PART II.
Organization, Meetings, and Legal Rights of Assemblies.
Art. XII. Organization and Meetings.
=69.= An Occasional or Mass Meeting. PAGE (_a_) Organization =275= (_b_) Adoption of Resolutions =277= (_c_) Committee to Draft Resolutions =280= (_d_) Semi-Permanent Mass Meeting =283=
=70.= A Permanent Society. (_a_) First Meeting =284= (_b_) Second Meeting =286= (_c_) Regular Meeting =291=
=71.= Meeting of a Convention. (_a_) An Organized Convention =292= (_b_) A Convention not yet Organized =296=
=69. An Occasional or Mass Meeting.= (_a_) _Organization._ Before calling a meeting that is not one of an organized society, the following _Preliminary Steps_ should be taken: Those who are responsible for the call should consult together and agree upon the place and time of the meeting, how the notice shall be given, who shall call the meeting to order and nominate the chairman, who shall be nominated for chairman, and who shall explain the object of the meeting. It is also good policy sometimes to have a set of resolutions drafted in advance to submit to the meeting.
It is not customary to call mass meetings to order promptly at the appointed time, but to wait ten or fifteen minutes, when the one chosen for the purpose steps to the front and says: “The meeting will please come to order; I move that Mr. A act as [or I nominate Mr. A for] chairman of this meeting.” Some one else says, “I second the motion [or nomination].” The first member then puts the question to vote, by saying, “It has been moved and seconded that Mr. A act as [or Mr. A has been nominated for] chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the motion [or nomination] say _aye_;” and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, “Those opposed say _no_.” If the majority vote is in the affirmative, he says, “The ayes have it, and Mr. A is elected chairman. He will please take the chair.” If the motion is lost he announces that fact, and calls for the nomination of some one else for chairman, and proceeds with the new nomination as in the first case.
The member who calls the meeting to order, instead of making the motion himself, may act as temporary chairman, and say, “The meeting will please come to order; will some one nominate a chairman?” He puts the question to vote on the nomination as described above, or as below, in case of the secretary. This is dangerous, however, in large meetings, where an incompetent person may be nominated and elected chairman. In large assemblies, the member who nominates, with one other member, frequently conducts the presiding officer to the chair, and the chairman makes a short speech, thanking the assembly for the honor conferred on him.
When the chairman takes the chair he says, “The first business in order is the election of a secretary.” Some one then makes a motion as just described, or he says, “I nominate Mr. B,” when the chairman puts the question as below. Sometimes several names are called out, and the chairman, as he hears them, says, “Mr. B is nominated; Mr. C is nominated,” etc.; he then takes the vote on the first one he heard, putting the question in a form similar to this: “As many as are in favor of Mr. B for secretary say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The chair is in doubt: those in favor of Mr. B for secretary will rise; those opposed will rise. The negative has it and the motion is lost. As many as are in favor of Mr. C for secretary say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it, and Mr. C is elected secretary. He will please take his place at the desk.” If Mr. C fails of election the vote is taken on the next nominee, and so on until one is elected. The secretary should take his seat near the chairman, and keep a record of the proceedings, as described in =59=. The chairman should always stand in putting the question to vote, and in large assemblies it is better for him to stand while stating the question. During debate he should be seated, and pay attention to the discussion. When nominations are made it is optional whether they are seconded or not. They are usually not debated, though sometimes the one making the nomination and the one seconding it say a few words at the time in favor of their nominee. A nomination cannot be amended. If additional officers are desired, they may be elected in the same manner as the secretary.
(_b_) _Adoption of Resolutions._ These two officers are all that are usually necessary, so as soon as the secretary is elected, the chairman directs the secretary to read the call for the meeting and then calls on the person most familiar with the question to explain the object of the meeting more fully, or he may do this himself. This explanation should be immediately followed by some one’s offering a series of resolutions previously prepared, or by his moving the appointment of a committee to prepare resolutions upon the subject. In the first case he rises and says, “Mr. Chairman;” the chairman responds, “Mr. C.” Mr. C, having thus obtained the floor, says, “I move the adoption of the following resolutions,” which he reads and hands to the chairman. Some one else says, “I second the motion.” The chairman then says, “It has been moved and seconded to adopt the following resolutions,” which he reads, or directs the secretary to read, and then says, “The question is on the adoption of the resolutions.” If no one rises at once, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” The resolutions are now open to debate and amendment. They may be referred to a committee, or may have any other subsidiary motion applied to them. When the debate appears to be finished, the chair again asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If no one then rises, he says, “As many as are in favor of the adoption of the resolutions say _aye_;” after the ayes have voted, he says, “As many as are of a contrary opinion [or are opposed] say _no_;” he then announces the result of the vote as follows: “The ayes have it [or the motion is carried] and the resolutions are adopted.” If the debate has lasted any length of time, he should, before taking the vote, have the resolutions again read.
It is the practice, in legislative bodies, to send to the clerk’s desk all resolutions, bills, etc., the title of the bill and the name of the member introducing it being indorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and only one chairman. In most assemblies there is but one clerk or secretary, and as he has to keep the minutes, there is no reason for his being constantly interrupted to read every resolution offered. In such assemblies, unless there is a rule or established custom to the contrary, it is usually much better to hand all resolutions, reports, etc., directly to the chairman. If they were read by the member introducing them, and no one calls for another reading, the chairman may omit reading them when he thinks they are fully understood. [For the manner of reading and stating the question when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see =24=.]
_Dividing Resolutions._ If the committee reports several independent resolutions relating to different subjects, the chair must state the question separately on the resolution, or resolutions, relating to each subject, on the request of a single member. If the resolutions relate to a single subject and yet each one is capable of standing alone if all the rest are rejected, they may be divided by a majority vote on a motion to divide the question, as explained in =24=. If the resolutions are so connected that they cannot stand alone, then the proper way to secure a separate vote on any objectionable resolution is to move to strike it out. When the chair states the question on striking it out, the resolution is open to amendments of the second degree, so as to perfect it, before the vote is taken on striking it out. [See page 140.]
_Amending a Resolution._ If it is desired to amend a pending resolution, that is, a resolution that the chair has stated as before the assembly for action, a member rises and obtains the floor as already described, and offers, or moves, his amendment, thus: “I move to insert the words ‘with asphalt’ after the word ‘paved.’” If the motion is not at once seconded, the chair asks if the motion is seconded. In a large assembly he should repeat the motion before making this inquiry, as members who would be willing to second the motion may not have heard it. In fact, the chair must usually assume that some members do not hear what is said from the floor, and therefore that he must always repeat motions and the result of votes. The motion being seconded, the chair states the question thus: “It is moved and seconded to amend the resolution by inserting the words ‘with asphalt’ after the word ‘paved.’ Are you ready for the question?” The question is now open to debate and amendment, which must be confined, however, to the amendment, as it has superseded the resolution and has become what is termed the _immediately pending question_. If no one rises to claim the floor, the chair puts the question thus: “As many as are in favor of the amendment [or motion] say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it, and the amendment is adopted. The question is now on the resolution as amended, which is as follows [repeat the amended resolution]. Are you ready for the question?” The resolution is again open to debate and amendment, as it has again become the immediately pending question. When the chair thinks the debate ended, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If no one rises to claim the floor, he puts the question on the resolution, thus: “The question is on adopting the following resolution: ‘_Resolved_, That ........ Those in favor of the motion [or, of adopting the resolution] say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it, and the resolution is adopted.’”
(_c_) _Committee to Draft Resolutions._ If it is preferred to appoint a committee to draft resolutions, a member, after he has addressed the chair and has been recognized, says: “I move that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on,” etc., adding the subject for which the meeting was called. The motion being seconded, the chairman states the question thus: “It has been moved and seconded that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions, etc. [repeat the motion]. Are you ready for the question?” If no one rises he may put the question thus: “As many as are in favor of the motion say _aye_; those opposed say _no_. The ayes have it and the motion is adopted.” Or, it maybe put thus: “The question is, ‘Shall a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft resolutions, etc. [repeating the motion]?’ As many as are of the affirmative will raise their right hands. As many as are of the negative will signify it in the same way. The affirmative has it and the motion is adopted. The chair will appoint Messrs. A, B, C, D, and E as the committee on resolutions. The committee will withdraw and prepare the resolutions as quickly as possible. What is the further pleasure of the meeting?”
In a mass meeting, or in any very large assembly, it is safer to have all committees appointed by the chair. If the assembly, however, prefers a different method, the procedure is as described in =32=; or the following method may be adopted: A member moves, “That a committee be appointed to draft resolutions,” etc. This motion being adopted, the chair asks: “Of how many shall the committee consist?” If only one number is suggested, he announces that the committee will consist of that number; if several numbers are suggested, he states the different ones, and then takes a vote on each, beginning with the largest, until one number is selected. He then inquires: “How shall the committee be appointed?” This is usually decided without the formality of a vote. The committee may be “appointed” by the chair, in which case the chairman names the committee, and no vote is taken; or the committee may be “nominated” by the chair, or by members of the assembly (no member naming more than one, except by unanimous consent), and then the assembly votes on their appointment. When the chairman nominates, after stating the names, he puts one question on the entire committee, thus: “As many as are in favor of these gentlemen constituting the committee say _aye_,” etc. If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more names are mentioned than the number of the committee, a separate vote must be taken on each name, in the order of nomination, until the committee is filled.
When the committee is appointed, it should at once retire and agree upon a report, which should be written out as described in =52=. During its absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be occupied with hearing addresses. If the chairman sees the committee return to the room, he should announce, as soon as the pending business is disposed of, or the member speaking closes, that the assembly will now hear the report of the committee on resolutions: or, before this announcement he may ask if the committee is prepared to report. If the chairman does not notice the return of the committee, its chairman avails himself of the first opportunity to obtain the floor, when he says: “The committee appointed to draft resolutions is prepared to report.” The chairman tells him that the assembly will now hear the report, which is then read by the chairman of the committee, who immediately moves its adoption, and then hands it to the presiding officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the assembly. The chairman then proceeds as stated above when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired immediately to adopt the resolutions, they may be debated, modified, their consideration postponed, etc., as explained in =10=.
When through with the business for which the assembly was convened, or when from any other cause it is desired to close the meeting, some one moves “to adjourn.” If no time has been appointed for another meeting, this motion may be amended and debated as any other main motion. If the motion is carried, and no other time for meeting has been appointed, the chairman, in case the ayes and noes are nearly equal, says: “The ayes seem to have it, the ayes have it, the motion is adopted, and we stand adjourned without day (sine die).” If the vote is overwhelmingly in the affirmative, the expression, “The ayes seem to have it,” should be omitted. If a time for an adjourned meeting has been appointed, the chair declares the assembly “adjourned to 8 o’clock next Wednesday evening,” or whatever is the appointed time. Before declaring the adjournment, or even taking a vote on adjourning, the chair should satisfy himself that all required notices are given.
(_d_) _Semi-Permanent Mass Meetings._ Sometimes it is desirable to continue the mass meetings until a certain object is accomplished, and in such case the assembly may prefer to make a temporary organization at first, and then make their semi-permanent organization with more deliberation. If so, the assembly would be organized as just described, only adding “_pro tem._” to the title of the officers, thus, “chairman _pro tem._” The “_pro tem._” is never used in addressing the officers. As soon as the secretary _pro tem._ is elected, a committee is usually appointed to nominate the semi-permanent officers, as in the case of a convention. A committee on rules should also be appointed, which should recommend a few rules providing for the time and place for holding the meetings, for some authority on parliamentary law, and for the number and length of speeches allowed, if two speeches not to exceed ten minutes each is not satisfactory.
Frequently the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes there is a large number of Vice Presidents appointed for merely complimentary purposes. The Vice Presidents in large formal meetings sit on the platform beside the President, and in his absence, or when he vacates the chair, the first on the list that is present should take the chair.
=70. A Permanent Society.= (_a_) _First Meeting._ When it is desired to form a permanent society, those interested in it should consult together and carefully lay their plans before calling a meeting to organize the society. They should also be careful in calling the meeting to see to it that there is a majority in sympathy with their plans. By neglect of this, and giving a newspaper invitation to all interested in the object to attend the meeting, those who originated the work have found themselves in the minority and not in sympathy with the constitution which was adopted, so that they did not care to join the society after it was organized. Having taken all the preliminary steps, then, as described in case of a mass meeting [page 275], they invite those who they have reason to think are in sympathy with their general plans to meet at a certain time and place to consider the question of organizing a society for a certain purpose. As one of their preliminary steps they should procure copies of the constitutions and by-laws of several similar societies for the use of the committee in drafting their own.
It is not usual in meetings called to organize a society, or in mass meetings, to commence until ten or fifteen minutes after the appointed time, when the person previously selected for the purpose steps forward and says: “The meeting will please come to order; I move that Mr. A act as chairman of this meeting.” Some one “seconds the motion,” when the one who made the motion puts it to vote (or, as it is called, “puts the question”), as already described under a “mass meeting” [=69=]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is elected he takes the chair and announces, as the first business in order, the election of a secretary.
After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on the member who is most interested in forming the society to state the object of the meeting. When this member rises he says, “Mr. Chairman.” The chairman then announces his name, when the member proceeds to state the object of the meeting. Having finished his remarks, the chairman may call on other members to give their opinions on the subject, and sometimes a particular speaker is called out by members who wish to hear him. The chairman should observe the wishes of the assembly, and, while being careful not to be too strict, he must not permit any one to occupy too much time and weary the assembly.
When a sufficient time has been spent in this informal way, some one should offer a resolution, so that definite action can be taken. Those interested in arranging for the meeting, if it is to be a large one, should have previously agreed upon what is to be done, and be prepared, at the proper time, to offer a suitable resolution, which may be in form similar to this: “_Resolved_, That it is the sense of this meeting that a society for (state the object of the society) should now be formed in this city.” This resolution, when seconded and stated by the chair, is open to debate and amendment, and is treated as already described [=69=]. This preliminary motion could have been offered at the commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very large one this is generally better than to have the informal discussion.
After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting for such a motion to be made, one like this may be offered: “I move that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to draft a constitution and by-laws for a society for (here state the object), and that it report at an adjourned meeting of this assembly.” This motion can be amended by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable.
When this committee is appointed, the chairman may inquire: “Is there any other business to be attended to?” or, “What is the further pleasure of the assembly [or club, or convention, etc.]?” When all business is finished, a motion may be made to adjourn to meet at a certain place and time, which, when seconded and stated by the chair, is open to debate and amendment. It is usually better to fix the time of the next meeting at an earlier stage of the meeting; and then, when it is desired to close the meeting, move simply “to adjourn,” which cannot be amended or debated. When this motion is carried, the chairman says, “This meeting stands adjourned to meet at,” etc., specifying the time and place of the next meeting.
(_b_) _Second Meeting._ At the next meeting the officers of the previous meeting, if present, serve until the permanent officers are elected. When the hour arrives for the meeting, the chairman, standing, says, “The meeting will please come to order;” as soon as the assembly is seated, he says, “The secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting,” and then takes his seat. If any one notices an error in the minutes, he should state the fact as soon as the secretary finishes reading them; if there is no objection, without waiting for a motion, the chairman directs the secretary to make the correction. The chairman then says, “There being no [further] corrections, the minutes stand approved as read [or as corrected].”
The chair then announces, as the next business in order, the hearing of the report of the committee on the constitution and by-laws. The chairman of the committee, after addressing “Mr. Chairman” and being recognized, says something like this: “The committee appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws has agreed upon the following, and has directed me to report the same and move their adoption.” He then reads them, moves their adoption, and hands them to the chair. The motion being seconded, the chair says: “It has been moved and seconded to adopt the constitution and by-laws reported by the committee. The question is on the adoption of the constitution, which will now be read.” The constitution is then read from the platform by the secretary, or by the chairman of the committee, as the chair directs. This reading may be dispensed with by general consent, as it has already been read. He then reads, or has read, the first paragraph, and asks if there are any amendments proposed to this paragraph. When through with amending it he says, “There being no [further] amendments to this paragraph, the next will be read.” No vote should be taken on adopting the separate paragraphs. He thus proceeds through the entire constitution, and then says the whole constitution is now open to amendment. This is the time to insert additional paragraphs, or make any amendments to the earlier paragraphs rendered necessary by changes made in the later ones.
When the chairman thinks the constitution has been modified to suit the wishes of the assembly, he inquires: “Are you ready for the question?” If no one wishes to speak, he puts the question: “As many as are in favor of adopting the constitution as amended say _aye_;” and then, “As many as are opposed say _no_.” He distinctly announces the result of the vote. This should never be omitted. Only a majority vote is required to adopt a constitution of a new society, or to amend it before it is adopted.
The chairman now states that the constitution having been adopted, it will be necessary for those wishing to become members to sign it (and pay the initiation fee, if required by the constitution), and, if the assembly is a large one, suggests that a recess be taken for the purpose. A motion is then made to take a recess for, say, ten minutes, or until the constitution is signed. The constitution being signed, no one is permitted to vote excepting those who have signed it, and thus have joined the society. While the payment of the initiation fee is strictly a prerequisite to the right to vote, it should be waived at this meeting with those who are unprepared to make the payment.
The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order, and says, “The secretary will read the roll of members.” This is necessary in order that all may know who are entitled to take part in the future proceedings. After the roll has been read, the chair says, “The question before the assembly is on the adoption of the by-laws reported by the committee. The secretary will please read them.” He then proceeds exactly as in the case of the constitution. The motion to adopt the constitution and by-laws reported by the committee having been made when the committee made its report, no further motion is necessary.
When the by-laws are adopted, the chair says, “The next business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the society.” The by-laws should prescribe the method of nomination and election of the officers, and they should be strictly complied with. If the by-laws do not prescribe the method of nomination, the chair asks, “How shall the officers be nominated?” Some one may at once move that a committee be appointed by the chair to nominate the permanent officers of the society. This motion being adopted, the chair appoints the committee, which retires and agrees upon a ticket. During the absence of the committee the assembly may transact any business it pleases, or it may take a recess. When the committee returns to the hall, as soon as pending business is disposed of, the chair calls on the chairman of the committee for the report. The chairman of the committee reads the list of nominations, and hands it to the chair. The chair reads the list, and then asks, “Are there any further nominations?” Any member may now rise and, after addressing the chair, nominate any one else for any office, or he may nominate one person for each office, thus proposing a new ticket. The chair announces the nominations as made, and when he thinks that no more names will be proposed, he asks, “Are there any more nominations?” If there is no response, and if the by-laws prescribe that the election shall be by ballot, as they usually should, he appoints tellers and directs them to distribute blank ballots, upon which each member writes the name of each office and the person for whom he votes to fill that office. When the ballots are filled-out, the chair directs the tellers to collect the ballots, which they do, in any convenient receptacle. The chair then inquires if all have voted who wish to, so as to be sure that the tellers have not missed any members. When all have voted that wish, he announces that “the polls are closed,” and the tellers count the ballots, and the first one appointed reports the vote, as described on page 196, under Voting by Ballot. The chair then announces as elected all the candidates who received a majority vote, and the temporary officers are immediately replaced by the permanent ones elected. If the president is elected on this first ballot he immediately takes the chair. In case any of the offices remain unfilled, the chair immediately orders the tellers to distribute blank ballots, and directs the assembly to prepare ballots for these offices. Balloting is continued until all the offices are filled. The voting is not limited to the nominees, as every member is at liberty to vote for any member who is not declared ineligible by the by-laws.
After the offices are filled, if there is business that the chair knows requires immediate attention, he should mention it. Committees should probably be appointed for various purposes, as described in the by-laws, and the place of meeting should be determined. It is possible that an adjourned meeting may be necessary in order to complete the organization before beginning the regular work of the society. When the work is completed, or when an adjourned meeting has been provided for, and the lateness of the hour requires an adjournment, some one should move to adjourn. If the motion is carried, the chair announces the vote and declares the assembly adjourned. If there can be any question as to where and when the next meeting is to be held, he should mention the place and time, though this is not necessary afterwards when the place and time are regularly established and known.
If the society is one that expects to own real estate, it should be incorporated according to the laws of the state in which it is situated, and for this purpose some member of the committee on the constitution should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the constitution may conform to the laws of the state. In this case the trustees, or managers, or directors, are usually instructed to take the proper measures to have the society incorporated.
(_c_) _Regular Meetings of a Society._ After a society is properly organized, its regular business meetings are conducted as follows: When the hour fixed for the meeting to begin arrives, the presiding officer takes the chair and calls the meeting to order and directs the secretary to read the minutes of the last meeting. When they are read, he asks, “Are there any corrections to the minutes?” If none are suggested, he adds, “There being none, the minutes stand approved as read.” If any corrections are suggested, the secretary makes them, unless there is opposition. If there is difference of opinion, some one moves to amend the minutes, or the chair, without waiting for a motion, may put the question on the amendment that has been suggested. When this has been settled, the chair asks, “Are there any further corrections (or amendments) to the minutes?” If there is no response, he adds, “There being none, the minutes stand approved as corrected.” He then announces the next business in order, following the order of business prescribed by the rules of the society.
If the order of business is the same as given in =65=, as soon as the minutes are read and approved, the chair says, “The next business in order is hearing the reports of the standing committees.” He may then call upon each committee in its order for a report, thus: “Has the committee on applications for membership any report to make?” In this case the committee may report as shown above, or some member of it reply that it has no report to make. Or, when the chairman knows that there are but few, if any, reports to be made, it is better, after making the announcement of the business, for him to ask, “Have these committees any reports to make?” After a short pause, if no one rises to report, he states, “There being no reports from the standing committees, the next business in order is hearing the reports of special committees,” when he will act the same as in the case of the standing committees. The chairman should always have a list of the committees, to enable him to call upon them, as well as to guide him in the appointment of new committees.
Having attended to the reports of committees, the chair announces the next business in order, and so on until the business of the meeting has been disposed of, when some one moves to adjourn. If this motion is carried, the chair announces the vote and declares the assembly adjourned.
The meetings of different societies vary greatly, and they should be managed differently in order to obtain the best results. Some societies require a strict enforcement of parliamentary rules, while with others the best results will be obtained by being informal. It is important that the presiding officer have tact and common sense, especially with a very intelligent assembly.
=71. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates.= (_a_) _An Organized Convention._ If a convention is an organized body (that is, if when convened it has a constitution and by-laws and officers), a committee on credentials, or registration, and one on program, should have been appointed previous to the meeting. These committees may have been appointed at the previous convention, or by the executive board, or by the president, as prescribed by the by-laws. The committee on credentials, or registration, should be on hand somewhat before the time of the meeting, in some cases the day before, so as to be prepared to submit its report immediately after the opening addresses. It should furnish each delegate, when he registers, with a badge or card as evidence of his being a delegate and having the right of admission to the hall. The committee on program should in most cases have the programs printed in advance. In many cases it is better that the constituent bodies be furnished in advance with copies of the program. This should always be done when there is difficulty in getting full delegations to attend. In addition to these two committees there are a number of local committees usually appointed by the local society, as on entertainment, etc. One of the general officers usually performs the duty of a committee on transportation, to obtain reductions in railroad fares, etc.
When the hour appointed for the meeting arrives, the president, as the permanent presiding officer of a convention is usually called, stands at the desk, and, striking it with the gavel to attract attention, says, “The convention will come to order.” In large conventions there is usually much confusion and noise at the opening, and it requires self-control, firmness, and tact on the part of the presiding officer to preserve proper order so that all members may hear and be heard. It is a mistake for the chairman to try to stop the noise by pounding with the gavel and talking so loud as to be heard in spite of conversation on the floor. It is better for him to set the example of being quiet, and to stop all business while the noise is such that members cannot hear. Members should be required to be seated and to refrain from talking except when addressing the chair.
When the convention has come to order it is customary to have some opening exercises, the nature of which depends upon the character of the convention. In the majority of cases the convention is opened with prayer, an address of welcome, and a response. The program, however, is the president’s guide as to the order of business, even though it has not yet been adopted by the convention. It should provide for hearing the report of the credential committee as soon as the opening exercises are concluded, so that it may be known who are entitled to vote. This committee’s report usually consists merely of a list of the delegates and their alternates, if any, whose credentials have been found correct, and of the ex-officio members of the convention, no one being on the list, however, who has not registered as present. The constitution should always provide that such as are present of the officers of the convention, the members of the Board of Managers, and the chairmen of the committees that are required to report at the convention, shall be ex-officio members of the convention.
When this report of the credential committee is presented it is read either by the chairman of the committee or by the reading secretary, or official reader, if there is one. In all cases, it, and all other reports, should be read from the platform. When the chairman of a committee cannot read so as to be heard, the report should be read by a reading secretary, or official reader, who should be appointed in every large convention, solely for the purpose of reading resolutions, reports, etc. If there is a case of contest between two sets of delegates and there is serious doubt as to which is entitled to recognition, the committee should omit both from the list and report the fact of the contest. If the committee, however, thinks the contest not justified, it should ignore it and enter on the list the names of the legitimate delegates. A motion should be made to accept or adopt the report, which, after it is stated by the chair, is open to debate and amendment. No one can vote whose name is not on the list of delegates reported by the committee. Upon the motion to substitute one delegation for another, neither one can vote. So upon a motion to strike out the names of a delegation whose seats are contested they cannot vote. But upon the main motion to accept the report, all persons whose names are on the list of members as reported by the committee and amended by the convention are entitled to vote, and they alone. When this report has been adopted, the president should immediately call upon the program committee for a report. The chairman of that committee submits the printed program and moves, or some one else moves, its adoption. This is open to debate and amendment, and when once adopted by a majority vote can not be deviated from except by a two-thirds vote of those voting, or by a majority vote of the enrolled membership.
The membership of the convention and the program having been decided, the convention is ready for its business as laid down in the program. The two committees, though they have made their reports, are continued through the session, as supplementary reports may be required from them. Additional delegates may arrive, and speakers on the program may be sick or unable to be present, or for other reasons a change in the program may be necessary. These two committees should be allowed at any time to make additional reports. The business is conducted as described in the preceding section, but, of course, the program must be followed. Boards and standing committees and the treasurer are always required to submit annual reports, and sometimes reports are required from various other officers. Generally officers and the board of managers, etc., are elected annually; but some constitutions make the term of office two years, and some provide, in addition, that only about half the officers shall be elected at any one annual meeting. In most organizations it is better to have the term of office begin at the close of the convention, so that the same officers will serve throughout the meetings. At the beginning of the first meeting each day the minutes of the preceding day are read and approved. At the close of the convention, if there is not time to read the minutes of the last day, a motion should be adopted authorizing the board, or some committee, to approve the minutes of that day. As the proceedings of a convention are usually published, a publishing committee should be appointed, which should have the power to edit the proceedings. When through with its business the convention adjourns sine die.
(_b_) _A Convention not yet Organized._ Such a convention is similar to a mass meeting, already described in =69=, in that when called to order it has no constitution, by-laws, or officers. It has the added difficulty of determining who are entitled to vote. In the mass meeting every one may vote, but in the convention none but properly appointed delegates may vote, and sometimes this is a very difficult question to determine justly. The convention must have been called by some committee, or body of men, who should have secured the hall and made the preliminary arrangements for the meeting. If the convention is a very large one, so that it is necessary to reserve the main floor of the hall for the delegates, the committee should allow only those to enter who have prima facie evidence of their right to membership, and in contested cases both sides should be admitted. The chairman of the committee should call the convention to order, and either he or some one the committee has selected for the purpose should nominate a temporary chairman and a temporary secretary. Next should come the appointment of a committee on credentials, whose duty it is to examine all credentials and report a list of all the delegates who are entitled to seats in the convention. When alternates have been appointed they should be reported also. While the committee on credentials is out, committees may be appointed on nominations of officers, on rules, and on order of business or program. In a large convention of this kind all committees should be appointed by the chair, and no one whose right to a seat is questioned should be placed on a committee until the convention has acted favorably on his case. Until the committee on credentials has reported, no business can be done except to authorize the chair to appoint the above mentioned committees. While waiting for the committee on credentials to report, the time is usually spent in listening to speeches. When the committee reports, the procedure is the same as just described in an organized convention. When that report has been adopted, the convention proceeds to its permanent organization, acting upon the reports of the other three committees previously appointed, taking them in such order as the convention pleases. When these reports have been acted upon, the convention is organized, with members, officers, rules, and program, and its business is transacted as in other organized deliberative assemblies. If the convention adopts rules only for the session, the committee on rules need recommend only a few rules as to the hours for beginning the meetings, the length of the speeches, etc., and a rule adopting some standard rules of order, where not in conflict with its other rules. If it is not intended to make a permanent organization, the organization just described is all that is necessary.
If the convention is called to make a permanent organization, the committee on nominations is not appointed until after the by-laws are adopted, and the committee on rules should report a constitution and by-laws as in the case of a permanent society [=70=]. The committee in such case is more usually called the committee on constitution and by-laws. When a convention of this kind is composed of delegates away from their homes it is practically impossible to have them assemble more frequently than once a year, and, therefore, before the convention meets, a constitution and by-laws should be carefully drafted by those interested in calling the convention. Those who drew up the by-laws should be appointed on the committee, in order to avoid delay in reporting them.
After the committee has reported a constitution and by-laws the procedure is the same as already described in the previous section in case of acting on a constitution and by-laws for a permanent society [page 287]. When the by-laws are adopted, the officers are elected and committees are appointed as prescribed by the by-laws, and the convention is prepared for its work as already described.
Art. XIII. Legal Rights of Assemblies and Trial of Their Members.
=72.= Right of an Assembly to Punish its Members =299= =73.= Right of an Assembly to Eject any one from its Place of Meeting =299= =74.= Rights of Ecclesiastical Tribunals =300= =75.= Trial of Members of Societies =302=
=72. The Right of a Deliberative Assembly to Punish its Members.= A deliberative assembly has the inherent right to make and enforce its own laws and punish an offender, the extreme penalty, however, being expulsion from its own body. When expelled, if the assembly is a permanent society, it has the right, for its own protection, to give public notice that the person has ceased to be a member of that society.
But it has no right to go beyond what is necessary for self-protection and publish the charges against the member. In a case where a member of a society was expelled, and an officer of the society published, by its order, a statement of the grave charges upon which he had been found guilty, the expelled member recovered damages from the officer in a suit for libel, the court holding that the truth of the charges did not affect the case.
=73. Right of an Assembly to Eject any one from its Place of Meeting.= Every deliberative assembly has the right to decide who may be present during its session; and when the assembly, either by a rule or by a vote, decides that a certain person shall not remain in the room, it is the duty of the chairman to enforce the rule of order, using whatever force is necessary to eject the party.
The chairman can detail members to remove the person, without calling upon the police. If, however, in enforcing the order, any one uses harsher measures than is necessary to remove the person, the courts have held that he, and he alone, is liable for damages, just the same as a policeman would be under similar circumstances. However badly the man may be abused while being removed from the room, neither the chairman nor the society is liable for damages, as, in ordering his removal, they did not exceed their legal rights.
=74. Rights of Ecclesiastical Tribunals.= Many of our deliberative assemblies are ecclesiastical bodies, and it is important to know how much respect will be paid to their decisions by the civil courts.
A church became divided, and each party claimed to be the church, and therefore entitled to the church property. The case was taken into the civil courts, and finally, on appeal, to the U. S. Supreme Court, which, after holding the case under advisement for a year, sustained the decision of the U. S. Circuit Court. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, laid down the broad principle that when a local church is but a part of a large and more general organization or denomination, the court will accept as final the decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has been carried within that general church organization, on all questions of discipline, faith, or ecclesiastical rule, custom, or law, and will not inquire into the justice or injustice of its decree as between the parties before it. The officers, the ministers, the members, or the church body which the highest judiciary of the denomination recognizes, the court will recognize. Whom that body expels or cuts off, the court will hold to be no longer members of that church. The court laid down the following principles:{45}
“Where a church is of a strictly congregational or independent organization, and the property held by it has no trust attached to it, its right to the use of the property must be determined by the ordinary principles which govern ordinary associations.
“Where the local congregation is itself a member of a much larger and more important religious organization and is under its government and control and is bound by its orders and judgments, its decisions are final and binding on legal tribunals.
“Courts having no ecclesiastical jurisdiction, cannot revise or question ordinary acts of church discipline; their only judicial power arises from the conflicting claims of the parties to the church property and the use of it.”
{45} Watson vs. Jones, 13 Wallace U. S. Supreme Court Reports, p. 679. This case was decided April 15, 1872.
But while the civil courts have no ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and cannot revise or question ordinary acts of church discipline, they do have jurisdiction where there are conflicting claims to church property. An independent church by an almost unanimous vote decided to unite with another independent church. A very small minority, less than ten per cent, did not wish to unite with the other church, so they were voted letters of dismission to any other church of like faith and order, against their protest. The majority then directed the trustees to transfer their property to the other church and voted themselves a letter of dismission to unite with that church. The church then voted to disband. The majority presented their letters and were received into the other church. The minority would not use their letters, but took the matter into the courts, which, of course, decided that they were the church and owned the property. According to the practice of churches of the same denomination, no member can be forced out of the church unless for neglect of his duties as a member. Letters of dismission are granted only on the request of members, and as a general rule the membership does not terminate until the letter has been used. The church could not terminate the membership of the minority, against whom there were no charges, by voting them letters without their consent. By not using their letters they soon constituted the entire membership and rescinded the order to the trustees to transfer the property to the other church. By the hasty, ill-advised action of almost the entire church the majority lost their property. In cases where property is involved, churches cannot be too careful, and it is usually best to act under legal advice.
=75. Trial of Members of Societies.= Every deliberative assembly, having the right to purify its own body, must therefore have the right to investigate the character of its members. It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of expulsion if they refuse.
When the charge is against the member’s character, it is usually referred to a committee of investigation or discipline, or to some standing committee, to report upon. Some societies have standing committees whose duty it is to report cases for discipline whenever any are known to them.
In either case, the committee investigates the matter and reports to the society. This report need not go into details, but should contain its recommendations as to what action the society should take, and should usually close with resolutions covering the case, so that there is no need for any one to offer any additional resolutions upon it. The ordinary resolutions, where the member is recommended to be expelled, are (1) to fix the time to which the society shall adjourn; and (2) to instruct the clerk to cite the member to appear before the society at this adjourned meeting to show cause why he should not be expelled, upon the following charges which should then be given.
After charges are preferred against a member, and the assembly has ordered that he be cited to appear for trial, he is theoretically under arrest, and is deprived of all the rights of membership until his case is disposed of. Without his consent no member should be tried at the same meeting at which the charges are preferred, excepting when the charges relate to something done at that meeting.
The clerk should send the accused a written notice to appear before the society at the time appointed, and should at the same time furnish him with a copy of the charges. A failure to obey the summons is generally cause enough for summary expulsion.
At the appointed meeting what may be called the trial takes place. Frequently the only evidence required against the member is the report of the committee. After it has been read and any additional evidence offered that the committee may see fit to introduce, the accused should be allowed to make an explanation and introduce witnesses, if he so desires. Either party should be allowed to cross-examine the other’s witnesses and introduce rebutting testimony. When the evidence is all in, the accused should retire from the room, and the society deliberate upon the question, and finally act by a vote upon the question of expulsion, or other punishment proposed. No member should be expelled by less than a two-thirds{46} vote, a quorum voting. The vote should be by ballot, except by general consent. The members of the committee preferring the charges vote the same as other members.
{46} The U. S. Constitution [Art. I, Sec. 5] provides that each House of Congress may, “with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.”
In acting upon the case, it must be borne in mind that there is a vast distinction between the evidence necessary to convict in a civil court and that required to convict in an ordinary society or ecclesiastical body. A notorious pickpocket could not even be arrested, much less convicted by a civil court, simply on the ground of being commonly known as a pickpocket; while such evidence would convict and expel him from any ordinary society.
The moral conviction of the truth of the charge is all that is necessary in an ecclesiastical or other deliberative body to find the accused guilty of the charges.
If the trial is liable to be long and troublesome, or of a very delicate nature, the member is frequently cited to appear before a committee, instead of the society, for trial. In this case the committee reports to the society the result of its trial of the case, with resolutions covering the punishment which it recommends the society to adopt. When the committee’s report is read, the accused should be permitted to make his statement of the case, the committee being allowed to reply. The accused then retires from the room, and the society acts upon the resolutions submitted by the committee. The members of the committee should vote upon the case the same as other members.
If the accused wishes counsel at his trial, it is usual to allow it, provided the counsel is a member of the society in good standing. Should the counsel be guilty of improper conduct during the trial, the society can refuse to hear him, and can also punish him.
PLAN FOR STUDY OF PARLIAMENTARY LAW
INTRODUCTION.
These Lesson Outlines are designed to assist clubs and individual students who wish to study Robert’s Rules of Order Revised. The Manual is not arranged primarily with a view to study, but for the special object of providing a set of rules for adoption by city councils, corporations, literary societies, clubs, assemblies, and occasional meetings. In studying it the preferable way is to learn the few elementary things that one must know in order to take the slightest part in a deliberative meeting and then to learn how with ease to use this Manual to find the correct ruling or decision on any point that may arise. When one has accomplished this, which is covered by the first four lessons outlined below, he is prepared to study in detail any portion of the Manual, and in any order that may suit him.
In these Lesson Outlines the four introductory lessons are followed by the all-important subject of Amendments, to which an entire lesson is given. This lesson should be thoroughly mastered, as the subject of amendments is probably equal in difficulty and importance to all the rest of parliamentary law.
After Amendments, the order of the subjects in the Manual is followed in the Lesson Outlines with the following exceptions: Incidental Motions are not taken up until all the other motions are disposed of; the Orders of the Day are treated in connection with the motions to Postpone Definitely and Indefinitely, because they are so intimately connected, the Orders of the Day being made by postponing to a certain time or by adopting a program; the subject of Committees is treated in connection with the motion to Commit; and to Take from the Table is treated in connection with to Lay on the Table.
The Rules of Order is essentially a work of reference, and the student should keep this in view. He should aim at learning how to find a ruling quickly, rather than at remembering the ruling. On this account each student should always have his copy of the book with him at every meeting and familiarize himself with its use. Efficiency, however, as a parliamentarian is acquired only by practice. “Book knowledge” is valuable just as with games and athletics, but just as no amount of theoretical knowledge without practice will enable a man to excel in playing chess or in swimming, so no amount of theoretical knowledge of parliamentary law without practice will make a man a good practical parliamentarian.
If the student has the advantage of being a member of a class, the teacher will, doubtless, use parliamentary drills. If he has no teacher he should study the Manual as laid down in the Lesson Outlines, and try to interest others to join him in forming a practice club. This practice club should hold frequent meetings, thus giving an opportunity for putting into practice what has been learned. The officers should be constantly changed so as to give different members the opportunity to preside.
These practice meetings should begin at least as soon as the students have learned what is covered by the first four lessons as outlined further on. At the beginning of each meeting it would be profitable to call for criticisms of the previous meeting. This would encourage the members after each meeting to investigate all doubtful points that have arisen, and would call attention to mistakes that otherwise would be overlooked. It will be of great assistance to them if during the meetings they have on the walls of their room the three Charts hereafter described.
What has just been said in reference to the importance of practice meetings or drills in parliamentary law applies equally to clubs or societies, as only a few of the simplest rules are usually called for in an ordinary meeting. When the club cannot have a suitable teacher it can carry on the work by electing a member to take charge of the parliamentary drills. This leader should study the course so as to be able to take the place of a teacher.
It will probably be best in all cases to follow the order of the first four lessons, and perhaps the fifth also. But where the time for the meeting is short it may be advisable to increase the number of lessons. After the fifth lesson circumstances may make it advisable to select only a few out of the remaining lessons and omit the others, or to divide some of the lessons. The outlines as given will serve as a basis for a scheme of lessons adapted to the special conditions in each case.
All through the course there should constantly be drills with open books, to enable the students to acquire facility in referring to a desired point, since, as previously stated, this Manual is a work of reference.
{47}Three charts, averaging 34 by 42 inches, have been prepared and printed on cloth in large, heavy-face type that can be read at a distance of thirty feet. If displayed during every business meeting, they would conduce greatly to the orderly transaction of business. They are a necessity for the teacher of parliamentary law, and should be on the wall at every practice meeting or drill whether there is a teacher or not. They enable each member without referring to his book to see instantly when a motion is made whether it is in order, whether it can be amended or debated, whether it opens the main question to debate, whether it requires a two-thirds vote, and what other motions may be made while it is pending. Besides giving the order of precedence of privileged and subsidiary motions, they show the incidental motions, the unclassified motions mentioned on page 58, and what motions to use to accomplish certain objects, as given on page 44.
{47} For information regarding these Charts, address Mrs. William Anderson, 211 Eastern Avenue. Pittsburgh, Pa.
LESSON OUTLINES
I.
Organizing and Conducting Business in Mass Meetings and Permanent Societies.
Organization, pp. 275-277.
Offering, Amending, and Adopting Resolutions, pp. 277-280.
Committee on Resolutions, pp. 280-283.
Permanent Society, 1st Meeting, pp. 284-286.
Permanent Society, 2d Meeting, pp. 286-291.
Permanent Society, Regular Meeting, pp. 291, 292.
Obtaining the Floor, etc., pp. 25-28.
Preparing, Making, and Seconding Motions and Resolutions, pp. 33-38.
II.
Debate, Stating and Putting Questions, and What Motions to Use to Accomplish Certain Objects.
Stating the Question, p. 38.
Debate, pp. 38, 39.
Secondary Motions, p. 40.
Putting the Question and Announcing the Vote, pp. 40-43.
What Motions to Use to Accomplish Certain Objects, pp. 43-51.
[The form of making each of these motions should be explained by the leader or teacher.]
III.
How to Find if a Motion is in Order, if it can be Debated, Amended, or Reconsidered, and if it Requires a Second, or a ⅔ Vote, etc.
Order of Precedence of Motions, p. 5.
Table of Rules Relating to Motions, pp. 6-12.
[The order of Precedence of Motions, p. 5, should be memorized, and the student should be able by reference to the Table of Rules to find quickly the ruling on any of the 300 questions decided by it.]
IV.
Definitions, and How to Find Rulings in the Manual.
Plan of the Manual, pp. 20-22.
Definitions, pp. 22-24.
Plan of the Index, p. 313.
Practice in the Use of the Entire Manual for finding Rulings or Decisions.
V.
Amendments.
Amend, pp. 134-152.
Inserting or adding, striking out, and striking out and inserting words, pp. 137-140.
Amendments affecting an entire paragraph, pp. 140-143.
Improper Amendments, pp. 143-146.
Motions that cannot be Amended, pp. 146, 147.
Amending Minutes, p. 148.
Filling Blanks, pp. 148-152.
VI.
Classification of Motions and Most of the Privileged Ones.
Main Motions, pp. 51-54.
Subsidiary Motions, pp. 54-56.
Incidental Motions, pp. 56, 57.
Privileged Motions, pp. 57, 58.
Certain Other Motions, p. 58.
Fix the Time to which to Adjourn, pp. 59, 60.
Adjourn, pp. 60-64.
Take a Recess, pp. 64-66.
Questions of Privilege, pp. 66-68.
VII.
Orders of the Day, and Definite and Indefinite Postponement.
Postpone Indefinitely, pp. 152, 153.
Postpone Definitely or to a Certain Time, pp. 121-125.
Call for the Orders of the Day, pp. 68-71.
General and Special Orders, pp. 71-77.
VIII.
Laying Aside a Question Temporarily, Resuming its Consideration, and Closing and Limiting Debate.
Lay on the Table, pp. 104-111.
Take from the Table, pp. 154-156.
Previous Question, pp. 111-118.
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate, pp. 118-120.
IX.
The Motion to Commit, and Committees.
Commit, pp. 125-134.
Special and Standing Committees, pp. 211-220.
Form of their Reports, pp. 215, 216.
Form of Minority Report, p. 216.
X.
Committees (Concluded).
Reception of Committees’ Reports, pp. 220-223.
Adoption of Committees’ Reports, pp. 223-229.
Committee of the Whole, pp. 229-233.
As if in Committee of the Whole, pp. 233, 234.
Informal Consideration, pp. 234, 235.
Committees Classified, pp. 206, 207.
Boards of Managers, etc., and Executive Committees, pp. 207-210.
Ex-Officio Members of Boards and Committees, p. 210.
XI.
Reconsidering and Rescinding a Vote.
Reconsider, pp. 156-165.
Reconsider and Enter on the Minutes, pp. 165-168.
Rescind, pp. 169, 170.
XII.
Some Miscellaneous and Incidental Motions.
Renew, pp. 171-173.
Ratify, pp. 173, 174.
Dilatory and Absurd Motions, pp. 174, 175.
Incidental Motions, pp. 56, 57.
Questions of Order, pp. 78-81.
Appeal, pp. 81-83.
Suspension of the Rules, pp. 83-87.
XIII.
Incidental Motions (Concluded).
Objection to the Consideration of a Question, pp. 87-89.
Division of a Question, pp. 89-92.
Consideration by Paragraph or Seriatim, pp. 92-95.
Division of the Assembly and Other Motions relating to Voting and the Polls, pp. 95, 96.
Motions relating to Methods of Making and to Closing and to Reopening Nominations, pp. 96, 97.
Parliamentary Inquiry, pp. 98, 99.
Request for Information, pp. 99, 100.
To Withdraw or Modify a Motion, pp. 100, 101.
To Read Papers, pp. 101, 102.
To be Excused from a Duty, pp. 102-104.
Request for any other Privilege, p. 104.
XIV.
Debate.
Debate, pp. 39 and 178-180.
Decorum in Debate, pp. 180-182.
Closing and Preventing Debate, pp. 182-184.
Principles of Debate, pp. 184-187.
Motions that Open the Main Question to Debate, p. 187.
Undebatable Motions, p. 187.
XV.
Voting.
Voting, pp. 188-201.
Announcing the Vote, pp. 190, 191.
Voting by Ballot, pp. 193-196.
Voting by Yeas and Nays, pp. 197, 198.
General Consent, pp. 198, 199.
Voting by Mail, pp. 199, 200.
Voting by Proxy, pp. 200, 201.
Votes that are Null and Void even if Unanimous, pp. 201, 202.
Motions requiring More than a Majority Vote, pp. 202-206.
XVI.
The Officers and the Minutes.
Chairman or President, pp. 236-244.
Hints to Inexperienced Chairmen, pp. 242-244.
Secretary or Clerk, pp. 244-247.
Corresponding Secretary, p. 246.
The Minutes, pp. 247-250.
Executive Secretary, pp. 250, 251.
Treasurer, pp. 251-253.
XVII.
Nominations and Elections, and Miscellaneous.
Session, pp. 253-257.
Meeting, pp. 253-255.
Quorum, pp. 257-261.
Order of Business, pp. 261-263.
Nominations and Elections, pp. 263, 264.
[As the officers are usually elected by ballot that method of voting (pages 193-196) should be reviewed in connection with this lesson. The incidental motions relating to the methods of making nominations and taking the vote and of closing and reopening nominations and the polls (pages 95-97) should also be reviewed in connection with this lesson.]
XVIII.
Rules of an Assembly and their Amendments.
Constitutions, pp. 264-266.
By-laws, pp. 266, 267.
Rules of Order, pp. 267, 268.
Standing Rules and their Amendment, pp. 268, 269.
Amendment of Constitutions, etc., pp. 269-273.
Amending a Proposed Amendment to the Constitution, etc., p. 272.
Review Use of Tables on pages 5-10, and Index.
INDEX
The figures refer usually to the page where the treatment of the subject begins. The arrangement of the work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents (pp. 1-4); its plan is explained in the Introduction (p. 20). If it is desired to find the proper motion to use to accomplish a certain object, turn to page 44. On pages 5-10 will be found a large amount of information about all the motions in common use, which should be carefully studied so that when the facts are needed they can be quickly found. On those pages will be found, among other things, the circumstances under which any of the common motions may be made; the motions that are in order while a specified motion is pending; and whether a specified motion may be debated, amended, or reconsidered, and whether it requires a two-thirds vote, etc. In the Index under the title, “Motions, List of,” will be found a complete list of motions. To find the details refer to the particular motion in the Index. It is best always to refer to general subjects first, as under them will usually be found all the details. Look under Adjourn, Committee, Debate, Forms, Vote, etc., for illustrations.
=Accept=, =Adopt=, or =Agree to=, 223
=Adjourn=, motion to, 60 when not privileged, 63 effect upon unfinished business, 63 not used in committee of the whole (see _Rise_), 63 motion to fix the time to which to adjourn, 59
=Amendment=, motion to amend, 134 by inserting or adding words, 137 by striking out words, 138 by striking out and inserting words, 139 by inserting or adding, or by striking out, an entire paragraph, 140 by substituting one paragraph for another 141 of an amendment, 135 of reports of committees or boards, 228 of reports or propositions containing several paragraphs, 93 of Rules of Order, By-laws, and Constitutions, 269 of Standing Rules, 268 improper amendments, 143 motions that cannot be amended, list of, 146
=Announcing the Vote=, 42, 190
=Annul=, 169
=Appeal= from the decision of the chair, 81
=Apply=, meaning of, 21
=Assembly=, how organized and how business is conducted in, 275 the word to be replaced by Society, Club, etc., when it occurs in forms of questions, 22 division of the, 95 right to punish members, 299 right to eject persons from its room, 299 trial of members, 302
=Ballot=, voting by, 193 blanks not counted, 195 nominating or informal ballot, 263 form of report of vote by, 196
=Blanks=, filling of, 148 in balloting not to be counted, 195
=Boards of Trustees, Managers, or Directors=, 207 rules of procedure in, 208 reports of, and their amendment, 209 reports of, treated as reports of standing committees, 262 (See _Quorum_)
=Business=, how introduced, 25 how conducted, 25-42, 275-298 to change order of is undebatable and requires a two-thirds vote, 85 priority of, questions relating to are undebatable, 187 unfinished, 63
=By-laws=, what they should contain, 266 adoption of, 287, 288 amendment of, 269 suspension of, 267
=Call of the House=, 175
=Call to Order=, 80
=Chairman=, etc. (presiding officer), mode of address, 27 duties of, 236 election of, 276, 289 temporary, or _pro tem._, 240 right to vote when it affects result, 238 of a committee, 211 of committee of the whole, 230 inexperienced, hints to, 242
=Charts=, description of, 307
=Clerk=, (see _Secretary_), 244
=Close Debate= now (see _Previous Question_), 111 at a future time, 118
=Commit=, motion to, 125 forms of the motion, 130
=Committees=, Executive, and Boards, 207 ex-officio members of, 210 of the whole, 229 as if in committee of the whole, 233
=Committees=, _Special and Standing_, 211 distinction between special and standing, 211 object of, 130 appointment of, 128 of whom they should be composed, 131, 132 proper size of, 132 chairman of, 131 reporting member of, 220 quorum in, consists of a majority, 259 manner of conducting business in, 213 to discharge, 132 _Reports of_, their form, 215 their reception, 220 their amendment, 228 their adoption or acceptance, 223 their place in the order of business, 262 common errors in acting upon, 222 _Minority Reports or Views of_, their form, 216 cannot be acted upon unless moved as a substitute for the committee’s (majority’s) report, 216
=Congress=, Rules of, the basis of this work, 20 (Rules of, to be found in footnotes when different from those given in text)
=Consent, unanimous or general=, 202 can be given only when a quorum is present, 259
=Consideration of a Question, objection to=, 87
=Constitutions=, what they should contain, 265 adoption of, 287 amendment of, 269 cannot be suspended, 85
=Convention=, organizing and conducting a meeting of a, 292, 296
=Credentials= of delegates, 293
=Debate=, 38, 178 what precedes, 26 no member to speak but twice on same day in same, 39 no speech to be longer than ten minutes, 39 number and length of speeches in Congress (Note), 178 member reporting measure has right to close, 179 _undebatable questions_, list of, 187 motions that open the main question to, 187 principles regulating the extent of, 184 decorum in, 180 to close now (Previous Question), 111 to close at future time, 118 to limit or extend limits of, 118 two-thirds vote required to close, limit, or extend, 205
=Decorum= in Debate, 180
=Definitions= of various terms, 22
=Delegates=, organization of a meeting of, 292, 296 credentials of, 293
=Dilatory Motions= not permitted, 174
=Disorderly words= in debate, 181
=Division= of the assembly, 95 of the question, 89
=Duties of Officers= (see _Chairman_, _Secretary_, _Executive Secretary_ and _Treasurer_)
=Ecclesiastical Tribunals=, legal rights of, 300
=Eject= persons from the room, right of assembly to, 299
=Elections=, 263
=Errors=, common, 222
=Executive Board=, 207
=Executive Committee=, 207
=Executive Secretary=, 250
=Ex-officio= members of boards and committees, 210
=Expulsion of members= requires a ⅔ vote, 303
=Expunge=, 170
=Extend the limits of debate=, 118
=Filling blanks=, 148
=Fix the time to which to Adjourn=, motion to, 59 when not privileged, 59
=Floor=, how to obtain, 27 necessary to obtain, in order to make a motion, 27
=Forms of= making motions, 33 a resolution, 34, 35 a preamble, 35 stating questions, 38 putting questions, 40 announcing the result of a vote, 41 tellers’ report of vote by ballot, 196 acting on reports of committees, 220, 223 acting on reports or resolutions containing several paragraphs, 92 reports of committees, 215 treasurers’ reports, 252 minutes of a meeting, 248 (Under each motion the form of making it and of stating and putting the question is given if the form is peculiar)
=General Consent=, 202
=Hints to Inexperienced Chairmen=, 242
=House, Call of the=, 175
=Immediately pending question=, meaning of, 23
=Incidental= motions or questions, 56 main motions or questions, 52
=Indecorum=, leave to continue speaking after, 80
=Indefinite postponement=, 152
=Informal consideration= of a question, 234
=Information, Request for=, 93
=Introduction of Business=, 25
=Inquiry, Parliamentary=, 98
=Journal= (see _Minutes_), 247
=Lay on the table=, motion to, 104
=Leave= to continue speaking after indecorum, 80 modify or withdraw a motion, 100 read papers, 101 be excused from a duty, 102
=Legal Rights= (see _Assembly_ and _Ecclesiastical Tribunals_)
=Lesson Outlines=, 308
=Limit debate=, motion to, 118
=Main= motions or questions, 51 incidental main motions or questions, 52
=Majority=, defined, 24, 202
=Meeting=, distinction between it and Session, 254 how to conduct an occasional or mass meeting, 275 how to conduct a meeting to organize a society, 284 how to conduct a regular meeting of a society, 291 how to conduct a meeting of delegates (a convention), 292
=Members= not to be present during a debate concerning themselves, 182 not to vote on questions personal to themselves, 192 trial of, 302 not to be expelled by less than a ⅔ vote, 303
=Minority Report, or Views= (see _Committees_), 216
=Minutes=, form and contents of, 248 correction of before adoption, 147 correction of after adoption, 148, 159
=Moderator= (see _Chairman_), 27
=Modification= of a motion by the mover, 100
=Motions, list of= (for details see each motion in the Index) accept a report, 223 adjourn, 60 adjourn, fix the time to which to, 59 add words (see _Amendment_), 137 add a paragraph (see _Amendment_), 140 adopt a report (same as Accept), 223 agree to (same as Adopt), 223 amend, 134 annul, 169 appeal, 81 blanks, filling, 148 call to order, 80 close debate now (previous question), 111 close debate at a future time, 118 commit, or refer, or recommit, 125 consideration of a question, objection to, 87 divide the assembly, 95 divide the question, 89 expunge, 170 extend the limits of debate, 118 fix the time to which to adjourn, 59 incidental motions or questions, 56 incidental main motions or questions, 52 indefinitely postpone, 152 informal consideration of a question, 234 insert words (see _Amendment_), 137 insert a paragraph (see _Amendment_), 140 lay on the table, 104 leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum, 80 leave to read papers, 101 leave to be excused from a duty, 102 leave to withdraw or modify a motion, 100 limit debate, 118 main motions or questions, 51 objection to the consideration of a question, 87 order, questions of, 78 order, to make a special, 73, 124 orders of the day, call for, 68 permission, to grant (see _Leave_) postpone to a certain time, or definitely, 121 postpone indefinitely, 152 previous question, 111 principal (same as Main) motions or questions, 51 priority of business, questions relating to, 187 privileged motions or questions, 57 privilege, questions of, 66 reading papers, 101 reception of a report (see _Committees_), 220 recommit (same as Commit), 125 reconsider, 156 reconsider and enter on the minutes, 165 refer (same as Commit), 125 renewal of a motion, 171 rescind, repeal, or annul, 169 rise (in committee of the whole equals adjourn), 63, 231 special order, to make a, 73, 124 strike out words (see _Amendment_), 138 strike out a paragraph, 140 strike out and insert words (see _Amendment_), 139 strike out and insert a paragraph (same as Substitute), 141 subsidiary motions or questions, 54 substitute (one form of _Amendment_, which see), 141 suspension of the rules, 83 take from the table, 154 take up a question out of its proper order, 85, 86 withdrawal of a motion, 100
=Motions=, Table of rules relating to, 6 order of precedence of, 5 classified according to their object, 44 classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc., 51-58 how to be made, 33 a second required (with certain exceptions), 36 to be stated by chairman before being discussed, 38 when to be in writing, 34 how to be divided, 89 how to be modified by the mover, 100 how to be stated, 38 how to be put to the question, 40 that are in order when another has the floor, 32 that do not require a second, 37 that cannot be amended, 146 that cannot be debated, 187 that cannot be reconsidered, 158 that open main question to debate, 187 that require ⅔ vote for their adoption, 205 that are null and void even if adopted unanimously, 201 dilatory, absurd, or frivolous, not allowed, 174
=Nominating Ballot=, 263
=Nominations=, how treated, 96, 263, 276 closing and reopening, 97 seconding, 263
=Numbers of paragraphs=, clerk to correct without a vote, 148
=Objection to consideration= [introduction] of a question, 87
=Obtaining the floor=, 27
=Officers of an assembly= (see _Chairman_, _Secretary_, _Treasurer_, and _Vice President_), 277 election of, 276 temporary, or pro tem., 240
=Order=, questions of and a call to, 78 of business, 261 of the day, 71 general, 72 special, 73 of precedence of motions, 5
=Organization= of an occasional or mass meeting, 275 of a semi-permanent mass meeting, 283 of a permanent society, 284 of a convention or assembly of delegates, 292, 296
=Papers and Documents=, reading of, 101 in custody of secretary, 245
=Parliamentary Inquiry=, 98
=Parliamentary Law=, its origin, etc., 15
=Pending question=, meaning of, 23 immediately pending question, meaning of, 23
=Plan for Study of Parliamentary Law=, 305
=Plan of the Manual=, 20
=Plurality Vote= defined, 24
=Postpone to a certain time=, 121 indefinitely, 152
=Preamble=, form of, 35 considered after the resolution, 94
=Precedence of motions=, order of, 5 meaning of, 21
=President= or Presiding Officer (see _Chairman_), 236
=Previous Question=, 111
=Principal=, or Main, Motion or Question, 51
=Priority of Business=, questions relating to, 187
=Privilege=, questions of, 66
=Privileged= Motions or Questions, 57
=Program= of a meeting (same as Orders of the Day), 74
=Proxy Voting=, 200
=Putting the question=, form of, 40
=Questions= (see _Forms_, _Motions_, _Privilege_, _Privileged_, _Order_, _Stating_, and _Putting_)
=Quorum=, 257 when there is no rule, consists of a majority, 258 committees and boards cannot decide upon, 259 in Congress and Parliament, 261
=Reading of Papers=, 101
=Reception= of a Report (see _Committees_), 220
=Recess=, to take a, 64
=Recommit= (see _Commit_), 125, 130
=Reconsider=, 156 motions that cannot be reconsidered, 158
=Reconsider and have entered on the minutes=, 165
=Record=, or Minutes, 247
=Recording Officer= (see _Secretary_), 244
=Refer= (same as Commit), 125
=Renewal= of a motion, 171
=Reporting member= of a committee, defined, 220
=Reports= of committees (see _Committees_)
=Requests= of any kind, 97
=Rescind=, 169
=Resolutions=, forms of, 34, 35 not in order if conflicting with Constitution, By-laws, Rules of Order, or Standing Rules, 201, 269
=Restore to membership or office=, 170
=Rights= of assemblies (see _Assembly_), 299 of ecclesiastical tribunals, 300
=Rise=, motion to, in committee equals adjourn, 63, 231
=Rules= of Debate (see _Debate_), 38, 178 of Order, what they should contain, 267 of Order, amendment of, 269 of Order, suspension of, 83 Standing, what they should contain, 268 Standing, amendment or suspension of, 268 relating to motions, Table of, 6
=Seconding=, motions that do not require, 37
=Secretary=, duties of, 244 election of, 276 corresponding, 246 executive, 250
=Seriatim Consideration=, 92
=Session=, 253
=Speaking, Rules= of (see _Debate_), 38, 178
=Special Order=, 73
=Standing Rules=, 268
=Stating a Question=, form of, 38
=Strike out= (see _Amendment_), 138, 140
=Students, Suggestions to=, 205
=Subsidiary= Motions or Questions, 54
=Substitute= (see _Amendment_), 141
=Sum=, largest put first, 149
=Suspension= of the Constitution, 265 of By-laws, 267 of Rules, 83 of Standing Rules, 268
=Table of Rules= relating to motions, 6
=Table=, motion to lay on the, 104 motion to take from the, 154
=Teachers, Suggestions to=, 305
=Tellers=, 195 report of, 196
=Time=, longest, or most distant, first put, 149
=Treasurer=, duties of, 251
=Trial= of Members, 302
=Two-thirds vote=, motions requiring, 205 various kinds of, explained, 204 principles regulating, 204
=Unanimous Consent=, 202
=Undebatable Motions or Questions=, 187
=Unfinished Business=, effect of adjournment upon, 63 its place in the order of business, 262
=Vice Presidents=, 242 honorary, 267
=Vote=, 188 putting the question, 40 viva voce, or by voice, 188 by show of hands, 189 by rising, 189 by ballot, 193 by yeas and nays, 197 by general consent, 198, 202 proxy voting, 200 voting by mail, 199 division, 95 chairman entitled to, when it affects result, 192 change of, permitted before result is announced, 193 announcing the, 42, 190 effect of a tie, 192 authorizing secretary to cast unanimous ballot, 194 declaring vote unanimous when it is not, 194, 203 personal interests that debar one’s voting, 192 definitions of plurality, majority, and two-thirds, 21 motions requiring more than a majority, 202 motions requiring ⅔, list of, 205 different kinds of ⅔, 204
=Whole, Committee of the=, 229
=Withdrawal of a Motion=, 100
=Yeas and Nays=, voting by, 197
=Yields=, meaning of, 21
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
The index was not checked for proper alphabetization or correct page references.
Obvious typographical errors and punctuation errors have been corrected after careful comparison with other occurrences within the text and consultation of external sources.
Some hyphens in words have been silently removed, some added, when a predominant preference was found in the original book.
Except for those changes noted below, all misspellings in the text, and inconsistent or archaic usage, have been retained.
Pg 227: “comclusions” replaced with “conclusions”.