,,transcriber',s ,,note ,italic text is denoted by underscores4 ,bold text is denoted by equal signs4 ,footnote anchors are denoted by number1 and the footnotes have been placed at the end of the related paragraph4 ,numbers in brackets number are references to the section of that number4 ,some minor changes to the text are noted at the end of the book4 ,,robert',s ,,rules ,,of ,,order ,,revised ,,for ,,deliberative ,,assemblies ,,part ,i ,,rules ,,of ,,order ,a ,,compendium ,,of ,,parliamentary ,,law1 ,,based ,,upon ,,the ,,rules ,,and ,,practice ,,of ,,congress ,,part ,,ii ,,organization ,,and ,,conduct ,,of ,,business ,a ,,simple ,,explanation ,,of ,,the ,,methods ,,of ,,organizing ,,and ,,conducting ,,the ,,business ,,of ,,societies1 ,,conventions1 ,,and ,,other ,,deliberative ,,assemblies ,,by ,,general ,,henry ,m4 ,,robert ,u4 ,s4 ,,army ,,inclusive ,,of ,,robert',s ,,rules ,,of ,,order ,,seven ,,hundred ,,and ,,twenty-,,second ,,thousand ,,scott1 ,,foresman ,,and ,,company ,,chicago ,,atlanta ,,new ,,york ,,copyright1 #aiae ,,by ,,henry ,m4 ,,robert ,all ,rights ,reserved ,copyrights of the ,pocket ,manual of ,rules of ,order 7,robert's ,rules of ,order7 ,copyright1 #ahgf1 #ahic1 #aijd1 #aiah1 #aiba ,by ,h4 ,m4 ,,robert ,,table ,,of ,,contents ,,page ,order of ,precedence of ,motions #e ,table of ,rules ,relating to ,motions #f ,preface #ac ,introduction4 ,parliamentary ,law #ae ,plan of the ,work #bj ,definitions #bb ,part ,i4--,rules of ,order4 ,art4 ,i4--,how ,business is ,conducted in ,deliberative ,assemblies4 #a4 ,introduction of ,business #be #b4 ,what ,precedes ,debate #bf #c4 ,obtaining the ,floor #bg #d4 ,motions and ,resolutions #cc #e4 ,seconding ,motions #cf #f4 ,stating the ,question #ch #g4 ,debate #ch #h4 ,secondary ,motions #dj #i4 ,putting the ,question and ,announcing the ,vote #dj #aj4 ,proper ,motions to ,use to ,accomplish ,certain ,objects #dc ,art4 ,,ii4--,general ,classification of ,motions4 #aa4 ,main or ,principal ,motions #ea #ab4 ,subsidiary ,motions #ed #ac4 ,incidental ,motions #ef #ad4 ,privileged ,motions #eg #ae4 ,some ,main and ,unclassified ,motions #eh ,art4 ,,iii4--,privileged ,motions4 #af4 ,fix the ,time to which the ,assembly shall ,adjourn #ei #ag4 ,adjourn #fj #ah4 ,take a ,recess #fd #ai4 ,questions of ,privilege #ff #bj4 ,general and ,special ,orders and a ,call for the ,orders of the ,day #fh ,art4 ,,iv4--,incidental ,motions4 #ba4 ,questions of ,order and ,appeal #gh #bb4 ,suspension of the ,rules #hc #bc4 ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question #hg #bd4 ,division of a ,question1 and ,consideration by ,paragraph or ,seriatim #hi #be4 ,division of the ,assembly1 and ,motions relating to ,methods of ,voting1 or to ,closing or ,reopening the ,polls #ie #bf4 ,motions relating to ,methods of ,making1 or to ,closing or to ,reopening ,nominations #if #bg4 ,requests growing out of ,business ,pending or that has just been pending1 as1 a ,parliamentary ,inquiry1 a ,request for ,information1 for ,leave to ,withdraw a4 ,motion1 to ,read ,papers1 to be ,excused from a ,duty1 or for any other ,privilege #ig ,art4 ,v4--,subsidiary ,motions4 #bh4 ,lay on the ,table #ajd #bi4 ,the ,previous ,question #aaa #cj4 ,limit or ,extend ,limits of ,debate #aah #ca4 ,postpone ,definitely1 or to a ,certain ,time #aba #cb4 ,commit or ,refer1 or ,recommit #abe #cc4 ,amend #acd #cd4 ,postpone ,indefinitely #aeb ,art4 ,,vi4--,some ,main and ,unclassified ,motions4 #ce4 ,take from the ,table #aed #cf4 ,reconsider #aef #cg4 ,rescind #afi #ch4 ,renewal of a ,motion #aga #ci4 ,ratify #agc #dj4 ,dilatory1 ,absurd1 or ,frivolous ,motions #agd #da4 ,call of the ,house #age ,art4 ,,vii4--,debate4 #db4 ,debate #agh #dc4 ,decorum in ,debate #ahj #dd4 ,closing and ,preventing ,debate #ahb #de4 ,principles of ,debate and ,undebatable ,motions #ahd ,art4 ,,viii4--,vote4 #df4 ,voting #ahh #dg4 ,votes that are ,null and ,void even if ,unanimous #bja #dh4 ,motions requiring more than a ,majority ,vote #bjb ,art4 ,,ix4--,committees and ,boards4 #di4 ,committees ,classified #bjf #ej4 ,boards of ,managers1 etc41 and ,executive ,committees #bjg #ea4 ,ex-,officio ,members of ,boards and ,committees #baj #eb4 ,committees1 ,special and ,standing #baa #ec4 ,reception of ,reports #bbj #ed4 ,adoption or ,acceptance of ,reports #bbc #ee4 ,committee of the ,whole #bbi #ef4 ,as if in ,committee of the ,whole #bcc #eg4 ,informal ,consideration #bcd ,art4 ,x4--,the ,officers and the ,minutes4 #eh4 ,chairman or ,president #bcf #ei4 ,secretary or ,clerk #bdd #fj4 ,the ,minutes #bdg #fa4 ,executive ,secretary #bej #fb4 ,treasurer #bea ,art4 ,,xi4--,miscellaneous4 #fc4 ,session #bec #fd4 ,quorum #beg #fe4 ,order of ,business #bfa #ff4 ,nominations and ,elections #bfc #fg4 ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order1 and ,standing ,rules #bfd #fh4 ,amendments of ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 and ,rules of ,order #bfi ,part ,,ii4--,organization1 ,meetings1 and ,legal ,rights of ,assemblies4 ,art4 ,,xii4--,organization and ,meetings4 #fi4 ,an ,occasional or ,mass ,meeting4 7a7 ,organization #bge 7b7 ,adoption of ,resolutions #bgg 7c7 ,committee to draft ,resolutions #bhj 7d7 ,semi-,permanent ,mass ,meeting #bhc #gj4 ,a ,permanent ,society4 7a7 ,first ,meeting #bhd 7b7 ,second ,meeting #bhf 7c7 ,regular ,meeting #bia #ga4 ,meeting of a ,convention4 7a7 ,an ,organized ,convention #bib 7b7 ,a ,convention not yet ,organized #bif ,art4 ,,xiii4--,legal ,rights of ,assemblies and ,trial of ,their ,members4 #gb4 ,right of an ,assembly to ,punish its ,members #bii #gc4 ,right of an ,assembly to ,eject any one from its ,place of ,meeting #bii #gd4 ,rights of ,ecclesiastical ,tribunals #cjj #ge4 ,trial of ,members of ,societies #cjb ,plan for ,study of ,parliamentary ,law4 ,introduction #cje ,lesson ,outlines #cjh ,index #cac ,,order ,,of ,,precedence ,,of ,,motions4 ,the ordinary motions rank as follows1 the lowest in rank being at the bottom and the highest at the top of the list4 ,when any one of them is immediately pending the motions above it in the list are in order1 and those below are out of order4 ,those marked 77 require a vote for their adoption3 the others require only a majority4 ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn 7when privileged74#ab ,adjourn 7when privileged74#b ,take a ,recess 7when privileged74#ab ,privileged#b ,raise a ,question of ,privilege4 ,undebatable ,call for the ,orders of the ,day4 ,lay on the ,table4 ,previous ,question 774 ,limit or ,extend ,limits of ,debate 774#a ,postpone to a ,certain ,time4#a ,subsidary ,commit or ,refer4#a ,debatable ,amend4#a ,postpone ,indefinitely4 ,a ,main ,motion4#a #a ,can be amended3 the others cannot be amended4 #b ,the first three motions are not always privileged4 ,to ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn is privileged only when made while another question is pending1 and in an assembly that has made no provision for another meeting on the same or the next day4 ,to ,adjourn loses its privileged character and is a main motion if in any way qualified1 or if its effect1 if adopted1 is to dissolve the assembly without any provision for its meeting again4 ,to ,take a ,recess is privileged only when made while other business is pending4 ,,table ,,of ,,rules ,,relating ,,to ,,motions ,answering #cjj ,questions in ,parliamentary ,practice ,section in ,rules of ,order1 ,revised4 ,explanation of the ,table4--,the rules at the head of the #h columns apply to all original main motions1 and to all other cases except where a star 77 or a figure indicates that the motion is an exception to these rules4 ,the star shows that the exact opposite of the rule at the head of the column applies to the motion1 and a figure refers to a note which explains the extent of the exception4 ,for example1 8,lay on the ,table02 the ,table shows that #bh of the ,manual treats of this motion2 that it is 8undebatable0 and 8cannot be amended02 that 8no subsidiary motion can be applied0 to it2 and that it 8cannot be reconsidered02--the fact that the #d other columns have no stars or figures shows that the3 rules at the head of these columns apply to this motion1 to ,lay on the ,table1 the same as to original main motions4 ,see pages #aa and #ab for a fuller explanation4 ,debatable4 ,debate ,confined to ,pending ,question4 ,can be ,amended4 ,subsidiary ,motion can be ,applied4 ,can be ,reconsidered4 ,requires only a ,majority ,vote4 ,must be ,seconded4 ,out of ,order when ,another has ,floor4 ---------------------------------------- --------------- #ag ,adjourn 7when privileged7 #a -- -- -- -- #ed ,adopt 7,accept or ,agree to7 a ,report -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #fg ,adopt ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order -- -- -- -- #b -- -- -- #fg ,adopt ,standing ,rules -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #cc ,amend #c #d -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #cc ,amend an ,amendment #d -- -- -- -- -- -- #fh ,amend ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order -- -- -- -- #b #e -- -- #fg ,amend ,standing ,rules -- -- -- -- -- #f -- -- #ba ,appeal1 relating to ,indecorum1 etc4 #g -- -- -- -- -- #ba ,appeal1 all other cases -- -- -- -- -- -- #cc ,blanks1 ,filling -- -- -- -- -- -- #cb ,commit or ,refer1 or ,recommit -- -- -- -- #h -- -- -- #cj ,debate1 to ,close1 ,limit1 or ,extend #i -- -- -- -- -- -- #be ,division of the ,assembly -- -- #bd ,division of the ,question -- -- -- -- #aj #aj #af ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn #a #aa -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #eg ,informal ,consideration of a ,question -- -- -- #b -- -- -- #bh ,lay on the ,table -- -- -- -- #ba ,leave to ,continue ,speaking after ,indecorum -- -- -- -- -- #aa ,main ,motion or ,question -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bf ,nominations1 to ,make -- -- -- -- -- #bf ,nominations1 to ,close -- -- -- -- -- #bf ,nominations1 to ,reopen -- -- -- #b -- -- -- #bc ,objection to ,consideration of a ,question -- #b #ab #ba ,order1 ,questions of -- -- #bj ,order1 to ,make a ,special -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bj ,orders of the ,day1 to ,call for -- -- #bj ,order of the ,day1 when pending -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bg ,parliamentary ,inquiry -- -- #ca ,postpone ,definitely1 or to a ,certain ,time -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #cd ,postpone ,indefinitely -- -- #ac -- -- -- #bi ,previous ,question #ad -- #ae -- -- #ai ,privilege1 to ,raise ,questions of -- -- #ai ,privilege1 ,questions of1 when pending -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bg ,reading ,paper -- -- -- -- -- #ah ,recess1 to ,take a 7when privileged7 #a #aa -- -- -- -- -- -- #cf ,reconsider #af #d #ag -- -- -- #cg ,rescind or ,repeal -- -- -- #b #ah -- -- #cc ,substitute 7same as ,amend7 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bb ,suspend the ,rules -- -- -- #ce ,take from the ,table -- -- -- -- #bb ,take up a ,question out of its ,proper ,order -- -- -- #be ,voting1 ,motions relating to -- -- -- -- -- -- -- #bg ,withdraw a ,motion1 ,leave to -- #b -- -- ---------------------------------------- --------------- ,,notes ,,to ,,table #a ,see last footnote on page #e4 #b ,an affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered4 #c ,an ,amendment may be made 7a7 by inserting 7or adding7 words or paragraphs2 7b7 by striking out words or paragraphs2 7c7 by striking out certain words and inserting others2 or 7d7 by substituting one or more paragraphs for others1 or an entire resolution for another1 on the same subject4 #d ,undebatable when the motion to be amended or reconsidered is undebatable4 #e ,constitutions1 ,by-,laws1 and ,rules of ,order before adoption are in every respect main motions and may be amended by majority vote4 ,after adoption they require previous notice and vote for amendment4 #f ,standing ,rules may be amended at any time by a majority vote if previous notice has been given1 or by a vote without notice4 #g ,an ,appeal is undebatable only when made while an undebatable question is pending1 or when relating to indecorum1 or to transgressions of the rules of speaking1 or to the priority of business4 ,when debatable1 only one speech from each member is permitted4 ,on a tie vote the decision of the chair is sustained4 #h ,cannot be reconsidered after the committee has taken up the subject1 but by vote the committee at any time may be discharged from further consideration of the question4 #i ,these motions may be moved whenever the immediately pending question is debatable1 and they apply only to it1 unless otherwise specified4 #aj ,if resolutions or propositions relate to different subjects which are independent of each other1 they must be divided on the request of a single member1 which can be made when another has the floor4 ,if they relate to the same subject and yet each part can stand alone1 they may be divided only on a regular motion and vote4 #aa ,undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly4 #ab ,the objection can be made only when the question is first introduced1 before debate4 ,a vote must be opposed to the consideration in order to sustain the objection4 #ac ,a negative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered4 #ad ,the ,previous ,question may be moved whenever the immediately pending question is debatable or amendable4 ,the questions upon which it is moved should be specified2 if not specified1 it applies only to the immediately pending question4 ,if adopted it cuts off debate and at once brings the assembly to a vote on the immediately pending question and such others as are specified in the motion4 #ae ,cannot be reconsidered after a vote has been taken under it4 #af ,the motion to reconsider can be made while any other question is before the assembly1 and even while another has the floor1 or after it has been voted to adjourn1 provided the assembly has not been declared adjourned4 ,it can be moved only on the day1 or the day after1 the vote which it is proposed to reconsider was taken1 and by one who voted with the prevailing side4 ,its consideration cannot interrupt business unless the motion to be reconsidered takes precedence of the immediately pending question4 ,its rank is the same as that of the motion to be reconsidered1 except that it takes precedence of a general order1 or of a motion of equal rank with the motion to be reconsidered1 provided their consideration has not actually begun4 #ag ,opens to debate main question when latter is debatable4 #ah ,rescind is under the same rules as to amend something already adopted4 ,see notes #b1 #e1 and #f1 above4 ,,additional ,,rules ,incidental ,motions4 ,motions that are incidental to pending motions take precedence of them and must be acted upon first4 ,see #ac for list of these motions4 ,no privileged or subsidiary motion can be laid on the table1 postponed definitely or indefinitely1 or committed4 ,when the main question is laid on the table1 etc41 all adhering subsidiaries go with it4 ,,explanation ,,of ,,the ,,table ,,of ,,rules ,,relating ,,to ,,motions4 ,every one expecting to take an active part in meetings of a deliberative assembly should become sufficiently familiar with the ,order of ,precedence of ,motions1 page #e1 and the ,table of ,rules1 pages #f-aj1 to be able to refer to them quickly4 ,this familiarity can only be acquired by actual practice in referring to these tables and finding the rulings on the various points covered by them in regard to various motions4 ,these six pages contain an epitome of parliamentary law4 ,the ,order of ,precedence of ,motions should be committed to memory1 as it contains all of the privileged and subsidiary motions1 #ab in number1 arranged in their order of rank1 and shows in regard to each motion whether it can be debated or amended1 and what vote it requires1 and under what circumstances it can be made4 ,in the ,table of ,rules the headings to the #h columns are rules or principles which are applicable to all original main motions1 and should be memorized4 ,they are as follows3 7#a7 ,original ,main ,motions are debatable2 7#b7 debate must be confined to the immediately pending question2 7#c7 they can be amended2 7#d7 all subsidiary motions can be applied to them2 7#e7 they can be reconsidered2 7#f7 they require only a majority vote for their adoption2 7#g7 they must be seconded2 and 7#h7 they are not in order when another has the floor4 ,whenever any of the #dd motions in the ,table differs from a main motion in regard to any of these rules1 the exception is indicated by a star 77 or a figure in the proper column opposite that motion4 ,a star shows that the exact opposite of the rule at the head of the column applies to the motion4 ,a figure refers to a note which explains the extent of the exception4 ,a blank shows that the rule at the head of the column applies1 and therefore that the motion is in this respect exactly like a main motion4 ,some of the motions are followed by figures not in the columns3 these figures refer to notes giving useful information in regard to these motions4 ,the ,table of ,rules is constructed upon the theory that it is best to learn the general principles of parliamentary law as applied to original main motions1 and then to note in what respects each other motion is an exception to these general rules4 ,thus1 the motion to postpone definitely1 or to a certain time1 has no stars or figures opposite it1 and therefore it is subject to all of the above #h rules the same as any main motion3 to postpone indefinitely has two stars and the number #ac opposite to it1 showing that the rules at the head of these three columns do not apply to this motion4 ,the first star shows that debate is not confined to the motion to postpone indefinitely1 but that the main motion is also open to debate2 the second star shows that the motion to postpone indefinitely cannot be amended2 and the number #ac refers to a note which shows that a negative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered4 ,as has previously been stated1 a star shows that the motion1 instead of being subject to the rule at the head of the column1 is subject to a rule exactly the reverse4 ,stars in the various columns1 therefore1 mean that the motions are subject to the following rules3 7#a7 undebatable2 7#b7 opens main question to debate2 7#c7 cannot be amended2 7#d7 no subsidiary motion can be applied2 7#e7 cannot be reconsidered2 7#f7 requires a two-thirds vote2 7#g7 does not require to be seconded2 and 7#h7 in order when another has the floor4 ,,preface4 ,a work on parliamentary law is needed1 based1 in its general principles1 upon the rules and practice of ,congress1 but adapted1 in its details1 to the use of ordinary societies4 ,such a work should give not only the methods of organizing and conducting meetings1 the duties of officers1 and names of ordinary motions1 but also a systematic statement in reference to each motion1 as to its object and effect2 whether it can be amended or debated2 if debatable1 the extent to which it opens the main question to debate2 the circumstances under which it can be made1 and what other motions can be made while it is pending4 ,robert's ,rules of ,order 7published in #ahgf1 slight additions being made in #ahic7 was prepared with a hope of supplying the above information in a condensed and systematic form1 each rule being complete in itself1 or giving references to every section that in any way qualifies it1 so that a stranger to the work can refer to any special subject with safety4 ,the fact that during these thirty-nine years a half million copies of these ,rules have been published would indicate that there is a demand for a work of this kind4 ,but the constant inquiries from all sections of the country for information concerning proceedings in deliberative assemblies that is not contained in ,rules of ,order1 seems to demand a revision and enlargement of the manual4 ,to meet this want1 the work has been thoroughly revised and enlarged1 and1 to avoid confusion with the old ,rules1 is published under the title of 8,robert's ,rules of ,order ,revised40 ,the object of ,rules of ,order is to assist an assembly to accomplish in the best possible manner the work for which it was designed4 ,to do this it is necessary to restrain the individual somewhat1 as the right of an individual1 in any community1 to do what he pleases1 is incompatible with the interests of the whole4 ,where there is no law1 but every man does what is right in his own eyes1 there is the least of real liberty4 ,experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the law2 and in this country1 where customs are so slightly established and the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting1 no society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some work upon the subject as the authority in all cases not covered by its own special rules4 ,while it is important that an assembly has good rules1 it is more important that it be not without some rules to govern its proceedings4 ,it is much more important1 for instance1 that an assembly has a rule determining the rank of the motion to postpone indefinitely1 than that it gives this motion the highest rank of all subsidiary motions except to lay on the table1 as in the ,u4 ,s4 ,senate2 or gives it the lowest rank1 as in the ,u4 ,s4 ,house of ,representatives2 or gives it equal rank with the previous question1 to postpone definitely1 and to commit1 so that if one is pending none of the others may be moved1 as under the old parliamentary law4 ,this has been well expressed by one of the greatest of ,english writers on parliamentary law3 8,whether these forms be in all cases the most rational or not is really not of so great importance4 ,it is much more material that there should be a rule to go by than what that rule is2 that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business1 not subject to the caprice of the chairman or captiousness of the members4 ,it is very material that order1 decency1 and regularity be preserved in a dignified public body40 ,h4 ,m4 ,r4 ,february1 #aiae4 ,,introduction4 ,,parliamentary ,,law4 ,parliamentary ,law refers originally to the customs and rules for conducting business in the ,english ,parliament2 and thence to the usages of deliberative assemblies in general4 ,in ,england these usages of ,parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land1 and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents4 ,but as a people we have not the respect which the ,english have for customs and precedents1 and are always ready for such innovations as we think are improvements2 hence changes have been and are constantly being made in the written rules which our legislative bodies have found best to adopt4 ,as each house adopts its own rules1 the result is that the two houses of the same legislature do not always agree in their practice2 even in ,congress the order of precedence of motions is not the same in both houses1 and the previous question is admitted in the ,house of ,representatives but not in the ,senate4 ,as a consequence of this1 the exact method of conducting business in any particular legislative body is to be obtained only from the ,legislative ,manual of that body4 ,the vast number of societies--political1 literary1 scientific1 benevolent1 and religious--formed all over the land1 though not legislative1 are deliberative in character1 and must have some system of conducting business and some rules to govern their proceedings1 and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law where it does not conflict with their own special rules4 ,but as their knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this country1 rather than from the customs of ,parliament1 it has resulted that these societies have followed in part the customs of our own legislative bodies1 and our people have thus been educated under a system of parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country1 and yet so well established as to supersede the ,english parliamentary law as the common law of ordinary deliberative assemblies4 ,the practice of the ,national ,house of ,representatives should have the same force in this country as the usages of the ,house of ,commons have in ,england1 in determining the general principles of the common parliamentary law of the land1 were it not for the fact that while the ,english ,parliament has continued to be a strictly deliberative assembly1 the business of our ,house of ,representatives has grown so enormously that it has been obliged to make such changes in its rules and practice as will allow the majority to suppress the debate1 if there has been previous debate1 and if there has been none1 to limit the debate to forty minutes2 and also to suppress a question for the session even without any debate4 ,these deviations from the old parliamentary law1 while necessary in the ,house of ,representatives1 are in violation of the fundamental right of a deliberative assembly to have questions thoroughly discussed before it is called upon to take action upon them1 unless a large majority1 at least two-thirds1 is prepared to act at once4 ,in ordinary deliberative assemblies the right to debate questions before taking final action upon them should never be suppressed by less than a two-thirds vote1 and the motion to lay on the table should be used only for its legitimate parliamentary purpose of laying aside a question temporarily4 ,where the practice of ,congress differs from that of ,parliament1 the common law of this country usually follows the practice of ,congress4 ,thus1 in every ,american deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting business1 the motion to adjourn1 when it does not dissolve the assembly1 would be decided to be undebatable1 as in ,congress1 the ,english parliamentary law to the contrary notwithstanding2 so if the previous question were negatived1 the debate upon the subject would continue1 as in ,congress1 whereas in ,parliament the subject would be immediately dismissed2 so1 too1 the previous question could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to commit1 or to postpone definitely or indefinitely1 just as in ,congress1 notwithstanding that1 according to ,english parliamentary law1 the previous question could not be moved under such circumstances4 ,the old common parliamentary law gives the same rank to the motions for the previous question1 to postpone definitely1 to commit1 and to postpone indefinitely1 so that no one of them can be moved while another one of them is pending2 the ,house makes them rank in the order just named2 while the ,senate does not admit the motion for the previous question1 and makes to postpone indefinitely outrank all the others4 ,the practice of the ,house in this matter establishes the parliamentary law of this country1 as it does in all cases where its practice is not due to the great quantity of its business or the necessities of party government4 ,this may be illustrated by the motions to lay on the table and the previous question4 ,the ,house of ,representatives has completely changed the use of the motion to lay on the table from that of merely laying aside a question until the assembly chooses to resume its consideration see foot note1 #bh1 to a motion to kill the pending proposition4 ,to make it more effective for this purpose1 they have allowed it to be made before the member reporting a bill from the committee is allowed to speak1 and when a question is laid upon the table it cannot be taken up except by suspending the rules1 which requires a two-thirds vote4 ,for reasons previously given1 such rules are necessary in ,congress1 but in ordinary assemblies they would do more harm than good4 ,the same vote should be required 7two-thirds vote7 to stop debate and bring the assembly to a vote on the final disposition of the question1 whether the intention is to adopt or to reject the proposition4 ,the previous question and the motion to lay on the table require the same vote in ,congress1 and should in all assemblies where to lay on the table is used for killing propositions4 ,the modifications made by the ,house in regard to the previous question have made that motion extremely simple and useful1 and its practice establishes the parliamentary law of the country as to the previous question1 except in respect to its being ordered by a majority vote and forty minutes' debate being allowed after it has been ordered1 if the proposition has not been previously debated4 ,it is necessary in ,congress for the majority to have the power to close debate1 but1 such a power being in conflict with the fundamental rights of a deliberative assembly1 ,congress has modified it so as not to cut off debate entirely4 ,in an ordinary assembly1 with sessions not exceeding two or three hours1 it should1 and it does1 have the power by a two-thirds vote to close debate instantly1 just as by the same vote it may suspend the rules4 ,in matters of detail1 the rules of the ,house of ,representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body1 and are of no authority in any other assembly4 ,no one1 for instance1 would accept the following ,house of ,representatives rules as common parliamentary law in this country3 ,that the chairman1 in case of disorderly conduct1 would have the power to order the galleries to be cleared2 that any fifteen members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members2 that each member would be limited in debate upon any question to one hour2 and that the motion to suspend the rules can only be entertained on the first and third ,mondays of each month4 ,these examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the idea that the rules of ,congress in all things determine the common parliamentary law4 ,while some of the rules of ,congress are adapted only to legislative assemblies1 and others only to the ,house that adopts them1 yet its rules and practice1 except where manifestly unsuited to ordinary deliberative assemblies1 should1 and do determine the parliamentary law of the country4 ,the people of the ,united ,states will never accept the rules and practice of the legislature1 or of deliberative assemblies1 of any state1 or even of any section of the country1 as of equal authority with the practice of the ,national ,congress in determining the parliamentary law for the whole country4 ,since1 however1 the sessions of ,congress last from three to six months1 and at times to nearly a year1 whereas the great majority of ordinary deliberative assemblies have sessions lasting not more than two or three hours2 and since the quorum in ,congress is a majority of the members1 while in most societies it is less than one-fifth1 and often less than one-tenth1 of the members2 and since the members of ,congress are paid to devote all their time during a session to the business of ,congress1 and can be compelled to attend1 whereas in ordinary assemblies the members have other duties and their attendance is simply voluntary2 and as the work of ,congress is enormous and is mostly done by standing committees1 of which there are fifty-six1 or in committee of the whole1 while in ordinary assemblies the assembly itself attends to most of its business1 and the rest is done usually by special committees rather than by standing committees or in committee of the whole--as these differences exist1 it is evident that the rules and practice of ,congress require to be modified in some respects to adapt them to ordinary deliberative assemblies4 ,sometimes the old common parliamentary law is better adapted to ordinary societies1 as with the motion to lay on the table4 ,where the two houses differ1 sometimes the ,senate practice is better adapted to ordinary assemblies1 as in allowing each member to speak twice to the same question each day2 while in allowing the previous question and in making the motion to postpone indefinitely the lowest of subsidiary motions1 the practice of the ,house seems better adapted to ordinary assemblies4 ,the ,house allows a majority to order the previous question1 but if there has been no debate on the question1 forty minutes' debate is permitted after the previous question has been ordered4 ,this rule is not adapted to assemblies whose entire session may not last two hours4 ,they should have power to close debate instantly by a two-thirds vote4 ,this is in accordance with the general principle that the assembly by a two-thirds vote may suspend the rules1 even the rule permitting debate4 ,as there would naturally be differences of opinion as to the application of the above principles1 and it is important that the law should be definite1 every deliberative assembly should imitate our legislative bodies and adopt some ,rules of ,order for the conduct of its business4#c #c ,any society adopting these ,rules of ,order should be governed by them in all cases to which they are applicable1 and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws and rules of order of the society4 ,see p4 #bfh for the form of a rule covering this case4 ,its own rules should include all of the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in the ,manual1 and especially should provide for a ,quorum #fd and an ,order of ,business #fe1 as suggested in this ,manual4 ,,plan ,,of ,,the ,,work4 ,these ,rules are prepared to meet partially this want in deliberative assemblies that are not legislative in their character4 ,they have been made sufficiently complete to answer for the rules of an assembly until it sees fit to adopt special rules conflicting with and superseding any of the rules of detail1 such as the ,order of ,business1 etc4 ,they are based upon the rules and practice of ,congress so far as these are adapted to ordinary deliberative assemblies with short sessions and comparatively small quorums1 as has just been explained4 ,in cases where these ,rules differ from the practice of ,congress1 usually the congressional rule will be found in a foot note4 ,the foot notes need not be referred to for any other purpose than to ascertain the practice of ,congress4 ,this ,manual contains a ,table of ,contents1 ,table of ,rules1 ,part ,i1 ,part ,,ii1 ,lesson ,outlines1 and the ,index4 ,table of ,contents4 ,this gives a clear1 systematic idea of the arrangement of subjects treated in the ,manual4 ,order of ,precedence of ,motions and ,table of ,rules4 ,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 order1 and whether it may be debated1 or amended1 or reconsidered1 or requires a second1 or a two-thirds vote1 or is in order when another member has the floor4 ,part ,i1 comprising the main part of the ,manual1 contains a set of ,rules of ,order systematically arranged1 as shown in the ,table of ,contents4 ,it begins with showing how business is introduced in a deliberative assembly1 and then follows it step by step until the vote is taken and announced4 ,the next section1 #aj1 shows what is the proper motion to use to accomplish certain objects1 referring at the same time to the section where the motion will be found fully treated4 ,next1 the motions are classified as usual into ,privileged1 ,incidental1 ,subsidiary1 and ,main1 and the general characteristics of each class given4 ,then each class is taken up in order1 beginning with the highest privileged motion1 and a section is devoted to each motion1 including some motions that are not classified4 ,each of these twenty-six sections is complete in itself1 so that one unfamiliar with the work need not be misled in examining any particular subject4 ,cross-references1 in heavy-face type1 are used wherever it was thought they would be helpful1 the references being to sections1 the number of the section being placed at the top of each page4 ,the following is stated in reference to each motion1 except some of the incidental ones1 the first six points being mentioned at the beginning of each section3 7#a7 ,of what motions it takes precedence 7that is1 what motions may be pending and yet it be in order to make and consider this motion74 7#b7 ,to what motions it yields 7that is1 what motions may be made and considered while this motion is pending74 7#c7 ,whether it is debatable or not 7all motions being debatable unless the contrary is stated74 7#d7 ,whether it can be amended or not4 7#e7 ,in case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it1 the fact is stated see ,adjourn1 #ag1 for an example3 the meaning is1 that the particular motion1 to adjourn1 cannot be laid on the table1 postponed1 committed1 or amended1 c44 7#f7 ,the vote required for its adoption1 when it is not a majority4 7#g7 ,the form of making the motion when peculiar4 7#h7 ,the form of stating and putting the question when peculiar4 7#i7 ,the object of the motion when not apparent4 7#aj7 ,the effect of the motion if adopted1 whenever it could possibly be misunderstood4 ,part ,,ii contains an explanation of the methods of organizing and conducting different kinds of meetings1 giving the words used by the chairman and speakers in making and putting various motions2 and also a few pages devoted to the legal rights of deliberative assemblies and ecclesiastical tribunals1 and to the trial of members of such societies4 ,the beginner1 especially1 will find it useful to read sections #fi-ga in connection with sections #a-aj1 thus obtaining correct ideas as to the methods of conducting business in deliberative assemblies4 ,the ,plan for the ,study of ,parliamentary ,law1 pages #cje-cab1 gives some helpful suggestions to clubs and individuals wishing to study parliamentary law1 together with a series of eighteen ,lesson ,outlines4 ,the ,index refers to pages1 not sections1 and at the beginning are given some suggestions as to the best method of finding anything in these ,rules4 ,,definitions4 ,in addition to the terms defined above 7taking precedence of1 yielding to1 and applying to see p4 #ba71 there are other terms that are liable to be misunderstood1 to which attention is called4 ,accepting a report is the same as adopting it1 and should not be confused with receiving a report1 which is allowing it to be presented to the assembly4 ,assembly4 ,this term is used for the deliberative assembly1 and should be replaced in motions1 etc41 by the proper name of the body1 as society1 club1 church1 board1 convention1 etc4 ,the ,chair means the presiding officer1 whether temporary or permanent4 ,the terms ,congress and ,h4 ,r41 when used in this ,manual1 refer to the ,u4 ,s4 ,house of ,representatives4 ,meeting and ,session4 ,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 minutes1 as the morning meeting1 or the evening meeting1 of a convention4 ,in a society with rules providing for regular meetings every week1 or month1 etc41 each of these regular meetings is a separate session4 ,a called or special meeting is a distinct session4 ,should a regular or special meeting adjourn to meet at another time1 the adjourned meeting is a continuation of the session1 not a separate one2 the two meetings constitute one session4 ,in the case of a convention holding a meeting every year or two1 or rather a series of meetings lasting several days1 the entire series of meetings constitute one session4 ,see #fc4 ,pending and ,immediately ,pending4 ,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 temporarily4 ,when several questions are pending1 the one last stated by the chair1 and therefore the one to be first disposed of1 is said to be the immediately pending question4 ,a ,main motion is one that is made to bring before the assembly any particular subject4 ,no main motion can be made when another motion is pending4 ,a ,subsidiary motion is one that may be applied to a main motion1 and to certain other motions1 for the purpose of modifying them1 delaying action upon them or otherwise disposing of them4 ,privileged motions are such that1 while having no relation to the pending question1 are of such urgency or importance as to require them to take precedence of all other motions4 ,an ,incidental motion is one that arises out of another question which is pending or has just been pending1 and must be decided before the pending question1 or before other business is taken up4 ,incidental motions have no fixed rank but take precedence of the questions out of which they arise1 whether those questions are main or subsidiary or privileged4 ,the ,previous ,question does not refer1 as its name would imply1 to the previous question1 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 motion4 ,a ,substitute is an amendment where an entire resolution1 or section1 or one or more paragraphs1 is struck out and another resolution1 or section1 or one or more paragraphs1 is inserted in its place4 ,plurality1 ,majority1 and ,two-thirds ,vote4 ,in an election a candidate has a plurality when he has a larger vote than any other candidate2 he has a majority when he has more than half the legal votes cast1 ignoring blanks4 ,in an assembly a plurality never elects except by virtue of a rule to that effect4 ,a majority vote when used in these rules means a majority of the legal votes cast1 ignoring blanks1 at a legal meeting1 a quorum being present4 ,a two-thirds vote is two-thirds of the votes just described4 ,for an illustration of the difference between a two-thirds vote1 a vote of two-thirds of the members present1 and a vote of two-thirds of the members1 see page #bjd4 ,,to ,,the ,,reader4 ,the reader is advised to read this ,manual in the order suggested in the ,plan for the study of ,parliamentary ,law1 page #cje4 ,,part ,i4 ,,rules ,,of ,,order4 ,art4 ,i4 ,how ,business ,is ,conducted in ,deliberative ,assemblies4 ,,page #a4 ,introduction of ,business #be #b4 ,what ,precedes ,debate #bf #c4 ,obtaining the ,floor #bg #d4 ,motions and ,resolutions #cc #e4 ,seconding ,motions #cf #f4 ,stating the ,question #ch #g4 ,debate #ch #h4 ,secondary ,motions #dj #i4 ,putting the ,question and ,announcing the ,vote #dj #aj4 ,proper ,motions to ,use to ,accomplish ,certain ,objects #dc #a4 ,introduction of ,business4 ,an assembly having been organized as described in #fi1 #gj1 #ga1 business is brought before it either by the motion of a member1 or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly4 ,it is not usual to make motions to receive reports of committees or communications to the assembly4 ,there are many other cases in the ordinary routine of business where the formality of a motion is dispensed with1 but should any member object1 a regular motion becomes necessary1 or the chair may put the question without waiting for a motion4 #b4 ,what ,precedes ,debate4 ,before any subject is open to debate it is necessary1 first1 that a motion be made by a member who has obtained the floor2 second1 that it be seconded 7with certain exceptions72 and third1 that it be stated by the chair1 that is1 by the presiding officer4 ,the fact that a motion has been made and seconded does not put it before the assembly1 as the chair alone can do that4 ,he must either rule it out of order1 or state the question on it so that the assembly may know what is before it for consideration and action1 that is1 what is the immediately pending question4 ,if several questions are pending1 as a resolution and an amendment and a motion to postpone1 the last one stated by the chair is the immediately pending question4 ,while no debate or other motion is in order after a motion is made1 until it is stated or ruled out of order by the chair1 yet members may suggest modifications of the motion1 and the mover1 without the consent of the seconder1 has the right to make such modifications as he pleases1 or even to withdraw his motion entirely before the chair states the question4 ,after it is stated by the chair he can do neither without the consent of the assembly as shown in #bg 7c74 ,a little informal consultation before the question is stated often saves much time1 but the chair must see that this privilege is not abused and allowed to run into debate4 ,when the mover modifies his motion the one who seconded it has a right to withdraw his second4 #c4 ,obtaining the ,floor4 ,before a member can make a motion1 or address the assembly in debate1 it is necessary that he should obtain the floor--that is1 he must rise after the floor has been yielded1 and address the presiding officer by his official title1 thus1 8,mr4 ,chairman10 or 8,mr4 ,president10 or 8,mr4 ,moderator20#d or1 if a woman 7married or single71 8,madam ,chairman10 or 8,madam ,president40 ,if the assembly is large so that the member's name may be unknown to the chairman1 the member should give his name as soon as he catches the eye of the chairman after addressing him4 ,if the member is entitled to the floor1 as shown hereafter1 the chairman 8recognizes0 him1 or assigns him the floor1 by announcing his name4 ,if the assembly is small and the members are known to each other1 it is not necessary for the member to give his name after addressing the chair1 as the presiding officer is termed1 nor is it necessary for the chair to do more than bow in recognition of his having the floor4 ,if a member rises before the floor has been yielded1 or is standing at the time1 he cannot obtain the floor provided any one else rises afterwards and addresses the chair4 ,it is out of order to be standing when another has the floor1 and the one guilty of this violation of the rules cannot claim he rose first1 as he did not rise after the floor had been yielded4 #d 8,brother ,moderator10 or 8,brother ,chairman10 implies that the speaker is also a moderator or chairman1 and should not be used4 ,where two or more rise about the same time to claim the floor1 all other things being equal1 the member who rose first after the floor had been yielded1 and addressed the chair is entitled to the floor4 ,it frequently occurs1 however1 that where more than one person claims the floor about the same time1 the interests of the assembly require the floor to be assigned to a claimant that was not the first to rise and address the chair4 ,there are three classes of such cases that may arise3 7#a7 ,when a debatable question is immediately pending2 7#b7 when an undebatable question is immediately pending2 7#c7 when no question is pending4 ,in such cases the chair in assigning the floor should be guided by the following principles3 7#a7 ,when a ,debatable ,question is ,immediately ,pending4 7a7 ,the member upon whose motion the immediately pending debatable question was brought before the assembly is entitled to be recognized as having the floor 7if he has not already spoken on the question7 even though another has risen first and addressed the chair4 ,the member thus entitled to preference in recognition in case of a committee's report is the reporting member 7the one who presents or submits the report72 in case of a question taken from the table1 it is the one who moved to take the question from the table2 in case of the motion to reconsider1 it is the one who moved to reconsider1 and who is not necessarily the one who calls up the motion4 7b7 ,no member who has already had the floor in debate on the immediately pending question is again entitled to it for debate on the same question1 provided the floor is claimed by one who has not spoken on that question4 7c7 ,as the interests of the assembly are best subserved by allowing the floor to alternate between the friends and enemies of a measure1 the chairman1 when he knows which side of a question is taken by each claimant of the floor1 and these claims are not determined by the above principles1 should give the preference to the one opposed to the last speaker4 7#b7 ,when an ,undebatable ,question ,is ,immediately ,pending4 ,when the immediately pending question is undebatable1 its mover has no preference to the floor1 which should be assigned in accordance with the principles laid down under 7b7 in paragraph below4 7#c7 ,when ,no ,question ,is ,pending4 7a7 ,when one of a series of motions has been disposed of1 and there is no question actually pending1 the next of the series has the right of way1 and the chair should recognize the member who introduced the series to make the next motion1 even though another has risen first and addressed the chair4 ,in fact no other main motion is in order until the assembly has disposed of the series4 ,thus1 the motion to lay on the table1 properly used1 is designed to lay aside a question temporarily1 in order to attend to some more urgent business1 and1 therefore1 if a question is laid on the table1 the one who moved to lay it on the table1 if he immediately claims the floor1 is entitled to it to introduce the urgent business even though another has risen first4 ,so1 when the rules are suspended to enable a motion to be made1 the mover of the motion to suspend the rules is entitled to the floor to make the motion for which the rules were suspended1 even though another rose first4 ,when a member moves to reconsider a vote for the announced purpose of amending the motion1 if the vote is reconsidered he must be recognized in preference to others in order to move his amendment4 7b7 ,if1 when no question is pending and no series of motions has been started that has not been disposed of1 a member rises to move to reconsider a vote1 or to call up the motion to reconsider that had been previously made1 or to take a question from the table when it is in order1 he is entitled to the floor in preference to another that may have risen slightly before him to introduce a main motion1 provided that when some one rises before him he1 on rising1 states the purpose for which he rises4 ,if members1 rising to make the above mentioned motions1 come into competition they have the preference in the order in which these motions have just been given2 first1 to reconsider1 and last1 to take from the table4 ,when a motion to appoint a committee for a certain purpose1 or to refer a subject to a committee1 has been adopted no new subject 7except a privileged one7 can be introduced until the assembly has decided all of the related questions as to the number of the committee1 and as to how it shall be appointed1 and as to any instructions to be given it4 ,in this case the one who made the motion to appoint the committee or refer the subject to a committee has no preference in recognition4 ,if he had wished to make the other motions he should have included them all in his first motion4 ,from the decision of the chair in assigning the floor any two members may appeal1#e one making the appeal and the other seconding it4 ,where the chair is in doubt as to who is entitled to the floor1 he may allow the assembly to decide the question by a vote1 the one having the largest vote being entitled to the floor4 #e ,in the ,u4 ,s4 ,house of ,representatives there is no appeal from the decision of the chair as to who is entitled to the floor1 nor should there be any appeal in large mass meetings1 as the best interests of the assembly require the chair to be given more power in such large bodies4 ,if a member has risen to claim the floor1 or has been assigned the floor1 and calls for the question are made1 or it is moved to adjourn1 or to lay the question on the table1 it is the duty of the chair to suppress the disorder and protect the member who is entitled to the floor4 ,except by general consent1 a motion cannot be made by one who has not been recognized by the chair as having the floor4 ,if it is made it should not be recognized by the chair if any one afterwards rises and claims the floor1 thus showing that general consent has not been given4 ,in ,order ,when ,another ,has the ,floor4 ,after a member has been assigned the floor he cannot be interrupted by a member or the chairman1 except by 7a7 a motion to reconsider2 7b7 a point of order2 7c7 an objection to the consideration of the question2 7d7 a call for the orders of the day when they are not being conformed to2 7e7 a question of privilege2 7f7 a request or demand that the question be divided when it consists of more than one independent resolution on different subjects2 or 7g7 a parliamentary inquiry or a request for information that requires immediate answer2 and these cannot interrupt him after he has actually commenced speaking unless the urgency is so great as to justify it4 ,the speaker 7that is1 the member entitled to the floor7 does not lose his right to the floor by these interruptions1 and the interrupting member does not obtain the floor thereby1 and after they have been attended to1 the chair assigns him the floor again4 ,so1 when a member submitting a report from a committee or offering a resolution1 hands it to the secretary to be read1 he does not thereby yield his right to the floor4 ,when the reading is finished and the chair states the question1 neither the secretary nor any one else can make a motion until the member submitting the report1 or offering the resolution1 has had a reasonable opportunity to claim the floor to which he is entitled1 and has not availed himself of his privilege4 ,if1 when he submitted the report1 he made no motion to accept or adopt the recommendations or resolutions1 he should resume the floor as soon as the report is read1 and make the proper motion to carry out the recommendations1 after which he is entitled to the floor for debate as soon as the question is stated4 #d4 ,motions and ,resolutions4 ,a motion is a proposal that the assembly take certain action1 or that it express itself as holding certain views4 ,it is made by a member's obtaining the floor as already described and saying1 8,i move that0 7which is equivalent to saying1 8,i propose that071 and then stating the action he proposes to have taken4 ,thus a member 8moves0 7proposes7 that a resolution be adopted1 or amended1 or referred to a committee1 or that a vote of thanks be extended1 etc42 or 8,that it is the sense of this meeting 7or assembly7 that industrial training10 etc4 ,every resolution should be in writing1 and the presiding officer has a right to require any main motion1 amendment1 or instructions to a committee to be in writing4 ,when a main motion is of such importance or length as to be in writing it is usually written in the form of a resolution2 that is1 beginning with the words1 8,resolved1 ,that10 the word 8,resolved0 being underscored 7printed in italics7 and followed by a comma1 and the word 8,that0 beginning with a capital 8,t40 ,if the word 8,resolved0 were replaced by the words 8,i move10 the resolution would become a motion4 ,a resolution is always a main motion4 ,in some sections of the country the word 8resolve0 is frequently used instead of 8resolution40 ,in assemblies with paid employees1 instructions given to employees are called 8orders0 instead of 8resolutions10 and the enacting word1 8,ordered0 is used instead of 8,resolved40 ,when a member wishes a resolution adopted1 after having obtained the floor1 he says1 8,i move the adoption of the following resolution10 or 8,i offer the following resolution10 which he reads and hands to the chair4 ,if it is desired to give the reasons for the resolution1 they are usually stated in a preamble1 each clause of which constitutes a paragraph beginning with 8,whereas40 ,the preamble is always amended last1 as changes in the resolution may require changes in the preamble4 ,in moving the adoption of a resolution the preamble is not usually referred to1 as it is included in the resolution4 ,but when the previous question is ordered on the resolution before the preamble has been considered for amendment1 it does not apply to the preamble1 which is then open to debate and amendment4 ,the preamble should never contain a period1 but each paragraph should close with a comma or semicolon1 followed by 8and10 except the last paragraph1 which should close with the word 8therefore10 or 8therefore1 be it40 ,a resolution should avoid periods where practicable4 ,usually1 where periods are necessary1 it is better to separate it into a series of resolutions1 in which case the resolutions may be numbered1 if preferred1 by preceding them with the figures #a1 #b1 etc42 or it may retain the form of a single resolution with several paragraphs1 each beginning with 8,that10 and these may be numbered1 if preferred1 by placing 8,first10 8,second10 etc41 just before the word 8,that40 ,the following form will serve as a guide when it is desired to give the reasons for a resolution3 ,whereas1 ,we consider that suitable recreation is a necessary part of a rational educational system2 and ,whereas1 ,there is no public ground in this village where our school children can play2 therefore1 ,resolved1 ,that it is the sense of this meeting that ample play grounds should be immediately provided for our school children4 ,resolved1 ,that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to present these resolutions to the village authorities and to urge upon them prompt action in the matter4 ,as a general rule no member can make two motions at a time except by general consent4 ,but he may combine the motion to suspend the rules with the motion for whose adoption it was made2 and the motion to reconsider a resolution and its amendments2 and a member may offer a resolution and at the same time move to make it a special order for a specified time4 #e4 ,seconding ,motions4 ,as a general rule1 with the exceptions given below1 every motion should be seconded4 ,this is to prevent time being consumed in considering a question that only one person favors1 and consequently little attention is paid to it in routine motions4 ,where the chair is certain the motion meets with general favor1 and yet members are slow about seconding it1 he may proceed without waiting for a second4 ,yet1 any one may make a point of order that the motion has not been seconded1 and then the chair is obliged to proceed formally and call for a second4 ,the better way when a motion is not at once seconded1 is for the chair to ask1 8,is the motion seconded80 ,in a very large hall the chair should repeat the motion before calling for a second in order that all may hear4 ,after a motion has been made no other motion is in order until the chair has stated the question on this motion1 or has declared1 after a reasonable opportunity has been given for a second1 that the motion has not been seconded1 or has ruled it out of order4 ,except in very small assemblies the chair cannot assume that members know what the motion is and that it has not been seconded1 unless he states the facts4 ,a motion is seconded by a member's saying1 8,i second the motion10 or 8,i second it10 which he does without obtaining the floor1 and in small assemblies without rising4 ,in large assemblies1 and especially where non-members are scattered throughout the assembly1 members should rise1 and without waiting for recognition1 say1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i second the motion40 ,exceptions4 ,the following do not require a second3#f ,question of ,privilege1 to raise a #ai ,questions of ,order #ba ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question #bc ,call for ,orders of the ,day #bj ,call for ,division of the ,question 7under certain circumstances7 #bd ,call for ,division of the ,assembly 7in voting7 #be ,call up ,motion to ,reconsider #cf ,filling ,blanks #cc ,nominations #cc ,leave to ,withdraw a ,motion #bg ,inquiries of any kind #bg #f ,in ,congress motions are not required to be seconded4 #f4 ,stating the ,question4 ,when a motion has been made and seconded1 it is the duty of the chair1 unless he rules it out of order1 immediately to state the question--that is1 state the exact question that is before the assembly for its consideration and action4 ,this he may do in various ways1 depending somewhat on the nature of the question1 as illustrated by the following examples3 8,it is moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted reading the resolution20 or 8,it is moved and seconded to adopt the following resolution20 8,mr4 ,a offers the following resolution read3 the question is on its adoption20 8,it is moved and seconded to amend the resolution by striking out the word #8very' before the word #8good'20 8,the previous question has been demanded or1 moved and seconded on the amendment20 8,it is moved and seconded that the question be laid on the table20 8,it is moved and seconded that we adjourn40 ,under each motion is shown the form of stating the question if there is any peculiarity in the form4 ,if the question is debatable or amendable1 the chair should immediately ask1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one then rises he should put the question as described in #i4 ,if the question cannot be debated or amended1 he does not ask1 8,are you ready for the question80 but immediately puts the question after stating it4 #g4 ,debate4 ,after a question has been stated by the chair1 it is before the assembly for consideration and action4 ,all resolutions1 reports of committees1 communications to the assembly1 and all amendments proposed to them1 and all other motions except the ,undebatable ,motions mentioned in #de1 may be debated before final action is taken on them1 unless by a two-thirds vote the assembly decides to dispose of them without debate4 ,by a two-thirds vote is meant two-thirds of the votes cast1 a quorum being present4 ,in the debate each member has the right to speak twice on the same question on the same day 7except on an appeal71 but cannot make a second speech on the same question as long as any member who has not spoken on that question desires the floor4 ,no one can speak longer than ten minutes at a time without permission of the assembly4 ,debate must be limited to the merits of the immediately pending question--that is1 the last question stated by the chair that is still pending2 except that in a few cases the main question is also open to debate #de4 ,speakers must address their remarks to the presiding officer1 be courteous in their language and deportment1 and avoid all personalities1 never alluding to the officers or other members by name1 where possible to avoid it1 nor to the motives of members4 ,for further information on this subject see ,debate1 #db1 and ,decorum in ,debate1 #dc4 #h4 ,secondary ,motions4 ,to assist in the proper disposal of the question various subsidiary #ab motions are used1 such as to amend1 to commit1 etc41 and for the time being the subsidiary motion replaces the resolution1 or motion1 and becomes the immediately pending question4 ,while these are pending1 a question incidental to the business may arise1 as a question of order1 and this incidental #ac question interrupts the business and1 until disposed of1 becomes the immediately pending question4 ,and all of these may be superseded by certain motions1 called privileged #ad motions1 as to adjourn1 of such supreme importance as to justify their interrupting all other questions4 ,all of these motions that may be made while the original motion is pending are sometimes referred to as secondary motions4 ,the proper use of many of these is shown in #aj4 #i4 ,putting the ,question and ,announcing the ,vote4#g ,when the debate appears to have closed1 the chair asks again1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one rises he proceeds to put the question--that is1 to take the vote on the question1 first calling for the affirmative and then for the negative vote4 ,in putting the question the chair should make perfectly clear what the question is that the assembly is to decide4 ,if the question is on the adoption of a resolution1 unless it has been read very recently1 it should be read again1 the question being put in a way similar to this3 8,the question is on the adoption of the resolution which the chair reads2 those in favor of the resolution say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it1 and the resolution is adopted20 or1 8,the noes have it1 and the resolution is lost40 ,or1 thus3 8,the question is on agreeing to the following resolution10 which the chair reads1 and then he continues1 8,as many as are in favor of agreeing to the resolution say aye20 after the ayes have responded he continues1 8,as many as are opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it10 etc4 ,or1 8,it is moved and seconded that an invitation be extended to ,mr4 ,jones to address our club at its next meeting4 ,those in favor of the motion will rise2 be seated2 those opposed will rise4 ,the affirmative has it and the motion is adopted or carried40 ,or1 if the vote is by 8show of hands10 the question is put and the vote announced in a form similar to this3 8,it has been moved and seconded to lay the resolution on the table4 ,those in favor of the motion will raise the right hand2 those opposed will signify or manifest it in the same way or manner4 ,the affirmative has it or1 ,the motion is adopted1 or carried and the resolution is laid on the table40 ,the vote should always be announced1 as it is a necessary part of putting the question4 ,the assembly is assumed not to know the result of the vote until announced by the chair1 and the vote does not go into effect until announced4 ,as soon as the result of the vote is announced the chair should state the next business in order1 as in the following example of putting the question on an amendment3 8,the question is on amending the resolution by inserting the word #8oak' before the word #8desk4' ,those in favor of the amendment say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it and the amendment is adopted4 ,the question is now or recurs on the resolution as amended1 which is as follows3 read the resolution as amended4 ,are you ready for the question80 ,the chair should never neglect to state what is the business next in order after every vote is announced1 nor to state the exact question before the assembly whenever a motion is made4 ,much confusion is avoided thereby4 ,the vote should always be taken first by the voice 7viva voce7 or by show of hands 7the latter method being often used in small assemblies71 except in the case of motions requiring a two-thirds vote1 when a rising vote should be taken at first4 ,when a division is demanded a rising vote is taken4 ,for further information on voting see #df4 ,under each motion is given the form of putting the question whenever the form is peculiar4 #g ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #a1 #e1 is as follows3 8#e4 ,he shall rise to put a question1 but may state it sitting2 and shall put questions in this form1 to wit3 #8,as many as are in favor 7as the question may be71 say ,aye2' and after the affirmative voice is expressed1 #8,as many as are opposed1 say ,no2' if he doubts1 or a division is called for1 the ,house shall divide2 those in the affirmative of the question shall first rise from their seats1 and then those in the negative2 if he still doubts1 or a count is required by at least one-fifth of a quorum1 he shall name one from each side of the question to tell the members in the affirmative and negative2 which being reported1 he shall rise and state the decision40 #aj4 ,proper ,motions to ,use to ,accomplish ,certain ,objects4 ,to enable any one to ascertain what motion to use in order to accomplish what is desired1 the common motions are arranged in the table below according to the objects to be attained by their use4 ,immediately after the table is a brief statement of the differences between the motions placed under each object1 and of the circumstances under which each should be used4 ,they include all of the ,subsidiary ,motions #ab1 which are designed for properly disposing of a question pending before the assembly2 and the three motions designed to again bring before the assembly a question that has been acted upon or laid aside temporarily2 and the motion designed to bring before another meeting of the assembly a main question which has been voted on in an unusually small or unrepresentative meeting4 ,motions1 as a general rule1 require for their adoption only a majority vote--that is1 a majority of the votes cast1 a quorum being present2 but motions to suppress or limit debate1 or to prevent the consideration of a question1 or1 without notice to rescind action previously taken1 require a two-thirds vote #dh4 ,the figures and letters on the left in the list below correspond to similar figures and letters in the statement of differences further on4 ,the figures to the right in the list refer to the sections where the motions are fully treated4 ,the ,common ,motions ,classified ,according to ,their ,objects4 7#a7 ,to ,modify or ,amend4 7a7 ,amend #cc 7b7 ,commit or ,refer #cb 7#b7 ,to ,defer ,action4 7a7 ,postpone to a ,certain ,time #ca 7b7 ,make a ,special ,order 7 ,vote7 #bj 7c7 ,lay on the ,table #bh 7#c7 ,to ,suppress or ,limit ,debate 7 ,vote74 7a7 ,previous ,question 7to close debate now7 7 ,vote7 #bi 7b7 ,limit ,debate 7 ,vote7 #cj 7#d7 ,to ,suppress the ,question4 7a7 ,objection to ,its ,consideration 7 ,vote7 #bc 7b7 ,previous ,question and ,reject ,question #bi 7c7 ,postpone ,indefinitely #cd 7d7 ,lay on the ,table #bh 7#e7 ,to ,consider a ,question a ,second ,time4 7a7 ,take from the ,table #ce 7b7 ,reconsider #cf 7c7 ,rescind #cg 7#f7 ,to ,prevent ,final ,action on a ,question in an ,unusually ,small or ,unrepresentative ,meeting4 7a7 ,reconsider and have ,entered on the ,minutes #cf 7#a7 ,to ,modify or ,amend4 7a7 ,when a resolution or motion is not worded properly1 or requires any modification to meet the approval of the assembly1 if the changes required can be made in the assembly1 the proper motion to make is to amend by 8inserting10 or 8adding10 or by 8striking out10 or by 8striking out and inserting10 or by 8substituting0 one or more paragraphs for those in the resolution4 7b7 ,but if much time will be required1 or if the changes required are numerous1 or if additional information is required to enable the assembly to act intelligently1 then it is usually better to refer the question to a committee4 7#b7 ,to ,defer ,action4 7a7 ,if it is desired to put off the further consideration of a question to a certain hour1 so that when that time arrives1 as soon as the pending business is disposed of1 it shall have the right of consideration over all questions except special orders and a reconsideration1 then the proper motion to make is1 to postpone to that certain time4 ,this is also the proper motion to make if it is desired to defer action simply to another day4 ,as the motion if adopted cannot interrupt the pending question when the appointed time arrives1 nor can it suspend any rule1 it requires only a majority vote for its adoption4 ,a question postponed to a certain time cannot be taken up before the appointed time except by suspending the rules1 which requires a two-thirds vote4 7b7 ,if it is desired to appoint for the consideration of a question a certain time when it may interrupt any pending question except one relating to adjournment or recess1 or a question of privilege or a specified order that was made before it was1 then the proper course is to move 8that the question be made a special order for10 etc41 specifying the day or hour4 ,as this motion1 if adopted1 suspends all rules that interfere with the consideration of the question at the appointed time1 it requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption4 ,a special order cannot be considered before the appointed time except by suspending the rules1 which requires a two-thirds vote4 7c7 ,if1 however1 it is desired to lay the question aside temporarily with the right to take it up at any moment when business of this class1 or unfinished or new business1 is in order and no other question is before the assembly1 the proper motion to use is to lay the question on the table4 ,when laid upon the table a majority vote may take it up at the same or the next session1 as described in #ce4 7#c7 ,to ,suppress ,debate4 7a7 ,if it is desired to close debate now and bring the assembly at once to a vote on the pending question1 or questions1 the proper course is to move1 or demand1 or call for1 the previous question on the motions upon which it is desired to close debate4 ,the motion1 or demand1 for the previous question should always specify the motions upon which it is desired to order the previous question4 ,if no motions are specified1 the previous question applies only to the immediately pending question4 ,it requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption4 ,after it has been adopted1 privileged and incidental motions may be made1 or the pending questions may be laid on the table1 but no other subsidiary motion can be made nor is any debate allowed4 ,if it is lost the debate is resumed4 7b7 ,if it is desired to limit the number or length of speeches1 or the time allowed for debate1 the proper course is to move that the speeches or debate be limited as desired1 or that the debate be closed and the vote be taken at a specified time4 ,these motions to limit or close debate require a two-thirds vote for their adoption1 and are in order1 like the previous question1 when any debatable question is immediately pending4 7#d7 ,to ,suppress the ,question4 ,a legitimate question cannot be suppressed in a deliberative assembly without free debate1 except by a two-thirds vote4 ,if two-thirds of the assembly are opposed to the consideration of the question then it can be suppressed by the following methods3 7a7 ,if it is desired to prevent any consideration of the question1 the proper course to pursue is to object to its consideration before it has been discussed or any other motion stated1 and1 therefore1 it may interrupt a member who has the floor before the debate has begun4 ,it requires no second4 ,on the question of consideration there must be a two-thirds negative vote to prevent the consideration4 7b7 ,after the question has been considered the proper way to immediately suppress it is to close debate by ordering the previous question1 which requires a two-thirds vote1 and then to vote down the question4 7c7 ,another method of suppressing a question is to postpone it indefinitely 7equivalent to rejecting it71 which1 however1 being debatable and opening the main question to debate1 is only of service in giving another opportunity to defeat the resolution should this one fail4 ,for1 if the motion to postpone indefinitely is adopted1 the main question is dead for that session1 and if it is lost1 the main question is still pending and its enemies have another opportunity to kill it4 ,when the motion to postpone indefinitely is pending and immediate action is desired1 it is necessary to move the previous question as in case 7b7 above4 7d7 ,a fourth method frequently used for suppressing a question is to lay it on the table1 though this is an unfair use of the motion1 except in bodies like ,congress where the majority must have the power to suppress any motion immediately1 as otherwise they could not transact business4 ,but in ordinary societies1 where the pressure of business is not so great1 it is better policy for the majority to be fair and courteous to the minority and use the proper motions for suppressing a question without allowing full debate1 all of which require a two-thirds vote4 ,unless the enemies of a motion have a large majority1 laying it on the table is not a safe way of suppressing it1 because its friends1 by watching their opportunity1 may find themselves in a majority and take it from the table and adopt it1 as shown in the next paragraph4 7#e7 ,to ,consider a ,question a ,second ,time4 7a7 ,when a question has not been voted on1 but has been laid on the table1 a majority may take it from the table and consider it at any time when no other question is before the assembly and when business of that class1 or unfinished or new business1 is in order during the same session2 or at the next session in ordinary societies having regular meetings as often as quarterly4 7b7 ,if a motion has been adopted1 or rejected1 or postponed indefinitely1 and afterwards one or more members have changed their views from the prevailing to the losing side1 and it is thought that by further discussion the assembly may modify or reverse its action1 the proper course is for one who voted with the prevailing side to move to reconsider the vote on the question4 ,this can be done on the day the vote to be reconsidered is taken1 or on the next succeeding day of the same session4 7c7 ,if a main motion1 including questions of privilege and orders of the day1 has been adopted or rejected or postponed indefinitely1 and no one is both able and willing to move to reconsider the vote1 the question can be brought up again during the same session only by moving to rescind the motion4 ,to rescind may be moved by any member1 but1 if notice of it was not given at a previous meeting1 it requires a two-thirds vote or a vote of a majority of the enrolled membership4 ,at any future session1 the resolution1 or other main motion1 may be rescinded in the same way if it had been adopted2 or it may be introduced anew if it had been rejected or postponed indefinitely2 provided the question cannot be reached by calling up the motion to reconsider which had been made at the previous session4 ,a by-law1 or anything else that requires a definite notice and vote for its amendment1 requires the same notice and vote to rescind it4 7#f7 ,to ,prevent ,final ,action on a ,question in an ,unusually ,small or ,unrepresentative ,meeting4 ,if an important main motion should be adopted1 lost1 or postponed indefinitely1 at a small or unrepresentative meeting of the society when it was apparent that the action is in opposition to the views of the majority of the members1 the proper course to pursue is for a member to vote with the prevailing side and then move to reconsider the vote and have it entered on the minutes4 ,the motion to reconsider1 in this form1 can be made only on the day the vote was taken which it is proposed to reconsider1 and the reconsideration cannot be called up on that day2 thus an opportunity is given to notify absent members4 ,the motion to reconsider is fully explained in #cf4 ,art4 ,,ii4 ,general ,classification of ,motions4 ,for convenience motions may be classified as follows3 ,main or ,principal ,motions #aa ,subsidiary ,motions #ab ,incidental ,motions #ac ,privileged ,motions #ad #aa4 ,a ,main or ,principal ,motion is a motion made to bring before the assembly1 for its consideration1 any particular subject4 ,it takes precedence of nothing--that is1 it cannot be made when any other question is before the assembly2 and it yields to all ,privileged1 ,incidental1 and ,subsidiary ,motions--that is1 any of these motions can be made while a main motion is pending4 ,main motions are debatable1 and subject to amendment1 and can have any subsidiary #ab motions applied to them4 ,when a main motion is laid on the table1 or postponed to a certain time1 it carries with it all pending subsidiary motions4 ,if a main motion is referred to a committee it carries with it only the pending amendments4 ,as a general rule1 they require for their adoption only a majority vote--that is1 a majority of the votes cast2 but amendments to constitutions1 by-laws1 and rules of order already adopted1 all of which are main motions1 require a two-thirds vote for their adoption1 unless the by-laws1 etc41 specify a different vote for their amendment2 and the motion to rescind action previously taken requires a two-thirds vote1 or a vote of a majority of the entire membership1 unless previous notice of the motion has been given4 ,main motions may be subdivided into ,original ,main ,motions and ,incidental ,main ,motions4 ,original ,main ,motions are those which bring before the assembly some new subject1 generally in the form of a resolution1 upon which action by the assembly is desired4 ,incidental ,main ,motions are those main motions that are incidental to1 or relate to1 the business of the assembly1 or its past or future action1 as1 a committee's report on a resolution referred to it4 ,a motion to accept or adopt the report of a standing committee upon a subject not referred to it is an original main motion1 but a motion to adopt a report on a subject referred to a committee is an incidental main motion4 ,the introduction of an original main motion can be prevented by sustaining by a two-thirds vote an objection to its consideration #bc1 made just after the main motion is stated and before it is discussed4 ,an objection to its consideration cannot be applied to an incidental main motion1 but a two-thirds vote can immediately suppress it by ordering the previous question #bi4 ,this is the only difference between the two classes of main motions4 ,the following list contains some of the most common ,incidental ,main ,motions4 ,accept or ,adopt a ,report upon a subject referred to a committee #ed ,adjourn at1 or to1 a future time #ag ,adjourn1 if qualified in any way1 or to adjourn when the effect is to dissolve the assembly with no provision for its reconvening #ag ,appoint the ,time and ,place for the next meeting1 if introduced when no business is pending #af ,amend the ,constitution1 ,by-laws1 ,standing ,rules1 or ,resolutions1 etc41 already adopted #fh ,ratify or ,confirm action taken #ci ,rescind or ,repeal action taken #cg ,all of these motions are essentially main motions1 and are treated as such1 though they may appear otherwise4 ,though a question of privilege is of high rank so far as interrupting a pending question is concerned1 yet when the question has interrupted business and is pending1 it is treated as a main motion so far as having incidental and subsidiary motions applied to it4 ,so an order of the day1 even though a special order1 after it has been taken up is treated in the same way1 as is also a question that has been reconsidered4 ,no motion is in order that conflicts with the constitution1 by-laws1 or standing rules or resolutions of the assembly1 and if such a motion is adopted it is null and void4 ,before introducing such a motion it is necessary to amend the constitution or by-laws1 or amend or rescind the conflicting standing rule or resolution4 ,so1 too1 a motion is not in order that conflicts with a resolution previously adopted by the assembly at the same session1 or that has been introduced and has not been finally disposed of4 ,if it is not too late the proper course is to reconsider #cf the vote on the motion previously adopted1 and then amend it so as to express the desired idea4 ,if it cannot be reconsidered1 then by a two-thirds vote the old resolution may be rescinded when the new one can be introduced1 or by giving notice it may be rescinded by a majority vote at the next meeting4 ,in ordinary societies1 where the quorum is a small percentage of the membership1 and the meetings are as frequent as quarterly1 no resolution that conflicts with one adopted at a previous session should be entertained until the old one has been rescinded1 which requires a two-thirds vote unless proper notice has been given4 ,see #cg4 #ab4 ,subsidiary ,motions are such as are applied to other motions for the purpose of most appropriately disposing of them4 ,by means of them the original motion may be modified1 or action postponed1 or it may be referred to a committee to investigate and report1 etc4 ,they may be applied to any main motion1 and when made they supersede the main motion and must be decided before the main motion can be acted upon4 ,none of them1 except the motion to amend and those that close or limit or extend the limits of debate1 can be applied to a subsidiary1 incidental 7except an appeal in certain cases71 or privileged motion4 ,subsidiary motions1 except to lay on the table1 the previous question1 and postpone indefinitely1 may be amended4 ,the motions affecting the limits of debate may be applied to any debatable question regardless of its privilege1 and require a two-thirds vote for their adoption4 ,all those of lower rank than those affecting the limits of debate are debatable1 the rest are not4 ,the motion to amend anything that has already been adopted1 as by-laws or minutes1 is not a subsidiary motion but is a main motion and can be laid on the table or have applied to it any other subsidiary motion without affecting the by-laws or minutes1 because the latter are not pending4 ,in the following list the subsidiary motions are arranged in the order of their precedence1 the first one having the highest rank4 ,when one of them is the immediately pending question every motion above it is in order1 and every one below it is out of order4 ,they are as follows3 ,subsidiary ,motions4 ,lay on the ,table #bh ,the ,previous ,question #bi ,limit or ,extend ,limits of ,debate #cj ,postpone ,definitely1 or to a ,certain ,time #ca ,commit or ,refer1 or ,recommit #cb ,amend #cc ,postpone ,indefinitely #cd #ac4 ,incidental ,motions are such as arise out of another question which is pending1 and therefore take precedence of and must be decided before the question out of which they rise2 or1 they are incidental to a question that has just been pending and should be decided before any other business is taken up4 ,they yield to privileged motions1 and generally to the motion to lay on the table4 ,they are undebatable1 except an appeal under certain circumstances as shown in #ba4 ,they cannot be amended except where they relate to the division of a question1 or to the method of considering a question1 or to methods of voting1 or to the time when nominations or the polls shall be closed4 ,no subsidiary motion1 except to amend1 can be applied to any of them except a debatable appeal4 ,whenever it is stated that all incidental motions take precedence of a certain motion1 the incidental motions referred to are only those that are legitimately incidental at the time they are made4 ,thus1 incidental motions take precedence of subsidiary motions1 but the incidental motion to object to the consideration of a question cannot be made while a subsidiary motion is pending1 as the objection is only legitimate against an original main motion just after it is stated1 before it has been debated or there has been any subsidiary motion stated4 ,the following list comprises most of those that may arise3 ,incidental ,motions4 ,questions of ,order and ,appeal #ba ,suspension of the ,rules #bb ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question #bc ,division of a ,question1 and ,consideration by ,paragraph or ,seriatim #bd ,division of the ,assembly1 and ,motions relating to ,methods of ,voting1 or to ,closing or to ,reopening the ,polls #be ,motions relating to ,methods of ,making1 or to ,closing or to ,reopening ,nominations #bf ,requests growing out of ,business ,pending or that has just been pending2 as1 a ,parliamentary ,inquiry1 a ,request for ,information1 for ,leave to ,withdraw a ,motion1 to ,read ,papers1 to be ,excused from a ,duty1 or for any other ,privilege #bg #ad4 ,privileged ,motions are such as1 while not relating to the pending question1 are of so great importance as to require them to take precedence of all other questions1 and1 on account of this high privilege1 they are undebatable4 ,they cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to them1 except the motions to fix the time to which to adjourn1 and to take a recess1 which may be amended4 ,but after the assembly has actually taken up the orders of the day or a question of privilege1 debate and amendment are permitted and the subsidiary motions may be applied the same as on any main motion4 ,these motions are as follows1 being arranged in order of precedence3 ,privileged ,motions4 ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn 7if made while another question is pending7 #af ,adjourn 7if unqualified and if it has not the effect to dissolve the assembly7 #ag ,take a ,recess 7if made when another question is pending7 #ah ,raise a ,question of ,privilege #ai ,call for ,orders of the ,day #bj #ae4 ,some ,main and ,unclassified ,motions4 ,two main motions 7to rescind and to ratify7 and several motions which cannot conveniently be classified as either ,main1 ,subsidiary1 ,incidental1 or ,privileged1 and which are in common use1 are hereafter explained and their privileges and effects given4 ,they are as follows3 ,take from the ,table #ce ,reconsider #cf ,rescind #cg ,renewal of a ,motion #ch ,ratify #ci ,dilatory1 ,absurd1 or ,frivolous ,motions #dj ,call of the ,house #da ,art4 ,,iii4 ,privileged ,motions4 ,see #ad for a list and the general characteristics of these motions4 #af4 ,to ,fix the ,time to which the ,assembly shall ,adjourn4#h ,this motion is privileged only when made while another question is pending and in an assembly that has made no provision for another meeting on the same or the next day4 ,the time fixed cannot be beyond the time of the next meeting4 ,if made in an assembly that already has provided for another meeting on the same or the next day1 or if made in an assembly when no question is pending1 this is a main motion and may be debated and amended and have applied to it the other subsidiary motions1 like other main motions4 ,whenever the motion is referred to in these rules the privileged motion is meant1 unless specified to the contrary4 #h ,in ,congress this motion was given the highest rank of all motions1 but it was so utilized for filibustering purposes and there was so little need of such a motion in an assembly meeting daily for months1 that in the last revision of the rules it was omitted from the list of privileged motions4 ,in ordinary assemblies having short or infrequent sessions its usefulness outweighs the harm that may be done by its improper use4 ,this motion when privileged takes precedence of all others1 and is in order even after it has been voted to adjourn1 provided the chairman has not declared the assembly adjourned4 ,it can be amended1 and a vote on it can be reconsidered4 ,when the assembly has no fixed place for its meetings1 this motion should include the place as well as the time for the next meeting1 and in this case the place is subject to amendment as well as the time4 ,when the assembly meets at the time to which it adjourned1 the meeting is a continuation of the previous session4 ,thus1 if the ,annual ,meeting is adjourned to meet on another day1 the adjourned meeting is a legal continuation of the ,annual ,meeting4 ,see #fc4 ,the form of this motion is1 8,i move that when we adjourn1 we adjourn 7or stand adjourned7 to #b ,p4,m4 tomorrow40 #ag4 ,to ,adjourn4 ,the motion to adjourn 7when unqualified7 is always a privileged motion except when1 for lack of provision for a future meeting1 as in a mass meeting1 or at the last meeting of a convention1 its effect1 if adopted1 would be to dissolve the assembly permanently4 ,in any organized society holding several regular meetings during the year1 it is1 when unqualified1 always a privileged motion4 ,when not privileged it is treated as any other main motion1 being debatable and amendable1 etc4 ,the privileged motion to adjourn takes precedence of all others1 except the privileged motion 8to fix the time to which to adjourn10 to which it yields4 ,it is not debatable1 nor can it be amended or have any other subsidiary #ab motion applied to it2 nor can a vote on it be reconsidered4 ,it may be withdrawn4 ,the motion to adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening business1 though it is simply progress in debate4 ,the assembly may decline to adjourn in order to hear one speech or to take one vote1 and therefore it must have the privilege of renewing the motion to adjourn when there has been any progress in business or debate4 ,but this high privilege is liable to abuse to the annoyance of the assembly1 if the chair does not prevent it by refusing to entertain the motion when evidently made for obstructive purposes1 as when the assembly has just voted it down1 and nothing has occurred since to show the possibility of the assembly's wishing to adjourn4 ,see ,dilatory ,motions1 #dj4 ,the motion to adjourn1 like every other motion1 cannot be made except by a member who has the floor4 ,when made by one who has not risen and addressed the chair and been recognized1 it can be entertained only by general consent4 ,it cannot be made when the assembly is engaged in voting1 or verifying the vote1 but is in order after the vote has been taken by ballot before it has been announced4 ,in such case the ballot vote should be announced as soon as business is resumed4 ,where much time will be consumed in counting ballots the assembly may adjourn1 having previously appointed a time for the next meeting1 or1 still better1 may take a recess as explained in the next section4 ,no appeal1 or question of order1 or inquiry1 should be entertained after the motion to adjourn has been made1 unless it is of such a nature that its decision is necessary before an adjournment1 or unless the assembly refuses to adjourn1 when it would be in order4 ,before putting the motion to adjourn1 the chair1 in most organizations1 should be sure that no important matters have been overlooked4 ,if there are announcements to be made they should be attended to before taking the vote1 or at least1 before announcing it4 ,if there is something requiring action before adjournment1 the fact should be stated and the mover requested to withdraw his motion to adjourn4 ,the fact that the motion to adjourn is undebatable does not prevent the assembly's being informed of business requiring attention before adjournment4 ,members should not leave their seats until the chair has declared the assembly adjourned4 ,an adjournment sine die--that is1 without day--closes the session and if there is no provision for convening the assembly again1 of course the adjournment dissolves the assembly4 ,but1 if any provision has been made whereby another meeting may be held1 its effect is simply to close the session4 ,in an assembly1 as a convention1 which meets regularly only once during its life1 but whose by-laws provide for calling special meetings1 an adjournment sine die means only the ending of the regular session of the convention1 which1 however1 may be reconvened as provided in the by-laws4 ,if called to meet again the assembly meets as a body already organized4 ,when the motion to adjourn is qualified in any way1 or when its effect is to dissolve the assembly without any provision being made for holding another meeting of the assembly1 it loses its privilege and is a main motion1 debatable and amendable and subject to having applied to it any of the subsidiary motions4 ,in committees where no provision has been made for future meetings1 an adjournment is always at the call of the chair unless otherwise specified4 ,when a special committee1 or the committee of the whole1 has completed the business referred to it1 instead of adjourning1 it rises and reports1 which is equivalent to adjournment without day4 ,the ,effect upon ,unfinished ,business of an adjournment1 unless the assembly has adopted rules to the contrary1 is as follows3 7a7 ,when the adjournment does not close the session #fc1 the business interrupted by it is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at the next meeting1 and is treated the same as if there had been no adjournment1 an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the meeting of which it is an adjournment4 7b7 ,when the adjournment closes a session#i in an assembly having regular sessions as often as quarterly1 the unfinished business should be taken up1 just where it was interrupted1 at the next succeeding session previous to new business2 provided that1 in a body elected1 either wholly or in part1 for a definite time 7as a board of directors one-third of whom are elected annually71 unfinished business falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board1 or any part of it1 was elected4 #i 8,all business before committees of the ,house at the end of one session shall be resumed at the commencement of the next session of the same ,congress in the same manner as if no adjournment had taken place40 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #bf4 ,in practice this rule is applied to business before the ,house as well as to that before committees4 ,but unfinished business does not go over from one ,congress to another ,congress4 ,when a society meets only once in six months or a year1 there is liable to be as great a difference in the personnel of the two consecutive meetings as of two consecutive ,congresses2 and only trouble would result from allowing unfinished business to hold over to the next yearly meeting4 7c7 ,when the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not meet as often as quarterly1 or when the assembly is an elective body1 and this session ends the term of a portion of the members1 the adjournment puts an end to all business unfinished at the close of the session4 ,the business may be introduced at the next session1 the same as if it had never been before the assembly4 #ah4 ,take a ,recess4#aj ,this motion is practically a combination of the two preceding1 to which it yields1 taking precedence of all other motions4 ,if made when other business is before the assembly1 it is a privileged motion and is undebatable and can have no subsidiary motion applied to it except amend4 ,it can be amended as to the length of the recess4 ,it takes effect immediately4 ,a motion to take a recess made when no business is before the assembly1 or a motion to take a recess at a future time1 has no privilege1 and is treated as any other main motion4 ,a recess is an intermission in the day's proceedings1 as for meals or for counting the ballots when much time is required2 or in the case of meetings like conventions lasting for several days a recess is sometimes taken over an entire day4 ,when a recess is provided for in the order of exercises1 or program1 the chair1 when the time arrives1 announces the fact and says the assembly stands adjourned1 or in recess1 to the specified hour4 ,the assembly by a two-thirds vote can postpone the time for taking a recess1 or adjournment4 ,when the hour has arrived to which the recess was taken1 the chairman calls the assembly to order and the business proceeds the same as if no recess had been taken4 ,if the recess was taken after a vote had been taken and before it was announced1 then the first business is the announcement of the vote4 ,the intermissions in the proceedings of a day are termed recesses1 whether the assembly voted to take a recess1 or whether it simply adjourned having previously adopted a program or rule providing for the hours of meeting4 ,when an assembly has frequent short regular meetings not lasting over a day1 and an adjourned meeting is held on another day1 the interval between the meetings is not referred to as a recess4 #aj ,congress has omitted this motion from its latest revision of the list of privileged motions1 on account of its abuse for filibustering purposes1 and its being so seldom needed4 #ai4 ,questions of ,privilege4 ,questions relating to the rights and privileges of the assembly1 or to any of its members1 take precedence of all other motions except the three preceding relating to adjournment and recess1 to which they yield4 ,if the question is one requiring immediate action it may interrupt a member's speech2 as1 for example1 when1 from any cause1 a report that is being read cannot be heard in a part of the hall4 ,but if it is not of such urgency it should not interrupt a member after he has commenced his speech4 ,before a member has commenced speaking1 even though he has been assigned the floor1 it is in order for another member to raise a question of privilege4 ,when a member rises for this purpose he should not wait to be recognized1 but immediately on rising should say1 8,mr4 ,chairman10--and when he catches the chairman's eye1 should add1 8,i rise to a question of privilege affecting the assembly10 or 8,i rise to a question of personal privilege40 ,the chair directs him to state his question1 and then decides whether it is one of privilege or not4 ,from this decision any two members may appeal4 ,the chair may decide it to be a question of privilege1 but not of sufficient urgency to justify interrupting the speaker4 ,in such a case the speaker should be allowed to continue1 and1 when he has finished1 the chair should immediately assign the floor to the member who raised the question of privilege to make his motion if one is necessary4 ,whenever his motion is made and stated1 it becomes the immediately pending question and is open to debate and amendment and the application of all the other subsidiary motions just as any main motion4 ,its high privilege extends only to giving it the right to consideration in preference to any other question except one relating to adjournment or recess1 and1 in cases of great urgency1 the right to interrupt a member while speaking4 ,it cannot interrupt voting or verifying a vote4 ,as soon as the question of privilege is disposed of1 the business is resumed exactly where it was interrupted2 if a member had the floor at the time the question of privilege was raised1 the chair assigns him the floor again4 ,questions of privilege may relate to the privileges of the assembly or only of a member1 the former having the precedence if the two come into competition4 ,questions of personal privilege must relate to one as a member of the assembly1 or else relate to charges against his character which1 if true1 would incapacitate him for membership4 ,questions like the following relate to the privileges of the assembly3 those relating to the organization of the assembly2 or to the comfort of its members1 as the heating1 lighting1 ventilation1 etc41 of the hall1 and freedom from noise and other disturbance2 or to the conduct of its officers or employees2 or to the punishing of a member for disorderly conduct or other offence2 or to the conduct of reporters for the press1 or to the accuracy of published reports of proceedings4 ,privileged questions include1 besides questions of privilege1 a call for the orders of the day and the privileged motions relating to adjournment and recess4 ,this distinction between privileged questions and questions of privilege should be borne in mind4 #bj4 ,orders of the ,day4#aa ,a ,call for the ,orders of the ,day 7which1 in an ordinary assembly1 is a demand that the assembly conform to its program or order of business7 can be made at any time when no other privileged #ad motion is pending and the order of business is being varied from1 and only then4 ,it requires no second1 and is in order when another has the floor1 even though it interrupts a speech1 as a single member has a right to demand that the order of business be conformed to4 ,it is out of order to call for the orders of the day when there is no variation from the order of business4 ,thus1 the orders of the day cannot be called for when another question is pending1 provided there are no special orders made for that time or an earlier time1 as general orders cannot interrupt a question actually under consideration4 ,the call must be simply for the orders of the day1 and not for a specified one1 as the latter has no privilege4 ,when the time has arrived for which a special order has been made1 a call for the orders of the day takes precedence of everything except the other privileged motions1 namely1 those relating to adjournment and recess1 and questions of privilege1 to which it yields4 ,if there are no special orders a call for the orders of the day cannot interrupt a pending question2 but1 if made when no question is pending1 it is in order even when another has the floor and has made a main motion1 provided the chair has not stated the question4 ,until the time of actually taking up the general orders for consideration this call yields to a motion to reconsider1 or to a calling up of a motion to reconsider1 previously made4 ,a call for the orders of the day cannot be debated or amended1 or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 #aa ,while ,congress retains the call for the orders of the day in its list of privileged motions1 it has abandoned the use of orders of the day1 having1 instead1 a detailed order of business with several calendars4 ,it retains special orders which may be made by a two-thirds vote4 ,it is the duty of the chair to announce the business to come before the assembly in its proper order1 and if he always performs this duty there will be no occasion for calling for the orders of the day4 ,but there are occasions when the chair fails to notice that the time assigned for a special order has arrived1 or he thinks that the assembly is so interested in the pending question that it does not wish yet to take up the special order assigned for that time1 and therefore delays announcing it4 ,in such a case1 as already stated1 any member has a right to call for the orders of the day1 and thus compel the chair either to announce the order or else put the question1 8,will the assembly proceed to the orders of the day80 ,to refuse to take up the orders at the appointed time is an interference with the order of business similar to suspending the rules and should require the same vote--namely1 two-thirds4 ,in other words1 a two-thirds vote in the negative is necessary to prevent proceeding to the orders of the day4 ,if the assembly refuses to proceed to the orders of the day the orders cannot be called for again until the pending business is disposed of4 ,when the orders of the day are announced1 or when they are called for1 if it is desired to prolong the discussion of the pending question1 some one should move that the time for considering the pending question be extended a certain number of minutes4 ,a two-thirds vote is required for the adoption of this motion as it changes the order of business or program4 ,after the order has been announced and the question is actually pending1 it is debatable and may be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it the same as any other main motion4 ,the orders of the day in a mass cannot be laid on the table or postponed1 but when an order has been actually taken up it may1 by a majority vote1 be laid on the table1 or postponed1 or committed1 so that1 if there is no other order to interfere1 the consideration of the question previously pending will be resumed4 ,whenever the orders of the day are disposed of1 the consideration of the interrupted business is taken up at the point where it was interrupted by the call for the orders of the day4 ,by suspending the rules by a two-thirds vote any question may be taken up out of its proper order4 ,orders of the ,day4 ,when one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or hour 7by postponing them to1 or making them special orders for1 that day or hour1 or by adopting a program or order of business71 they become the orders of the day for that day or hour1 and they cannot be considered before that time1 except by a two-thirds vote4 ,they are divided into ,general ,orders and ,special ,orders1 the latter always taking precedence of the former4 ,a ,general ,order is usually made by simply postponing a question to a certain day or hour1 or after a certain event4 ,it does not suspend any rule1 and therefore cannot interrupt business4 ,but after the appointed hour has arrived it has the preference1 when no question is pending1 over all other questions except special orders and reconsideration4 ,it cannot be considered before the appointed time except by a reconsideration or by a two-thirds vote4 ,when the order of business provides for orders of the day1 questions simply postponed to a meeting1 without specifying the hour1 come up under that head4 ,if no provision is made for orders of the day1 then such postponed questions come up after the disposal of the business pending at the previous adjournment1 and after the questions on the calendar that were not disposed of at the previous meeting4 ,an order of business that specifies the order in which1 but not the time when1 the business shall be transacted1 together with the postponed questions constitutes the general orders4 ,this order cannot be varied from except by general consent or by suspending the rules by a two-thirds vote4 ,if all of this business is not disposed of before adjournment1 it becomes 8unfinished business10 and is treated as unfinished business1 as explained in #ag under ,the ,effect ,upon ,unfinished ,business of an ,adjournment4 ,as general orders cannot interrupt the consideration of a pending question1 it follows that any general order made for an earlier hour1 though made afterwards1 by not being disposed of in time may interfere with the general order previously made4 ,therefore1 general orders must take precedence among themselves in the order of the times to which they were postponed1 regardless of when the general order was made4 ,if several are appointed for the same time1 then they take precedence in the order in which they were made4 ,if several appointed for the same time were made at the same time1 then they take precedence in the order in which they were arranged in the motion making the general order4 ,to ,make a ,special ,order requires a two-thirds vote1 because it suspends all rules that interfere with its consideration at the specified time1 except those relating to motions for adjournment or recess1 or to questions of privilege1 or to special orders made before it was made4 ,a pending question is made a special order for a future time by 8,postponing it and making it a special order for that time40 ,see ,postpone to a ,certain ,time1 #ca1 which should be read in connection with this section4 ,if the question is not pending1 the motion to make it a special order for a certain time is a main motion1 debatable1 amendable1 etc4 ,the member desirous of making it a special order should obtain the floor when nothing is pending1 and business of that class1 or new business1 is in order1 and say1 8,i move that the following resolution be made the special order for specifying the time10 and then reads the resolution and hands it to the chair4 ,or he may adopt this form3 8,i offer the following resolution1 and move that it be made a special order for the next meeting40 ,or1 in case a committee has been appointed to submit a revision of the constitution1 the following resolution may be adopted3 8,resolved1 ,that the revision of the constitution be made the special order for ,thursday morning and thereafter until it is disposed of40 ,another way of making special orders is by adopting a program1 or order of business1 in which is specified the hour for taking up each topic4 ,program4 ,it is customary to adopt a program1 or order of business1 in conventions in session for several days4 ,since the delegates and invited speakers come from a distance1 it is very important that the program be strictly adhered to4 ,no change can be made in it after its adoption by the assembly1 except by a two-thirds vote4 ,when the hour assigned to a certain topic arrives1 the chair puts to vote any questions pending and announces the topic for the hour4 ,this is done because1 under such circumstances1 the form of the program implies that the hour1 or other time1 assigned to each topic is all that can be allowed4 ,but1 if any one moves to lay the question on the table1 or postpone it to a certain time1 or refer it to a committee1 the chair should recognize the motion and immediately put it to vote without debate4 ,should any one move to extend the time allotted the pending question1 it should be decided instantly without debate1 a two-thirds vote being necessary for the extension4 ,it is seldom that an extension is desirable1 as it is unfair to the next topic4 ,when an invited speaker exceeds his time it is extremely discourteous to call for the orders of the day4 ,the chair should have an understanding with invited speakers as to how he will indicate the expiration of their time4 ,this can be done by tapping on a book or a bell4 ,it is usually better to have it understood that the signal will be given one minute before the time expires1 or longer if the speaker wishes it1 so that he can properly close his address4 ,at the expiration of the time the presiding officer should rise and attract the attention of the speaker and1 if he still continues speaking1 the chair should say that the time has expired1 etc4 ,a series of special orders made by a single vote is treated the same as a program--that is1 at the hour assigned to a particular subject it interrupts the question assigned to the previous hour4 ,if it is desired to continue the discussion of the pending topic at another time1 it can be laid on the table or postponed until after the close of the interrupting question1 by a majority vote4 ,special ,orders made at different times for specified hours4 ,when special orders that have been made at different times come into conflict1 the one that was first made takes precedence of all special orders made afterwards1 though the latter were made for an earlier hour4 ,no special order can be made so as to interfere with one previously made4 ,by reconsidering the vote making the first special order1 they can be arranged in the order desired4 ,suppose1 after a special order has been made for #c ,p4,m41 one is made for #b ,p4,m41 and still later one is made for #d ,p4,m42 if the #b ,p4,m4 order is pending at #c ,p4,m41 the order for #c ,p4,m41 having been made first1 interrupts it and continues1 if not previously disposed of1 beyond #d ,p4,m41 regardless of the special order for that hour4 ,when it1 the #c ,p4,m4 order1 is disposed of1 the special order for #b ,p4,m4 is resumed even if it is after #d o'clock1 because the #b ,p4,m4 order was made before the #d ,p4,m4 order4 ,the only exception to this rule is in the case of the hour fixed for recess or adjournment4 ,when that hour arrives the chair announces it and declares the assembly adjourned1 or in recess1 even though there is a special order pending that was made before the hour for recess or adjournment was fixed4 ,when the chair announces the hour1 any one can move to postpone the time for adjournment1 or to extend the time for considering the pending question a certain number of minutes4 ,these motions are undebatable1 and require a two-thirds vote4 ,special ,orders when only the day or meeting is specified4 ,often subjects are made special orders for a meeting without specifying an hour4 ,if the order of business provides for orders of the day1 they come up under that head1 taking precedence of general orders4 ,if there is no provision for orders of the day1 they come up under unfinished business--that is1 before new business4 ,if there is no order of business1 then they may be called up at any time after the minutes are disposed of4 ,the ,special ,order for a ,meeting4 ,sometimes a subject is made the special order for a meeting1 as for ,tuesday morning in a convention1 in which case it is announced by the chair as the pending business immediately after the disposal of the minutes4 ,this particular form is used when it is desired to devote an entire meeting1 or so much of it as is necessary1 to considering a special subject1 as the revision of the by-laws4 ,this form of a special order should take precedence of the other forms of special orders4 ,it is debatable and amendable4 ,art4 ,,iv4 ,incidental ,motions4 ,see #ac for a list and the general characteristics of these motions4 #ba4 ,questions of ,order and ,appeal4 ,a ,question of ,order takes precedence of the pending question out of which it arises2 is in order when another has the floor1 even interrupting a speech or the reading of a report2 does not require a second2 cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it2 yields to privileged motions and the motion to lay on the table2 and must be decided by the presiding officer without debate1 unless in doubtful cases he submits the question to the assembly for decision1 in which case it is debatable whenever an appeal would be4 ,before rendering his decision he may request the advice of persons of experience1 which advice or opinion should usually be given sitting to avoid the appearance of debate4 ,if the chair is still in doubt1 he may submit the question to the assembly for its decision in a manner similar to this3 8,mr4 ,a raises the point of order that the amendment just offered state the amendment is not germane to the resolution4 ,the chair is in doubt1 and submits the question to the assembly4 ,the question is1 #8,is the amendment germane to the resolution8'0 ,as no appeal can be taken from the decision of the assembly1 this question is open to debate whenever an appeal would be1 if the chair decided the question and an appeal were made from that decision4 ,therefore1 it is debatable except when it relates to indecorum1 or transgression of the rules of speaking1 or to the priority of business1 or when it is made during a division of the assembly1 or while an undebatable question is pending4 ,the question is put thus3 8,as many as are of opinion that the amendment is germane or that the point is well taken say aye2 as many as are of a contrary opinion say no4 ,the ayes have it1 the amendment is in order1 and the question is on its adoption40 ,if the negative vote is the larger it would be announced thus3 8,the noes have it1 the amendment is out of order1 and the question is on the adoption of the resolution40 ,whenever the presiding officer decides a question of order1 he has the right1 without leaving his chair1 to state the reasons for his decision1 and any two members have the right to appeal from the decision1 one making the appeal and the other seconding it4 ,it is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders of the assembly1 without debate or delay4 ,it is also the right of every member who notices the breach of a rule1 to insist upon its enforcement4 ,in such a case he rises from his seat and says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i rise to a point of order40 ,the speaker immediately takes his seat1 and the chairman requests the member to state his point of order1 which he does and resumes his seat4 ,the chair decides the point1 and then1 if no appeal is taken and the member has not been guilty of any serious breach of decorum1 the chair permits him to resume his speech4 ,but1 if his remarks are decided to be improper and any one objects1 he cannot continue without a vote of the assembly to that effect4 ,see #dc for a full treatment of this subject of indecorum in debate4 ,the question of order must be raised at the time the breach of order occurs1 so that after a motion has been discussed it is too late to raise the question as to whether it was in order1 or for the chair to rule the motion out of order4 ,the only exception is where the motion is in violation of the laws1 or the constitution1 by-laws1 or standing rules of the organization1 or of fundamental parliamentary principles1 so that if adopted it would be null and void4 ,in such cases it is never too late to raise a point of order against the motion4 ,this is called raising a question1 or point1 of order1 because the member in effect puts to the chair1 whose duty it is to enforce order1 the question as to whether there is not now a breach of order4 ,instead of the method just described1 it is usual1 when it is simply a case of improper language used in debate1 for the chair to call the speaker to order1 or for a member to say1 8,i call the gentleman to order40 ,the chairman decides whether the speaker is in or out of order1 and proceeds as before4 ,appeal4 ,an appeal may be made from any decision of the chair 7except when another appeal is pending71 but it can be made only at the time the ruling is made4 ,it is in order while another member has the floor4 ,if any debate or business has intervened it is too late to appeal4 ,an answer to a parliamentary inquiry is not a decision1 and therefore cannot be appealed from4 ,while an appeal is pending a question of order may be raised1 which the chair decides peremptorily1 there being no appeal from this decision4 ,but the question as to the correctness of the ruling can be brought up afterwards when no other business is pending4 ,an appeal yields to privileged motions1 and to the motion to lay on the table4 ,the effect of subsidiary motions is as follows3 ,an appeal cannot be amended4 ,if the decision from which an appeal is taken is of such a nature that the reversal of the ruling would not in any way affect the consideration of1 or action on1 the main question1 then the main question does not adhere to the appeal1 and its consideration is resumed as soon as the appeal is laid on the table1 postponed1 etc4 ,but if the ruling affects the consideration of1 or action on1 the main question1 then the main question adheres to the appeal1 and when the latter is laid on the table1 or postponed1 the main question goes with it4 ,thus1 if the appeal is from the decision that a proposed amendment is out of order and the appeal is laid on the table1 it would be absurd to come to final action on the main question and then afterwards reverse the decision of the chair and take up the amendment when there was no question to amend4 ,the vote on an appeal may be reconsidered4 ,an appeal cannot be debated when it relates simply to indecorum1 or to transgression of the rules of speaking1 or to the priority of business1 or if made during a division of the assembly1 or while the immediately pending question is undebatable4 ,when debatable1 as it is in all other cases1 no member is allowed to speak more than once except the presiding officer1 who may at the close of the debate answer the arguments against the decision4 ,whether debatable or not1 the chairman when stating the question on the appeal may1 without leaving the chair1 state the reasons for his decision4 ,when a member wishes to appeal from the decision of the chair he rises as soon as the decision is made1 even though another has the floor1 and without waiting to be recognized by the chair1 says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i appeal from the decision of the chair40 ,if this appeal is seconded1 the chair should state clearly the question at issue1 and his reasons for the decision if he thinks it necessary1 and then state the question thus3 8,the question is1 #8,shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the assembly or society1 or club1 etc48'0 or1 8,shall the decision of the chair be sustained80 ,to put the question he would say1 8,those in the affirmative say aye10 and after the affirmative vote has been taken he would say1 8,those in the negative say no4 ,the ayes have it and the decision of the chair is sustained or stands as the judgment of the assembly40 ,or1 8,the noes have it and the decision of the chair is reversed40 ,in either case he immediately announces what is before the assembly as the result of the vote4 ,if there is a tie vote the chair is sustained1 and if the chair is a member of the assembly he may vote to make it a tie1 on the principle that the decision of the chair stands until reversed by a majority1 including the chairman if he is a member of the assembly4 ,in stating the question1 the word 8assembly0 should be replaced by 8society10 or 8club10 or 8board10 etc41 as the case may be4 ,the announcement of a vote is not a decision of the chair4 ,if a member doubts the correctness of the announcement he cannot appeal1 but should call for a 8,division0 #be4 #bb4 ,suspension of the ,rules4#ab ,the motion to suspend the rules may be made at any time when no question is pending2 or while a question is pending1 provided it is for a purpose connected with that question4 ,it yields to all the privileged motions 7except a call for the orders of the day71 to the motion to lay on the table1 and to incidental motions arising out of itself4 ,it is undebatable and cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it1 nor can a vote on it be reconsidered1 nor can a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed at the same meeting except by unanimous consent1 though it may be renewed after an adjournment1 even if the next meeting is held the same day4 #ab ,in ,congress the former practice was to suspend the rule as to the order of business in order to consider a particular bill1 but now it is customary 8to suspend the rule and pass0 the resolution or bill4 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #bg contains the following3 8#a4 ,no rule shall be suspended except by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting1 a quorum being present2 nor shall the ,speaker entertain a motion to suspend the rules except on the first and third ,mondays of each month1 preference being given on the first ,monday to individuals and on the third ,monday to committees1 and during the last six days of a session4 8#b4 ,all motions to suspend the rules shall1 before being submitted to the ,house1 be seconded by a majority by tellers1 if demanded4 8#c4 ,when a motion to suspend the rules has been seconded1 it shall be in order1 before the final vote is taken thereon1 to debate the proposition to be voted upon for forty minutes1 one-half of such time to be given to debate in favor of1 and one-half to debate in opposition to1 such proposition2 and the same right of debate shall be allowed whenever the previous question has been ordered on any proposition on which there has been no debate40 ,when the assembly wishes to do something that cannot be done without violating its own rules1 and yet it is not in conflict with its constitution1 or by-laws1 or with the fundamental principles of parliamentary law1 it 8suspends the rules that interfere with0 the proposed action4 ,the object of the suspension must be specified1 and nothing else can be done under the suspension4 ,the rules that can be suspended are those relating to priority of business1 or to business procedure1 or to admission to the meetings1 etc41 and would usually be comprised under the heads of rules of order4 ,sometimes societies include in their by-laws some rules relating to the transaction of business without any intention1 evidently1 of giving these rules any greater stability than is possessed by other rules of their class1 and they may be suspended the same as if they were called rules of order4 ,a standing rule as defined in #fg may be suspended by a majority vote4 ,but sometimes the term 8standing rules0 is applied to what are strictly rules of order1 and then1 like rules of order1 they require a two-thirds vote for their suspension4 ,nothing that requires previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its amendment can be suspended by less than a two-thirds vote4 ,no rule can be suspended when the negative vote is as large as the minority protected by that rule2 nor can a rule protecting absentees be suspended even by general consent or a unanimous vote4 ,for instance1 a rule requiring notice of a motion to be given at a previous meeting cannot be suspended by a unanimous vote1 as it protects absentees who do not give their consent4 ,a rule requiring officers to be elected by ballot cannot be suspended by a unanimous vote1 because the rule protects a minority of one from exposing his vote1 and this he must do if he votes openly in the negative1 or objects to giving general consent4 ,nor can this result be accomplished by voting that the ballot of the assembly be cast by the secretary or any one else1 as this does away with the essential principle of the ballot1 namely1 secrecy1 and is a suspension of the by-law1 and practically allows a viva voce vote4 ,if it is desired to allow the suspension of a by-law that cannot be suspended under these rules1 then it is necessary to provide in the by-laws for its suspension4 ,the ,form of this motion is1 8to suspend the rules that interfere with10 etc41 stating the object of the suspension1 as1 8the consideration of a resolution on 4444444410 which resolution is immediately offered after the rules are suspended1 the chair recognizing for that purpose the member that moved to suspend the rules4 ,or1 if it is desired to consider a question which has been laid on the table1 and cannot be taken up at that time because that class of business is not then in order1 or to consider a question that has been postponed to another time1 or that is in the order of business for another time1 then the motion may be made thus1 8,i move to suspend the rules and take up or consider the resolution44440 ,when the object is not to take up a question for discussion but to adopt it without debate1 the motion is made thus3 8,i move to suspend the rules and adopt or agree to the following resolution10 which is then read3 or1 8,i move to suspend the rules1 and adopt or agree to the resolution on44440 ,the same form may be used in a case like this3 8,i move to suspend the rules1 and admit to the privileges of the floor members of sister societies10 which merely admits them to the hall4 ,instead of a formal motion to suspend the rules1 it is more usual to ask for general consent to do the particular business that is out of order4 ,as soon as the request is made the chair inquires if there is any objection1 and if no one objects1 he directs the member to proceed just as if the rules had been suspended by a formal vote4 ,see ,general ,consent #dh4 #bc4 ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question4 ,an objection may be made to the consideration of any original main motion1 and to no others1 provided it is made before there is any debate or before any subsidiary motion is stated4 ,thus1 it may be applied to petitions and to communications that are not from a superior body1 as well as to resolutions4 ,it cannot be applied to incidental main motions #aa1 such as amendments to by-laws1 or to reports of committees on subjects referred to them1 etc4 ,it is similar to a question of order in that it can be made when another has the floor1 and does not require a second2 and as the chairman can call a member to order1 so he can put this question1 if he deems it advisable1 upon his own responsibility4 ,it cannot be debated1 or amended1 or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it yields to privileged motions and to the motion to lay on the table4 ,a negative1 but not an affirmative vote on the consideration may be reconsidered4#ac #ac ,in ,congress the introduction of a question may be prevented temporarily by a majority vote under ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #af1 #c1 which is as follows3 8#c4 ,when any motion or proposition is made1 the question1 ,will the ,house now consider it8 shall not be put unless demanded by a member40 ,if the ,house refuses to consider a bill the vote cannot be reconsidered4 ,but this refusal does not prevent the question's being again introduced the same session4 ,in assemblies having brief sessions lasting usually only a few hours1 or at most not over a week1 it is necessary that the assembly have the power by a two-thirds vote to decide that a question shall not be introduced during that session4 ,as the refusal to consider the question prevents its renewal during the session1 the vote may be reconsidered4 ,when an original main motion is made and any member wishes to prevent its consideration1 he rises1 although another has the floor1 and says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i object to its consideration40 ,the chairman immediately puts the question1 8,the consideration of the question has been objected to3 ,will the assembly consider it8 or1 ,shall the question be considered80 ,if decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote1 the whole matter is dismissed for that session2 otherwise1 the discussion continues as if this objection had never been made4 ,the same question may be introduced at any succeeding session4 ,the ,object of this motion is not to cut off debate 7for which other motions are provided7 but to enable the assembly to avoid altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant1 unprofitable1 or contentious4 ,if the chair considers the question entirely outside the objects of the society1 he should rule it out of order1 from which decision an appeal may be taken4 ,objection to the consideration of a question must not be confounded with objecting where unanimous consent1 or a majority vote1 is required4 ,thus1 in case of the minority of a committee desiring to submit their views1 a single member saying1 8,i object10 prevents it1 unless the assembly by a majority vote grants them permission4 #bd4 ,division of a ,question1 and ,consideration by ,paragraph4 ,division of a ,question4 #ad ,the motion to divide a question can be applied only to main motions and to amendments4 ,it takes precedence of nothing but the motion to postpone indefinitely1 and yields to all privileged1 incidental1 and subsidiary motions except to amend and to postpone indefinitely4 ,it may be amended but can have no other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it is undebatable4 ,it may be made at any time when the question to be divided1 or the motion to postpone indefinitely1 is immediately pending1 even after the previous question has been ordered4 ,but it is preferable to divide the question when it is first introduced4 ,when divided each resolution or proposition is considered and voted on separately1 the same as if it had been offered alone4 ,the motion to adopt1 which was pending when the question was divided1 applies to all the parts into which the question has been divided and should not1 therefore1 be repeated4 ,the formality of a vote on dividing the question is generally dispensed with1 as it is usually arranged by general consent4 ,but if this cannot be done1 then a formal motion to divide is necessary1 specifying the exact method of division4 #ad ,section #f of ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #af is as follows3 8#f4 ,on the demand of any member1 before the question is put1 a question shall be divided if it include propositions so distinct in substance that one being taken away a substantive proposition shall remain40 ,when a motion relating to a certain subject contains several parts1 each of which is capable of standing as a complete proposition if the others are removed1 it can be divided into two or more propositions to be considered and voted on as distinct questions1 by the assembly's adopting a motion to divide the question in a specified manner4 ,the motion must clearly state how the question is to be divided1 and any one else may propose a different division1 and these different propositions1 or amendments1 should be treated as filling blanks2 that is1 they should be voted on in the order in which they are made1 unless they suggest different numbers of questions1 when the largest number is voted on first4 ,if a resolution includes several distinct propositions1 but is so written that they cannot be separated without its being rewritten1 the question can not be divided4 ,the division must not require the secretary to do more than to mechanically separate the resolution into the required parts1 prefixing to each part the words 8,resolved1 ,that10 or 8,ordered1 ,that10 and dropping conjunctions when necessary1 and replacing pronouns by the nouns for which they stand1 wherever the division makes it necessary4 ,when the question is divided1 each separate question must be a proper one for the assembly to act upon1 if none of the others is adopted4 ,thus1 a motion to 8commit with instructions0 is indivisible2 because1 if divided1 and the motion to commit should fail1 then the other motion1 to instruct the committee1 would be absurd1 as there would be no committee to instruct4 ,the motion to 8strike out certain words and insert others0 is strictly one proposition and therefore indivisible4 ,if a series of independent resolutions relating to different subjects is included in one motion1 it must be divided on the request of a single member1 which request may be made while another has the floor4 ,but however complicated a single proposition may be1 no member has a right to insist upon its division4 ,his remedy is to move that it be divided1 if it is capable of division1 or1 if not1 to move to strike out the objectionable parts4 ,a motion to strike out a name in a resolution brings the assembly to a vote on that name just as well as would a division of the question1 if it were allowed to go to that extent1 which it is not4 ,if a series of resolutions is proposed as a substitute for another series1 such a motion is incapable of division2 but a motion can be made to strike out any of the resolutions before the vote is taken on the substitution4 ,after they have been substituted it is too late to strike out any of them4 ,when a committee reports a number of amendments to a resolution referred to it1 one vote may be taken on adopting1 or agreeing to1 all the amendments provided no one objects4 ,but if a single member requests separate votes on one or more of the amendments1 they must be considered separately4 ,the others may all be voted on together4 ,consideration by ,paragraph or ,seriatim4 ,where an elaborate proposition is submitted1 like a series of resolutions on one subject1 or a set of by-laws1 the parts being intimately connected1 it should not be divided4 ,the division would add greatly to the difficulty of perfecting the different paragraphs or by-laws by amendments4 ,if the paragraphs are adopted separately1 and amendments to succeeding paragraphs make it necessary to amend a preceding one1 it can be done only by first reconsidering the vote on the preceding paragraph4 ,in the case of by-laws the trouble is increased1 because each by-law goes into effect as soon as adopted1 and its amendment is controlled by any by-law or rule that may have been adopted on the subject4 ,when the paragraphs are voted on separately no vote should be taken on the whole4 ,but in all such cases the proper course is to consider the proposition by paragraph1 or section1 or resolution1 or1 as it is often called1 seriatim4 ,the chair should always adopt this course when the question consists of several paragraphs or resolutions1 unless he thinks the assembly wishes to act on them immediately as a whole1 when he asks if they shall be taken up by paragraph1 and the matter is settled informally4 ,should the chair neglect to take up the proposition by paragraph1 any one may move that the proposition be considered by paragraph1 or seriatim4 ,the method of procedure in acting upon a complicated report1 as1 a set of by-laws1 or a series of resolutions that cannot well be divided1 is as follows1 the word 8paragraph0 being used to designate the natural subdivisions1 whether they are paragraphs1 sections1 articles1 or resolutions4 ,the member submitting the report1 having obtained the floor1 says that such and such a committee submits the following report2 or1 that the committee recommends the adoption of the following resolutions4 ,in either case he reads the report1 or resolutions1 and moves their adoption4 ,should he neglect to move their adoption the chair should call for such a motion1 or he may assume the motion and state the question accordingly4 ,the chairman1 or the secretary1 or the member who reported it1 as the chair decides is for the best interest of the assembly1 then reads the first paragraph1 which is explained by the reporting member1 after which the chair asks1 8,are there any amendments to this paragraph80 ,the paragraph is then open to debate and amendment4 ,when no further amendments are proposed to this paragraph1 the chair says1 8,there being no further amendments to this paragraph the next will be read40 ,in a similar manner each paragraph in succession is read1 explained if necessary1 debated1 and amended1 the paragraphs being amended but not adopted4 ,after all the paragraphs have been amended1 the chair says the entire by-law1 or paper1 or resolution is open to amendment1 when additional paragraphs may be inserted and any paragraph may be further amended4 ,when the paper is satisfactorily amended1 the preamble1 if any1 is treated the same way1 and then a single vote is taken on the adoption of the entire paper1 report1 or series of resolutions4 ,if the previous question is ordered on a resolution1 or series of resolutions1 or on a set of by-laws1 before the preamble has been considered it does not apply to the preamble1 unless expressly so stated1 because the preamble cannot be considered until after debate has ceased on the resolutions or by-laws4 ,it is not necessary to amend the numbers of the sections1 paragraphs1 etc41 as it is the duty of the secretary to make all such corrections where changes are rendered necessary by amendments4 #be4 ,division of the ,assembly1 and other ,motions relating to ,voting4 ,a ,division of the ,assembly #ae may be called for1 without obtaining the floor1 at any time after the question has been put1 even after the vote has been announced and another has the floor1 provided the vote was taken viva voce1 or by show of hands1 and it is called for before another motion has been made4 ,this call1 or motion1 is made by saying1 8,i call for a division10 or 8,i doubt the vote10 or simply by calling out1 8,division40 ,it does not require a second1 and cannot be debated1 or amended1 or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,as soon as a division is called for1 the chair proceeds again to take the vote1 this time by having the affirmative rise1 and then when they are seated having the negative rise4 ,while any member has the right to insist upon a rising vote1 or a division1 where there is any question as to the vote being a true expression of the will of the assembly1 the chair should not permit this privilege to be abused to the annoyance of the assembly1 by members constantly demanding a division where there is a full vote and no question as to which side is in the majority4 ,it requires a majority vote to order the vote to be counted1 or to be taken by yeas and nays 7roll call7 or by ballot4 ,these motions are incidental to the question that is pending or has just been pending1 and cannot be debated4 ,when different methods are suggested they are usually treated not as amendments1 but like filling blanks1 the vote being taken first on the one taking the most time4 ,in practice the method of taking a vote is generally agreed upon without the formality of a vote4 #ae ,see foot note1 page #dj1 for the rule of ,congress4 ,when the vote is taken by ballot during a meeting of the assembly1 as soon as the chair thinks all have voted who wish to1 he inquires if all have voted1 and if there is no response he declares the polls closed1 and the tellers proceed to count the vote4 ,if a formal motion is made to close the polls it should not be recognized until all have presumably voted1 and then it requires a two-thirds vote like motions to close debate or nominations4 ,if members enter afterwards and it is desired to reopen the polls it can be done by a majority vote4 ,none of these motions are debatable4 #bf4 ,motions relating to ,nominations4 ,if no method of making nominations is designated by the by-laws or rules1 and the assembly has adopted no order on the subject1 any one can make a motion prescribing the method of nomination for an office to be filled4 ,if the election is pending1 this motion is incidental to it2 if the election is not pending1 it is an incidental main motion4 ,it is undebatable and when it is an incidental motion it can have no subsidiary motion applied to it except to amend4 ,it yields to privileged motions4 ,the motion may provide for nominations being made by the chair2 or from the floor1 or open nominations as it is also called2 or for a nominating committee to be appointed2 or for nominations to be made by ballot2 or by mail4 ,see ,nominations and ,elections1 #ff4 ,closing and ,reopening ,nominations4 ,before proceeding to an election1 if nominations have been made from the floor or by a committee1 the chair should inquire if there are any further nominations4 ,if there is no response he declares the nominations closed4 ,in very large bodies it is customary to make a motion to close nominations1 but until a reasonable time has been given1 this motion is not in order4 ,it is a main motion1 incidental to the nominations and elections1 cannot be debated1 can be amended as to the time1 but can have no other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it yields to privileged motions1 and requires a two-thirds vote as it deprives members of one of their rights4 ,if for any reason it is desired to reopen nominations it may be done by a majority vote4 ,this motion is undebatable4 ,it can be amended as to the time1 but no other subsidiary motion can be applied to it4 ,it yields to privileged motions4 #bg4 ,requests ,growing out of the ,business of the ,assembly4 ,during the meetings of a deliberative assembly there are occasions when members wish to obtain information1 or to do or to have done things that necessitate their making a request4 ,among these are the following1 which will be treated separately3 7a7 ,parliamentary ,inquiry2 7b7 ,request for ,information2 7c7 ,leave to ,withdraw a ,motion2 7d7 ,reading ,papers2 7e7 ,to be ,excused from a ,duty2 7f7 ,for any other ,privilege4 7a7 ,parliamentary ,inquiry4 ,a parliamentary inquiry1 if it relates to a question that requires immediate attention1 may be made while another has the floor1 or may even interrupt a speech4 ,it should not1 however1 be permitted to interrupt a speaker any more than is necessary to do justice to the inquirer4 ,it yields to privileged motions1 if they were in order when the inquiry was made1 and it cannot be debated or amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,the inquirer does not obtain the floor1 but rises and says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i rise to a parliamentary inquiry40 ,the chairman asks him to state his inquiry1 and if he deems it pertinent1 he answers it4 ,or1 if the inquiry is made when another has the floor1 and there is no necessity for answering it until the speech is finished1 the chair may defer his answer until the speaker has closed his remarks4 ,while it is not the duty of the chairman to answer questions of parliamentary law in general1 it is his duty when requested by a member1 to answer any questions on parliamentary law pertinent to the pending business that may be necessary to enable the member to make a suitable motion or to raise a point of order4 ,the chairman is supposed to be familiar with parliamentary law1 while many of the members are not4 ,a member wishing to raise a point of order and yet in doubt1 should rise to a parliamentary inquiry and ask for information4 ,or1 for instance1 he may wish to have the assembly act immediately on a subject that is in the hands of a committee1 and he does not know how to accomplish it2--his recourse is a parliamentary inquiry4 7b7 ,request for ,information4 ,a request for information relating to the pending business is treated just as a parliamentary inquiry1 and has the same privileges4 ,the inquirer rises and says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i rise for information10 or1 8,i rise to a point of information10 whereupon the chair directs him to state the point upon which he desires information1 and the procedure continues as in case of a parliamentary inquiry4 ,if the information is desired of the speaker1 instead of the chair1 the inquirer upon rising says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i should like to ask the gentleman a question40 ,the chairman inquires if the speaker is willing to be interrupted1 and if he consents1 he directs the inquirer to proceed4 ,the inquirer then asks the question through the chair1 thus1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i should like to ask the gentleman10 etc4 ,the reply is made in the same way1 as it is not in order for members to address one another in the assembly4 ,while each speaker addresses the chair1 the chair remains silent during the conversation4 ,if the speaker consents to the interruption the time consumed is taken out of his time4 7c7 ,leave to ,withdraw or ,modify a ,motion4 #af ,a request for leave to withdraw a motion1 or a motion to grant such leave1 may be made at any time before voting on the question has commenced1 even though the motion has been amended4 ,it requires no second4 ,it may be made while incidental or subsidiary motions are pending1 and these motions cease to be before the assembly when the question to which they are incidental or subsidiary is withdrawn4 ,it yields to privileged motions1 and cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it is undebatable4 ,when it is too late to renew it1 the motion to reconsider cannot be withdrawn without unanimous consent4 ,when a motion is withdrawn1 the effect is the same as if it had never been made4 ,until a motion is stated by the chairman1 the mover may withdraw or modify it without asking consent of any one4 ,if he modifies it the seconder may withdraw his second4 ,after the question has been stated it is in possession of the assembly1 and he can neither withdraw nor modify it without the consent of the assembly4 ,when the mover requests permission to modify or withdraw his motion1 the chair asks if there is any objection1 and if there is none he announces that the motion is withdrawn or modified in such and such a way1 as the case may be4 ,if any one objects the chair puts the question on granting the request1 or a motion may be made to grant it4 ,in case the mover of a main motion wishes to accept an amendment that has been offered1 without obtaining the floor1 he says1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i accept the amendment40 ,if no objection is made the chair announces the question as amended4 ,if any one objects1 the chair states the question on the amendment1 as it can be accepted only by general consent4 ,a request for leave to do anything is treated the same as a motion to grant the leave except that the request must be made by the maker of the motion it is proposed to modify1 while the motion to grant the leave is made by some one else and therefore requires no second as it is favored by the one making the request4 #af ,in ,congress a motion 8may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or amendment40 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #af1 #b4 ,the rule given above1 which is in accordance with the common parliamentary law1 is better adapted to ordinary assemblies4 7d7 ,reading ,papers4 ,if any member objects1 a member has no right to read1 or have the clerk read1 from any paper or book1 as a part of his speech1 without the permission of the assembly4 ,the request or the motion to grant such permission yields to privileged motions4 ,it cannot be debated1 or amended1 or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it is customary1 however1 to allow members to read printed extracts as parts of their speeches1 as long as they do not abuse the privilege4 ,where papers are laid before the assembly1 every member has a right to have them read once1 or if there is debate or amendment he has the right to have them read again1 before he can be compelled to vote on them4 ,whenever a member asks for the reading of any such paper evidently for information1 and not for delay1 the chair should direct it to be read1 if no one objects4 ,but a member has not the right to have anything read 7excepting as stated above7 without permission of the assembly4 ,if a member was absent from the hall when the paper under consideration was read1 even though absent on duty1 he cannot insist on its being again read1 as the convenience of the assembly is of more importance than that of a single member4 7e7 ,to be ,excused from a ,duty4 ,if a member is elected to office1 or appointed on a committee1 or has any other duty placed on him1 and he is unable or unwilling to perform the duty1 if present he should decline it immediately1 and if absent he should1 upon learning of the fact1 at once notify the secretary or president orally or in writing that he cannot accept the duty4 ,in most organizations members cannot be compelled to accept office or perform any duties not required by the by-laws1 and therefore they have the right to decline office4 ,but if a member does not immediately decline1 by his silence he accepts the office1 and is under obligation to perform the duty until there has been a reasonable opportunity for his resignation to be accepted4 ,the secretary1 for instance1 cannot relieve himself from the responsibility of his office by resigning4 ,his responsibility as secretary does not cease until his resignation is accepted1 or1 at least1 until there has been a reasonable time for its acceptance4 ,it is seldom good policy to decline to accept a resignation4 ,as a member has no right to continue to hold an office the duties of which he cannot or will not perform1 so a society has no right to force an office on an unwilling member4 ,when a member declines an office1 no motion is necessary1 unless the by-laws of the society make the performance of such duties obligatory upon members4 ,if the member is present at the election1 the vacancy is filled as if no one had been elected4 ,if the member was not present at the election1 when the chair announces his refusal to take the office1 as it is a question of privilege relating to the organization of the society1 the election to fill the vacancy may take place at once unless notice is required1 or other provision for filling vacancies is provided by the by-laws4 ,in the case of a resignation1 the chair may at once state the question on accepting it1 or a motion to that effect may be made4 ,in either case it is debatable and may have any subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it yields to privileged and incidental motions4 7f7 ,request for ,any ,other ,privilege4 ,when any request is to be made the member rises and addresses the chair1 and as soon as he catches the eye of the chairman1 states at once why he rises4 ,he should rise as soon as a member yields the floor1 and1 though the floor is assigned to another1 he still makes his request4 ,he should never interrupt a member while speaking unless he is sure that the urgency of the case justifies it4 ,as a rule all such questions are settled by general consent1 or informally1 but1 if objection is made1 a vote is taken4 ,an explanation may be requested or given1 but there is no debate4 ,as these requests arise1 they should be treated so as to interrupt the proceedings as little as is consistent with the demands of justice4 ,art4 ,v4 ,subsidiary ,motions4 ,see #ab for a list and the general characteristics of these motions4 #bh4 ,to ,lay on the ,table4 ,this motion takes precedence of all other subsidiary #ab motions and of such incidental #ac questions as are pending at the time it is made4 ,it yields to privileged #ad motions and such motions as are incidental to itself4 ,it is undebatable and cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,it may be applied to any main #aa motion2 to any question of privilege or order of the day1 after it is before the assembly for consideration2 to an appeal that does not adhere to the main question1 so that the action on the latter would not be affected by the reversal of the chair's decision2 or to the motion to reconsider when immediately pending1 in which case the question to be reconsidered goes to the table also4 ,no motion that has another motion adhering to it can be laid on the table by itself2 if laid on the table it carries with it everything that adheres to it4 ,when a motion is taken from the table #ce everything is in the same condition1 as far as practicable1 as when the motion was laid on the table1 except that if not taken up until the next session the effect of the previous question is exhausted4 ,if debate has been closed by ordering the previous question1 or otherwise1 up to the moment of taking the last vote under the order1 the questions still before the assembly may be laid on the table4 ,thus1 if1 while a resolution and an amendment and a motion to commit are pending1 the previous question is ordered on the series of questions1 and the vote has been taken and lost on the motion to commit1 it is in order to lay on the table the resolution1 which carries with it the adhering amendment4 ,this motion cannot be applied to anything except a question actually pending1 therefore it is not in order to lay on the table a class of questions1 as the orders of the day1 or unfinished business1 or reports of committees1 because they are not pending questions1 as only one main motion can be pending at a time4 ,to accomplish the desired object1 which is evidently to reach a special subject or class of business1 the proper course is to suspend the rules by a two-thirds vote and take up the desired question or class of business4 ,sometimes when it is desired to pass over the next order or class of business1 that business is 8passed10 as it is called1 by general consent4 ,in such case1 as soon as the business for which it was 8passed0 is disposed of1 it is then taken up4 ,by general consent1 the business to come before the assembly may be considered in any order the assembly desires4 ,if a motion to lay on the table has been made and lost1 or if a question laid on the table has been taken from the table1 it shows that the assembly wishes to consider the question now1 and therefore a motion made the same day to lay that question on the table is out of order until there has been material progress in business or debate1 or unless an unforeseen urgent matter requires immediate attention4 ,the assembly cannot be required to vote again the same day on laying the question on the table unless there is such a change in the state of affairs as to make it a new question4 ,motions relating to adjournment or recess1 made and lost1 are not business justifying the renewal of the motion to lay on the table1 but the renewal of the motion might be justified after a vote on an important amendment1 or on the motion to commit4 ,a vote on laying on the table cannot be reconsidered1 because1 if lost the motion may be renewed as soon as there has been material progress in debate or business1 or even before if anything unforeseen occurs of such an urgent nature as to require immediate attention2 and if adopted the question may be taken from the table as soon as the interrupting business has been disposed of and while no question is pending1 and business of this class1 or new or unfinished business1 is in order4 ,the ,form of this motion is1 8,i move to lay the question on the table10 or1 8,that the question be laid on the table10 or1 8,that the question lie on the table40 ,it cannot be qualified in any way2 if it is qualified1 thus1 8,to lay the question on the table until #b ,p4,m410 the chair should state it properly as a motion to postpone until #b ,p4,m41 which is a debatable question1 and not the motion to lay on the table4 ,the ,object #ag of this motion is to enable the assembly1 in order to attend to more urgent business1 to lay aside the pending question in such a way that its consideration may be resumed at the will of the assembly as easily as if it were a new question1 and in preference to new questions competing with it for consideration4 ,it is to the interest of the assembly that this object should be attained instantly by a majority vote1 and therefore this motion must either apply to1 or take precedence of1 every debatable motion whatever its rank4 ,it is undebatable1 and requires only a majority vote1 notwithstanding the fact that if not taken from the table the question is suppressed4 ,these are dangerous privileges which are given to no other motion whose adoption would result in final action on a main motion4 ,there is a great temptation to make an improper use of them1 and lay questions on the table for the purpose of instantly suppressing them by a majority vote1 instead of using the previous question1 the legitimate motion to bring the assembly to an immediate vote4 ,the fundamental principles of parliamentary law require a two-thirds vote for every motion that suppresses a main question for the session without free debate4 ,the motion to lay on the table being undebatable1 and requiring only a majority vote1 and having the highest rank of all subsidiary motions1 is in direct conflict with these principles1 if used to suppress a question4 ,if habitually used in this way1 it should1 like the other motions to suppress without debate1 require a two-thirds vote4 #ag ,the common parliamentary law in regard to this motion is thus laid down in ,section #cc of ,jefferson's ,manual1 the authority in both ,houses of ,congress3 8#d4 ,when the ,house has something else which claims its present attention1 but would be willing to reserve in their power to take up a proposition whenever it shall suit them1 they order it to lie on their table4 ,it may then be called for at any time40 ,but1 on account of the enormous number of bills introduced each session and the possibility of considering only a small fraction of them1 ,congress has been obliged to find some way by which the majority can quickly kill a bill4 ,the high rank and undebatability of this motion enabled it to be used for this purpose by simply allowing its mover the right of recognition in preference to the member reporting the bill1 and then not allowing a question to be taken from the table except under a suspension of the rules 7unless it is a privileged matter71 which requires a two-thirds vote4 ,this complete revolution in the use of the motion to lay on the table renders all the practice of ,congress in regard to this motion useless for any ordinary deliberative assembly4 ,it is the extreme of a 8gag law10 and is only justifiable in an assembly where it is impossible to attend to one-tenth of the bills and resolutions introduced4 ,in ,congress1 to lay on the table and the previous question require the same vote 7a majority71 and in all ordinary societies where to lay on the table is habitually used to kill questions1 it should require the same vote as the previous question1 namely1 two-thirds4 ,the minority has no remedy for the unfair use of this motion1 but the evil can be slightly diminished as follows3 ,the person who introduces a resolution is sometimes cut off from speaking by the motion to lay the question on the table being made as soon as the chair states the question1 or even before4 ,in such cases the introducer of the resolution should always claim the floor1 to which he is entitled1 and make his speech4 ,persons are commonly in such a hurry to make this motion that they neglect to address the chair and thus obtain the floor4 ,in such case one of the minority should address the chair quickly1 and if not given the floor1 make the point of order that he is the first one to address the chair1 and that the other member1 not having the floor1 was not entitled to make a motion #c4 ,as motions laid on the table are merely temporarily laid aside1 the majority should remember that the minority may all stay to the moment of final adjournment and then be in the majority1 and take up and pass the resolutions laid on the table4 ,they may also take the question from the table at the next meeting in societies having regular meetings as frequently as quarterly4 ,the safer and fairer method is to object to the consideration of the question if it is so objectionable that it is not desired to allow even its introducer to speak on it2 or1 if there has been debate so it cannot be objected to1 then to move the previous question1 which1 if adopted1 immediately brings the assembly to a vote4 ,these are legitimate motions for getting at the sense of the members at once as to whether they wish the subject discussed1 and1 as they require a two-thirds vote1 no one has a right to object to their being adopted4 ,the ,effect of the adoption of this motion is to place on the table1 that is1 in charge of the secretary1 the pending question and everything adhering to it2 so1 if an amendment is pending to a motion to refer a resolution to a committee1 and the question is laid on the table1 all these questions go together to the table1 and when taken from the table they all come up together4 ,an amendment proposed to anything already adopted is a main motion1 and therefore when laid on the table1 does not carry with it the thing proposed to be amended4 ,a question of privilege may be laid on the table without carrying with it the question it interrupted4 ,in legislative bodies1 and all others that do not have regular sessions as often as quarterly1 questions laid on the table remain there for that entire session1 unless taken up before the session closes4 ,in deliberative bodies with regular sessions as frequent as quarterly1 the sessions usually are very short and questions laid on the table remain there until the close of the next regular session1 if not taken up earlier3 just as in the same assemblies a question can be postponed to the next session1 and the effect of the motion to reconsider1 if not called up1 does not terminate until the close of the next session4 ,the reasons for any one of these rules apply with nearly equal force to the others4 ,while a question is on the table no motion on the same subject is in order that would in any way affect the question that is on the table2 it is necessary first to take the question from the table and move the new one as a substitute1 or to make such other motion as is adapted to the case4 #bi4 ,the ,previous ,question#ah takes precedence of all subsidiary #ab motions except to lay on the table1 and yields to privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions1 and to the motion to lay on the table4 ,it is undebatable1 and cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it4 ,the effect of an amendment may be obtained by calling for1 or moving1 the previous question on a different set of the pending questions 7which must be consecutive and include the immediately pending question71 in which case the vote is taken first on the motion which orders the previous question on the largest number of questions4 ,it may be applied to any debatable or amendable motion or motions1 and if unqualified it applies only to the immediately pending motion4 ,it may be qualified so as to apply to a series of pending questions1 or to a consecutive part of a series beginning with the immediately pending question4 ,it requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption4 ,after the previous question has been ordered1 up to the time of taking the last vote under it1 the questions that have not been voted on may be laid on the table1 but can have no other subsidiary motions applied to them4 ,an appeal made after the previous question has been demanded or ordered and before its exhaustion1 is undebatable4 ,the previous question1 before any vote has been taken under it1 may be reconsidered1 but not after its partial execution4 ,as no one would vote to reconsider the vote ordering the previous question who was not opposed to the previous question1 it follows that if the motion to reconsider prevails1 it will be impossible to secure a two-thirds vote for the previous question1 and1 therefore1 if it is voted to reconsider the previous question it is considered as rejecting that question and placing the business as it was before the previous question was moved4 ,if a vote taken under the previous question is reconsidered before the previous question is exhausted1 there can be no debate or amendment of the proposition2 but if the reconsideration is after the previous question is exhausted1 then the motion to reconsider1 as well as the question to be reconsidered1 is divested of the previous question and is debatable4 ,if lost1 the previous question may be renewed after sufficient progress in debate to make it a new question4 #ah ,the previous question is the only motion used in the ,house of ,representatives for closing debate4 ,it may be ordered by a majority vote4 ,if there has been no previous debate on the subject1 forty minutes of debate1 to be equally divided between those opposed to and those in favor of the proposition1 is allowed after the previous question has been ordered4 ,the motion is not allowed in the ,senate4 ,house ,rule #ag is as follows3 8#a4 ,there shall be a motion for the previous question1 which1 being ordered by a majority of members voting1 if a quorum be present1 shall have the effect to cut off all debate and bring the ,house to a direct vote upon the immediate question or questions on which it has been asked and ordered4 ,the previous question may be asked and ordered upon a single motion1 a series of motions allowable under the rules1 or an amendment or amendments1 or may be made to embrace all authorized motions or amendments and include the bill to its passage or rejection4 ,it shall be in order1 pending the motion for1 or after the previous question shall have been ordered on its passage1 for the ,speaker to entertain and submit a motion to commit1 with or without instructions1 to a standing or select committee4 8#b4 ,a call of the ,house shall not be in order after the previous question is ordered1 unless it shall appear upon an actual count by the ,speaker that a quorum is not present4 8#c4 ,all incidental questions of order arising after a motion is made for the previous question1 and pending such motion1 shall be decided1 whether on appeal or otherwise1 without debate40 ,the ,form of this motion is1 8,i move or demand1 or call for the previous question on here specify the motions on which it is desired to be ordered40 ,as it cannot be debated or amended1 it must be voted on immediately4 ,the form of putting the question#ai is1 8,the previous question is moved or demanded1 or called for on specify the motions on which the previous question is demanded4 ,as many as are in favor of ordering the previous question on repeat the motions will rise40 ,when they are seated he continues1 8,those opposed will rise4 ,there being two-thirds in favor of the motion1 the affirmative has it and the previous question is ordered on repeat the motions upon which it is ordered4 ,the question is or recurs on state the immediately pending question4 ,as many as are in favor10 etc4 ,if the previous question is ordered the chair immediately proceeds to put to vote the questions on which it was ordered until all the votes are taken1 or there is an affirmative vote on postponing definitely or indefinitely1 or committing1 either of which exhausts the previous question4 ,if there can be the slightest doubt as to the vote the chair should take it again immediately1 counting each side4 ,if less than two-thirds vote in the affirmative1 the chair announces the vote thus3 8,there not being two-thirds in favor of the motion1 the negative has it and the motion is lost4 ,the question is on10 etc41 the chair stating the question on the immediately pending question1 which is again open to debate and amendment1 the same as if the previous question had not been demanded4 #ai ,the ,congressional form of putting this question is1 8,the gentleman from 444 demands the previous question4 ,as many as are in favor of ordering the previous question will say ,aye2 as many as are opposed will say ,no40 ,the question may be put in a form similar to this3 8,the previous question has been moved on the motion to commit and its amendment4 ,as many as are in favor of now putting the question on the motion to commit and its amendment will rise2 those opposed will rise4 ,there being two-thirds in favor of the motion1 the debate is closed on the motion to commit and its amendment1 and the question is on the amendment10 etc4 ,while this form is allowable1 yet it is better to conform to the regular parliamentary form as given above4 ,the ,object of the previous question is to bring the assembly at once to a vote on the immediately pending question and on such other pending questions as may be specified in the demand4 ,it is the proper motion to use for this purpose1 whether the object is to adopt or to kill the proposition on which it is ordered1 without further debate or motions to amend4 ,the ,effect #bj of ordering the previous question is to close debate immediately1 to prevent the moving of amendments or any other subsidiary motions except to lay on the table1 and to bring the assembly at once to a vote on the immediately pending question1 and such other pending questions as were specified in the demand1 or motion4 ,if the previous question is ordered on more than one question1 then its effect extends to those questions and is not exhausted until they are voted on1 or they are disposed of as shown below under exhaustion of the previous question4 ,if the previous question is voted down1 the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made4 ,the effect of the previous question does not extend beyond the session in which it was adopted4 ,should any of the questions upon which it was ordered come before the assembly at a future session they are divested of the previous question and are open to debate and amendment4 #bj ,the former practice of allowing the member reporting a bill from a committee to close the debate with a speech after the previous question has been ordered1 has been abandoned by ,congress4 ,the previous question is ,exhausted during the session as follows3 7#a7 ,when the previous question is unqualified1 its effect terminates as soon as the vote is taken on the immediately pending question4 7#b7 ,if the previous question is ordered on more than one of the pending questions its effect is not exhausted until all of the questions upon which it has been ordered have been voted on1 or else the effect of those that have been voted on has been to commit the main question1 or to postpone it definitely or indefinitely4 ,if1 before the exhaustion of the previous question1 the questions on which it has been ordered that have not been voted on are laid on the table1 the previous question is not exhausted thereby1 so that when they are taken from the table during the same session1 they are still under the previous question and cannot be debated or amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to them4 ,,note ,,on ,,the ,,previous ,,question4--,much of the confusion heretofore existing in regard to the ,previous ,question has arisen from the great changes which this motion has undergone4 ,as originally designed1 and at present used in the ,english ,parliament1 the previous question was not intended to suppress debate1 but to suppress the main question1 and therefore1 in ,england1 it is always moved by the enemies of the measure1 who then vote in the negative4 ,it was first used in #afjd1 and was intended to be applied only to delicate questions2 it was put in this form1 8,shall the main question be put80 and being negatived1 the main question was dismissed for that session4 ,its form was afterwards changed to this1 which is used at present1 8,shall the main question be now put80 and if negatived the question was dismissed1 at first only until after the ensuing debate was over1 but now1 for that day4 ,the motion for the previous question could be debated2 when once put to vote1 whether decided affirmatively or negatively1 it prevented any discussion of the main question1 for1 if decided affirmatively1 the main question was immediately put1 and if decided negatively 7that is1 that the main question be not now put71 it was dismissed for the day4 ,our ,congress has gradually changed the ,english ,previous ,question into an entirely different motion1 so that1 while in ,england1 the mover of the previous question votes against it1 in this country he votes for it4 ,at first the previous question was debatable2 if adopted it cut off all motions except the main question1 which was immediately put to vote2 and if rejected the main question was dismissed for that day as in ,england4 ,congress1 in #ahje1 made it undebatable4 ,in #ahdj the rule was changed so as not to cut off amendments but to bring the ,house to a vote first upon pending amendments1 and then upon the main question4 ,in #ahdh its effect was changed again so as to bring the ,house to a vote upon the motion to commit if it had been made1 then upon amendments reported by a committee1 if any1 then upon pending amendments1 and finally upon the main question4 ,in #ahfj ,congress decided that the only effect of the previous question1 if the motion to postpone were pending1 should be to bring the ,house to a direct vote on the postponement--thus preventing the previous question from cutting off any pending motion4 ,in #ahfj the rule was modified also so as to allow it to be applied if so specified to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment1 without affecting anything else1 and so that if the previous question were lost the debate would be resumed4 ,in #ahhj the rule was further changed so as to allow it to be applied to single motions1 or to a series of motions1 the motions to which it is to apply being specified in the demand2 and #cj minutes' debate1 equally divided between the friends and the enemies of the proposition1 was allowed after the previous question had been ordered1 if there had been no debate previously4 ,in #ahij the #cj minutes' debate was changed to #dj minutes4 ,the previous question now is simply a motion to close debate and proceed to voting on the immediately pending question and such other pending questions as it has been ordered upon4 #cj4 ,limit or ,extend ,limits of ,debate4 ,motions1 or orders1 to limit or extend the limits of debate1 like the previous question1 take precedence of all debatable motions1 may be applied to any debatable motion or series of motions1 and1 if not specified to the contrary1 apply only to the immediately pending question4 ,if it is voted to limit the debate1 the order applies to all incidental and subsidiary motions and the motion to reconsider1 subsequently made1 as long as the order is in force4 ,but an order extending the limits of debate does not apply to any motions except the immediately pending one and such others as are specified4 ,they are undebatable1 and require a two-thirds vote for their adoption4 ,these motions may be amended1 but can have no other subsidiary motion applied to them4 ,they yield to privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions1 and to the motions to lay on the table and for the previous question4 ,they may be made only when the immediately pending question is debatable4 ,when one of them is pending1 another one that does not conflict with it may be moved as an amendment4 ,after one of these motions has been adopted it is in order to move another one of them1 provided it does not conflict with the one in force4 ,this motion to limit or extend the limits of debate may be reconsidered even though the order has been partially executed1 and if lost it may be renewed after there has been sufficient progress in debate to make it a new question4 ,after an order is adopted closing debate at a certain hour1 or limiting it to a certain time1 the motions to postpone and to commit cannot be moved until the vote adopting the order has been reconsidered2 but the pending question may be laid on the table1 and if it is not taken from the table until after the hour appointed for closing the debate and taking the vote1 no debate or motion to amend is allowed1 as the chair should immediately put the question4 ,after the adoption of an order limiting the number or length of the speeches1 or extending these limits1 it is in order to move any of the other subsidiary #ab motions on the pending question4 ,an order modifying the limits of debate on a question is in force only during the session in which it was adopted4 ,if the question in any way goes over to the next session it is divested of this order and is open to debate according to the regular rules4 ,the various ,forms of this motion are as follows3 7#a7 ,to fix the hour for closing debate and putting the question1 the form is similar to this3 8,i move that debate close and the question be put on the resolution at #i ,p4,m40 7#b7 ,to limit the length of the debate1 the motion may be made thus3 8,i move that debate on the pending amendment be limited to twenty minutes40 7#c7 ,to reduce or increase the number and length of speeches1 the motion should be made in a form similar to one of these3 8,i move that debate on the pending resolution and its amendments be limited to one speech of five minutes from each member20 8,i move that ,mr4 ,a's time be extended ten minutes20 8,i move that ,messrs4 ,a and ,b 7the leaders on the two sides7 be allowed twenty minutes each1 to be divided between their two speeches at their pleasure1 and that other members be limited to one speech of two minutes each1 and that the question be put at #i ,p4,m40 #ca4 ,to ,postpone to a ,certain ,time or ,definitely#ba takes precedence of the motions to commit1 to amend1 and to postpone indefinitely1 and yields to all privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions1 and to the motions to lay on the table1 for the previous question1 and to limit or to extend the limits of debate4 ,it allows of a limited debate which must not go into the merits of the main question any more than is necessary to enable the assembly to determine the propriety of the postponement4 ,it may be amended as to the time1 and also by making the postponed question a special order4 ,the previous question and the motions limiting or extending the limits of debate may be applied to it4 ,it cannot be laid on the table alone1 but when it is pending the main question may be laid on the table which carries with it the motion to postpone4 ,it cannot be committed or postponed indefinitely4 ,it may be reconsidered4 ,when it makes a question a special order it requires a two-thirds vote4 #ba ,in ,congress the form of this motion is to postpone to a day certain1 unless it is proposed to make the question a special order for a certain hour1 when the hour is specified4 ,the time to which a question is postponed must fall within the session or the next session1#bb and1 if it is desired to postpone it to a different time1 which must not be beyond the next regular session1 it is necessary first to fix the time for an adjourned meeting1 and then the question may be postponed to that meeting4 ,some societies have frequent meetings for literary or other purposes at which business may be transacted1 while they hold every month or quarter a meeting especially for business4 ,in such societies these rules apply particularly to the regular business meetings1 to which questions may be postponed from the previous regular business meeting or from any of the intervening meetings4 ,neither the motion to postpone definitely nor an amendment to it1 is in order when it has the effect of an indefinite postponement2 that is1 to defeat the measure1 as1 for instance1 to postpone until tomorrow a motion to accept an invitation to a banquet tonight4 ,if the motion to postpone indefinitely is in order at the time1 the chair may treat it as such at his discretion1 but it cannot be recognized as a motion to postpone definitely4 ,it is not in order to postpone a class of business1 as reports of committees2 as each report is announced or called for1 it may be postponed1 or the rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote and the desired question be taken up4 ,a matter that is required by the by-laws to be attended to at a specified time or meeting as the election of officers cannot1 in advance1 be postponed to another time or meeting1 but when that specified time or meeting arrives the assembly may postpone it to an adjourned meeting4 ,this is sometimes advisable as in case of an annual meeting for the election of officers occurring on a very stormy night so that a bare quorum is present4 ,after an order of the day or a question of privilege is before the assembly for action1 its further consideration may be postponed1 or any other subsidiary motion may be applied to it4 ,when a question has been postponed to a certain time1 it becomes an order of the day for that time and cannot be taken up before that time except by a reconsideration1 or by suspending the rules for that purpose1 which requires a two-thirds vote4 ,see ,orders of the ,day1 #bj1 for the treatment of questions that have been postponed definitely4 #bb ,in ,congress a motion cannot be postponed to the next session1 but it is customary in ordinary societies4 ,the ,form of this motion depends upon the object sought4 7#a7 ,if the object is simply to postpone the question to the next meeting1 when it will have precedence of new business1 the form of the motion is 8to postpone the question or1 that the question be postponed to the next meeting40 ,it then becomes a general order for that meeting4 7#b7 ,if the object is to specify an hour when the question will be taken up as soon as the question then pending1 if there is any1 is disposed of1 the form is similar to this3 8,i move that the question be postponed to #c ,p4,m40 7#c7 ,if it is desired to postpone the question until after a certain event1 when it shall immediately come up1 the form is1 8,to postpone the question until after the address on ,economics40 7#d7 ,if the object is to insure its not being crowded out by other matters there should be added to the motion to postpone as given in the first two cases above1 the words1 8and be made a special order40 ,or the motion may be made thus3 8,i move that the question be postponed and made a special order for the next meeting or1 for #c ,p4,m4 tomorrow40 ,the motion in this form requires a two-thirds vote1 as it suspends the rules that may interfere with its consideration at the time specified as explained under ,orders of the ,day #bj4 7#e7 ,if it is desired to postpone a question to an adjourned meeting and devote the entire time1 if necessary1 to its consideration1 as in case of revising by-laws1 after providing for the adjourned meeting the motion should be made in this form3 8,i move that the question be postponed and made the special order for next ,tuesday evening40 ,or1 a question may be postponed and made the special order for the next regular meeting4 ,the ,effect of postponing a question is to make it an order of the day for the time to which it was postponed1 and if it is not then disposed of1 it becomes unfinished business4 ,postponing a question to a certain hour does not make it a special order unless so specified in the motion4 ,the motion to postpone definitely may be amended by a majority vote so as to make the amended motion one to make the question a special order4 ,if this is done the amended motion will require a two-thirds vote4 ,orders of the ,day1 #bj1 should be read in connection with this section4 #cb4 ,to ,commit or ,refer4 7,all the rules in regard to this motion1 except where stated to the contrary1 apply equally to the motions to ,go into ,committee of the ,whole1 to ,consider ,informally1 and to ,recommit as it is called when a question is committed a second time47 ,this motion takes precedence of the motions to amend and to postpone indefinitely1 and yields to all the other subsidiary #ab motions and to all privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions4 ,it cannot be applied to any subsidiary motion1 nor can it be laid on the table or postponed except in connection with the main question4 ,the previous question1 and motions to limit or extend the limits of debate1 and to amend1 may be applied to it without affecting the main question4 ,it is debatable but only as to the propriety of committing the main question4#bc ,if the motion to postpone indefinitely is pending when a question is referred to a committee1 it is lost1 and is not referred to the committee4 ,pending amendments go with the main motion to the committee4 ,the motion to commit may be reconsidered1 but after the committee has begun the consideration of the question referred to it1 it is too late to move to reconsider the vote to commit4 ,the committee may1 however1 then be discharged as shown below4 #bc ,congress has changed its rule in regard to the motion to commit1 so that now it is undebatable1 instead of being debatable and opening to debate the merits of the main question4 ,in a body like ,congress1 where nearly all the business must be attended to in committees1 debate on referring a proposition to a committee should not be allowed4 ,members can appear before the committee and present their views4 ,but in an ordinary deliberative assembly it is better to observe the general principles governing the debatability of motion as laid down on page #ahd1 and allow of debate as to the propriety of referring the question to a committee4 ,the motion to commit 7that is1 to refer to a committee7 may vary in form all the way from the simple form of1 8,that the question be referred to a committee10 to the complete form of referring to question 8to a committee of five to be appointed by the chair1 with instructions to report resolutions properly covering the case1 at the next regular business meeting40 ,if the motion is made in the complete form the details may be changed by amendments1 though they are usually treated not as ordinary amendments1 but as in filling blanks page #adh4 ,if the motion is made in the simple form of merely referring the pending question to a committee there are three courses that may be pursued in completing the details1 the one to be chosen depending upon the circumstances of the case4 7#a7 ,the simple1 or skeleton1 motion may be completed by moving amendments1 or making suggestions1 for adding the required details as stated below4 7#b7 ,the chair on his own initiative may call for suggestions to complete the motion1 first inquiring as to what committee the question shall be referred1 and continuing in the order shown hereafter4 7#c7 ,the motion in its simplest form may be put to vote at once by its enemies' ordering the previous question1 and where the motion to commit is almost certain to be lost this is sometimes done to save the time that would be uselessly spent in completing the details4 ,if it should happen that the motion to commit is adopted1 which is improbable1 then the details are completed before any new business1 except privileged matters1 can be taken up4 ,these details are taken up in the order given below1 the chair calling for the several items much as if he were completing the motion before it was voted on4 ,in completing a motion simply to refer to a committee1 the first question the chair asks is1 8,to what committee shall the question be referred80 ,if different ones are suggested1 the suggestions are not treated as amendments of those previously offered1 but are voted on in the following order until one receives a majority vote3 ,committee of the whole2 as if in committee of the whole2 consider informally2 standing committee1 in the order in which they are proposed2 special 7select7 committee 7largest number voted on first74 ,if the question has already been before a standing or special committee the motion becomes the motion to recommit1 and the committees would be voted on in the above order except the old committee would precede other standing and select committees4 ,in suggesting or moving that the committee be a special one1 the word 8special0 is not generally used1 the motion being made to refer the question to a committee of five1 or any other number1 which makes it a special committee2 that is1 not a standing committee4 ,if any committee except a special one is decided upon1 the chair should then put the question on referring the question to that committee4 ,but any one may interrupt him and move to add instructions1 or he1 himself1 may suggest them1 or instructions may be given after the vote has been taken on committing the question4 ,instructions may be given to the committee by a majority vote at any time before it submits its report1 even at another session4 ,if the committee is to be a special one1 it is necessary in addition to its number to decide how it is to be appointed4 ,if different methods are suggested1 or moved1 they are voted on in the following order3 ,ballot2 nominations from the floor 7or open nominations72 nominations by the chair2 and lastly1 appointment by the chair1 the method that should usually be adopted in very large assemblies4 ,when this is decided the completed motion to commit is put to vote4 ,instructions as heretofore stated may be added before the vote is taken on the motion to commit1 or they may be given afterwards4 ,if the motion to commit is adopted1 no new business1 except privileged matters1 can intervene until the appointment of the committee by the method prescribed1 except that when the chair appoints the committee he may wish time to make his selections1 which1 however1 must be announced to the assembly4 ,if nominations are made from the floor no one can nominate more than one1 if objection is made4 ,the member making a nomination in a large assembly rises1 and1 addressing the chair without waiting to be recognized1 says1 8,i nominate ,mr4 ,a40 ,in small assemblies the nominations for committees are frequently made by members from their seats suggesting names4 ,the chair repeats each name as he hears it1 and if no more than the prescribed number is suggested1 he puts the question on the members named constituting the committee4 ,if more names than the prescribed number are suggested1 the chair puts the question on each name in succession1 beginning with the first named1 until enough are chosen to fill the committee4 ,the negative must be put as well as the affirmative1 a majority vote being required for each member of the committee4 ,if the committee is nominated by the chair he states the question thus3 8,the question is1 #8,shall these members constitute the committee8'0 ,it is now in order to move to strike out any of the names1 and if such a motion is adopted the chair replaces them with other names4 ,when he appoints the committee no vote is taken1 but he must announce the names of the committee to the assembly1 and until such announcement is made the committee cannot act4 ,if it is desired to permit the chair to appoint a committee after adjournment1 it must be authorized by a vote4 ,the power to appoint a committee carries with it the power to appoint its chairman and to fill any vacancy that may arise in the committee4 ,the resignation of a member of a committee should be addressed to the appointing power4 ,the ,forms of this motion are as follows3 8,to refer the question to a committee20 8,to recommit the resolution20 8,that the subject be referred to a committee of three to be appointed by the chair1 and that it report by resolution at the next meeting20 8,that it be referred to a committee with power20 8,that the assembly do now resolve itself into or1 go into committee of the whole1 to take under consideration10 etc41 specifying the subject #ee2 8,that the resolution be considered as if in committee of the whole0 #ef2 8,that the resolution be considered informally0 #eg4 ,the ,object of the motion to refer to a standing or special committee is usually to enable a question to be more carefully investigated and put into better shape for the assembly to consider1 than can be done in the assembly itself4 ,where an assembly is large and has a very large amount of business it is safer to have every main question go to a committee before final action on it is taken4 ,a special committee to investigate and report upon a subject should consist of representative members on both sides of the question1 so that both parties in the assembly may have confidence in the report1 or reports in case there is disagreement and a minority report is submitted4 ,by care in selecting committees in ordinary assemblies1 debates upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the committees4 ,it is not at all necessary to appoint on the committee the member who makes the motion to refer1 but it is usual1 and the courteous thing to do1 when he is specially interested or informed on the subject4 ,if the appointing power does not designate a chairman of the committee1 the member first named acts as such unless the committee elects its own chairman4 ,consequently it is very important that the first named should be an efficient person1 especially in a committee for action4 ,sometimes a question is referred to a committee with full power to act in the case4 ,when the duty assigned it has been performed1 it should report what it has done1 and when this report has been made the committee ceases to exist4 ,when the assembly has decided a question and appoints a committee to take certain action 7such as a committee of arrangements for holding a public meeting71 then the committee should be small1 and all should be favorable to the action to be taken4 ,if any one is appointed on such a committee who is not in sympathy with the proposed action1 he should say so and ask to be excused4 ,sometimes such a committee is given power to add to its number4 ,the object of going into committee of the whole1 or considering a question as if in committee of the whole1 or informally1 is to enable the assembly to discuss a question with perfect freedom1 there being no limit to the number of speeches4 ,the first method is used in the ,united ,states ,house of ,representatives1 and the second in the ,united ,states ,senate4 ,the last one is the simplest1 and is best adapted to ordinary societies that are not very large4 ,they are explained in #ee-eg4 ,if any form of the motion to commit is made with reference to a question not pending1 it becomes a main motion4 ,thus1 a motion to go into committee of the whole on a question not pending1 or to appoint a committee upon a subject not pending1 or to appoint a committee to take certain action1 is a main motion4 ,to ,discharge a ,committee4 ,when a committee has made its final report and it has been received by the assembly1 the committee ceases to exist without any motion being made to that effect4 ,if1 for any reason1 the assembly wishes to take a question out of the hands of a committee1 and it is too late to reconsider the vote on the committal1 it is necessary to 8discharge the committee from further consideration0 of the resolution or other matter referred to it1 for as long as the matter is in the hands of the committee1 the assembly cannot consider anything involving practically the same question4 ,if the committee has not yet taken up the question referred to it1 the proper motion on the day or the day after it was referred1 is to reconsider the vote to commit1 which requires only a majority vote4 ,if the motion to reconsider cannot be made1 a motion to discharge the committee should be made1 which1 if adopted1 practically rescinds action taken1 and therefore requires a two-thirds vote1 or a vote of a majority of the membership1 unless previous notice of the motion has been given1 when it requires only a majority vote4 ,when the committee is discharged its chairman returns to the secretary all papers that have been entrusted to him4 ,it requires a motion to bring the matter referred before the assembly1 and this motion may be combined with the motion to discharge1 thus3 8,i move that the committee to whom was referred the resolution on immigration be discharged1 and that the resolution be now taken up for consideration or1 be considered at some other specified time40#bd #bd ,in ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #bg is the following3 8#d4 ,any member may present to the clerk a motion in writing to discharge a committee from further consideration of any public bill or joint resolution which may have been referred to such committee fifteen days prior thereto4 ,all such motions shall be entered in the journal and printed on a calendar to be known as a #8,calendar of ,motions to ,discharge ,committees4'444 ,when such motions shall be called up 444 debate on such motion shall be limited to twenty minutes1 one-half thereof in favor of the proposition and one-half in opposition thereto4 ,such motions shall have precedence over motions to suspend the rules and shall require for adoption an affirmative vote of a majority of the membership of the ,house40 #cc4 ,to ,amend takes precedence of the motion to postpone indefinitely1 and yields to all other subsidiary #ab motions and to all privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions1 except the motion to divide the question4 ,it can be applied to all motions except those in the ,list of ,motions that ,cannot be ,amended page #adf4 ,it can be amended itself1 but this 8amendment of an amendment0 7an amendment of the second degree7 cannot be amended4 ,the previous question and motions to limit or extend the limits of debate may be applied to an amendment1 or to only an amendment of an amendment1 and in such case they do not affect the main question1 unless so specified4 ,an amendment is debatable in all cases except where the motion to be amended is undebatable4 ,an amendment of a pending question requires only a majority vote for its adoption1 even though the question to be amended requires a two-thirds vote4 ,an amendment of a constitution or by-laws1 or rules of order1 or order of business1 previously adopted1 requires a two-thirds vote2 but an amendment of that amendment requires only a majority vote4 ,when a motion or resolution is under consideration only one amendment of the first degree is permitted at a time1 and one amendment of that amendment--that is1 an amendment of the second degree--is allowed also4 ,an amendment of the third degree would be too complicated and is not in order4#be ,instead of making it1 a member may say that if the amendment of the amendment is voted down1 he will offer such and such an amendment of the amendment4 ,while there can be only one amendment of each degree pending at the same time1 any number of them may be offered in succession4 ,an amendment must be germane#bf to the subject to be amended--that is1 it must relate to it1 as shown further on4 ,so an amendment to an amendment must be germane to the latter4 #be ,a substitute may be reported by a committee while amendments of the first and second degree are pending as shown on page #bbf4 ,in ,congress it has been found best to allow a substitute and an amendment thereto while two amendments are pending4 ,the ,house rule as to amendments is as follows3 8,when a motion or proposition is under consideration a motion to amend and a motion to amend that amendment shall be in order1 and it shall also be in order to offer a further amendment by way of substitute1 to which one amendment may be offered1 but which shall not be voted on until the original matter is perfected2 but either may be withdrawn before amendment or decision is had thereon4 ,amendments to the title of a bill or resolution shall not be in order until after its passage1 and shall be decided without debate40 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #ai4 #bf 8444 ,no motion or proposition on a subject different from that under consideration shall be admitted under color of amendment40 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #af1 #g4 ,form4 ,an amendment may be in any of the following forms3 7a7 to insert or add 7that is1 place at the end72 7b7 to strike out2 7c7 to strike out and insert1 or to substitute1 as it is called1 when an entire paragraph or resolution is struck out and another is inserted4 ,the third form is a combination of the other two and cannot be divided1 though1 as shown hereafter1 for the purposes of amendment the two motions are treated separately1 the words to be struck out being first amended and then the words to be inserted4 ,no amendment is in order the effect of which is to convert one of these forms into another4 ,the motion to amend is made in a form similar to this3 8,i move to amend the resolution by inserting the word #8very' before the word #8good2'0 or1 it may be reduced to a form as simple as this3 8,i move to insert #8very' before #8good4'0 ,the motion to insert should always specify the word before or after which the insertion is to be made4 ,the motion to strike out should also locate the word1 provided it occurs more than once4 ,when the chair states the question on the amendment he should repeat the motion in detail so that all may understand what modification is proposed4 ,unless the effect of the amendment is very evident1 he should1 in putting the question1 show clearly the effect of its adoption1 even though it requires the reading of the entire resolution1 and then the words to be inserted1 or struck out1 or struck out and inserted1 and finally the resolution as it will stand if the amendment is adopted4 ,he then says1 8,as many as are in favor of the amendment or1 of striking out1 etc41 or of inserting1 etc4 say aye2 those opposed1 say no4 ,the ayes have it1 the amendment is adopted1 and the question is on the resolution as amended1 which is1 #8,resolved1 ,that1'0 etc41 reading the resolution as amended4 ,if the vote is taken by show of hands or by rising1 the question is put and the vote announced thus3 8,as many as are in favor of the amendment will rise or1 will raise the right hand2 those opposed will rise or1 will manifest it in the same way4 ,the affirmative has it and the amendment is adopted4 ,the question is on the resolution10 etc4 ,the instant the amendment is voted on1 whether it is adopted or lost1 the chair should announce the result of the vote and state the question that is then before the assembly4 ,to ,insert or ,add ,words4 ,when a motion to insert or add certain words is made1 the words to be inserted should be perfected by amendments proposed by their friends before the vote is taken on inserting or adding them4 ,after words have been inserted or added1 they cannot be changed or struck out except by a motion to strike out the paragraph1 or such a portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from that of inserting the particular words2 or by combining such a motion to strike out the paragraph or a portion of it with the motion to insert other words4 ,the principle involved is that when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a resolution1 it is not in order to make another motion that involves exactly the same question as the one it has decided4 ,the only way to bring it up again is to move to reconsider #cf the vote by which the words were inserted4 ,if the motion to insert is lost1 it does not preclude any other motion to insert these words together with other words1 or in place of other words1 provided the new motion presents essentially a new question to the assembly4 ,to ,strike out ,words4 ,the motion to strike out certain words can be applied only to consecutive words1 though1 as the result of amendments1 the words may be separated when the final vote is taken4 ,if it is desired to strike out separated words1 it is necessary to strike out the separated words by separate motions1 or still better1 a motion may be made to strike out the entire clause or sentence containing the words to be struck out and insert a new clause or sentence as desired4 ,the motion to strike out certain words may be amended only by striking out words from the amendment1 the effect of which is to retain in the resolution the words struck out of the amendment provided both motions are adopted4 ,if the motion to strike out certain words is adopted1 the same words cannot be again inserted unless the place or the wording is so changed as to make a new proposition4 ,if the motion to strike out fails1#bg it does not preclude a motion to strike out the same words and insert other words1 or to strike out a part of the words1 or to strike out a part and insert other words2 or to strike out these words with others1 or to do this and insert other words4 ,in each of these cases the new question is materially different from the old one4 ,for striking out all1 or a part1 of something that has been previously adopted1 see 8,rescind1 etc40 #cg4 ,to ,strike ,out and ,insert ,words is a combination of the two preceding motions1 and is indivisible4#bg ,for purposes of amendment it is resolved into its constituent elements1 and the words to be struck out are first amended1 after which the words to be inserted are amended4 ,after their amendment the question is put on the motion to strike out and insert4 ,if it is adopted1 the inserted words cannot be struck out1 nor can the words struck out be inserted1 unless the words or place are so changed as to make the question a new one1 as described above4 ,if the motion is lost1 it does not preclude either of the single motions to strike out or to insert the same words1 nor another motion to strike out and insert1 provided there is any material change in either the words to be struck out or the words to be inserted1 so that the questions are not practically identical4 ,when it is desired to strike out or modify separated words1 a motion may be made to strike out so much of the resolution as is necessary to include all the words to be struck out or changed1 and to insert the desired revision including these words4 ,if the words are inserted in the place previously occupied by the words struck out1 they may differ materially from the latter1 provided they are germane to it4 ,if the words are to be inserted at a different place1 then they must not differ materially from those struck out1 as it must be in the nature of a transfer4 ,the combined motion to strike out words in one place and to insert different words in another place is not in order4 ,either the place or the words must be substantially the same4 ,if there are several changes to be made1 it is usually better to rewrite the paragraph and offer it as a substitute1 as shown further on4 #bg 8,a motion to strike out and insert is indivisible1 but a motion to strike out being lost shall neither preclude amendment nor motion to strike out and insert24440 ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #af1 #g4 ,amendments ,affecting an ,entire ,paragraph4 ,a motion to insert 7or add7 or to strike out a paragraph1 or to substitute one paragraph for another1 is an amendment of the first degree1 and therefore cannot be made when an amendment is pending4 ,the friends of the paragraph to be inserted or struck out should put it in the best possible shape by amending it before it is voted on4 ,after a paragraph has been inserted it cannot be amended except by adding to it2 and it cannot be struck out except in connection with other paragraphs so as to make the question essentially a new one4 ,if a paragraph is struck out1 it cannot be inserted afterwards unless it is so changed in wording or place as to present an essentially new question4 ,if the motion to insert or to strike out a paragraph is lost1 it does not preclude any other motion except one that presents essentially the same question as the one that the assembly has already decided1 as shown above in the case of amending words of a paragraph4 ,thus1 when a motion to insert a paragraph has been lost1 it is in order to move to insert a part of the paragraph or the entire paragraph if materially altered4 ,so1 though the assembly has refused to strike out a paragraph1 it is in order to strike out a part of the paragraph or otherwise to amend it1 though it is safer for its friends to make it as nearly perfect as possible before the vote is taken on striking it out1 with a view to defeating that motion4 ,a motion to substitute one paragraph for another 7which is a combination of the two preceding motions7 after being stated by the chair is resolved into its two elements for the purpose of amendment1 the chair at first entertaining amendments only to the paragraph to be struck out1 these amendments being of the second degree4 ,after it is perfected by its friends1 the chair asks if there are any amendments proposed to the paragraph to be inserted4 ,when both paragraphs have been perfected by amendments the question is put on substituting one paragraph for the other4 ,even though the paragraph constitutes the entire resolution and the motion to substitute is carried1 it is necessary afterwards to vote on adopting the resolution1 as it has only been voted to substitute one paragraph for another4 ,a paragraph that has been substituted for another cannot be amended afterwards1 except by adding to it1 like any other paragraph that has been inserted4 ,the paragraph that has been replaced cannot be again inserted unless so modified as to constitute a new question1 as with any paragraph that has been struck out4 ,if the motion to substitute is lost1 the assembly has only decided that that particular paragraph shall not replace the one specified4 ,it may be willing that it replace some other paragraph1 or that it be inserted1 or that the paragraph retained in the resolution be further amended1 or even struck out4 ,but no amendment is in order that presents to the assembly practically a question that it has already decided4 ,in parliamentary language it is not correct to speak of 8substituting0 one word or part of a paragraph for another1 as the term is applied to nothing less than a paragraph4 ,when a question is being considered by section1 it is in order to move a substitute for the pending section4 ,a substitute for the entire resolution1 or report1 cannot be moved until the sections have all been considered and the chair has announced that the entire paper is open to amendment4 ,when a resolution with amendments of the first and second degree pending1 is referred to a committee1 they may report it back with a substitute for the resolution which they recommend1 even though two amendments are pending4 ,in such a case the chair states the question first on the amendments that were pending when the resolution was committed4 ,when they are disposed of1 he states the question on the substitute recommended by the committee and proceeds as in case of any other substitute motion4 ,improper ,amendments4 ,an amendment is not in order which is not germane to the question to be amended2 or merely makes the affirmative of the amended question equivalent to the negative of the original question2 or is identical with a question previously decided by the assembly during that session2 or changes one form of amendment to another form2 or substitutes one form of motion for another form2 or strikes out the word ,resolved from a resolution2 or strikes out or inserts words which would leave no rational proposition before the assembly2 or is frivolous or absurd4 ,an amendment of an amendment must be germane to--that is1 must relate to--the subject of the amendment as well as the main motion4 ,no independent new question can be introduced under cover of an amendment4 ,but an amendment may be in conflict with the spirit of the original motion and still be germane1 and therefore in order4 ,illustrations3 ,a resolution of censure may be amended by striking out the word 8censure0 and inserting the word 8thanks10 for both relate to opinion of certain conduct2 refusing to censure is not the same as expressing thanks4 ,a resolution to purchase some books could not be amended by striking out the words relating to books and inserting words relating to a building4 ,suppose a resolution pending directing the treasurer to purchase a desk for the secretary1 and an amendment is offered to add the words1 8and to pay the expenses of the delegates to the ,state ,convention20 such an amendment is not germane to the resolution1 as paying the expenses of the delegates is in no way related to purchasing a desk for the secretary1 and is therefore out of order4 ,but if an amendment were offered to insert the words 8and a permanent record book0 after the word 8desk10 it would be in order1 because both are articles to enable the secretary to perform his duties4 ,if a resolution were pending condemning certain things1 it could be amended by adding other things that were similar or in some way related to them4 ,suppose a resolution commending ,a and ,b for heroism is pending2 if the acts of heroism were not connected1 amendments are in order adding other names for other acts of heroism2 but if the commendation is for an act of heroism in which ,a and ,b were joined1 then no names can be added to the resolution unless the parties were connected with ,a and ,b in that act4 ,suppose the following resolution pending3 8,resolved1 ,that the ,secretary be instructed to notify our representative in ,congress that we do approve of his course in regard to the tariff40 ,a motion to amend by inserting not after the word be would be out of order1 because an affirmative vote on 8not instructing0 is identical in effect with a negative vote on 8instructing40 ,but the motion to insert the word not after do is in order1 for an affirmative vote on disapproving of a certain course is not the same as a negative vote on a resolution of approval1 as the latter may mean nothing but an unwillingness to express an opinion on the subject4 ,if a resolution is pending and a member makes the motion1 8,i move to strike out the words #8pine benches' and insert the words #8oak chairs1'0 it is an amendment of the first degree1 and no other amendment of that degree is in order until this is acted upon4 ,all the words in italics are necessary for this form of motion1 and are not subject to amendment4 ,the only amendments in order are those that change the words 8pine benches0 or 8oak chairs0--that is1 first those to be struck out1 and when they are perfected1 then those to be inserted4 ,suppose the motion to 8strike out #8pine'0 is pending1 and it is moved to amend by adding 8and insert #8oak4'0 ,this motion is out of order1 as it changes one form of amendment to another form4 ,it is not in order to move to strike out the word 8adopt0 in a motion and insert the word 8reject10 as 8adopt0 is a formal word necessary to show the kind of motion made4 ,practically1 however1 the same result may be attained by moving to postpone indefinitely--that is1 to reject1 the main question4 ,the chair should never rule an amendment out of order unless he is perfectly sure that it is so4 ,if he is in doubt he should admit the amendment1 or submit the question as to its being in order to the assembly as described in #ba4 ,every original main motion may be amended4 ,all others may be amended1 except those contained in the following list of ,motions ,that ,cannot ,be ,amended4 ,to adjourn 7except when it is qualified1 or when made in an assembly with no provision for a future meeting7 #ag ,call for the orders of the day #bj ,question of order1 and appeal #ba ,to object to consideration of a question #bc ,call for a division of the assembly #be ,to grant leave to withdraw a motion #bg ,to grant leave to speak after indecorum #ba ,a request of any kind #bg ,to take up a question out of its proper order #bb ,to suspend the rules #bb ,to lay on the table #bh ,to take from the table #ce ,to reconsider #cf ,the previous question #bi ,to postpone indefinitely #cd ,to amend an amendment #cc ,to fill a blank #cc ,a nomination #ff ,a motion to adopt a resolution or a by-law may be amended by adding1 8and that it be printed and that members be supplied with copies10 or1 8that they go into effect at the close of this annual meeting10 or anything of a similar kind4 ,under each of the privileged1 incidental1 and subsidiary motions1 it is stated whether or not the motion may be amended1 and1 when necessary1 the way in which it may be amended is explained4 ,an amendment to anything already adopted is not a subsidiary motion4 ,the matter to be amended is not pending and is therefore not affected by anything done with the amendment1 provided it is not adopted4 ,such an amendment is a main motion subject to amendments of the first and second degrees4 ,if the motion is to strike out an entire resolution that has been adopted1 it is usually called to ,rescind and is explained under that head #cg4 ,if the motion is to amend a by-law1 etc41 it will be found under ,amendments of ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 etc4 #fh4 ,minutes are usually amended 7corrected7 informally1 the chair directing the correction to be made when suggested4 ,but if objection is made1 a formal vote is necessary for the amendment4 ,the minutes may be corrected whenever the error is noticed regardless of the time which has elapsed2 but after their adoption1 when too late to reconsider the vote1 they require a two-thirds vote for their amendment1 unless previous notice of the proposed amendment has been given1 when only a majority vote is required for its adoption1 the same as with the motion to rescind #cg4 ,this is necessary for the protection of the records1 which otherwise would be subject to the risk of being tampered with by temporary majorities4 ,the numbers prefixed to paragraphs1 articles1 etc41 are only marginal indications and should be corrected by the secretary1 if necessary1 without any motion to amend4 ,for amending a long paper1 such as a series of resolutions1 or a set of by-laws1 which should be considered and amended by paragraph1 see #bd4 ,filling ,blanks4 #bh ,propositions for filling blanks are treated somewhat differently from other amendments1 in that any number of members may propose1 without a second1 different names or numbers for filling the blanks1 no one proposing more than one name or number for each place1 unless by general consent4 ,these are treated not as amendments1 one of another1 but as independent propositions to be voted on successively4 ,if the blank is to be filled with a name1 the chair repeats the names as they are proposed so all may hear them1 and finally takes a vote on each name1 beginning with the first proposed1 until one receives a majority vote4 ,if the blank is to be filled with several names and no more names are suggested than required1 the names may be inserted without a vote4 ,if more names than required are suggested1 a vote is taken on each1 beginning with the first1 until enough to fill the blank have received a majority vote4 ,if the number of names is not specified1 a vote is taken on each name suggested1 and all that receive a majority vote are inserted4 #bh ,while ,congress has no rule on filling blanks except the common parliamentary law as laid down in ,jefferson's ,manual1 it rarely makes use of this law1 but avails itself of its rule which allows of four amendments pending at the same time1 namely1 amendments of the first and second degree1 and a substitute and amendment to it4 ,if the blank is to be filled with a number or a date1 then the largest sum1 or the longest time1 or the most distant date1 is put first1 unless it is evident to the chair that the reverse order is necessary to enable the first vote to be taken on the proposition that is least likely to be adopted4 ,suppose a committee is being instructed to purchase a building for a blank amount3 the voting on filling the blank should begin with the largest sum proposed2 if that is lost1 all who voted for it1 and some others1 would favor the next largest sum1 so that the vote would be greater1 and so on down to the largest sum that is favored by a majority4 ,if the voting began with the smallest sum1 every one would be willing to pay that amount1 and it might be adopted and thus cut off voting on the other propositions1 whereas a majority would prefer authorizing the committee to spend a larger amount4 ,on the other hand1 suppose the committee was being authorized to sell a building for a blank amount3 here it is evident that there would be more in favor of the large sum than of the small one4 ,so to get at the wish of the assembly the voting should begin with the smallest sum proposed2 all who are willing to sell for that amount1 and some additional ones1 will be willing to sell for the next larger sum2 and so the smallest sum for which the majority is willing to sell will be gradually reached4 ,it is sometimes convenient to create a blank1 as in the following example3 ,a resolution is pending requesting the proper authorities to prohibit the erection of wooden buildings north of ,a street1 and an amendment to strike out ,a and insert ,b1 and an amendment of the second degree to strike out ,b and insert ,c1 have been made4 ,the debate developing the fact that several other streets have their advocates1 the best course is for the chair to state that1 if there is no objection1 the motion would be treated as having a blank for the name of the street1 and that ,a1 ,b1 and ,c have been proposed for filling the blank4 ,in this way other names could be suggested and they would be voted on successively beginning with the one that made the prohibited area the largest1 and continuing down until one was reached that could get a majority in its favor4 ,if objection is made to leaving a blank for the name1 the chair may put the question without waiting for a motion1 or any one may move1 as an incidental motion1 that a blank be created for the name of the street4 ,this motion is undebatable1 and cannot be amended1 but it may be moved to fill the blank by ballot or in any other way4 ,the blanks in a resolution should be filled usually before voting on the resolution4 ,but sometimes1 when a large majority is opposed to the resolution1 the previous question is ordered without waiting for the blanks to be filled1 thus stopping debate and further amendment1 and bringing the assembly at once to a vote on the resolution4 ,under such circumstances the resolution would usually be rejected4 ,but should it be adopted1 it would be necessary to fill the blanks in the skeleton resolution before any other than privileged business would be in order4 ,the method adopted in filling blanks has sometimes a great advantage over ordinary amendment4 ,in amending1 the last one proposed is the first one voted on1 whereas in filling blanks the first one proposed1 or nominated1 is voted on first1 except where1 from the nature of the case1 another order is preferable1 and then that order is adopted as explained above4 ,nominations are treated like filling blanks2 any number may be pending at the same time1 not as amendments of each other1 but as independent propositions to be voted on in the order in which they were made until one receives a majority vote4 ,see #ff4 #cd4 ,to ,postpone ,indefinitely takes precedence of nothing except the main motion to which it is applied1 and yields to all privileged #ad1 incidental #ac1 and other subsidiary #ab motions4 ,it cannot be amended or have any other subsidiary motion applied to it except the previous question and motions limiting or extending the limits of debate4 ,it is debatable and opens the main question to debate4 ,it can be applied to nothing but main questions1 which include questions of privilege and orders of the day after they are before the assembly for consideration4 ,an affirmative vote on it may be reconsidered1 but not a negative vote4 ,if lost it cannot be renewed4 ,it is simply a motion to reject the main question4 ,if a main motion is referred to a committee while to postpone indefinitely is pending1 the latter motion is ignored and does not go to the committee4 ,the ,object of this motion is not to postpone1 but to reject1 the main motion without incurring the risk of a direct vote on it1 and it is made only by the enemies of the main motion when they are in doubt as to their being in the majority4 ,the ,effect of making this motion is to enable members who have exhausted their right of debate on the main question1 to speak again1 as1 technically1 the question before the assembly is different1 while1 as far as the subject of discussion is concerned1 there is no difference caused by changing the question from adopting to rejecting the measure1 because the merits of the main question are open to debate in either case4 ,if adopted1 its effect is to suppress the main motion for that session1 unless the vote is reconsidered4 ,as this motion does not suppress the debate on the main question1 its only useful effect is to give the opponents of the pending measure a chance of killing the main motion without risking its adoption in case of failure4 ,for1 if they carry the indefinite postponement1 the main question is suppressed for the session2 if they fail1 they still have a vote on the main question1 and1 having learned their strength by the vote taken1 they can form an opinion of the advisability of continuing the struggle4 ,art4 ,,vi4 ,some ,main and ,unclassified ,motions4 ,see #ae for a list of these motions4 #ce4 ,to ,take from the ,table takes precedence of no pending question1 but has the right of way in preference to main motions if made during the session in which it was laid on the table while no question is actually pending1 and at a time when business of this class1 or unfinished business1 or new business1 is in order2 and also during the next session in societies having regular business meetings as frequently as quarterly4 ,it yields to privileged #ad and incidental #ac motions1 but not to subsidiary #ab ones4 ,it is undebatable1 and no subsidiary motion can be applied to it4 ,it is not in order unless some business has been transacted since the question was laid on the table1 nor can it be renewed until some business has been transacted since it was lost4 ,the motion to take from the table cannot be reconsidered1 as it can be renewed repeatedly if lost1 and1 if carried1 the question can be again laid on the table after progress in debate or business4 ,in ordinary deliberative assemblies1 a question is supposed to be laid on the table only temporarily with the expectation of its consideration being resumed after the disposal of the interrupting question1 or at a more convenient season4#bi ,as soon as the question that was introduced when the first question was laid on the table1 is disposed of1 any one may move to take this first question from the table4 ,when he rises to make the motion1 if the chair recognizes some one else as having first risen1 he should at once say that he rises to move to take a question from the table4 ,the chair then assigns him the floor if the other member has risen to make a main motion4 ,if the new main motion has been stated by the chair before he claims the floor1 he must wait until that question is disposed of before his motion will be in order4 ,when taken up1 the question with everything adhering to it is before the assembly exactly as when it was laid on the table4 ,thus1 if a resolution has amendments and a motion to commit pending at the time it was laid on the table1 when it is taken from the table the question is first on the motion to commit4 ,if a motion to postpone to a certain time is pending when the question is laid on the table1 and it is taken from the table after that time1 then the motion to postpone is ignored when the question is taken up4 ,if the question is taken up on the day it was laid on the table1 members who have exhausted their right of debate cannot again speak on the question4 ,but if taken up on another day1 no notice is taken of speeches previously made4 ,the previous question is not exhausted if the question upon which it was ordered is taken from the table at the same session1 even though it is on another day4 #bi ,see foot note on page #ajg1 for the ,congressional practice4 ,as stated there1 ,congress has abandoned the ordinary parliamentary use of the motion to lay on the table and has converted it into a motion to enable the majority to kill a measure instantly4 ,therefore ,congressional practice in regard to laying on1 or taking from1 the table is of no authority in assemblies using these motions in the common parliamentary law sense4 #cf4 ,reconsider4#cj ,this motion is peculiar in that the making of the motion has a higher rank than its consideration1 and for a certain time prevents anything being done as the result of the vote it is proposed to reconsider4 ,it can be made only on the day the vote to be reconsidered was taken1 or on the next succeeding day1 a legal holiday or a recess not being counted as a day4 ,it must be made by one who voted with the prevailing side4 ,any member may second it4 ,it can be made while any other question is pending1 even if another member has the floor1 or after it has been voted to adjourn1 provided the chair has not declared the assembly adjourned4 ,it may be made after the previous question has been ordered1 in which case it and the motion to be reconsidered are undebatable4 #cj ,h4 ,r4 ,rule #ah4 #a4 is as follows3 8#a4 ,when a motion has been made and carried1 or lost1 it shall be in order for any member of the majority1 on the same or succeeding day1 to move for the reconsideration thereof1 and such motion shall take precedence of all other questions except the consideration of a conference report or a motion to adjourn1 and shall not be withdrawn after the said succeeding day without the consent of the ,house1 and thereafter any member may call it up for consideration3 ,provided4 ,that such motion1 if made during the last six days of a session1 shall be disposed of when made40 ,this rule is construed to mean that the motion to reconsider may be made by any member who voted on the question1 except when the yeas and nays were ordered to be recorded in the journal1 which is done1 however1 with every important vote4 ,while the making of the motion to reconsider has such high privilege1 its consideration has only the rank of the motion to be reconsidered1 though it has the right of way in preference to any new motion of equal rank1 as illustrated further on2 and the reconsideration of a vote disposing of a main question either temporarily or permanently may be called up1 when no question is pending1 even though the general orders are being carried out4 ,the motion to reconsider cannot be amended1 postponed indefinitely1 or committed4 ,if the reconsideration is laid on the table or postponed definitely1 the question to be reconsidered and all adhering questions go with it4#ca ,the previous question and the motions limiting or extending the limits of debate may be applied to it when it is debatable4 ,it is undebatable only when the motion to be reconsidered is undebatable4 ,when debatable it opens to debate the merits of the question to be reconsidered4 ,it cannot be withdrawn after it is too late to renew the motion4 ,if the motion to reconsider is lost it cannot be repeated except by general consent4 ,no question can be twice reconsidered unless it was materially amended after its first reconsideration4 ,a reconsideration requires only a majority vote1 regardless of the vote necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered4 #ca ,in ,congress it is usual for the member in charge of an important bill as soon as it is passed to move its reconsideration1 and at the same time to move that the reconsideration be laid on the table4 ,if the latter motion is adopted the reconsideration is dead and the bill is in the same condition as if the reconsideration had been voted on and lost4 ,these ,rules1 like the common parliamentary law1 carry the bill to the table1 from which it could be taken at any time4 ,see note1 p4 #aee4 ,unless there is a special rule allowing it1 the two motions could not be made at the same time in an ordinary society4 ,the motion to reconsider cannot be applied to a vote on a motion that may be renewed within a reasonable time2 or when practically the same result may be attained by some other parliamentary motion2 or when the vote has been partially executed 7except in case of the motion to limit debate71 or something has been done as the result of the vote that the assembly cannot undo2 or to an affirmative vote in the nature of a contract1 when the other party to the contract has been notified of the vote2 or to a vote on the motion to reconsider4 ,in accordance with these principles1 votes on the following motions cannot be reconsidered3 ,adjourn2 ,take a ,recess2 ,lay on the ,table2 ,take from the ,table2 ,suspend the ,rules or ,order of ,business2 and ,reconsider4 ,affirmative votes on the following cannot be reconsidered3 ,proceed to the ,orders of the ,day2 ,adopt1 or after they are adopted1 to ,amend1 or ,repeal1 or ,rescind1 the ,constitution1 ,by-laws1 or ,rules of ,order or any other rules that require previous notice for their amendment2 ,elect to membership or office if the member or officer is present and does not decline1 or if absent and has learned of his election in the usual way and has not declined2 to ,reopen ,nominations4 ,a negative vote on the motion to ,postpone ,indefinitely cannot be reconsidered as practically the same question comes up again when the vote is taken on the main question4 ,after a committee has taken up the matter referred to it1 it is too late to reconsider the vote committing it1 though the committee may be discharged4 ,but after debate has proceeded under an order limiting or extending the limits of debate1 the vote making that order may be reconsidered1 as the debate may develop facts that make it desirable to return to the regular rules of debate4 ,the minutes1 or record of proceedings1 may be corrected at any time without reconsidering the vote approving them4 ,if the main question is pending and it is moved to reconsider the vote on any subsidiary #ab1 incidental #ac1 or privileged #ad motion1 the chair states the question on the reconsideration the moment the motion to be reconsidered is in order if it were made then for the first time4 ,thus1 if1 while the motions to commit1 for the previous question1 and to lay on the table are pending1 it is moved to reconsider a negative vote on postponing to a certain time1 the chair proceeds to take the vote on laying on the table and1 if that is lost1 next on the previous question1 and then on reconsidering the vote on the postponement1 and if that is adopted1 then on the postponement1 and if that is lost1 then on to commit4 ,if the motion to lay on the table had been carried1 then when the question was taken from the table the same method of procedure would be followed2 that is1 the question would be first on ordering the previous question1 and next on reconsidering the vote on the postponement1 etc4 ,if the reconsideration of an amendment of the first degree is moved while another amendment of the same degree is pending1 the pending amendment is first disposed of and then the chair announces the question on the reconsideration of the amendment4 ,if the reconsideration of an amendment to an immediately pending question is moved the chair at once announces the question on the reconsideration4 ,if the reconsideration is moved while another subject is before the assembly1 it cannot interrupt the pending business1 but1 as soon as that has been disposed of1 if called up it has the preference over all other main motions and general orders4 ,in such a case the chair does not state the question on the reconsideration until it is called up4 ,if the motion to reconsider is made at a time when the reconsideration could be called up if it had been previously made1 the chair at once states the question on the reconsideration1 unless the mover adds to his motion the words1 8and have it entered on the minutes10 as explained further on4 ,if1 after the vote has been taken on the adoption of a main motion1 it is desired to reconsider the vote on an amendment1 it is necessary to reconsider the vote on the main question also1 and one motion should be made to cover both votes4 ,the same principle applies in case of an amendment to an amendment1 whether the vote has been taken on the resolution1 or only on the amendment of the first degree4 ,when the motion covers the reconsideration of two or three votes1 the debate is limited to the question that was first voted on4 ,thus1 if the motion is to reconsider the votes on a resolution and amendments of the first and second degree1 the debate is limited to the amendment of the second degree4 ,if the motion to reconsider is adopted the chair states the question on the amendment of the second degree and recognizes the mover of the reconsideration as entitled to the floor4 ,the question is now in exactly the same condition it was in just previous to taking the original vote on that amendment4 ,the ,forms of making this motion are as follows3 8,i move to reconsider the vote on the resolution relating to a banquet40 8,i move to reconsider the vote on the amendment to strike out #8,wednesday' and insert #8,thursday4'0 ,this form is used when the resolution is still pending4 8,i move to reconsider the votes on the resolution relating to a banquet and on the amendment to strike out #8,wednesday' and insert #8,thursday4'0 ,this form is used when the vote has been taken on the resolution1 and it is desired to reconsider the vote on an amendment4 ,when the motion to reconsider is made the chair states the question1 if it can then be considered1 and proceeds as with any other question4 ,if it cannot be considered at that time1 he says1 8,mr4 ,a moves to reconsider the vote on4444 ,the secretary will make a note of it10 and proceeds with the pending business4 ,the reconsideration1 after being moved1 is brought before the assembly for action as explained in the previous paragraph4 ,if it is called up by a member1 he simply says1 after obtaining the floor1 8,i call up the motion to reconsider the vote on44444440 ,this call requires no second or vote4 ,if the call is in order1 as previously explained1 the chair says1 8,the motion to reconsider the vote or votes on 444444444 is called up4 ,the question is1 #8,will the assembly reconsider the vote or votes on4444444448 ,are you ready for the question8'0 ,if the reconsideration is one that the chair states the question on as soon as it can be considered 7as when it is moved to reconsider an amendment while another amendment is pending71 as soon as the proper time arrives the chair states the question on the reconsideration the same as if the motion to reconsider were made at this time4 ,when the debate1 if there is any1 is finished1 he puts the question thus3 8,as many as are in favor of reconsidering the vote on the resolution relating to a banquet1 say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it and the vote on the resolution is reconsidered4 ,the question is now on the resolution1 which is10 etc4 ,or1 the question may be put thus3 8,the question is1 ,will the assembly reconsider the votes on the resolution relating to a banquet1 and on the amendment to strike out #8,wednesday' and insert #8,thursday8' ,as many as are in favor of the reconsideration say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it and the votes on the resolution and the amendment are reconsidered4 ,the question is now on the amendment1 which is10 etc4 ,if the motion to reconsider is adopted the business is in exactly the same condition it was in before taking the vote1 or the votes1 that have been reconsidered1 and the chair instantly states the question on the immediately pending question1 which is then open to debate and amendment as before4 ,the ,effect of ,making this motion is to suspend all action that the original motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted upon2 but if it is not called up1 this effect terminates with the session#cb #fc1 except in an assembly having regular meetings as often as quarterly1 when1 if not called up1 its effect does not terminate till the close of the next regular session4 ,as long as its effect lasts1 any one at an adjourned1 or a special1 or a regular meeting1 may call up the motion to reconsider and have it acted upon1 though it is not usual for any one but the mover to call it up on the day it is made if the session lasts beyond that day and there is no need of prompt action4 #cb ,in ,congress the effect always terminates with the session1 and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover1 until the expiration of the time during which it will be in order to move a reconsideration4 ,the ,effect of the ,adoption of this motion is to place before the assembly the original question in the exact position it occupied before it was voted upon2 consequently no one1 after the reconsideration is adopted1 can debate the question reconsidered who had on that day exhausted his right of debate on that question2 his only recourse is to discuss the question while the motion to reconsider is before the assembly4 ,if the question is not reconsidered until a later day than that on which the vote to be reconsidered was taken1 then it is open to free debate regardless of speeches made previously4 ,when a vote taken under the operation of the previous question is reconsidered1 the question is then divested of the previous question1 and is open to debate and amendment1 provided the previous question had been exhausted by votes taken on all the questions covered by it1 before the motion to reconsider was made4 ,in standing and special committees a vote may be reconsidered regardless of the time elapsed since the vote was taken1 provided the motion is made by one who did not vote with the losing side1 and that all members who voted with the prevailing side are present1 or have received due notice that the reconsideration would be moved at this meeting4 ,a vote cannot be reconsidered in committee of the whole4 ,reconsider and ,have ,entered on the ,minutes4 #cc ,the motion to reconsider1 as previously explained in this section1 provides means for correcting1 at least on the day on which it occurred1 errors due to hasty action4 ,by using the same motion and having it entered on the minutes so that it cannot be called up until another day1 a means is provided for preventing a temporary majority from taking action that is opposed by the majority of the society4 ,this is needed in large societies with frequent meetings and small quorums1 the attendance in many cases not exceeding ten per cent of the membership4 ,it enables a society with a small quorum to protect itself from injudicious action by temporary majorities1 without requiring previous notice of main motions and amendments as is done in the ,english ,parliament4 ,to accomplish this1 however1 it is necessary to allow this form of the motion to be applied to a vote finally disposing of a main motion1 regardless of the fact that the motion to reconsider has already been made4 ,otherwise it would be useless1 as it would generally be forestalled by the motion to reconsider1 in its simple form1 which would be voted down1 and then this motion could not be made4 ,as this form of the motion is designed only to be used when the meeting is an unrepresentative one1 this fact should be very apparent1 and some members of the temporary minority should vote with the temporary majority on adopting or postponing indefinitely a main motion of importance1 when they think the action is in opposition to the wishes of the great majority of the society4 ,one of them should then move 8to reconsider the vote on the resolution or motion and have it or1 request that it be entered on the minutes10 which has the effect of suspending all action required by the vote it is proposed to reconsider1 as previously explained1 and thus gives time to notify absent members of the proposed action4 ,if no member of the temporary minority voted with the majority1 and it is too late for any one to change his vote so as to move to reconsider1 then some one should give notice of a motion to rescind the objectionable vote at the next meeting1 which may be done by a majority vote after this notice has been given4 #cc ,in ,congress1 where the quorum is a majority of the members elected1 and the members are paid for their services1 there is no need for this form of the motion4 ,on the contrary1 it has been found necessary to provide means by which the majority may1 when it pleases1 prevent the making of the motion to reconsider by any one except the member in charge of the measure4 ,should a minority make an improper use of this form of the motion to reconsider by applying it to a vote which required action before the next regular business meeting1 the remedy is at once to vote that when the assembly adjourns it adjourns to meet on another day1 appointing a suitable day1 when the reconsideration could be called up and disposed of4 ,the mere making of this motion would probably cause the withdrawal of the motion to reconsider1 as it would defeat the object of that motion if the majority of the society is in favor of the motion to be reconsidered4 ,if the motion to reconsider is withdrawn1 of course the other would be4 ,this form of the motion to reconsider and have entered on the minutes differs from the simple form to reconsider in the following respects3 7#a7 ,it can be made only on the day the vote to be reconsidered is taken4 ,if a meeting is held on the next day the simple form of the motion to reconsider1 made then1 accomplishes the object of this motion by bringing the question before the assembly on a different day from the one when the vote was taken4 7#b7 ,it outranks the simple form of the motion to reconsider1 and may be made even after the vote has been taken on the motion to reconsider1 provided the result of the vote has not been announced4 ,if made after the simple form of the motion to reconsider1 it supersedes the latter1 which is thereafter ignored4 7#c7 ,it can be applied only to votes which finally dispose of the main question4 ,they are as follows3 an affirmative or negative vote on adopting1 and an affirmative vote on postponing indefinitely1 a main question4 ,and it may be applied to a negative vote on the consideration of a question that has been objected to1 provided the session extends beyond that day4 7#d7 ,in an assembly not having regular business meetings as often as quarterly1 it cannot be moved at the last business meeting of a session4 7#e7 ,it cannot be called up on the day it is made1 except when it is moved on the last day of a session of an assembly not having regular business sessions as often as quarterly1 when any one can call it up at the last business meeting of the session4 ,after it is called up there is no difference in the treatment of the two forms of the motion4 #cg4 ,rescind1 ,repeal1 or ,annul4 ,any vote taken by an assembly1 except those mentioned further on1 may be rescinded by a majority vote1 provided notice of the motion has been given at the previous meeting or in the call for this meeting2 or it may be rescinded without notice by a two-thirds vote1 or by a vote of a majority of the entire membership4 ,the notice may be given when another question is pending1 but cannot interrupt a member while speaking4 ,to rescind is identical with the motion to amend something previously adopted1 by striking out the entire by-law1 rule1 resolution1 section1 or paragraph1 and is subject to all the limitations as to notice and vote that may be placed by the rules on similar amendments4 ,it is a main motion without any privilege1 and therefore can be introduced only when there is nothing else before the assembly4 ,it cannot be made if the question can be reached by calling up the motion to reconsider which has been previously made4 ,it may be made by any member2 it is debatable1 and yields to all privileged and incidental motions2 and all of the subsidiary motions may be applied to it4 ,the motion to rescind can be applied to votes on all main motions1 including questions of privilege and orders of the day that have been acted upon1 and to votes on an appeal1 with the following exceptions3 votes cannot be rescinded after something has been done as a result of that vote that the assembly cannot undo2 or where it is in the nature of a contract and the other party is informed of the fact2 or1 where a resignation has been acted upon1 or one has been elected to1 or expelled from1 membership or office1 and was present or has been officially notified4 ,in the case of expulsion1 the only way to reverse the action afterwards is to restore the person to membership or office1 which requires the same preliminary steps and vote as is required for an election4 ,where it is desired not only to rescind the action1 but to express very strong disapproval1 legislative bodies have1 on rare occasions1 voted to rescind the objectionable resolution and expunge it from the record1 which is done by crossing out the words1 or drawing a line around them1 and writing across them the words1 8,expunged by order of the assembly10 etc41 giving the date of the order4 ,this statement should be signed by the secretary4 ,the words expunged must not be so blotted as not to be readable1 as otherwise it would be impossible to determine whether more was expunged than ordered4 ,any vote less than a majority of the total membership of an organization is certainly incompetent to expunge from the records a correct statement of what was done and recorded and the record of which was officially approved1 even though a quorum is present and the vote to expunge is unanimous4 #ch4 ,renewal of a ,motion4 ,when an original main motion or an amendment has been adopted1 or rejected1 or a main motion has been postponed indefinitely1 or an objection to its consideration has been sustained1 it1 or practically the same motion1 cannot be again brought before the assembly at the same session1 except by a motion to reconsider or to rescind the vote4 ,but it may be introduced again at any future session4 ,in assemblies having regular sessions as often at least as quarterly1 a main motion cannot be renewed until after the close of the next regular session1 if it was postponed to that next session2 or laid on the table2 or adopted1 or rejected1 or postponed indefinitely1 and the motion to reconsider was made and not acted on at the previous session4 ,in these cases the question can be reached at the next session at the time to which it was postponed1 or by taking it from the table1 or by reconsidering the vote4 ,in assemblies whose regular sessions are not as frequent as quarterly1 any motion which has not been committed or postponed to the next session may be renewed at that next session4 ,the motions to adjourn1 to take a recess1 and to lay on the table1 may be made again and again1 provided there has been progress in debate or business1 but the making of1 or voting on1 these motions is not business that justifies the renewal of a motion4 ,neither a motion to postpone indefinitely nor an amendment can be renewed at the same session1 but the other subsidiary motions may be renewed whenever the progress in debate or business is such as to make the question before the assembly practically a different one4 ,to take from the table and a call for the orders of the day may be renewed after the business is disposed of that was taken up when the motion to take from the table1 or for the orders of the day1 was lost4 ,to postpone indefinitely cannot be renewed even though the main motion has been amended since the indefinite postponement was previously moved4 ,a point of order cannot be raised if an identical one has been raised previously without success during the same session4 ,and after the chair has been sustained in a ruling he need not entertain an appeal from a similar decision during the same session4 ,minutes may be corrected regardless of the time elapsed and of the fact that the correction had been previously proposed and lost4 ,when a subject which has been referred to a committee is reported back at the same meeting1 or a subject that has been laid on the table is taken up at the same meeting1 it is not a renewal4 ,the following motions1 unless they have been withdrawn1 cannot be renewed at the same session3 to adopt or postpone indefinitely an original main motion2 to amend2 to reconsider1 unless the question to be reconsidered was amended materially when previously reconsidered2 to object to the consideration of a question2 to fix the same time to which to adjourn2 to suspend the rules for the same purpose at the same meeting1 though it may be renewed at another meeting held the same day4 ,it is the duty of the chair to prevent the privilege of renewal from being used to obstruct business1 and when it is evident that it is being so misused he should protect the assembly by refusing to recognize the motions1 as explained under ,dilatory ,motions #dj4 #ci4 ,ratify4 ,this is a main motion and is used when it is desired to confirm or make valid some action which requires the approval of the assembly to make it valid4 ,the assembly may ratify only such actions of its officers or committees1 or delegates1 as it had the right to authorize in advance4 ,it cannot make valid a viva voce election when the by-laws require it to be by ballot1 nor can it ratify anything done in violation of the laws of the state1 or of its own constitution or by-laws1 except that it may ratify emergency action taken at a meeting when no quorum was present1 even though the quorum is provided for in a by-law4 ,a motion to ratify may be amended by substituting a motion of censure1 and vice versa1 when the action has been taken by an officer or other representative of the assembly4 ,it is debatable and opens the entire question to debate4 #dj4 ,dilatory1 ,absurd1 or ,frivolous ,motions4 ,for the convenience of deliberative assemblies1 it is necessary to allow some highly privileged motions to be renewed again and again after progress in debate or the transaction of any business1 and to allow a single member1 by calling for a division1 to have another vote taken4 ,if there was no provision for protecting the assembly1 a minority of two members could be constantly raising questions of order and appealing from every decision of the chair1 and calling for a division on every vote1 even when it was nearly unanimous1 and moving to lay motions on the table1 and to adjourn1 and offering amendments that are simply frivolous or absurd4 ,by taking advantage of parliamentary forms and methods a small minority could practically stop the business of a deliberative assembly having short sessions1 if there was no provision for such contingency4 ,congress met it by adopting this rule3 8,no dilatory motion shall be entertained by the speaker40 ,but1 without adopting any rule on the subject1 every deliberative assembly has the inherent right to protect itself from being imposed upon by members using parliamentary forms to prevent it from doing the very thing for which it is in session1 and which these forms were designed to assist1 namely1 to transact business4 ,therefore1 whenever the chair is satisfied that members are using parliamentary forms merely to obstruct business1 he should either not recognize them1 or else rule them out of order4 ,after the chair has been sustained upon an appeal1 he should not entertain another appeal from the same obstructionists while they are engaged evidently in trying by that means to obstruct business4 ,while the chair should always be courteous and fair1 he should be firm in protecting the assembly from imposition1 even though it be done in strict conformity with all parliamentary rules except this one1 that no dilatory1 absurd1 or frivolous motions are allowed4 ,as an illustration of a frivolous or absurd motion1 suppose ,mr4 ,a is to be in the city next week and a motion has been made to invite him to address the assembly at its next meeting1 the meetings being weekly4 ,now1 if a motion is made to refer the question to a committee with instructions to report at the next regular meeting1 the chair should rule it out of order as frivolous or absurd4 #da4 ,call of the ,house4#cd 7,this cannot be used in ordinary assemblies1 as they have not the power to compel the attendance of members47 #cd ,in the early history of our ,congress a call of the house required a day's notice1 and in the ,english ,parliament it is usual to order that the call shall be made on a certain day in the future1 usually not over ten days afterwards1 though it has been as long as six weeks afterwards4 ,the object of this is to give notice so that all the members may be present on that day1 when important business is to come before the house4 ,in ,congress a call of the house is only used now when no quorum is present1 and as soon as a quorum appears it is usual to dispense with further proceedings in the call1 and this is in order at any stage of the proceedings4 ,in ,congress it is customary afterwards to remit the fees that have been assessed4 ,in some of our legislative bodies proceedings in the call cannot be dispensed with except a majority of the members elect to vote in favor of so doing4 ,the object of a call of the house is to compel the attendance of absent members1 and is allowable only in assemblies that have the power to compel the attendance of absentees4 ,it is usual to provide in such assemblies that when no quorum is present1 a specified small number can order a call of the house4 ,in ,congress a call of the house may be ordered by a majority vote1 provided one-fifth of the members elect are present4 ,a rule like the following would answer for city councils and other similar bodies that have the power to enforce attendance4 ,rule4 ,when no quorum is present1 if one-fifth of the members elect are present1 they may by a majority vote order a call of the house and compel the attendance of absent members4 ,after the call is ordered1 a motion to adjourn1 or to dispense with further proceedings in the call1 cannot be entertained until a quorum is present1 or until the sergeant-at-arms#ce reports that in his opinion no quorum can be obtained on that day4 #ce ,the term sergeant-at-arms should be replaced by 8chief of police10 or the title of whatever officer serves the warrant4 ,if no quorum is present1 a call of the house takes precedence of everything1 even reading the minutes1 except the motion to adjourn1 and only requires in its favor the number specified in the rule4 ,if a quorum is present a call should rank with questions of privilege #ai1 requiring a majority vote for its adoption1 and if rejected it should not be renewed while a quorum is present at that meeting4 ,after a call is ordered1 until further proceedings in the call are dispensed with1 no motion is in order except to adjourn and a motion relating to the call1 so that a recess could not be taken by unanimous consent4 ,an adjournment puts an end to all proceedings in the call1 except that the assembly before adjournment1 if a quorum is present1 can order such members as are already arrested to make their excuse at an adjourned meeting4 ,proceedings in a ,call of the ,house4 ,when the call is ordered the clerk calls the roll of members alphabetically1 noting the absentees2 he then calls over again the names of absentees1 when excuses#cf can be made2 after this the doors are locked1 no one being permitted to leave1 and an order similar in form to the following is adopted3 8,ordered1 ,that the sergeant-at-arms take into custody1 and bring to the bar of the ,house1 such of its members as are absent without the leave of the ,house40 ,a warrant signed by the presiding officer and attested by the clerk1 with a list of absentees attached1 is then given to the sergeant-at-arms1 who immediately proceeds to arrest the absentees4 ,when he appears with members under arrest1 he proceeds to the chairman's desk 7being announced by the door-keeper in large bodies71 followed by the arrested members1 and makes his return4 ,the chairman arraigns each member separately1 and asks what excuse he has to offer for being absent from the sittings of the assembly without its leave4 ,the member states his excuse1 and a motion is made that he be discharged from custody and admitted to his seat either without payment of fees or after paying his fees4 ,until a member has paid the fees assessed against him he cannot vote or be recognized by the chair for any purpose4 #cf ,it is usual in ,congress to excuse those who have 8paired off10 that is1 two members on opposite sides of the pending question who have agreed that while one is absent the other will not vote on the question4 ,pairing should not be allowed on questions requiring a two-thirds vote4 ,art4 ,,vii4 ,debate4 ,,page #db4 ,debate #agh #dc4 ,decorum in ,debate #ahj #dd4 ,closing and ,preventing ,debate #ahb #de4 ,principles of ,debate and ,undebatable ,motions #ahd #db4 ,debate4 ,in #a-f are explained the necessary steps preliminary to debate--namely1 that when no business is pending a member shall rise and address the chair by his title1 and be recognized by the chair as having obtained the floor2 and that the member shall then make a motion which1 after being seconded1 shall be stated by the chair1 who shall then ask1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,the question is then open to debate1 as is partially explained in #g1 which should be read in connection with this section4 ,no member shall speak more than twice during the same day to the same question 7only once on an appeal71 nor longer than ten minutes at one time1 without leave of the assembly2 and the question upon granting the leave shall be decided by a two-thirds vote without debate4#cg ,no member can speak a second time to a question as long as any member desires to speak who has not spoken to the question4 ,if greater freedom is desired1 the proper course is to go into committee of the whole1 or to consider it informally1 either of which requires only a majority vote2 or to extend the limits of debate #cj1 which requires a two-thirds vote4 ,so the debate1 by a two-thirds vote1 may be limited to any extent desired1 as shown in #cj4 ,the member upon whose motion the subject was brought before the assembly1 is entitled to close the debate with a speech1 if he has not previously exhausted his twenty minutes1 but not until every one else wishing to speak has spoken4 ,he cannot1 however1 avail himself of this privilege after debate has been closed4#ch ,an amendment1 or any other motion1 being offered1 makes the real question before the assembly a different one1 and1 in regard to the right to debate1 is treated as a new question4 ,when an amendment is pending the debate must be confined to the merits of the amendment1 unless it is of such a nature that its decision practically decides the main question4 ,merely asking a question1 or making a suggestion1 is not considered as speaking4 ,the maker of a motion1 though he can vote against it1 cannot speak against his own motion4 ,to close the debate see #dd4 #cg ,the limit of time should vary to suit circumstances1 but the limit of two speeches of ten minutes each will usually answer in ordinary assemblies1 and1 when desirable1 by a two-thirds vote it can be increased or diminished as shown in #cj4 ,in the ,u4 ,s4 ,house of ,representatives no member can speak more than once to the same question1 nor longer than one hour4 ,in the ,senate there is no limit to the length of a speech1 and no senator can speak more than twice on the same day to the same question without leave of the ,senate1 which question is undebatable4 #ch ,formerly the member who reported a proposition from a committee was permitted to close the debate in the ,house after the previous question was ordered1 provided he had not used all of his hour previously4 ,the right of members to debate and make motions cannot be cut off by the chair's putting a question to vote with such rapidity as to prevent the member's getting the floor after the chair has inquired if the assembly is ready for the question4 ,even after the chair has announced the vote1 if it is found that a member arose and addressed the chair with reasonable promptness after the chair asked1 8,are you ready for the question80 he is then entitled to the floor1 and the question is in exactly the same condition it was before it was put to vote4 ,but if the chair gives ample opportunity for members to claim the floor before putting the question and they do not avail themselves of it1 they cannot claim the right of debate after the voting has commenced4 #dc4 ,decorum in ,debate4 ,in debate a member must confine himself to the question before the assembly1 and avoid personalities4 ,he cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly1 unless he intends to conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action1 or else while debating such a motion4 ,in referring to another member1 he should1 as much as possible1 avoid using his name1 rather referring to him as 8the member who spoke last10 or in some other way describing him4 ,the officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official titles4 ,it is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member1 but the nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms4 ,it is not the man1 but the measure1 that is the subject of debate4 ,if one desires to ask a question of the member speaking1 he should rise1 and without waiting to be recognized1 say1 8,mr4 ,chairman1 ,i should like to ask the gentleman a question40 ,the chair then asks the speaker if he is willing to be interrupted1 or the speaker may at once consent or decline1 addressing1 however1 the chair1 through whom the conversation must be carried on1 as members cannot directly address one another in a deliberative assembly4 ,if the speaker consents to the question1 the time consumed by the interruption comes out of the time of the speaker4 ,if at any time the chairman rises to state a point of order1 or give information1 or otherwise speak1 within his privilege1 the member speaking must take his seat till the chairman has been heard first4 ,when called to order by the chair the member must sit down until the question of order is decided4 ,if his remarks are decided to be improper1 he cannot proceed1 if any one objects1 without the leave of the assembly expressed by a vote1 upon which question no debate is allowed4 ,disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them1 or by the secretary1 and then read to the member4 ,if he denies them1 the assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not4 ,if a member cannot justify the words he used1 and will not suitably apologize for using them1 it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case4 ,if the disorderly words are of a personal nature1 after each party has been heard1 and before the assembly proceeds to deliberate upon the case1 both parties to the personality should retire1 it being a general rule that no member should be present in the assembly when any matter relating to himself is under debate4 ,it is not1 however1 necessary for the member objecting to the words to retire unless he is personally involved in the case4 ,disorderly words to the presiding officer1 or in respect to the official acts of an officer1 do not involve the officer so as to require him to retire4 ,if any business has taken place since the member spoke1 it is too late to take notice of any disorderly words he used4 ,during debate1 and while the chairman is speaking1 or the assembly is engaged in voting1 no member is permitted to disturb the assembly by whispering1 or walking across the floor1 or in any other way4 #dd4 ,closing ,debate and ,preventing ,debate4 ,when the debate appears to the chairman to be finished1 he should inquire1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if1 after a reasonable pause1 no one rises to claim the floor1 the chair assumes that no member wishes to speak and1 standing1 proceeds to put the question4 ,debate is not closed by the chairman's rising and putting the question1 as until both the affirmative and the negative are put1 a member can rise and claim the floor1 and reopen the debate or make a motion1 provided he rises with reasonable promptness after the chair asks1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if the debate is resumed the question must be put again1 both the affirmative and the negative4 ,should this privilege be abused by members not responding to the inquiry1 8,are you ready for the question80 and intentionally waiting until the affirmative vote has been taken and then rising and reopening the debate1 the chair should act as in case of dilatory motions #dj1 or any other attempt to obstruct business1 and protect the assembly from annoyance4 ,when a vote is taken a second time1 as when a division is called for1 debate cannot be resumed except by general consent4 ,if two-thirds of the assembly wish to close the debate without allowing all the time desired by others1 they can do so by ordering either the previous question or the closing of the debate at a certain time2 or they can limit the length of the speeches and allow each member to speak only once on each question1 as fully explained in #bi and #cj4 ,these motions require a two-thirds#ci vote1 as they suspend the fundamental right of every member of a deliberative assembly to have every question fully discussed before it is finally disposed of4 ,a majority vote may lay the question on the table and thus temporarily suspend the debate1 but it can be resumed by taking the question from the table by a majority vote when no question is before the assembly #ce1 at a time when business of this class1 or unfinished business1 or new business1 is in order4 ,if it is desired to prevent any discussion of a subject1 even by its introducer1 the only way to do it is to object to the consideration of the question #bc before it is debated1 or any subsidiary motion is stated4 ,if the objection is sustained by a two-thirds vote1 the question is thrown out for that session4 #ci ,in the ,senate not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its passage without allowing debate1 the ,senate rules not recognizing the above motions4 ,in the ,house1 where each speaker can occupy the floor one hour1 any of these motions to cut off debate can be adopted by a mere majority1 but practically they are not used until after some debate4 ,rule #bg1 #c1 ,h4 ,r41 expressly provides that forty minutes1 twenty on each side1 shall be allowed for debate whenever the previous question is ordered on a proposition on which there has been no debate1 or when the rules are suspended4 ,see note to #bb4 ,in ordinary societies harmony is so essential that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a final vote without allowing free debate4 #de4 ,principles of ,debate and ,undebatable ,motions4 ,all main motions are debatable1 and debate is allowed or prohibited on other motions in accordance with the following principles3 7a7 ,high privilege is1 as a rule1 incompatible with the right of debate of the privileged motion3 and1 therefore1 all highly privileged motions are undebatable1 except those relating to the privileges of the assembly or a member4 ,questions of privilege #ai rarely arise1 but when they do1 they are likely to be so important that they must be allowed to interrupt business1 and yet they cannot generally be acted upon intelligently without debate1 and1 therefore1 they are debatable4 ,the same is true of appeals from the decision of the chair which are debatable1 unless they relate to indecorum1 or to transgression of the rules of speaking1 or to priority of business1 or are made while an undebatable question is pending2 in which cases there is not sufficient need of debate to justify making them an exception to the rule1 and therefore an appeal under any of these circumstances is undebatable4 7b7 ,motions that have the effect of suspending a rule are not debatable4 ,consequently motions to suppress1 or to limit1 or to extend the limits of1 debate are undebatable1 as they suspend the ordinary rules of debate4 7c7 ,appeals made after the previous question has been ordered are undebatable1 as it would be manifestly improper to permit debate on them when the assembly by a two-thirds vote has closed debate on the pending question4 ,so any order limiting debate on the pending question applies to questions arising while the order is in force4 7d7 ,to ,amend1 or to ,reconsider1 an undebatable question is undebatable1 whereas to amend1 or to reconsider1 a debatable question is debatable4 7e7 ,a ,subsidiary ,motion #ab is debatable to just the extent that it interferes with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its pleasure4 ,illustrations3 ,to 8,postpone ,indefinitely0 a question places it out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that session1 except by reconsideration1 and consequently this motion allows of free debate1 even involving the whole merits of the original question4 ,to 8,commit0 a question only delays the discussion until the committee reports1 when it is open to free debate1 so it is only debatable as to the propriety of the commitment and as to the instructions1 etc4 ,to 8,postpone to a ,certain ,time0 prevents the consideration of the question till the specified time1 except by a reconsideration or suspension of the rules1 and therefore allows of limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement4 ,to 8,lay on the ,table0 leaves the question so that the assembly can consider it at any time that that question or that class of business is in order1 and therefore to lay on the table should not be1 and is not1 debatable4 ,because a motion is undebatable it does not follow that while it is pending the chair may not permit a question or an explanation4 ,the distinction between debate and asking questions or making brief suggestions1 should be kept clearly in mind1 and when the latter will aid the assembly in transacting business1 the chair should permit it before taking the vote on an undebatable question4 ,he should1 however1 remain standing during the colloquy to show that he has the floor1 and he should not allow any more delay in putting the question than he feels is helpful to the business4 ,the following lists of motions that open the main question to debate1 and of those that are undebatable1 are made in accordance with the above principles3 ,motions ,that ,open the ,main ,question to ,debate4 ,postpone ,indefinitely #cd ,reconsider a ,debatable ,question #cf ,rescind #cg ,ratify #ci ,undebatable ,motions4 ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn 7when a privileged question7 #af ,adjourn 7when unqualified in an assembly that has provided for future meetings7 #ag ,take a ,recess 7when privileged7 #ah ,call for the ,orders of the ,day1 and questions relating to priority of business #bj ,appeal when made while an undebatable question is pending1 or when simply relating to indecorum1 or transgression of the rules of speaking1 or to priority of business #ba ,suspension of the ,rules #bb ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question #bc ,incidental ,motions1 except an ,appeal as shown above in this list under ,appeal #ac ,lay on the ,table #bh ,previous ,question #bi and ,motions to ,close1 ,limit1 or ,extend the ,limits of ,debate #cj ,amend an ,undebatable ,motion #cc ,reconsider an ,undebatable ,motion #cf ,art4 ,,viii4 ,vote4 ,,page #df4 ,voting #ahh #dg4 ,votes that are ,null and ,void even if ,unanimous #bja #dh4 ,motions requiring more than a majority vote #bjb #df4 ,voting4 ,if the question is undebatable1 or debate has been closed by order of the assembly1 the chair1 immediately after stating the question1 puts it to vote as described under ,putting the ,question #i1 only allowing time for members to rise if they wish to make a motion of higher rank4 ,if the question is debatable and no one rises to claim the floor1 after the question is stated by the chair1 he should inquire1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,after a moment's pause1 if no one rises1 he should put the question to vote4 ,if the question is debated or motions are made1 the chair should wait until the debate has apparently ceased1 when he should again inquire1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,having given ample time for any one to rise and claim the floor1 and no one having done so1 he should put the question to vote and announce the result4 ,the usual method of taking a vote is viva voce 7by the voice74 ,the rules require this method to be used in ,congress4 ,in small assemblies the vote is often taken by 8show of hands10 or by 8raising the right hand0 as it is also called4 ,the other methods of voting are by rising2 by ballot2 by roll call1 or 8yeas and nays10 as it is also called2 by general consent2 and by mail4 ,in voting by any of the first three methods1 the affirmative answer aye1 or raise the right hand1 or rise1 as the case may be3 then the negative answer no1 or raise the right hand1 or rise4 ,the responsibility of announcing1 or declaring1 the vote rests upon the chair1 and he1 therefore1 has the right to have the vote taken again1 by rising1 if he is in doubt as to the result1 and even to have the vote counted1 if necessary4 ,he cannot have the vote taken by ballot or by yeas and nays 7roll call7 unless it is required by the rules or by a vote of the assembly4 ,but if the viva voce vote does not make him positive as to the result he may at once say1 8,those in favor of the motion will rise20 and when they are seated he will continue1 8,those opposed will rise40 ,if this does not enable him to determine the vote1 he should say1 8,those in favor of the motion or1 ,those in the affirmative will rise and stand until counted40 ,he then counts those standing1 or directs the secretary to do so1 and then says1 8,be seated4 ,those opposed or1 ,those in the negative rise and stand until counted40 ,after both sides are counted the chair announces the result as shown below4 ,in a very large assembly the chair may find it necessary to appoint tellers to count the vote and report to him the numbers4 ,in small assemblies a show of hands may be substituted for a rising vote4 ,when the vote is taken by voice or show of hands any member has a right to require a division of the assembly #be by having the affirmative rise and then the negative1 so that all may see how members vote4 ,either before or after a decision any member may call for1 or demand1 a count1 and1 if seconded1 the chair must put the question on ordering a count4 ,in organizations where it is desired to allow less than a majority vote to order a count or tellers1 a special rule should be adopted specifying the necessary vote4 ,where no rule has been adopted a majority vote is required to order a count1 or that the vote be taken by ballot or by yeas and nays 7roll call74 ,announcing the ,vote4 ,when the vote has been taken so that the chair has no doubt as to the result1 and no division is called for1 or1 if so1 the assembly has divided1 the chair proceeds to announce1 or declare the vote thus3 8,the ayes have it and the resolution is adopted40 ,if he is not very positive1 he may say1 8,the ayes seem to have it10 and1 if no one says he doubts the vote or calls for a division1 after a slight pause he adds1 8,the ayes have it10 etc4 ,if the vote was by show of hands or by rising1 it would be announced thus3 8,the affirmative has it 7or1 the motion is carried7 and the question is laid on the table20 or if there was a count1 the vote would be announced thus3 8,there are #ie votes in the affirmative1 and #ii in the negative1 so the amendment is lost1 and the question is now on the resolution2 are you ready for the question80 ,in announcing a vote the chair should state first whether the motion is carried or lost2 second1 what is the effect1 or result1 of the vote2 and third1 what is the immediately pending question or business1 if there is any4 ,if there is none1 he should ask1 8,what is the further pleasure of the assembly80 ,one of the most prolific causes of confusion in deliberative assemblies is the neglect of the chair to keep the assembly well informed as to what is the pending business4 ,the habit of announcing the vote by simply saying that the 8motion is carried0 and then sitting down1 cannot be too strongly condemned4 ,many members may not know what is the effect of the vote1 and it is the chair's duty to inform the assembly what is the result of the motion's being carried or lost1 and what business comes next before the assembly4 ,when a quorum #fd is present1 a majority vote1 that is a majority of the votes cast1 ignoring blanks1 is sufficient for the adoption of any motion that is in order1 except those mentioned in #dh1 which require a two-thirds vote4 ,a plurality never adopts a motion nor elects any one to office1 unless by virtue of a special rule previously adopted4 ,on a tie vote the motion is lost1 and the chair1 if a member of the assembly1 may vote to make it a tie unless the vote is by ballot4 ,the chair cannot1 however1 vote twice1 first to make a tie and then give the casting vote4 ,in case of an appeal #ba1 though the question is1 8,shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the assembly80 a tie vote1 even though his vote made it a tie1 sustains the chair1 upon the principle that the decision of the chair can be reversed only by a majority1 including the chair if a member of the assembly4 ,it is a general rule that no one can vote on a question in which he has a direct personal or pecuniary interest4 ,yet this does not prevent a member from voting for himself for any office or other position1 as voting for a delegate or for a member of a committee2 nor from voting when other members are included with him in the motion1 even though he has a personal or pecuniary interest in the result1 as voting on charges preferred against more than one person at a time1 or on a resolution to increase the salaries of all the members4 ,if a member could in no case vote on a question affecting himself1 it would be impossible for a society to vote to hold a banquet1 or for a legislature to vote salaries to members1 or for the majority to prevent a small minority from preferring charges against them and suspending or expelling them4 ,by simply including the names of all the members1 except those of their own faction1 in a resolution preferring charges against them1 the minority could get all the power in their own hands1 were it not for the fact that in such a case all the members are entitled to vote regardless of their personal interest4 ,a sense of delicacy usually prevents a member from exercising this right of voting in matters affecting himself except where his vote might affect the result4 ,after charges are preferred against a member1 and the assembly has ordered him to appear for trial1 he is theoretically under arrest1 and is deprived of all rights of membership and therefore cannot vote until his case is disposed of4 ,a member has the right to change his vote up to the time the vote is finally announced4 ,after that1 he can make the change only by permission of the assembly1 which may be given by general consent2 that is1 by no member's objecting when the chair inquires if any one objects4 ,if objection is made1 a motion may be made to grant the permission1 which motion is undebatable4 ,while it is the duty of every member who has an opinion on the question to express it by his vote1 yet he cannot be compelled to do so4 ,he may prefer to abstain from voting1 though he knows the effect is the same as if he voted on the prevailing side4 ,voting by ,ballot4 ,the main object of this form of voting is secrecy1 and it is resorted to when the question is of such a nature that some members might hesitate to vote publicly their true sentiments4 ,its special use is in the reception of members1 elections1 and trials of members and officers1 as well as in the preliminary steps in both cases1 and the by-laws should require the vote to be by ballot in such cases4 ,where the by-laws do not require the vote to be by ballot1 it can be so ordered by a majority vote1 or by general consent4 ,such motions are undebatable4 ,voting by ballot is rarely1 if ever1 used in legislative bodies1 but in ordinary societies1 especially secret ones1 it is habitually used in connection with elections and trials1 and sometimes for the selection of the next place for the meeting of a convention4 ,as the usual object of the ballot is secrecy1 where the by-laws require the vote to be taken by ballot any motion is out of order which members cannot oppose without exposing their views on the question to be decided by ballot4 ,thus1 it is out of order to move that one person cast the ballot of the assembly for a certain person when the by-laws require the vote to be by ballot4 ,so1 when the ballot is not unanimous it is out of order to move to make the vote unanimous1 unless the motion is voted on by ballot so as to allow members to vote against it in secrecy4 ,in some cases black balls and white ones and a ballot box are provided for voting1 where the question can be answered yes or no4 ,the white ball answers yes1 and the black one no4 ,but in ordinary deliberative assemblies the ballots are strips of paper upon which are printed1 or written1 yes or no1 or the names of the candidates1 as the case may be4 ,these ballots are first distributed and are afterwards collected by tellers1 either by being dropped into a hat or box by the members1 who remain in their seats2 or by the members coming to the ballot box and handing their folded ballot to a teller1 who deposits it in the ballot box4 ,in the latter case it is necessary for the tellers to see that no member votes twice1 which in large societies can be best done by checking off the names from a list of members as the ballots are deposited4 ,the ballots should usually be folded so that if more than one is voted by the same person the tellers will detect it in unfolding the ballot4 ,in satisfying themselves that only one ballot is voted1 the vote may be exposed if the ballot is not folded4 ,when every one appears to have voted1 the chair inquires1 8,have all voted who wish to80 and if there is no response he says1 8,the polls are closed10 whereupon the tellers proceed to count the ballots4 ,if in unfolding the ballots it is found that two have been folded together1 both are rejected as fraudulent4 ,a blank piece of paper is not counted as a ballot and would not cause the rejection of the ballot with which it was folded4 ,all blanks are ignored as simply waste paper1 and are not reported1 the members who do not wish to vote adopting this method of concealing the fact4 ,small technical errors1 like the misspelling of a word1 should not be noticed if the meaning of the ballot is clear4 ,for instance1 if at the trial of a member a ballot was written 8gilty10 every one knows what was intended4 ,in all cases where the name on the ballot sounds like the name of one of the candidates it should be so credited4 ,if a ballot is written 8,johnson10 or 8,johnston10 or 8,johnstone10 it should be credited to the candidate whose name is one of these3 but if there are two candidates with these names and no eligible member with the name on the ballot1 it must be rejected as illegal1 or reported to the chair1 who will at once submit the question to the assembly as to whom the ballot should be credited4 ,if these doubtful ballots will not affect the result1 the tellers may make their full report without asking for instructions in regard to them1 placing these doubtful votes opposite the exact name as written on the ballot4 ,votes for ineligible persons and fraudulent votes should be reported under the heading of 8,illegal ,votes10 after the legal votes4 ,when two or three filled-out ballots are folded together they are counted as one fraudulent vote4 ,the names of the candidates should be arranged in order1 the one receiving the highest number of legal votes being first4 ,in reporting the number of votes cast and the number necessary for election1 all votes except blanks must be counted4 ,suppose the tellers find #ajj ballot papers1 #d of which are blank1 #a contains two filled-out ones folded together1 and #ej are cast for a person who is ineligible because of having held the office as long as permitted by the constitution3 the tellers' report should be in this form3 ,number of votes cast #if ,necessary for election #di ,mr4 ,a received #cg ,mr4 ,b received #h ,illegal ,votes4 ,mr4 ,c 7ineligible7 received #ej ,one ballot containing two for ,mr4 ,d1 folded together1 rejected as fraudulent #a ,the teller first named1 standing1 addresses the chair1 reads the report and hands it to the chairman1 and takes his seat1 without saying who is elected4 ,the chairman again reads the report of the tellers and declares who is elected4 ,in the case just given he says there is no election1 stating the reason4 ,if no one is elected1 it is necessary to ballot again1 and to continue balloting until there is an election4 ,the chairman should always vote in case of a ballot4 ,should he fail to do so before the polls are closed1 he cannot then do it without the permission of the assembly4 ,when the tellers report1 they should hand the ballots to the secretary1 who should retain them until it is certain that the assembly will not order a recount1 which is within its power to do by a majority vote4 ,yeas and ,nays1#dj or ,roll ,call4 ,when a vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays see #be for the motion the chair puts the question in a form similar to this3 8,as many as are in favor of the adoption of these resolutions will1 as their names are called1 answer yes or yea2 those opposed will answer no or nay40 ,the chairman then directs the clerk to call the roll4 ,the negative being put at the same time as the affirmative1 it is too late1 after one person has answered to the roll call1 to renew the debate4 ,the clerk calls the roll1 and each member1 as his name is called1 rises and answers 8yes0 or 8no10 or 8present0 if he does not wish to vote1 and the clerk notes the answers in separate columns4 ,upon the completion of the roll call the clerk reads the names of those who answered in the affirmative1 and afterwards those in the negative1 and then those who answered 8present10 that mistakes may be corrected2 he then gives the number voting on each side to the chairman1 who announces the result4 ,an entry must be made in the minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative1 and also of those in the negative1 and those who answered 8present40 ,a convenient method of noting the answers at the roll call is to write the figure #a on the left of the name of the first member answering in the affirmative1 the figure #b to the left of the second name in the affirmative1 and so on4 ,the negative answers are treated similarly1 being entered on the right of the names1 and those answering 8present0 should be entered similarly in a third column4 ,in this way the last figures on each side at any time show how the vote stands at that time4 ,the yeas and nays cannot be ordered in committee of the whole4 #dj ,taking a vote by yeas and nays1 which has the effect to place on the record how each member votes1 is peculiar to this country1 and1 while it consumes a great deal of time1 is rarely useful in ordinary societies4 ,while it can never be used to hinder business1 as long as the above rule is observed1 it should not be used at all in a mass meeting1 or in any other assembly whose members are not responsible to a constituency4 ,by the ,constitution1 one-fifth of the members present can1 in either house of ,congress1 order a vote to be taken by yeas and nays4 ,in representative bodies this method of voting is very useful1 especially where the proceedings are published1 as it enables the people to know how their representatives voted on important measures4 ,if there is no legal or constitutional provision for the yeas and nays being ordered by a minority in a representative body1 they should adopt a rule allowing the yeas and nays to be ordered by a one-fifth vote1 as in ,congress1 or even by a much smaller number4 ,in some small bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays1 upon the demand of a single member4 ,general ,consent4 ,business can be expedited greatly by avoiding the formality of motions and voting in routine business and on questions of little importance1 the chair assuming general 7unanimous7 consent until some one objects4 ,it does not necessarily mean that every member is in favor of the motion1 but1 that knowing it is useless to oppose it1 or even to discuss it1 the opposition simply acquiesces in the informality4 ,thus1 in the case of approving the minutes1 the chair inquires if there are any corrections1 and1 if one is suggested1 it is made3 when no correction or no further correction is suggested1 the chair says3 8,there being no corrections or no further corrections the minutes stand approved40 ,while routine and minor matters can be rapidly disposed of in this way1 if at any time objection is made with reasonable promptness1 the chair ignores what has been done in that case even if he has announced the result1 and requires a regular vote4 ,see also page #bjb4 ,absentee ,voting4 ,in a strictly deliberative assembly no member can vote who is not present when the question is completely put4 ,but in many societies the membership is scattered all over a state1 or even still wider1 and it has been found expedient to provide a method of voting that will enable all the members to vote upon certain matters1 as upon amendments to constitutions1 by-laws1 and in elections of officers4 ,this provision1 when it is deemed advisable to adopt it1 should be placed in the constitution or by-laws1 as otherwise1 unless the charter or state laws authorize absentee voting1 no member can vote except in person4 ,there are two forms of absentee voting--by mail1 and proxy voting4 ,voting by ,mail is used for election of officers1 and for amendments to the constitution or by-laws1 and for such other important matters as the society may order to be voted on in this way4 ,if an amendment to the by-laws is to be voted on by mail1 a printed copy of the proposed amendment is mailed to every member1 with the words 8yes0 and 8no0 printed underneath1 or on a separate slip1 with directions to cross out one of them1 and return in the enclosed envelope1 upon which should be printed the words1 8,ballot for ,amendment to ,constitution40 ,this envelope should usually have the signature of the voter on it1 and be sealed and enclosed in another one addressed to the secretary1 or to the chairman of the tellers1 so that the inner envelope will not be opened except by the tellers when the votes are counted4 ,if it is desired to present the arguments pro and con1 the society can allow the leaders on the two sides to prepare brief statements to be printed and mailed with the proposed amendment to every member4 ,instead of having the voter's signature on the inner envelope1 it may be placed on the ballot1 but a place for the signature should be indicated1 so that there may be some means of protection against votes being cast by other than legal voters4 ,voting by mail cannot be a secret ballot1 as it is necessary for the tellers to know by whom each vote is cast4 ,by some such method as the above it is practicable to give all the members1 however scattered they may be1 an opportunity to vote on questions of great importance4 ,proxy ,voting4 ,a proxy is a power of attorney given by one person to another to vote in his stead1 and it is also used to designate the person who holds the power of attorney4 ,it is unknown to a strictly deliberative assembly1 and is in conflict with the idea of the equality of members1 which is a fundamental principle of deliberative assemblies4 ,there can be but little use for debate where one member has more votes than another1 possibly more than all the others combined4 ,if the proxy voting is limited to the election of a board of directors1 as it is practically in stock corporations1 and if1 also1 the proxies must be given to members of the corporation in all cases where it requires an election to become a member--with these two limitations proxy voting would be useful and do no harm4 ,in stock companies the members meet only annually to elect directors1 who elect the officers and transact the business of the corporation4 ,though the directors are elected largely by proxies1 their own meetings1 where all the business is done1 are as secret as they choose to make them1 no proxies being allowed in them1 and therefore proxy voting does not interfere with their business4 ,as any one can dispose of his stock to any one else1 there is no objection to his appointing any one as his proxy4 ,but the case is very different with many incorporated societies of a social1 benevolent1 or religious character1 whose business meetings are sometimes secret4 ,their membership cannot be transferred by the members like stock1 and therefore they should not be allowed to appoint any proxies who are not members of the organization4 ,the state law is above the by-laws of the society1 and if the state law empowers members of all corporations to appoint proxies to vote at all business meetings1 no by-laws of an incorporated secret society could prevent non-members holding proxies from attending and voting at all business meetings of the society4 ,this should not be the case4 ,with stock corporations it does no harm1 because all the business is done by directors1 and no proxies are allowed in their meetings1 and no one can be present without their consent4 ,but in many societies of the kind mentioned the business is transacted in meetings attended by none but members1 and unlimited proxies would be a serious interference with their work4 ,if the state law requires proxy voting in all corporations1 it should be limited to the election of officers1 including directors1 and also the proxies should be required to be held by members of the corporation in all organizations whose primary object is not pecuniary profit4 #dg4 ,votes that are ,null and ,void even if ,unanimous4 ,no motion is in order that conflicts with the laws of the nation1 or state1 or with the assembly's constitution or by-laws1 and if such a motion is adopted1 even by a unanimous vote1 it is null and void4 ,no rule that conflicts with a rule of a higher order is of any authority2 thus1 a by-law providing for the suspension by general consent of an article of the constitution would be null and void2 so1 the general parliamentary rule allowing a two-thirds vote to amend the by-laws after due notice1 is only in force when the by-laws are silent on the subject4 ,rules that protect absentees cannot be suspended informally by general consent1 or formally by a unanimous vote1 as the absentees have not given their consent4 ,for instance1 a rule requiring the giving of a specified notice of certain motions1 as an amendment of the by-laws1 cannot be suspended by general consent or by a unanimous vote4 ,when a vote is required to be taken by ballot1 the object is to enable members to conceal their votes1 and any motion that defeats this object is out of order4 ,thus1 when the rules require the vote to be by ballot1 as is usual in elections to office or membership1 this rule cannot be suspended even by general consent1 because no one can object without exposing his vote1 which he cannot be compelled to do4 ,when the election must be by ballot1 a motion to have the ballot cast by one person is out of order4 ,so1 when the rules require the vote to be by ballot1 a motion to make unanimous a vote that was not unanimous1 must be voted on by ballot1 as otherwise the vote would not be secret4 #dh4 ,motions requiring more than a ,majority ,vote4 ,majority ,vote4 ,any legitimate motion not included among those mentioned below as requiring more than a majority vote1 requires for its adoption only a majority2 that is1 more than half of the votes cast1 ignoring blanks1 at a legal meeting where a quorum is present1 unless a larger vote for its adoption is required by the rules of the assembly4 ,general ,consent or ,unanimous ,vote4 ,by general1 or unanimous1 or silent1 consent the assembly can do business with little regard for the rules of procedure1 as they are made for the protection of the minority1 and when there is no minority to protect1 there is little use for the restraint of the rules1 except such as protect the rights of absent members1 or the right to a secret vote4 ,in the former case the consent of the absentees cannot be given1 and in the latter case the consent cannot be withheld by the minority without exposing their votes1 which they cannot be compelled to do4 ,when the election is not by ballot and there are several candidates one of whom receives a majority vote1 sometimes a motion is made to make the vote unanimous4 ,it should never be made except by the candidate with the largest number of votes after the successful one1 or his representative1 and even then its propriety is doubtful4 ,one negative vote defeats a motion to make a vote unanimous1 as a single objection defeats a request for general consent4 ,by the legitimate use of the principle that the rules are designed for the protection of the minority1 and generally need not be strictly enforced when there is no minority to protect1 business may be greatly expedited4 ,when there is evidently no opposition1 the formality of voting can be avoided by the chair's asking if there is any objection to the proposed action1 and if there is none1 announcing the result4 ,the action thus taken is said to be done by general consent1 or unanimous or silent consent4 ,thus1 after an order has been adopted limiting the speeches to two minutes each1 if a speaker is so interesting that when his time has expired there is a general demand for him to go on1 the chair1 instead of waiting for a motion and taking a vote1 could accept it as the will of the assembly that the speaker's time be extended1 and would direct him to proceed4 ,or1 he might say that if there is no objection the member's time will be extended two minutes1 or some other time4 ,see also page #aih4 ,two-thirds ,vote4 ,a two-thirds vote means two-thirds of the votes cast1 ignoring blanks which should never be counted4 ,this must not be confused with a vote of two-thirds of the members present1 or two-thirds of the members1 terms sometimes used in by-laws4 ,to illustrate the difference3 ,suppose #ad members vote on a question in a meeting of a society where #bj are present out of a total membership of #gj1 a two-thirds vote would be #aj2 a two-thirds vote of the members present would be #ad2 and a vote of two-thirds of the members would be #dg4 ,there has been established as a compromise between the rights of the individual and the rights of the assembly the principle that a two-thirds vote is required to adopt any motion that suspends or modifies a rule of order previously adopted2 or prevents the introduction of a question for consideration2 or closes1 or limits1 or extends the limits of debate2 or limits the freedom of nomination or voting2 or closes nominations or the polls2 or deprives one of membership or office4 ,it will be found that every motion in the following list belongs to one of the classes just mentioned4 ,motions ,requiring a ,two-thirds ,vote4#da #da ,the ,u4 ,s4 ,constitution requires a two-thirds vote of both ,houses to pass a resolution proposing an amendment to the ,constitution1 to pass a vetoed bill1 or to remove political disabilities2 a two-thirds vote of either ,house to expel a member2 and a vote of two-thirds of the ,senators present to ratify a treaty or convict on an impeachment4 ,the ,house requires a two-thirds vote to suspend the rules1 but is obliged to allow a majority to order the previous question or to limit debate1 as otherwise its business could never be transacted4 ,still1 a bill cannot be passed without at least forty minutes of debate1 as that is allowed after the suspension of the rules or the previous question has been ordered4 ,see foot note to #dd4 ,amend 7,annul1 ,repeal1 or ,rescind7 any part of the ,constitution1 ,by-laws1 or ,rules of ,order1 previously adopted2 it also requires previous notice #fh ,amend or ,rescind a ,standing ,rule1 a ,program or ,order of ,business1 or a ,resolution1 previously adopted1 without notice being given at a previous meeting or in the call for the meeting #cg ,take up a ,question out of its ,proper ,order #bb ,suspend the ,rules #bb ,make a ,special ,order #bj ,discharge an ,order of the ,day before it is pending #bj ,refuse to ,proceed to the ,orders of the ,day #bj ,sustain an ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question #bc ,previous ,question #bi ,limit1 or ,extend the ,limits1 of ,debate #cj ,extend the ,time ,appointed for ,adjournment or for ,taking a ,recess #bj ,close ,nominations #bf or the ,polls #be ,limit the ,names to be ,voted for ,expel from ,membership3 it also requires previous notice and trial #ge ,depose from ,office3 it also requires previous notice ,discharge a ,committee when previous notice has not been given #cb ,reconsider in ,committee when a member of the majority is absent and has not been notified of the proposed reconsideration #cf ,art4 ,,ix4 ,committees and ,boards4 ,,page #di4 ,committees ,classified #bjf #ej4 ,boards of ,managers1 etc41 and ,executive ,committees #bjg #ea4 ,ex-,officio ,members of ,boards and ,committees #baj #eb4 ,committees1 ,special and ,standing #baa #ec4 ,reception of ,reports #bbj #ed4 ,adoption or ,acceptance of ,reports #bbc #ee4 ,committee of the ,whole #bbi #ef4 ,as if in ,committee of the ,whole #bcc #eg4 ,informal ,consideration #bcd #di4 ,committees ,classified4 ,a ,committee is a body of one or more persons appointed or elected by an assembly or society to consider1 or investigate1 or take action in regard to1 certain matters or subjects2 or to do all of these things4 ,committees may be divided into two distinct classes3 7#a7 ,boards of ,managers or ,directors1 ,boards of ,trustees1 ,executive ,committees1 etc4 7#b7 ,ordinary ,committees1 ,special or ,standing1 and ,committee of the ,whole and its substitutes4 ,these different kinds of committees are considered separately in the following five sections4 #ej4 ,boards of ,managers or ,directors1 ,boards of ,trustees1 ,executive ,committees1 etc4 ,committees of this class are essentially small deliberative assemblies1 subordinate to the body that appoints them1 with their duties and authority1 and the number of their regular meetings and their quorums1 defined by the parent body1 or by its authority4 ,boards or ,committees of this class are usually appointed by organizations that meet only annually or quarterly4 ,with such an organization it is customary and necessary to delegate to a committee1 usually known as the ,board of ,managers or ,directors1 all its authority1 with slight limitations1 to be exercised between its meetings4 ,the by-laws of the ,board are adopted by the parent body1 or the ,board may be authorized to adopt its own by-laws4 ,it is usual to authorize the ,board to appoint from its membership an ,executive ,committee of a specified number who shall have all the power of the ,board between the meetings of the ,board1 just as the ,board has all the power of the ,society between the meetings of the ,society1 except that the subordinate body cannot modify any action taken by its superior4 ,the ,executive ,committee should be small and the members should live near enough each other to be able to have frequent regular meetings1 besides special meetings in emergencies4 ,where the organization is local1 such as a society for sustaining an orphan asylum1 the ,board of ,managers usually divides itself into committees having charge of different branches of the work during the intervals between the monthly or quarterly meetings of the ,board1 when these committees report on the work done4 ,it is seldom that resolutions or other matters are referred to boards or committees of this class for them to report back to the society with recommendations4 ,if papers are referred to them it is usually for their information and action4 ,they are organized as any other deliberative assembly with a chairman and a secretary1 whom they elect if they are not appointed by the society4 ,frequently the by-laws of the society make its president and its corresponding1 or executive secretary1 ex-officio1 #ea president and secretary of the ,board of ,managers4 ,in large boards business is transacted the same as in the society meetings2 but in small boards the same formality is not necessary or usual1 the informality observed by committees being generally allowed4 ,in a board meeting where there are not more than about a dozen present1 for instance1 it is not necessary to rise in order to make a motion1 nor to wait for recognition by the chair before speaking or making a motion1 nor for a motion to have a second2 nor is there any limit to the number of speeches1 nor does the chairman leave the chair when making a motion or discussing a question4 ,the formalities necessary in order to transact business in a large assembly would hinder business in so small a body4 ,boards are often constituted so that the term of office of1 say1 one-third of its members expires each year4 ,after each annual meeting in such case1 the board elects new officers and committees1 the same as if the entire board had been re-elected4 ,all unfinished business falls to the ground when the new board is elected4 ,it is customary for the by-laws to require an annual report from the ,board of ,managers1 which usually gives a brief account of its doings for the year with recommendations for the future4 ,after discussion1 and amendment if necessary1 the report is usually adopted by the society and published in its annual proceedings as the report of the board4 ,in such a case1 care should be taken in publishing it to inclose in brackets all that has been struck out1 and to put in italics whatever has been inserted1 and to insert a note to that effect at the beginning of the report1 so that exactly what the board recommended can readily be seen4 ,the minutes should read thus3 8,the ,board of ,managers submitted its report which after discussion and amendment was adopted as follows1 the words in brackets having been struck out and those underscored 7in italics7 having been inserted before the report was adopted40 ,the society cannot alter the report of the board4 ,it may decline to indorse it1 or even to allow it to be printed1 but it cannot make it appear that the board stated anything different from what it has reported4 ,by the above plan is shown exactly what the board reported and what the society adopted1 or endorsed4 #ea4 ,ex-,officio ,members of ,boards and ,committees4 ,frequently boards and committees contain some members who are members by virtue of their office1 and1 therefore1 are termed ex-officio members4 ,when such a member ceases to hold the office his membership of the board terminates automatically4 ,if the ex-officio member is under the control of the society1 there is no distinction between him and the other members except where the president is ex-officio member of all committees1 in which case it is evidently the intention to permit1 not to require1 him to act as a member of the various committees1 and therefore in counting a quorum he should not be counted as a member4 ,the president is not a member of any committee except by virtue of a special rule1 unless he is so appointed by the assembly4 ,if the ex-officio member is not under the authority of the society1 he has all the privileges1 including the right to vote1 but none of the obligations of membership2 as when the governor of a state is1 ex-officio1 a manager or a trustee of a private academy4 #eb4 ,committees1 ,special and ,standing4 ,it is usual in deliberative assemblies1 to have all preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action done by means of committees4 ,the committee may be either a 8standing committee10 appointed for a definite time1 as a session or a year2 or a 8special or select committee10 appointed for a special purpose2 or a 8committee of the whole0 consisting of the entire assembly4 ,for method of appointing committees of the whole1 see #ee2 other committees1 see ,commit1 #cb4 ,committees of the whole are not used much except in legislative bodies1 and when the word committees is used in this ,manual1 unless specified to the contrary1 standing or special committees are meant4 ,unless the assembly has appointed a chairman1 either directly or through its presiding officer1 the first named on a committee1 and in his absence the next named member1 becomes chairman1 and so on and should act as such unless the committee by a majority of its number elects a chairman1 which it has the right to do if the assembly has not appointed one1 and which a standing committee usually does4 ,the clerk should furnish him1 or1 in his absence1 some other member of the committee1 with notice of the appointment of the committee1 the names of the members1 the papers or matter referred to it1 and such instructions as the assembly has decided upon4 ,upon the committee's request1 all papers and books necessary for the proper performance of its duties should be turned over to it by the proper officers4 ,it is the duty of the chairman to call the committee together1 but1 if he is absent1 or neglects or declines to call a meeting of the committee1 it is the duty of the committee to meet on the call of any two of its members4 ,in small special committees the chairman usually acts as secretary1 but in large ones and in all standing committees1 it is customary to elect a secretary1 who keeps a brief memorandum of what is done1 for the use of the committee4 ,members of the society have a right to appear at the committee meetings and present their views on the subject before it at such reasonable times as1 upon request1 the committee may appoint4 ,but during the deliberations of the committee no one has a right to be present1 except members of the committee4 ,the rules of the assembly1 as far as possible1 apply to the committee1 but motions to close or limit debate are not allowed1 and there is no limit to the number of times a member may speak1 and unless the committee is very large1 it is not necessary for any one to rise and address the chair before making a motion or speaking1 nor does the chairman rise to put the question1 nor does he leave the chair to speak or make motions1 nor are motions seconded4 ,these formalities are unnecessary because the committee is so small1 but1 unless agreed to by general consent1 all questions must be put to vote4 ,instead of the chairman's abstaining from speaking on questions1 he is1 usually1 the most active participant in the discussions and work of the committee4 ,in order that the assembly may have the benefit of the matured judgment of the committee1 a reconsideration of a vote must be allowed regardless of the time and of previous reconsideration1 and it may be moved by any one who did not vote with the minority1 even if he was absent when the previous vote was taken2 but it shall require a two-thirds vote for its adoption unless every member who voted with the majority is either present or received ample notice of the meeting and that the reconsideration was to be moved4 ,this prevents taking advantage of the absence of members to reverse action1 and enables members who were absent to bring up the question of reconsideration4 ,the committee constitute a miniature assembly1 being able to act only when a quorum 7a majority of the members7 is present4 ,if a paper is referred to them1 they must not write on it1 but should write their amendments on a separate sheet4 ,if the amendments are numerous it is better to write out a substitute and submit it4 ,if a resolution is referred to a committee while a motion to postpone indefinitely is pending1 only the resolution is referred to the committee1 the motion to postpone indefinitely being ignored4 ,if amendments are pending they go to the committee1 who may recommend their adoption or rejection1 or make no recommendation in regard to them4 ,if the committee originate the paper1 all amendments must be incorporated in it4 ,when they originate it1 usually one member has previously prepared a draft1 which is read entirely through1 and then read by paragraphs1 the chairman pausing after each paragraph1 and asking3 8,are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph80 ,no vote is taken on the adoption of the separate paragraphs2 but1 after the whole paper has been read in this way1 it is open to amendment generally1 by striking out any paragraph1 or by substituting or inserting new ones1 or by substituting an entirely new paper for it4 ,if there is a preamble it is considered last4 ,when the entire paper has been amended to suit the committee1 they should adopt it as their report1 and direct the chairman or some other member to report it to the assembly4 ,when committees are appointed to investigate1 or to report upon1 certain matters1 the report should close with1 or be accompanied by1 formal resolutions covering all recommendations1 so that when their report is made no motion is necessary except to adopt the resolutions4 ,if the report is written in this form1 8,your committee are of the opinion that ,mr4 ,a's bill should be paid10 there might be some doubt as to the effect of the adoption of the recommendation or the report4 ,the report should close with a recommendation that the following order be adopted3 8,ordered1 ,that the ,treasurer pay ,mr4 ,a's bill for #aj4ae40 ,if a report recommends that charges be preferred against ,mr4 ,b1 it should close with recommending the adoption of resolutions1 which should be written out1 providing for holding an adjourned meeting1 and for citing the member to appear at the adjourned meeting for trial on charges that must be specified4 ,these should be prepared by the committee and submitted as a part of their report4 ,the committee should never leave to others the responsibility of preparing resolutions to carry out their recommendations4 ,they should consider this as one of their most important duties4 ,when the report has been adopted by the committee a clear copy is made1 usually commencing in a style similar to this3 8,the committee to whom was referred 7state the matter referred71 beg leave to submit the following report20 or1 8,your committee appointed to 7specify the object71 respectfully report10 etc4 ,if the report is of much importance it should be signed by all the members concurring in the report2 but when it is of little importance1 or merely recommends amendments1 etc41 it may be signed by the chairman alone1 his signature being followed by the word 8,chairman40 ,he should not1 however1 place 8,chairman0 after his signature except when he signs the report alone and by the authority of the committee4 ,the report must always be in the third person though written and signed by only one4 ,the signature may be preceded by the words1 8,respectfully submitted10 but it is not necessary4 ,usually the report is not dated or addressed1 and sometimes it consists merely of a resolution1 or a set of resolutions4 ,in the latter case the chairman states he is instructed by the committee to submit and to move the adoption of the resolutions4 ,the report of the majority is the report of the committee and should never be referred to as the majority report4 ,if the minority submit a report1 7or more properly1 their 8views107 it may commence thus3 8,the undersigned1 a minority of the committee appointed1 etc41 not agreeing with the majority1 desire to express their views in the case40 ,after the committee's report has been read and the motion to adopt has been made and the question stated1 it is usual to allow the minority to present their views1 but if any one objects to its reception the chair should put the question to vote on its being received4 ,it requires a majority vote to receive it1 the question being undebatable4 ,when the minority report is read it is for information1 and it cannot be acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the committee4 ,whether the views of the minority are read or not1 any one can move to substitute the resolutions they recommend for those recommended by the committee4 ,where the minority cannot agree1 each member may submit his views separately4 ,in some cases a member agrees to the report with a single exception1 in which case instead of submitting his views separately1 after all have signed who agree to the report he may write that he agrees to the report except the part which he specifies1 and then sign the statement4 ,the committee's report#db can contain only that which has been agreed to by a majority vote at a meeting of which every member has been notified1 or at an adjourned meeting thereof 7a quorum1 a majority of the members1 being present71 except where it is impracticable to have a meeting of the committee1 when it may contain what is agreed to by every member4 ,if a committee is appointed from different sections of the country with the expectation that its work will be done by correspondence1 its report can contain only what is agreed to by a majority of the members4 #db ,in ,congress nothing can be 8the report of the committee but what has been agreed to in committee actually assembled10 so that a report signed by a majority of a committee acting separately was ruled out4 ,in some societies1 however1 it is often impracticable to have regular committee meetings with a majority present4 ,a committee1 except a committee of the whole1 can appoint a sub-committee which1 however1 reports to the committee1 and never to the assembly4 ,this sub-committee must consist of members of the committee1 except in cases where the committee is appointed to take action that requires the assistance of others1 as to make arrangements for holding a bazaar4 ,in such a case it is best to appoint the committee with power to appoint such sub-committees as are required2 or1 as is frequently done1 to appoint the committee 8with power10 which means with power to take all the steps necessary to carry out its instructions4 ,a committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct1 its recourse being to report the facts to the assembly4 ,no allusion can be made in the assembly to what has occurred during the deliberations of the committee1 unless it is by a report of the committee or by general consent4 ,when a special committee is through with the business assigned it1 a motion is made for the committee to 8rise0 7which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn without day71 and that the chairman 7or some member who is more familiar with the subject7 make its report to the assembly4 ,a special committee ceases to exist as soon as the assembly receives its report4 ,when a committee adjourns without appointing a time for the next meeting1 it is considered as having adjourned at the call of the chair1 so that all the meetings of a special committee constitute one session4 ,a meeting of a special committee may be called at any time by the chairman or by any two of its members1 every member being notified4 ,when a committee adjourns to meet at another time1 it is not necessary 7though usually advisable7 that absent members should be notified of the adjourned meeting4 ,a standing committee is either wholly1 or partially1 elected at each annual meeting in ordinary societies1 and immediately thereafter it reorganizes by electing a chairman 7unless he has been appointed by the assembly7 and a secretary4 ,therefore1 a standing committee must report at the annual meeting1 or before1 on everything referred to it during the year4 ,the motion to rise is never used in standing committees or boards1 nor is it used in other committees except when the committee is ready to report so that it will never meet again4 ,a special committee is appointed for a specific purpose1 and until the duty assigned it by the society is accomplished it continues to exist1 unless sooner discharged1 which requires a two-thirds vote if done without notice being given4 ,the fact that an annual meeting has intervened does not discharge a special committee appointed by a society4 ,but in an elected or appointed body1 as a convention1 special committees that have not reported cease to exist when the new officers assume their duties at the next annual meeting4 ,when discharged1 the chairman of the committee returns to the secretary all documents received from him4 ,while in small assemblies1 especially in those where but little business is done1 there is not much need of committees1 in large assemblies1 or in those doing a great deal of business1 committees are of the utmost importance4 ,when a committee is properly selected1 in nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly4 ,a committee for action should be small1 and consist only of those heartily in favor of the proposed action4 ,if one not in sympathy with it is appointed1 he should ask to be excused4 ,a committee for deliberation or investigation1 on the contrary1 should be large1 and represent all parties in the assembly1 so that its opinion will carry with it as great weight as possible4 ,the usefulness of the committee will be greatly impaired if any important faction of the assembly is unrepresented on the committee4 ,the appointment of a committee is fully explained in #cb4 #ec4 ,reception of ,reports4 ,when there is a place in the order of business provided for reports of committees1 they are not made until they are called for by the chair4 ,upon the arrival of the time for these reports1 the chair calls for the reports of such officers and standing committees as are required to make reports1 in the order in which they are arranged in the rules2 after which he calls for the reports of the special committees in the order of their appointment4 ,when called upon1 the reporting member 7who is the chairman of the committee unless another member is appointed to make the report7 rises and addresses the chair1 and1 when recognized1 reads the report and hands it to the presiding officer1 or the secretary1 and1 when necessary1 moves its adoption or acceptance as explained in the next section4 ,if the committee reports back a paper with amendments1 the amendments are read with sufficient of the related parts to make them understood4 ,if it is desired to have a report made earlier than the rules allow1 it can be done1 by a two-thirds vote1 by suspending the rules #bb and receiving the report at once4 ,if the order of business makes no provision for the report of the committee1 the reporting member1 when ready to report1 obtains the floor when no business is pending1 and informs the assembly that the committee to which was referred such a subject or paper has agreed upon a report which he is now prepared to submit4 ,if the chair thinks the assembly wishes to hear the report he directs him to proceed1 whereupon he reads the report and hands it to the chairman and makes the proper motion for its disposal4 ,if before it is read any one objects to its reception1 or if the chair is in doubt as to whether it should be received now1 he puts to the assembly the question1 8,shall the report be received now80 ,it requires a majority vote to receive it1 and the question is undebatable4 ,if the vote is in the negative1 a time for the reception of the report should be appointed either by a vote or by general consent4 ,usually no motions are made or votes taken in regard to receiving reports1 these matters being all settled informally by general consent4 ,if the report is a final one1 when the assembly has received the report the committee has completed its work1 and1 without any motion1 it is automatically discharged from further consideration of the subject1 and1 if it is a special committee1 it ceases to exist4 ,if the report is only a partial one the committee is not discharged unless the assembly so votes4 ,if the subject is recommitted the committee is revived 7unless the reference is to another committee71 and all parts of the report that have not been adopted by the assembly are ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made4 ,if any member or members wish to submit the views of the minority it is customary to receive such a report immediately after receiving the report of the committee4 ,in such case the reporting member should notify the assembly that the views of the minority will be submitted in a separate paper4 ,as soon as the chair has stated the question on the report1 he should call for the views of the minority1 which are then read for information4 ,they cannot be acted upon unless it is moved to substitute them for the committee's report1 or rather to substitute the recommendations of the minority for those of the committee4 ,a very common error is1 after a report has been read1 to move that it be received1 whereas the fact that it has been read shows that it has been already received by the assembly4 ,another mistake1 less common1 but dangerous1 is to vote that the report be accepted1 which is equivalent to adopting it see next section1 when the intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards to vote on its adoption4 #ed4 ,adoption or ,acceptance of ,reports4 ,when the report of a committee has been received1 that is1 has been presented to the assembly and either read or handed to the chair or the secretary1 the next business in order is the disposal of the report1 the proper disposition depending upon its nature4 7#a7 ,if the report contains only a statement of fact or opinion for the information of the assembly1 the reporting member makes no motion for its disposal1 as there is no necessity for action on the report4 ,but if any action is taken1 the proper motion1 which should be made by some one else1 is to 8accept the report10 which has the effect of endorsing the statement and making the assembly assume responsibility for it4 ,if it is a financial report1 as in case of a board of trustees or a treasurer1 it should be referred to an auditing committee1 as the vote to accept the report does not endorse the accuracy of the figures1 for the assembly can only be sure of that by having the report audited4 ,whenever such a financial report is made1 the chair1 without any motion1 should say it is referred to the auditing committee or auditors1 if there are any4 ,if there are none1 then the proper motion is to refer it to an auditing committee to be appointed by the chair4 ,when the auditing committee reports1 this report should be accepted1 or adopted1 which carries with it the endorsement of the financial report4 7#b7 ,if the report contains recommendations not in the form of motions1 they should all be placed at the end of the report1 even if they have been given separately before1 and the proper motion is to adopt the recommendations4 7#c7 ,if the report concludes with a resolution or a series of resolutions1 the proper course is for the reporting member to move that the resolution or resolutions be adopted or agreed to4 ,this method should be adopted whenever practicable4 7#d7 ,if a committee reports back a resolution which was referred to it1 the motion to postpone indefinitely1 if it was pending1 is ignored2 if an amendment was pending it should be reported on4 ,the form of the question to be stated by the chair depends upon the recommendation of the committee as follows3 7a7 ,if the committee recommends its adoption1 or makes no recommendation 7where it can come to no agreement71 the question should be stated on the amendment if there was one pending1 and then on the resolution4 ,these motions were pending when the question was referred to the committee1 and therefore should not be made again4 7b7 ,if the recommendation is that the resolution be not adopted1 the question on the resolution1 when it is put1 should be stated thus3 8,the question is on the adoption of the resolution1 the recommendation of the committee to the contrary notwithstanding40 ,a similar course is pursued if the committee recommends that an amendment be not adopted4 7c7 ,if the committee recommends that the resolution be postponed indefinitely1 or postponed to a certain time1 the question should be on the postponement1 and1 if that is lost1 then on the resolution4 7d7 ,if the committee reports back a resolution or paper with amendments1 the reporting member reads only the amendments with sufficient of the context to make them understood and then moves their adoption4 ,the chairman1 after stating the question on the adoption of the amendments1 calls for the reading of the first amendment1 after which it is open for debate and amendment4 ,a vote is then taken on adopting this amendment1 and the next is read1 and so on till the amendments are adopted or rejected1 admitting amendments to the committee's amendments1 but no others4 ,when through with the committee's amendments1 the chairman pauses for any other amendments to be proposed by the assembly2 and when these are voted on he puts the question on agreeing to1 or adopting1 the paper as amended1 unless1 in a case like revising the by-laws1 they have been already adopted4 ,by suspending the rules #bb1 or by general consent1 a report can be at once adopted without following any of the above routine4 ,if the amendments do not call for debate or amendment1 as when reported from the committee of the whole1 where they have been already discussed1 the chair puts a single question on all the committee's amendments except those for which a member asks a separate vote1 thus3 8,as many as are in favor of adopting the amendments recommended by the committee1 except those for which a separate vote has been asked1 say aye2 those opposed say no40 ,he then takes up the remaining amendments separately in their order4 7e7 ,if the committee reports back a resolution with a substitute which it recommends for adoption1 the chair states the question on the substitute1 if there were no amendments pending when the resolution was committed4 ,if1 however1 amendments were pending when the resolution was committed1 the chair first states the questions on those pending amendments1 and when they are disposed of he states the question on the substitute4 ,in either case the substitute is treated like any other substitute motion1 the resolution being first perfected by amendments and then the substitute resolution4 ,after both have been thus perfected the question is put on the substitution1 and finally on the resolution4 ,if the substitute is lost the resolution is open to amendments proposed by members4 7f7 ,if the report is of a nomination committee no vote should be taken1 any more than if a member had made the nominations4 7g7 ,if the report is from the membership committee1 the chair at once states the question on the reception as members of the candidates recommended by the committee4 ,a partial report of a committee is treated the same as the final report4 ,if it reports progress only1 without recommendations or conclusions1 it is treated as any other report for information1 and no action need be taken4 ,but1 if the partial report recommends action1 then the question is to be put on adopting the report1 or its recommendations1 or the resolutions1 the same as if it were the final report4 ,while it is customary in ordinary societies to make and second a motion to accept or adopt a committee's report1 yet if the motion is not made and the chair deems it best to have a vote taken on the question1 he may state the appropriate question without waiting for a motion1 accepting the submission of the report by a committee as equivalent to moving the adoption of the appropriate motion for disposing of it1 just as is the case when one offers a resolution4 ,to wait to see if two members are in favor of a proposition which at least two have signed1 or authorized the chairman1 or reporting member1 to sign1 would appear useless4 ,in ordinary societies the chairman of the assembly usually knows better than the reporting member how the business should be managed1 especially if a resolution is reported with many amendments4 ,however1 unless the assembly is accustomed to having its chairman put the proper questions on the report without any formal motion1 it is better for the reporting member to move the 8adoption0 of the resolutions or recommendations1 as that is generally understood4 ,when the chair has stated the question on the adoption of the recommendations or resolutions1 or of the report1 the matter under consideration is open to debate and amendment1 and may have applied to it any of the subsidiary motions1 like other main questions4 ,its consideration cannot be objected to if the matter was referred to the committee4 ,while the report of the committee or its resolutions may be amended by the assembly1 these amendments only affect that which the assembly adopts1 as the assembly cannot in any way change the committee's report4 ,for example3 ,a committee expresses the opinion that ,mr4 ,a has no right to commit a certain act1 and the assembly strikes out this statement from the report before adopting it4 ,this does not alter the report1 but1 when the assembly adopts the report1 this statement is not adopted4 ,so with a recommendation or a resolution3 the assembly may strike out or add one or more recommendations or resolutions before adopting1 but that does not alter the committee's report4 ,if the proceedings are published1 the committee's report should be printed exactly as it was submitted with the amendments printed below2 or1 still better1 all words struck out should be enclosed in brackets and all words inserted should be printed in italics1 and a note to that effect inserted at the beginning4 ,while the motions to adopt1 to accept1 etc41 are often used indiscriminately1 and the adoption of any one of them has the effect of endorsing or adopting the opinions1 actions1 recommendations1 or resolutions submitted by the committee1 as the case may be1 yet it is better to use them as heretofore stated4 ,if only one term is used1 the word 8adopt0 is preferable1 as it is least liable to be misunderstood4 #ee4 ,committee of the ,whole4 ,when an assembly has to consider a subject which it does not wish to refer to a committee1 and yet where the subject matter is not well digested and put into proper form for its definite action1 or when1 for any other reason1 it is desirable for the assembly to consider a subject with all the freedom of an ordinary committee1 it is the practice to refer the matter to the 8,committee of the ,whole40 ,if it is desired to consider the question at once1 the motion is made1 8,that the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole1 to take under consideration10 etc41 or1 8,that we go into committee of the whole to consider10 etc41 specifying the subject4 ,this is really a motion to 8commit40 ,see #cb for its order of precedence1 etc4 ,if adopted1 the chairman immediately calls another member to the chair1 and takes his place as a member of the committee4 ,the committee is under the rules of the assembly1 excepting as stated hereafter in this section4 ,the only motions in order are to amend and adopt1 and that the committee 8rise and report10 as it cannot adjourn2 nor can it order the 8yeas and nays40 ,an appeal from the decision of the chair can be made1 and it must be voted on directly1 as it cannot be laid on the table or postponed1 those motions not being allowed in committee of the whole4 ,each member can speak only once on the appeal4 ,the only way to close or limit debate in committee of the whole is for the assembly1 before going into committee of the whole1 to vote that the debate in committee shall cease at a certain time1 or that after a certain time no debate shall be allowed1 excepting on new amendments1 and then only one speech in favor of and one against it1 of1 say1 five minutes each2 or in some other way to regulate the time for debate4 ,if no limit is prescribed1 any member may speak as often as he can get the floor1 and as long each time as is allowed in debate in the assembly1 but he cannot speak a second time provided a member wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular question4 ,debate having been closed at a particular time by order of the assembly1 the committee has not the power1 even by unanimous consent1 to extend the time4 ,the committee cannot refer the subject to another committee4 ,like other committees1 it cannot alter the text of any resolution referred to it2 but if the resolution originated in the committee1 then all the amendments are incorporated in it4 ,when the committee is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it1 or if it wishes to adjourn1 or to have the assembly limit debate1 a motion is made that 8the committee rise and report10 etc41 specifying the result of its proceedings4 ,the motion to 8rise0 is equivalent to the motion to adjourn in the assembly1 and is always in order 7except while voting or when another member has the floor71 and is undebatable and cannot be amended4 ,as soon as this motion is adopted the presiding officer takes the chair1 and the chairman of the committee1 having resumed his place in the assembly1 rises1 addresses the chair1 and says3 8,the ,committee of the ,whole has had under consideration 7here he describes the resolution or other matter7 and has directed me to report the same with 7or without1 as the case may be7 amendments10 provided the committee has concluded its business4 ,if the committee has failed to come to a conclusion1 strike out of the report all after 8and has0 and insert 8come to no conclusion thereon40 ,if no amendments are reported1 the chair at once states the question on the resolution or other matter referred to the committee4 ,if amendments are reported the reporting member reads them1 and hands the paper to the chair1 who reads1 and states and puts the question on the amendments as a whole1 unless a member asks for a separate vote on one or more amendments1 in which case a single vote is taken on all the other amendments1 and then the question is stated separately on each of the amendments for which a separate vote was asked4 ,the amendments may be debated and amended4 ,the secretary does not record in the minutes the proceedings of the committee1 but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for its use4 ,in large assemblies the secretary vacates his chair1 which is occupied by the chairman of the committee1 and the assistant secretary acts as secretary of the committee4 ,should the committee become disorderly1 and the chairman be unable to control it1 the presiding officer should take the chair and declare the committee dissolved4 ,the quorum of the committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly #fd4 ,if the committee finds itself without a quorum1 it can only rise and report the fact to the assembly1 which in such case must adjourn4 ,in large assemblies1 such as the ,u4 ,s4 ,house of ,representatives1 where a member can speak to any question only once1 the committee of the whole seems almost a necessity1 as it allows the freest discussion of a subject1 while at any time it can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly4 ,in small assemblies it is usually more convenient to substitute for it either the 8,quasi 7as if in7 ,committee of the ,whole10 as used in the ,u4 ,s4 ,senate1 or 8,informal ,consideration10 as frequently used in ordinary societies4 ,these are explained in the next two sections4 #ef4 ,as if in 7or ,quasi7 ,committee of the ,whole is used in the ,u4 ,s4 ,senate instead of the committee of the whole1 and is more convenient in small assemblies4 ,the motion should be made in a form similar to this3 8,i move that the resolution be considered as if in committee of the whole40 ,this being adopted1 the question is open to debate and amendment with all the freedom of the committee of the whole4 ,the presiding officer1 however1 retains the chair1 instead of appointing a chairman as is done when the assembly goes into committee of the whole4 ,if any motion is adopted1 except an amendment1 it puts an end to the quasi committee of the whole4 ,thus1 the motion to commit is equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole3 7#a7 ,that the committee rise2 7#b7 that the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject2 and 7#c7 that it be referred to a committee4 ,when the assembly has finished amending the proposition under consideration1 without further motion the chairman announces that1 8,the assembly1 acting as if in committee of the whole1 has had such subject under consideration1 and has made certain amendments10 which he then reports4 ,the subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a committee1 the chair stating the question on the amendments as described at the close of the previous section under committee of the whole4 ,the secretary should keep a memorandum of the proceedings while acting as if in committee of the whole1 but it should not be entered in the minutes1 being only for temporary use4 ,the chairman's report to the assembly should be entered in the minutes1 as it belongs to the assembly's proceedings4 #eg4 ,informal ,consideration4 ,in ordinary societies the meetings of which are not large1 instead of going into committee of the whole1 or considering questions as if in committee of the whole1 it is more usual to consider the question informally4 ,the motion is made thus3 8,i move that the question be considered informally40 ,the effect of the adoption of this motion is to open the main question and any amendments that may be proposed1 to free debate as if in committee of the whole4 ,no member can speak the second time to the same question as long as a member who has not spoken desires the floor4 ,this informal consideration applies only to the main question and its amendments1 so that any other motion that is made is under the regular rules of debate4 ,while considering a question informally the assembly by a two-thirds vote may limit the number or length of speeches1 or in any other way limit or close the debate4 ,while the consideration of the main question and its amendments is informal1 all votes are formal1 the informality applying only to the number of speeches allowed in debate4 ,the instant the main question is disposed of temporarily1 or permanently1 the informal consideration automatically ceases without any motion or vote4 ,if the question is considered in either the regular committee of the whole or the quasi committee of the whole1 it is necessary formally to report the action to the assembly and then take action on the report4 ,thus1 it will be seen that informal consideration is much simpler than either of the methods described in the previous two sections4 ,it can be used to advantage in assemblies that are not very large1 instead of the committee of the whole4 ,while this is not a motion to commit1 yet it is used for practically the same purpose as the committee of the whole4 ,it ranks just below the motion 8to consider as if in committee of the whole10 which is just below 8to go into committee of the whole40 ,art4 ,x4 ,the ,officers and the ,minutes4 ,,page #eh4 ,chairman or ,president #bcf #ei4 ,secretary or ,clerk #bdd #fj4 ,the ,minutes #bdg #fa4 ,executive ,secretary #bej #fb4 ,treasurer #bea #eh4 ,chairman or ,president4 ,the presiding officer1 when no special title has been assigned him1 is ordinarily called the ,chairman1 or the ,president1 or1 especially in religious assemblies1 the ,moderator4 ,in organized societies the constitution always prescribes his title1 that of ,president being most common4 ,in debate he is referred to by his official title and is addressed by prefixing ,mr4 or ,madam1 as the case may be1 to that title4 ,in referring to himself he should never use the personal pronoun2 he generally says1 8the chair10 which means the presiding officer of the assembly1 regardless of whether his position is permanent or temporary4 ,if his position is only temporary he is called the chairman4 ,his duties are generally as follows3 ,to open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet1 by taking the chair and calling the members to order2 to announce the business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted upon #fe2 to recognize members entitled to the floor #c2 to state #f and to put to vote #i all questions which are regularly moved1 or necessarily arise in the course of the proceedings1 and to announce the result of the vote2 to protect the assembly from annoyance from evidently frivolous or dilatory motions by refusing to recognize them #dj2 to assist in the expediting of business in every way compatible with the rights of the members1 as by allowing brief remarks when undebatable motions are pending1 if he thinks it advisable2 to restrain the members when engaged in debate1 within the rules of order2 to enforce on all occasions the observance of order and decorum among the members1 deciding all questions of order 7subject to an appeal to the assembly by any two members7 unless when in doubt he prefers to submit the question for the decision of the assembly #ba2 to inform the assembly1 when necessary1 or when referred to for the purpose1 on a point of order or practice pertinent to pending business2 to authenticate1 by his signature1 when necessary1 all the acts1 orders1 and proceedings of the assembly declaring its will and in all things obeying its commands4 ,in case of fire1 riot1 or very serious disorder1 or other great emergency1 the chair has the right and the duty to declare the assembly adjourned to some other time 7and place if necessary71 if it is impracticable to take a vote1 or in his opinion1 dangerous to delay for a vote4 ,the chairman should rise to put a question to vote1 except in very small assemblies1 such as boards or committees1 but may state it sitting2 he should also rise from his seat 7without calling any one to the chair7 when giving his reasons for his decision upon a point of order1 or when speaking upon an appeal1 which he can do in preference to other members4 ,during debate he should be seated and pay attention to the speaker1 who is required to address his remarks to the presiding officer4 ,he should always refer to himself as 8the chair10 thus1 8,the chair decides10 etc41 not 8,i decide10 etc4 ,when a member has the floor1 the chairman cannot interrupt him excepting as provided in #c1 so long as he does not transgress any of the rules of the assembly4 ,if a member of the assembly1 he is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot 7but not after the tellers have commenced to count the ballots71 and in all other cases where the vote would change the result4 ,thus1 in a case where a two-thirds vote is necessary1 and his vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the question1 he can cast his vote2 so1 also1 he can vote with the minority when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail2 but he cannot vote twice1 first to make a tie1 and then to give the casting vote4 ,whenever a motion is made referring to the chairman only1 or which compliments or condemns him with others1 it should be put to vote by the ,vice ,president if in the room1 or by the ,secretary1 or on their failure to do so1 by the maker of the motion4 ,the chair should not hesitate to put the question on a motion to appoint delegates or a committee on account of his being included4 ,the chairman cannot close debate unless by order of the assembly1 which requires a two-thirds vote2 nor can he prevent the making of legitimate motions by hurrying through the proceedings4 ,if members are reasonably prompt in exercising their right to speak or make motions1 the chair cannot prevent their doing so4 ,if he has hurriedly taken and announced a vote while a member is rising to address the chair1 the vote is null and void1 and the member must be recognized4 ,on the other hand the chairman should not permit the object of a meeting to be defeated by a few factious persons using parliamentary forms with the evident object of obstructing business4 ,in such a case he should refuse to entertain the dilatory or frivolous motion1 and1 if an appeal is taken1 he should entertain it1 and1 if sustained by a large majority he may afterwards refuse to entertain even an appeal made by the faction when evidently made merely to obstruct business4 ,but the chair should never adopt such a course merely to expedite business1 when the opposition is not factious4 ,it is only justifiable when it is perfectly clear that the opposition is trying to obstruct business4 ,see ,dilatory ,motions1 #dj4 ,if it is necessary for the chairman to vacate the chair the first ,vice ,president1 if there is one1 should take the chair1 and in his absence the next one in order should take it4 ,if there is no vice president in the hall1 then the chairman may1 if it is necessary to vacate the chair1 appoint a chairman pro tem41 but the first adjournment puts an end to the appointment1 which the assembly can terminate before1 if it pleases1 by electing another chairman4 ,but the regular chairman1 knowing that he will be absent from a future meeting1 cannot authorize another member to act in his place at such meeting2 the secretary1 or1 in his absence1 some other member should in such case call the meeting to order1 and a chairman pro tem4 be elected who would hold office during that session1 unless such office is terminated by the entrance of the president or a vice president1 or by the election of another chairman pro tem41 which may be done by a majority vote4 ,the chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair and takes part in the debate4 ,this should rarely be done1 and nothing can justify it in a case where much feeling is shown and there is a liability to difficulty in preserving order4 ,if the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan1 he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question4 ,there is nothing to justify the unfortunate habit some chairmen have of constantly speaking on questions before the assembly1 even interrupting the member who has the floor4 ,one who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair1 or at least should not resume the chair1 after having made his speech1 until after the pending question is disposed of4#dc ,the presiding officer of a large assembly should never be chosen for any reason except his ability to preside4 #dc 8,though the ,speaker 7,chairman7 may of right speak to matters of order and be first heard1 he is restrained from speaking on any other subject except where the ,house have occasion for facts within his knowledge3 then he may1 with their leave1 state the matter of fact40 ,jefferson's ,manual1 sec4 ,,xvii4 8,it is a general rule in all deliberative assemblies1 that the presiding officer shall not participate in the debate1 or other proceedings1 in any other capacity than as such officer4 ,he is only allowed1 therefore1 to state matters of fact within his knowledge2 to inform the assembly on points of order or the course of proceeding1 when called upon for that purpose1 or when he finds it necessary to do so2 and1 on appeals from his decision on questions of order1 to address the assembly in debate40 ,cushing's ,manual1 #bjb4 ,the chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage1 and set the example of strict conformity thereto1 but he should be a man of executive ability1 capable of controlling men4 ,he should set an example of courtesy1 and should never forget that to control others it is necessary to control one's self4 ,a nervous1 excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a meeting4 ,no rules will take the place of tact and common sense on the part of the chairman4 ,while usually he need not wait for motions of routine1 or for a motion to be seconded when he knows it is favored by others1 yet if this is objected to1 it is safer instantly to require the forms of parliamentary law to be observed4 ,by general consent many things can be done that will save much time see page #bjb1 but where the assembly is very large1 or is divided and contains members who are habitually raising points of order1 the most expeditious and safe course is to enforce strictly all the rules and forms of parliamentary law4 ,he should be specially careful after every motion is made and every vote is taken to announce the next business in order4 ,whenever an improper motion is made1 instead of simply ruling it out of order1 it is well for the chairman to suggest how the desired object can be accomplished4 ,see 8,hints to ,inexperienced ,chairman0 below4 ,the by-laws sometimes state that the president shall appoint all committees4 ,in such case the assembly may authorize committees1 but cannot appoint or nominate them4 ,the president1 however1 cannot appoint any committees except those authorized by the by-laws or by a vote of the assembly4 ,sometimes the by-laws make the president ex-officio a member of every committee4 ,where this is done he has the rights of other members of the committees but not the obligation to attend every committee meeting4 ,see #ea4 ,a chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties attending his position1 and in such cases he will do well to remember that parliamentary law was made for deliberative assemblies1 and not the assemblies for parliamentary law4 ,this is well expressed by a distinguished ,english writer on parliamentary law1 thus3 8,the great purpose of all rules and forms is to subserve the will of the assembly rather than to restrain it2 to facilitate1 and not to obstruct1 the expression of their deliberative sense40 ,additional ,duties of the ,president of a ,society1 and the ,vice ,presidents4 ,in addition to his duties as presiding officer1 in many societies the president has duties as an administrative or executive officer4 ,where this is desired1 the by-laws should clearly set forth these duties1 as they are outside of his duties as presiding officer of the assembly1 and do not come within the scope of parliamentary law4 ,the same is true of vice presidents4 ,sometimes they have charge of different departments of work1 and they should be chosen with those duties in view as prescribed by the by-laws4 ,it must not be forgotten that in the case of the absence of the president the first vice president must preside1 and in case of the illness or resignation or death of the president that the first vice president becomes president for the unexpired term1 unless the rules specify how vacancies shall be filled4 ,in such case the second vice president becomes the first1 and so on4 ,it is a mistake to elect a vice president who is not competent to perform the duties of president4 ,hints to ,inexperienced ,chairmen4 ,while in the chair1 have beside you your ,constitution1 ,by-laws1 and ,rules of ,order1 which should be studied until you are perfectly familiar with them4 ,you cannot tell the moment you may need this knowledge4 ,if a member asks what motion to make in order to attain a certain object1 you should be able to tell him at once4 #aj4 ,you should memorize the list of ordinary motions arranged in their order of precedence page #g1 and should be able to refer to the ,table of ,rules page #h so quickly that there will be no delay in deciding all points contained in it4 ,become familiar with the first ten sections of these ,rules2 they are simple1 and will enable you more quickly to master parliamentary law4 ,read carefully sections #fi-ga1 so as to become accustomed to the ordinary methods of conducting business in deliberative assemblies4 ,notice that there are different ways of doing the same thing1 all of which are allowable4 ,you should know all the business to come regularly before the meeting1 and call for it in its regular order4 ,have with you a list of members of all committees1 to guide you in nominating new committees4 ,when a motion is made1 do not recognize any member or allow any one to speak until the motion is seconded and you have stated the question2 or1 in case of there being no second and no response to your call for a second1 until you have announced that fact2 except in case of a main motion before it is seconded or stated some one rises and says he rises to move a reconsideration1 or to call up the motion to reconsider1 or to move to take a question from the table4 ,in any of these cases you should recognize the interrupting member as entitled to the floor #c4 ,if you have made a mistake and assigned the floor to the wrong person1 or recognized a motion that was not in order1 correct the error as soon as your attention is called to it4 ,so1 when a vote is taken1 announce the result and also what question1 if any1 is then pending1 before recognizing any member that addresses the chair4 ,never wait for mere routine motions to be seconded1 when you know no one objects to them4 ,see #h4 ,if a member ignorantly makes an improper motion1 do not rule it out of order1 but courteously suggest the proper one4 ,if it is moved 8to lay the question on the table until #c ,p4,m410 as the motion is improper1 ask if the intention is 8to postpone the question to #c ,p4,m420 if the answer is yes1 then state that the question is on the postponement to that time4 ,if it is moved simply 8to postpone the question10 without stating the time1 do not rule it out of order1 but ask the mover if he wishes 8to postpone the question indefinitely0 7which kills it71 or 8to lay it on the table0 7which enables it to be taken up at any other time72 then state the question in accordance with the motion he intended to make4 ,so1 if after a report has been presented and read1 a member moves that 8it be received10 ask him if he means to move 8its adoption0 7or 8acceptance10 which is the same thing71 as the report has been already received4 ,no vote should be taken on receiving a report1 which merely brings it before the assembly1 and allows it to be read1 unless some one objects to its reception4 ,the chairman of a committee usually has the most to say in reference to questions before the committee2 but the chairman of an ordinary deliberative assembly1 especially a large one1 should1 of all the members1 have the least to say upon the merits of pending questions4 ,never interrupt members while speaking1 simply because you know more about the matter than they do2 never get excited2 never be unjust to the most troublesome member1 or take advantage of his ignorance of parliamentary law1 even though a temporary good is accomplished thereby4 ,know all about parliamentary law1 but do not try to show off your knowledge4 ,never be technical1 or more strict than is absolutely necessary for the good of the meeting4 ,use your judgment2 the assembly may be of such a nature through its ignorance of parliamentary usages and peaceable disposition1 that a strict enforcement of the rules1 instead of assisting1 would greatly hinder business2 but in large assemblies1 where there is much work to be done1 and especially where there is liability to trouble1 the only safe course is to require a strict observance of the rules4 #ei4 ,secretary1 or ,clerk4 ,the recording officer is variously called ,clerk1 or ,secretary1 or ,recording ,secretary 7where there is also a ,corresponding ,secretary71 or ,recorder1 or ,scribe1 etc4 ,the secretary is the recording officer of the assembly and the custodian of its records except such as are specifically assigned to others1 as the treasurer's books4 ,these records are open1 however1 to inspection by any member at reasonable times1 and where a committee needs any records of a society for the proper performance of its duties1 they should be turned over to its chairman4 ,the same principle applies in boards and committees1 their records being accessible to members of the board or committee1 as the case may be1 but to no others4 ,in addition to keeping the records of the society and the minutes of the meetings1 it is the duty of the secretary to keep a register1 or roll1 of the members and to call the roll when required2 to notify officers1 committees1 and delegates of their appointment1 and to furnish committees with all papers referred to them1 and delegates with credentials2 and to sign with the president all orders on the treasurer authorized by the society1 unless otherwise specified in the by-laws4 ,he should also keep one book in which the constitution1 by-laws1 rules of order1 and standing rules should all be written1 leaving every other page blank2 and whenever an amendment is made to any of them1 in addition to being recorded in the minutes it should be immediately entered on the page opposite to the article amended1 with a reference1 in red ink1 to the date and page of the minutes where it is recorded4 ,in addition to the above duties1 when there is only one secretary1 it is his duty to send out proper notices of all called meetings1 and of other meetings when necessary1 and to conduct the correspondence of the society1 except as otherwise provided4 ,where there is a ,corresponding ,secretary these duties devolve on him1 as well as such others as are prescribed by the by-laws4 ,the by-laws should always clearly define the additional duties of the corresponding secretary if any are to be imposed on him4 ,when the word 8secretary0 is used it always refers to the recording secretary if there is more than one4 ,the secretary should1 previous to each meeting1 for the use of the chairman1 make out an order of business #fe1 showing in their exact order what is necessarily to come before the assembly4 ,he should also have1 at each meeting1 a list of all standing committees1 and such special committees as are in existence at the time1 as well as the by-laws of the organization and its minutes4 ,his desk should be near that of the chairman1 and in the absence of the chairman 7if there is no vice president present71 when the hour for opening the session arrives1 it is his duty to call the meeting to order1 and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem41 which should take place immediately4 ,he should keep a record of the proceedings1 stating what was done and not what was said1 unless it is to be published1 and never making criticisms1 favorable or otherwise1 on anything said or done4 ,this record1 usually called the minutes1 is kept as explained in the next section4 ,when a committee is appointed1 the secretary should hand the names of the committee1 and all papers referred to it1 to the chairman of the committee1 or some other of its members4 ,he should indorse on the reports of committees the date of their reception1 and what further action was taken upon them1 and preserve them among the records1 for which he is responsible4 ,it is not necessary to vote that a report be 8placed on file10 as that should be done without a vote1 except in organizations that habitually keep no records except their minutes and papers ordered on file4 #fj4 ,the ,minutes4 ,the record of the proceedings of a deliberative assembly is usually called the ,minutes1 or the ,record1 or the ,journal4 ,the essentials of the record are as follows3 7a7 the kind of meeting1 8regular0 7or stated7 or 8special10 or 8adjourned regular0 or 8adjourned special02 7b7 name of the assembly2 7c7 date of meeting and place1 when it is not always the same2 7d7 the fact of the presence of the regular chairman and secretary1 or in their absence the names of their substitutes2 7e7 whether the minutes of the previous meeting were approved1 or their reading dispensed with1 the dates of the meetings being given when it is customary to occasionally transact business at other than the regular business meetings2 7f7 all the main motions 7except such as were withdrawn7 and points of order and appeals1 whether sustained or lost1 and all other motions that were not lost or withdrawn2 7g7 and usually the hours of meeting and adjournment1 when the meeting is solely for business4 ,generally the name is recorded of the member who introduced a main motion1 but not of the seconder4 ,in some societies the minutes are signed by the president in addition to the secretary1 and when published they should always be signed by both officers4 ,if minutes are not habitually approved at the next meeting1 then there should be written at the end of the minutes the word 8,approved0 and the date of the approval1 which should be signed by the secretary4 ,they should be entered in good black ink in a well-bound record-book4#dd #dd ,in many organizations it is preferable for the secretary to keep his original pencil notes in a pocket memorandum book which he carries to every meeting1 and these original notes1 as corrected1 are approved and then copied into the permanent records4 ,this plan usually results in neater records1 but the original notes should be kept until they are carefully compared with the permanent records4 ,in such case it is better to have the minutes signed by both president and secretary as a guarantee against errors in copying4 ,the ,form of the ,minutes may be as follows3 ,at a regular meeting of the ,m4 ,l4 ,society1 held in their hall1 on ,thursday evening1 ,march #ai1 #aiad1 the president in the chair1 and ,mr4 ,n acting as secretary1 the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved4 ,the ,committee on ,applications reported the names of ,messrs4 ,c and ,d as applicants for membership1 and on motion of ,mr4 ,f they were admitted as members4 ,the committee on 444444 reported through ,mr4 ,g a series of resolutions1 which were thoroughly discussed and amended1 and finally adopted1 as follows3 ,resolved1 ,that444444 ,on motion of ,mr4 ,l the society adjourned at #aj ,p4,m4 ,r444444 ,n444444 ,secretary4 ,in keeping the minutes1 much depends upon the kind of meeting1 and whether the minutes are to be published4 ,in the meetings of ordinary societies and of boards of managers and trustees1 there is no object in reporting the debates2 the duty of the secretary1 in such cases1 is mainly to record what is 8done0 by the assembly1 and not what is said by the members4 ,he should enter the essentials of a record1 as previously stated1 and when a count has been ordered or where the vote is by ballot1 he should enter the number of votes on each side2 and when the voting is by yeas and nays he should enter a list of the names of those voting on each side4 ,the proceedings of the committee of the whole1 or while acting as if in committee of the whole1 should not be entered in the minutes1 but the report of the committee should be entered4 ,when a question is considered informally1 the proceedings should be kept as usual1 as the only informality is in the debate4 ,if a report containing resolutions has been agreed to1 the resolutions should be entered in full as finally adopted by the assembly1 thus3 8,the committee on 444444 submitted a report with a series of resolutions which1 after discussion and amendment1 were adopted as follows30 then should be entered the resolutions as adopted4 ,where the proceedings are published1 the method shown further on should be followed4 ,if the report is of great importance the assembly should order it 8to be entered on the minutes10 in which case the secretary copies it in full upon the record4 ,where the regular meetings are held weekly1 monthly1 or quarterly1 the minutes are read at the opening of each day's meeting1 and1 after correction1 should be approved4 ,where the meetings are held several days in succession with recesses during the day1 the minutes are read at the opening of business each day4 ,if the next meeting of the organization will not be held for a long period1 as six months or a year1 the minutes that have not been read previously should be read and approved before final adjournment4 ,if this is impracticable1 then the executive committee1 or a special committee1 should be authorized to correct and approve them4 ,in this case the record should be signed as usual1 and after the signatures the word 8,approved10 with the date and the signature of the chairman of the committee authorized to approve them4 ,at the next meeting1 six months later1 they need not be read1 unless it is desired for information1 as it is too late to correct them intelligently4 ,when the reading of the minutes is dispensed with they can afterwards be taken up at any time when nothing is pending4 ,if not taken up previously1 they come before the assembly at the next meeting before the reading of the later minutes4 ,with this exception the motion to dispense with reading the minutes is practically identical with the motion to lay the minutes on the table1 being undebatable and requiring only a majority vote4 ,the minutes of a secret meeting1 as for the trial of a member1 should not be read at a meeting that is open to the public1 if the record contains any of the details of the trial that should not be made public4 ,minutes to be ,published4 ,when the minutes are to be published1 in addition to the strict record of what is done1 as heretofore described1 they should contain a list of the speakers on each side of every question1 with an abstract of all addresses1 if not the addresses in full1 when written copies are furnished4 ,in this case the secretary should have an assistant4 ,with some annual conventions it is desired to publish the proceedings in full4 ,in such cases it is necessary to employ a stenographer as assistant to the secretary4 ,reports of committees should be printed exactly as submitted1 the minutes showing what action was taken by the assembly in regard to them2 or1 they may be printed with all additions in italics and parts struck out enclosed in brackets1 in which case a note to that effect should precede the report or resolutions4 ,in this way the reader can see exactly what the committee reported and also exactly what the assembly adopted or endorsed4 #fa4 ,the ,executive ,secretary is usually a salaried officer paid to give up all his time to the work as executive officer1 or general manager1 of an organization under a board of managers and an executive committee #ej4 ,in some organizations this officer is called ,corresponding ,secretary1 but the title of corresponding secretary does not carry with it any duty except that of conducting the correspondence of the society as explained on page #bdf1 unless it is prescribed by the by-laws4 ,the office of the executive secretary is usually the only office of the organization1 and there the ,executive ,committee meets and transacts its business4 ,the board of managers in such cases is usually large and so scattered as never to have regular meetings oftener than quarterly4 ,when the organization is a national one it usually meets just before the annual convention1 when it hears the annual report1 prepared by the executive secretary and previously adopted by the executive committee1 and acts upon it4 ,the new board meets immediately after the convention1 and organizes1 elects an executive committee and an executive secretary1 when so authorized by the by-laws1 and decides upon the general policy for the year1 leaving the details to the executive committee and the executive secretary4 ,the board rarely meets oftener than once or twice in addition to the meetings in connection with the annual meeting1 special meetings1 however1 being called1 when required1 as provided by its by-laws4 ,in some organizations the executive secretary is elected by the convention4 ,he is usually ex-officio secretary of the executive committee4 ,the members of the executive committee giving their time gratuitously1 it is the duty of the executive secretary to prepare for the committee all business that has not been assigned to others1 and to see that all its instructions are carried out4 ,he is expected to recommend plans of work and conduct the business generally1 under the executive committee1 and prepare the annual report1 which1 after being adopted by the executive committee1 should be adopted by the board1 whose report it is1 and then be submitted to the convention4 #fb4 ,treasurer4 ,the duties of this officer vary in different societies4 ,in probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker1 merely holding the funds deposited with him and paying them out on the order of the society signed by the president and the secretary4 ,he is always required to make an annual report1 and in many societies he also makes a quarterly report which may be in the form given below4 ,if the society has auditors the report should be handed to them1 with the vouchers1 in time to be audited before the meeting4 ,the auditors having certified to its correctness1 submit their report1 and the chair puts the question on adopting it1 which has the effect of approving the treasurer's report1 and relieving him from responsibility in case of loss of vouchers1 except in case of fraud4 ,if there are no auditors the report when made should be referred to an auditing committee1 who should report on it later4 ,it should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the information of members4 ,the details of dates and separate payments for the same object are a hindrance to its being understood1 and are useless1 as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into details and see if the report is correct4 ,the best form for these financial reports depends upon the kind of society1 and is best determined by examining those made in similar societies4 ,the following brief report is in a form adapted to many societies where the financial work is a very subordinate part of their work3 ,,report ,,of ,,the ,,treasurer ,,of ,,the ,m4 ,l4 ,,society ,,for ,,the ,,quarter ,,ending ,,march #ca1 #aiad4 ,receipts4 ,balance on hand ,january #a1 #aiad #be4ge ,initiation fees #ej4jj ,members' dues #aej4jj ,fines #aj4ej #baj4ej ------- ------- ,total #bcf4be ,disbursements4 ,rent of ,hall #hj4jj ,electric lights #bb4jj ,stationery and ,printing #ae4jj ,repair of ,furniture #aj4jj ,janitor #fj4jj #ahg4jj ------- ,balance on hand ,march #ca1 #aiad4 #di4be ------- ,total #bcf4be ,s4444 ,m44441 ,treasurer ,examined and found correct4 ,r4444 ,v4444 ,j4444 ,l4444 ,auditing ,committee4 ,art4 ,,xi4 ,miscellaneous4 ,,page #fc4 ,session #bec #fd4 ,quorum #beg #fe4 ,order of ,business #bfa #ff4 ,nominations and ,elections #bfc #fg4 ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order1 and ,standing ,rules #bfd #fh4 ,amendments of ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 and ,rules of ,order #bfi #fc4 ,a ,session of an assembly is a meeting which1 though it may last for days1 is virtually one meeting1 as a session of a convention2 or even months1 as a session of ,congress2 it terminates by an 8adjournment sine die 7without day740 ,the intermediate adjournments from day to day1 or the recesses taken during the day1 do not destroy the continuity of the meetings1 which in reality constitute one session4 ,any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting commences a new session4 ,in the case of a permanent society1 whose by-laws provide for regular meetings every week1 month1 or year1 for example1 each meeting constitutes a separate session of the society1 which session1 however1 can be prolonged by adjourning to another day4 ,in this ,manual the term ,meeting is used to denote an assembling of the members of a deliberative assembly for any length of time1 during which there is no separation of the members except for a recess of a few minutes1 as the morning meetings1 the afternoon meetings1 and the evening meetings1 of a convention whose session lasts for days4 ,a 8meeting0 of an assembly is terminated by a temporary adjournment or a recess for a meal1 etc42 a 8session0 of an assembly ends with an adjournment without day1 and may consist of many meetings4 ,so an adjournment to meet again at some other time1 even the same day1 unless it was for only a few minutes1 terminates the meeting1 but not the session1 which latter includes all the adjourned meetings4 ,the next meeting1 in this case1 would be an 8adjourned meeting0 of the same session4 ,in ordinary practice a meeting is closed by moving simply 8to adjourn20 the society meets again at the time provided either by the rules or by a resolution of the society4 ,if it does not meet till the time for the next regular meeting as provided in the by-laws1 then the adjournment closes the session1 and was in effect an adjournment without day4 ,if1 however1 it had previously fixed the time for the next meeting1 either by a direct vote or by adopting a program of exercise covering several meetings1 or even days1 in either case the adjournment is in effect to a certain time1 and while closing the meeting does not close the session4 ,in such common expressions as quarterly meeting and annual meeting the word meeting is used in the sense of the parliamentary session1 and covers all the adjourned meetings4 ,thus1 business that legally must be done at the annual meeting may be done at any time during the session beginning at the time specified for the annual meeting1 though the session1 by repeated adjournments1 may last for days4 ,the business may be postponed to the next regular meeting1 if desired4 ,under ,renewal of ,motions #ch is explained what motions can be repeated during the same session1 and also the circumstances under which certain motions cannot be renewed until after the close of the next succeeding session4 ,a rule or resolution of a permanent nature may be adopted by a majority vote at any session of a society1 and it will continue in force until it is rescinded4 ,but such a standing rule does not materially interfere with the rights of a future session1 as by a majority vote it may be suspended so far as it affects that session2 and1 it may be rescinded by a majority vote1 if notice of the proposed action was given at a previous meeting1 or in the notice of the meeting2 or1 without any notice1 it may be rescinded by a majority of the entire membership1 or by a two-thirds vote4 ,if it is desired to give greater stability to a rule it is necessary to place it in the constitution1 by-laws1 or rules of order1 all of which are so guarded by requiring notice of amendments1 and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption1 that they are not subject to sudden changes1 and may be considered as expressing the deliberate views of the whole society1 rather than the opinions or wishes of any particular meeting4 ,in case of the illness of the presiding officer the assembly cannot elect a chairman pro tem4 to hold office beyond the session1 unless notice of the election was given at the previous meeting or in the call for this meeting4 ,so it is improper for an assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the next succeeding session1 and thus attempt to prevent the next session from considering the question4 ,on the other hand1 it is not permitted to move the reconsideration of a vote taken at a previous session1 though the motion to reconsider can be called up1 provided it was made during the previous session in a society having meetings as often as quarterly4 ,committees can be appointed to report at a future session4 ,,note ,,on ,,session4--,in ,congress1 and in fact all legislative bodies1 the limits of the sessions are clearly defined2 but in ordinary societies having a permanent existence1 with regular meetings more or less frequent1 there appears to be some confusion upon the subject4 ,any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one of its sessions1 but1 where there is no rule on the subject1 the common parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a separate session1 as they are regarded in this ,manual4 ,the disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of an ordinary society1 held during a long time1 as one year1 are very great4 ,if an objection to the consideration of a question has been sustained1 or if a question has been adopted1 or rejected1 or postponed indefinitely1 the question cannot again be brought before the assembly for its consideration during the same session4 ,if a session lasted for a long period1 a temporary majority could forestall the permanent majority1 and introduce and act on a number of questions favored by the majority1 and thus prevent the society from dealing with those subjects for the long period of the session4 ,if members of any society take advantage of the freedom allowed by considering each regular meeting a separate session1 and repeatedly renew obnoxious or unprofitable motions1 the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the second introduction of any main question within1 say1 three months after its rejection1 or indefinite postponement1 or after the society has refused to consider it4 ,but generally it is better to suppress the motion by refusing to consider it #bc4 #fd4 ,a ,quorum of an assembly is such a number as must be present in order that business can be legally transacted4 ,the quorum refers to the number present1 not to the number voting4 ,the quorum of a mass meeting is the number present at the time1 as they constitute the membership at that time4 ,the quorum of a body of delegates1 unless the by-laws provide for a smaller quorum1 is a majority of the number enrolled as attending the convention1 not those appointed4 ,the quorum of any other deliberative assembly with an enrolled membership 7unless the by-laws provide for a smaller quorum7 is a majority of all the members4 ,in the case1 however1 of a society1 like many religious ones1 where there are no annual dues1 and where membership is for life 7unless it is transferred or the names are struck from the roll by a vote of the society7 the register of members is not reliable as a list of the bona fide members of the society1 and in many such societies it would be impossible to have present at a business meeting a majority of those enrolled as members4 ,where such societies have no by-law establishing a quorum1 the quorum consists of those who attend the meeting1 provided it is either a stated meeting or one that has been properly called4 ,in all ordinary societies the by-laws should provide for a quorum as large as can be depended upon for being present at all meetings when the weather is not exceptionally bad4 ,in such an assembly the chairman should not take the chair until a quorum is present1 or there is no prospect of there being a quorum4 ,the only business that can be transacted in the absence of a quorum is to take measures to obtain a quorum1 to fix the time to which to adjourn1 and to adjourn1 or to take a recess4 ,unanimous consent cannot be given when a quorum is not present1 and a notice given then is not valid4 ,in the case of an annual meeting1 where certain business for the year1 as the election of officers1 must be attended to during the session1 the meeting should fix a time for an adjourned meeting and then adjourn4 ,in an assembly that has the power to compel the attendance of its members1 if a quorum is not present at the appointed hour1 the chairman should wait a few minutes before taking the chair4 ,in the absence of a quorum such an assembly may order a call of the house #da and thus compel attendance of absentees1 or it may adjourn1 providing for an adjourned meeting if it pleases4 ,in committee of the whole the quorum is the same as in the assembly2 if it finds itself without a quorum it can do nothing but rise and report to the assembly1 which then adjourns4 ,in any other committee the majority is a quorum1 unless the assembly order otherwise1 and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business4 ,boards of trustees1 managers1 directors1 etc41 are on the same footing as committees as regards a quorum4 ,their power is delegated to them as a body1 and their quorum1 or what number shall be present1 in order that they may act as a board or committee1 cannot be determined by them1 unless so provided in the by-laws4 ,while no question can be decided in the absence of a quorum excepting those mentioned above1 a member cannot be interrupted while speaking in order to make the point of no quorum4 ,the debate may continue in the absence of a quorum until some one raises the point while no one is speaking4 ,while a quorum is competent to transact any business1 it is usually not expedient to transact important business unless there is a fair attendance at the meeting1 or else previous notice of such action has been given4 ,care should be taken in amending the rule providing for a quorum4 ,if the rule is struck out first1 then the quorum instantly becomes a majority of all the members1 so that in many societies it would be nearly impracticable to secure a quorum to adopt a new rule4 ,the proper way is to amend by striking out certain words 7or the whole rule7 and inserting certain other words 7or the new rule71 which is made and voted on as one question4 ,,note ,,on ,,quorum4--,after all the members of an organization have had reasonable notice of a meeting1 and ample opportunity for discussion1 if a majority of the total membership of the organization come to a certain decision1 that must be accepted as the action or opinion of that body4 ,but1 with the exception of a body of delegates1 it is seldom that a vote as great as a majority of the total membership of a large voluntary organization can be obtained for anything1 and consequently there has been established a common parliamentary law principle1 that if a bare majority of the membership is present at a meeting properly called or provided for1 a majority vote 7which means a majority of those who vote7 shall be sufficient to make the act the act of the body1 unless it suspends a rule or a right of a member 7as the right to introduce questions and the right of free discussion before being required to vote on finally disposing of a question7 and that a two-thirds vote shall have the power to suspend these rules and rights4 ,this gives the right to act for the society to about one-fourth of its members in ordinary cases1 and to about one-third of its members in case of suspending the rules and certain rights4 ,but it has been found impracticable to accomplish the work of most voluntary societies if no business can be transacted unless a majority of the members is present4 ,in large organizations1 meeting weekly or monthly for one or two hours1 it is the exception when a majority of the members is present at a meeting1 and therefore it has been found necessary to require the presence of only a small percentage of the members to enable the assembly to act for the organization1 or1 in other words1 to establish a small quorum4 ,in legislative bodies in this country1 which are composed of members paid for their services1 it is determined by the constitutions to be a majority of their members4 ,congress in #ahfa decided this to be a majority of the members chosen4 ,in the ,english ,house of ,commons it is #dj out of nearly #gjj1 being about #f of the members1 while in the ,house of ,lords the quorum is #c1 or about one-half of #a of the members4 ,where the quorum is so small it has been found necessary to require notice of all bills1 amendments1 etc41 to be given in advance2 and even in ,congress1 with its large quorum1 one day's notice has to be given of any motion to rescind or change any rule or standing order4 ,this principle is a sound one1 particularly with societies meeting monthly or weekly for one or two hours1 and with small quorums1 where frequently the assembly is no adequate representation of the society4 ,the difficulty in such cases may be met in societies adopting this ,manual by the proper use of the motion to reconsider and have entered on the minutes as explained on page #afe4 #fe4 ,order of ,business4 ,it is customary for every society having a permanent existence to adopt an order of business for its meetings4 ,when no rule has been adopted1 the following is the order3 7#a7 ,reading the ,minutes of the previous meeting and their approval4 7#b7 ,reports of ,boards and ,standing ,committees4 7#c7 ,reports of ,special 7,select7 ,committees4 7#d7 ,special ,orders4 7#e7 ,unfinished ,business and ,general ,orders4 7#f7 ,new ,business4 ,the minutes are read only once a day at the beginning of the day's business4 ,the second item includes the reports of all ,boards of ,managers1 ,trustees1 etc41 as well as reports of such officers as are required to make them4 ,the fifth item includes1 first1 the business pending and undisposed of at the previous adjournment2 and then the general orders that were on the calendar for the previous meeting and were not disposed of2 and finally1 matters postponed to this meeting that have not been disposed of4 ,the secretary should always have at every meeting a memorandum of the order of business for the use of the presiding officer1 showing everything that is to come before the meeting4 ,the chairman1 as soon as one thing is disposed of1 should announce the next business in order4 ,when reports are in order he should call for the different reports in their order1 and when unfinished business is in order he should announce the different questions in their proper order1 as stated above1 and thus always keep the control of the business4 ,if it is desired to transact business out of its order1 it is necessary to suspend the rules #bb1 which can be done by a two-thirds vote4 ,but1 as each resolution or report comes up1 a majority can at once lay it on the table1 and thus reach any question which it desires first to dispose of4 ,it is improper to lay on the table or to postpone a class of questions like reports of committees1 or in fact anything but the question before the assembly4 #ff4 ,nominations and ,elections4 ,before proceeding to an election to fill an office it is customary to nominate one or more candidates4 ,this nomination is not necessary when the election is by ballot or roll call1 as each member may vote for any eligible person whether nominated or not4 ,when the vote is viva voce or by rising1 the nomination is like a motion to fill a blank1 the different names being repeated by the chair as they are made1 and then the vote is taken on each in the order in which they were nominated1 until one is elected4 ,the nomination need not be seconded4 ,sometimes a nominating ballot is taken in order to ascertain the preferences of the members4 ,but in the election of the officers of a society it is more usual to have the nominations made by a committee4 ,when the committee makes its report1 which consists of a ticket1 the chair asks if there are any other nominations1 when they may be made from the floor4 ,the committee's nominations are treated just as if made by members from the floor1 no vote being taken on accepting them4 ,when the nominations are completed the assembly proceeds to the election1 the voting being by any of the methods mentioned under ,voting1 #df1 unless the by-laws prescribe a method4 ,the usual method in permanent societies is by ballot1 the balloting being continued until the offices are all filled4 ,an election takes effect immediately if the candidate is present and does not decline1 or if he is absent and has consented to his candidacy4 ,if he is absent and has not consented to his candidacy1 it takes effect when he is notified of his election1 provided he does not decline immediately4 ,after the election has taken effect and the officer or member has learned the fact1 it is too late to reconsider the vote on the election4 ,an officer-elect takes possession of his office immediately1 unless the rules specify the time4 ,in most societies it is necessary that this time be clearly designated4 #fg4 ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order1 and ,standing ,rules4 ,the rules of a society1 in a majority of cases1 may be conveniently divided into these four classes1 though in some societies all the rules are found under one of these heads1 being called either the constitution1 or the by-laws1 or the standing rules4 ,such provisions in regard to the constitution1 etc41 as are of a temporary nature should not be placed in the constitution1 etc41 but should be included in the motion to adopt1 thus3 8,i move the adoption of the constitution reported by the committee and that the four directors receiving the most votes shall serve for three years1 the four receiving the next largest numbers shall serve for two years1 and the next four for one year1 and that where there is a tie the classification shall be by lot20 or1 8,i move the adoption1 etc4 444 and that ,article ,,iii1 shall not go into effect until after the close of this annual meeting40 ,or1 if the motion to adopt has been made1 it may be amended so as to accomplish the desired object4 ,constitutions4 ,an incorporated society frequently has no constitution1 the charter taking its place1 and many others prefer to combine under one head the rules that are more commonly placed under the separate heads of constitution and by-laws4 ,there is no objection to this unless the by-laws are elaborate1 when it is better to separate the most important rules and place them in the constitution4 ,the constitution should contain only the following3 7#a7 ,name and object of the society4 7#b7 ,qualification of members4 7#c7 ,officers and their election4 7#d7 ,meetings of the society 7including only what is essential1 leaving details to the by-laws74 7#e7 ,how to amend the constitution4 ,these can be arranged in five articles1 or1 the first one may be divided into two1 in which case there would be six articles4 ,usually some of the articles should be divided into sections4 ,nothing should be placed in the constitution that may be suspended1 except in the case of requiring elections of officers to be by ballot1 in which case the requirement may be qualified so as to allow the ballot to be dispensed with by a unanimous vote when there is but one candidate for the office4 ,the officers and board of managers or directors of an organization that meets only annually in convention1 and the chairmen of such committees as it has authorized and has required to report to the convention1 should be1 if present at the convention1 ex-officio members thereof1 and provision for this should be made in the constitution4 ,the constitution should require previous notice of an amendment and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its adoption4 ,where the meetings are frequent1 an amendment should not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting1 after having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting4 ,see ,amendments to ,constitutions1 etc41 #fh4 ,by-laws should include all the rules that are of such importance that they cannot be changed in any way without previous notice1 except those placed in the constitution and the rules of order4 ,few societies adopt any special rules of order of their own under that name1 contenting themselves with putting a few such rules in their by-laws and then adopting some standard work on parliamentary law as their authority4 ,when a society is incorporated the charter may take the place of the constitution1 and in such a case the by-laws would contain all the rules of the society1 except those in the charter that cannot be changed without previous notice4 ,the by-laws should always provide for their amendment as shown in #fh1 and also for a quorum1 #fd4 ,if it is desired to permit the suspension of any by-law it should be specifically provided for4 ,by-laws1 except those relating to business procedure1 cannot be suspended1 unless they expressly provide for their suspension4 ,by-laws in the nature of rules of order may be suspended by a two-thirds vote1 as stated in #bb4 ,the duties of the presiding and recording officers of a deliberative assembly are defined in #eh and #ei4 ,but in many societies other duties are required of the president and the secretary1 and these1 together with the duties of the other officers1 if any1 should be defined in the by-laws4 ,if a society wishes to provide for honorary officers or members1 it is well to do so in the by-laws4 ,unless the by-laws state the contrary1 these positions are simply complimentary1 carrying with them the right to attend the meetings and to speak1 but not to make motions or to vote4 ,honorary presidents and vice presidents should sit on the platform1 but they do not1 by virtue of their honorary office1 preside4 ,an honorary office is not strictly an office1 and in no way conflicts with a member's holding a real office1 or being assigned any duty whatever1 the same as if he did not hold the honorary office4 ,like a college honorary degree1 it is perpetual1 unless rescinded4 ,so it is proper1 where desired1 to include in the published list of honorary officers the names of all upon whom the honor has been conferred1 even though deceased4 ,rules of ,order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly transaction of business in the meetings and to the duties of the officers4 ,there is no reason why most of these rules should not be the same for all ordinary societies1 and there is a great advantage in uniformity of procedure1 so far as possible1 in all societies all over the country4 ,societies should1 therefore1 adopt some generally accepted rules of order1 or parliamentary manual1 as their authority1 and then adopt only such special rules of order as are needed to supplement their parliamentary authority4 ,every society1 in its by-laws or rules of order1 should adopt a rule like this3 8,the rules contained in specifying the work on parliamentary practice shall govern the society in all cases to which they are applicable1 and in which they are not inconsistent with the by-laws or the special rules of order of this society40 ,without such a rule1 any one so disposed can cause great trouble in a meeting4 ,standing ,rules should contain only such rules as may be adopted without previous notice by a majority vote at any business meeting4 ,the vote on their adoption1 or their amendment1 before or after adoption1 may be reconsidered4 ,at any meeting they may be suspended by a majority vote1 or they may be amended or rescinded by a two-thirds vote4 ,if notice of the proposed action was given at a previous meeting or in the call for this meeting1 they may be amended or rescinded by a majority vote4 ,as a majority may suspend any of them for that meeting1 these rules do not interfere with the freedom of any meeting and therefore require no notice in order to adopt them4 ,generally they are not adopted at the organization of a society1 but from time to time as they are needed4 ,sometimes the by-laws of a society are called standing rules1 but it is better to follow the usual classification of rules as given in this section4 ,the following is an example of a standing rule3 ,resolved1 ,that the meetings of this society from ,april #a to ,september #cj shall begin at #g3cj ,p4,m41 and during the rest of the year at #h ,p4,m4 ,no standing rule1 or resolution1 or motion is in order that conflicts with the constitution1 or by-laws1 or rules of order1 or standing rules4 #fh4 ,amendments of ,constitutions1 ,by-laws1 and ,rules of ,order4 ,constitutions1 by-laws1 and rules of order1 that have been adopted and contain no rule for their amendment1 may be amended at any regular business meeting by a vote of the majority of the entire membership2 or1 if the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous regular business meeting1 then they may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those voting1 a quorum being present4 ,but each society should adopt rules for the amendment of its constitution1 by-laws1 and rules of order1 adapted to its own case1 but always requiring previous notice and a two-thirds vote4 ,where assemblies meet regularly only once a year1 the constitution1 etc41 should provide for copies of the amendment to be sent with the notices to the members or the constituency1 instead of requiring amendments to be submitted at the previous annual meeting4 ,the requirements should vary to suit the needs of each assembly1 always providing for ample notice to the members or the constituency4 ,in societies having very frequent meetings1 and also monthly or quarterly meetings more especially devoted to business1 it is well to allow amendments to the by-laws1 etc41 to be adopted only at the quarterly or annual meetings4 ,in specifying when the amendment must be submitted1 8the previous regular meeting0 should be used instead of 8a previous regular meeting10 as in the latter case action on the amendment might be delayed indefinitely to suit the mover1 and the object of giving notice be defeated4 ,in prescribing the vote necessary for the adoption of an amendment1 the expression 8a vote of two-thirds of the members0 should never be used in ordinary societies1 especially in large organizations with quorums smaller than a majority of the membership1 as in such societies it is seldom that two-thirds of the members--that is1 two-thirds of the entire membership--is ever present at a meeting4 ,if it is desired to require a larger vote than two-thirds 7that is1 two-thirds of the votes cast1 a quorum being present71 the expression 8a vote of two-thirds of the members present10 should be used4 ,instead of submitting the amendment in writing1 sometimes only notice1 or written notice1 of an amendment is required4 ,unless the notice is required to be in writing it may be given orally4 ,in any case1 only the purport of the amendment is necessary1 unless the rule requires that the amendment itself shall be submitted4 ,if a committee is appointed to revise the by-laws and report at a certain meeting1 this would be all the notice required1 and the amendments could be immediately acted upon1 if the by-laws required only previous notice of an amendment4 ,but if they required the amendment1 or 8notice of such amendment10 to be submitted at the previous regular meeting1 the revision could not be taken up until the next regular meeting after the committee had submitted its report4 ,the committee may submit a substitute for the by-laws unless it is limited as to its report1 as a substitute is an amendment4 ,great care should be exercised in amending constitutions1 etc41 to comply with every rule in regard to their amendment4 ,an amendment to the constitution1 or anything else that has already been adopted1 goes into effect immediately upon its adoption1 unless the motion to adopt specifies a time for its going into effect1 or the assembly has previously adopted a motion to that effect4 ,while the amendment is pending1 a motion may be made to amend by adding a proviso similar to this1 8,provided1 that this does not go into effect until after the close of this annual meeting40 ,or1 while the amendment is pending1 an incidental motion may be adopted that in case the amendment is adopted it shall not take effect until a specified time4 ,this requires only a majority vote4 ,amending a proposed amendment to the constitution1 etc41 may be accomplished by a majority vote1 without notice1 subject to certain restrictions4 ,the assembly is not limited to adopting or rejecting the amendment just as it is proposed1 but no amendment is in order that increases the modification of the rule to be amended1 as otherwise advantage could be taken of this by submitting a very slight change that would not attract attention and then moving the serious modification as an amendment to the amendment4 ,thus1 if the by-laws placed the annual dues of members at #b4jj1 and an amendment is pending to strike out #b and insert #e1 an amendment would be in order to change the #e to any number between #b and #e2 but an amendment would not be in order that changed the #e to any number greater than #e or less than #b4 ,had notice been given that it was proposed to increase the dues to more than #e dollars1 or to reduce them below #b dollars1 members might have been present to oppose the change1 who did not attend because they were not opposed to an increase as high as #e dollars4 ,the same principle applies to an amendment in the nature of a substitute1 the proposed substitute being open to amendments that diminish the changes1 but not to amendments that increase those that are proposed1 or introduce new changes4 ,thus1 if an amendment is pending1 substituting a new rule for one that prescribes the initiation fee and annual dues1 and the substitute does not change the annual dues1 then a motion to amend it so as to change the annual dues would be out of order4 ,the notice must be sufficiently definite to give fair warning to all parties interested as to the exact points that are to be modified4 ,the proposed amendment is a main motion1 and that is the only question before the assembly4 ,it is subject to amendments of the first and second degree1 like other main motions1 and no amendment that is not germane to it is in order4 ,a society can amend its constitution and by-laws so as to affect the emoluments and duties of officers already elected1 or even to do away with the office altogether4 ,if it is desired that the amendment should not affect officers already elected1 a motion to that effect should be adopted before voting on the amendment2 or the motion to amend could have added to it the proviso that it should not affect officers already elected4 ,there is something in the nature of a contract between a society and its officers which either one can modify to some extent1 or even terminate1 but it must be done with reasonable consideration for the other party4 ,a secretary1 for instance1 has no right to refuse to perform his duties on the ground that he has handed in his resignation4 ,on the other hand1 the society cannot compel him to continue in office beyond a reasonable time to allow for choosing his successor4 ,care should be exercised in wording the sections providing for amending the constitution1 etc41 to avoid such tautology as 8amend1 or add to1 or repeal10 or 8alter or amend10 or 8amend or in any way change40 ,the one word 8amend0 covers any change whatever in the constitution1 etc41 whether it is a word or a paragraph that is added or struck out1 or replaced by another word or paragraph1 or whether a new constitution1 etc41 is substituted for the old one4 ,,part ,,ii4 ,organization1 ,meetings1 and ,legal ,rights of ,assemblies4 ,art4 ,,xii4 ,organization and ,meetings4 #fi4 ,an ,occasional or ,mass ,meeting4 ,,page 7a7 ,organization #bge 7b7 ,adoption of ,resolutions #bgg 7c7 ,committee to ,draft ,resolutions #bhj 7d7 ,semi-,permanent ,mass ,meeting #bhc #gj4 ,a ,permanent ,society4 7a7 ,first ,meeting #bhd 7b7 ,second ,meeting #bhf 7c7 ,regular ,meeting #bia #ga4 ,meeting of a ,convention4 7a7 ,an ,organized ,convention #bib 7b7 ,a ,convention not yet ,organized #bif #fi4 ,an ,occasional or ,mass ,meeting4 7a7 ,organization4 ,before calling a meeting that is not one of an organized society1 the following ,preliminary ,steps should be taken3 ,those who are responsible for the call should consult together and agree upon the place and time of the meeting1 how the notice shall be given1 who shall call the meeting to order and nominate the chairman1 who shall be nominated for chairman1 and who shall explain the object of the meeting4 ,it is also good policy sometimes to have a set of resolutions drafted in advance to submit to the meeting4 ,it is not customary to call mass meetings to order promptly at the appointed time1 but to wait ten or fifteen minutes1 when the one chosen for the purpose steps to the front and says3 8,the meeting will please come to order2 ,i move that ,mr4 ,a act as or ,i nominate ,mr4 ,a for chairman of this meeting40 ,some one else says1 8,i second the motion or nomination40 ,the first member then puts the question to vote1 by saying1 8,it has been moved and seconded that ,mr4 ,a act as or ,mr4 ,a has been nominated for chairman of this meeting2 those in favor of the motion or nomination say aye20 and when the affirmative vote is taken1 he says1 8,those opposed say no40 ,if the majority vote is in the affirmative1 he says1 8,the ayes have it1 and ,mr4 ,a is elected chairman4 ,he will please take the chair40 ,if the motion is lost he announces that fact1 and calls for the nomination of some one else for chairman1 and proceeds with the new nomination as in the first case4 ,the member who calls the meeting to order1 instead of making the motion himself1 may act as temporary chairman1 and say1 8,the meeting will please come to order2 will some one nominate a chairman80 ,he puts the question to vote on the nomination as described above1 or as below1 in case of the secretary4 ,this is dangerous1 however1 in large meetings1 where an incompetent person may be nominated and elected chairman4 ,in large assemblies1 the member who nominates1 with one other member1 frequently conducts the presiding officer to the chair1 and the chairman makes a short speech1 thanking the assembly for the honor conferred on him4 ,when the chairman takes the chair he says1 8,the first business in order is the election of a secretary40 ,some one then makes a motion as just described1 or he says1 8,i nominate ,mr4 ,b10 when the chairman puts the question as below4 ,sometimes several names are called out1 and the chairman1 as he hears them1 says1 8,mr4 ,b is nominated2 ,mr4 ,c is nominated10 etc42 he then takes the vote on the first one he heard1 putting the question in a form similar to this3 8,as many as are in favor of ,mr4 ,b for secretary say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the chair is in doubt3 those in favor of ,mr4 ,b for secretary will rise2 those opposed will rise4 ,the negative has it and the motion is lost4 ,as many as are in favor of ,mr4 ,c for secretary say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it1 and ,mr4 ,c is elected secretary4 ,he will please take his place at the desk40 ,if ,mr4 ,c fails of election the vote is taken on the next nominee1 and so on until one is elected4 ,the secretary should take his seat near the chairman1 and keep a record of the proceedings1 as described in #ei4 ,the chairman should always stand in putting the question to vote1 and in large assemblies it is better for him to stand while stating the question4 ,during debate he should be seated1 and pay attention to the discussion4 ,when nominations are made it is optional whether they are seconded or not4 ,they are usually not debated1 though sometimes the one making the nomination and the one seconding it say a few words at the time in favor of their nominee4 ,a nomination cannot be amended4 ,if additional officers are desired1 they may be elected in the same manner as the secretary4 7b7 ,adoption of ,resolutions4 ,these two officers are all that are usually necessary1 so as soon as the secretary is elected1 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 fully1 or he may do this himself4 ,this explanation should be immediately followed by some one's offering a series of resolutions previously prepared1 or by his moving the appointment of a committee to prepare resolutions upon the subject4 ,in the first case he rises and says1 8,mr4 ,chairman20 the chairman responds1 8,mr4 ,c40 ,mr4 ,c1 having thus obtained the floor1 says1 8,i move the adoption of the following resolutions10 which he reads and hands to the chairman4 ,some one else says1 8,i second the motion40 ,the chairman then says1 8,it has been moved and seconded to adopt the following resolutions10 which he reads1 or directs the secretary to read1 and then says1 8,the question is on the adoption of the resolutions40 ,if no one rises at once1 he asks1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,the resolutions are now open to debate and amendment4 ,they may be referred to a committee1 or may have any other subsidiary motion applied to them4 ,when the debate appears to be finished1 the chair again asks1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one then rises1 he says1 8,as many as are in favor of the adoption of the resolutions say aye20 after the ayes have voted1 he says1 8,as many as are of a contrary opinion or are opposed say no20 he then announces the result of the vote as follows3 8,the ayes have it or the motion is carried and the resolutions are adopted40 ,if the debate has lasted any length of time1 he should1 before taking the vote1 have the resolutions again read4 ,it is the practice1 in legislative bodies1 to send to the clerk's desk all resolutions1 bills1 etc41 the title of the bill and the name of the member introducing it being indorsed on each4 ,in such bodies1 however1 there are several clerks and only one chairman4 ,in most assemblies there is but one clerk or secretary1 and as he has to keep the minutes1 there is no reason for his being constantly interrupted to read every resolution offered4 ,in such assemblies1 unless there is a rule or established custom to the contrary1 it is usually much better to hand all resolutions1 reports1 etc41 directly to the chairman4 ,if they were read by the member introducing them1 and no one calls for another reading1 the chairman may omit reading them when he thinks they are fully understood4 ,for the manner of reading and stating the question when the resolution contains several paragraphs1 see #bd4 ,dividing ,resolutions4 ,if the committee reports several independent resolutions relating to different subjects1 the chair must state the question separately on the resolution1 or resolutions1 relating to each subject1 on the request of a single member4 ,if the resolutions relate to a single subject and yet each one is capable of standing alone if all the rest are rejected1 they may be divided by a majority vote on a motion to divide the question1 as explained in #bd4 ,if the resolutions are so connected that they cannot stand alone1 then the proper way to secure a separate vote on any objectionable resolution is to move to strike it out4 ,when the chair states the question on striking it out1 the resolution is open to amendments of the second degree1 so as to perfect it1 before the vote is taken on striking it out4 ,see page #adj4 ,amending a ,resolution4 ,if it is desired to amend a pending resolution1 that is1 a resolution that the chair has stated as before the assembly for action1 a member rises and obtains the floor as already described1 and offers1 or moves1 his amendment1 thus3 8,i move to insert the words #8with asphalt' after the word #8paved4'0 ,if the motion is not at once seconded1 the chair asks if the motion is seconded4 ,in a large assembly he should repeat the motion before making this inquiry1 as members who would be willing to second the motion may not have heard it4 ,in fact1 the chair must usually assume that some members do not hear what is said from the floor1 and therefore that he must always repeat motions and the result of votes4 ,the motion being seconded1 the chair states the question thus3 8,it is moved and seconded to amend the resolution by inserting the words #8with asphalt' after the word #8paved4' ,are you ready for the question80 ,the question is now open to debate and amendment1 which must be confined1 however1 to the amendment1 as it has superseded the resolution and has become what is termed the immediately pending question4 ,if no one rises to claim the floor1 the chair puts the question thus3 8,as many as are in favor of the amendment or motion say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it1 and the amendment is adopted4 ,the question is now on the resolution as amended1 which is as follows repeat the amended resolution4 ,are you ready for the question80 ,the resolution is again open to debate and amendment1 as it has again become the immediately pending question4 ,when the chair thinks the debate ended1 he asks1 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one rises to claim the floor1 he puts the question on the resolution1 thus3 8,the question is on adopting the following resolution3 #8,resolved1 ,that 44444444 ,those in favor of the motion or1 of adopting the resolution say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it1 and the resolution is adopted4'0 7c7 ,committee to ,draft ,resolutions4 ,if it is preferred to appoint a committee to draft resolutions1 a member1 after he has addressed the chair and has been recognized1 says3 8,i move that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on10 etc41 adding the subject for which the meeting was called4 ,the motion being seconded1 the chairman states the question thus3 8,it has been moved and seconded that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions1 etc4 repeat the motion4 ,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one rises he may put the question thus3 8,as many as are in favor of the motion say aye2 those opposed say no4 ,the ayes have it and the motion is adopted40 ,or1 it maybe put thus3 8,the question is1 #8,shall a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions1 etc4 repeating the motion8' ,as many as are of the affirmative will raise their right hands4 ,as many as are of the negative will signify it in the same way4 ,the affirmative has it and the motion is adopted4 ,the chair will appoint ,messrs4 ,a1 ,b1 ,c1 ,d1 and ,e as the committee on resolutions4 ,the committee will withdraw and prepare the resolutions as quickly as possible4 ,what is the further pleasure of the meeting80 ,in a mass meeting1 or in any very large assembly1 it is safer to have all committees appointed by the chair4 ,if the assembly1 however1 prefers a different method1 the procedure is as described in #cb2 or the following method may be adopted3 ,a member moves1 8,that a committee be appointed to draft resolutions10 etc4 ,this motion being adopted1 the chair asks3 8,of how many shall the committee consist80 ,if only one number is suggested1 he announces that the committee will consist of that number2 if several numbers are suggested1 he states the different ones1 and then takes a vote on each1 beginning with the largest1 until one number is selected4 ,he then inquires3 8,how shall the committee be appointed80 ,this is usually decided without the formality of a vote4 ,the committee may be 8appointed0 by the chair1 in which case the chairman names the committee1 and no vote is taken2 or the committee may be 8nominated0 by the chair1 or by members of the assembly 7no member naming more than one1 except by unanimous consent71 and then the assembly votes on their appointment4 ,when the chairman nominates1 after stating the names1 he puts one question on the entire committee1 thus3 8,as many as are in favor of these gentlemen constituting the committee say aye10 etc4 ,if nominations are made by members of the assembly1 and more names are mentioned than the number of the committee1 a separate vote must be taken on each name1 in the order of nomination1 until the committee is filled4 ,when the committee is appointed1 it should at once retire and agree upon a report1 which should be written out as described in #eb4 ,during its absence other business may be attended to1 or the time may be occupied with hearing addresses4 ,if the chairman sees the committee return to the room1 he should announce1 as soon as the pending business is disposed of1 or the member speaking closes1 that the assembly will now hear the report of the committee on resolutions3 or1 before this announcement he may ask if the committee is prepared to report4 ,if the chairman does not notice the return of the committee1 its chairman avails himself of the first opportunity to obtain the floor1 when he says3 8,the committee appointed to draft resolutions is prepared to report40 ,the chairman tells him that the assembly will now hear the report1 which is then read by the chairman of the committee1 who immediately moves its adoption1 and then hands it to the presiding officer1 upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the assembly4 ,the chairman then proceeds as stated above when the resolutions were offered by a member4 ,if it is not desired immediately to adopt the resolutions1 they may be debated1 modified1 their consideration postponed1 etc41 as explained in #aj4 ,when through with the business for which the assembly was convened1 or when from any other cause it is desired to close the meeting1 some one moves 8to adjourn40 ,if no time has been appointed for another meeting1 this motion may be amended and debated as any other main motion4 ,if the motion is carried1 and no other time for meeting has been appointed1 the chairman1 in case the ayes and noes are nearly equal1 says3 8,the ayes seem to have it1 the ayes have it1 the motion is adopted1 and we stand adjourned without day 7sine die740 ,if the vote is overwhelmingly in the affirmative1 the expression1 8,the ayes seem to have it10 should be omitted4 ,if a time for an adjourned meeting has been appointed1 the chair declares the assembly 8adjourned to #h o'clock next ,wednesday evening10 or whatever is the appointed time4 ,before declaring the adjournment1 or even taking a vote on adjourning1 the chair should satisfy himself that all required notices are given4 7d7 ,semi-,permanent ,mass ,meetings4 ,sometimes it is desirable to continue the mass meetings until a certain object is accomplished1 and in such case the assembly may prefer to make a temporary organization at first1 and then make their semi-permanent organization with more deliberation4 ,if so1 the assembly would be organized as just described1 only adding 8pro tem40 to the title of the officers1 thus1 8chairman pro tem40 ,the 8pro tem40 is never used in addressing the officers4 ,as soon as the secretary pro tem4 is elected1 a committee is usually appointed to nominate the semi-permanent officers1 as in the case of a convention4 ,a committee on rules should also be appointed1 which should recommend a few rules providing for the time and place for holding the meetings1 for some authority on parliamentary law1 and for the number and length of speeches allowed1 if two speeches not to exceed ten minutes each is not satisfactory4 ,frequently the presiding officer is called the ,president1 and sometimes there is a large number of ,vice ,presidents appointed for merely complimentary purposes4 ,the ,vice ,presidents in large formal meetings sit on the platform beside the ,president1 and in his absence1 or when he vacates the chair1 the first on the list that is present should take the chair4 #gj4 ,a ,permanent ,society4 7a7 ,first ,meeting4 ,when it is desired to form a permanent society1 those interested in it should consult together and carefully lay their plans before calling a meeting to organize the society4 ,they should also be careful in calling the meeting to see to it that there is a majority in sympathy with their plans4 ,by neglect of this1 and giving a newspaper invitation to all interested in the object to attend the meeting1 those who originated the work have found themselves in the minority and not in sympathy with the constitution which was adopted1 so that they did not care to join the society after it was organized4 ,having taken all the preliminary steps1 then1 as described in case of a mass meeting page #bge1 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 purpose4 ,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 own4 ,it is not usual in meetings called to organize a society1 or in mass meetings1 to commence until ten or fifteen minutes after the appointed time1 when the person previously selected for the purpose steps forward and says3 8,the meeting will please come to order2 ,i move that ,mr4 ,a act as chairman of this meeting40 ,some one 8seconds the motion10 when the one who made the motion puts it to vote 7or1 as it is called1 8puts the question071 as already described under a 8mass meeting0 #fi2 and1 as in that case1 when the chairman is elected he takes the chair and announces1 as the first business in order1 the election of a secretary4 ,after the secretary is elected1 the chairman calls on the member who is most interested in forming the society to state the object of the meeting4 ,when this member rises he says1 8,mr4 ,chairman40 ,the chairman then announces his name1 when the member proceeds to state the object of the meeting4 ,having finished his remarks1 the chairman may call on other members to give their opinions on the subject1 and sometimes a particular speaker is called out by members who wish to hear him4 ,the chairman should observe the wishes of the assembly1 and1 while being careful not to be too strict1 he must not permit any one to occupy too much time and weary the assembly4 ,when a sufficient time has been spent in this informal way1 some one should offer a resolution1 so that definite action can be taken4 ,those interested in arranging for the meeting1 if it is to be a large one1 should have previously agreed upon what is to be done1 and be prepared1 at the proper time1 to offer a suitable resolution1 which may be in form similar to this3 8,resolved1 ,that it is the sense of this meeting that a society for 7state the object of the society7 should now be formed in this city40 ,this resolution1 when seconded and stated by the chair1 is open to debate and amendment1 and is treated as already described #fi4 ,this preliminary motion could have been offered at the commencement of the meeting1 and if the meeting is a very large one this is generally better than to have the informal discussion4 ,after this preliminary motion has been voted on1 or even without waiting for such a motion to be made1 one like this may be offered3 8,i move that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft a constitution and by-laws for a society for 7here state the object71 and that it report at an adjourned meeting of this assembly40 ,this motion can be amended by striking out and adding words1 etc41 and it is debatable4 ,when this committee is appointed1 the chairman may inquire3 8,is there any other business to be attended to80 or1 8,what is the further pleasure of the assembly or club1 or convention1 etc480 ,when all business is finished1 a motion may be made to adjourn to meet at a certain place and time1 which1 when seconded and stated by the chair1 is open to debate and amendment4 ,it is usually better to fix the time of the next meeting at an earlier stage of the meeting2 and then1 when it is desired to close the meeting1 move simply 8to adjourn10 which cannot be amended or debated4 ,when this motion is carried1 the chairman says1 8,this meeting stands adjourned to meet at10 etc41 specifying the time and place of the next meeting4 7b7 ,second ,meeting4 ,at the next meeting the officers of the previous meeting1 if present1 serve until the permanent officers are elected4 ,when the hour arrives for the meeting1 the chairman1 standing1 says1 8,the meeting will please come to order20 as soon as the assembly is seated1 he says1 8,the secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting10 and then takes his seat4 ,if any one notices an error in the minutes1 he should state the fact as soon as the secretary finishes reading them2 if there is no objection1 without waiting for a motion1 the chairman directs the secretary to make the correction4 ,the chairman then says1 8,there being no further corrections1 the minutes stand approved as read or as corrected40 ,the chair then announces1 as the next business in order1 the hearing of the report of the committee on the constitution and by-laws4 ,the chairman of the committee1 after addressing 8,mr4 ,chairman0 and being recognized1 says something like this3 8,the committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws has agreed upon the following1 and has directed me to report the same and move their adoption40 ,he then reads them1 moves their adoption1 and hands them to the chair4 ,the motion being seconded1 the chair says3 8,it has been moved and seconded to adopt the constitution and by-laws reported by the committee4 ,the question is on the adoption of the constitution1 which will now be read40 ,the constitution is then read from the platform by the secretary1 or by the chairman of the committee1 as the chair directs4 ,this reading may be dispensed with by general consent1 as it has already been read4 ,he then reads1 or has read1 the first paragraph1 and asks if there are any amendments proposed to this paragraph4 ,when through with amending it he says1 8,there being no further amendments to this paragraph1 the next will be read40 ,no vote should be taken on adopting the separate paragraphs4 ,he thus proceeds through the entire constitution1 and then says the whole constitution is now open to amendment4 ,this is the time to insert additional paragraphs1 or make any amendments to the earlier paragraphs rendered necessary by changes made in the later ones4 ,when the chairman thinks the constitution has been modified to suit the wishes of the assembly1 he inquires3 8,are you ready for the question80 ,if no one wishes to speak1 he puts the question3 8,as many as are in favor of adopting the constitution as amended say aye20 and then1 8,as many as are opposed say no40 ,he distinctly announces the result of the vote4 ,this should never be omitted4 ,only a majority vote is required to adopt a constitution of a new society1 or to amend it before it is adopted4 ,the chairman now states that the constitution having been adopted1 it will be necessary for those wishing to become members to sign it 7and pay the initiation fee1 if required by the constitution71 and1 if the assembly is a large one1 suggests that a recess be taken for the purpose4 ,a motion is then made to take a recess for1 say1 ten minutes1 or until the constitution is signed4 ,the constitution being signed1 no one is permitted to vote excepting those who have signed it1 and thus have joined the society4 ,while the payment of the initiation fee is strictly a prerequisite to the right to vote1 it should be waived at this meeting with those who are unprepared to make the payment4 ,the recess having expired1 the chairman calls the meeting to order1 and says1 8,the secretary will read the roll of members40 ,this is necessary in order that all may know who are entitled to take part in the future proceedings4 ,after the roll has been read1 the chair says1 8,the question before the assembly is on the adoption of the by-laws reported by the committee4 ,the secretary will please read them40 ,he then proceeds exactly as in the case of the constitution4 ,the motion to adopt the constitution and by-laws reported by the committee having been made when the committee made its report1 no further motion is necessary4 ,when the by-laws are adopted1 the chair says1 8,the next business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the society40 ,the by-laws should prescribe the method of nomination and election of the officers1 and they should be strictly complied with4 ,if the by-laws do not prescribe the method of nomination1 the chair asks1 8,how shall the officers be nominated80 ,some one may at once move that a committee be appointed by the chair to nominate the permanent officers of the society4 ,this motion being adopted1 the chair appoints the committee1 which retires and agrees upon a ticket4 ,during the absence of the committee the assembly may transact any business it pleases1 or it may take a recess4 ,when the committee returns to the hall1 as soon as pending business is disposed of1 the chair calls on the chairman of the committee for the report4 ,the chairman of the committee reads the list of nominations1 and hands it to the chair4 ,the chair reads the list1 and then asks1 8,are there any further nominations80 ,any member may now rise and1 after addressing the chair1 nominate any one else for any office1 or he may nominate one person for each office1 thus proposing a new ticket4 ,the chair announces the nominations as made1 and when he thinks that no more names will be proposed1 he asks1 8,are there any more nominations80 ,if there is no response1 and if the by-laws prescribe that the election shall be by ballot1 as they usually should1 he appoints tellers and directs them to distribute blank ballots1 upon which each member writes the name of each office and the person for whom he votes to fill that office4 ,when the ballots are filled-out1 the chair directs the tellers to collect the ballots1 which they do1 in any convenient receptacle4 ,the chair then inquires if all have voted who wish to1 so as to be sure that the tellers have not missed any members4 ,when all have voted that wish1 he announces that 8the polls are closed10 and the tellers count the ballots1 and the first one appointed reports the vote1 as described on page #aif1 under ,voting by ,ballot4 ,the chair then announces as elected all the candidates who received a majority vote1 and the temporary officers are immediately replaced by the permanent ones elected4 ,if the president is elected on this first ballot he immediately takes the chair4 ,in case any of the offices remain unfilled1 the chair immediately orders the tellers to distribute blank ballots1 and directs the assembly to prepare ballots for these offices4 ,balloting is continued until all the offices are filled4 ,the voting is not limited to the nominees1 as every member is at liberty to vote for any member who is not declared ineligible by the by-laws4 ,after the offices are filled1 if there is business that the chair knows requires immediate attention1 he should mention it4 ,committees should probably be appointed for various purposes1 as described in the by-laws1 and the place of meeting should be determined4 ,it is possible that an adjourned meeting may be necessary in order to complete the organization before beginning the regular work of the society4 ,when the work is completed1 or when an adjourned meeting has been provided for1 and the lateness of the hour requires an adjournment1 some one should move to adjourn4 ,if the motion is carried1 the chair announces the vote and declares the assembly adjourned4 ,if there can be any question as to where and when the next meeting is to be held1 he should mention the place and time1 though this is not necessary afterwards when the place and time are regularly established and known4 ,if the society is one that expects to own real estate1 it should be incorporated according to the laws of the state in which it is situated1 and for this purpose some member of the committee on the constitution should consult a lawyer before this second meeting1 so that the constitution may conform to the laws of the state4 ,in this case the trustees1 or managers1 or directors1 are usually instructed to take the proper measures to have the society incorporated4 7c7 ,regular ,meetings of a ,society4 ,after a society is properly organized1 its regular business meetings are conducted as follows3 ,when the hour fixed for the meeting to begin arrives1 the presiding officer takes the chair and calls the meeting to order and directs the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting4 ,when they are read1 he asks1 8,are there any corrections to the minutes80 ,if none are suggested1 he adds1 8,there being none1 the minutes stand approved as read40 ,if any corrections are suggested1 the secretary makes them1 unless there is opposition4 ,if there is difference of opinion1 some one moves to amend the minutes1 or the chair1 without waiting for a motion1 may put the question on the amendment that has been suggested4 ,when this has been settled1 the chair asks1 8,are there any further corrections 7or amendments7 to the minutes80 ,if there is no response1 he adds1 8,there being none1 the minutes stand approved as corrected40 ,he then announces the next business in order1 following the order of business prescribed by the rules of the society4 ,if the order of business is the same as given in #fe1 as soon as the minutes are read and approved1 the chair says1 8,the next business in order is hearing the reports of the standing committees40 ,he may then call upon each committee in its order for a report1 thus3 8,has the committee on applications for membership any report to make80 ,in this case the committee may report as shown above1 or some member of it reply that it has no report to make4 ,or1 when the chairman knows that there are but few1 if any1 reports to be made1 it is better1 after making the announcement of the business1 for him to ask1 8,have these committees any reports to make80 ,after a short pause1 if no one rises to report1 he states1 8,there being no reports from the standing committees1 the next business in order is hearing the reports of special committees10 when he will act the same as in the case of the standing committees4 ,the chairman should always have a list of the committees1 to enable him to call upon them1 as well as to guide him in the appointment of new committees4 ,having attended to the reports of committees1 the chair announces the next business in order1 and so on until the business of the meeting has been disposed of1 when some one moves to adjourn4 ,if this motion is carried1 the chair announces the vote and declares the assembly adjourned4 ,the meetings of different societies vary greatly1 and they should be managed differently in order to obtain the best results4 ,some societies require a strict enforcement of parliamentary rules1 while with others the best results will be obtained by being informal4 ,it is important that the presiding officer have tact and common sense1 especially with a very intelligent assembly4 #ga4 ,meeting of a ,convention or ,assembly of ,delegates4 7a7 ,an ,organized ,convention4 ,if a convention is an organized body 7that is1 if when convened it has a constitution and by-laws and officers71 a committee on credentials1 or registration1 and one on program1 should have been appointed previous to the meeting4 ,these committees may have been appointed at the previous convention1 or by the executive board1 or by the president1 as prescribed by the by-laws4 ,the committee on credentials1 or registration1 should be on hand somewhat before the time of the meeting1 in some cases the day before1 so as to be prepared to submit its report immediately after the opening addresses4 ,it should furnish each delegate1 when he registers1 with a badge or card as evidence of his being a delegate and having the right of admission to the hall4 ,the committee on program should in most cases have the programs printed in advance4 ,in many cases it is better that the constituent bodies be furnished in advance with copies of the program4 ,this should always be done when there is difficulty in getting full delegations to attend4 ,in addition to these two committees there are a number of local committees usually appointed by the local society1 as on entertainment1 etc4 ,one of the general officers usually performs the duty of a committee on transportation1 to obtain reductions in railroad fares1 etc4 ,when the hour appointed for the meeting arrives1 the president1 as the permanent presiding officer of a convention is usually called1 stands at the desk1 and1 striking it with the gavel to attract attention1 says1 8,the convention will come to order40 ,in large conventions there is usually much confusion and noise at the opening1 and it requires self-control1 firmness1 and tact on the part of the presiding officer to preserve proper order so that all members may hear and be heard4 ,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 floor4 ,it is better for him to set the example of being quiet1 and to stop all business while the noise is such that members cannot hear4 ,members should be required to be seated and to refrain from talking except when addressing the chair4 ,when the convention has come to order it is customary to have some opening exercises1 the nature of which depends upon the character of the convention4 ,in the majority of cases the convention is opened with prayer1 an address of welcome1 and a response4 ,the program1 however1 is the president's guide as to the order of business1 even though it has not yet been adopted by the convention4 ,it should provide for hearing the report of the credential committee as soon as the opening exercises are concluded1 so that it may be known who are entitled to vote4 ,this committee's report usually consists merely of a list of the delegates and their alternates1 if any1 whose credentials have been found correct1 and of the ex-officio members of the convention1 no one being on the list1 however1 who has not registered as present4 ,the constitution should always provide that such as are present of the officers of the convention1 the members of the ,board of ,managers1 and the chairmen of the committees that are required to report at the convention1 shall be ex-officio members of the convention4 ,when this report of the credential committee is presented it is read either by the chairman of the committee or by the reading secretary1 or official reader1 if there is one4 ,in all cases1 it1 and all other reports1 should be read from the platform4 ,when the chairman of a committee cannot read so as to be heard1 the report should be read by a reading secretary1 or official reader1 who should be appointed in every large convention1 solely for the purpose of reading resolutions1 reports1 etc4 ,if there is a case of contest between two sets of delegates and there is serious doubt as to which is entitled to recognition1 the committee should omit both from the list and report the fact of the contest4 ,if the committee1 however1 thinks the contest not justified1 it should ignore it and enter on the list the names of the legitimate delegates4 ,a motion should be made to accept or adopt the report1 which1 after it is stated by the chair1 is open to debate and amendment4 ,no one can vote whose name is not on the list of delegates reported by the committee4 ,upon the motion to substitute one delegation for another1 neither one can vote4 ,so upon a motion to strike out the names of a delegation whose seats are contested they cannot vote4 ,but upon the main motion to accept the report1 all persons whose names are on the list of members as reported by the committee and amended by the convention are entitled to vote1 and they alone4 ,when this report has been adopted1 the president should immediately call upon the program committee for a report4 ,the chairman of that committee submits the printed program and moves1 or some one else moves1 its adoption4 ,this is open to debate and amendment1 and when once adopted by a majority vote can not be deviated from except by a two-thirds vote of those voting1 or by a majority vote of the enrolled membership4 ,the membership of the convention and the program having been decided1 the convention is ready for its business as laid down in the program4 ,the two committees1 though they have made their reports1 are continued through the session1 as supplementary reports may be required from them4 ,additional delegates may arrive1 and speakers on the program may be sick or unable to be present1 or for other reasons a change in the program may be necessary4 ,these two committees should be allowed at any time to make additional reports4 ,the business is conducted as described in the preceding section1 but1 of course1 the program must be followed4 ,boards and standing committees and the treasurer are always required to submit annual reports1 and sometimes reports are required from various other officers4 ,generally officers and the board of managers1 etc41 are elected annually2 but some constitutions make the term of office two years1 and some provide1 in addition1 that only about half the officers shall be elected at any one annual meeting4 ,in most organizations it is better to have the term of office begin at the close of the convention1 so that the same officers will serve throughout the meetings4 ,at the beginning of the first meeting each day the minutes of the preceding day are read and approved4 ,at the close of the convention1 if there is not time to read the minutes of the last day1 a motion should be adopted authorizing the board1 or some committee1 to approve the minutes of that day4 ,as the proceedings of a convention are usually published1 a publishing committee should be appointed1 which should have the power to edit the proceedings4 ,when through with its business the convention adjourns sine die4 7b7 ,a ,convention not yet ,organized4 ,such a convention is similar to a mass meeting1 already described in #fi1 in that when called to order it has no constitution1 by-laws1 or officers4 ,it has the added difficulty of determining who are entitled to vote4 ,in the mass meeting every one may vote1 but in the convention none but properly appointed delegates may vote1 and sometimes this is a very difficult question to determine justly4 ,the convention must have been called by some committee1 or body of men1 who should have secured the hall and made the preliminary arrangements for the meeting4 ,if the convention is a very large one1 so that it is necessary to reserve the main floor of the hall for the delegates1 the committee should allow only those to enter who have prima facie evidence of their right to membership1 and in contested cases both sides should be admitted4 ,the chairman of the committee should call the convention to order1 and either he or some one the committee has selected for the purpose should nominate a temporary chairman and a temporary secretary4 ,next should come the appointment of a committee on credentials1 whose duty it is to examine all credentials and report a list of all the delegates who are entitled to seats in the convention4 ,when alternates have been appointed they should be reported also4 ,while the committee on credentials is out1 committees may be appointed on nominations of officers1 on rules1 and on order of business or program4 ,in a large convention of this kind all committees should be appointed by the chair1 and no one whose right to a seat is questioned should be placed on a committee until the convention has acted favorably on his case4 ,until the committee on credentials has reported1 no business can be done except to authorize the chair to appoint the above mentioned committees4 ,while waiting for the committee on credentials to report1 the time is usually spent in listening to speeches4 ,when the committee reports1 the procedure is the same as just described in an organized convention4 ,when that report has been adopted1 the convention proceeds to its permanent organization1 acting upon the reports of the other three committees previously appointed1 taking them in such order as the convention pleases4 ,when these reports have been acted upon1 the convention is organized1 with members1 officers1 rules1 and program1 and its business is transacted as in other organized deliberative assemblies4 ,if the convention adopts rules only for the session1 the committee on rules need recommend only a few rules as to the hours for beginning the meetings1 the length of the speeches1 etc41 and a rule adopting some standard rules of order1 where not in conflict with its other rules4 ,if it is not intended to make a permanent organization1 the organization just described is all that is necessary4 ,if the convention is called to make a permanent organization1 the committee on nominations is not appointed until after the by-laws are adopted1 and the committee on rules should report a constitution and by-laws as in the case of a permanent society #gj4 ,the committee in such case is more usually called the committee on constitution and by-laws4 ,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 year1 and1 therefore1 before the convention meets1 a constitution and by-laws should be carefully drafted by those interested in calling the convention4 ,those who drew up the by-laws should be appointed on the committee1 in order to avoid delay in reporting them4 ,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 #bhg4 ,when the by-laws are adopted1 the officers are elected and committees are appointed as prescribed by the by-laws1 and the convention is prepared for its work as already described4 ,art4 ,,xiii4 ,legal ,rights of ,assemblies and ,trial of ,their ,members4 #gb4 ,right of an ,assembly to ,punish its ,members #bii #gc4 ,right of an ,assembly to ,eject any one from its ,place of ,meeting #bii #gd4 ,rights of ,ecclesiastical ,tribunals #cjj #ge4 ,trial of ,members of ,societies #cjb #gb4 ,the ,right of a ,deliberative ,assembly to ,punish its ,members4 ,a deliberative assembly has the inherent right to make and enforce its own laws and punish an offender1 the extreme penalty1 however1 being expulsion from its own body4 ,when expelled1 if the assembly is a permanent society1 it has the right1 for its own protection1 to give public notice that the person has ceased to be a member of that society4 ,but it has no right to go beyond what is necessary for self-protection and publish the charges against the member4 ,in a case where a member of a society was expelled1 and an officer of the society published1 by its order1 a statement of the grave charges upon which he had been found guilty1 the expelled member recovered damages from the officer in a suit for libel1 the court holding that the truth of the charges did not affect the case4 #gc4 ,right of an ,assembly to ,eject any one from its ,place of ,meeting4 ,every deliberative assembly has the right to decide who may be present during its session2 and when the assembly1 either by a rule or by a vote1 decides that a certain person shall not remain in the room1 it is the duty of the chairman to enforce the rule of order1 using whatever force is necessary to eject the party4 ,the chairman can detail members to remove the person1 without calling upon the police4 ,if1 however1 in enforcing the order1 any one uses harsher measures than is necessary to remove the person1 the courts have held that he1 and he alone1 is liable for damages1 just the same as a policeman would be under similar circumstances4 ,however badly the man may be abused while being removed from the room1 neither the chairman nor the society is liable for damages1 as1 in ordering his removal1 they did not exceed their legal rights4 #gd4 ,rights of ,ecclesiastical ,tribunals4 ,many of our deliberative assemblies are ecclesiastical bodies1 and it is important to know how much respect will be paid to their decisions by the civil courts4 ,a church became divided1 and each party claimed to be the church1 and therefore entitled to the church property4 ,the case was taken into the civil courts1 and finally1 on appeal1 to the ,u4 ,s4 ,supreme ,court1 which1 after holding the case under advisement for a year1 sustained the decision of the ,u4 ,s4 ,circuit ,court4 ,the ,supreme ,court1 in rendering its decision1 laid down the broad principle that when a local church is but a part of a large and more general organization or denomination1 the court will accept as final the decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has been carried within that general church organization1 on all questions of discipline1 faith1 or ecclesiastical rule1 custom1 or law1 and will not inquire into the justice or injustice of its decree as between the parties before it4 ,the officers1 the ministers1 the members1 or the church body which the highest judiciary of the denomination recognizes1 the court will recognize4 ,whom that body expels or cuts off1 the court will hold to be no longer members of that church4 ,the court laid down the following principles3#de 8,where a church is of a strictly congregational or independent organization1 and the property held by it has no trust attached to it1 its right to the use of the property must be determined by the ordinary principles which govern ordinary associations4 8,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 judgments1 its decisions are final and binding on legal tribunals4 8,courts having no ecclesiastical jurisdiction1 cannot revise or question ordinary acts of church discipline2 their only judicial power arises from the conflicting claims of the parties to the church property and the use of it40 #de ,watson vs4 ,jones1 #ac ,wallace ,u4 ,s4 ,supreme ,court ,reports1 p4 #fgi4 ,this case was decided ,april #ae1 #ahgb4 ,but while the civil courts have no ecclesiastical jurisdiction1 and cannot revise or question ordinary acts of church discipline1 they do have jurisdiction where there are conflicting claims to church property4 ,an independent church by an almost unanimous vote decided to unite with another independent church4 ,a very small minority1 less than ten per cent1 did not wish to unite with the other church1 so they were voted letters of dismission to any other church of like faith and order1 against their protest4 ,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 church4 ,the church then voted to disband4 ,the majority presented their letters and were received into the other church4 ,the minority would not use their letters1 but took the matter into the courts1 which1 of course1 decided that they were the church and owned the property4 ,according to the practice of churches of the same denomination1 no member can be forced out of the church unless for neglect of his duties as a member4 ,letters of dismission are granted only on the request of members1 and as a general rule the membership does not terminate until the letter has been used4 ,the church could not terminate the membership of the minority1 against whom there were no charges1 by voting them letters without their consent4 ,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 church4 ,by the hasty1 ill-advised action of almost the entire church the majority lost their property4 ,in cases where property is involved1 churches cannot be too careful1 and it is usually best to act under legal advice4 #ge4 ,trial of ,members of ,societies4 ,every deliberative assembly1 having the right to purify its own body1 must therefore have the right to investigate the character of its members4 ,it can require any of them to testify in the case1 under pain of expulsion if they refuse4 ,when the charge is against the member's character1 it is usually referred to a committee of investigation or discipline1 or to some standing committee1 to report upon4 ,some societies have standing committees whose duty it is to report cases for discipline whenever any are known to them4 ,in either case1 the committee investigates the matter and reports to the society4 ,this report need not go into details1 but should contain its recommendations as to what action the society should take1 and should usually close with resolutions covering the case1 so that there is no need for any one to offer any additional resolutions upon it4 ,the ordinary resolutions1 where the member is recommended to be expelled1 are 7#a7 to fix the time to which the society shall adjourn2 and 7#b7 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 expelled1 upon the following charges which should then be given4 ,after charges are preferred against a member1 and the assembly has ordered that he be cited to appear for trial1 he is theoretically under arrest1 and is deprived of all the rights of membership until his case is disposed of4 ,without his consent no member should be tried at the same meeting at which the charges are preferred1 excepting when the charges relate to something done at that meeting4 ,the clerk should send the accused a written notice to appear before the society at the time appointed1 and should at the same time furnish him with a copy of the charges4 ,a failure to obey the summons is generally cause enough for summary expulsion4 ,at the appointed meeting what may be called the trial takes place4 ,frequently the only evidence required against the member is the report of the committee4 ,after it has been read and any additional evidence offered that the committee may see fit to introduce1 the accused should be allowed to make an explanation and introduce witnesses1 if he so desires4 ,either party should be allowed to cross-examine the other's witnesses and introduce rebutting testimony4 ,when the evidence is all in1 the accused should retire from the room1 and the society deliberate upon the question1 and finally act by a vote upon the question of expulsion1 or other punishment proposed4 ,no member should be expelled by less than a two-thirds#df vote1 a quorum voting4 ,the vote should be by ballot1 except by general consent4 ,the members of the committee preferring the charges vote the same as other members4 #df ,the ,u4 ,s4 ,constitution ,art4 ,i1 ,sec4 #e provides that each ,house of ,congress may1 8with the concurrence of two-thirds1 expel a member40 ,in acting upon the case1 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 body4 ,a notorious pickpocket could not even be arrested1 much less convicted by a civil court1 simply on the ground of being commonly known as a pickpocket2 while such evidence would convict and expel him from any ordinary society4 ,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 charges4 ,if the trial is liable to be long and troublesome1 or of a very delicate nature1 the member is frequently cited to appear before a committee1 instead of the society1 for trial4 ,in this case the committee reports to the society the result of its trial of the case1 with resolutions covering the punishment which it recommends the society to adopt4 ,when the committee's report is read1 the accused should be permitted to make his statement of the case1 the committee being allowed to reply4 ,the accused then retires from the room1 and the society acts upon the resolutions submitted by the committee4 ,the members of the committee should vote upon the case the same as other members4 ,if the accused wishes counsel at his trial1 it is usual to allow it1 provided the counsel is a member of the society in good standing4 ,should the counsel be guilty of improper conduct during the trial1 the society can refuse to hear him1 and can also punish him4 ,,plan ,,for ,,study ,,of ,,parliamentary ,,law ,,introduction4 ,these ,lesson ,outlines are designed to assist clubs and individual students who wish to study ,robert's ,rules of ,order ,revised4 ,the ,manual is not arranged primarily with a view to study1 but for the special object of providing a set of rules for adoption by city councils1 corporations1 literary societies1 clubs1 assemblies1 and occasional meetings4 ,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 arise4 ,when one has accomplished this1 which is covered by the first four lessons outlined below1 he is prepared to study in detail any portion of the ,manual1 and in any order that may suit him4 ,in these ,lesson ,outlines the four introductory lessons are followed by the all-important subject of ,amendments1 to which an entire lesson is given4 ,this lesson should be thoroughly mastered1 as the subject of amendments is probably equal in difficulty and importance to all the rest of parliamentary law4 ,after ,amendments1 the order of the subjects in the ,manual is followed in the ,lesson ,outlines with the following exceptions3 ,incidental ,motions are not taken up until all the other motions are disposed of2 the ,orders of the ,day are treated in connection with the motions to ,postpone ,definitely and ,indefinitely1 because they are so intimately connected1 the ,orders of the ,day being made by postponing to a certain time or by adopting a program2 the subject of ,committees is treated in connection with the motion to ,commit2 and to ,take from the ,table is treated in connection with to ,lay on the ,table4 ,the ,rules of ,order is essentially a work of reference1 and the student should keep this in view4 ,he should aim at learning how to find a ruling quickly1 rather than at remembering the ruling4 ,on this account each student should always have his copy of the book with him at every meeting and familiarize himself with its use4 ,efficiency1 however1 as a parliamentarian is acquired only by practice4 8,book knowledge0 is valuable just as with games and athletics1 but just as no amount of theoretical knowledge without practice will enable a man to excel in playing chess or in swimming1 so no amount of theoretical knowledge of parliamentary law without practice will make a man a good practical parliamentarian4 ,if the student has the advantage of being a member of a class1 the teacher will1 doubtless1 use parliamentary drills4 ,if he has no teacher he should study the ,manual as laid down in the ,lesson ,outlines1 and try to interest others to join him in forming a practice club4 ,this practice club should hold frequent meetings1 thus giving an opportunity for putting into practice what has been learned4 ,the officers should be constantly changed so as to give different members the opportunity to preside4 ,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 on4 ,at the beginning of each meeting it would be profitable to call for criticisms of the previous meeting4 ,this would encourage the members after each meeting to investigate all doubtful points that have arisen1 and would call attention to mistakes that otherwise would be overlooked4 ,it will be of great assistance to them if during the meetings they have on the walls of their room the three ,charts hereafter described4 ,what has just been said in reference to the importance of practice meetings or drills in parliamentary law applies equally to clubs or societies1 as only a few of the simplest rules are usually called for in an ordinary meeting4 ,when the club cannot have a suitable teacher it can carry on the work by electing a member to take charge of the parliamentary drills4 ,this leader should study the course so as to be able to take the place of a teacher4 ,it will probably be best in all cases to follow the order of the first four lessons1 and perhaps the fifth also4 ,but where the time for the meeting is short it may be advisable to increase the number of lessons4 ,after the fifth lesson circumstances may make it advisable to select only a few out of the remaining lessons and omit the others1 or to divide some of the lessons4 ,the outlines as given will serve as a basis for a scheme of lessons adapted to the special conditions in each case4 ,all through the course there should constantly be drills with open books1 to enable the students to acquire facility in referring to a desired point1 since1 as previously stated1 this ,manual is a work of reference4 #dg,three charts1 averaging #cd by #db inches1 have been prepared and printed on cloth in large1 heavy-face type that can be read at a distance of thirty feet4 ,if displayed during every business meeting1 they would conduce greatly to the orderly transaction of business4 ,they are a necessity for the teacher of parliamentary law1 and should be on the wall at every practice meeting or drill whether there is a teacher or not4 ,they enable each member without referring to his book to see instantly when a motion is made whether it is in order1 whether it can be amended or debated1 whether it opens the main question to debate1 whether it requires a two-thirds vote1 and what other motions may be made while it is pending4 ,besides giving the order of precedence of privileged and subsidiary motions1 they show the incidental motions1 the unclassified motions mentioned on page #eh1 and what motions to use to accomplish certain objects1 as given on page #dd4 #dg ,for information regarding these ,charts1 address ,mrs4 ,william ,anderson1 #baa ,eastern ,avenue4 ,pittsburgh1 ,pa4 ,,lesson ,,outlines ,i4 ,organizing and ,conducting ,business in ,mass ,meetings and ,permanent ,societies4 ,organization1 pp4 #bge-bgg4 ,offering1 ,amending1 and ,adopting ,resolutions1 pp4 #bgg-bhj4 ,committee on ,resolutions1 pp4 #bhj-bhc4 ,permanent ,society1 #ast ,meeting1 pp4 #bhd-bhf4 ,permanent ,society1 #b;d ,meeting1 pp4 #bhf-bia4 ,permanent ,society1 ,regular ,meeting1 pp4 #bia1 #bib4 ,obtaining the ,floor1 etc41 pp4 #be-bh4 ,preparing1 ,making1 and ,seconding ,motions and ,resolutions1 pp4 #cc-ch4 ,,ii4 ,debate1 ,stating and ,putting ,questions1 and ,what ,motions to ,use to ,accomplish ,certain ,objects4 ,stating the ,question1 p4 #ch4 ,debate1 pp4 #ch1 #ci4 ,secondary ,motions1 p4 #dj4 ,putting the ,question and ,announcing the ,vote1 pp4 #dj-dc4 ,what ,motions to ,use to ,accomplish ,certain ,objects1 pp4 #dc-ea4 ,the form of making each of these motions should be explained by the leader or teacher4 ,,iii4 ,how to ,find if a ,motion is in ,order1 if it can be ,debated1 ,amended1 or ,reconsidered1 and if it ,requires a ,second1 or a ,vote1 etc4 ,order of ,precedence of ,motions1 p4 #e4 ,table of ,rules ,relating to ,motions1 pp4 #f-ab4 ,the order of ,precedence of ,motions1 p4 #e1 should be memorized1 and the student should be able by reference to the ,table of ,rules to find quickly the ruling on any of the #cjj questions decided by it4 ,,iv4 ,definitions1 and ,how to ,find ,rulings in the ,manual4 ,plan of the ,manual1 pp4 #bj-bb4 ,definitions1 pp4 #bb-bd4 ,plan of the ,index1 p4 #cac4 ,practice in the ,use of the ,entire ,manual for finding ,rulings or ,decisions4 ,v4 ,amendments4 ,amend1 pp4 #acd-aeb4 ,inserting or adding1 striking out1 and striking out and inserting words1 pp4 #acg-adj4 ,amendments affecting an entire paragraph1 pp4 #adj-adc4 ,improper ,amendments1 pp4 #adc-adf4 ,motions that cannot be ,amended1 pp4 #adf1 #adg4 ,amending ,minutes1 p4 #adh4 ,filling ,blanks1 pp4 #adh-aeb4 ,,vi4 ,classification of ,motions and ,most of the ,privileged ,ones4 ,main ,motions1 pp4 #ea-ed4 ,subsidiary ,motions1 pp4 #ed-ef4 ,incidental ,motions1 pp4 #ef1 #eg4 ,privileged ,motions1 pp4 #eg1 #eh4 ,certain ,other ,motions1 p4 #eh4 ,fix the ,time to which to ,adjourn1 pp4 #ei1 #fj4 ,adjourn1 pp4 #fj-fd4 ,take a ,recess1 pp4 #fd-ff4 ,questions of ,privilege1 pp4 #ff-fh4 ,,vii4 ,orders of the ,day1 and ,definite and ,indefinite ,postponement4 ,postpone ,indefinitely1 pp4 #aeb1 #aec4 ,postpone ,definitely or to a ,certain ,time1 pp4 #aba-abe4 ,call for the ,orders of the ,day1 pp4 #fh-ga4 ,general and ,special ,orders1 pp4 #ga-gg4 ,,viii4 ,laying ,aside a ,question ,temporarily1 ,resuming its ,consideration1 and ,closing and ,limiting ,debate4 ,lay on the ,table1 pp4 #ajd-aaa4 ,take from the ,table1 pp4 #aed-aef4 ,previous ,question1 pp4 #aaa-aah4 ,limit or ,extend ,limits of ,debate1 pp4 #aah-abj4 ,,ix4 ,the ,motion to ,commit1 and ,committees4 ,commit1 pp4 #abe-acd4 ,special and ,standing ,committees1 pp4 #baa-bbj4 ,form of their ,reports1 pp4 #bae1 #baf4 ,form of ,minority ,report1 p4 #baf4 ,x4 ,committees 7,concluded74 ,reception of ,committees' ,reports1 pp4 #bbj-bbc4 ,adoption of ,committees' ,reports1 pp4 #bbc-bbi4 ,committee of the ,whole1 pp4 #bbi-bcc4 ,as if in ,committee of the ,whole1 pp4 #bcc1 #bcd4 ,informal ,consideration1 pp4 #bcd1 #bce4 ,committees ,classified1 pp4 #bjf1 #bjg4 ,boards of ,managers1 etc41 and ,executive ,committees1 pp4 #bjg-baj4 ,ex-,officio ,members of ,boards and ,committees1 p4 #baj4 ,,xi4 ,reconsidering and ,rescinding a ,vote4 ,reconsider1 pp4 #aef-afe4 ,reconsider and ,enter on the ,minutes1 pp4 #afe-afh4 ,rescind1 pp4 #afi1 #agj4 ,,xii4 ,some ,miscellaneous and ,incidental ,motions4 ,renew1 pp4 #aga-agc4 ,ratify1 pp4 #agc1 #agd4 ,dilatory and ,absurd ,motions1 pp4 #agd1 #age4 ,incidental ,motions1 pp4 #ef1 #eg4 ,questions of ,order1 pp4 #gh-ha4 ,appeal1 pp4 #ha-hc4 ,suspension of the ,rules1 pp4 #hc-hg4 ,,xiii4 ,incidental ,motions 7,concluded74 ,objection to the ,consideration of a ,question1 pp4 #hg-hi4 ,division of a ,question1 pp4 #hi-ib4 ,consideration by ,paragraph or ,seriatim1 pp4 #ib-ie4 ,division of the ,assembly and ,other ,motions relating to ,voting and the ,polls1 pp4 #ie1 #if4 ,motions relating to ,methods of ,making and to ,closing and to ,reopening ,nominations1 pp4 #if1 #ig4 ,parliamentary ,inquiry1 pp4 #ih1 #ii4 ,request for ,information1 pp4 #ii1 #ajj4 ,to ,withdraw or ,modify a ,motion1 pp4 #ajj1 #aja4 ,to ,read ,papers1 pp4 #aja1 #ajb4 ,to be ,excused from a ,duty1 pp4 #ajb-ajd4 ,request for any other ,privilege1 p4 #ajd4 ,,xiv4 ,debate4 ,debate1 pp4 #ci and #agh-ahj4 ,decorum in ,debate1 pp4 #ahj-ahb4 ,closing and ,preventing ,debate1 pp4 #ahb-ahd4 ,principles of ,debate1 pp4 #ahd-ahg4 ,motions that ,open the ,main ,question to ,debate1 p4 #ahg4 ,undebatable ,motions1 p4 #ahg4 ,,xv4 ,voting4 ,voting1 pp4 #ahh-bja4 ,announcing the ,vote1 pp4 #aij1 #aia4 ,voting by ,ballot1 pp4 #aic-aif4 ,voting by ,yeas and ,nays1 pp4 #aig1 #aih4 ,general ,consent1 pp4 #aih1 #aii4 ,voting by ,mail1 pp4 #aii1 #bjj4 ,voting by ,proxy1 pp4 #bjj1 #bja4 ,votes that are ,null and ,void even if ,unanimous1 pp4 #bja1 #bjb4 ,motions requiring ,more than a ,majority ,vote1 pp4 #bjb-bjf4 ,,xvi4 ,the ,officers and the ,minutes4 ,chairman or ,president1 pp4 #bcf-bdd4 ,hints to ,inexperienced ,chairmen1 pp4 #bdb-bdd4 ,secretary or ,clerk1 pp4 #bdd-bdg4 ,corresponding ,secretary1 p4 #bdf4 ,the ,minutes1 pp4 #bdg-bej4 ,executive ,secretary1 pp4 #bej1 #bea4 ,treasurer1 pp4 #bea-bec4 ,,xvii4 ,nominations and ,elections1 and ,miscellaneous4 ,session1 pp4 #bec-beg4 ,meeting1 pp4 #bec-bee4 ,quorum1 pp4 #beg-bfa4 ,order of ,business1 pp4 #bfa-bfc4 ,nominations and ,elections1 pp4 #bfc1 #bfd4 ,as the officers are usually elected by ballot that method of voting 7pages #aic-aif7 should be reviewed in connection with this lesson4 ,the incidental motions relating to the methods of making nominations and taking the vote and of closing and reopening nominations and the polls 7pages #ie-ig7 should also be reviewed in connection with this lesson4 ,,xviii4 ,rules of an ,assembly and their ,amendments4 ,constitutions1 pp4 #bfd-bff4 ,by-laws1 pp4 #bff1 #bfg4 ,rules of ,order1 pp4 #bfg1 #bfh4 ,standing ,rules and their ,amendment1 pp4 #bfh1 #bfi4 ,amendment of ,constitutions1 etc41 pp4 #bfi-bgc4 ,amending a ,proposed ,amendment to the ,constitution1 etc41 p4 #bgb4 ,review ,use of ,tables on pages #e-aj1 and ,index4 ,,index ,the figures refer usually to the page where the treatment of the subject begins4 ,the arrangement of the work can be most easily seen by examining the ,table of ,contents 7pp4 #a-d72 its plan is explained in the ,introduction 7p4 #bj74 ,if it is desired to find the proper motion to use to accomplish a certain object1 turn to page #dd4 ,on pages #e-aj will be found a large amount of information about all the motions in common use1 which should be carefully studied so that when the facts are needed they can be quickly found4 ,on those pages will be found1 among other things1 the circumstances under which any of the common motions may be made2 the motions that are in order while a specified motion is pending2 and whether a specified motion may be debated1 amended1 or reconsidered1 and whether it requires a two-thirds vote1 etc4 ,in the ,index under the title1 8,motions1 ,list of10 will be found a complete list of motions4 ,to find the details refer to the particular motion in the ,index4 ,it is best always to refer to general subjects first1 as under them will usually be found all the details4 ,look under ,adjourn1 ,committee1 ,debate1 ,forms1 ,vote1 etc41 for illustrations4 ,accept1 ,adopt1 or ,agree to1 #bbc ,adjourn1 motion to1 #fj when not privileged1 #fc effect upon unfinished business1 #fc not used in committee of the whole 7see ,rise71 #fc motion to fix the time to which to adjourn1 #ei ,amendment1 motion to amend1 #acd by inserting or adding words1 #acg by striking out words1 #ach by striking out and inserting words1 #aci by inserting or adding1 or by striking out1 an entire paragraph1 #adj by substituting one paragraph for another #ada of an amendment1 #ace of reports of committees or boards1 #bbh of reports or propositions containing several paragraphs1 #ic of ,rules of ,order1 ,by-laws1 and ,constitutions1 #bfi of ,standing ,rules1 #bfh improper amendments1 #adc motions that cannot be amended1 list of1 #adf ,announcing the ,vote1 #db1 #aij ,annul1 #afi ,appeal from the decision of the chair1 #ha ,apply1 meaning of1 #ba ,assembly1 how organized and how business is conducted in1 #bge the word to be replaced by ,society1 ,club1 etc41 when it occurs in forms of questions1 #bb division of the1 #ie right to punish members1 #bii right to eject persons from its room1 #bii trial of members1 #cjb ,ballot1 voting by1 #aic blanks not counted1 #aie nominating or informal ballot1 #bfc form of report of vote by1 #aif ,blanks1 filling of1 #adh in balloting not to be counted1 #aie ,boards of ,trustees1 ,managers1 or ,directors1 #bjg rules of procedure in1 #bjh reports of1 and their amendment1 #bji reports of1 treated as reports of standing committees1 #bfb 7,see ,quorum7 ,business1 how introduced1 #be how conducted1 #be-db1 #bge-bih to change order of is undebatable and requires a two-thirds vote1 #he priority of1 questions relating to are undebatable1 #ahg unfinished1 #fc ,by-laws1 what they should contain1 #bff adoption of1 #bhg1 #bhh amendment of1 #bfi suspension of1 #bfg ,call of the ,house1 #age ,call to ,order1 #hj ,chairman1 etc4 7presiding officer71 mode of address1 #bg duties of1 #bcf election of1 #bgf1 #bhi temporary1 or pro tem41 #bdj right to vote when it affects result1 #bch of a committee1 #baa of committee of the whole1 #bcj inexperienced1 hints to1 #bdb ,charts1 description of1 #cjg ,clerk1 7see ,secretary71 #bdd ,close ,debate now 7see ,previous ,question71 #aaa at a future time1 #aah ,commit1 motion to1 #abe forms of the motion1 #acj ,committees1 ,executive1 and ,boards1 #bjg ex-officio members of1 #baj of the whole1 #bbi as if in committee of the whole1 #bcc ,committees1 ,special and ,standing1 #baa distinction between special and standing1 #baa object of1 #acj appointment of1 #abh of whom they should be composed1 #aca1 #acb proper size of1 #acb chairman of1 #aca reporting member of1 #bbj quorum in1 consists of a majority1 #bei manner of conducting business in1 #bac to discharge1 #acb ,reports of1 their form1 #bae their reception1 #bbj their amendment1 #bbh their adoption or acceptance1 #bbc their place in the order of business1 #bfb common errors in acting upon1 #bbb ,minority ,reports or ,views of1 their form1 #baf cannot be acted upon unless moved as a substitute for the committee's 7majority's7 report1 #baf ,congress1 ,rules of1 the basis of this work1 #bj 7,rules of1 to be found in footnotes when different from those given in text7 ,consent1 unanimous or general1 #bjb can be given only when a quorum is present1 #bei ,consideration of a ,question1 objection to1 #hg ,constitutions1 what they should contain1 #bfe adoption of1 #bhg amendment of1 #bfi cannot be suspended1 #he ,convention1 organizing and conducting a meeting of a1 #bib1 #bif ,credentials of delegates1 #bic ,debate1 #ch1 #agh what precedes1 #bf no member to speak but twice on same day in same1 #ci no speech to be longer than ten minutes1 #ci number and length of speeches in ,congress 7,note71 #agh member reporting measure has right to close1 #agi undebatable questions1 list of1 #ahg motions that open the main question to1 #ahg principles regulating the extent of1 #ahd decorum in1 #ahj to close now 7,previous ,question71 #aaa to close at future time1 #aah to limit or extend limits of1 #aah two-thirds vote required to close1 limit1 or extend1 #bje ,decorum in ,debate1 #ahj ,definitions of various terms1 #bb ,delegates1 organization of a meeting of1 #bib1 #bif credentials of1 #bic ,dilatory ,motions not permitted1 #agd ,disorderly words in debate1 #aha ,division of the assembly1 #ie of the question1 #hi ,duties of ,officers 7see ,chairman1 ,secretary1 ,executive ,secretary and ,treasurer7 ,ecclesiastical ,tribunals1 legal rights of1 #cjj ,eject persons from the room1 right of assembly to1 #bii ,elections1 #bfc ,errors1 common1 #bbb ,executive ,board1 #bjg ,executive ,committee1 #bjg ,executive ,secretary1 #bej ,ex-officio members of boards and committees1 #baj ,expulsion of members requires a vote1 #cjc ,expunge1 #agj ,extend the limits of debate1 #aah ,filling blanks1 #adh ,fix the time to which to ,adjourn1 motion to1 #ei when not privileged1 #ei ,floor1 how to obtain1 #bg necessary to obtain1 in order to make a motion1 #bg ,forms of making motions1 #cc a resolution1 #cd1 #ce a preamble1 #ce stating questions1 #ch putting questions1 #dj announcing the result of a vote1 #da tellers' report of vote by ballot1 #aif acting on reports of committees1 #bbj1 #bbc acting on reports or resolutions containing several paragraphs1 #ib reports of committees1 #bae treasurers' reports1 #beb minutes of a meeting1 #bdh 7,under each motion the form of making it and of stating and putting the question is given if the form is peculiar7 ,general ,consent1 #bjb ,hints to ,inexperienced ,chairmen1 #bdb ,house1 ,call of the1 #age ,immediately pending question1 meaning of1 #bc ,incidental motions or questions1 #ef main motions or questions1 #eb ,indecorum1 leave to continue speaking after1 #hj ,indefinite postponement1 #aeb ,informal consideration of a question1 #bcd ,information1 ,request for1 #ic ,introduction of ,business1 #be ,inquiry1 ,parliamentary1 #ih ,journal 7see ,minutes71 #bdg ,lay on the table1 motion to1 #ajd ,leave to continue speaking after indecorum1 #hj modify or withdraw a motion1 #ajj read papers1 #aja be excused from a duty1 #ajb ,legal ,rights 7see ,assembly and ,ecclesiastical ,tribunals7 ,lesson ,outlines1 #cjh ,limit debate1 motion to1 #aah ,main motions or questions1 #ea incidental main motions or questions1 #eb ,majority1 defined1 #bd1 #bjb ,meeting1 distinction between it and ,session1 #bed how to conduct an occasional or mass meeting1 #bge how to conduct a meeting to organize a society1 #bhd how to conduct a regular meeting of a society1 #bia how to conduct a meeting of delegates 7a convention71 #bib ,members not to be present during a debate concerning themselves1 #ahb not to vote on questions personal to themselves1 #aib trial of1 #cjb not to be expelled by less than a vote1 #cjc ,minority ,report1 or ,views 7see ,committees71 #baf ,minutes1 form and contents of1 #bdh correction of before adoption1 #adg correction of after adoption1 #adh1 #aei ,moderator 7see ,chairman71 #bg ,modification of a motion by the mover1 #ajj ,motions1 list of 7for details see each motion in the ,index7 accept a report1 #bbc adjourn1 #fj adjourn1 fix the time to which to1 #ei add words 7see ,amendment71 #acg add a paragraph 7see ,amendment71 #adj adopt a report 7same as ,accept71 #bbc agree to 7same as ,adopt71 #bbc amend1 #acd annul1 #afi appeal1 #ha blanks1 filling1 #adh call to order1 #hj close debate now 7previous question71 #aaa close debate at a future time1 #aah commit1 or refer1 or recommit1 #abe consideration of a question1 objection to1 #hg divide the assembly1 #ie divide the question1 #hi expunge1 #agj extend the limits of debate1 #aah fix the time to which to adjourn1 #ei incidental motions or questions1 #ef incidental main motions or questions1 #eb indefinitely postpone1 #aeb informal consideration of a question1 #bcd insert words 7see ,amendment71 #acg insert a paragraph 7see ,amendment71 #adj lay on the table1 #ajd leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum1 #hj leave to read papers1 #aja leave to be excused from a duty1 #ajb leave to withdraw or modify a motion1 #ajj limit debate1 #aah main motions or questions1 #ea objection to the consideration of a question1 #hg order1 questions of1 #gh order1 to make a special1 #gc1 #abd orders of the day1 call for1 #fh permission1 to grant 7see ,leave7 postpone to a certain time1 or definitely1 #aba postpone indefinitely1 #aeb previous question1 #aaa principal 7same as ,main7 motions or questions1 #ea priority of business1 questions relating to1 #ahg privileged motions or questions1 #eg privilege1 questions of1 #ff reading papers1 #aja reception of a report 7see ,committees71 #bbj recommit 7same as ,commit71 #abe reconsider1 #aef reconsider and enter on the minutes1 #afe refer 7same as ,commit71 #abe renewal of a motion1 #aga rescind1 repeal1 or annul1 #afi rise 7in committee of the whole equals adjourn71 #fc1 #bca special order1 to make a1 #gc1 #abd strike out words 7see ,amendment71 #ach strike out a paragraph1 #adj strike out and insert words 7see ,amendment71 #aci strike out and insert a paragraph 7same as ,substitute71 #ada subsidiary motions or questions1 #ed substitute 7one form of ,amendment1 which see71 #ada suspension of the rules1 #hc take from the table1 #aed take up a question out of its proper order1 #he1 #hf withdrawal of a motion1 #ajj ,motions1 ,table of rules relating to1 #f order of precedence of1 #e classified according to their object1 #dd classified into ,privileged1 ,incidental1 ,subsidiary1 etc41 #ea-eh how to be made1 #cc a second required 7with certain exceptions71 #cf to be stated by chairman before being discussed1 #ch when to be in writing1 #cd how to be divided1 #hi how to be modified by the mover1 #ajj how to be stated1 #ch how to be put to the question1 #dj that are in order when another has the floor1 #cb that do not require a second1 #cg that cannot be amended1 #adf that cannot be debated1 #ahg that cannot be reconsidered1 #aeh that open main question to debate1 #ahg that require vote for their adoption1 #bje that are null and void even if adopted unanimously1 #bja dilatory1 absurd1 or frivolous1 not allowed1 #agd ,nominating ,ballot1 #bfc ,nominations1 how treated1 #if1 #bfc1 #bgf closing and reopening1 #ig seconding1 #bfc ,numbers of paragraphs1 clerk to correct without a vote1 #adh ,objection to consideration introduction of a question1 #hg ,obtaining the floor1 #bg ,officers of an assembly 7see ,chairman1 ,secretary1 ,treasurer1 and ,vice ,president71 #bgg election of1 #bgf temporary1 or pro tem41 #bdj ,order1 questions of and a call to1 #gh of business1 #bfa of the day1 #ga general1 #gb special1 #gc of precedence of motions1 #e ,organization of an occasional or mass meeting1 #bge of a semi-permanent mass meeting1 #bhc of a permanent society1 #bhd of a convention or assembly of delegates1 #bib1 #bif ,papers and ,documents1 reading of1 #aja in custody of secretary1 #bde ,parliamentary ,inquiry1 #ih ,parliamentary ,law1 its origin1 etc41 #ae ,pending question1 meaning of1 #bc immediately pending question1 meaning of1 #bc ,plan for ,study of ,parliamentary ,law1 #cje ,plan of the ,manual1 #bj ,plurality ,vote defined1 #bd ,postpone to a certain time1 #aba indefinitely1 #aeb ,preamble1 form of1 #ce considered after the resolution1 #id ,precedence of motions1 order of1 #e meaning of1 #ba ,president or ,presiding ,officer 7see ,chairman71 #bcf ,previous ,question1 #aaa ,principal1 or ,main1 ,motion or ,question1 #ea ,priority of ,business1 questions relating to1 #ahg ,privilege1 questions of1 #ff ,privileged ,motions or ,questions1 #eg ,program of a meeting 7same as ,orders of the ,day71 #gd ,proxy ,voting1 #bjj ,putting the question1 form of1 #dj ,questions 7see ,forms1 ,motions1 ,privilege1 ,privileged1 ,order1 ,stating1 and ,putting7 ,quorum1 #beg when there is no rule1 consists of a majority1 #beh committees and boards cannot decide upon1 #bei in ,congress and ,parliament1 #bfa ,reading of ,papers1 #aja ,reception of a ,report 7see ,committees71 #bbj ,recess1 to take a1 #fd ,recommit 7see ,commit71 #abe1 #acj ,reconsider1 #aef motions that cannot be reconsidered1 #aeh ,reconsider and have entered on the minutes1 #afe ,record1 or ,minutes1 #bdg ,recording ,officer 7see ,secretary71 #bdd ,refer 7same as ,commit71 #abe ,renewal of a motion1 #aga ,reporting member of a committee1 defined1 #bbj ,reports of committees 7see ,committees7 ,requests of any kind1 #ig ,rescind1 #afi ,resolutions1 forms of1 #cd1 #ce not in order if conflicting with ,constitution1 ,by-laws1 ,rules of ,order1 or ,standing ,rules1 #bja1 #bfi ,restore to membership or office1 #agj ,rights of assemblies 7see ,assembly71 #bii of ecclesiastical tribunals1 #cjj ,rise1 motion to1 in committee equals adjourn1 #fc1 #bca ,rules of ,debate 7see ,debate71 #ch1 #agh of ,order1 what they should contain1 #bfg of ,order1 amendment of1 #bfi of ,order1 suspension of1 #hc ,standing1 what they should contain1 #bfh ,standing1 amendment or suspension of1 #bfh relating to motions1 ,table of1 #f ,seconding1 motions that do not require1 #cg ,secretary1 duties of1 #bdd election of1 #bgf corresponding1 #bdf executive1 #bej ,seriatim ,consideration1 #ib ,session1 #bec ,speaking1 ,rules of 7see ,debate71 #ch1 #agh ,special ,order1 #gc ,standing ,rules1 #bfh ,stating a ,question1 form of1 #ch ,strike out 7see ,amendment71 #ach1 #adj ,students1 ,suggestions to1 #bje ,subsidiary ,motions or ,questions1 #ed ,substitute 7see ,amendment71 #ada ,sum1 largest put first1 #adi ,suspension of the ,constitution1 #bfe of ,by-laws1 #bfg of ,rules1 #hc of ,standing ,rules1 #bfh ,table of ,rules relating to motions1 #f ,table1 motion to lay on the1 #ajd motion to take from the1 #aed ,teachers1 ,suggestions to1 #cje ,tellers1 #aie report of1 #aif ,time1 longest1 or most distant1 first put1 #adi ,treasurer1 duties of1 #bea ,trial of ,members1 #cjb ,two-thirds vote1 motions requiring1 #bje various kinds of1 explained1 #bjd principles regulating1 #bjd ,unanimous ,consent1 #bjb ,undebatable ,motions or ,questions1 #ahg ,unfinished ,business1 effect of adjournment upon1 #fc its place in the order of business1 #bfb ,vice ,presidents1 #bdb honorary1 #bfg ,vote1 #ahh putting the question1 #dj viva voce1 or by voice1 #ahh by show of hands1 #ahi by rising1 #ahi by ballot1 #aic by yeas and nays1 #aig by general consent1 #aih1 #bjb proxy voting1 #bjj voting by mail1 #aii division1 #ie chairman entitled to1 when it affects result1 #aib change of1 permitted before result is announced1 #aic announcing the1 #db1 #aij effect of a tie1 #aib authorizing secretary to cast unanimous ballot1 #aid declaring vote unanimous when it is not1 #aid1 #bjc personal interests that debar one's voting1 #aib definitions of plurality1 majority1 and two-thirds1 #ba motions requiring more than a majority1 #bjb motions requiring 1 list of1 #bje different kinds of 1 #bjd ,whole1 ,committee of the1 #bbi ,withdrawal of a ,motion1 #ajj ,yeas and ,nays1 voting by1 #aig ,yields1 meaning of1 #ba ,,transcriber',s ,,note ,the index was not checked for proper alphabetization or correct page references4 ,obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources4 ,some hyphens in words have been silently removed1 some added1 when a predominant preference was found in the original book4 ,except for those changes noted below1 all misspellings in the text1 and inconsistent or archaic usage1 have been retained4 ,pg #bbg3 8comclusions0 replaced with 8conclusions04