PART II.

Organization, Meetings, and Legal Rights of Assemblies.

Art. XII. Organization and Meetings.

=69.= An Occasional or Mass Meeting. PAGE

(_a_) Organization =275=

(_b_) Adoption of Resolutions =277=

(_c_) Committee to Draft Resolutions =280=

(_d_) Semi-Permanent Mass Meeting =283=

=70.= A Permanent Society.

(_a_) First Meeting =284=

(_b_) Second Meeting =286=

(_c_) Regular Meeting =291=

=71.= Meeting of a Convention.

(_a_) An Organized Convention =292=

(_b_) A Convention not yet Organized =296=

=69. An Occasional or Mass Meeting.= (_a_) _Organization._ Before

calling a meeting that is not one of an organized society, the

following _Preliminary Steps_ should be taken: Those who are

responsible for the call should consult together and agree upon

the place and time of the meeting, how the notice shall be given,

who shall call the meeting to order and nominate the chairman, who

shall be nominated for chairman, and who shall explain the object

of the meeting. It is also good policy sometimes to have a set of

resolutions drafted in advance to submit to the meeting.

It is not customary to call mass meetings to order promptly at the

appointed time, but to wait ten or fifteen minutes, when the one

chosen for the purpose steps to the front and says: “The meeting

will please come to order; I move that Mr. A act as [or I nominate

Mr. A for] chairman of this meeting.” Some one else says, “I

second the motion [or nomination].” The first member then puts the

question to vote, by saying, “It has been moved and seconded that

Mr. A act as [or Mr. A has been nominated for] chairman of this

meeting; those in favor of the motion [or nomination] say _aye_;”

and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, “Those opposed say

_no_.” If the majority vote is in the affirmative, he says, “The

ayes have it, and Mr. A is elected chairman. He will please take

the chair.” If the motion is lost he announces that fact, and calls

for the nomination of some one else for chairman, and proceeds with

the new nomination as in the first case.

The member who calls the meeting to order, instead of making

the motion himself, may act as temporary chairman, and say,

“The meeting will please come to order; will some one nominate

a chairman?” He puts the question to vote on the nomination as

described above, or as below, in case of the secretary. This is

dangerous, however, in large meetings, where an incompetent person

may be nominated and elected chairman. In large assemblies, the

member who nominates, with one other member, frequently conducts

the presiding officer to the chair, and the chairman makes a short

speech, thanking the assembly for the honor conferred on him.

When the chairman takes the chair he says, “The first business

in order is the election of a secretary.” Some one then makes a

motion as just described, or he says, “I nominate Mr. B,” when the

chairman puts the question as below. Sometimes several names are

called out, and the chairman, as he hears them, says, “Mr. B is

nominated; Mr. C is nominated,” etc.; he then takes the vote on the

first one he heard, putting the question in a form similar to this:

“As many as are in favor of Mr. B for secretary say _aye_; those

opposed say _no_. The chair is in doubt: those in favor of Mr. B

for secretary will rise; those opposed will rise. The negative has

it and the motion is lost. As many as are in favor of Mr. C for

secretary say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it, and

Mr. C is elected secretary. He will please take his place at the

desk.” If Mr. C fails of election the vote is taken on the next

nominee, and so on until one is elected. The secretary should take

his seat near the chairman, and keep a record of the proceedings,

as described in =59=. The chairman should always stand in putting

the question to vote, and in large assemblies it is better for

him to stand while stating the question. During debate he should

be seated, and pay attention to the discussion. When nominations

are made it is optional whether they are seconded or not. They are

usually not debated, though sometimes the one making the nomination

and the one seconding it say a few words at the time in favor

of their nominee. A nomination cannot be amended. If additional

officers are desired, they may be elected in the same manner as the

secretary.

(_b_) _Adoption of Resolutions._ These two officers are all that

are usually necessary, so as soon as the secretary is elected, the

chairman directs the secretary to read the call for the meeting and

then calls on the person most familiar with the question to explain

the object of the meeting more fully, or he may do this himself.

This explanation should be immediately followed by some one’s

offering a series of resolutions previously prepared, or by his

moving the appointment of a committee to prepare resolutions upon

the subject. In the first case he rises and says, “Mr. Chairman;”

the chairman responds, “Mr. C.” Mr. C, having thus obtained the

floor, says, “I move the adoption of the following resolutions,”

which he reads and hands to the chairman. Some one else says, “I

second the motion.” The chairman then says, “It has been moved and

seconded to adopt the following resolutions,” which he reads, or

directs the secretary to read, and then says, “The question is on

the adoption of the resolutions.” If no one rises at once, he asks,

“Are you ready for the question?” The resolutions are now open to

debate and amendment. They may be referred to a committee, or may

have any other subsidiary motion applied to them. When the debate

appears to be finished, the chair again asks, “Are you ready for

the question?” If no one then rises, he says, “As many as are in

favor of the adoption of the resolutions say _aye_;” after the ayes

have voted, he says, “As many as are of a contrary opinion [or

are opposed] say _no_;” he then announces the result of the vote

as follows: “The ayes have it [or the motion is carried] and the

resolutions are adopted.” If the debate has lasted any length of

time, he should, before taking the vote, have the resolutions again

read.

It is the practice, in legislative bodies, to send to the clerk’s

desk all resolutions, bills, etc., the title of the bill and the

name of the member introducing it being indorsed on each. In such

bodies, however, there are several clerks and only one chairman.

In most assemblies there is but one clerk or secretary, and as

he has to keep the minutes, there is no reason for his being

constantly interrupted to read every resolution offered. In such

assemblies, unless there is a rule or established custom to the

contrary, it is usually much better to hand all resolutions,

reports, etc., directly to the chairman. If they were read by the

member introducing them, and no one calls for another reading,

the chairman may omit reading them when he thinks they are fully

understood. [For the manner of reading and stating the question

when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see =24=.]

_Dividing Resolutions._ If the committee reports several

independent resolutions relating to different subjects, the

chair must state the question separately on the resolution, or

resolutions, relating to each subject, on the request of a single

member. If the resolutions relate to a single subject and yet each

one is capable of standing alone if all the rest are rejected,

they may be divided by a majority vote on a motion to divide the

question, as explained in =24=. If the resolutions are so connected

that they cannot stand alone, then the proper way to secure a

separate vote on any objectionable resolution is to move to strike

it out. When the chair states the question on striking it out, the

resolution is open to amendments of the second degree, so as to

perfect it, before the vote is taken on striking it out. [See page

140.]

_Amending a Resolution._ If it is desired to amend a pending

resolution, that is, a resolution that the chair has stated as

before the assembly for action, a member rises and obtains the

floor as already described, and offers, or moves, his amendment,

thus: “I move to insert the words ‘with asphalt’ after the word

‘paved.’” If the motion is not at once seconded, the chair asks if

the motion is seconded. In a large assembly he should repeat the

motion before making this inquiry, as members who would be willing

to second the motion may not have heard it. In fact, the chair must

usually assume that some members do not hear what is said from the

floor, and therefore that he must always repeat motions and the

result of votes. The motion being seconded, the chair states the

question thus: “It is moved and seconded to amend the resolution

by inserting the words ‘with asphalt’ after the word ‘paved.’ Are

you ready for the question?” The question is now open to debate

and amendment, which must be confined, however, to the amendment,

as it has superseded the resolution and has become what is termed

the _immediately pending question_. If no one rises to claim the

floor, the chair puts the question thus: “As many as are in favor

of the amendment [or motion] say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The

ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The question is now on

the resolution as amended, which is as follows [repeat the amended

resolution]. Are you ready for the question?” The resolution is

again open to debate and amendment, as it has again become the

immediately pending question. When the chair thinks the debate

ended, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If no one rises

to claim the floor, he puts the question on the resolution, thus:

“The question is on adopting the following resolution: ‘_Resolved_,

That ........ Those in favor of the motion [or, of adopting the

resolution] say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it,

and the resolution is adopted.’”

(_c_) _Committee to Draft Resolutions._ If it is preferred to

appoint a committee to draft resolutions, a member, after he has

addressed the chair and has been recognized, says: “I move that a

committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions

expressive of the sense of this meeting on,” etc., adding the

subject for which the meeting was called. The motion being

seconded, the chairman states the question thus: “It has been moved

and seconded that a committee of five be appointed by the chair

to draft resolutions, etc. [repeat the motion]. Are you ready for

the question?” If no one rises he may put the question thus: “As

many as are in favor of the motion say _aye_; those opposed say

_no_. The ayes have it and the motion is adopted.” Or, it maybe put

thus: “The question is, ‘Shall a committee of five be appointed

by the chair to draft resolutions, etc. [repeating the motion]?’

As many as are of the affirmative will raise their right hands.

As many as are of the negative will signify it in the same way.

The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. The chair will

appoint Messrs. A, B, C, D, and E as the committee on resolutions.

The committee will withdraw and prepare the resolutions as quickly

as possible. What is the further pleasure of the meeting?”

In a mass meeting, or in any very large assembly, it is safer

to have all committees appointed by the chair. If the assembly,

however, prefers a different method, the procedure is as described

in =32=; or the following method may be adopted: A member moves,

“That a committee be appointed to draft resolutions,” etc. This

motion being adopted, the chair asks: “Of how many shall the

committee consist?” If only one number is suggested, he announces

that the committee will consist of that number; if several numbers

are suggested, he states the different ones, and then takes a vote

on each, beginning with the largest, until one number is selected.

He then inquires: “How shall the committee be appointed?” This is

usually decided without the formality of a vote. The committee

may be “appointed” by the chair, in which case the chairman

names the committee, and no vote is taken; or the committee may

be “nominated” by the chair, or by members of the assembly (no

member naming more than one, except by unanimous consent), and

then the assembly votes on their appointment. When the chairman

nominates, after stating the names, he puts one question on the

entire committee, thus: “As many as are in favor of these gentlemen

constituting the committee say _aye_,” etc. If nominations are

made by members of the assembly, and more names are mentioned than

the number of the committee, a separate vote must be taken on each

name, in the order of nomination, until the committee is filled.

When the committee is appointed, it should at once retire and

agree upon a report, which should be written out as described in

=52=. During its absence other business may be attended to, or

the time may be occupied with hearing addresses. If the chairman

sees the committee return to the room, he should announce, as soon

as the pending business is disposed of, or the member speaking

closes, that the assembly will now hear the report of the committee

on resolutions: or, before this announcement he may ask if the

committee is prepared to report. If the chairman does not notice

the return of the committee, its chairman avails himself of the

first opportunity to obtain the floor, when he says: “The committee

appointed to draft resolutions is prepared to report.” The chairman

tells him that the assembly will now hear the report, which is then

read by the chairman of the committee, who immediately moves its

adoption, and then hands it to the presiding officer, upon which

the committee is dissolved without any action of the assembly. The

chairman then proceeds as stated above when the resolutions were

offered by a member. If it is not desired immediately to adopt the

resolutions, they may be debated, modified, their consideration

postponed, etc., as explained in =10=.

When through with the business for which the assembly was convened,

or when from any other cause it is desired to close the meeting,

some one moves “to adjourn.” If no time has been appointed for

another meeting, this motion may be amended and debated as any

other main motion. If the motion is carried, and no other time for

meeting has been appointed, the chairman, in case the ayes and

noes are nearly equal, says: “The ayes seem to have it, the ayes

have it, the motion is adopted, and we stand adjourned without day

(sine die).” If the vote is overwhelmingly in the affirmative,

the expression, “The ayes seem to have it,” should be omitted.

If a time for an adjourned meeting has been appointed, the chair

declares the assembly “adjourned to 8 o’clock next Wednesday

evening,” or whatever is the appointed time. Before declaring the

adjournment, or even taking a vote on adjourning, the chair should

satisfy himself that all required notices are given.

(_d_) _Semi-Permanent Mass Meetings._ Sometimes it is desirable to

continue the mass meetings until a certain object is accomplished,

and in such case the assembly may prefer to make a temporary

organization at first, and then make their semi-permanent

organization with more deliberation. If so, the assembly would be

organized as just described, only adding “_pro tem._” to the title

of the officers, thus, “chairman _pro tem._” The “_pro tem._” is

never used in addressing the officers. As soon as the secretary

_pro tem._ is elected, a committee is usually appointed to nominate

the semi-permanent officers, as in the case of a convention. A

committee on rules should also be appointed, which should recommend

a few rules providing for the time and place for holding the

meetings, for some authority on parliamentary law, and for the

number and length of speeches allowed, if two speeches not to

exceed ten minutes each is not satisfactory.

Frequently the presiding officer is called the President, and

sometimes there is a large number of Vice Presidents appointed for

merely complimentary purposes. The Vice Presidents in large formal

meetings sit on the platform beside the President, and in his

absence, or when he vacates the chair, the first on the list that

is present should take the chair.

=70. A Permanent Society.= (_a_) _First Meeting._ When it is

desired to form a permanent society, those interested in it should

consult together and carefully lay their plans before calling

a meeting to organize the society. They should also be careful

in calling the meeting to see to it that there is a majority

in sympathy with their plans. By neglect of this, and giving a

newspaper invitation to all interested in the object to attend the

meeting, those who originated the work have found themselves in

the minority and not in sympathy with the constitution which was

adopted, so that they did not care to join the society after it

was organized. Having taken all the preliminary steps, then, as

described in case of a mass meeting [page 275], they invite those

who they have reason to think are in sympathy with their general

plans to meet at a certain time and place to consider the question

of organizing a society for a certain purpose. As one of their

preliminary steps they should procure copies of the constitutions

and by-laws of several similar societies for the use of the

committee in drafting their own.

It is not usual in meetings called to organize a society, or in

mass meetings, to commence until ten or fifteen minutes after the

appointed time, when the person previously selected for the purpose

steps forward and says: “The meeting will please come to order; I

move that Mr. A act as chairman of this meeting.” Some one “seconds

the motion,” when the one who made the motion puts it to vote (or,

as it is called, “puts the question”), as already described under a

“mass meeting” [=69=]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is

elected he takes the chair and announces, as the first business in

order, the election of a secretary.

After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on the member

who is most interested in forming the society to state the object

of the meeting. When this member rises he says, “Mr. Chairman.”

The chairman then announces his name, when the member proceeds

to state the object of the meeting. Having finished his remarks,

the chairman may call on other members to give their opinions on

the subject, and sometimes a particular speaker is called out by

members who wish to hear him. The chairman should observe the

wishes of the assembly, and, while being careful not to be too

strict, he must not permit any one to occupy too much time and

weary the assembly.

When a sufficient time has been spent in this informal way, some

one should offer a resolution, so that definite action can be

taken. Those interested in arranging for the meeting, if it is to

be a large one, should have previously agreed upon what is to be

done, and be prepared, at the proper time, to offer a suitable

resolution, which may be in form similar to this: “_Resolved_,

That it is the sense of this meeting that a society for (state

the object of the society) should now be formed in this city.”

This resolution, when seconded and stated by the chair, is open to

debate and amendment, and is treated as already described [=69=].

This preliminary motion could have been offered at the commencement

of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very large one this is

generally better than to have the informal discussion.

After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without

waiting for such a motion to be made, one like this may be offered:

“I move that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to

draft a constitution and by-laws for a society for (here state

the object), and that it report at an adjourned meeting of this

assembly.” This motion can be amended by striking out and adding

words, etc., and it is debatable.

When this committee is appointed, the chairman may inquire: “Is

there any other business to be attended to?” or, “What is the

further pleasure of the assembly [or club, or convention, etc.]?”

When all business is finished, a motion may be made to adjourn to

meet at a certain place and time, which, when seconded and stated

by the chair, is open to debate and amendment. It is usually better

to fix the time of the next meeting at an earlier stage of the

meeting; and then, when it is desired to close the meeting, move

simply “to adjourn,” which cannot be amended or debated. When

this motion is carried, the chairman says, “This meeting stands

adjourned to meet at,” etc., specifying the time and place of the

next meeting.

(_b_) _Second Meeting._ At the next meeting the officers of the

previous meeting, if present, serve until the permanent officers

are elected. When the hour arrives for the meeting, the chairman,

standing, says, “The meeting will please come to order;” as soon

as the assembly is seated, he says, “The secretary will read the

minutes of the last meeting,” and then takes his seat. If any one

notices an error in the minutes, he should state the fact as soon

as the secretary finishes reading them; if there is no objection,

without waiting for a motion, the chairman directs the secretary

to make the correction. The chairman then says, “There being no

[further] corrections, the minutes stand approved as read [or as

corrected].”

The chair then announces, as the next business in order, the

hearing of the report of the committee on the constitution and

by-laws. The chairman of the committee, after addressing “Mr.

Chairman” and being recognized, says something like this: “The

committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws has agreed

upon the following, and has directed me to report the same and

move their adoption.” He then reads them, moves their adoption,

and hands them to the chair. The motion being seconded, the chair

says: “It has been moved and seconded to adopt the constitution and

by-laws reported by the committee. The question is on the adoption

of the constitution, which will now be read.” The constitution is

then read from the platform by the secretary, or by the chairman of

the committee, as the chair directs. This reading may be dispensed

with by general consent, as it has already been read. He then

reads, or has read, the first paragraph, and asks if there are any

amendments proposed to this paragraph. When through with amending

it he says, “There being no [further] amendments to this paragraph,

the next will be read.” No vote should be taken on adopting

the separate paragraphs. He thus proceeds through the entire

constitution, and then says the whole constitution is now open to

amendment. This is the time to insert additional paragraphs, or

make any amendments to the earlier paragraphs rendered necessary

by changes made in the later ones.

When the chairman thinks the constitution has been modified to suit

the wishes of the assembly, he inquires: “Are you ready for the

question?” If no one wishes to speak, he puts the question: “As

many as are in favor of adopting the constitution as amended say

_aye_;” and then, “As many as are opposed say _no_.” He distinctly

announces the result of the vote. This should never be omitted.

Only a majority vote is required to adopt a constitution of a new

society, or to amend it before it is adopted.

The chairman now states that the constitution having been adopted,

it will be necessary for those wishing to become members to sign it

(and pay the initiation fee, if required by the constitution), and,

if the assembly is a large one, suggests that a recess be taken

for the purpose. A motion is then made to take a recess for, say,

ten minutes, or until the constitution is signed. The constitution

being signed, no one is permitted to vote excepting those who have

signed it, and thus have joined the society. While the payment of

the initiation fee is strictly a prerequisite to the right to vote,

it should be waived at this meeting with those who are unprepared

to make the payment.

The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order,

and says, “The secretary will read the roll of members.” This is

necessary in order that all may know who are entitled to take part

in the future proceedings. After the roll has been read, the chair

says, “The question before the assembly is on the adoption of the

by-laws reported by the committee. The secretary will please read

them.” He then proceeds exactly as in the case of the constitution.

The motion to adopt the constitution and by-laws reported by the

committee having been made when the committee made its report, no

further motion is necessary.

When the by-laws are adopted, the chair says, “The next business in

order is the election of the permanent officers of the society.”

The by-laws should prescribe the method of nomination and election

of the officers, and they should be strictly complied with. If

the by-laws do not prescribe the method of nomination, the chair

asks, “How shall the officers be nominated?” Some one may at once

move that a committee be appointed by the chair to nominate the

permanent officers of the society. This motion being adopted,

the chair appoints the committee, which retires and agrees upon

a ticket. During the absence of the committee the assembly may

transact any business it pleases, or it may take a recess. When

the committee returns to the hall, as soon as pending business

is disposed of, the chair calls on the chairman of the committee

for the report. The chairman of the committee reads the list of

nominations, and hands it to the chair. The chair reads the list,

and then asks, “Are there any further nominations?” Any member may

now rise and, after addressing the chair, nominate any one else for

any office, or he may nominate one person for each office, thus

proposing a new ticket. The chair announces the nominations as

made, and when he thinks that no more names will be proposed, he

asks, “Are there any more nominations?” If there is no response,

and if the by-laws prescribe that the election shall be by ballot,

as they usually should, he appoints tellers and directs them to

distribute blank ballots, upon which each member writes the name of

each office and the person for whom he votes to fill that office.

When the ballots are filled-out, the chair directs the tellers to

collect the ballots, which they do, in any convenient receptacle.

The chair then inquires if all have voted who wish to, so as to be

sure that the tellers have not missed any members. When all have

voted that wish, he announces that “the polls are closed,” and the

tellers count the ballots, and the first one appointed reports

the vote, as described on page 196, under Voting by Ballot. The

chair then announces as elected all the candidates who received a

majority vote, and the temporary officers are immediately replaced

by the permanent ones elected. If the president is elected on this

first ballot he immediately takes the chair. In case any of the

offices remain unfilled, the chair immediately orders the tellers

to distribute blank ballots, and directs the assembly to prepare

ballots for these offices. Balloting is continued until all the

offices are filled. The voting is not limited to the nominees,

as every member is at liberty to vote for any member who is not

declared ineligible by the by-laws.

After the offices are filled, if there is business that the

chair knows requires immediate attention, he should mention it.

Committees should probably be appointed for various purposes,

as described in the by-laws, and the place of meeting should

be determined. It is possible that an adjourned meeting may be

necessary in order to complete the organization before beginning

the regular work of the society. When the work is completed, or

when an adjourned meeting has been provided for, and the lateness

of the hour requires an adjournment, some one should move to

adjourn. If the motion is carried, the chair announces the vote and

declares the assembly adjourned. If there can be any question as to

where and when the next meeting is to be held, he should mention

the place and time, though this is not necessary afterwards when

the place and time are regularly established and known.

If the society is one that expects to own real estate, it should

be incorporated according to the laws of the state in which it

is situated, and for this purpose some member of the committee

on the constitution should consult a lawyer before this second

meeting, so that the constitution may conform to the laws of the

state. In this case the trustees, or managers, or directors, are

usually instructed to take the proper measures to have the society

incorporated.

(_c_) _Regular Meetings of a Society._ After a society is properly

organized, its regular business meetings are conducted as follows:

When the hour fixed for the meeting to begin arrives, the presiding

officer takes the chair and calls the meeting to order and directs

the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting. When they

are read, he asks, “Are there any corrections to the minutes?” If

none are suggested, he adds, “There being none, the minutes stand

approved as read.” If any corrections are suggested, the secretary

makes them, unless there is opposition. If there is difference of

opinion, some one moves to amend the minutes, or the chair, without

waiting for a motion, may put the question on the amendment that

has been suggested. When this has been settled, the chair asks,

“Are there any further corrections (or amendments) to the minutes?”

If there is no response, he adds, “There being none, the minutes

stand approved as corrected.” He then announces the next business

in order, following the order of business prescribed by the rules

of the society.

If the order of business is the same as given in =65=, as soon

as the minutes are read and approved, the chair says, “The

next business in order is hearing the reports of the standing

committees.” He may then call upon each committee in its order for

a report, thus: “Has the committee on applications for membership

any report to make?” In this case the committee may report as

shown above, or some member of it reply that it has no report to

make. Or, when the chairman knows that there are but few, if any,

reports to be made, it is better, after making the announcement

of the business, for him to ask, “Have these committees any

reports to make?” After a short pause, if no one rises to report,

he states, “There being no reports from the standing committees,

the next business in order is hearing the reports of special

committees,” when he will act the same as in the case of the

standing committees. The chairman should always have a list of the

committees, to enable him to call upon them, as well as to guide

him in the appointment of new committees.

Having attended to the reports of committees, the chair announces

the next business in order, and so on until the business of the

meeting has been disposed of, when some one moves to adjourn. If

this motion is carried, the chair announces the vote and declares

the assembly adjourned.

The meetings of different societies vary greatly, and they should

be managed differently in order to obtain the best results. Some

societies require a strict enforcement of parliamentary rules,

while with others the best results will be obtained by being

informal. It is important that the presiding officer have tact and

common sense, especially with a very intelligent assembly.

=71. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates.= (_a_)

_An Organized Convention._ If a convention is an organized body

(that is, if when convened it has a constitution and by-laws and

officers), a committee on credentials, or registration, and one on

program, should have been appointed previous to the meeting. These

committees may have been appointed at the previous convention, or

by the executive board, or by the president, as prescribed by the

by-laws. The committee on credentials, or registration, should be

on hand somewhat before the time of the meeting, in some cases the

day before, so as to be prepared to submit its report immediately

after the opening addresses. It should furnish each delegate,

when he registers, with a badge or card as evidence of his being

a delegate and having the right of admission to the hall. The

committee on program should in most cases have the programs printed

in advance. In many cases it is better that the constituent bodies

be furnished in advance with copies of the program. This should

always be done when there is difficulty in getting full delegations

to attend. In addition to these two committees there are a number

of local committees usually appointed by the local society, as on

entertainment, etc. One of the general officers usually performs

the duty of a committee on transportation, to obtain reductions in

railroad fares, etc.

When the hour appointed for the meeting arrives, the president,

as the permanent presiding officer of a convention is usually

called, stands at the desk, and, striking it with the gavel to

attract attention, says, “The convention will come to order.” In

large conventions there is usually much confusion and noise at the

opening, and it requires self-control, firmness, and tact on the

part of the presiding officer to preserve proper order so that all

members may hear and be heard. It is a mistake for the chairman to

try to stop the noise by pounding with the gavel and talking so

loud as to be heard in spite of conversation on the floor. It is

better for him to set the example of being quiet, and to stop all

business while the noise is such that members cannot hear. Members

should be required to be seated and to refrain from talking except

when addressing the chair.

When the convention has come to order it is customary to have

some opening exercises, the nature of which depends upon the

character of the convention. In the majority of cases the

convention is opened with prayer, an address of welcome, and a

response. The program, however, is the president’s guide as to

the order of business, even though it has not yet been adopted

by the convention. It should provide for hearing the report of

the credential committee as soon as the opening exercises are

concluded, so that it may be known who are entitled to vote.

This committee’s report usually consists merely of a list of the

delegates and their alternates, if any, whose credentials have been

found correct, and of the ex-officio members of the convention, no

one being on the list, however, who has not registered as present.

The constitution should always provide that such as are present

of the officers of the convention, the members of the Board of

Managers, and the chairmen of the committees that are required

to report at the convention, shall be ex-officio members of the

convention.

When this report of the credential committee is presented it is

read either by the chairman of the committee or by the reading

secretary, or official reader, if there is one. In all cases, it,

and all other reports, should be read from the platform. When the

chairman of a committee cannot read so as to be heard, the report

should be read by a reading secretary, or official reader, who

should be appointed in every large convention, solely for the

purpose of reading resolutions, reports, etc. If there is a case of

contest between two sets of delegates and there is serious doubt as

to which is entitled to recognition, the committee should omit both

from the list and report the fact of the contest. If the committee,

however, thinks the contest not justified, it should ignore it

and enter on the list the names of the legitimate delegates. A

motion should be made to accept or adopt the report, which, after

it is stated by the chair, is open to debate and amendment. No one

can vote whose name is not on the list of delegates reported by

the committee. Upon the motion to substitute one delegation for

another, neither one can vote. So upon a motion to strike out the

names of a delegation whose seats are contested they cannot vote.

But upon the main motion to accept the report, all persons whose

names are on the list of members as reported by the committee and

amended by the convention are entitled to vote, and they alone.

When this report has been adopted, the president should immediately

call upon the program committee for a report. The chairman of that

committee submits the printed program and moves, or some one else

moves, its adoption. This is open to debate and amendment, and when

once adopted by a majority vote can not be deviated from except by

a two-thirds vote of those voting, or by a majority vote of the

enrolled membership.

The membership of the convention and the program having been

decided, the convention is ready for its business as laid down

in the program. The two committees, though they have made their

reports, are continued through the session, as supplementary

reports may be required from them. Additional delegates may

arrive, and speakers on the program may be sick or unable to

be present, or for other reasons a change in the program may be

necessary. These two committees should be allowed at any time to

make additional reports. The business is conducted as described

in the preceding section, but, of course, the program must be

followed. Boards and standing committees and the treasurer are

always required to submit annual reports, and sometimes reports

are required from various other officers. Generally officers

and the board of managers, etc., are elected annually; but some

constitutions make the term of office two years, and some provide,

in addition, that only about half the officers shall be elected

at any one annual meeting. In most organizations it is better to

have the term of office begin at the close of the convention,

so that the same officers will serve throughout the meetings.

At the beginning of the first meeting each day the minutes of

the preceding day are read and approved. At the close of the

convention, if there is not time to read the minutes of the last

day, a motion should be adopted authorizing the board, or some

committee, to approve the minutes of that day. As the proceedings

of a convention are usually published, a publishing committee

should be appointed, which should have the power to edit the

proceedings. When through with its business the convention adjourns

sine die.

(_b_) _A Convention not yet Organized._ Such a convention is

similar to a mass meeting, already described in =69=, in that when

called to order it has no constitution, by-laws, or officers. It

has the added difficulty of determining who are entitled to vote.

In the mass meeting every one may vote, but in the convention none

but properly appointed delegates may vote, and sometimes this is a

very difficult question to determine justly. The convention must

have been called by some committee, or body of men, who should

have secured the hall and made the preliminary arrangements for

the meeting. If the convention is a very large one, so that it is

necessary to reserve the main floor of the hall for the delegates,

the committee should allow only those to enter who have prima facie

evidence of their right to membership, and in contested cases both

sides should be admitted. The chairman of the committee should call

the convention to order, and either he or some one the committee

has selected for the purpose should nominate a temporary chairman

and a temporary secretary. Next should come the appointment of

a committee on credentials, whose duty it is to examine all

credentials and report a list of all the delegates who are entitled

to seats in the convention. When alternates have been appointed

they should be reported also. While the committee on credentials

is out, committees may be appointed on nominations of officers, on

rules, and on order of business or program. In a large convention

of this kind all committees should be appointed by the chair, and

no one whose right to a seat is questioned should be placed on a

committee until the convention has acted favorably on his case.

Until the committee on credentials has reported, no business can be

done except to authorize the chair to appoint the above mentioned

committees. While waiting for the committee on credentials to

report, the time is usually spent in listening to speeches. When

the committee reports, the procedure is the same as just described

in an organized convention. When that report has been adopted, the

convention proceeds to its permanent organization, acting upon the

reports of the other three committees previously appointed, taking

them in such order as the convention pleases. When these reports

have been acted upon, the convention is organized, with members,

officers, rules, and program, and its business is transacted as in

other organized deliberative assemblies. If the convention adopts

rules only for the session, the committee on rules need recommend

only a few rules as to the hours for beginning the meetings, the

length of the speeches, etc., and a rule adopting some standard

rules of order, where not in conflict with its other rules. If it

is not intended to make a permanent organization, the organization

just described is all that is necessary.

If the convention is called to make a permanent organization,

the committee on nominations is not appointed until after the

by-laws are adopted, and the committee on rules should report a

constitution and by-laws as in the case of a permanent society

[=70=]. The committee in such case is more usually called the

committee on constitution and by-laws. When a convention of

this kind is composed of delegates away from their homes it is

practically impossible to have them assemble more frequently

than once a year, and, therefore, before the convention meets,

a constitution and by-laws should be carefully drafted by those

interested in calling the convention. Those who drew up the by-laws

should be appointed on the committee, in order to avoid delay in

reporting them.

After the committee has reported a constitution and by-laws the

procedure is the same as already described in the previous section

in case of acting on a constitution and by-laws for a permanent

society [page 287]. When the by-laws are adopted, the officers are

elected and committees are appointed as prescribed by the by-laws,

and the convention is prepared for its work as already described.

Art. XIII. Legal Rights of Assemblies and Trial of Their Members.

=72.= Right of an Assembly to Punish its Members =299=

=73.= Right of an Assembly to Eject any one from its Place of

Meeting =299=

=74.= Rights of Ecclesiastical Tribunals =300=

=75.= Trial of Members of Societies =302=

=72. The Right of a Deliberative Assembly to Punish its Members.=

A deliberative assembly has the inherent right to make and enforce

its own laws and punish an offender, the extreme penalty, however,

being expulsion from its own body. When expelled, if the assembly

is a permanent society, it has the right, for its own protection,

to give public notice that the person has ceased to be a member of

that society.

But it has no right to go beyond what is necessary for self-protection

and publish the charges against the member. In a case where a member of

a society was expelled, and an officer of the society published, by its

order, a statement of the grave charges upon which he had been found

guilty, the expelled member recovered damages from the officer in a

suit for libel, the court holding that the truth of the charges did not

affect the case.

=73. Right of an Assembly to Eject any one from its Place of

Meeting.= Every deliberative assembly has the right to decide who

may be present during its session; and when the assembly, either by

a rule or by a vote, decides that a certain person shall not remain

in the room, it is the duty of the chairman to enforce the rule of

order, using whatever force is necessary to eject the party.

The chairman can detail members to remove the person, without

calling upon the police. If, however, in enforcing the order, any

one uses harsher measures than is necessary to remove the person,

the courts have held that he, and he alone, is liable for damages,

just the same as a policeman would be under similar circumstances.

However badly the man may be abused while being removed from the

room, neither the chairman nor the society is liable for damages,

as, in ordering his removal, they did not exceed their legal rights.

=74. Rights of Ecclesiastical Tribunals.= Many of our deliberative

assemblies are ecclesiastical bodies, and it is important to know

how much respect will be paid to their decisions by the civil

courts.

A church became divided, and each party claimed to be the church,

and therefore entitled to the church property. The case was taken

into the civil courts, and finally, on appeal, to the U. S. Supreme

Court, which, after holding the case under advisement for a year,

sustained the decision of the U. S. Circuit Court. The Supreme

Court, in rendering its decision, laid down the broad principle

that when a local church is but a part of a large and more general

organization or denomination, the court will accept as final the

decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case

has been carried within that general church organization, on all

questions of discipline, faith, or ecclesiastical rule, custom,

or law, and will not inquire into the justice or injustice of

its decree as between the parties before it. The officers, the

ministers, the members, or the church body which the highest

judiciary of the denomination recognizes, the court will recognize.

Whom that body expels or cuts off, the court will hold to be no

longer members of that church. The court laid down the following

principles:{45}

“Where a church is of a strictly congregational or independent

organization, and the property held by it has no trust attached to

it, its right to the use of the property must be determined by the

ordinary principles which govern ordinary associations.

“Where the local congregation is itself a member of a much larger

and more important religious organization and is under its

government and control and is bound by its orders and judgments,

its decisions are final and binding on legal tribunals.

“Courts having no ecclesiastical jurisdiction, cannot revise or

question ordinary acts of church discipline; their only judicial

power arises from the conflicting claims of the parties to the

church property and the use of it.”

{45} Watson vs. Jones, 13 Wallace U. S. Supreme Court Reports, p.

679. This case was decided April 15, 1872.

But while the civil courts have no ecclesiastical jurisdiction,

and cannot revise or question ordinary acts of church discipline,

they do have jurisdiction where there are conflicting claims to

church property. An independent church by an almost unanimous vote

decided to unite with another independent church. A very small

minority, less than ten per cent, did not wish to unite with the

other church, so they were voted letters of dismission to any

other church of like faith and order, against their protest. The

majority then directed the trustees to transfer their property

to the other church and voted themselves a letter of dismission

to unite with that church. The church then voted to disband. The

majority presented their letters and were received into the other

church. The minority would not use their letters, but took the

matter into the courts, which, of course, decided that they were

the church and owned the property. According to the practice of

churches of the same denomination, no member can be forced out of

the church unless for neglect of his duties as a member. Letters

of dismission are granted only on the request of members, and as

a general rule the membership does not terminate until the letter

has been used. The church could not terminate the membership of

the minority, against whom there were no charges, by voting them

letters without their consent. By not using their letters they

soon constituted the entire membership and rescinded the order to

the trustees to transfer the property to the other church. By the

hasty, ill-advised action of almost the entire church the majority

lost their property. In cases where property is involved, churches

cannot be too careful, and it is usually best to act under legal

advice.

=75. Trial of Members of Societies.= Every deliberative assembly,

having the right to purify its own body, must therefore have the

right to investigate the character of its members. It can require

any of them to testify in the case, under pain of expulsion if they

refuse.

When the charge is against the member’s character, it is usually

referred to a committee of investigation or discipline, or to some

standing committee, to report upon. Some societies have standing

committees whose duty it is to report cases for discipline whenever

any are known to them.

In either case, the committee investigates the matter and reports

to the society. This report need not go into details, but should

contain its recommendations as to what action the society should

take, and should usually close with resolutions covering the case,

so that there is no need for any one to offer any additional

resolutions upon it. The ordinary resolutions, where the member

is recommended to be expelled, are (1) to fix the time to which

the society shall adjourn; and (2) to instruct the clerk to cite

the member to appear before the society at this adjourned meeting

to show cause why he should not be expelled, upon the following

charges which should then be given.

After charges are preferred against a member, and the assembly has

ordered that he be cited to appear for trial, he is theoretically

under arrest, and is deprived of all the rights of membership until

his case is disposed of. Without his consent no member should be

tried at the same meeting at which the charges are preferred,

excepting when the charges relate to something done at that meeting.

The clerk should send the accused a written notice to appear

before the society at the time appointed, and should at the same

time furnish him with a copy of the charges. A failure to obey the

summons is generally cause enough for summary expulsion.

At the appointed meeting what may be called the trial takes place.

Frequently the only evidence required against the member is the

report of the committee. After it has been read and any additional

evidence offered that the committee may see fit to introduce, the

accused should be allowed to make an explanation and introduce

witnesses, if he so desires. Either party should be allowed to

cross-examine the other’s witnesses and introduce rebutting

testimony. When the evidence is all in, the accused should retire

from the room, and the society deliberate upon the question, and

finally act by a vote upon the question of expulsion, or other

punishment proposed. No member should be expelled by less than a

two-thirds{46} vote, a quorum voting. The vote should be by ballot,

except by general consent. The members of the committee preferring

the charges vote the same as other members.

{46} The U. S. Constitution [Art. I, Sec. 5] provides that each

House of Congress may, “with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a

member.”

In acting upon the case, it must be borne in mind that there is a

vast distinction between the evidence necessary to convict in a

civil court and that required to convict in an ordinary society

or ecclesiastical body. A notorious pickpocket could not even be

arrested, much less convicted by a civil court, simply on the

ground of being commonly known as a pickpocket; while such evidence

would convict and expel him from any ordinary society.

The moral conviction of the truth of the charge is all that is

necessary in an ecclesiastical or other deliberative body to find

the accused guilty of the charges.

If the trial is liable to be long and troublesome, or of a very

delicate nature, the member is frequently cited to appear before

a committee, instead of the society, for trial. In this case the

committee reports to the society the result of its trial of the

case, with resolutions covering the punishment which it recommends

the society to adopt. When the committee’s report is read, the

accused should be permitted to make his statement of the case, the

committee being allowed to reply. The accused then retires from the

room, and the society acts upon the resolutions submitted by the

committee. The members of the committee should vote upon the case

the same as other members.

If the accused wishes counsel at his trial, it is usual to allow

it, provided the counsel is a member of the society in good

standing. Should the counsel be guilty of improper conduct during

the trial, the society can refuse to hear him, and can also punish

him.

PLAN FOR STUDY OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW

INTRODUCTION.

These Lesson Outlines are designed to assist clubs and individual

students who wish to study Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. The

Manual is not arranged primarily with a view to study, but for the

special object of providing a set of rules for adoption by city

councils, corporations, literary societies, clubs, assemblies, and

occasional meetings. In studying it the preferable way is to learn

the few elementary things that one must know in order to take the

slightest part in a deliberative meeting and then to learn how with

ease to use this Manual to find the correct ruling or decision on

any point that may arise. When one has accomplished this, which is

covered by the first four lessons outlined below, he is prepared to

study in detail any portion of the Manual, and in any order that

may suit him.

In these Lesson Outlines the four introductory lessons are followed

by the all-important subject of Amendments, to which an entire

lesson is given. This lesson should be thoroughly mastered, as

the subject of amendments is probably equal in difficulty and

importance to all the rest of parliamentary law.

After Amendments, the order of the subjects in the Manual is

followed in the Lesson Outlines with the following exceptions:

Incidental Motions are not taken up until all the other motions are

disposed of; the Orders of the Day are treated in connection with

the motions to Postpone Definitely and Indefinitely, because they

are so intimately connected, the Orders of the Day being made by

postponing to a certain time or by adopting a program; the subject

of Committees is treated in connection with the motion to Commit;

and to Take from the Table is treated in connection with to Lay on

the Table.

The Rules of Order is essentially a work of reference, and the

student should keep this in view. He should aim at learning

how to find a ruling quickly, rather than at remembering the

ruling. On this account each student should always have his copy

of the book with him at every meeting and familiarize himself

with its use. Efficiency, however, as a parliamentarian is

acquired only by practice. “Book knowledge” is valuable just as

with games and athletics, but just as no amount of theoretical

knowledge without practice will enable a man to excel in playing

chess or in swimming, so no amount of theoretical knowledge of

parliamentary law without practice will make a man a good practical

parliamentarian.

If the student has the advantage of being a member of a class,

the teacher will, doubtless, use parliamentary drills. If he has

no teacher he should study the Manual as laid down in the Lesson

Outlines, and try to interest others to join him in forming a

practice club. This practice club should hold frequent meetings,

thus giving an opportunity for putting into practice what has been

learned. The officers should be constantly changed so as to give

different members the opportunity to preside.

These practice meetings should begin at least as soon as the

students have learned what is covered by the first four lessons as

outlined further on. At the beginning of each meeting it would be

profitable to call for criticisms of the previous meeting. This

would encourage the members after each meeting to investigate all

doubtful points that have arisen, and would call attention to

mistakes that otherwise would be overlooked. It will be of great

assistance to them if during the meetings they have on the walls of

their room the three Charts hereafter described.

What has just been said in reference to the importance of practice

meetings or drills in parliamentary law applies equally to clubs or

societies, as only a few of the simplest rules are usually called

for in an ordinary meeting. When the club cannot have a suitable

teacher it can carry on the work by electing a member to take

charge of the parliamentary drills. This leader should study the

course so as to be able to take the place of a teacher.

It will probably be best in all cases to follow the order of the

first four lessons, and perhaps the fifth also. But where the

time for the meeting is short it may be advisable to increase the

number of lessons. After the fifth lesson circumstances may make

it advisable to select only a few out of the remaining lessons and

omit the others, or to divide some of the lessons. The outlines as

given will serve as a basis for a scheme of lessons adapted to the

special conditions in each case.

All through the course there should constantly be drills with open

books, to enable the students to acquire facility in referring to a

desired point, since, as previously stated, this Manual is a work

of reference.

{47}Three charts, averaging 34 by 42 inches, have been prepared

and printed on cloth in large, heavy-face type that can be read

at a distance of thirty feet. If displayed during every business

meeting, they would conduce greatly to the orderly transaction of

business. They are a necessity for the teacher of parliamentary

law, and should be on the wall at every practice meeting or drill

whether there is a teacher or not. They enable each member without

referring to his book to see instantly when a motion is made

whether it is in order, whether it can be amended or debated,

whether it opens the main question to debate, whether it requires

a two-thirds vote, and what other motions may be made while it

is pending. Besides giving the order of precedence of privileged

and subsidiary motions, they show the incidental motions, the

unclassified motions mentioned on page 58, and what motions to use

to accomplish certain objects, as given on page 44.

{47} For information regarding these Charts, address Mrs. William

Anderson, 211 Eastern Avenue. Pittsburgh, Pa.

LESSON OUTLINES

I.

Organizing and Conducting Business in Mass Meetings and Permanent

Societies.

Organization, pp. 275-277.

Offering, Amending, and Adopting Resolutions, pp. 277-280.

Committee on Resolutions, pp. 280-283.

Permanent Society, 1st Meeting, pp. 284-286.

Permanent Society, 2d Meeting, pp. 286-291.

Permanent Society, Regular Meeting, pp. 291, 292.

Obtaining the Floor, etc., pp. 25-28.

Preparing, Making, and Seconding Motions and Resolutions, pp.

33-38.

II.

Debate, Stating and Putting Questions, and What Motions to Use to

Accomplish Certain Objects.

Stating the Question, p. 38.

Debate, pp. 38, 39.

Secondary Motions, p. 40.

Putting the Question and Announcing the Vote, pp. 40-43.

What Motions to Use to Accomplish Certain Objects, pp. 43-51.

[The form of making each of these motions should be explained

by the leader or teacher.]

III.

How to Find if a Motion is in Order, if it can be Debated,

Amended, or Reconsidered, and if it Requires a Second, or a ⅔

Vote, etc.

Order of Precedence of Motions, p. 5.

Table of Rules Relating to Motions, pp. 6-12.

[The order of Precedence of Motions, p. 5, should be memorized,

and the student should be able by reference to the Table of

Rules to find quickly the ruling on any of the 300 questions

decided by it.]

IV.

Definitions, and How to Find Rulings in the Manual.

Plan of the Manual, pp. 20-22.

Definitions, pp. 22-24.

Plan of the Index, p. 313.

Practice in the Use of the Entire Manual for finding Rulings or

Decisions.

V.

Amendments.

Amend, pp. 134-152.

Inserting or adding, striking out, and striking out and inserting

words, pp. 137-140.

Amendments affecting an entire paragraph, pp. 140-143.

Improper Amendments, pp. 143-146.

Motions that cannot be Amended, pp. 146, 147.

Amending Minutes, p. 148.

Filling Blanks, pp. 148-152.

VI.

Classification of Motions and Most of the Privileged Ones.

Main Motions, pp. 51-54.

Subsidiary Motions, pp. 54-56.

Incidental Motions, pp. 56, 57.

Privileged Motions, pp. 57, 58.

Certain Other Motions, p. 58.

Fix the Time to which to Adjourn, pp. 59, 60.

Adjourn, pp. 60-64.

Take a Recess, pp. 64-66.

Questions of Privilege, pp. 66-68.

VII.

Orders of the Day, and Definite and Indefinite Postponement.

Postpone Indefinitely, pp. 152, 153.

Postpone Definitely or to a Certain Time, pp. 121-125.

Call for the Orders of the Day, pp. 68-71.

General and Special Orders, pp. 71-77.

VIII.

Laying Aside a Question Temporarily, Resuming its Consideration,

and Closing and Limiting Debate.

Lay on the Table, pp. 104-111.

Take from the Table, pp. 154-156.

Previous Question, pp. 111-118.

Limit or Extend Limits of Debate, pp. 118-120.

IX.

The Motion to Commit, and Committees.

Commit, pp. 125-134.

Special and Standing Committees, pp. 211-220.

Form of their Reports, pp. 215, 216.

Form of Minority Report, p. 216.

X.

Committees (Concluded).

Reception of Committees’ Reports, pp. 220-223.

Adoption of Committees’ Reports, pp. 223-229.

Committee of the Whole, pp. 229-233.

As if in Committee of the Whole, pp. 233, 234.

Informal Consideration, pp. 234, 235.

Committees Classified, pp. 206, 207.

Boards of Managers, etc., and Executive Committees, pp. 207-210.

Ex-Officio Members of Boards and Committees, p. 210.

XI.

Reconsidering and Rescinding a Vote.

Reconsider, pp. 156-165.

Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes, pp. 165-168.

Rescind, pp. 169, 170.

XII.

Some Miscellaneous and Incidental Motions.

Renew, pp. 171-173.

Ratify, pp. 173, 174.

Dilatory and Absurd Motions, pp. 174, 175.

Incidental Motions, pp. 56, 57.

Questions of Order, pp. 78-81.

Appeal, pp. 81-83.

Suspension of the Rules, pp. 83-87.

XIII.

Incidental Motions (Concluded).

Objection to the Consideration of a Question, pp. 87-89.

Division of a Question, pp. 89-92.

Consideration by Paragraph or Seriatim, pp. 92-95.

Division of the Assembly and Other Motions relating to Voting and

the Polls, pp. 95, 96.

Motions relating to Methods of Making and to Closing and to

Reopening Nominations, pp. 96, 97.

Parliamentary Inquiry, pp. 98, 99.

Request for Information, pp. 99, 100.

To Withdraw or Modify a Motion, pp. 100, 101.

To Read Papers, pp. 101, 102.

To be Excused from a Duty, pp. 102-104.

Request for any other Privilege, p. 104.

XIV.

Debate.

Debate, pp. 39 and 178-180.

Decorum in Debate, pp. 180-182.

Closing and Preventing Debate, pp. 182-184.

Principles of Debate, pp. 184-187.

Motions that Open the Main Question to Debate, p. 187.

Undebatable Motions, p. 187.

XV.

Voting.

Voting, pp. 188-201.

Announcing the Vote, pp. 190, 191.

Voting by Ballot, pp. 193-196.

Voting by Yeas and Nays, pp. 197, 198.

General Consent, pp. 198, 199.

Voting by Mail, pp. 199, 200.

Voting by Proxy, pp. 200, 201.

Votes that are Null and Void even if Unanimous, pp. 201, 202.

Motions requiring More than a Majority Vote, pp. 202-206.

XVI.

The Officers and the Minutes.

Chairman or President, pp. 236-244.

Hints to Inexperienced Chairmen, pp. 242-244.

Secretary or Clerk, pp. 244-247.

Corresponding Secretary, p. 246.

The Minutes, pp. 247-250.

Executive Secretary, pp. 250, 251.

Treasurer, pp. 251-253.

XVII.

Nominations and Elections, and Miscellaneous.

Session, pp. 253-257.

Meeting, pp. 253-255.

Quorum, pp. 257-261.

Order of Business, pp. 261-263.

Nominations and Elections, pp. 263, 264.

[As the officers are usually elected by ballot that method of

voting (pages 193-196) should be reviewed in connection with

this lesson. The incidental motions relating to the methods

of making nominations and taking the vote and of closing and

reopening nominations and the polls (pages 95-97) should also

be reviewed in connection with this lesson.]

XVIII.

Rules of an Assembly and their Amendments.

Constitutions, pp. 264-266.

By-laws, pp. 266, 267.

Rules of Order, pp. 267, 268.

Standing Rules and their Amendment, pp. 268, 269.

Amendment of Constitutions, etc., pp. 269-273.

Amending a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution, etc., p. 272.

Review Use of Tables on pages 5-10, and Index.

INDEX

The figures refer usually to the page where the treatment of the

subject begins. The arrangement of the work can be most easily seen

by examining the Table of Contents (pp. 1-4); its plan is explained

in the Introduction (p. 20). If it is desired to find the proper

motion to use to accomplish a certain object, turn to page 44. On

pages 5-10 will be found a large amount of information about all the

motions in common use, which should be carefully studied so that

when the facts are needed they can be quickly found. On those pages

will be found, among other things, the circumstances under which any

of the common motions may be made; the motions that are in order

while a specified motion is pending; and whether a specified motion

may be debated, amended, or reconsidered, and whether it requires a

two-thirds vote, etc. In the Index under the title, “Motions, List

of,” will be found a complete list of motions. To find the details

refer to the particular motion in the Index. It is best always to

refer to general subjects first, as under them will usually be found

all the details. Look under Adjourn, Committee, Debate, Forms, Vote,

etc., for illustrations.

=Accept=, =Adopt=, or =Agree to=, 223

=Adjourn=, motion to, 60

when not privileged, 63

effect upon unfinished business, 63

not used in committee of the whole (see _Rise_), 63

motion to fix the time to which to adjourn, 59

=Amendment=, motion to amend, 134

by inserting or adding words, 137

by striking out words, 138

by striking out and inserting words, 139

by inserting or adding, or by striking out, an entire paragraph,

140

by substituting one paragraph for another 141

of an amendment, 135

of reports of committees or boards, 228

of reports or propositions containing several paragraphs, 93

of Rules of Order, By-laws, and Constitutions, 269

of Standing Rules, 268

improper amendments, 143

motions that cannot be amended, list of, 146

=Announcing the Vote=, 42, 190

=Annul=, 169

=Appeal= from the decision of the chair, 81

=Apply=, meaning of, 21

=Assembly=, how organized and how business is conducted in, 275

the word to be replaced by Society, Club, etc., when it occurs in

forms of questions, 22

division of the, 95

right to punish members, 299

right to eject persons from its room, 299

trial of members, 302

=Ballot=, voting by, 193

blanks not counted, 195

nominating or informal ballot, 263

form of report of vote by, 196

=Blanks=, filling of, 148

in balloting not to be counted, 195

=Boards of Trustees, Managers, or Directors=, 207

rules of procedure in, 208

reports of, and their amendment, 209

reports of, treated as reports of standing committees, 262

(See _Quorum_)

=Business=, how introduced, 25

how conducted, 25-42, 275-298

to change order of is undebatable and requires a two-thirds vote,

85

priority of, questions relating to are undebatable, 187

unfinished, 63

=By-laws=, what they should contain, 266

adoption of, 287, 288

amendment of, 269

suspension of, 267

=Call of the House=, 175

=Call to Order=, 80

=Chairman=, etc. (presiding officer), mode of address, 27

duties of, 236

election of, 276, 289

temporary, or _pro tem._, 240

right to vote when it affects result, 238

of a committee, 211

of committee of the whole, 230

inexperienced, hints to, 242

=Charts=, description of, 307

=Clerk=, (see _Secretary_), 244

=Close Debate= now (see _Previous Question_), 111

at a future time, 118

=Commit=, motion to, 125

forms of the motion, 130

=Committees=, Executive, and Boards, 207

ex-officio members of, 210

of the whole, 229

as if in committee of the whole, 233

=Committees=, _Special and Standing_, 211

distinction between special and standing, 211

object of, 130

appointment of, 128

of whom they should be composed, 131, 132

proper size of, 132

chairman of, 131

reporting member of, 220

quorum in, consists of a majority, 259

manner of conducting business in, 213

to discharge, 132

_Reports of_, their form, 215

their reception, 220

their amendment, 228

their adoption or acceptance, 223

their place in the order of business, 262

common errors in acting upon, 222

_Minority Reports or Views of_, their form, 216

cannot be acted upon unless moved as a substitute for the

committee’s (majority’s) report, 216

=Congress=, Rules of, the basis of this work, 20

(Rules of, to be found in footnotes when different from those given

in text)

=Consent, unanimous or general=, 202

can be given only when a quorum is present, 259

=Consideration of a Question, objection to=, 87

=Constitutions=, what they should contain, 265

adoption of, 287

amendment of, 269

cannot be suspended, 85

=Convention=, organizing and conducting a meeting of a, 292, 296

=Credentials= of delegates, 293

=Debate=, 38, 178

what precedes, 26

no member to speak but twice on same day in same, 39

no speech to be longer than ten minutes, 39

number and length of speeches in Congress (Note), 178

member reporting measure has right to close, 179

_undebatable questions_, list of, 187

motions that open the main question to, 187

principles regulating the extent of, 184

decorum in, 180

to close now (Previous Question), 111

to close at future time, 118

to limit or extend limits of, 118

two-thirds vote required to close, limit, or extend, 205

=Decorum= in Debate, 180

=Definitions= of various terms, 22

=Delegates=, organization of a meeting of, 292, 296

credentials of, 293

=Dilatory Motions= not permitted, 174

=Disorderly words= in debate, 181

=Division= of the assembly, 95

of the question, 89

=Duties of Officers= (see _Chairman_, _Secretary_, _Executive

Secretary_ and _Treasurer_)

=Ecclesiastical Tribunals=, legal rights of, 300

=Eject= persons from the room, right of assembly to, 299

=Elections=, 263

=Errors=, common, 222

=Executive Board=, 207

=Executive Committee=, 207

=Executive Secretary=, 250

=Ex-officio= members of boards and committees, 210

=Expulsion of members= requires a ⅔ vote, 303

=Expunge=, 170

=Extend the limits of debate=, 118

=Filling blanks=, 148

=Fix the time to which to Adjourn=, motion to, 59

when not privileged, 59

=Floor=, how to obtain, 27

necessary to obtain, in order to make a motion, 27

=Forms of= making motions, 33

a resolution, 34, 35

a preamble, 35

stating questions, 38

putting questions, 40

announcing the result of a vote, 41

tellers’ report of vote by ballot, 196

acting on reports of committees, 220, 223

acting on reports or resolutions containing several paragraphs, 92

reports of committees, 215

treasurers’ reports, 252

minutes of a meeting, 248

(Under each motion the form of making it and of stating and putting

the question is given if the form is peculiar)

=General Consent=, 202

=Hints to Inexperienced Chairmen=, 242

=House, Call of the=, 175

=Immediately pending question=, meaning of, 23

=Incidental= motions or questions, 56

main motions or questions, 52

=Indecorum=, leave to continue speaking after, 80

=Indefinite postponement=, 152

=Informal consideration= of a question, 234

=Information, Request for=, 93

=Introduction of Business=, 25

=Inquiry, Parliamentary=, 98

=Journal= (see _Minutes_), 247

=Lay on the table=, motion to, 104

=Leave= to continue speaking after indecorum, 80

modify or withdraw a motion, 100

read papers, 101

be excused from a duty, 102

=Legal Rights= (see _Assembly_ and _Ecclesiastical Tribunals_)

=Lesson Outlines=, 308

=Limit debate=, motion to, 118

=Main= motions or questions, 51

incidental main motions or questions, 52

=Majority=, defined, 24, 202

=Meeting=, distinction between it and Session, 254

how to conduct an occasional or mass meeting, 275

how to conduct a meeting to organize a society, 284

how to conduct a regular meeting of a society, 291

how to conduct a meeting of delegates (a convention), 292

=Members= not to be present during a debate concerning themselves, 182

not to vote on questions personal to themselves, 192

trial of, 302

not to be expelled by less than a ⅔ vote, 303

=Minority Report, or Views= (see _Committees_), 216

=Minutes=, form and contents of, 248

correction of before adoption, 147

correction of after adoption, 148, 159

=Moderator= (see _Chairman_), 27

=Modification= of a motion by the mover, 100

=Motions, list of= (for details see each motion in the Index)

accept a report, 223

adjourn, 60

adjourn, fix the time to which to, 59

add words (see _Amendment_), 137

add a paragraph (see _Amendment_), 140

adopt a report (same as Accept), 223

agree to (same as Adopt), 223

amend, 134

annul, 169

appeal, 81

blanks, filling, 148

call to order, 80

close debate now (previous question), 111

close debate at a future time, 118

commit, or refer, or recommit, 125

consideration of a question, objection to, 87

divide the assembly, 95

divide the question, 89

expunge, 170

extend the limits of debate, 118

fix the time to which to adjourn, 59

incidental motions or questions, 56

incidental main motions or questions, 52

indefinitely postpone, 152

informal consideration of a question, 234

insert words (see _Amendment_), 137

insert a paragraph (see _Amendment_), 140

lay on the table, 104

leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum, 80

leave to read papers, 101

leave to be excused from a duty, 102

leave to withdraw or modify a motion, 100

limit debate, 118

main motions or questions, 51

objection to the consideration of a question, 87

order, questions of, 78

order, to make a special, 73, 124

orders of the day, call for, 68

permission, to grant (see _Leave_)

postpone to a certain time, or definitely, 121

postpone indefinitely, 152

previous question, 111

principal (same as Main) motions or questions, 51

priority of business, questions relating to, 187

privileged motions or questions, 57

privilege, questions of, 66

reading papers, 101

reception of a report (see _Committees_), 220

recommit (same as Commit), 125

reconsider, 156

reconsider and enter on the minutes, 165

refer (same as Commit), 125

renewal of a motion, 171

rescind, repeal, or annul, 169

rise (in committee of the whole equals adjourn), 63, 231

special order, to make a, 73, 124

strike out words (see _Amendment_), 138

strike out a paragraph, 140

strike out and insert words (see _Amendment_), 139

strike out and insert a paragraph (same as Substitute), 141

subsidiary motions or questions, 54

substitute (one form of _Amendment_, which see), 141

suspension of the rules, 83

take from the table, 154

take up a question out of its proper order, 85, 86

withdrawal of a motion, 100

=Motions=, Table of rules relating to, 6

order of precedence of, 5

classified according to their object, 44

classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc., 51-58

how to be made, 33

a second required (with certain exceptions), 36

to be stated by chairman before being discussed, 38

when to be in writing, 34

how to be divided, 89

how to be modified by the mover, 100

how to be stated, 38

how to be put to the question, 40

that are in order when another has the floor, 32

that do not require a second, 37

that cannot be amended, 146

that cannot be debated, 187

that cannot be reconsidered, 158

that open main question to debate, 187

that require ⅔ vote for their adoption, 205

that are null and void even if adopted unanimously, 201

dilatory, absurd, or frivolous, not allowed, 174

=Nominating Ballot=, 263

=Nominations=, how treated, 96, 263, 276

closing and reopening, 97

seconding, 263

=Numbers of paragraphs=, clerk to correct without a vote, 148

=Objection to consideration= [introduction] of a question, 87

=Obtaining the floor=, 27

=Officers of an assembly= (see _Chairman_, _Secretary_, _Treasurer_,

and _Vice President_), 277

election of, 276

temporary, or pro tem., 240

=Order=, questions of and a call to, 78

of business, 261

of the day, 71

general, 72

special, 73

of precedence of motions, 5

=Organization= of an occasional or mass meeting, 275

of a semi-permanent mass meeting, 283

of a permanent society, 284

of a convention or assembly of delegates, 292, 296

=Papers and Documents=, reading of, 101

in custody of secretary, 245

=Parliamentary Inquiry=, 98

=Parliamentary Law=, its origin, etc., 15

=Pending question=, meaning of, 23

immediately pending question, meaning of, 23

=Plan for Study of Parliamentary Law=, 305

=Plan of the Manual=, 20

=Plurality Vote= defined, 24

=Postpone to a certain time=, 121

indefinitely, 152

=Preamble=, form of, 35

considered after the resolution, 94

=Precedence of motions=, order of, 5

meaning of, 21

=President= or Presiding Officer (see _Chairman_), 236

=Previous Question=, 111

=Principal=, or Main, Motion or Question, 51

=Priority of Business=, questions relating to, 187

=Privilege=, questions of, 66

=Privileged= Motions or Questions, 57

=Program= of a meeting (same as Orders of the Day), 74

=Proxy Voting=, 200

=Putting the question=, form of, 40

=Questions= (see _Forms_, _Motions_, _Privilege_, _Privileged_,

_Order_, _Stating_, and _Putting_)

=Quorum=, 257

when there is no rule, consists of a majority, 258

committees and boards cannot decide upon, 259

in Congress and Parliament, 261

=Reading of Papers=, 101

=Reception= of a Report (see _Committees_), 220

=Recess=, to take a, 64

=Recommit= (see _Commit_), 125, 130

=Reconsider=, 156

motions that cannot be reconsidered, 158

=Reconsider and have entered on the minutes=, 165

=Record=, or Minutes, 247

=Recording Officer= (see _Secretary_), 244

=Refer= (same as Commit), 125

=Renewal= of a motion, 171

=Reporting member= of a committee, defined, 220

=Reports= of committees (see _Committees_)

=Requests= of any kind, 97

=Rescind=, 169

=Resolutions=, forms of, 34, 35

not in order if conflicting with Constitution, By-laws, Rules of

Order, or Standing Rules, 201, 269

=Restore to membership or office=, 170

=Rights= of assemblies (see _Assembly_), 299

of ecclesiastical tribunals, 300

=Rise=, motion to, in committee equals adjourn, 63, 231

=Rules= of Debate (see _Debate_), 38, 178

of Order, what they should contain, 267

of Order, amendment of, 269

of Order, suspension of, 83

Standing, what they should contain, 268

Standing, amendment or suspension of, 268

relating to motions, Table of, 6

=Seconding=, motions that do not require, 37

=Secretary=, duties of, 244

election of, 276

corresponding, 246

executive, 250

=Seriatim Consideration=, 92

=Session=, 253

=Speaking, Rules= of (see _Debate_), 38, 178

=Special Order=, 73

=Standing Rules=, 268

=Stating a Question=, form of, 38

=Strike out= (see _Amendment_), 138, 140

=Students, Suggestions to=, 205

=Subsidiary= Motions or Questions, 54

=Substitute= (see _Amendment_), 141

=Sum=, largest put first, 149

=Suspension= of the Constitution, 265

of By-laws, 267

of Rules, 83

of Standing Rules, 268

=Table of Rules= relating to motions, 6

=Table=, motion to lay on the, 104

motion to take from the, 154

=Teachers, Suggestions to=, 305

=Tellers=, 195

report of, 196

=Time=, longest, or most distant, first put, 149

=Treasurer=, duties of, 251

=Trial= of Members, 302

=Two-thirds vote=, motions requiring, 205

various kinds of, explained, 204

principles regulating, 204

=Unanimous Consent=, 202

=Undebatable Motions or Questions=, 187

=Unfinished Business=, effect of adjournment upon, 63

its place in the order of business, 262

=Vice Presidents=, 242

honorary, 267

=Vote=, 188

putting the question, 40

viva voce, or by voice, 188

by show of hands, 189

by rising, 189

by ballot, 193

by yeas and nays, 197

by general consent, 198, 202

proxy voting, 200

voting by mail, 199

division, 95

chairman entitled to, when it affects result, 192

change of, permitted before result is announced, 193

announcing the, 42, 190

effect of a tie, 192

authorizing secretary to cast unanimous ballot, 194

declaring vote unanimous when it is not, 194, 203

personal interests that debar one’s voting, 192

definitions of plurality, majority, and two-thirds, 21

motions requiring more than a majority, 202

motions requiring ⅔, list of, 205

different kinds of ⅔, 204

=Whole, Committee of the=, 229

=Withdrawal of a Motion=, 100

=Yeas and Nays=, voting by, 197

=Yields=, meaning of, 21

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE

The index was not checked for proper alphabetization or correct

page references.

Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been

corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within

the text and consultation of external sources.

Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, when

a predominant preference was found in the original book.

Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text,

and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.

Pg 227: “comclusions” replaced with “conclusions”.