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N.J. Constitutional Convention: Volume 3 Page 291.

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LETTER OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF&nbspHOSIERY WORKERS, BRANCH 166

July 15, 1947.

&nbspJohn F. Schenk (Hunterdon),&nbspChairman, Committee on Rights, Privileges,&nbspAmendments and Miscellaneous Provisions,&nbspConstitutional Convention,&nbspNew Brunswick, New Jersey.
Dear Sir:

We of the American Federation of Hosiery Workers, Branch 166, Wildwood, New Jersey, request that you support the following provisions changing the Constitution of New Jersey:

  • 1. “The right of labor to organize and bargain collectively shall not be impaired.”
  • 2. No person may be subjected by any government body, private individual, group or institution to discrimination because of his race, color, religion or national origin. The civil rights protected by this clause include the right to be free from discrimination in obtaining employment, education, public accommodations, acquiring or enjoying property, and others.
  • 3. Property taken over by the State for any purpose, including housing, “shall be enjoyed without discrimination.”
  • 4. Tax exemption shall be denied to any charitable or educational institution, except religious or sectarian institutions, which practices discrimination.

Also urge Committee’s support of the following measures to provide for easier amendment of the Constitution in the future:

  • 1. The people should be able to initiate amendments. Where 100,000 voters in the State, including at least 1,000 from each of eleven counties, sign a petition urging an amendment, the proposed amendment should be submitted to a vote of all the people at the next general election.
  • 2. Amendments adopted by both House of the Legislature at one session should be submitted to a vote at the next general election.
  • 3. A proposed constitution amendment approved by only one House of the Legislature (and not the other) should be submitted to the people, if so ordered by the Governor.
  • 4. The question of revising the entire Constitution should be submitted to the people every 20 years.

Thanking you for your support of these fair and necessary changes.

Yours truly,May Warner, Recording Secretary&nbspBranch 166, AFHW, 3306 Pacific Avenue Wildwood, New Jersey.

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