Worcester, Mass.: E. B. Crane, O. W. Norcross, Henry Mellen, O. S.
Kendall, Robt. S. Griffin, Geo. H. Cutting.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: John Rawson, James Curtis, H. E. Doren, J. D.
Boland, C. H. Pelton, W. C. Weatherly, C. A. Sathren.
Sioux City, Iowa.: Fred F. Beck.
Pittsburgh and Allegheny City, Pa.: Geo. A. Cochran, Saml. Francis,
Alex. Hall, R. C. Miller, Geo. S. Fulmer.
Providence, R. I.: Geo. R. Phillips, Richard Hayward. Geo. S. Ross.
Rochester, N. Y.: Chas. W. Voshell.
Washington, D. C.: Thos. J. King.
George C. Prussing, of Chicago, presided, and William H. Sayward, of
Boston, was secretary of the convention. Mr. Sayward appointed as his
assistants J. Arthur Jacobs, of Boston, and W. Harkness, Jr., of
Philadelphia.
In adopting a constitution the objects of the organization were set
forth in the following article:
Article II. The fundamental objects of this association shall be to
foster and protect the interests of contractors, manual workmen, and
all others concerned in the erection and construction of buildings; to
promote mechanical and industrial interests; to acquire, preserve and
disseminate valuable information connected with the building trades; to
devise and suggest plans for the preservation of mechanical skill
through a more complete and practical apprenticeship system, and to
establish uniformity and harmony of action among builders throughout the
country. The better to accomplish these objects, this association shall
encourage the establishment of builders' exchanges in every city or town
of importance throughout the country, and shall aid them to organize
upon some general system that will not conflict with local customs and
interests, in order that through these filial associations the
resolutions and recommendations of this National Association may be
promulgated and adopted in all localities.
Not content with setting out the objects of the association in a short
section of a constitution, the convention deemed it advisable that its
objects should be defined in a manner that could not be misunderstood.
The members were aware of the fact that the convention was being watched
by builders everywhere, and that the eye of the public was upon every
movement made. But they more fully understood that the artisans and
laborers connected with the building trades throughout the country would
criticise their every act, and unless their position was definitely and
clearly set out they might be misunderstood. To avoid this, and to place
the objects fairly before the public, the convention unanimously adopted
the following: