=Table of Contents.= This gives a clear, systematic idea of the
arrangement of subjects treated in the Manual.
=Order of Precedence of Motions and Table of Rules.= A careful study
of these tables so as to be able to use them quickly will enable any
one in an emergency to ascertain whether a motion is in order, and
whether it may be debated, or amended, or reconsidered, or requires a
second, or a two-thirds vote, or is in order when another member has
the floor.
=Part I=, comprising the main part of the Manual, contains a set of
Rules of Order systematically arranged, as shown in the Table of
Contents. It begins with showing how business is introduced in a
deliberative assembly, and then follows it step by step until the
vote is taken and announced. The next section, =10=, shows what is
the proper motion to use to accomplish certain objects, referring at
the same time to the section where the motion will be found fully
treated. Next, the motions are classified as usual into Privileged,
Incidental, Subsidiary, and Main, and the general characteristics of
each class given.
Then each class is taken up in order, beginning with the highest
privileged motion, and a section is devoted to each motion, including
some motions that are not classified. Each of these twenty-six
sections is complete in itself, so that one unfamiliar with the
work need not be misled in examining any particular subject.
Cross-references, in heavy-face type, are used wherever it was
thought they would be helpful, the references being to sections,
the number of the section being placed at the top of each page. The
following is stated in reference to each motion, except some of
the incidental ones, the first six points being mentioned at the
beginning of each section:
(1) Of what motions _it takes precedence_ (that is, what motions may
be pending and yet it be in order to make and consider this motion).
(2) To what motions _it yields_ (that is, what motions may be made
and considered while this motion is pending).
(3) Whether it is _debatable_ or not (all motions being debatable
unless the contrary is stated).
(4) Whether it can be _amended_ or not.
(5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion _applied_ to it,
the fact is stated [see Adjourn, =17=, for an example: the meaning
is, that the particular motion, to adjourn, cannot be laid on the
table, postponed, committed, or amended, &c.].
(6) The _vote_ required for its adoption, when it is not a majority.
(7) The _form of making the motion_ when peculiar.
(8) The _form of stating and putting the question_ when peculiar.
(9) The _object_ of the motion when not apparent.
(10) The _effect_ of the motion if adopted, whenever it could
possibly be misunderstood.
=Part II= contains an explanation of the methods of organizing and
conducting different kinds of meetings, giving the words used by
the chairman and speakers in making and putting various motions;
and also a few pages devoted to the legal rights of deliberative
assemblies and ecclesiastical tribunals, and to the trial of members
of such societies. The beginner, especially, will find it useful
to read sections =69-71= in connection with sections =1-10=, thus
obtaining correct ideas as to the methods of conducting business in
deliberative assemblies.
=The Plan for the Study of Parliamentary Law=, pages 305-312, gives
some helpful suggestions to clubs and individuals wishing to study
parliamentary law, together with a series of eighteen Lesson Outlines.
=The Index= refers to pages, not sections, and at the beginning are
given some suggestions as to the best method of finding anything in
these Rules.
DEFINITIONS.
In addition to the terms defined above (_taking precedence of_,
_yielding to_, and _applying to_ [see p. 21]), there are other terms
that are liable to be misunderstood, to which attention is called.
_Accepting_ a report is the same as adopting it, and should not
be confused with _receiving_ a report, which is allowing it to be
presented to the assembly.
_Assembly._ This term is used for the deliberative assembly, and
should be replaced in motions, etc., by the proper name of the body,
as society, club, church, board, convention, etc.
The _Chair_ means the presiding officer, whether temporary or
permanent.
The terms _Congress_ and _H. R._, when used in this Manual, refer to
the U. S. House of Representatives.
_Meeting_ and _Session_. Meeting is used in this Manual for an
assembling of the members of a deliberative body for any length of
time during which they do not separate for longer than a few minutes,
as the morning meeting, or the evening meeting, of a convention. In
a society with rules providing for regular meetings every week, or
month, etc., each of these regular meetings is a separate session. A
called or special meeting is a distinct session. Should a regular
or special meeting adjourn to meet at another time, the adjourned
meeting is a continuation of the session, not a separate one; the two
meetings constitute one session. In the case of a convention holding
a meeting every year or two, or rather a series of meetings lasting
several days, the entire series of meetings constitute one session.
[See =63=.]
_Pending_ and _Immediately Pending_. A question is said to be pending
when it has been stated by the chair and has not yet been disposed
of either permanently or temporarily. When several questions are
pending, the one last stated by the chair, and therefore the one to
be first disposed of, is said to be the immediately pending question.
A _Main motion_ is one that is made to bring before the assembly any
particular subject. No main motion can be made when another motion is
pending.
A _Subsidiary motion_ is one that may be applied to a main motion,
and to certain other motions, for the purpose of modifying them,
delaying action upon them or otherwise disposing of them.
_Privileged motions_ are such that, while having no relation to the
pending question, are of such urgency or importance as to require
them to take precedence of all other motions.
An _Incidental motion_ is one that arises out of another question
which is pending or has just been pending, and must be decided
before the pending question, or before other business is taken up.
Incidental motions have no fixed rank but take precedence of the
questions out of which they arise, whether those questions are main
or subsidiary or privileged.
The _Previous Question_ does not refer, as its name would imply,
to the previous question, but is the name given to the motion to
close debate and at once to take the vote on the immediately pending
question and such other questions as are specified in the motion.
A _Substitute_ is an amendment where an entire resolution, or
section, or one or more paragraphs, is struck out and another
resolution, or section, or one or more paragraphs, is inserted in its
place.
_Plurality_, _Majority_, and _Two-thirds_ Vote. In an election a
candidate has a plurality when he has a larger vote than any other
candidate; he has a majority when he has more than half the legal
votes cast, ignoring blanks. In an assembly a plurality never elects
except by virtue of a rule to that effect. A majority vote when used
in these rules means a majority of the legal votes cast, ignoring
blanks, at a legal meeting, a quorum being present. A two-thirds vote
is two-thirds of the votes just described. For an illustration of the
difference between a two-thirds vote, a vote of two-thirds of the
members present, and a vote of two-thirds of the members, see page
204.
TO THE READER.
The reader is advised to read this Manual in the order suggested in
the Plan for the study of Parliamentary Law, page 305.