) "independence to act up to the principles 
 which their judgments approve. What would be the condition of the 
 public mind if the press of the United States was under the guidance 
 of such men now?" (a) 
 
 o As a commentary on this passage we will take the liberty to make 
 an extract from the United States Telegraph, of November, _ 1826, 
 wherein the same writer, in reply to an article which appeared in the 
 National Journal, expresses the following sentiment: 
 
 "Education, honorable motives and integrity are high qualifications, 
 but are your educated men the most useful? Will not Mr. Force's rule 
 cut off that large portion of respectable editors scattered over the coun- 
 try, who, like Mr. Force, are printers by profession? — Was Franklin or 
 Thomas Paine educated?" 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTF.RS 
 
 J 45 
 
 Passing by the imputation here cast upon a free and enliifhtenrd 
 people that are under the dominion, and follow the lead of the news- 
 paper press, we venture to express a doubt whether, if the end here 
 proposed were obtained, it would advance, in any degree, the character 
 of the American press. Judging from the experience of the past, we 
 believe that no improvement which this institution can possibly accom- 
 plish is demanded in the ranks of our profession; for it is believed to 
 be an indisputable fact, that that portion of the newspaper press in this 
 country, which is in the hands of those who have been journeymen 
 printers, is conducted with as much, perhaps more, respect to the feel- 
 ings of individuals, and with a greater regard for the character of the 
 press itself, than that portion of it conducted by other persons. In bis 
 course heretofore as an editor, what stable claim can the principal of 
 this institution advance to be a regenerator of the American press? Has 
 the newspaper of which he has been for many years the proprietor, been 
 conducted either with regard to its doctrines and sentiments, or in the 
 morality of its language, with that soundness and purity >ahich, we 
 should suppose, ought to characterize that journal whose conductor 
 holds himself up as a regenerator of the .Viuencan press? We It.ivc the 
 reader to answer these questions according to his judgment ; believinn 
 that there can be but one reolv to them, especially from those who are 
 patrons of the journal in question. 
 
 Instead of regenerating the American press, we think the Wash- 
 ington Institute rather calculated to inflict a lasting injury upon it. 
 The imagination of man could scarcely have devised a better or more 
 effectual scheme for the prostration of its usefulness, its morality, and 
 its independence. The graduates of this institution are educated by 
 hundreds in the same school, imbibing from this common fountain of 
 instruction the principles and opinions of the proprietor, when they 
 come to be conductors of the press, they will be governed by those 
 opinions, he they good or be they evil. Being indebted to the principal 
 of the institution in the sum which has enabled them to commence busi- 
 ness, the tone of each pap-cr will, through fear of the screws of the 
 law, be regulated hy the chord which is struck at the institution at 
 Washington. Indeed, upon a close examination of all the circumstances 
 connected with its organization, we are contident in the belief, and feel 
 justified in announcing it to the public, that the second, if not the first, 
 great leading object of the tormation of the Washington Institute, is 
 the establishment of a league of presses throughout the United •|'«»«« 
 through the instrumentality of the students whom it shall graduate. 
 No such purpose is. of course, avowed in the prospectus of the insti- 
 tution, vet in confirmation of its truth is the fact, currently reported 
 and believed in this city, that eminent leadmg politicians «if the coun- 
 try have countenanced the design of the institution, and have loaned 
 heavy sums of money to its proprietor in aid of its formation. 
 
 The extent of the power which will be thus concentrated in th* 
 hands of the proprietor of this institution, and of those wuh uh r-i 
 he acts, after it shall have gone fully into operation, th- 
 can scarcely limit— its disastrous effects upon the mom ■ 
 pendence of the press, extending throughout the Lnton. 
 bring it into irretrievable disgrace in the estimation of an - 
 
 communitv, or fasten on the liberties of the people a discaic i» Jua.u 
 some to the eyes of the patriot as dangerous and incurable. ^ , 
 
 Another interest which this institution is calculntrri t" injure, is 
 
 that of the employers generally. After it shall ha%; — " 
 
 ful operation (of which, however, we are perfci • 
 
 strong doubt) what employer, under the present 
 
 with the Washington Institute? .According to fl • 
 
 principal, $15,600 will be annually saved by the opcr.m. •. 
 
 tution— that is, by the employment of boys insteaci oi 
 
 which sum, it must be remembered, is exclusive ot the • ^ 
 
 of the employers. With such an immense fund as this a' , ^.^ 
 
 what will prevent the proprietor of this institution trom l^-^'-f 
 
 present prices of the employers to such a »'»"'*";? •»'"'^*LJ''^J* 
 
 them to close their respective oflkes? An entire monopoly of lh« b"« 
 
146 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ness, according to the ordinary operation of trades, will thus be ef- 
 fected, unless similar institutions are established by the employers gen- 
 erally, which must ultimately take place if the present institution shall 
 go into successful operation. 
 
 But the injury which the Washington Institute is calculated to 
 inflict upon the interests of the journeymen, as well as upon the print- 
 ing business generally, is, to us, one of its most objectionable features. 
 The very first step in its career thrusts the great body of the journey- 
 men from its proprietor's employment; and if the principles upon 
 which it is founded should obtain throughout the country, the very 
 name of a journeyman printer would be unknown, or known only as a 
 title of reproach and degradation; and a large body of men who now 
 depend upon their labor as journeymen for the support of themselves 
 and their families must seek new channels for the prosecution of labor, 
 or be exposed to all the miseries which attend the want of employment. 
 
 The extent of distress, however, which would fall immediately upon 
 the journeymen, by the successful prosecution of this institution, great 
 as it undoubtedly will be, would be even less than that which must be 
 felt by the pupils themselves, when they become of age, after the insti- 
 tution shall have numbered a few years in its existence. The sphere in 
 which they were designed to be placed having been abundantly supplied 
 by their predecessors, they will be launched forth into the world with 
 but little regard to the direction which they may pursue. We will sup- 
 pose what is very improbable that each one of them will be seriously 
 disposed to commence .the business he has learned, or some other. 
 He would first attemfit, most probably, to embark in his own business. 
 He looks around him in the city in which he has been educated, and 
 finds every avenue to its successful operation already filled; he goes 
 abroad from place to place, but everywhere finds the opening so small 
 that his limited means and experience can not push him through. 
 Thus in fruitless attempts to enter his profession, he gradually sinks 
 the small capital which was loaned to him at the period of his gradua- 
 tion. And now, what is his condition? What has he gained by the 
 labors and studies of his boyhood? The money which he possessed, and 
 for which he is amenable to the law, is gone! He can not enter his 
 business- as an employer, and there are now no journeymen printers — 
 the baneful school which generated him having destroyed their occupa- 
 tion. The business which hs has learned is now, for all practical pur- 
 poses, altogether useless to him; and he now finds, too late for any effi- 
 cient remedy, that, if he wishes to be numbered among the honorable 
 of the land, he must begin the business of life anew! 
 
 That this picture will prove to be a true one, we confidently be- 
 lieve. Can parents or guardians, then, lend their aid to the establish- 
 ment of this institution, by enrolling their children, or others, under 
 their charge, on the list of its incumbents? Are you willing that the 
 children, for whose future welfare you are responsible, in so far as 
 giving its proper direction to their early career can make them so, 
 shall waste the prime of that period of life which the God of nature 
 evidently designed for instruction, in the attainment of the knowledge 
 of a business which they can never pursue or, if pursued, pursued un- 
 der the tremendous disadvantages which must necessarily result from 
 a competition with the myriads of their fellow graduates — a disad- 
 vantage which will be daily growing worse, and which must ultimately 
 overwhelm them in ruin. 
 
 In every view which can be taken of this institution, it is strongly 
 objectionable; and it ought not, we think, to go into operation. What 
 means then can be vised, consistent with the spirit of the laws, to pre- 
 vent its organization? The society is perfectly aware of the delicacy 
 of the situation in which circumstances have placed it. It knows very 
 well that there is no law for the protection of the occupation of the 
 laboring community. The rights of journeymen, and of the working 
 classes generally, have, indeed, been wonderfully overlooked or disre- 
 garded in the United States. A high state of prosperity, necessarily 
 accompanying the prosperity of the country has hitherto, no doubt, 
 caused them to overlook those rights, which, in other countries, have 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS 1^7 
 
 long since received the protection of the laws. All combinations, where 
 the rights or property of individuals are intended to be operated upon 
 we are compelled to acknowledge, are founded in a principle which i> 
 erroneous; but it is surely the duty of a good government to prevent 
 their occurrence, by extending the powerful hand of the law to the pro- 
 tection of those interests which are now altogether unguarded. The 
 occupation of the journeyman is, with a very few e.xceptiuns. his only 
 estate; it is to him as invaluable in a certain sense, as the property of 
 the rich man; it enables him to live, to support his family, and to lay 
 by the means which shall support him in sickness, or when the wither- 
 ing hand of age sliall be laid upon him. It is. indeed, a species of 
 property; and as such demands the protection of the laws. Combina- 
 tions amongst the working classes, it may be confidently asserted, woulo 
 never take place, if their employment were protected by law; and 
 where they do occur, are but the necessary consequence of keeping 
 that employment out of the pale of the laws. 
 
 One of the main objects for which government was instituted 
 amongst men, is the security of property. The laws which guard it. 
 where it is guarded at all, are even more comprehensive than those 
 which protect life. 1 he homicide, by crossing the boundary line of 
 his country, is, in the eyes of the laws of the country in which he has 
 taken shelter, a guiltless man; but the debtor may seek refuge amid 
 the glaciers of Switzerland; bury himself beneath the snows of Siberia; 
 or hide in the jungles of India; he is everywhere insecure — every- 
 where the debtor, while within the boundaries of civilized siK-icty. 
 
 Comprehensive and extensive indeed are the laws which secure 
 to the citizen the inviolability of his property. .Vfter the journeyman 
 has earned $10, the powerful hand of the law secures it to his use; 
 but the means whereby he earns that sum are left entirely unprotected. 
 His business, to learn which he has devoted the whole period of his 
 minority, may be entered, to his exclusion, by any one and at any mo- 
 ment, and is constantly liable to innovations destructive to its very 
 existence; in proof of which the organization of the Washington Insti- 
 tute need only be named. The impotcncy of the laws, in regard to this 
 subject being thus manifest, what course is left for this society to pur- 
 sue, with an evil of such fearful magnitude hanging over the vocation 
 of its members? The dangerous hand of empiricism is tampering with 
 the best interests of their profession; and can it be expected that they 
 will stand tamely by, the silent spectators of its overthrow? 
 
 Fellow craftsmen of the union! It is in your ears, then, that this 
 appeal must sound loudest and strongest. Without your powerful aid, 
 the Washington Institute, and the principles upon which it is founded 
 must be fastened upon us! There are no means of escape from the 
 crisis which awaits us — it must be met, and met fearlessly, whether 
 in the conflict we survive or fall. Repeatedly have we implored it« 
 principal to abandon his enterprise, but we have asked in vain. The 
 organization of the institution has already commenced, and without a 
 prompt and vigorous effort, united as one man throughout the whole 
 union, boys will usurp your places, and our honorable occupation will 
 be numbered among the things which are gone. Can yiui— will you 
 submit to this humiliating condition? Shall a single individual, not 
 numbered among you as a practical printer, who. since he h.T* been 
 connected with the business in this city, has at different perimls en- 
 deavored to reduce, and in one instance has actually reduced the price 
 of your labor, and who, in his intercourse with those in his employ, has. 
 on some occasions, conducted himself toward them like the m.iMer to 
 the slave — shall Mr. Duff Green be permitted, without an effort from 
 vou to prevent it, to establish the Washington Institute — the List. mo»l 
 effectual and most deadlv blow at the interests of your profession. 
 
 Aside from your pecuniary interests, which this institution m in- 
 tended to subvert, have you not the feelinp of printers for ihr iw-nor 
 and character of your profession, which it is also calculated to 'leMrorr 
 You are, to a certain extent, responsible for the character o« .l»»« 
 American press:— as practical printers you are the natural K"«^||j«n» 
 of its liberty; its purity and its honor— will you then lend your aid in 
 
1^8 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 establishing this manufactory of editors — pensioned conductors of that 
 press, the integrity of which it is your interest as well as your duty, 
 should all other classes of society desert it, to uphold and maintain 
 with jealous regard and sleepless vigilance? 
 
 And now, fellow craftsmen, in concluding this appeal, we ask your 
 united co-operation in the attempt which will be made by the printers 
 of \\'ashington to discountenance this institution. Lend not your sery- 
 ices to its principal as instructors or teacliers of the institution. This 
 negative part is all that is now required of you. By a contrary course, 
 at the present moment, you may become the unwilling instruments of 
 its successful organization, and in after years, when you come to par- 
 take of its bitter fruits, the mortifying reflection that you contributed 
 to the establishment of the institution will goad you; for its organiza- 
 tion will be, in part, your own act, if by no timely interference to 
 turn aside the blow you suffer it neglectively to fall upon you. 
 
 PROTEST OF PRINTERS ASSEMBLED IN PUBLIC MEET- 
 ING, 1834. 
 
 Proceedings of the meetings of the printers of the District of Colum- 
 bia relative to the Washington Institute, a school about to be or- 
 ganized in the city of Washington by Duff Green; which proposes 
 to substitute, in the printing business, the labor of boys for that 
 of journeymen. 
 
 At a meeting of the printers of the city of Washington, held on 
 the 19th of August, of which Mr. A. F. Cunningham was appointed 
 chairman, and Mr. James F. Haliday, secretary, the following resolu- 
 tions were adopted: 
 
 Resolved, That it is recommended by the printers of this meeting, 
 that there be called, on F^riday evening next, 22A inst., a general 
 meeting of all the employing and journeymen printers of the District 
 of Columbia, at the City Hall, at 7 o'clock p. m., for the purpose of 
 taking into consideration the proposal of General Duff [Green] for the 
 establishment of a manual-labor school, entitled by him the "Washing- 
 ton Institute." 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the 
 chairman and secretary, and that the publishers of the newspapers of 
 this district be requested to publish them. 
 
 A. F. Cunningham, Chairman. 
 
 James F. Haliday, Secretary. 
 
 MEETING OF THE PRINTERS OF THE DISTRICT, AUGUST 22. 
 
 In pursuance of the above call, the largest rneeting of printers 
 (about 300) ever convened in this city, was organized in the council 
 chamber. City Hall, Mr. A. F. Cunningham being called to the chair, 
 and Messrs. J. T. Towers and J. F. Haliday appointed secretaries. 
 
 On being conducted to the chair, Mr. Cunningham said: 
 
 In taking the chair this evening to preside over this enlightened 
 meeting, I feel much my own weakness, and solicit the indulgence and 
 aid of every gentleman in preserving order and decorum. I trust that 
 no expression will Be allowed to escape from the lips of any which 
 will cause regret on the morrow. Let cool judgment preside over your 
 minds, and direct your councils. The object we have in view may not 
 be accomplished in a week nor a month; let us therefore so act that we 
 may -hold out to the end. This meeting is for the purpose of taking 
 into consideration the proposed plan of Gen. Duff Green to establish a 
 manual-labor school, in pursuance of a call which has been published 
 in some of the daily papers, emanating from a meeting held on Tues- 
 day last, in this city. The meeting is nov/ organized, and waits your 
 action. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS l_^g 
 
 On motion of Mr. E. B. Robinson, a committee of five was ap- 
 pointed, consisting of Messrs. K. I?. Robinson, G. C. Smoot, John 
 Finch, Z. Wade (of Alexandria) and W. W. Curran, to draft resolu- 
 tions, expressive of the views of the meeting. After being absent for 
 the space of half an hour, Mr. Robinson, in behalf of the committee 
 presented the following preamble and resolutions, which were read 
 and unanimously adopted. 
 
 Whereas, a plan is proposed by Gen. Duff Green, editor of the 
 United States Telegraph, which, if carried into execution, must vitally 
 injure the interests of the profession, and tend to the depreciation of 
 prices, so much so that no other employer can compete with him, and 
 must finally throw tlie youth, who may be taught in his institute, upon 
 the world, without labor, and consequently, without support: And. 
 whereas, self-preservation being the first law of nature, the journey- 
 men printers feel it incumbent upon them to take such steps as will 
 prevent the consummation of an oppressive monopoly, that is designed 
 to ruin them and their families, by depriving them of all chance of 
 participating in the benefits which flow from the public printing, the 
 prices for executing which were based on the wages paid to the jour- 
 neymen, and which was never contemplated by Congress should be 
 performed by any other than them: And whereas, the benefits which 
 General Green contemplates will accrue to the boys who shall be edu- 
 cated in his proposed institute can never be realized to them, nor re- 
 dound to his honor or profit, the printers feel it their duty, under- 
 standing the subject as they do, to use their best endeavors to warn 
 him of the evils which await his undertaking, and to dissuade him 
 from farther prosecuting a scheme which must forever break up the 
 friendly relations that have heretofore existed between him and them; 
 and they feel sanguine he will relinquish it, when he is made aware 
 that the "little community" which claimed so much of his solicitude 
 a year ago, will be scattered and left destitute, in order to make room 
 for another and an untried "community" which must carry ruin and 
 disgrace with it to those wlio may toster and uphold it, and finally 
 wither and become extinct; but if he be determined to persevere, thejr 
 feel it their solemn duty to protect themselves, by using every legiti- 
 mate means in their power to prevent him from accomplishing his 
 ruinous and ungenerous design; therefore, 
 
 1. Be it Resolved. That as journeymen printers, we feel deeply 
 interested in all movements of the employers which have a tendency 
 to injure the business, and look upon the prospectus lately issued br 
 Gen. Duff Green as going directly to destroy the profession lo which 
 we belong. 
 
 2. Resolved, That a committee of seven be appointed to draft to 
 address to the people of the United States, giving a full expose of his 
 connection with the press in this city, and the prob.ibic result of his 
 institute, the very elements of which are fraught with d.-stnu li.>n to 
 the independence of the present printers, and which h.is for it- object 
 the prostration of the minds of the future guardians of the press to 
 the dictation of one man. 
 
 [The chair appointed as the committee under this resolution. 
 Messrs. J. Clephane, G. C. Smoot, J. Stockwcll. \V. W. Curran. L. B. 
 Robinson, John Finch, and E. Laporte.] 
 
 3. Resolved. That we believe it will be impossible for On. Duff 
 Green to prosecute his theory without the patronage of the novem- 
 ment; and that should he remain determined to go on, the commilfec 
 be authorized to draw up a memorial, which shall be sent l<> cvrry 
 town and printing office in the United States for signature*. jrayinK 
 Congress to withhold their patronage from a man who is only dciroui. 
 of self-aggrandizement, and of breaking down that spirit of <T"l«y 
 which has always characterized the journeymen printer* and tncir em- 
 
150 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ployers, by the erection of an odious monopoly in the heart of the 
 country, that shall be sustained by the Congress of the United States. 
 
 4. Resolved, That we will, individually, do all in our power to aid 
 the committee in carrying into effect the foregoing resolutions; and 
 we do hereby pledge ourselves to sustain each other in all legal steps 
 which may be taken to circumvent the scheme that is intended to de- 
 prive us of our living, by taking from us the means of pursuing our 
 profession. 
 
 5. Resolved, That having the fullest confidence in the Columbia 
 Typographical Society, we pledge ourselves, to the extent of our ability, 
 to aid it in the measures it has already taken, or any other it may think 
 necessary to adopt, in order to defeat the establishment of said "Manual 
 Labor School, or Washington Institute." 
 
 6. Resolved, That we request the co-operation of all the printers, 
 both employing and employed, throughout the United States, in discoun- 
 tenancing the establishment of the Washington Institute. 
 
 7. Resolved, That every journeyman printer who shall be known 
 to aid or instruct in any manner, any apprentice in the said institute, be 
 held up to universal contempt by the printing community throughout 
 the United States. 
 
 8. Resolved, That all reasonable expenses to which the committee 
 may be subjected, shall be defrayed by the members of this meeting, 
 who cordially pledge themselves to contribute their quota whenever 
 called on. 
 
 Mr. Baldwin offered the following, which was unanimously adopted: 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be tendered to Reu- 
 ben Burdine, Esq., for procuring the use of the council chamber for 
 the accommodation of this meeting. 
 
 On motion of Mr. G. C. Smoot it was 
 
 Resolved, That the secretaries forward a copy of the proceedings 
 of this meeting to Gen. Duff Green, and to every typographical society 
 in the United States. 
 
 On motion of Mr. Pratt it was 
 
 Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the 
 chairman and the secretaries, and that the newspapers in this District, 
 and throughout the United States, be requested to publish them. 
 
 A. F. Cunningham, Chairman. 
 Jno. Thos. Towers, 
 James F. Haliday, 
 
 Secretaries. 
 adjourned meeting. 
 
 An adjourned meeting of the printers of the District of Columbia, 
 was held (pursuant to public notice) at the aldermen's room. City Hall, 
 on Tuesday evening, 2nd September. 
 
 The proceedings of the last meeting having been read, the chair- 
 man presented the following communication: 
 
 Gentlemen: In perusing General Green's answer to the protest of 
 the Columbia Typographical Society, your chairman noticed a reference 
 to a part of the proceedings of the journeymen printers held on the 
 22A ultimo, which is erroneous, both in letter and in fact, which, as 
 your chairman, he has thought it his duty to bring to your notice, that 
 publicly it may be denied. General Green insinuates throughout his 
 answer, that we are actuated in this measure by others behind the 
 scenes, who are his competitors for <he Senate's printing. This insinu- 
 ation is all we could expect from an individual who has proclaimed 
 the men by whom he has become enriched "ignorant journeymen." 
 We throw back the charge, and inform him that, however others may 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF TRINTERS ,;, 
 
 be induced to sell themselves for gold, the members of this meeting. 
 alUiough united as one man to stay the hand of encroachment and op- 
 pression, are composed of political materials too various to be dictated 
 
 to by any individual. 
 
 General Green also takes exception to some . remarks made at the 
 late meeting of this body, which, according to your order, were pub- 
 lished as part of the proceedings of this meeting, and after givmg the 
 names of several Catholic clergy, says that he "makes this correction, 
 that the meeting may revise the published account of their proceed- 
 ings." Believing that the meeting intended doing justice to all, your 
 chairman conceived it to be his duty to call on such authority, referred 
 to by General Green, as his time and means permitted. He did so. and 
 has to state, that at first, the gentlemen referred to were struck with 
 the plausibility of his plan, and looked upon it with favor. I...- •' ,• 
 they never approbated it; that each hour's reflection on his - 
 convinced them that it was fraught with incalculable evils to .t1: 
 General Green designed to employ; and that instead of proposing ■ •: 
 gage them in the female labor, "necessarily employed in so large an »s- 
 tablishment," the idea conveyed to said clergy was, that the children 
 were to be taught in the art and mystery of the male labor of a printing 
 office. 
 
 The committee appointed at the last meeting to draft an address 
 to the people of the United States, submitted the following, which was 
 
 unanimously adopted: 
 
 To THE People of the United States: 
 
 Believing that, in the history of the press in this country, 
 never was a more critical period than the present, whether as it • 
 the freedom of the people, or the liberty of the press itself. t!i 
 ing, impressed with the importance of the subject, have coiim!' 
 their duty to address their fellow citizens throughout the I'ni.ii. u I 
 to lay before them a development of the plan by which their interests 
 are about to be affected. Upon us, as printers, the immediate iniury 
 will fall; but we will not be the only victims of this innovaf"' • ' 
 from the many ramifications of the scheme we are about to ex.r 
 will appear *hat injury, more or less, must accrue to the wli. 
 munitv. In corroboration of the above, we lay before the i 
 the spirit of truth and candor, the following brief statement 
 
 Gen. Duff Green, Printer to the Senate of the United M.^' 
 editor of the United States Telegraph, is about commencing i 
 tion of a manual-labor school in this city, under the name ..i r 
 ington Institute," in which he proposed to bring up -Jo.. 
 ously, to the printing business, and to educate them 
 their own labor. This he means to do under the spo. 
 "regenerating the morale of the American press;" witli - 
 been but a few years connected and who has hut a superticial k: 
 of the art, or the men employed by him in the business. N n 
 tends to have- discovered a radical defect in its m.inncrrTirrr : • 
 pompous prospectus, he endeavors to enlist the sv 
 in his behalf, in order to enable him to accompli- 
 
 The great tendency of this scheme will con- 
 tration of the journeyman, and to deprive him ot 
 labor, the only inheritance of which he can boast , ii.l i". • 
 monopolv. to turn to his own advantage the profits ot the 
 publishing and binding of this District, thus destroying thoor 
 gaged in business, and throwing all those hranchcs o tiir 
 under the sole direction of one man— a thing much to i. 
 all times: "and though printers are hut men and n.'. 
 pressure of circumstances, yet the man mav burst torti; 
 and. proudly feeling his right to liberty and equality, ti. 
 attempts of any individual to lay him under restraint 
 deprive him of the means of existence. This is not th.- 
 apprehended. It portends incalculable dangers. a« »r 
 
152 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 liberties of our country. When innovations of this nature upon our 
 long-established customs are proposed, they are sufficient to awaken 
 our fears, and to arouse us in defense of those blessings which we 
 have long enjoyed, and which have so essentially conduced to the pros- 
 perity of this favored country. 
 
 The Columbia Typographical Society has already issued a protest 
 against this encroachment upon their rights, in which they have fairly 
 exhibited the injurious consequences which must result to the com- 
 munity, as well as to the printers. We heartily join them in their 
 reprobation of this singular and unprecedented theory. It is not for 
 us to dictate to any man what course he ought to pursue, or to set 
 limits to the field of his action, whether his efforts be directed to the 
 forwarding of his own interested views, or to the line of conduct which 
 he may adopt for himself; but we do contend that we have an in- 
 alienable right to protect ourselves and our interests from encroach- 
 ments of any and every kind, and to sound the alarm when we appre- 
 hend danger. 
 
 It is not to be disguised, that the motive for establishing this 
 school is of a "peculiarly" political character. This may be drawn 
 from the whole tenor of the prospectus. Although pains have evi- 
 dently been taken to clothe it in ambiguous language, so as to leave 
 it liable to different interpretations, yet to those who are acquainted 
 with the nature of the undertaking, as well as with the former views 
 of General Green, it is as clear as noonday, and capable of easy demon- 
 stration. There is no better way to arrive at the truth of the problem, 
 than to trace up the chain of events which led to the point at issue. 
 As far back as 1828, General Green communicated to his then partner 
 in business, that he intended to have his work performed by boys, by 
 which means he would be enabled to carry on his business at a cheaper 
 rate than those who employed journeymen. Indeed, General Green's 
 course, since his connection with the press in this city in 1826, has 
 been one continued effort of innovation; and to get his work done at a 
 less price than the established tariff, appears to have been, as it is now 
 acknowledged to be, his great desideratum. 
 
 The brief history of that connection follows: The Washington 
 Gazette, for a long time printed by J. Elliott, was purchased by the 
 party opposed to John Quincy Adams, for the main purpose of opposing 
 his re-election. That paper was discontinued, and the United States 
 Telegraph was established. About this period General Green made his 
 appearance in Washington. He immediately became acquainted with 
 the selected editor, Mr. J. S. Meehan, a man of unquestionable integ- 
 rity, of respectable talents, and possessing a thorough knowledge of 
 the printing business, both in theory and in practice. Through this 
 means General Gjeen soon became acquainted with the leading mem- 
 bers of the Jackson party, and proving his ability to take charge of 
 such an establishment, by his contributions to the editorial department, 
 he very soon superseded Mr. Meehan, and became the sole editor and 
 proprietor. Nothing, however, could be inferred from hence that Mr. 
 Meehan was not willmg that the change should be made, or that every 
 measure thereof did not meet his cordial approbation. , No circum- 
 stance worthy of note took place, until the winter of 1827-28, when the 
 party in the Senate opposed to Mr. Adams, and in favor of the election 
 of General Jackson, united and elected General Green printer to that 
 body. Shortly after this event. General Green appears to have con- 
 ceived the idea of reducing the prices paid for labor, and also of re- 
 ducing the expenses of his office by the introduction of boys, which 
 he increased by the latter part of the year 1828 to the number of 
 thirty or forty. 
 
 The allurements of education, and the great personal advantages 
 were then as now, held out to them. They were told that a library 
 would be procured for their use — that instruction would be given -liem 
 in the professional departments; and that, by the expiration of tieir 
 term of service, they might, by study and attention, fit themselves 
 either for editors, doctors, or lawyers. 
 
 This system was indeed commenced. Each boy was required to 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 153 
 
 •write a treatise upon some subject; and one evening in each week wa« 
 set apart for receiving those productions, and passing judgment utKjn 
 'tlieir merits. This was continued for a short period; but this plan (or 
 raising a library failing, the scheme was abandoned. 
 
 General Green's plan for raising a library for the use of the boy« 
 was as singular as it was novel — no other than that of laying a Ux of 
 25 per cent on that part of the wages of the journeymen, denominated 
 "overwork." General Green, who never willingly abandons a position 
 once taken, discovering that the prices paid for overwork were greater 
 than what the journeymen could actually claim by the tariff of prices, 
 reduced that item from 20 (a price still willingly paid by other employ- 
 ing printers in tliis city) to 16 2-3 cents per hour, pro rata wiih their 
 weekly wages which is $10 ner week, thus exultingly putting in his own 
 pocket what had been denied him to raise a library. .About the Mmc 
 period of making this encroachment upon the journeymen, he attempted 
 to reform his boy system. I5ut such of the boys as considered hi« re- 
 form an innovation upon the contract by which they had entered the 
 office, to the number of between nineteen and twenty ( with hut one 
 solitary exception), left his employ. By this scheme General Grecm 
 met heavy loss; for before an understanding took place the most valua- 
 ble portion of them had engagements elsewhere. 
 
 He did not stop here, for during the last winter even the females 
 in his office felt the weight of his economizing schemes. 
 
 General Green states, in his attempted reply to the protest of the 
 Columbia Typographical Society, that no person who has ever been ia 
 his employ has lost a cent by him. The fact is, that during the past 
 winter, he, so far from paying the females in his establishment, has 
 reduced their wages below what is paid in every other office, from jo 
 to 40 per cent, thus extending his grinding oppression to those who 
 have no protectors, and who can not help themselves. 
 
 It will not be amiss to notice here the circumstances of his prc>- 
 posals to several charitable institutions to obtain female labor for his 
 office, as a substitute for that of men; and all under the ostensible ab- 
 ject of performing a benevolent act; in this also he was disapiuiinled. 
 
 The establishment of tlie manual-labor school is but a concenlrs- 
 tion of his various schemes to lower the prices of labor in his estab- 
 lishment, and to add to his already enormous profits a portion of the 
 hard-earned pittance of the operative. 
 
 The amount of printing given to General Green by both hou»e« 
 of Congress and the several departments of the Government since his 
 connection with the press, has been unparalleled in the anii.-ils ..f tin* 
 country; and we venture nothing in saying, although the exact amount 
 can not be ascertained, that his actual profits therefrom docs not (all 
 short of $300,000; and that notwithstanding his reiterated declarations 
 that he pavs too much for labor, and that the wages paid to journey- 
 men are too high, no printer in this or any other country has ever 
 realized the same profits in the same period of time from the same 
 number of hands. . . • u • 
 
 Had we been satisfied that his motive in establishing this school 
 was either patriotic or philanthropic, not one opixising word woulil 
 have escaped our lips. But we can not shut our eyes to the fact that 
 this institution calls for no personal or pecuniary sacrifice. lie pro- 
 poses to sustain it by the labors of the students, wilh..ut e»pending 
 one cent of the profits of the works to be executed by them. This (act 
 must shaw that benevolence has no share in the plan designed. »»<>«■'« 
 or when did pure philanthropv barter its sympathies for golil' l>i«l ■ 
 real benefactor of mankind ever distribute charity with one hand, and 
 grasp at gain with the other? . , .,. . 
 
 IVom what has been above stated, we leave it to the public lo mt. 
 whether it be not plain that monopoly of some kind is in view, to 
 drive competition out of the market, and by this inr.m> !■• r, > t ic 
 ruin of the workman. -And we ask whether it hr 
 feelings of human nature, calmly to survey the 
 ourselves and our families, or to sit contented ut- 
 destroyer of all our comforts and happiness? II' 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 believe, that by ruining the present generation, he will benefit the next; 
 or that he who educates the son and starves the father, is a true bene- 
 factor. Should this plan of General Green prove successful (which 
 we believe will not be the case), where would be found the individual 
 capital sufficient to sustain itself against such fearful odds? The same 
 system must be adopted by others, and the productive classes, already 
 sufficiently numerous, would become too abundant to insure public 
 • safety. Casuistry may discredit our reasoning, and sophistry may be 
 used to our disadvantage; but we appeal to the plain understanding of 
 every honest man, and request an attentive and unbiased perusal of 
 the prospectus itself. 
 
 Let us examine his plan as we may, in every line we see some- 
 thing militating against the interests of our country. What must be 
 the surprise of the freemen of America, to be told of this man, and at 
 this late day, that we, the "people," are incapable of self-government; 
 and that our press, which has so long sustained our liberties, is radi- 
 cally diseased? Is General Green the man to correct this radical de- 
 fect? — he who tells the public that his connection with the press com- 
 menced so recently, and who, till 1S23, had, perhaps, never been within 
 the walls of a printing office; and who, to this day, has but a vague and 
 theoretical idea of the bvisiness? Does he pretend to say that he has 
 been favored with some divine inspiration — some talismanic power? 
 That he, a stranger to the profession, has discovered the ignorance of 
 the men who conduct it, and can apply the remedy? Why the very 
 means which he proposed to use, show how little knowledge he has of 
 its operation. For instance, he has enumerated various comprehensive 
 works for publication, and would induce belief that those who take 
 a share in their composition must thereby have a knowledge of their 
 contents. Now the contrary is the fact; for articles of any length 
 are divided into various parts, and each compositor is furnished with 
 a small portion; which, instead of giving him any information on the 
 subject, tends, if it have any effect at all, to obscure its sense and 
 create false impressions. But General Green is to "elevate the morale 
 of the press." How? By establishing a system of ethics for its gov- 
 ernment — to educate boys to be its rulers and governors, and to dictate 
 to printers what they shall do! Thus hoodwinked, we are to submit 
 to students of this institution, and to receive lessons in politics and 
 morals from the regenerated press! Strip the language of the pros- 
 pectus of its ambiguity, and the above is the interpretation of it. 
 
 We seriously believe that some political movement is at the 
 foundation of this embryo school. Look at the facilities which the plan 
 would throw into the hands of a political partisan, to enable him to 
 have overwhelming influence on elections. Suppose, for example, he 
 wished to control the elections of any particular state, he might estab- 
 lish as many presses in that state as he chose, at a very trifling expense, 
 because the boys labor for the money for this purpose, and are by 
 pecuniary ties bound to obey his orders, or be thrown destitute upon 
 the world, being rendered obnoxious to his powerful institution. Still 
 farther, we are convinced that this is the real motive of this institution, 
 from the fact that large numbers of his prospectus have been circu- 
 lated in the South, amongst those who lean to the same political prin- 
 ciples that General Green advocates, while the vast North and West 
 have not even heard a whisper from him of this regenerating press 
 school. 
 
 Next to liberty, we value the profession we have adopted; and we 
 shall use our best endeavors to maintain it in its purity and in its free- 
 dom. Never, we hope, will it be under the control of any one man, 
 however great or wealthy he may be. The march of mind will regulate 
 the emanations of the press; and if this projector has the welfare of 
 the country at heart, much better would it be to leave it where he 
 found it, — in the hands of the "schoolmaster," whose exertions only 
 can regulate the "morale" of the press. The press is but the mirror 
 of the mind; it no more than reflects the image which is placed before 
 it, and exhibits it for the puiblic benefit. General Green may be a 
 profound politician; but, as a political economist, he betrays his igno- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS ,-- 
 
 ranee in his plan of education. The plan of the institute has » tpe- 
 cious aspect. It promises to give constant employment and a thu^-- 
 oughly classical and scientific education to 200 boys, who arc to defray 
 the expenses of their board, education, and clothmg, and even medical 
 attendance, by their own labor, and when free, to have placed to their 
 credit $728 each. What a beautiful picture of benevolence is drawn 
 here: But how is the fact? The boy is to labor mentally and physic- 
 ally, for thirteen hours each day— three hours more than the regular 
 time of work. He is to earn, out of journeymen's rate uf u.-igc« 
 $2 per week, after paying all expenses, which $2 are to be dep<isilcd in 
 a fund till he is 21 years cf age; and then what is t>o be do»ic vkith 
 it? Given to the freed student, to enable him to commence husinc«? 
 No! It goes to the coffers of the principal of the institution, who 
 realizes, by this means, in seven years, $145,600! There is a provi- 
 sion, indeed, by which tliis sum may probably be loaned to the stu- 
 dents, to be paid back in small annual installments, when a "rni.irnt 
 investment" may offer. Thus the General is the judge and di' 
 the fund — he may lend it or not — he may refuse or accept -■ 
 just as the investment may suit his pleasure. Does it look lik- 
 faction to withhold from the boys all the earnings of their ;: 
 Why not place it, bona fide, to their credit, when of age, ami .ii;.* 
 them to follow the bent of their own inclinations? Hut it will be 
 seen that the independence of the pupil is not his object; but, on the 
 contrary, to secure the lasting dependence of the youth u|><>n hiiu. 
 that he may direct his labors to the advancement of his own particular 
 ends, whether political or mercenary. 
 
 General Green labors to irnpress on the public mind, that the 
 printer must be ignorant, from being brought into the office as a "devil" 
 a "mere drudge" — "an errand boy"— "to do the menial services of the 
 establishment." This low sarcasm is unworthy of a serious reply. 
 But we would tell him, that the day has gone by when servitti.lc .f 
 this kind was exacted from the youngest apprentice — and tell h 
 tliat no corporal punishment is put in practice in any office — .1 
 stance which he must have known. To talk of substituting 
 confinement" for flagellation is so ridiculous that we deem it v.:. 
 of serious consideration. 
 
 General Green has, in public and private, asserted that the preM 
 of this country was a disgrace, owing to its being conducted by "igno- 
 rant journeymen printers;" and he proposed at the anniversary «..f-;-T 
 of the Typographical Society, in January last, to regenerate it ' 
 institution which he was then about to set on foot. He said, 
 posing this institute, that his object was not to realize anyrl-. • . 
 it; that his highest ambition was to record his name a- 
 factor, and after he was dead to be placed in a plam <■ 
 marble slab thus inscribed: "Here lies Duff Green, i 
 of the American Press," or, in other words, more beauii: 
 by the poet: 
 
 "When he dies, he'll leave a lofty name, 
 A light and landmark on the cliffs of fame.' 
 
 Those present felt the audacity of this remark, though not • har»h 
 word was used while they considered him their jruesi; htit ther «"■* 
 immediate steps to repel the indignity offered to them. •..'•'• •• 
 
 rested by his having authorized an indiviilual to rcc.Tll 
 to state that he was ashamed of his language, and th.it 
 intention to have offended the grntlcmcn present. I li- 
 accepted; but the quiet which has reigned from that ti" r 
 boldened him to come forward and publish his prosijcctm : 
 world. . , r , 
 
 As another method of elevating the morale of ti r i rr... 
 "One great object has been to enlist in aid of t 
 interests of societv. and to connect it with each, 
 a paper deserving' their continuous support;" an. I 
 United States Telegraph with the "interest of ; 
 
156 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 has been long under his control, and we leave it to the people to say, 
 how much it has contributed toward redeeming the fallen morality of 
 the press. 
 
 We feel it our duty as American citizens, having the interest of 
 our country at heart, to warn the parent and guardian of youth of the 
 error which they are likely to fall into, by sacrificing the liberty and 
 happiness of their charges, and being led away or infatuated with 
 General Green's project, which, if it could be successful, would tend 
 to lower the press in the estimation of the people, by inculcating doc- 
 trines which are calculated to destroy the vital principles of our free 
 institutions. 
 
 In closing our address, we would call upon the printers through- 
 out the United States to examine the prospectus for themselves — to 
 consider the motives which could induce any man to engage in such a 
 schc-^ie as "regenerating the American press," under the flimsy pretext 
 of the low estimation in which it is held on account of being under 
 the cctrol of "ignorant printers." In contradistinction to this, we 
 place the press conducted by practical printers far above the whole 
 mass of those ephemeral papers that are sustained by party. We call 
 i:i)jn you as printers, as freemen, to rally round the shield of our 
 liberties, to protect it in its republican form, its purity, and its privi- 
 leges, end to frown into insignificance the man who is base enough to 
 use it for the degradation of his fellow beings. _ The Rubicon is passed, 
 and we now proceed to the object we have in view — to protect our 
 rights. No political motive urges us on; we merely desire to maintain 
 those rights of equality which are intrusted to our care, and to keep 
 and protect them unsullied. To you we look for an approval, and 
 friendly co-operation in our exertions in resisting the encroachments 
 of power, and we shall never flinch from the duty we have imposed 
 upon ourselves. The freedom of the press must not be touched by un- 
 hallowed hands. We corjure you by all that is dear, not to suffer our 
 efforts to be paralyzed by apathy: 
 
 The following letter was received from the Baltimore Typographical 
 Society: 
 
 Baltimore, Sept. i, 1834. 
 To the Printers of the District of Columbia: _ 
 
 Gentlemen — The proceedings of the meeting of the printers of the 
 District of Columbia, held in the city of Washington on the 22A ultimo, 
 relative to the infamous project of Gen. Duff Green, was laid before 
 the Baltimore Typographical Society at its meeting on Saturday last, 
 and they came to the conclusion that a general meeting of the_ printers 
 of this city should be held for the purpose of taking the subject into 
 consideration on Saturday evening next. \\'e have no doubt, from the 
 spirit manifested upon the reading of the proceedings, by the members 
 of the Baltimore Typographical Society, that you may rest assured you 
 will receive the aid, countenance and support of the fraternity in this 
 city, in your just and laudable effort to put down this scheme of Duff 
 Green's; a scheme which, if suffered to be brought into existence and 
 complete operation, will do more to injure the journeymen and employ 
 ing printers of the United States than any that has been thought of 
 since the davs of Faustus. 
 
 We only wish, gentlemen, you could have been present at our 
 meeting, and have seen the spirit that was manifested, and the deter- 
 mination, as far as in their power, and is compatible with the laws of 
 our country, to nullify the ungracious, ambitious, and ungenerous de- 
 signs of said Duff Green. 
 
 Gentlemen, wishing you. and all of us, success in the cause in 
 which we are mutually engaged, and hoping our efforts may be crowned 
 with success, we subscribe ourselves. Yours, in fellowship, 
 
 JosiAH Bailey, 
 J. N. Millington, 
 Thos. R. Geddes, 
 Committee of Correspondence. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS ,^- 
 
 On motion of R. H. Pratt it was 
 
 Resolved, That the thanks of the journeymen printers be tendered 
 to the editors of the t.lobc and American Mechanic for publiihmK ihcir 
 proceedings, and to the editor of the Alexandria Gazette for his able 
 
 defense of those proceedmgs. 
 
 On motion, it was 
 
 Resolved, That the chairman and secretaries be authorized to call 
 a meeting of the printers of the District of Columbia when, in their 
 opinion, circumstances require it. 
 
 On motion, it was 
 
 Resolved, That tlie proceedings of this meeting be sisned by the 
 chairman and secretaries, and that the newspapers in this District, and 
 throughout the United States, be requested to publish them. 
 
 A. F. Cln.vixciiam, 
 jNo. Thos. Towers, Chairman. 
 
 James F. IIaliday, 
 Secretaries. 
 
 APPENDIX B. NO. 1. 
 
 Scale of Prices Adopted October 7, 1815. by the New York 
 Typographical Society. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. All works in the English language, common matter, from Eng- 
 lish to minion, inclusive, 27 cents per 1,000; in nonpareil. 29 ccnt»; in 
 pearl, 37J/2 cents; in diamond, 50 cents: in all cases headline* and 
 directions, or signatures and blank lines to be included. .\n odil en 
 in width or length, to be reckoned an em; if less than an en. not to be 
 counted. 
 
 2. All works done in foreign languages, common matter, to be 
 paid 4 cents extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 3. Works printed in great primer, or larger type, to be computed 
 as English. Script. 30 cents per i.ooo. 
 
 4. All workmen employed by the week shall receive not lew than 
 $9 in book offices and on evening papers, and on morning papers not lc»» 
 than $10. » i~ . 
 
 5. Works done in the English language, in which words of Greek. 
 Hebrew, Saxon, etc., or any of the dead characters occur, should ihcy 
 average one word per page, it shall be considered sufficient to become 
 a charge, which shall be settled between the employer and cmpli>ye<i. 
 
 6. Works done in Hebrew and Greek, without puints. »h«ll be 
 paid 15 cents per i.ooo ems higher than common matter; with poinU, to 
 be counted half body and half points, and paid double. 
 
 7. That making-up a set of furniture for a work of five sheen or 
 under, if an octavo, be paid 25 cents. All other impositions to be j 
 cents extra, progressively, in proportion to the size — a single lorni 
 shall constitute a set. . ... . _i.i. 
 
 8. Works done partly in figures and partly plain, soch as arith- 
 metical works, etc., to be paid 30 cents per 1.000 cms. Rule an'J figure 
 work to be paid double. . . , l- 1 u ». 
 
 9. Broadsides, such as leases, deeds, etc., done on Kngluh or 
 smaller type, to be paid 27 cents per i.ooo ems. Play bilU. fiMUnt 
 bills, etc., to be paid for at the rate of 15 cents per hour. 
 
 10. Algebraical works, or those where characters ..f mu«K »" •"« 
 principal part, and works composed principally of medical, ailrooow- 
 ical, or other signs, to be paid double. • „, - 
 
 11. Time lost by alteration from copy or by casing or 
 ing letter, to be paid for at the rate of 15 cents per hour. 
 
158 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 12. All works composed from manuscript copy, 2 cents extra. 
 
 13. Side, bottom, or cut-in notes, to be agreed on between the 
 employer and employed. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Bookwork done on brevier or larger type, on medium or 
 smaller paper, 33 cents per token; on smaller type, 35 cents. Royal 
 paper, on brevier or larger type, 35 cents per token; on smaller type, 
 371/2 cents per token. Super-royal paper, on brevier or larger type, 
 36 cents per token; on smaller type, 39 cents per token. 
 
 2. A token of paper, if on bookwork, to consist of no more than 
 loyi quires; and if on a daily paper, no more than 10. For covering 
 tympans, 37^2 cents each; tympan and drawer to be considered as two. 
 
 3. jobs, folio, quarto, etc., to be paid 33 cents per token. 
 
 4. Cards, if 100 or under, 30 cents; for each additional pack, if 
 not more than s, 125/2 cents; if over 5, 10 cents. 
 
 5. Broadsides, on bourgeois or larger type, 45 c<nts; on smaller 
 type, 50 cents per token. 
 
 6. Three cents extra to be paid on forms containing wood en- 
 gravings. 
 
 7. No journeyman working at press on a morning daily paper, 
 shall receive a less sum than $10 for his weekly services; nor those on 
 an evening paper a less sum than $9. .If the quantity of work should 
 exceed 8 tokens per day, the whole to be charged, if on a morning 
 paper, at the rate of 45 cents per token; if an evening paper, 40 cents 
 per token. Daily papers not exceeding 6 tokens per day, if a morning 
 paper, $9 per week; if an evening paper, $8 per week. 
 
 8. All works done on parchment to be settled between the em- 
 ployer and employed. 
 
 9. Working down a new press to be settled between the employer 
 and employed. . . . , 
 
 10. If at any time a pressman should be obliged to lift his form 
 before it is worked off, he shall be allowed 33 cents for the same. 
 
 11. A pressman shall receive, for teaching an apprentice press- 
 work, for the first three months, s cents per token, and for the three 
 months following, 3 cents per token. 
 
 Peter Force, President. 
 Thos. Snowden, Secretary. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO, 2. 
 
 List of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society, Wash- 
 ington, D. C, Adopted November 4, 1815. 
 
 COMPOSITORS. 
 
 During the recess of Congress, in book or newspaper offices, to re- 
 ceive not less than $q per week. During the session, in offices engaged 
 on Congressional work, or in newspaper offices, to receive not less than 
 $10 per week, and $2 for each and every Sunday. 
 
 By the piece. — For everv 1,000 ems, from brevier to pica, 28 cents; 
 for smaller letter than brevier, 33]/} cents; on newspapers, not less 
 than 30 cents per 1,000 ems; above pica, to be charged as pica. 
 
 Rule or figure work. — All common rule or figure work, from brevier 
 and upward, not less than 45 cents per 1,000 ems; below brevier, 50 
 cents per 1,000 cms. 
 
 Rule and figure work. — All common rule and figure work, from bre- 
 vier and upward, not less than 56 "4 cents per 1,000 ems; below brevier, 
 not less than 65 cents per 1,000 cms; above pica, to be charged as pica. 
 
 For all foreign languages, printed in the Roman character, an addi- 
 tion of 5 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 .Ml words in Greek, or other foreign characters, to be paid for at 
 the rate of 60 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATION'S OF PRINTERS 159 
 
 Side notes to be calculated separate from the text. 
 
 An addition of 3 cents on each 1,000 ems for pronouncing dic- 
 tionaries. 
 
 Alterations. — Compositors to receive, for alterations from copy, at 
 the rate of 25 cents per hour. 
 
 PRESSMEN. 
 
 During the recess of Congress, shall receive not less than $9 per 
 ■week; by the piece, in newspaper offices, not less than 27}^ cents per 
 token, for royal or superroyal; nor less than 45 cents per token fur im- 
 perial. 
 
 During the session, in offices engaged on Congressional work, or in 
 newspaper offices, not to receive less than $10 per week, and $2 for each 
 and every Sunday. 
 
 Paper. — Medium, and below medium, when the form consists of bre- 
 vier, or larger letter, 33'/} cents per token; below brevier, not less than 
 35 cents per token; royal and upward, on brevier or larger letter, not 
 less than 371/2 cents per token; all under brevier, not less than 50 cents 
 per token. 
 
 Quarto, on medium paper, above 44 pica ems in width, to be paid 
 as royal; octavo, above 24 pica ems, to be paid as royal; i2mo. above 
 21 pica ems, to be paid as royal; i8mo. above 17 pica eras, to be paid 
 as royal. 
 
 Jobs not less than 35 cents per token. 
 
 Cards, for one pack, and not exceeding two packs, 35 cents; when 
 exceeding two packs, to be paid at the rate of 15 cents per pack. 
 
 Broadsides shall be paid for double, according to the size of the 
 
 All work on parchment, if one pull, 6'A cents; if two pulls, 12^4 
 cents. 
 
 For taking down or putting up a press, $3. 
 
 For working down a new press, $6. 
 
 For lifting a form before completed, 33 ^^ cents. 
 
 For covering a tvmpan and drawer, $1, or 50 cents for either. 
 
 When an alteration in a form takes place, each pressman shall be 
 paid 161/2 cents per hour. 
 
 No pressman shall teach an apprentice prcsswork, without the bene- 
 fit of his work for 13 weeks, or half his wages for 6 months; nor »luM 
 he teach an apprentice who is more than 18 years old, and who is bvund 
 for less than three years. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 3. 
 
 List of Prices of the Baltimore Typographical Society, 
 
 Adopted June 2, 1832. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 I. Works done in the Knglish language, common matlfr. fr-r :va 
 to minion, inclusive, 25 cents per i. 000 cms; nonpareil. ' 
 
 31^ cents; pearl, 33/3 cents; diamond. 50 cents. Ili'- 
 
 the blank after, and the foot line, in all cases to be . 
 
 than three lines; an odd en in width or length, to be cci 
 
 less than an en, not to be reckoned. . j .. :# -i,«« 
 
 II. Works printed in pica, or larger type, to be counted a* if done 
 
 '" ^ m. Works printed in Latin or. Spanish, 3 /^""* "";!„r^' ^i"^ 
 ems- in French, 5 cents extra. Dictionaries in the above Ungtia«« to 
 
 "^ ^tv." Wo%s'"in^whiyjr.reek, Hebrew, Saxon or o«her for^eign ch.r^ 
 acters may occur, when they amount to one line per «, 000 em.. 2 crow 
 
 "'^^'^■^li-r^rrj ^rnr^e^^^d°i;^r^.r'V;?^w «,d Kn«.uh. .o 
 
 be charged a price and a half. 
 
26o A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 VI. English dictionaries, printed with figured vowels and accents, 5 
 cents advance; without figured vowels, but with accents, 2 cents ad- 
 vance. Geographical, biographical, and medical dictionaries, gazetteers, 
 dictionaries of the arts and sciences, and works of a similar character, 
 are not included in this article, unless they be attended with extra 
 trouble, beyond the usual descriptive matter. 
 
 VII. Arithmetical works, 5 cents advance per 1,000 ems; rule work 
 to be charged a price and a half; rule and figure work, double; alge- 
 braical works, and works composed principally of medical, astronomical, 
 or other signs, to be charged double price. 
 
 \'III. Works done in Hebrew, without points, 15 cents advance per 
 1,000 ems; with points, (to be counted half body and half points) double 
 price. 
 
 IX. Works done in Greek, without accents, 40 cents per 1,000 ems; 
 with accents, 50 cents; the asper and lenis not to be considered as ac- 
 cents. 
 
 X. Spelling books, and works of that description, 5 cents in ad- 
 vance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 XI. Side and center notes in Bibles and Testaments, to be counted 
 the full length of the page (including the lead or one rule), according 
 to the type in which they are set, and charged 5 cents extra per 1,000 
 ems. Cut-in notes in the above works to be cast up according to the 
 type in which they are set, and charged a price and a half. 
 
 XII. Side notes, in law and historical works, to be counted the full 
 length of the page, and charged according to the type in which they 
 are set; and when cut into the text, to be charged 4 cents e.xtra per 
 1,000 ems. 
 
 XIII. Quotations, mottoes, contents of chapters, and bottom notes, 
 in smaller type than the body, to be paid for according to the size of 
 type in which they are set. 
 
 XIV. Works where the measure does not exceed 14 ems in width, 
 to be paid 2 cents in advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 XV. Time occupied by alterations from copy, or by casing or dis- 
 tributing letter not used by the compositor, to be paid for at the rate 
 of IS cents per hour. 
 
 XVI. When compositors, in book and job offices, shall be required 
 to work after regular hours, they shall be allowed 20 cents per hour, or 
 5 cents advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 X\' II. All letter cast on a body larger than the face, to be counted 
 according to the face of the type; and all letter cast on a smaller body 
 than the face to be counted according to the body. 
 
 X\'III. For all matter made up and imposed by the employer, no 
 more than 2 cents per 1,000 ems shall be allowed. The compositor in 
 all cases to furnish the head, blank, and foot line, and count the same. 
 
 XIX. Making up a set of furniture, to be charged for by the time 
 occupied, at the rate of 15 cents per hour. 
 
 XX. Compositors shall, in all cases, charge for every blank page_ at 
 the end of a work imposed — each form to be graduated by the following 
 rule: In octavo forms, if less than 2 pages, to be charged as 2; for 3 
 pages, 4 to be charged; for 5, 6 or 7, a full form, etc. 
 
 XXI. Compositors employed by the week shall not receive less than 
 $8 per week. Ten hours shall be considered a day's work in book and 
 job offices. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 With balls or rollers before the press. 
 
 Per token. 
 
 Medium and royal $030 
 
 Super royal 371^ 
 
 Imperial 45 
 
 Job work isVs 
 
 Broadsides 60 
 
 Cards, two packs and under to be considered a token, all over, 12^ 
 cents per pack. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTERS lOi 
 
 With rollers behind the press. 
 
 Medium and royal j^ ^ , 
 
 Super royal .'.'!.'!.'!!!.'...." jc 
 
 Imperial !'..'..'.'.!!.*..... jj 
 
 All fine works to receive an extra price, to be determined by the 
 employer and pressman, according to its quality. All book work under 
 four tokens to be charged 2 cents extra per token. 
 
 All broadsides to be 45 cents per token. 
 
 Job work, 25 cents per token. 
 
 Cards, two packs and under, 25 cents; all over two packs, 10 cent* 
 per pack. 
 
 All colors to be charged double. 
 
 In all cases, where the employer finds the roller boy, 4 cents to be 
 deducted on book or job work; on cards, 2 cents per pack. 
 
 Machine rollers. — Medium, four tokens or less. 30 cents per token; 
 over four tokens, 27 cents. Other works in proportion. I-ine work, 
 extra price. 
 
 Lifting forms. — When there are not more than eight tokens, the 
 pressman shall receive the price of one token extra for every form he 
 shall be necessitated to lift. 
 
 Standing. — After a form shall have been put to press, the pressman 
 shall receive 15 cents for the first half hour, and 20 cents for every sub- 
 sequent hour that he is delayed by corrections or alterations. 
 
 Pressmen working by the piece, required to count the pai)cr from 
 the press, to be paid 2 cents extra per token. 
 
 Pressmen employed by the week to receive not less than $8 per 
 week. Ten hours shall be considered a day in book and job offices. 
 
 When pressmen, in book and job offices, shall be required to work 
 after regular hours, they shall be allowed 20 cents per hour, or 4 cent* 
 extra per token. 
 
 Pressmen employed on morning papers, to be paid not less than $9; 
 on evening papers, not less than $8 per week. 
 
 For covering tympan or drawer, 50 cents. 
 
 APPENDIX B. NO. 4. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Typographical Association of New 
 York, Adopted June 15. 1833. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. Works done in the English language, common matter 'fo« Eng- 
 lish to nonpareil. 25 cents pcr ..000 cms; =«^tc. 27 cent, pearl, ^o 
 cents; diamond, 37/2 cents. '1 he headline, w^ith )''=>"'',»•«"• ?;'^^,, * 
 foot line, in all cases to be counted not less than three l.ncs^ U hr . 
 measure exceeds even ems in width, and is less than »" "l; »c,o „ur.d 
 to be counted- but if an en, or over, to be counted an cm. Where guattl 
 hnes are required to pages! they shall be furn.shed by the employe m 
 a solid shape, or shall be charged by the composifr. ,„..„,,d m 
 
 2. Works printed in great primer, or larger type, to be counted M 
 if done in English. , . 1 t- « .• 
 
 3. All jobs done in plain scrmt to be counted as Khk 
 charged at 30 cents per 1,000 ems; those in '•"•'''y'"-"-''' "'/;'' 
 script, or inclined bodies, to be counted as above and chatK 
 
 *'^4!^' Works printed in Latin or Spanish. 3 cent, extra p*r '•»"" f '';;*• 
 in French. 5 cents extra. Dictionaries in tlic above lannuage. to be »4 
 vanced in proportion, as in article 7. , . t. • 
 
 5. Greek. Hebrew. Saxon, etc.. or any of the otnrr 
 in common use. if amounting to one word, and rot excc< 
 per 1,000 ems, to be charged -• cents extra, where tin 
 
l62 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of a different size from the body of the matter, and are to be justified 
 in, they shall be charged 4 cents extra. All exceeding three words to 
 be charged in proportion. 
 
 6. All works done in Greek and Latin, or Greek and English, to be 
 charged a price and a half. 
 
 7. English dictionaries, printed with figured vowels and accents, 5 
 cents advance; without figured vowels, but with accents, 2 cents ad- 
 vance. Concordances, and works of a similar description, where figures 
 and points predominate, or any work where capitals, small capitals, ur 
 italic, are profusely used, 3 cents advance. Where superior letters or 
 references are used, as in Bibles, or works of that character, i cent 
 extra per 1,000 ems, shall be charged. Geographical, biographical, and 
 medical dictionaries, gazetteers, dictionaries of the arts and sciences, and 
 works of a similar character, are not included in this article, except 
 they are attended with extra trouble, beyond the usual descriptive matter. 
 
 8. Arithmetical works, s cents extra per 1,000 ems. . Rule work, part 
 plain and part figures, and figure work where no rules are used and 
 figures are required to be placed in columns, to be charged a price and 
 a half; rule and figure work, double. Algebraical works, and works com- 
 posed principally of medical, astronomical, or other signs, to be charged 
 double. 
 
 9. Works done in Hebrew, without points, 15 cents advance per 
 1,000 ems; when with points, the body and the points to be cast up 
 each according to its size, and to be charged double. 
 
 10. Works done in Greek, without accents, printed copy, page for 
 page, 371/2 cents; other reprints, 40 cents per 1,000 ems; with accents, 
 50 cents; the asper and lenis not to be considered as accents. 
 
 11. Church music, whether analytical or solid, to be charged a sin- 
 gle price, according to the size of the type in which it is set. Piano 
 music to be charged a price and a half, according to the size, except 
 where it is condensed, when it shall be charged double. 
 
 12. Works done from manuscript copy, to be charged 2 cents extra 
 per 1,000 ems, except foreign languages, which shall be 5 cents; printed 
 copy, with frequent interlineations, to be considered as manuscript. 
 
 13. Spelling books, and works of that description, 5 cents advance 
 per 1,000 ems. 
 
 14. Side and center notes in Bibles and Testaments to be counted 
 the full length of the page (including the lead, or one rule, which shall 
 count at least one em), according to the type in which they are set, and 
 charged 5 cents extra per 1,000 ems. Cut-in notes, in the above works, 
 to be charged 4 cents extra each note, and the whole page to be counted 
 as text. 
 
 15. Side notes in law and historical works, to be counted the full 
 length of the page, according to the type in which they are set; and 
 when cut into the text, to be charged 4 cents extra each note. 
 
 16. Quotations, mottoes, contents of chapters, and bottom notes, in 
 smaller type than the body, to be paid for according to the size of the 
 type in which they are set. 
 
 17. Works where the measure does not exceed 16 ems in width, to 
 be paid 2 cents advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 18. Time occupied by alterations from copy, by casing or distribut- 
 ing letter, not used by the compositor, or other work appointed by the 
 employer, to be paid for at the rate of 15 cents per hour. 
 
 19. When compositors are required to work more than regular 
 hours, they shall be allowed 20 cents an hour, or 5 cents advance per 
 1,000 ems. 
 
 20. All letter cast on a body larger than the face (as bourgeois on 
 long primer), to be counted according to the face; and all letter cast on 
 a body smaller than the face (as minion on nonpareil), to be counted 
 according to the body. 
 
 21. In all cases where a companionship may deem it necessary that 
 matter should be made up by one person, the compositors may either ap- 
 point, from among themselves, or authorize the employer to appoint, a 
 person to perform that duty, OD terms to be agreed upon between them- 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS jg, 
 
 selves and the person employed to make up: PrtK'ided, howner, 1K\t 
 no more than 2 cents per 1,000 ems shall be allowed to the employer for 
 making up, imposing, taking the necessary proofs, and keeping the 
 schedule. 
 
 22. When a compositor is required to take out bad letters, and re- 
 place them, in consequence of faults in the founder, miscasts, or worn- 
 out fonts, he shall be paid at the rate of 15 cents an hour. 
 
 23. For imposing forms, no more shall be allowed than 3 cents per 
 page for quarto, 2 for octavo, i Yi for duodecimo, i ^ for sexadecimo, 
 and the like sum for all forms of a larger number of pages— the com- 
 positor, in all cases, to lay the pages in regular order, or to be respon- 
 sible for their being so done. 
 
 24. It shall be the duty of the compositor imposing, to take two 
 proofs of each form. All proofs taken afterwards, shall be paid for at 
 the rate of 8 cents each, for letterpress forms, and for stereotype forms 
 and small jobs, 2 cents each. When an extra proof, or proofs, are re- 
 quired by the carelessness of the compositor, they shall be at his ex- 
 pense. 
 
 25. Making up furniture for a quarto form, 18 cents; an octavo, 
 25 cents; and 3 cents extra for all other impositions progressively. 
 
 26. Compositors employed on morning newspapers shall receive 
 not less than $12 per week; on evening papers, and in b<iok and job of- 
 fices, not less than $9 per week. Ten hours shall be considered a d*jr in 
 book and job offices. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 With balls. — Medium, 30 cents per token; royal, 33!^: super royal, 
 37^; medium, and a half, 39; imperial, 40 cents; and everything above 
 imperial, 45 cents. Cards, the first hundred, 30 cents; for all over one 
 hundred, 10 cents a pack. The charge with hand rollers to be the same 
 as with balls. , , 
 
 With rollers. — Medium, when there shall be but 4 tokens or less on 
 a form, 25 cents per token; if over 4 tokens, 23 cents. Royal. 4 tokens 
 or less, 27 cents; over 4 tokens, 26 cents. Super royal. 4 tokens or le**. 
 30 cents; over 4 tokens, 28 cents. Medium, and a half. 4 tokens or less, 
 32 cents; over 4 tokens, 30 cents. Imperial. 4 tokens or less. 35 cents; 
 over 4 tokens, a cents. For any size above imperial, the charge »hall 
 be, when there are 4 tokens or less, 40 cents; over 4 tokens. 35 cents. 
 All broadsides, 40 cents per token. Cards, the first hundred, jj cents, 
 all over one hundred, 11; cents per hundred. All fine work to receive 
 an extra price, to be arranged between the employer and journeyman. 
 Work done after regular hours, to receive an advance of 5 cents per 
 
 Roller boys.— When the employer shall furnish a roller boy. there 
 shall be 18 per cent, deducted from the wages of the pressman until it 
 amounts to $2 per week, when the deduction shall cease. 
 
 Machine rollers.— Medium. 4 tokens or less, 21 cents P*"- •"^'^• 
 over 4 tokens, 20 cents. Other sizes in proportion. Fine work, extra 
 
 ^""Lifting forms.-When there arc not more than 8 «?•'"'»•. '^'P','*;^ 
 man shall receive the price of i token extra for every form he shall K 
 
 "'"coveHng'!ympans.-Thesumof ,yV, cents shall «-»"—'/■;-•;-• 
 
 ing a tympan; and the like sum for covering a drawer, or inner «rni|van. 
 
 For putting up or removing presscs.-twenty cents per hour .hall 
 
 *'^ ^s'tinding— After a form shall have been put to press, the pre»«man 
 shall receh?-, 5 cents for the first half hour, and .0 cenU for ever, sub- 
 sequent hour, that he is delayed by corrections "' »''"f '°«*-.„ „„, y^ 
 When a pressman is employed by the week, he »h»" '«*'*' ""IJ?! 
 than $9 per week; ten hours, in all cases, to be the limit of a «Uy • 
 work. Overwork, 20 cents an hour. 
 
164 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SCALE OF VARIATION FOR THE SIZES OF FORMS. 
 
 
 111 
 
 
 
 Pica 
 ems. 
 
 9,000 
 11,000 
 13,500 
 16,000 
 18,000 
 
 Pica 
 
 Royal, to contain 
 
 13,500 
 16,000 
 18,000 
 22,000 
 
 
 
 
 
 Any form exceeding either ofc these, by 250 cms, to be charged as 
 
 the next highest. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 5. 
 
 Bill of Prices of the Nashville (Tenn.) Typographical Society, 
 Adopted 1837. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 Compositors to receive per week $11 00 
 
 Bookwork, MS. copy, per 1,000 ems 35 
 
 Bookwork, reprint SsVs 
 
 Newspaper, manuscript and reprint 32 
 
 Pamphlets (100 pages, or less,) 37J4 
 
 Rule or figure work, to be counted price and a half. 
 Rule and figure work, double price. 
 
 For all works in foreign languages, an advance of 125/3 
 
 Dictionaries, arithmetics and algebraical works, an advance of. . 121/3 
 
 Side notes to be calculated separate from the text, an advance of 02 
 
 All measures under 12 ems pica, an advance of 02 
 
 Letters cast on a different body from the face, to be counted by 
 
 the body one way and the face the other. 
 
 Alterations from copy, per hour 25 
 
 All sizes larger than pica, and not exceeding double pica, to be 
 
 counted pica. 
 Larger than double pica to be charged by the time. 
 
 All type smaller than nonpareil, an advance of 02 
 
 Dressing furniture tor book or pamphlet form 50 
 
 Ten hours shall be considered a day's work. 
 All extra work to be charged per hour. 
 
 PRESSVVORK. 
 
 Pressmen to receive per week $1 2 00 
 
 Mammoth or elephant (book or news), per token 40 
 
 Imperial and super royal 33J/S 
 
 Royal and mediuin 25 
 
 Jobs 37y2 
 
 Cards, first pack 371/2 
 
 Cards, each additional pack on same form 18^ 
 
 Hat tips, same as cards. 
 
 Jobs on silk or bank-note paper 50 
 
 Broadsides, on medium paper, or smaller syVi 
 
 Broadsides, larger than medium 50 
 
 Lifting forms before finished, to be charged a token. 
 
 All jobs with colored ink, per hour 25 
 
 Parchment, each pull 06 54 
 
 Covering tympan and drawer, each 75 
 
i65 
 
 EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS 
 
 All works containing woodcuts, an advance of to 
 
 Corrections made in a form, after being put to press, to b« 
 
 charged per hour j . 
 
 Ten hours considered a day's work. 
 
 Ten quires to be considered a token on a newspaper form — io)4 
 
 quires on a book form. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 6. 
 
 List of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society, Wash- 
 ington, D. C, Amended and Adopted January, 1837. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. Compositors, during the recess of Congress, in book, or newspa- 
 per offices, to receive not less than $io per week. Ten hours to consti- 
 tute a day's work. 
 
 2. During the session of Congress, in offices employed on the cur- 
 rent Congress work, and in all offices engaged on other work done for, 
 or by the authority of that body, or in newspaper offices, to receive not 
 less than $ii per week. 
 
 3. In all offices, and at all seasons to receive not less than %2 for 
 each and every Sunday, (to consist of eight hours,) and for extra hours 
 on Sunday, 25 cents; and at all other times, .;o cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 1. All works done in the English language, common matter, from 
 pica to minion, 31 cents per 1,000 ems; minion and nonpareil. 37 cents; 
 agate, 39 cents; pearl, 41 cents; diamond, 50 cents. The headline, with 
 the blank after it, and the foot line, in all cases, to be counted as three 
 lines. An en, in length or width, to be counted an em; if less than an 
 en, not to be reckoned. Above pica to be charged as pica. 
 
 2. Neivspapers. — Brevier and upward, 33 'j cents per 1,000 ems; 
 minion and nonpareil, 37 cents; agate, 39 cents; pearl, 41 cents; dia- 
 mond, 50 cents. 
 
 3. Rule or figure work. — All rule or figure work a price and a half, 
 according to the type in which it is set. All matter in which two or 
 more rules are inserted, to constitute rule work; and two or more col- 
 umns of figures, witiiout rules, to constitute figure work. 
 
 4. Rule and figure work. — All rule and figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. One column of TiKiirrN an.! nne 
 rule in a page of other matter, shall constitute rule .r V: 
 Provided, lioicever, That on works, the pages j.f whi. 
 
 made up of two or more columns, (as on periodical ; • 
 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made f ■ : . ".t 
 
 of the rules separating the columns. 
 
 5. All heads and foot lines attached to rule or hRure work, or rule 
 and figure work, to be reckoned the same as the body of the matter. 
 
 6. For all foreign languages, printed in the Roman diaracler», an 
 addition of 6 cents per i.ooo cms. , - . i^ 
 
 7. All works printed in Creek or other foreign cbaracier*. to De 
 paid for at the rate of 66 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 8. Arithmetical works to be paid an adv.inee of 6 ccntt per t.ooo 
 ems on the price of common matter. 
 
 9. Algebraical works to be charged double price. 
 
 10. Spelling books, or other work containing more than two coJumnt 
 in a page, to be paid an advance of one-half on the price of common 
 matter. 
 
 11. Music, double price. , .. . . # .l. ^ ,^a 
 
 12. Side notes to be counted the full lenglh of the page. an<i 
 charged according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 13. Cut-in notes to be cast up according to the type m which Iher 
 are set, and charged 10 cents extra per 1,000 cms; and the whole page 
 to be counted as te.xt. 
 
i66 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 14. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type 
 than the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 15. All letter cast upon a larger body than the face, as bourgeois 
 on long primer, to be counted according to its face; and all letter cast 
 upon a smaller body than the face, as minion on nonpareil, to be counted 
 according to the body. 
 
 16. All works where the measure does not exceed 14 ems in width, 
 to be 3 cents per 1,000 ems advance. 
 
 17. For making up a set of furniture, not exceeding 16 pages, 31 
 cents; when exceeding, 55 cents. 
 
 Alterations. — Compositors to receive for alterations from copy, at 
 the rate of 25 cents per hour. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Pressmen, during the recess of Congress, shall receive not less 
 than $10 per week — ten hours to constitute a day's work. 
 
 2. During the session of Congress, in offices employed on the cur- 
 rent Congress work, and in all offices engaged on other work done for, 
 or by the authority of that body, or in newspaper offices, to receive not 
 less than $11 per week. 
 
 3. In all offices, and at all seasons, to receive not less than $2 for 
 each and every Sunday, (to consist of eight hours,) and for extra hours 
 on Sundays, 25 cents, and at all other times, 20 cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK 
 
 Kind of work— per token. 
 
 
 pii 
 
 1. Paper— Medium and below medium, when the form consists of 
 
 so 37 
 
 .'39 
 .41 
 
 .43 
 .45 
 .47 
 .46 
 .48 
 .50 
 .52 
 .50 
 .41 
 .60 
 
 $0.27 
 
 
 .29 
 
 
 .31 
 
 
 .33 
 
 
 .35 
 
 
 .37 
 
 
 .36 
 
 Medium and a half below brevier 
 
 .38 
 
 
 .40 
 
 
 .42 
 
 
 .40 
 
 
 .31 
 
 
 .50 
 
 
 
 a Pressman to find his own roller boy 
 2. SCALE OF VARIATION FOR THE SIZE OF FORMS 
 
 
 Octavo or 
 smaller. 
 
 Quarto or 
 larger. 
 
 
 Pica ems. 
 
 9,000 
 11,000 
 13,500 
 16.0(10 
 18,000 
 
 Pica ems. 
 
 11,000 
 13,5(X) 
 16,0(X) 
 18,000 
 
 Royal, to contain 
 
 
 Medium and half, to contain 
 
 
 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTF.RS ,o- 
 
 Any form exceeding either of these by 250 ems to be charged aa 
 the next highest. 
 
 SCAL1-: FOR JOBS. 
 
 n/r J- Inches. 
 
 Medium to measure 18 by ^j 
 
 Royal to measure 19 by J4 
 
 Super royal to measure jo by j? 
 
 Imperial to measure ji by ji 
 
 3. All bookwork less than 4 tokens to be charged 2 cents extra per 
 token. 
 
 4. Jobs, 39 cents per token, when worked on medium, or paper be- 
 low medium ; when on royal or upward, on brevier or larger letter, not 
 less than 43 cents; below brevier, 45 cents; when on imperial, 50 cents 
 per token. 
 
 5. Work done in colors, double price. 
 
 6. Cards, for i pack, and not exceeding 2 packs, 39 cents; when ex- 
 ceeding 2 packs, to be paid at the rate of 16 cents per pack. 
 
 7. Broadsides shall be paid for double, according to the size of the 
 paper. To constitute a broadside, the matter to extend across the sheet 
 without a break. A foolscap sheet, and all above, to be considered a 
 broadside. 
 
 8. All work on parchments, when not done by the piece, to be 
 paid $2.20 per day, and no charge to be made for less than half a day; 
 when done by the piece, if i pull, 7 cents; if 2 pulls, 14 cents. 
 
 9. All matter that is required to be made up and imposed in pages, 
 to be considered bookwork. 
 
 10. Tokens. — On newspaper work, not over 10 quires, or 340 
 sheets; and on other work, not more than 250 sheets; or loj^i quires to 
 constitute a token. 
 
 11. For taking down or putting up a press. 20 cents per hour. 
 
 12. For working down a new Ramage press, $6. 
 
 13. For lifting a form before completed, 37 cents. 
 
 14. For covering a tynipan and drawer, $1.10, or 55 cents for 
 
 15. When an alteration in a form takes place, each pressman shall 
 be paid at tlie rate of 18 cents per hour for the time occupied, or i$ 
 cents per hour if but one pressman, with roller boy. 
 
 16. No pressman shall teach an apprentice presswork, without the 
 benefit of his work for fifteen weeks, or half his wages for six months: 
 nor shall he teach an apprentice who is more than 18 years old. and 
 who is bound for less than four years. • i- * 
 
 No alteration or amendment shall be made to the foregoing list of 
 prices, unless two-thirds of the members present concur therein; nor 
 then, without one month's previous notice having been given. 
 
 REGUL.\TIONS RESPECTING APPRENTICES. 
 
 1 Every apprentice shall serve until he be 21 years of age; ind, »i 
 the time of entering as an apprentice, shall not be more '"jn 'ft year* 
 of age; and every boy taken as an apprentice shall be bound to his rtn. 
 ployer in due form of law. . , • „«;.. ;„ ,h, f> , 
 
 2 No runaway apprentice to be received into any offue in tnc 
 trict of Columbia, either as an apprentice or journcym.vi. 
 
 -.. That on the death of his master, or if. from any C3ii«-. v.r 
 wherein he was indented shall.be discontinued, he may be t.ikrn 
 other office, and be regularly mdented to finish the term of h.x 
 
 *'"'!'''■ After the ist day of January. 1844. the Columhia Trtv . 
 Societv will not consider any application for mcml.T.i,,., ,..,,. 
 hv sufficient proof that the applicant has servefl li- 
 as a regularly indented apprentice at the printinv: 
 
 S. That after the ist day of January, i8.<.,. 
 graphical Society will not permit members of san n- 
 
l58 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 any office where boys may be taken as apprentices to the printing busi- 
 ness to serve for a less period than five years. 
 
 6. The Columbia Typographical Society recognizes but two classes 
 of printers — employers and journeymen: that is, persons who carry on 
 business solely as employers, and those who work as journeymen in the 
 manner prescribed, and at the prices demanded by this society. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 7. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the New Orleans Typographical Society, 
 Adopted September 14, 1839. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 Compositors employed on morning newspapers to work by the piece 
 only, at the following rates: Plain matter, in the English, French, or 
 Spanish language, 62 >^ cents per 1,000 ems, for manuscript or printed 
 copy; pearl, 75 cents per 1,000 ems; ruby, 81 54 cents per 1,000 ems; 
 diamond, $1 per 1,000 ems; rule and figure work, $1.25 per 1,000 ems; 
 rule or figure work separately, 93 ?4 cents per 1,000 ems. A foreman 
 not to receive less than $25 per week. 
 
 On evening papers, and in book and job oflfices, compositors not to 
 receive less than $19 per week, ten hours constituting a day's work; and 
 all extra hours to be charged at the rate of 40 cents per hour. Work 
 done by the piece to be charged the same as morning papers. Foremen 
 on evening papers not to receive less than $22.50 per week. Where two 
 foremen are employed on one paper in two languages, the foreman on 
 the English side not to receive less than $20 per week. 
 
 On bookwork, the running title, white line under it, and the foot 
 line of the page, to be considered as regular matter. 
 
 An odd en in width or depth to be counted an em; but if less than 
 an «n, it is not to be reckoned. 
 
 Bookwork and jobs done by the piece, with pica or larger letter, to 
 be charged as pica. 
 
 Bookwork and jobs done by the piece, in which Hebrew, Greek, or 
 other foreign characters occur, to be charged when they amount to one 
 line, 16 cents extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Bookwork done by the piece in the dead languages, to be charged 
 at the rate of $1.25 per 1,000 ems; but work done in the dead and 
 modern languages, (an equal proportion of each,) to be charged at the 
 rate of 93 4-5 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Bookwork with side notes, to be charged as follows: The text and 
 side notes to be charged separately, and the notes to be charged accord- 
 ing to the letter in which they are set, and calculated the full length of 
 the page; when they are cut in the text, 16 cents extra to be charged. 
 
 Music, $1.25 per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Letter cast on a body smaller than the face to be charged accord- 
 ing to the body; and letter cast on a body larger than the face to be 
 charged according to the face. 
 
 Compositors making up a set of furniture, to charge at the rate of 
 40 cents per hour. 
 
 Compositors, in all cases, to charge the blank pages which may oc- 
 cur in a work. 
 
 For alterations from copy, if a single one, 25 cents; per hour, 40 
 cents. 
 
 PRESSWOKK. 
 
 [With balls or rollers.] 
 
 Bookwork done on medium, royal or super royal paper to be 
 
 charged per token $1 00 
 
 Imperial i 25 
 
 Broadside, posting bills, super royal or imperial i 50 
 
 Broadside, posting bills, under super royal i 00 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS Ol- TKINTtlRS i^ 
 
 Cards: 
 
 Plain, two packs or under y j 
 
 Glazed i jj 
 
 For each succeeding pack, if plain J5 
 
 For each succeeding pack, if glazed jjyj 
 
 Work done on parchment, each impression u^ 
 
 Standing after a form shall have been put to press, per hour.... 40 
 
 Covering tympan and drawer, each 1 00 
 
 Putting up a press •. 5 00 
 
 Taking down a press j 50 
 
 Pressmen working on morning and evening papers, or other peri- 
 odicals, by the piece, to charge for medium, or super royal, 
 
 per token 75 
 
 Imperial or larger I 00 
 
 For all extra fine work an additional price to be charged, to be 
 agreed on between the employer and employed. 
 
 All work done in colors, to be charged according to the time em- 
 ployed thereon. 
 
 Lifting a form before the whole impression is worked off, to be 
 charged as one token. 
 
 When a roller boy is furnished by the employer, no more than as 
 per cent shall be deducted. 
 
 When a pressman may be employed by the week in a book or job 
 office, or on an evening paper, he shall not charge less than $to •>er 
 week, ten hours constituting a day; and all work done after the regular 
 hours, 40 cents per hour. 
 
 On morning papers, pressmen working by the week, not to receive 
 less than $22. 
 
 Tames Pirnie, President. 
 William Pickett. Vice-President. 
 Tames O'Dowd, Secretary. 
 RoBKRT McCoLLL, Treasurer. 
 A. II. Haves. 
 H. L. Kelsev, 
 E. H. Kelly, 
 P. Lynch, 
 
 !ames Dyer, 
 AMES Taylor, 
 
 Directors. 
 
 1' 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO, 8. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Pittsburg Typogrraphical Association. 
 Adopted November 21, 1849. 
 
 Pittsburg Typographical Association, organired in 1R40 issued ■ bill 
 of prices together with apprenticeship recommendations, November Ji. 
 1849, as follows: 
 
 REPORT ON BILL OF PRICES. 
 To the OfTicers and Members of the Pittsburg Typographical Atsociatic*: 
 
 Your committee appointed to fix a bill of prices, respectfully offer 
 the following for the consideration of the association: 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. Composition, 
 
 2. Any size small 
 
 a^cas^lo'be counted three Imes: -er an en m rn,y. 
 or width, to be counted an em; if less, not to be reckonco.) 
 
 manuscript and reprint, per t,ooo etn». !« »J 
 
 iller than nonpareil... j.i. 'r^V i.nV'in 
 
 ine, with the blank after, and the foot I'ne. in 
 .-J -I tinoc- nvrr an en in lenfTn 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 3. Work done in foreign languages, in Roman characters, extra. 
 
 per 1 ,000 ems 10 
 
 4. Work done in foreign languages, and not in Roman charac- 
 
 ters, except the German, which shall be the same as Eng- 
 lish, per 1 ,000 ems 50 
 
 5. Algebraical work, and works having a great number of as- 
 
 tronomical, medical, and other signs 50 
 
 6. Spelling books and similar works, advance per 1,000 05 
 
 7. Arithmetical work, advance 05 
 
 8. English dictionaries with figured vowels and accents, advance 10 
 
 9. English dictionaries without figured vowels, advance 05 
 
 10. Side and center notes in Bibles, Testaments, and other works, 
 
 to be counted the full length of the page (including the 
 lead or rule), according to the type in which they are set, 
 and an advance per 1,000 of 03 
 
 11. Cut-in notes to be cast up according to the type in which 
 
 they are set, and charged an advance of 0$ 
 
 12. Quotations, notes, mottoes, etc., in smaller type, to be count- 
 
 ed according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 13. Works where the measure does not exceed 14 cms, advance 
 
 per 1 ,000 of 03 
 
 14. All letter cast on a body larger than the face to be counted 
 
 according to the face; and all letter cast on a smaller body 
 than the face, to be counted according to the body. 
 
 15. Composition on music to be done as agreed upon by the em- 
 
 ployer and journeyman. 
 
 16. Rule and figure work, per 1,000 50 
 
 17. Rule or figure work, per 1,000 37J4 
 
 18. Letter list, or names set two or three newspaper column, 
 
 per 1,000 37 J4 
 
 19. Time lost in alterations from copy, extra casing of letter, 
 
 or anything not coming legitimately under the preceding 
 articles, to be charged by the hour 20 
 
 20. Journeymen working by the week (ten hours a day's work), 
 
 to receive not less than 8 00 
 
 21. Journeymen working on morning papers, per week not less 
 
 than ; 9 00 
 
 22. Foremen shall not receive less per week than 10 00 
 
 JOB WORK. 
 
 Forms to be distributed by the journeyman. 
 
 Common medium sheet bills $1 00 
 
 Common medium sheet bills (with border) 1 25 
 
 Common medium half-sheet bills 50 
 
 Common medium half-sheet bills (with borders) 75 
 
 (Tommon medium quarto bills 37J4 
 
 Programmes (eight to a sheet) 50 
 
 Posters for theater, circus, etc 50 
 
 Bills of lading 50 
 
 Circulars for balls, etc., (script) 25 
 
 Business cards or exhibition tickets _. 25 
 
 Plain composition in script to be counted as pica. 
 
 All job work not above enumerated, or any the before mentioned 
 with an extra quantity of matter, to be agreed upon by the parties. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 Office to find tlie roller boy. 
 
 Medium, or under, per token $0 30 
 
 Imperial, per token 25 
 
 Double medium, per token 28 
 
 Music, per token 23 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OI- TRINTMRS j-j 
 
 Steamboat bills, per token (black) j. 
 
 Steamboat bills, per token (colored) ',,, t* 
 
 Alterations on steamboat bills '.'.'.'.'. lo 
 
 Bills of lading, circulars, invitations, billheads, checks, draft's, 
 
 etc., per token jj 
 
 Colored work, per token jo 
 
 Cap or quarto post, per token J5 
 
 Cards, first pack uyj 
 
 Cards, every additional pack ©6^4 
 
 Posters, 1 00 or less jj 
 
 Posters, each additional loo or less u^ 
 
 Books of not more than one token an advance of 05 
 
 All work done on parchment, each pull 04 
 
 Covering tympan 50 
 
 Covering drawer 50 
 
 Making roller J5 
 
 Lifting forms before their completion, an extra token to be charged; 
 provided, the full complement does not exceed 8 tokens. 
 Extra charges on engravings. 
 
 Pressmen employed by the week, ten hours to constitute a dajr't 
 work. $9 per week; power pressmen. $10. 
 
 Your committee, without wishing to be considered as dictating to 
 employers, would earnestly recommend that hereafter no apprentice 
 shall be taken for a less period than three years, and that regular and 
 formal indentures be made between the parties, that justice may be done 
 both. Respectfully, 
 
 G. T. Myess. 
 JosEPjr Martih. 
 1). P. Work. 
 Alex. W. Rook. 
 W. H. Cappe. 
 
 B. SlNC.EBLV. 
 
 J. REisiNcn. 
 
 Pittsburg, November 21, 1S49. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 9. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Journeymen Printers' Union of Phila- 
 delphia, Unanimously Adopted Augrust 10, 1850. 
 
 MORNING NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 I. Composition in agate, and in all larger type, of regular body and 
 face, 30 cents per 1,000 ems. , 1 u -i_ .-- 1 
 
 2: Composition in type smaller than agate, of regular body and 
 face, 35 cents per 1,000 ems. i..._j -, 
 
 3. Letter cast on a body larger than the fac«;. to be char^d^^^ 
 
 con 
 
 ^ to the face; and letter cast on a body smaller than the face lo 
 
 be counted according to the body. 
 
 4. Rule and figure work, double price. -„i,.-,n« 
 
 5. Composition requiring three justifications, such as ••'^^f? f«'"""* 
 of figures, lists of letters, as at present published, etc.. a prnre and a 
 
 '"^'^'6. Work by the hour, and all waiting after 8 o'clock, p. m. (or 
 mails, or for any other purpose, 25 cents per hour 
 
 7. On each occasion where a hand shall be called to go lo wotb. 
 after being through the regular work. $1 shall be clLVk-ri rxuA. ^ ^ 
 
 8. Every hand employed upon a morning nrv 
 titled to 24 consecutive hours' intcrmissmn from 
 and if called upon to work during such intcrmissi. • 
 extra, whether the said intermission occurs on 
 day of the week. 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 9. Work by the week, $12 per week, 10 hours constituting a day's 
 work. 
 
 WEEKLY AND AFTERNOON NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 1. Composition, 28 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 2. Hour work, 20 cents per hour. 
 
 3. Ten dollars per week, 10 hours constituting a day's work. 
 
 BOOK AND JOB WORK. 
 
 1. Work in the English language, printed copy, from pica to non- 
 pareil, inclusive, 2y cents per 1,000 ems; from agate to diamond, 30 
 cents per 1,000 ems. Manuscript copy, 2 cents per 1,000 ems extra. 
 Printed copy, with 10 interlineations or alterations per 1,000 ems, to be 
 charged as manuscript. 
 
 2. Work in foreign languages, Roman characters, printed copy, s 
 cents per 1,000 ens extra; manuscript, 7 cents per 1,000 ens extra. 
 
 3. Work in the Hebrew language, 35 cents per 1,000 ems. Where 
 points are used, they shall be counted according to their body, and 
 charged 40 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 4. Work in the Greek language, 45 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 5. Work in which Hebrew and Greek words, and words in other 
 than Roman characters occur, i cent extra for every three words. 
 
 6. Spelling books, dictionaries, primers, and all works in which fig- 
 ured vowels and accents are used, printed copy, iz cents per 1,000 ems; 
 manuscript, 35 cents extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 7. Arithmetical work, 10 cents extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 8. Algebraical work, 50 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 9. Work in which cuts, excepting initial letters, are run into the 
 matter, 2 cents per 1,000 ems €xtra on the pages in which such cuts 
 occur. . 
 
 10. Quotations, mottoes, contents of chapters, footnotes, descrip- 
 tions, undercuts, to be charged according to the type in which ti.ey are 
 set. 
 
 11. Jobs in script to be counted as pica, 33 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 12. Work in which the lines or paragraphs are in different sized 
 type alternately, 2 cents per 1,000 ems extra. 
 
 13. All matter in which there are a number of braces, requiring 
 more than two justifications, a price and a half. (In this section refer- 
 ence is made to tables of classification, as a botanical work, etc.) 
 
 14. Side and center notes, or reference to Bibles, Testaments, law 
 and historical works, and work of a similar description, to be counted 
 according to the type in which they are set, and measured the whole 
 length of the page, including the leads and rules, 3 cents per 1,000 ems 
 extra. 
 
 15. Cut-in notes, 2 cents per note, and the matter to be counted as 
 
 16. In letterpress offices, cuts and blank pages to be charged by 
 the compositor; and all cuts to be charged according to the type of the 
 page in which they respectively occur. 
 
 17. Letter cast on a body larger than the face, to be charged ac- 
 cording to the face; and letter cast on a body smaller than the face, to 
 be counted according to the body. 
 
 18. The headline, the blank after it, and the foot line, to be count- 
 ed three lines. An en in width to be counted an en; if more than an 
 en, to be counted an em; if less than an en, not to be counted. 
 
 19. When the measure does not exceed 14 ems in width, 3 cents 
 per 1,000 ems extra. . 
 
 20. When the measure does not exceed 18 ems in width, 2 cents 
 
 1,000 ems extra. . ,. 
 
 22. The compositor shall not be required to correct alterations Un- 
 eluding alterations of punctuations) from printed copy. 
 
 2Z- In tabular work, three or more columns of rules and figures to 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OI- PRINTERS J73 
 
 constitute rule and figure work. Three or more columns of rules to con- 
 stitute rule work. Three or more columns of figures to constitute fi^re 
 work. Rule and figure work, double price. Rule work, a price and a 
 half. Figure work, a price and a half. 
 
 24. No work shall be measured by any type larger than pica. 
 
 25. jNIaking up a set of furniture to be charged for according to 
 the time occupied. 
 
 26. In stereotype offices, the forms to be revised, or prepared for 
 molding, at the employer's expense, and reimposed matter to be in the 
 care of the office. 
 
 2T. The lowest charge for any piece of work, 27 cents. 
 
 28. All work on time (except week work), 20 cents per hour. 
 
 29. Compositors employed by the week, $10 per week; ten hours to 
 constitute a day's work. 
 
 MUSIC. 
 
 1. Plain choral music, 18 cents per 1,000 ems; plain choral music, 
 containing two parts on a staff, -or with organ accompaniment, 22 cents 
 per 1,000 ems; where a single staff on the page contains two parts, JO 
 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 2. Piano and other instrumental music, 20 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 3. Rudiments to be counted as music. 
 
 4. Music jobs, containing less than 15,000 ems, 3 cents per l,00» 
 ems extra. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 10. 
 
 List of Prices of the Columbia (Washington. D. C.) Typo- 
 graphical Society, Adopted November 2, 1850. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. Compositors to receive not less than $12 per week: ten hours 
 to constitute a day's work; and for extra hours, 25 cents per hour. 
 
 2. In all offices, and at all seasons, to receive not less than $i.$o 
 for each and every Sunday (to consist of eight hours), and for extra 
 
 hours on said day, 30 cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 1. All works done in the English language, common matter, from 
 pica to nonpareil, 40 cents per 1,000 ems; nonpareil, 44 cents; aB»«e. V 
 cents; pearl, 49 cents; diamond, 60 cents. The headline, with the blank 
 after it, and the foot line, in all cases, to be counted as three lines. 
 An en. in length or width, to be counted an em; if less than an en. not 
 to be reckoned. Above pica, to be charged as pica. . 
 
 2. Rule or figure work.— All rule or figure work a price and a 
 half, according to the type in which it is set. All matter in which t»o 
 or more rules are inserted to constitute rule work; and two or more 
 columns of figures without rules, to constitute figure work. 
 
 3. Rule and figure work.— All rule .ind figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. One column of fi|pIr^^ and ■>: «• 
 rule, in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule an«l •- 
 Provided, hoKCver, That on works the pages of which .y 
 
 made up of two or more columns (as on Dcriodical pul-. 
 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made for, or ^;. 
 
 of, the rules separating the columns. 
 
 4. All heads and foot lines attached to rule <>' fiK"^'";?' ?! 
 rule and figure work, to be reckoned the same as the body of ll>e 
 
 '"''""■ All foreign languages, printed in Roman characters, an addi- 
 tion of f^«"^^^^P"p;;-;/r Greek, or other foreign characters. .0 be 
 paid for at the rate of 79 cents per 1.000 ems. 
 
174 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 7. Arithmetical works to be paid an advance of 6 cents per 1,000 
 ems on the price of common matter. 
 
 8. Algebraical or mathematical works to be charged double price. 
 
 9. Spelling books, or other work containing more than two col- 
 umns in a nage, to be paid an advance of one-half on the price of com- 
 mon matter. 
 
 10. Music double price. 
 
 11. Side notes to be counted the full length of the page, and 
 charged according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 12. Cut-in notes to be cast up according to the type in which they 
 are set, and charged 10 cents extra per 1,000 ems; and the whole page 
 to be counted as text. 
 
 13. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type 
 than the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are 
 set. 
 
 14. All letter cast upon a larger body than the face, as bourgeois 
 on long primer, to be counted according to its face; all letter cast upon 
 a smaller body than the face, as minion on nonpareil, to be counted 
 according to the body; and all letter shall measure i2j^ ems to the 
 alphabet. 
 
 15. All works, where the measure does not exceed 14 ems in 
 width, to be 3 cents per 1,000 ems advance. 
 
 16. For making up a set of furniture, not exceeding 16 pages, 37 
 cents; exceeding, 66 cents. 
 
 Alterations. — Compositors to receive for alterations from copy at 
 the rate of 30 cents per hour. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Pressmen shall receive not less than $12 per week; ten hours 
 to constitute a day's work; and for extra hours 25 cents per hour. 
 
 2. At all times to receive not less than $2.50 for each and every 
 Sunday (to consist of eight hours), and for extra hours on said day 30 
 cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 Medium and below medium, when the form consists of brevier or 
 
 larger lelier 
 
 Below brevier, not less than 
 
 Royal, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Royal, below brevier 
 
 Super royal, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Super royal, below brevier 
 
 Medium and a half, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Medium and a half, below brevier 
 
 Imperial, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Imperial, below brevier 
 
 N ewspapers, when printed on imperial 
 
 Newspapers, when printed on ro^'al or super royal 
 
 For any size above imperial the charge shall be 
 
 41 
 
 33 
 
 46 
 
 36 
 
 4H 
 
 3S 
 
 51 
 
 41 
 
 ',^ 
 
 41 
 
 ■5"! 
 
 45 
 
 S4 
 
 44 
 
 S7 
 
 47 
 
 ,S<) 
 
 49 
 
 61 
 
 51 
 
 59 
 
 49 
 
 a Pressman to pay his roller boy. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 175 
 
 2. Scale of Variation for the Size of Forms, Showing tui Numub 
 OF Pica Ems (a) to Be Contained in Each. 
 
 Numerical Denomination. 
 
 Medium. 
 
 Royal. 
 
 Super 
 royal. 
 
 Medium llmpe- 
 andahalf. rial 
 
 Twos 
 
 11,066 
 
 9.')(yt) 
 9.3(6 
 8.816 
 8.712 
 8,254 
 8,2(16 
 8.024 
 7,948 
 
 13.780 
 11.468 
 10,716 
 10,152 
 10,(132 
 9,514 
 9,450 
 9,240 
 9,152 
 
 16,318 
 
 13,580 
 12,690 
 12.(44 
 11.881) 
 11.276 
 11,190 
 10,942 
 1(1,838 
 
 17.948 19/J7 
 M,72ii I'..j:2 
 B.'JfjO 1 ISJH 
 13.224 1 14.44 
 13.K.8 14.122 
 12.J.M1 11^24 
 I2.J12 M4'2 
 12.(1 V, 1 n.1'12 
 11,422 13.1 <* 
 
 
 
 Eights 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thirty-twos 
 
 
 a This table is based upon 6 pica ems to the statute inch. The Knirlinh standard 
 (see Penny Magazine Vol. 1 1, p. 422) is 7lH pica ems to the foot; but most (onu in 
 this country are a slight degree smaller. 
 
 3. Legitimate Sizes of Paper. 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Medium 16 by 22 
 
 Royal 19 by 24 
 
 Super royal jo by 27 
 
 Medium and a half 23 by 27 
 
 Imperial 31 by 31 
 
 Any form exceeding either of these by 300 ems. to b« charged as 
 the next size. 
 
 4. All bookwork less than 4 tokens to be charged 3 cents extra per 
 token. 
 
 5. Jobs 48 cents per token, when worked on medium or paper be- 
 low medium; when on royal or upward, on brevier or larger letter, not 
 less than 52 cents; below brevier. 54 cents; when on imperial, 60 cenu 
 per token. 
 
 6. Work done in colors, double price. 
 
 7. Cards, for one pack, and not exceeding two packs, 47 cents; 
 when exceeding two packs, to be paid for at the rate of 19 cents per 
 pack. 
 
 8. Broadsides shall be a price and a half, according to the liie of 
 the paper. To constitute a broadside, the matter to extend across the 
 sheet without a break. A foolscap sheet, and all above, to be considered 
 a broadside. 
 
 9. Parchments to be 50 cents per token. 
 
 10. All matter that is required to be made up and imposed in pages. 
 to be considered bookwork. except newspapers of 4, 8, or 16 pages. 
 
 11. A token shall consist of J40 sheets. 
 
 12. For taking down or putting up a press. 25 cents per hour. 
 
 13. For lifting a form before completed, 44 cents. 
 
 14. For covering a tympan and drawer, $1.50, or 75 cents for 
 either. . ,, 
 
 15. When an alteration in a form takes place, each pressman siuil 
 be paid at the rate of 25 cents per hour for the time occupied, or 30 
 cents per hour, if but one pressman, with a roller boy. ... . 
 
 16. No pressman shall teach an apprentice presswork without the 
 benefit of his work for fifteen weeks, or half his wages for SIX months; 
 and he shall be a regular apprentice of the office. 
 
 (November 2, 1850.) 
 
176 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 11. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Printers' Union of the City of New 
 York, Proclaimed February 1, 1851. (Adopted October 
 26, 1850.) 
 
 (Somewfiat abridged and condensed.) 
 
 The scale for bookwork occupies 15 pages of the pamphlet contain- 
 ing the scale, (a) The most essential points of this book scale are: 
 
 Article i. Works done in the English language, common matter 
 (reprint) from pica to agate, inclusive, 27 cents per 1,000 ems; pearl, 33 
 cents; diamond, 40 cents. 
 
 Art. 2. Works done in the English language, common matter 
 (manuscript) from pica to agate, inclusive, 29 cents per 1,000 ems; 
 pearl, 34 cents; diamond, 42 cents. 
 
 Art. 3. Works done in pica, or any larger type, to be counted as 
 pica. 
 
 Then follow several articles specifying extras: Works in Latin or 
 Spanish, 3 cents extra per 1,000 ems; French, s cents extra; grammars, 
 S cents. Works printed in both Greek and Latin, or in Greek and Eng- 
 lish, are charged price and a half; so, too, of work in Greek alone. 
 
 Art. 15. Side and center notes in Bibles and Testaments, to be 
 counted the full length of the page (including the lead, or one rule, 
 which shall count at least i em) according to the type in which they 
 are set, and charged a price and a half. Cut-in notes, in the above 
 works, to be charged 4 cents extra each note, and the whole page to be 
 counted as text. 
 
 Art. 19. The headline, with the blank after it, and foot line, to be 
 charged by the maker-up, and counted not less than 3 lines. 
 
 Art. 21. Time occupied by alterations from copy, by casing or dis- 
 tributing letter not used by the compositor, etc., to be paid for at the 
 rate of 18 cents per hour. When compositors are required to work be- 
 yond regular hours they shall be paid at the rate of 21 cents per hour, 
 or 5 cents advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Art. 22. All letter cast on a body larger than the face (as bour- 
 
 a The following preface to the scale is issued "To the trade," and 
 is of historical value: 
 
 TO THE TRADE. 
 
 The following "scale of prices" has been adopted, after mature de- 
 liberation, by the "New York Printers' Union," and, so far as their 
 members are concerned, will be fully supported from the first day of 
 February, 1851. 
 
 We submit these prices to the trade at large, and ask for them the 
 support of journeymen and employers; because we believe them to be in 
 every respect just and reasonable, — because a number of the largest and 
 best establishments in the city now pay them, — because the recent great 
 increase in the necessaries of life, and the general advance of wages by 
 other trades, render these enhanced prices in our business imperatively 
 necessary, — because they will tend to the physical and consequently the 
 moral improvement of printers, — because they will protect good workmen 
 against quacks, and thus become of pecuniary interest both to the em- 
 ployer and the workman, — and because they will form what has been 
 long needed in this city, a uniform and well-known tariff of wages. 
 
 With these brief, but we think cogent reasons, we submit the "New 
 York Union scale" to the trade; and by our signatures hereunto ap- 
 pended, do certify the following to be a correct transcript of the origi- 
 nal copy. 
 
 F. J. Ottarson, 
 President of the New York Printers' Union, 
 
 C. Walker Colbukn, 
 
 Recording Secretary. 
 
 January 25, 1851. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS ,77 
 
 geois on long primer) to be counted according to the face; all letter 
 cast on a body smaller than the face (as minion on nonpareil) to be 
 counted according to the body. All fonts, the alphabets of which meas- 
 ure kss than 12^2, ems, to be counted in width according to the next 
 smaller size. 
 
 Art. 23. In all cases where a companionship may deem it neces- 
 sary that matter should be made up by one pt-rson, the compositors may 
 appoint from among themselves, or authorize the employer to ap(>uint a 
 person to perform that duty, on terms to be agreed upon between tliem- 
 selves and the person employed to make-up: I'rotiJcJ. honever, That 
 no more than 2 cents per 1,000 ems shall be allowed for making-up, im- 
 posing, taking the necessary proofs, and keeping the schedule. 
 
 Art. 24. When a compositor is required to take out bad lettert, 
 and replace them, in consequence of faults in the founder, miscasts, or 
 worn-out fonts, he shall be paid at the rate of 18 cents per hour. 
 
 Art. 25. For imposing forms, no more shall be allowed than 1 
 cents per page for quarto, 2 cents for octavo, I'/i for duodecimo, 1 54 
 for sexadecimo, and the like sum for all forms of a larger number of 
 pages — the compositor, in all cases, to lay the pages in regular order, 
 or be respoiisible for their being so done. 
 
 Art. 27. Making up furniture for a quarto form. 18 cents; an 
 octavo, 25 cents; and 3 cents extra for all other impositions progres- 
 sively. 
 
 Art. 28. Compositors employed by the week, shall receive not Ie*« 
 than $10, ten hours to be considered a day's work. 
 
 Art. 29. The compositors on a work arc entitled to correct the 
 author's proofs, for which they shall be paid at the rate of 18 cents per 
 hour. . 
 
 Art. 32. When woodcuts are inserted in the matter, or worked in 
 pages along with the body of the work, such cuts belong to the com- 
 positors: but where the cuts are worked entirely separate, the same as 
 copperplate engravings or lithographic plates, tliey shall not be claimed 
 by the compositors. . 
 
 .\rt. 34. In large book rooms, the establishment has the privilege 
 of claiming full titles and dedications, but in no case sliall piece-payinjf 
 establishments claim half titles, or any other prefixed matter, nor cull 
 the fat portions of any work. , . » 
 
 Art. 37. When a compositor (working by the piece) receives copy 
 of contents, indexes, or anv other copy where more than the usual 
 quantitv of capitals, figures, periods and italics are used, the esUblub- 
 ment shall furnish the compositor with the necessary sorts. 
 
 Art. 39. The compositor shall in all cases be exempt from clear in f 
 away, tying up, or in any manner taking charge of matter which be bas 
 set: Pro'.^ded, al'ways. That this article shall not interfere with the cus- 
 tom existing as to headlines, titles, taking out leads, etc. • j ,„ k- 
 
 Art. 40. When works, or portions of works, are required to be 
 leaded, and the leads are not furnished by the office at the twnc of com- 
 position, such matter to be afterwards leaded, but at 'he "Pr"»' ".V?* 
 employer, and the compositor to charge such matter the same as il be 
 himself had originally put in the leads. . ,,„,,„ ;„ ,he office 
 
 Art. 43. When compositors are required to remain "? .«''' "^J 
 unemployed, awaiting orders from the employer, etc.. they shall be paid 
 
 ^' ^••^i;^'Lwspaper"ca'JesVrb-work and presswork scales are in full. 
 as follows: 
 
 MORNING NEWSPAPER WORK. 
 
 Article i. Compositors emploved by the Pj«' •»>»». h^^'^T.^^^",'' 
 less than %2 cents per i.ooo ems. for common '"a ter. >\ hen c. rn^ 1 
 itors are employed at night only, by the piece, they sh.lt r-^ .^ -. 
 
 ""^!^^T: 2:° Compositors employed by the week (.ix .U)^ 
 not less than $.4 per week: t^^'^^hours to conM tiMr 
 When employed on night situations, two hours shall De 
 
178 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 afternoon to distribution, and seven hours at night (from 7 to 2 o'clock) 
 to composition; and they shall be paid $11 per week. For all times be- 
 yond 2 o'clock at night, in either of the above situations, 25 cents per 
 hour shall be charged, or the time deducted from the following day, at 
 the option of the employer. 
 
 Art. 3. Compositors may be employed during the day, on morning 
 papers, at 28 cents per 1,000 ems, or $10 per week. 
 
 Art. 4. When required to remain in the office unemployed during 
 the stipulated hours for composition, the compositor shall receive not 
 less than 25 cents per hour for such standing time; it being understood, 
 of course, that he shall perform any other reasonable work that the em- 
 ployer may appoint during such standing time. Time occupied in casing 
 or distributing letter not to be used by the person distributing or casing, 
 alterations from copy, lifting forms, etc., to be paid for at not less than 
 25 cents per hour. 
 
 Art. s. When compositors are called upon before the regular hour 
 for commencing composition, in case of the arrival of a steamer, etc., 
 they shall be paid not less than $1 each for such call, and be entitled to 
 the matter they set. This is understood to apply to both week and piece 
 work. 
 
 Art. 6. Tabular work, etc., containing three or four columns, either 
 of figures or words, or figures and words, without rules, shall be 
 charged a price and a half. All work, as above, with brass or other 
 rules, or where there are five or more columns of figures, or figures and 
 words, with or without rules, shall be paid double price. 
 
 Art. 7. For work done in pearl, or smaller type, an advance of 4 
 cents per 1,000 ems shall be charged. For work done in French, Ger- 
 man, and other foreign languages, an advance of 5 cents per 1,000 ems 
 shall be charged. 
 
 Art. 8. When a measure exceeds even ems in width, and is less 
 than a 3-em space, no extra charge is to be made; if a 3-em space, an 
 en to be counted; if an en, an en to be counted; if over an en, an em 
 to be counted. 
 
 Art. 9. Bastard letter to be cast up as described in article 22 of 
 book scale. 
 
 Art. 10. Where intricate work, etc., occurs, which the newspaper 
 scale can not reach, the price to be agreed upon between employer and 
 journeyman. 
 
 Art. II. In offices where both week and piece hands are employed, 
 the fat and lean copy to be distributed equally among them. 
 
 EVENING NEWSPAPER WORK. 
 
 Article i. Compositors employed by the piece shall receive 28 
 cents per 1,000 ems for common matter. 
 
 Art. 2. Compositors employed by the week (six days) shall receive 
 not less than $10 — ten hours to constitute a day's work. 
 
 Art. 3. For time (as laid down in Art. 4, of morning paper scale), 
 a charge of 18 cents per hour shall be made. 
 
 Articles 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, of morning paper scale, shall apply 
 to evening papers. 
 
 WEEKLY, SEMI-WEEKLY AND TRI-WEEKLY PAPERS. 
 
 Article i. Compositors employed by the piece shall receive not 
 less than 28 cents per 1,000 ems for common matter. 
 
 Art. 2. Compositors employed by the week (six days) shall receive 
 not less than $10 — ten hours to constitute a day's work. 
 
 Art. 3. Compositors employed by the piece on Sunday papers shall 
 receive not less than 28 cents per 1,000 ems for common matter. When 
 employed by the week (six days) they shall receive not less than $11 — 
 ten hours to constitute a day's work, with the exception of Saturday, 
 when it is expected that a week hand will work during the evening. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS 
 
 I/-? 
 
 Art. 4. For time (as laid down in Art. 4 of morning paper »cale). 
 a charge of 18 cents per hour shall be made. 
 
 Articles 6, 7. 8, 9, 10 and 11, of morning paper scale, shall apply to 
 weekly, semi-weekly, triweekly and Sunday papers. 
 
 JOB WORK. 
 
 Article i. All job work of a fancy or display character shall be 
 either paid for on time or by special agreement, accordmg to it* relative 
 value — that is to say, all that class of jobs styled posters, »h<.» cardi, 
 handbills, circulars, billheads, cards, labels, and others ot a simil.ir de- 
 scription. All pamphlets, catalogues, sermons, tracts, by-laws, .ind i.iher 
 works of a like nature, when making not more than one sheet, to bt 
 considered jobs; and, if done on the piece, to be paid for at the rate of 
 
 28 cents per 1,000 ems, for either manuscript or reprint, without the 
 usual extras belonging to bookwork; but when making over one sheet, to 
 be charged in accordance with the book scale with the extras belonging 
 thereto. 
 
 Art. 2. All men employed by the week shall be paid at the rate 
 of $10: when paid by the hour, the price shall correspond to the amount 
 per week — ten hours to constitute a day's work. When required to 
 work beyond regailar hours, such extra time shall be paid for at the 
 rate of 21 cents per hour; and if by the piece, the compositor shall re- 
 ceive 5 cents advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 Article i. Pozcer pressmen. — No power pressman shall work for a 
 less sum than $10 per week, for day work, or $12 per week, for night 
 work. The day's work in all cases to consist of ten hours. Overwork 
 shall be paid for at the rate of 21 cents per hour. 
 
 Art. 2. The pressman shall not be held responsible for any acci 
 dent that may happen at a press at which he is not actually working, pro 
 vided such press was all right when it was started. 
 
 Art. 3. No pressman shall take charge of more than two presses. 
 unless temporarily, as in the case of the sickness of a fellow workman. 
 or other emergency. ., . . , j 1. .1. 
 
 Art. 4. Hand pressmen. — No hand pressman, employed by the 
 week, shall work for a less sum than $10 per week, for day work. <.r 
 less than $12 per week, for night work. The day s work in all cases to 
 consist of ten hours. Overwork shall be paid for at the rate of ji 
 cents per hour. . ^ ,. ^ , ... • .. 
 
 Art. 5. Book-u-ork on the /(ircf.— Ordinary bookwork to be pa>«l •« 
 the following rates: Medium. 18 by 22 inches, 25 ccnrs ,.rr • Vrn; 
 royal, 20 by 25 inches, 27 cents per token; super royal. ^«. 
 
 29 cents per token; medium and a half, 24 by 20 iiu "^ 
 token: imperial, 23 by 33 inches, 33 cents per token '». 
 or larger, to be subject to special agreement, l-or all j . ■ 
 
 of 4 tokens, or less, 2 cents extra per token .shall be «-''-"J|^''- 
 
 Job work on the pU-ce.—lso job, the number of which d.->es not e» 
 ceed 1,000, shall be done for less than 25 cents per token "«^5° »7*";, 
 nor shall any description of work, of what number soever, be done for 
 less than 23 cents per token. . „^,-- ,„,. 
 
 Art. 6: Any number of sheets exceeding la over the regular sur 
 plus shall be reckoned as a token, and charged. 
 
 Art. 7. Pulling clean proofs shall he charged on time. 
 
 Art. 8. Extra bookwork to be paid as may be airree.! 
 extra bookwork is meant such bookwork forms as ha);'/"'' . . 
 where the pages are surrounded with rules— where here are 
 24 pages in the form— or any other thing which cause* extra I.. -. 
 the P^«--s^^^ bj„3 ^, be paid 50 cenU per token. If fo or more 
 
l8o A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 colors are required, or any extra care be required in the making ready 
 or working, they shall be charged on time, or by special agreement. 
 
 Art. 10. Cards. — Small or ordinary business cards shall be paid 25 
 cents for the first pack, and 10 cents for each subsequent pack. Extra 
 size cards, as show cards, etc., 50 cents for the first pack, and 25 cents 
 for every succeeding pack. 
 
 Art. II. Extra work. — All kinds of extra work, as headings, show 
 cards with cuts in them, wood engravings, colored work, or printing in 
 gold, silver, bronze, etc., to be paid for either on time or by special 
 agreement. 
 
 Art. 12. Standing, to be paid for at the rate of 18 cents per hour. 
 
 Art. 13. When the press is not furnished with a self-inking appa- 
 ratus, the employer shall furnish a roller boy at his own expense. 
 
 Art. 14. When the inking apparatus is not worked by steam, the 
 pressman shall be entitled to charge 2 cents per token extra. 
 
 Art. 15. Lifting forms. — When a pressman is required to lift his 
 form, he shall be entitled to charge i token therefor. 
 
 Art. 16. tutting on tympans. — The pressman shall be entitled to 
 5*0 cents for putting on a new tympan, either outer or inner. 
 
 Art. 17. Pressmen employed in cleaning, putting up, or removing 
 presses, shall be paid 21 cents per hour. 
 
 Art. 18. Pressmen required to cast rollers, cut paper, or do any 
 other work not fairly to be considered presswork, in their own time, 
 shall be paid 18 cents per hour for the same. 
 
 This scale of prices shall at no time be altered or amended, unless 
 notice of such alteration or amendment shall have been given at least 
 one month previously to being acted upon; nor then, except by a two- 
 third vote of the members present. 
 
 Adopted October 26, 1850. 
 
 E. H. Rogers, Acting President. 
 
 H. A. Guild, Secretary pro tern. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 12. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Cincinnati Typographical Union, to 
 Take Effect on Thursday, November 24, 1853. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 Section 1. No office shall be entitled to more than three appren- 
 tices. The number in small offices to be regulated by the standing com- 
 mittee. 
 
 Article II. 
 
 Section i. Composition on morning papers, common matter, shall 
 be charged at the rate of 35 cents per 1,000 ems, and all standing time 
 shall be charged as follows, namely: For half an hour or less 15 cents; 
 over half an hour, and not exceeding an hour, 30 cents. All matter 
 composed in a morning newsroom to be regarded as belonging to a 
 morning paper, and to be charged as such. 
 
 Sec. 2. Composition on other than morning papers, common matter, 
 30 cents per 1,000 ems; and all matter composed on Sundays, and after 
 q o'clock p. m., on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and 
 Fridays, and after 5 p. m. on Saturdays shall be charged a price and a 
 half. 
 
 Section i. Composition on bookwork, common matter, from pica to 
 agate, inclusive, 32 cents per 1,000 ems; pearl, 331/2 cents: diamond, 35 
 cents. All work done in larger type than pica to be counted as pica. 
 
 Sec. 2. All foreign languages, in the Roman characters (reprint), 
 an advance per 1,000 ems of 5 cents; in manuscript, 10 cents. 
 
 Sec. 3. Spelling books, and works of that description, an advance, 
 on the entire work, of 5 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF I'RINTKRS i8i 
 
 Sec. 4. English dictionaries, printed with figured vowel* or accent*. 
 an advance per 1,000 ems of 5 cents; without figured vowels or accent*. 
 an advance of 2 cents. 
 
 Sec. 5. All work where figures, points, capitals, small capital*, or 
 italics are profusely used, an advance of j cents ptr 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 6. Grammars and arithmetics to be charged an advance of 5 
 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 7. Works in algebra, where matter is generally plain, 3 centa 
 advance per 1,000 ems; all other algebraical works. 18 cents advance per 
 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 8. Works done in the Hebrew, without points, 15 cent* per 
 1,000 ems advance; when with points, the body and the points to be 
 cast up, each according to its size, and to be charged double. 
 
 Sec. 9. Works in Greek, with accents attached, 8 cents advance 
 per 1,000 ems; with kerns, 18 cents advance per 1,000 ems; in Greek 
 and Latin combined, 8 cents advance per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 10. When Greek, Hebrew, Saxon, or any other character not 
 in common use, occasionally occurs, to be charged i cent per word. 
 
 Sec. II. Plain choral music, 20 cents per 1,000 em*; plain choral 
 music containing two parts on a staff, or with organ accompaniment. J4 
 cents per 1,000 ems; when a single staff on a page contains two part*, n 
 cents per 1,000 ems. Piano and other instrumental music, a cent* per 
 1,000 ems; rudiments to be charged the same as the music accompanying. 
 All music jobs containing less than 15,000 ems, an advance of j cent* 
 per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 12. Side and center notes to be counted the full length of the 
 page, including the lead or one rule, according to the type in »bich 
 they are set, and charged 5 cents advance per 1,000 ems. Culm note*, 
 when in type foreign to the te.xt, to be charged at the rate of 50 cettU 
 per 1,000 ems, and no deduction to be made from the regular page. 
 
 Sec. 13. Works on natural philosophy, chemistry, a.slronomy. Sot- 
 any, etc., where woodcuts are inserted in the matter which cause over- 
 running in making up, and especially when questions are appended al 
 the bottom of the page, 25 cents per hour shall be charged for the time 
 
 Sec. 14. Medical, astronomical, and philosophical work*, where 
 signs frequently occur, a price and a half. 
 
 Sec. 15. Small, isolated tables, inrcunng in works of a wrow 
 measure, as in double-column octavo, to be paid for according to Ibc 
 time consumed in composing them, at the rate of 25 cent* per """r. 
 
 Sec. 16. All cuts shall be charged by the compositor, and estimated 
 according to the body of the work. /...,..-„,l- 
 
 Sec. 17. Works in which the lines or paragraphs occvir frequently 
 in different sized type, to be cast up separately, and charged an advance 
 
 ^slc.'^^'^Al'^matt'^r■ in which there are a number of brace* renulr- 
 ing two or more justifications, as in botanical works, a price and a hall 
 to be^^harged.^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^ and proved by the ""P'"?? '■ ''«;;P* 
 on newspapers, to be charged 2 cents less per i.ooo «Mn. ->.. matter, 
 however, to be made up by the employer or .>t — ^^ 
 
 consent of the journeyman composing the samr ■ ^ 
 
 strued as giving to tlic employer the headings. ' .^ 
 
 foot lines, or any portion of matter, ^.n'^'. a*:-^ . , ^m- ■ - •, i^ 
 to the journeyman when he makes up himselt. an.i a.i k-m. 
 charged with the body of the page. .„,ii„ ,h.f, the body of ibe 
 
 Sec. 20. Headlines, when set in type smaller than the iK>oyo, .nr 
 work, or spaced, the folios justified, or altered for ea. a . 
 1 cent extra per page shalj be charged. 
 
 Sec ^i. The compositor shall, in all cases, i>e e 
 ing away, tying up, unloading, or in any '"»""" '^"'.^ . ,, 
 
 ef which he has set, exceot to d-str.b"te, and clear a- j^ 
 
 and foot lines, titles, and blanks, and, also, to leave 
 
l82 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 column work free of rules: Provided, That such matter shall be ready 
 to clear away while the compositor holds his situation. 
 
 Sec. 22. Compositors shall, in all cases, charge for every blank 
 page at the end of the work imposed — each form to be graduated by the 
 following rule: In octavo forms, if less than 2 pages, to be charged as 
 2; for 3 pages, 4 to be charged; for 5, 6 or 7 pages, a full form to be 
 charged. 
 
 Sec. 23. It shall be the duty of the compositor to take two proofs 
 of each form he imposes. All proofs taken afterwards shall be charged 
 at the rate of i cent per page, and for small jobs, 5 cents each. Where 
 extra proofs are required from the carelessness of the compositor, no 
 additional charge shall be made. 
 
 Article IV. 
 
 Section i. Tabular or column work, etc., containing three or four 
 columns of figures, or words, or figures and words, shall be charged a 
 price and a Ifalf. All work, as above, with brass or other rules, or 
 where there are five or more columns of figures, or words, or figures 
 and words, with or without rules, shall be charged double price. 
 
 Sec. 2. Where a measure exceeds even ems in width, and is less 
 than an en, an en only to be counted; but if over an en, to be counted 
 an em. 
 
 Sec. 3. Where a measure does not exceed 8 ems in width, 4 cents 
 extra per 1,000 ems; 8 and less than 14, 3 cents extra per 1,000 ems; 
 14 and under 13, 2 cents extra per 1,000 ems; 18 and under 21, i cent 
 extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 4. All letter cast on a body larger than the face — as bour- 
 geois on long primer — to be counted according to the face; and all letter 
 cast on a smaller body than the face, to be counted according to the 
 body. The standard for all regular fonts of letter, from pica to dia- 
 mond inclusive, shall be as follows: For pica, 11 ems; small pica, 12 
 ems; long primer, 12 ems; bourgeois, 12 ems; brevier, 13 ems; minion, 
 13 ems; nonpareil, 14 ems; agate, 15 ems; pearl, 16 ems; and diamond, 
 17 ems. All fonts of letter, the alphabets of which fall below the num- 
 bers of ems above established, shall, in all cases, be charged, for every 
 3-em space of such deficiency, i cent extra per 1,000 ems. 
 
 Sec. 5. Making up furniture, casing new letter, pulling out or put- 
 ting in leads (after the matter shall have been set), alterations in proof 
 from copy, in phraseology, punctuation, capitalization, italicization, small 
 capitalization, or in any other particular, shall be charged according to 
 the time consumed, at the rate of 25 cents per hour. 
 
 Sec. 6. All fat matter shall be equally distributed, in such manner 
 as the journeymen in each office, respectively, may agree upon. 
 
 Sec. 7. All work not coming legitimately under the above scale, 
 shall be charged at the rate of 25 cents per hour. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 Section i. Foremen and assistant foremen on morning papers shall 
 receive not less than $15 per week. 
 
 Sec. 2. Foremen and assistant foremen on other than morning pa- 
 pers shall receive not less than $13 per week. 
 
 Sec. 3. Compositors in book or job offices shall receive not less 
 than $12 per week. 
 
 Sec. 4. Ten hours shall be considered a day's work, except on 
 Saturday, when it shall be nine, and end at 5 o'clock, p. m. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Medium size or under, per token $0 25 
 
 2. Imperial or medium and a half or under 30 
 
 3. Double medium, or mammoth 38 
 
 4. On forms of but one token, advance 10 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS 6v I'KINTKRS 
 
 183 
 
 5. Lifting form before completed, to be charged same as token. 
 
 6. Poetical works of 24s and under 7js, super royal and under 
 
 (where the number does not exceed 1,000 copies, 2 cents 
 
 advance), per token jg 
 
 7. Steamboat bills, on post or cap paper, per ream 1 00 
 
 8. Steamboat bills, on post or cap paper, one-half ream 50 
 
 9. Broadsides, cap or letter, per token j5 
 
 10. Broadsides, medium or larger, per token 50 
 
 11. Posters, medium or under, first hundred 40 
 
 12. Posters, medium or under, each additional hundred 30 
 
 13. Posters, imperial to double medium, first hundred 45 
 
 14. Posters, imperial to double medium, each additional hundred.. J5 
 
 15. Handbills, half-sheet medium or under, per first token 40 
 
 16. Handbills, half-sheet medium or under, each additional token. 30 
 
 17. Cap or letter jobs, including circulars, bill heads, bills of lad- 
 
 ing, dray tickets, magistrates' and constables' blanks, wood 
 
 receipts, etc., per single token J5 
 
 18. Each additional token 30 
 
 19. Steamboat registers, headings, etc., on demy, per single token. 
 
 or under 50 
 
 20. Each additional token 3$ 
 
 21. Blank checks, on post or demy, single token 50 
 
 22. Each additional token 3$ 
 
 23. Blank checks, on cap or letter paper, per token j$ 
 
 24. All jobs done in colors, to be charged by the hour j$ 
 
 25. All jobs on bank-note, silk or linen paper 50 
 
 26. Policies of insurance,, on folio post or proposition paper, per 
 
 token SO 
 
 27. Steamboat bills, medium or royal paper, per ream 1 iS 
 
 28. Steamboat bills, medium or royal paper, one-half ream 7$ 
 
 29. Cards, No. 7 or under, per hundred to 
 
 30. Cards, larger size S" 
 
 31. Hat tips, same as cards. 
 
 32. All parchments on letter-sheet size or over, per pull 0$ 
 
 33. All parchments under letter-sheet size, per hour *J 
 
 34. Covering tympan and drawer, each S" 
 
 35. All work done with machine rollers, advance, per token ©5 
 
 36. Working a new hand press, first month, advance, per token... 0$ 
 
 37. For each roller that a pressman casts he sh.ill receive... $• 
 
 38. After a form is put to press, the pressman shall receive J$ 
 
 cents per hour for detentions caused by alterations or cor- 
 rections. 
 
 For all work done by the hour, pressmen shall recri.' ' ' ' " 
 25 cents per hour; and at not less than this rate. hn< 
 extra trouble, and all work not coming legitimately 
 scale, shall be arranged between the employer and the r 
 
 1. Pressmen on daily morning papers, working bv • 
 ceive not less than $15; all other pressmen not less than 
 
 2. Ten hours to be considered a day's work, extr, 
 
 which shall be nine hours, and end at 5 o'clock, p. m. . . "' 
 after 9 o'clock at night, or after s o'clock on ^aturaav cvcur.tt. ...U *» 
 
 work done on Sunday, to be charged a price and a halt. . _, . . 
 This scale of prices shall not prevent sui^nor *°7'"«" ' ''X, X 
 ting a higher rate of pay. But no workman shall work for le»» than Ibc 
 prices herein specified. 
 
1 84 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 13. 
 
 Price List of Columbia Typographical Society, Washington, 
 D. C, Adopted November 1, 1854, 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 1. Compositors to receive not less than $14 per week; ten hours to 
 constitute a day's work; and for extra hours 30 cents per hour. 
 
 2. In all offices, and at all seasons, to receive not less tlian $3 for 
 each and every Sunday, (to consist of eight hours;) and for extra hours 
 on said day, 37"/^ cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 1. All works done in the English language, common matter, from 
 pica to nonpareil, 42 cents per 1,000 ems; nonpareil, 46 cents; agate, 49 
 cents; pearl, 51 cents; diamond, 62 cents. The headline, with the blank 
 after it, and the foot line, in all cases, to be counted as three lines. 
 An en, in length or width, to be counted an en; if less than an en, not 
 to be reckoned. Above pica, to be charged as pica. 
 
 2. Rule or figure work. — All rule or figure work a price and a half, 
 according to the type in which it is set. All matter in which two or 
 more rules are inserted to constitute rule work; and two or more columns 
 of figures, without rules, to constitute figure work. 
 
 3. Rule and figure work. — All rule and figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. One column of figures and one 
 rule, in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule and figure work: 
 Provided, hozi'cver, That on works the pages of which are uniformly 
 made up of two or more columns, (as on periodical publications,) no 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made for, or on account 
 of, the rules separating the columns. 
 
 4. All heads and foot lines attached to rule or figure work, or rule 
 and figure work, to be reckoned the same as the body of the matter. 
 
 5. All foreign languages, printed in Roman characters, an addition 
 of 8 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 6. All work printed in Greek or other foreign characters, to be 
 paid for at the rate of 81 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 7. Arithmetical works to be paid an advance of 8 cents per 1,000 
 ems on the price of common matter. 
 
 8. Algebraical or mathematical works to be charged double price. 
 
 9. Spelling books, or other work containing more than two columns 
 in a page, to be paid an advance of one-half on the price of common 
 matter. 
 
 10. Music to be charged for according to the size of the type in 
 which it is set. The head and foot lines to be charged the same as the 
 body of the matter. 
 
 11. Side notes to be counted the full length of the page, and 
 charged according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 12. Cut-in notes to be cast up according to the type in which they 
 are set, and charged 17 cents extra per 1,000 ems; and the whole page 
 to be counted as text. 
 
 13. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type 
 than the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 14. All letter cast upon a larger body than the face, as bourgeois 
 on long primer, to be counted according to its face; all letter cast upon 
 a smaller body than the face, as minion on nonpareil, to be counted ac- 
 cording to the body; and all letter shall measure 12^/2 ems to the al- 
 phabet. 
 
 15. All works, where the measure does not exceed 14 ems in width, 
 to be s cents per 1,000 ems advance. 
 
 16. For making up a cet of furniture, not exceeding 16 pages, 40 
 cents; exceeding, 66 cents. 
 
 Alterations. — Compositors to receive for alterations from copy at 
 the rate of 35 cents per hour. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINThKS 
 
 185 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 T. Pressmen shall receive not less than $14 per week; ten hour» to 
 constitute a day's work: and for extra hours. 30 cents per hour. 
 
 2. At all times to receive not less than $^ for each and every Sun- 
 day, (to consist of eight hours); and for extra hours on said day. jjyi 
 cents per hour. 
 
 PIECEWORK 
 
 Kind of work. 
 
 Medium and below medium, when the form consists of brevier or 
 
 larger lelier 
 
 Below brevier, not less than 
 
 Royal, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Royal, below brevier 
 
 Super royal, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Super royal, below brevier 
 
 Medium and a half, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Medium and a half, below brevier 
 
 Imperial, on brevier or larger letter 
 
 Imperial, below brevier 
 
 Newspapers, when printed on imperial 
 
 Newspapers, when printed on ro>'al or super royal 
 
 For any size above imperial the charge shall be 
 
 48 
 
 V* 
 
 51 
 
 «l 
 
 5J 
 
 43 
 
 55 
 
 45 
 
 H 
 
 44 
 
 n 
 
 47 
 
 « 
 
 «9 
 
 61 
 
 SI 
 
 J9 
 
 n 
 
 4)1 
 
 H 
 
 7J 
 
 61 
 
 a Pressman to pay his roller boy. 
 
 2. Scale of Variation for the Size or Forks. Showimo thi Ncii»t» 
 OF Pica Ems (a) to Be Contained in Each. 
 
 a Ihis table is based upon 6 pica omi to the. nUlut* inch. Tl.c i 
 (see Penny Magazine. Vol. II, p. 422) m 7lH Pica enu to the foot: l^ut 
 this country are a slight degree smaller. 
 
 3. LKGITIMATE SIZES OF PAPER. 
 
 Medium 
 
 Royal 
 
 Super royal 
 
 Medium and a half 
 
 Imperial 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Any form exceeding either of these by 300 ems, to be charged as 
 the next size. 
 
 4. All bookwork less than four tokens to be charged 2 cents extra 
 per token. 
 
 5. Jobs, 48 cents per token, when worked on medium or paper be- 
 low medium; when on royal or upward, on brevier or larger letter, not 
 less than 52 cents; below brevier, 54 cents; when on imperial, 60 cents 
 per token. 
 
 6. Work done in colors, double price. 
 
 7. Cards, for one pacK, and not exceeding two packs, 47 cents; 
 when exceeding two packs, to be paid for at the rate of ig cents per 
 pack. 
 
 8. Broadsides shall be a price and a half, according to the size of 
 the paper. To constitute a broadside, the matter to extend across the 
 sheet without a break. A foolscap sheet, and all above, to be considered 
 a broadside. 
 
 9. Parchments to be 50 cents per token. 
 
 10. All matter that is required to be made up and imposed in pages, 
 to be considered bookwork, except newspapers of 4, 8, or 16 pages. 
 
 11. A token shall consist of 240 sheets. 
 
 12. For taking down or putting up a press, 25 cents per hour. 
 
 13. For lifting a form before completed, 44 cents. 
 
 14. For covering a tympan and drawer, $1.50, or 75 cents for 
 either. 
 
 15. When an alteration in a form takes place, each pressman shall 
 be paid at the rate of 25 cents per hour for the time occupied; or 30 
 cents per hour, if but one pressman, with a roller boy. 
 
 16. No pressman shall teach an apprentice presswork vvithout the 
 benefit of his work for fifteen weeks, or half his wages for six months; 
 and he shall be a regular apprentice of the office. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 14. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society, Wash- 
 ington, D. C, Revised and Adopted March, 1856. 
 
 COMPOSITION. 
 
 I. Compositors to receive not less than $14 per week, ten hours to 
 constitute a day's work, and for extra hours, 32 cents per hour; Sunday 
 work to be paid for at the rate of $3 per day of eight hours. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 Pressmen are to be paid not less than the same rates that composi- 
 tors working by the week receive. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 1. All work done in the English language, common matter, from 
 pica to nonpareil, 40 cents; agate, 44 cents; pearl, 49 cents; diarnond, 
 60 cents; the headline, with the blank after it, and the foot line in all 
 cases to be counted as three lines. An en in length or width to be 
 counted an em; if less than an en, not to be reckoned. Above pica, to 
 be charged as pica. 
 
 2. Rule or figure work.-^-All rule or figure work, "or where three 
 or more justifications occur in a page or column," a price and a half, 
 according to the type in which it is set. All matter in which two or 
 more rules are inserted to constitute rule work, and two or more col- 
 umns of figures without rules, to constitute figure work. 
 
 3. Rule and figure work. — All rule and figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. One column of figures and one 
 rule, in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule and figure work: 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF TRINTKHS 
 
 1S7 
 
 Provided, however. That on works the pages of which are unifonnlr 
 made up of two or more columns (as on periodical publicationt.) no 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made for or on account 
 of the rules separatinfj the columns. 
 
 4. All heads or foot lines attached to rule or figure work or rule 
 and figure work, to be reckoned the same as the body of the matter. 
 
 5. All foreign languages, printed in Roman characters, an addition 
 of 10 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 6. All works printed in Greek, or other foreign characters, to be 
 paid for at the rate of 80 cents per 1,000 ems. 
 
 7. Arithmetical works to be paid an advance of 10 cents per 1,000 
 ems on the price of common matter. 
 
 8. Music, double price. 
 
 9. Side notes to be counted the full length of the page and charged 
 according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 10. Cut-in notes to be cast up according to the type in which they 
 «re set, and charged 10 cents extra per 1,000 ems; ana the whole page 
 to be counted as text. 
 
 11. Algebraical or mathematical works to be charged double price. 
 
 12. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type 
 than the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 13. All letter cast upon a larger body than the fac>', as bourgeois 
 on long primer, to be counted according to its face; all letter cast upt^n 
 a smaller body than the face, as minum on nonpareil, to be counted ac- 
 cording to the body; and all letter shall measure 13% ems to the al- 
 phabet. 
 
 14. All works where the measure does not exceed 14 ems in width. 
 to be 3 cents per 1,000 ems advance. 
 
 15. For making up a set of furniture, not exceeding 16 pages, 37 
 cents; exceeding, 66 cents. 
 
 Alterations. — Compositors to receive for alterations from copy, or 
 other time work at the rate of 32 cents per hour. 
 
 APPENDIX B, NO. 15. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society. Wash- 
 ington, D. C, Adopted Pebruary 21, 1863. 
 
 WEEKLY RATES. 
 
 I. Compositors in book and job offices, and on evening and weekly 
 newspapers, to receive not less than $16 per week, ten hours to consu- 
 tute a day's work; and for extra hours 40 cents per hour. 
 
 2 The regular hours of work shall be as follows: From the lolh 
 of October, inclusive, to the loth of March, 8 a. m. to 7 P- »"•; ""™ 
 the loth of March, inclusive, to the loth of October, 7,?- «"• »o * •!• P^ 
 
 3. The regular holidays shall be as follows: I-ourth of July. 
 Thanksgiving Dav, and Christmas Day; and all work required to be done 
 on those days shall be paid the same as Sunday work. , _ . „fc 
 
 On the eve of regular holidays and days generally oww'*'*! ■• •»«"• 
 and on every Saturday evening throughout the year, work shall cease at 
 
 ^ ^' 4!' In all offices and at all seasons compositors to receive BO« J«» 
 than $4 for Sunday work, the day to consist of eight hours, and 60 eenu 
 per hour for all extra work. . . 
 
 S. No ^^ork shall he done at the weekly rates for lesa than tbrt* 
 days— all jobs that last for a less time to be done by the piece. 
 
 PIECEWORK. 
 
 BOOK, JOB, AND EVENING PAPER OPriCE. 
 
 I. All work done in the English language. '^"["'".''"."'Vi^ 'dS^ 
 pica to agate, inclusive, 45 cents per 1.000 ems; pearl, so ceou. du 
 
A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 mond, 60 cents. An en in length or width to be counted an em; if less 
 than an en, not to be counted. Works set in type larger than pica to be 
 counted as pica. 
 
 2. All works in foreign languages (Roman characters) shall be 
 paid s cents extra per 1,000. 
 
 3. Works in foreign characters shall be paid for as follows: Greek, 
 without accents, 60 cents per 1,000, accented, 65 cents; German, 45 
 cents; Hebrew, without points, 60 cents; with points, (to be cast up 
 half body and half points,) 80 cents. 
 
 4. Where words of Greek or Hebrew occur in common matter the 
 charge shall be for the first three words or less, 5 cents, and i cent a 
 word thereafter; unless the foreign character shall amount to 1,000 ems 
 in a mass, then to be paid as per scale for such character. 
 
 5. Arithmetical works, 10 cents per 1,000 ems extra. 
 
 6. Algebraical or mathematical works, double price. 
 
 7. Side notes to be counted the full length of the page, and charged 
 according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 8. Cut-in notes to be charged 3 cents a note, the whole page to be 
 counted as text. 
 
 9. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type than 
 the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 10. All work under fourteen ems in width, 3 cents per 1,000" ems 
 extra. 
 
 11. All letter cast on a body larger than its face, as bourgeois on 
 long primer, to be paid by the face; and all cast on a smaller body than 
 the face to be paid by the body. 
 
 12. All letter must measure izj^ ems to the alphabet. 
 
 13. Compositors shall correct one proof and one revise. All altera- 
 tions made by the author to be paid for at the rate of 40 cents per hour. 
 
 14. For making up a set of furniture, sixteen pages, 37 cents; ex- 
 ceeding sixteen pages, 66 cents. 
 
 RULE AND FIGURE WORK. 
 
 15. Rule or figure work. — All rule or figure work or where three 
 or more justifications occur in a page or column, a price and a half, ac- 
 cording to the type in which it is set. All matter in which two or more 
 rules are inserted, to constitute rule work; and two or more columns of 
 figures, without rules, to constitute figure work. 
 
 16. Rule and figure work. — All rule and figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. One column of figures and one 
 rule, in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule and figure work: 
 Provided, hoivcver. That on works the pages of which are uniformly 
 made up of two or more columns (as on periodical publications), no 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made for, or on account 
 of, the rules separating the columns. 
 
 17. All heads and foot lines attached to rule or figure work, or 
 rule and figure work, to be reckoned the same as the body of the matter. 
 
 MORNING PAPERS. 
 
 1. Compositors employed on morning papers shall receive 45 cents 
 per 1,000 ems (all letters included,) and shall in all cases work by the 
 piece. 
 
 2. Rule work, figure work, and rule and figure work shall be 
 charged at the rates laid down in articles 15, 16, and 17 of book rates. 
 
 3. \i the hook, stone, desk, or place where copy is taken from be 
 cleared after 7 o'clock at night, compositors to receive pay while on the 
 wait, at 40 cents per hour; for fractions of hours the charge shall be as 
 follows: Fifteen minutes and under, and not exceeding twenty, one- 
 fourth hour; over twenty and not exceeding thirty-five, one-half hour; 
 over thirty-five and not exceeding fifty, three- fourths hour; over fifty 
 minutes, one hour. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OK PRINTERS ,8g 
 
 hourfotl andVo'clocCT'.n."""""''''" ''^" *** »"PP"''' •*«*«*« '»" 
 
 5. Compositors to correct one proof. 
 
 6. In consideration that the oflkc in which the official .Irl.vr, .f 
 congress are printed can not obtain the copy until the II 
 
 gress adjourn and the, reporters' notes arc written out 
 
 thereof shall have the privilege to commute all time t 
 
 afternoon copy by paying 5 cents per 1,000 cms over a - - 
 
 foregoing scale of prices: Provided. That such system shall cu«uuue 
 
 throughout each session of Congress. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Pressmen shall receive not less than $16 per week, ten hours to 
 constitute a days work; and for extra hours, 40 cents per hour 
 
 2. At all times to receive not less than $4 for each and every Sun- 
 day (to consist of eight hours), and for extra hours on Mid Jay 60 
 cents per hour. 
 
 3. In any office where there are more than four presses, no press- 
 man shall have charge of more than two power presses, except in the 
 case of an unavoidable exigency. 
 
 (Feb. 2i. 1863.) 
 
 APPENDIX B. NO. 16. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society. WMh- 
 ington. D. C, Adopted July 2. 1864. 
 
 WEEKLY RATES. 
 
 1. Compositors in book and job offices, and on weekly newsfwpera, 
 to receive not less than $ji per week, ten hours to constitute a day's 
 work; and for extra hours 50 cents per hour. 
 
 2. The regular hours of work shall be as follows: 
 
 From the loth of (Jctober. inclusive, to the loth of March, 8 a. m. 
 to 7 p. m.; from the loth of March, inclusive, to the loth of October, 
 7 a. m. to 6 p. m. 
 
 3. The regular holidays shall be as follows: Fourth of July. 
 Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day; and all work required to b« 
 done on those days shall be paid the same as Sunday work. 
 
 On the eve of regular holidays and days generally observed as such, 
 and on every Saturday evening throughout the year, work shall cease at 
 5 p. m. 
 
 4. In all offices and at all seasons compositors to receive not \t*» 
 than $5 fo.- Sunday work, the day to consist of eight hours, and 70 centJ 
 per hour for all extra work. 
 
 5. No work shall be done at the weekly rates for less than three 
 days, all jobs that last for a less time to be done by the piece. 
 
 PIPXEVVORK. 
 
 BOOK, JOB, AND EVENING TAPE! OfflCES. 
 
 1. All work done in the English language, r 
 pica to agate, inclusive. 60 cents per 1,000 cms; 
 inond, 75 cents. An en in length or width ti> I)c . 
 than an en. not to be counted. Works set in tyi • 
 
 be counted as pica. „ , v l •• 1. -j 
 
 2. All works in foreign languages (Roman characters) shall be peid 
 10 cents extra per i.ooo. r-.^i. 
 
 f. Works in foreign characters shall be paid for as follows. »'»**"• 
 without accents, 75 cents per 1.000; accented, 80 cent*; German. 60 
 
I go 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cents; Hebrew, without points, 75 cents; with points, (to be cast up half 
 body and half points,) $1. 
 
 4. Where words of Greek or Hebrew occur in common matter the 
 charge shall be for the first three words or less, 5 cents, and i cent a 
 word thereafter; unless the foreign character shall amount to 1,000 ems 
 in a mass, then to be paid as per scale for such character. 
 
 5. Arithmetical works, 10 cents per 1,000 ems extra. 
 
 6. Algebraical or mathematical works, double price. 
 
 7. Side notes to be counted the full length of the page, and 
 charged according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 8. Cut-in notes to be charged 3 cents a note, the whole page to be 
 counted as text. 
 
 9. All bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type than 
 the text, to be paid for according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 10. All works under 14 ems in width. 3 cents per 1,000 cms extra. 
 
 11. All letter cast on a body larger than its face, as bourgeois on 
 long primer, to be paid by the face; and all cast on a smaller body than 
 the face to be paid by the body. 
 
 12. All letter must measure 123^ ems to the alphabet. 
 
 13. Compositors shall correct one proof and one revise. All altera- 
 tions made by the author to be paid for at the rate of 45 cents per hour. 
 
 14. For making up a set of furniture, sixteen pages, 50 cents; ex- 
 ceeding sixteen pages, 75 cents. 
 
 RULE AND FIGURE WORK. 
 
 15. Rule or figure work. — All rule or figure work, or where three 
 or more justifications occur in a page or column, a price and a half, ac- 
 cording to the type in which it is set. All matter in which two or more 
 rules are inserted to constitute rule work; and two or more columns of 
 figures, without rules, or one column of figures and one rule, to consti- 
 tute figure work. 
 
 16. Rule and figure work. — All rule and figure work to be paid 
 double the price of common matter. Two columns of figures and two 
 rules in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule and figure work: 
 Provided, hozvever, That on works the pages of which are uniformly 
 made up of two or more columns, (as on periodical publications,) no 
 charge beyond that of common matter shall be made for, or on account 
 of, the rules separating the columns. 
 
 17. Al' heads and foot lines attached to rule or figiire work, or rule 
 and figure work. ti be reckoned the same as the body of the matter. 
 
 EVENING PAPERS. 
 
 1. Compositors on evening papers shall, in all cases, work by the 
 piece, and have at least six hours' composition each day, and if, during 
 said six hours, they may be compelled to wait, they shall be paid while 
 on the wait, 45 cents per hour. For fractions of an hour the charge 
 shall be: For fifteen minutes and under twenty mSnutes, one-fourth 
 hour; over twenty and not exceeding thirty-five minutes, one-half hour; 
 over thirty-five and not exceeding fifty minutes, three fourths hour; 
 over fifty minutes, one hour. 
 
 2. On all evening or weekly newspapers where the foreman or 
 maker-up sets type, he shall take his regular turn for copy. All copy 
 shall be placed on the hook, and fat advertisements or any other descrip- 
 tion of fat matter shall not be culled. 
 
 MORNING PAPERS. 
 
 1. Compositors employed on morning papers shall receive 60 cents 
 per 1,000 ems, (all letters included,) and shall, in all cases, work by the 
 piece. 
 
 2. Rule work, fieure work, and rule and figure work shall be 
 charged at the rates laid down in articles 15, 16, and 17 of book rates. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTERS ,91 
 
 3- If the hook, stone, table, desk, or place where copy ii taken 
 from be cleared after 7 o'clock at night, compositors to receive i.ay 
 while on the wait, at 50 cents per hour; for fractions of h.jur» the 
 charge shall be as follows: For fifteen minutes and under twenty .ne- 
 fourth hour; over twenty and not exccedinu thirty-five, one-half hour- 
 over thirty-five and not exceeding fifty, three-fourths hour; over fifty 
 minutes, one hour. 
 
 4. At least two hours' composition shall be supplied between the 
 hours of 3 and 6 o'clock p. m. 
 
 5. Compositors to correct one proof. 
 
 6. In consideration that the office in which the official debate* of 
 Congress are printed caa not obtain the copy until the Houses • ' < - 
 gress adjourn and the reporters' notes arc written out, the j: 
 thereof shall have privilege to commute all lime for waiting a: 
 
 noon copy by paying 10 cents per i,ooq ems over and above ti.r 
 going scale of prices: f'rovijed. That such system shall c^v.n-.y^c 
 throughout each session of Congress. 
 
 PRESSWORK. 
 
 1. Pressmen shall receive not less than $21 per week, ten boar* to 
 constitute a day's work; and for extra hours 50 cents per hour. 
 
 2. At all times to receive not less than $5 for each and every Sun- 
 day, (to consist of eight hours,) and for extra hours on said day 70 
 cents per hour. 
 
 3. In any office where there are more than four pre^sri. r. > ;':r**- 
 man shall have charge of more than two power presses 
 
 case of a fellow-pressman being absent by sickness, or • 
 
 cause, in which case the man attending the presses shall ' 
 
 amount of the absentee's wages: l'ru:.Ucd, That no pre>- <■ 
 
 claim for any such extra service for more than three days in iuy ukc 
 
 month. 
 
 (July 2, 1864.) 
 
 APPENDIX B. NO. 17. 
 
 Scale of Prices of the Columbia Typographical Society, Wash- 
 ington, D. C, Adopted October 13, 1866. 
 
 HOOK AND joi! WOKK. 
 
 1. All works in the English language, common matler. from pka 
 to agate, inclusive, 60 cents per 1,000 ems; pearl, 65 cents: diamond, r^ 
 cents. An en in length or width to be counted as an cm; le»» than jtt 
 en not to be counted. Type larger than pica to be cast up as ptca. 
 
 2. Works in foreign languages (Roman characters) shall be p*-. 
 price and a half per 1,000 ems. 
 
 3. Where words of Greek or Hebrew occur • 
 charge shall be 5 cents extra for the first thrr. 
 cent per word thereafter; unless the foreign ch.i: 
 
 1,000 ems in a mass, in which case they shall be v.....k^-. - , •■• - 
 
 half. 
 
 4. Arithmetical works, 20 cents per 1,000 ems extra. 
 
 5. Algebraical or mathematical works, .l.nl.Ir ;.rur. >""^"'' '""7 
 or small portions of algebra occur in an 
 
 hour shall be charged for the time consir 
 
 6. Works printed with the old l-.nt' 
 periors, etc., shall be charged 10 cents p<r 
 
 7. Prefaces, contents, or any prefixed nnttrr ..>-' 
 in which they are composed, and take the extras oj tlic 
 they belong^ pages in a form shall be charged br the . 
 
 when the matter is made up or imposed by him. but chapter bci, an.) 
 
192 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 concluding pages shall be charged by the compositor, whether made up 
 by him or not, at the same rate as the body of the work to which they 
 belong. 
 
 9. The office has the privilege of claiming full titles and dedica- 
 tions, but in no case shall piece-paying establishments claim half titles, 
 or any other prefixed matter, nor cull the fat portions of any work. 
 
 10. Headlines, etc., giving a synopsis of the contents of each page, 
 when filled up by the proofreader after the matter has been made up, to 
 be charged 50 cents per hour for the time consumed in inserting. 
 
 11. The establishment shall furnish the necessary sorts of all 
 works requiring an unusual quantity of capitals, figures, italics, points, 
 etc. Sorts furnished subsequent to matter being set up shall be inserted 
 at the expense of the office. 
 
 12. When matter is set without leads, and is afterwards required 
 to be leaded, such matter shall be leaded at the expense of the employer, 
 and the compositor shall charge for it the same as if he had originally 
 put in the leads. 
 
 13. Compositors may be required to clear away or distribute all fat 
 or objectionable matter charged by them, when the sorts in it have been 
 supplied by the office, and take out leads from dead matter when the 
 leads have been supplied by the office; except in cases where the matter 
 has been kept standing for a second edition, in which case the office 
 shall take charge of it. 
 
 14. Side notes shall be counted the full length of the page, and 
 charged according to the type in which they are set. 
 
 15. Cut-in notes shall be paid 25 cents each, and the whole page 
 charged as text. 
 
 16. Bottom notes, contents of chapters, etc., in smaller type than 
 the text, shall be cast up to the type in which they are set. 
 
 [Casting up side notes, etc. — When a compositor is required to cast 
 up his pages to ascertain their value, he is entitled to reckon in his cal- 
 culation all that constitutes part and parcel of his page. It is upon this 
 rule that he acts when he casts up a page of two columns, for he in- 
 cludes in the width of his page the reglet or rule which separates his 
 columns. In table work he reckons the rules or blank columns which 
 may occur in his page. So, also, in casting of bottom notes, he reckons 
 the reglet, rule or white which separates the text and the note; and 
 upon the same principle he is entitled to reckon the reglet in the square 
 of his page.] 
 
 17. All matter set in a measure less than 16 ems m width, of 
 whatever type it may be composed, shall be charged 5 cents per 1,000 ems 
 extra. 
 
 [Note. — When more than two columns appear on the face of a page, 
 this article shall not apply, but the case shall be governed by article 20.] 
 
 18. When cuts are inserted in the matter or worked in pages along 
 with the body of the work, such cuts belong to the compositors; but 
 when the cuts are worked entirely separate, the same as copperplate en- 
 gravings or lithographic plates, they are not claimed by the compositors. 
 
 19. \\'hexi cuts inserted in matter cause overrunning in making up 
 — as works on natural philosophy, chemistry, etc. — and also when ques- 
 tions are appended to the page, 50 cents per hour shall be paid for the 
 time occupied in overrunning or appending the questions. 
 
 20. All work where three justifications or columns (words or fig- 
 ures), without rules, occur in a page or column shall be charged a price 
 and a half, according to the type in which it is set; when more than 
 three celumns occur, to be charged double price. 
 
 21. All rule and figure work to be charged double the price of 
 common matter. Three or more columns, (figures or words,) with rules, 
 in a page or other matter, shall constitute rule and figure work: Pro- 
 vided, hoivever, That on works the pages of which are uniformly made 
 up of two or more columns (such as periodical publications) no charge 
 beyond that of common matter shall be made for [or] on account of the 
 rules separating the columns. 
 
 22. Title headings and foot lines to column and tabular work shall 
 be considered as part of such matter and paid for accordingly. 
 
EARLY ORGANIZATIONS OF PRINTKRS 
 
 23. Short pages in a series of tables arc charRcd a« full i . 
 
 24. Matter consisliriR of four or five blank cotunin<i (fo 
 to be charged a price and a half; but when the columns are *xx 
 to be charged double, cast up to the type used in the worit 
 they occur. 
 
 25. It shall oe the duty of the coiv 
 proofs of each form. All proofs t.ikcn .1 
 the rate of 15 cents each for letterpress i 
 and small jobs 5 cents each. When exti 1 . 
 
 the carelessness of a compositor, they shall be taken a; 
 
 26. Compositors shall correct one proof and one r< 
 tions made by the author to be paid for at the rate of 5 
 
 27. In all cases where bad letters are marked by i.n j 
 in consequence of worn-out defective fonts, the same sluU be 
 at the e.xpense of the establisliment. 
 
 28. All letter cast on a larger body than the face (as b<i' 
 long primer) shall be cast up according to the face, and all : 
 on a smaller body than the face {as minion on nonpareil) 
 counted according to tlie body. 
 
 29. All fonts of type, the alphabet of which measures ' 
 1254 ems, shall be cast up in depth to the body of the tyi>e 
 in width to that of the next smaller type. 
 
 30. When necessary to facilitate work, the employer m.iv 
 
 maker-up: Provided. That not more than 4 cents ■. -• > •■■ 
 
 deducted for making-up, imposing, taking the n<- 
 compositor to charge the entire page, including I 
 
 31. For bad manuscript, works of an intric ■ 
 
 erned by these articles, 50 cents per hour shall be cn.irKii. 
 
 TIME WORK. 
 
 32. Compositors and pressmen employed by the w 
 not less than $24 per week, eight hours to constitute .t 
 of October to the 3'st of March, and ten hours to con-; 
 
 the ist of April to the 30th of September, inclusive. 1 or iMra ^ r* ^ • 
 cents per hour. After 12 o'clock midnight. ;5 c<-"''» V"^ ""V- 
 
 33. The regular hours of work shall l>c as f..ll..ws: From ih» t.l 
 
 of October to the 3'st of March, inclusive, 8 a. m. to <; '• - 
 
 the I St of April to the 30th of September, mclusive. 7 •• 
 
 34. The regular holi'lavs shall be as follows: : 
 Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas ILiy: ai..l ..II '.^.i • 
 done on those days shall be paid ti 
 
 of regular holidays, and d.nys ^i' 
 Saturday evening, throughout tlu : 
 
 35. In all oflici's and at all s. . 
 
 than $5 for Sunday work, the day \.o cuiiM-t ..I •■■n^^ '- ' 
 cents per hour for all extra work. .„ /, 
 
 3^ No composition shall be done at the weekly ratr. for 
 three days; all jobs th.-it last for a less time to be done by V"- . 
 at the rate of 50 cents per hour. ..^„,„ .mnln»r<l h« \hr 
 
 17. In any case where a compositor or prcMinan ""P'"'"'' ''» '^ 
 week shall be recalled, without pr.vi.-.s nntirr. after w<>rV-nr h"^» - 
 do extra work. $1 extra shall be . 
 
 38. In any office where tlier. 
 man shall have charge of more i 
 of a pressman being absent by r. 
 circumstance, in which event his f' ''' ' 
 of the employer, may take charge o» li 
 absentee be paid the full amount oi 
 That he shall not be absent more tli.in .k 
 
194 
 
 A DOCUMENTARY HISTORY OF THE 
 
 MORNING PAPERS. 
 
 1. Compositors employed upon morning papers shall receive not 
 less than 60 cents per 1,000 ems (all letter included), and shall in all 
 cases work by the piece. 
 
 2. Column and tabular work. — See articles 20, 21 and 22 of book 
 scale. 
 
 3. Bastard type. — See articles 28 and 29 of book scale. 
 
 4. Work done by the hour shall be charged at the rate of 50 cents 
 per hour; and all time consumed in waiting for copy after 7 p. m. shall 
 be similarly charged. For fractions of hours the charge shall be as fol- 
 lows: For ten minutes and not exceeding twenty, one-fourth hour: 
 over twenty and not exceeding thirty-five minutes, one-half hour; over 
 thirty-five and not exceeding fifty minutes, three-fourths hour; over fifty 
 minutes, one hour. 
 
 5. At least two consecutive hours' composition shall be supplied be- 
 tween the hours of 2 and 6 p. m. 
 
 [Mote. — In consideration that the ofifice in which the official debates 
 of Congress are printed can not obtain the copy until the House of Con- 
 gress adjourn and the reporters' notes are written out, the proprietor 
 thereof shall have the privilege of commuting all time for waiting and 
 afternoon copy by paying 10 cents per 1,000 ems over and above the 
 foregoing scale: Provided, That such system shall continue throughout 
 each session of Congress.] 
 
 6. A cut or stereotype plate, whether complete in itself or not, be- 
 longs to the compositor. 
 
 7. On each and every occasion when a man, after having left the 
 office for the night, shall be recalled to work before 10 a. m., $1 extra 
 shall be charged. 
 
 8. All matter set for newspapers during the week, whether pub- 
 lished or not, shall be placed upon the compositors' bills and paid for at 
 the end of the week, or at whatever time may be specified for the clos- 
 ing of the weekly bills. 
 
 9. A majority of the hands in each newspaper oflSce shall regulate 
 all matters in relation to departments or other fat matter, subject to the 
 approval of the employer, but no copy shall be culled under such regula- 
 tion. 
 
 10. Compositors to correct one proof. 
 
 EVENING PAPERS. 
 
 1. Compositors on evening papers shall in all cases work by the 
 piece, and have at least six consecutive hours' composition each day; and 
 if at any time they may be compelled to wait for copy they shall be 
 paid at the rate of 50 cents per hour — fractions of hours to be charged 
 as prescribed in article 4 of morning newspaper scale. 
 
 2. Articles i, 2, 3. 6. 8, 9, and 10 of the scale for morning papers 
 shall apply tp evening papers. 
 
RETURN TO the circulation desk ot any 
 University of California Library 
 or to the 
 NORTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 BIdg. 400, Richmond Field Station 
 University of California 
 Richmond, CA 94804-4698 
 
 ALL BOOKS MAY BE RECALLED AFTER 7 DAYS 
 
 • 2-month loans may be renev^ed by calling 
 (510)642-6753 
 
 • 1-year loans may be recharged by bringing 
 books to NRLF 
 
 • Renewals and recharges may be made 4 
 days prior to due date. 
 
 DUE AS STAMPED BELOW 
 
 FEB 2 Q ZQO^ 
 
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 ARIES 
 
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