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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/9097-0.txt b/9097-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d79e3a1 --- /dev/null +++ b/9097-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4305 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Robert’s Rules of Order, by Henry M. Robert + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at +www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you +will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before +using this eBook. + +Title: Robert’s Rules of Order + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies + +Author: Henry M. Robert + +Release Date: September 5, 2003 [eBook #9097] +[Most recently updated: September 8, 2022] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +Produced by: Randyl Kent Plampin + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER *** + + + + +ROBERT’S +RULES OF ORDER + +For +Deliberative Assemblies + + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, 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 societies, conventions, and other deliberative assemblies. + +by Major Henry M. Robert, +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. + + +Chicago: +S. C. Griggs & Company. +1876. + + +Copyright, A.D. 1876, +by +H. M. Robert + + +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee + + + + +PREFACE. + + +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in its +general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and adapted, in +its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work should give, not +only the methods of organizing and conducting the meetings, the duties of the +officers and the names of the ordinary motions, but in addition, should state +in a systematic manner, in reference to each motion, its object and effect; +whether it can be amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it +opens the main question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be +made, and what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a condensed and +systematic manner, each rule being either complete in itself, or giving +references to every section that in any way qualifies it, so that a stranger to +the work can refer to any special subject with safety. + +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating to +each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of Rules, +which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to some two +hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to greatly assist the +reader in systematizing his knowledge of parliamentary law. + +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of conducting +business in ordinary meetings, in which the motions are classified according to +their uses, and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part +is expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are unfamiliar +with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much study to the +subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn enough to enable them to +take part in meetings of deliberative assemblies without fear of being out of +order. The object of Rules of Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an +assembly to accomplish the work for which it was designed, in the best possible +manner. To do this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the +right of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every man does +what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty. Experience +has shown the importance of definiteness in the law; and in this country, where +customs are so slightly established and the published manuals of parliamentary +practice so conflicting, no society should attempt to conduct business without +having adopted some work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not +covered by their own rules. + +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: “Whether these forms be in all cases the most rational or +not is really not of so great importance. It is much more material that there +should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, that there may be a +uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to the caprice of the +chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very material that order, +decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified public body.” + +H. M. R. + + +_December_, 1875. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. + + Preface + Introduction + Parliamentary Law + Plan of the Work + Definitions + + Part I.—Rules of Order + Art. I.—Introduction of Business + § 1. How introduced + § 2. Obtaining the floor + § 3. What precedes debate on a question + § 4. What motions to be in writing, and how they shall be divided + § 5. Modification of a motion by the mover + + Art. II.—General Classification of Motions + § 6. Principal or Main motions + § 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions + § 8. Incidental motions + § 9. Privileged motions + + Art. III.—Motions and their Order of Precedence + Privileged Motions + § 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn + § 11. Adjourn + § 12. Questions of privilege + § 13. Orders of the day + Incidental Motions + § 14. Appeal [Questions of Order] + § 15. Objection to the consideration of a question + § 16. Reading papers + § 17. Withdrawal of a motion + § 18. Suspension of the Rules + Subsidiary Motions + § 19. Lie on the table + § 20. Previous Question + § 21. Postpone to a certain day + § 22. Commit [or Re-commit] + § 23. Amend + § 24. Postpone indefinitely + Miscellaneous Motions + § 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations + § 26. Renewal of a motion + § 27. Reconsideration + + Art. IV.—Committees and Informal Action + § 28. Committees + § 29. Form of their Reports + § 30. Reception of their Reports + § 31. Adoption of their Reports + § 32. Committee of the Whole + § 33. Informal consideration of a question + + Art. V.—Debate and Decorum + § 34. Debate + § 35. Undebatable questions and those opening the main question to debate + § 36. Decorum in debate + § 37. Closing debate, methods of + + Art. Art. VI.—Vote + § 38. Voting, various modes of + § 39. Motions requiring more than a majority vote + + Art. VII.—Officers and the Minutes + § 40. Chairman or President + § 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes + + Art. VIII.—Miscellaneous + § 42. Session + § 43. Quorum + § 44. Order of business + § 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order + + Part II.—Organization and Conduct of Business + Art. IX.—Organization and Meetings + § 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting + (a) Organization + (b) Adoption of resolutions + (c) Committee on resolutions + (d) Additional Officers + § 47. A Convention or Assembly of Delegates + § 48. A Permanent Society + (a) First meeting + (b) Second meeting + § 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules + + Art. X.—Officers and Committees + § 50. President or Chairman + § 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes + § 52. Treasurer + § 53. Committees + + Art. XI—Introduction of Business + § 54. Introduction of Business + + Art. XII.—Motions + § 55. Motions classified according to their object + § 56. To Amend or modify + (a) Amend + (b) Commit + § 57. To Defer action + (a) Postpone to a certain time + (b) Lie on the table + § 58. To Suppress Debate + (a) Previous Question + (b) An Order limiting or closing debate + § 59. To Suppress the question + (a) Objection to its consideration + (b) Postpone indefinitely + (c) Lie on the table + § 60. To Consider a question the second time + (a) Reconsider + § 61. Order and Rules + (a) Orders of the day + (b) Special orders + (c) Suspension of the rules + (d) Questions of order + (e) Appeal + § 62. Miscellaneous + (a) Reading of papers + (b) Withdrawal of a motion + (c) Questions of privilege + § 63. To close a meeting + (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn + (b) Adjourn + § 64. Order of Precedence of motions + + Art. XIII.—Debate + § 65. Rules of speaking in debate + § 66. Undebatable questions and those that open the main question to debate + + Art. XIV.—Miscellaneous + § 67. Forms of stating and putting questions + § 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote for their adoption + § 69. Unfinished business + § 70. Session + § 71. Quorum + § 72. Order of Business + § 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order + + Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies + Table of Rules Relating to Motions + Index + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +Parliamentary Law. + +Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents. + +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for customs and +precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we think are +improvements, and hence changes have been and are being constantly made in the +written rules which our legislative bodies have found best to adopt. As each +house adopts its own rules, it results that the two houses of the same +legislature do not always agree in their practice; even in Congress the order +of precedence of motions is not the same in both houses, and the Previous +Question is admitted in the House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As +a consequence of this, the exact method of conducting business in any +particular legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual +of that body. + +The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies. + +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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies. + +But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body. + +While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived, the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous Question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [§ 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +the power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day’s notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.] + +Plan of the Work. + +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative assemblies +that are not legislative in their character. It has been made sufficiently +complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until they see fit to adopt +special rules conflicting with and superseding any of its rules of detail, such +as the Order of Business [§ 44], etc. Even in matters of detail the practice of +Congress is followed, wherever it is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary +assemblies, and in such cases, in Part I, there will be found, in a foot note, +the Congressional practice. In the important matters referred to above, in +which the practice of the House of Representatives settles the common +parliamentary law of the country, this Manual strictly conforms to such +practice.* [On account of the party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, +no such thing as harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to +give a bare majority in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) +the power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the rights of +the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this Manual [§ 39], for +sustaining an objection to the introduction of a question, or for adopting a +motion for the Previous Question, or for adopting an order closing or limiting +debate. In this respect the policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those +of the House and Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous +to follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the Senate. +It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to order the yeas and +nays, which is doubtless best in the majority of assemblies; but in all bodies +in which the members are responsible to their constituents, a much smaller +number should have this power. In Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, +and in some bodies a single member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and +nays. Any society adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in +all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent +with the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all of the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in the +Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [§ 43], and an Order of +Business [§ 44], as suggested in these rules.] + +The Manual is divided into two distinct parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form, for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.] + +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as shown in +the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is complete in +itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be misled in examining any +particular subject. Cross references are freely used to save repeating from +other sections, and by this means the reader, without using the index, is +referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any bearing upon the +subject he is investigating. The references are by sections, and for +convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at the top of each page. The +motions are arranged under the usual classes, in their order of rank, but in +the index under the word motion will be found an alphabetical list of all the +motions generally used. In reference to each motion there is stated: + + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, be +pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion). + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made while this +motion is pending). + (3) Whether it is debatable or not. + (4) Whether it can be amended or not. + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, the fact +is stated [see Adjourn, § 11, for an example: the meaning is, that the +particular motion to adjourn, for example, cannot be laid on the table, +postponed, committed or amended]. + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted. + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other +information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. + +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first part, it +does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who have no +acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also explains the +method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting a meeting. The +motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being classified according +to the objects for which they are used, and those of each class compared +together so that the reader may obtain the best motion for the accomplishment +of any given object. It omits the complications of parliamentary law, and has +but few references to the rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order +to make it complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. + +Definitions. + +In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called. + +Meeting and Session.—In this Manual the term “meeting” is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an “adjourned meeting” of the same session. + +A “meeting” of an assembly is terminated by a temporary adjournment; a +“session” of an assembly ends with an adjournment without day, and may consist +of many meetings [see Session, § 42]. + +Previous Question—This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to “Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly,” with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +see § 20 for a full explanation). + +Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +“objects to its consideration” (or “discussion,” or “introduction”), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see § 15]. + +Whenever the word “assembly,” which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, § 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, “Society,” or “Convention,” or “Board.” The +term “Congress,” when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S. + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +Art. I. Introduction of Business. +[§§ 1-5.] + +1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a +motion of a member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. +It is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of committees +[§ 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other cases in the +ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is dispensed with; but +should any member object, a regular motion becomes necessary. + +2. Before a member can make a motion or address the +assembly upon any question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, +he must rise and address the presiding officer by his title, thus: “Mr. +Chairman” [§ 34], who will then announce the member’s name. Where two or more +rise at the same time the Chairman must decide who is entitled to the floor, +which he does by announcing that member’s name. From this decision, however, an +appeal [§ 14] can he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled +to the floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote—the one getting the largest vote being entitled to the +floor. + +The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee’s report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, § 36.] + +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from addressing the +assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a motion to adjourn, or for any +purpose, by either the Chairman or any member, except (a) to have entered on +the minutes a motion to reconsider [§ 27]; (b) by a call to order [§ 14]; (c) +by an objection to the consideration of the question [§ 15]; or (d) by a call +for the orders of the day [§ 13].* [See note to § 61.] In such cases the member +when he arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he “rises to a point of order.” A call for an +adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is not a motion; +as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, the Chair, and being +announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for the question are themselves +breaches of order, and do not prevent the speaker from going on if he pleases. + +3. Before any subject is open to debate [§ 34] it is +necessary, first, that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see +exceptions below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When +the motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before it +is debated. + +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is stated +by the presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into debate. The +member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by the presiding +officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it entirely; after it is +stated he can do neither, without the consent of the assembly. [See §§ 5 and +17]. When the mover modifies his motion, the one who seconded it can withdraw +his second. + +Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [§§ 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly. + +4. All Principal Motions [§ 6], Amendments and Instructions +to Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into several +questions, no one member (without there is a special rule allowing it) can +insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move that the question be +divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be divided. Any one else can +move as an amendment to this, to divide it differently. + +This Division of a Question is really an amendment [§ 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to “commit with instructions,” is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided “it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House.” But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.] + +The motion to “strike out certain words and insert others,” is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition. + +5. After a question has been stated by the presiding +officer, it is in the possession of the assembly for debate; the mover cannot +withdraw or modify it, if any one objects, except by obtaining leave from the +assembly [§ 17], or by moving an amendment. + +Art. II. General Classification of Motions. +[§§ 6-9.] + +6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made +to bring before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the assembly. It +takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, Incidental and +Subsidiary Questions [§§ 7, 8, 9]. + +7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a +Principal Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most +appropriate manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, +and must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They yield +to Privileged and Incidental Questions [§§ 8, 9], and are as follows (being +arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + +Lie on the Table ……………….. See § 19. +The Previous Question …………… ” § 20. +Postpone to a Certain Day ……….. ” § 21. +Commit ………………………… ” § 22. +Amend …………………………. ” § 23. +Postpone Indefinitely …………… ” § 24. + +Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [§ 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [§ 19]. + +8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other +questions, and, consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, +the questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions [§ +9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, they are undebatable; an Appeal +is debatable or not, according to circumstances, as shown in § 14. They are as +follows: + + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ……………………… See § 14. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question …………. ” § 15. + The Reading of Papers ……………………………… ” § 16. + Leave to Withdraw a Motion …………………………. ” § 17. + Suspension of the Rules ……………………………. ” § 18. + +9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their +importance, take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account +of this very privilege they are undebatable [§ 35], excepting when relating to +the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be made use +of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows (being arranged +in their order of precedence among themselves): + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn …… See § 10. + Adjourn ………………………………………….. ” § 11. + Questions relating to the Rights and + Privileges of the Assembly or any of + its Members …………………………………….. ” § 12. + Call for the Orders of the Day ……………………… ” § 13. + +Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see § 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[§§ 10-27.] + +Privileged Motions. +[§§ 10-13. See § 9.] + +10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. +This motion takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the +assembly has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the +result of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it is +undebatable [§ 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made when no +other question is before the asembly, it stands as any other principal motion, +and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better to follow the common +parliamentary law, and permit this question to be introduced as a principal +question, when it can be debated and suppressed [§ 58, 59] like other +questions. In Congress, it is never debatable, and has entirely superseded the +unprivileged and inferior motion to “adjourn to a particular time.”] + +The Form of this motion is, “When this assembly adjourns, it adjourns to meet +at such a time.” + +11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes +precedence of all others, except to “fix the time to which to adjourn,” to +which it yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses its +privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The motion to +adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening business, though it +be simply progress in debate [§ 26]. When a committee is through with any +business referred to it, and prepared to report, instead of adjourning, a +motion should be made “to rise,” which motion, in committee, has the same +privileges as to adjourn in the assembly [§ 32]. + +The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +[“After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place.” Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing unfinished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, § 42]: + +(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment. + +(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see § 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected. + +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not meet +more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an elective body, and +this session ends the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall +put an end to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been before +the assembly. + +12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the +rights and privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence +of all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [§ 20] can be applied to these, as to all other debatable +questions. + +13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day +takes precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [§ 27], and the +three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not debatable, nor can +it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. + +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or hour, they +become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they cannot be +considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [§ 39]. And when that +day or hour arrives, if called up, they take precedence of all but the three +preceding questions [§§ 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them, the assembly +may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken up on the day +specified, the order falls to the ground. + +When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question, is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time. + +The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, “Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?” or, “Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?” + +The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [§ 11]. + +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense with the orders merely so far as +they interfere with the consideration of the question then before the assembly. + +Incidental Motions. +[§§ 14-18; see § 8] + +14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes +precedence of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the +presiding officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +“I appeal from the decision of the Chair.” If the Appeal is seconded, the +Chairman immediately states the question as follows: “Shall the decision of the +Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?”* [The word Assembly can be +replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., according to the name of the +organization.] This Appeal yields to Privileged Questions [§ 9]. It cannot be +amended; it cannot be debated when it relates simply to indecorum [§ 36], or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if +it is made while the previous question [§ 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the Chair, can state the reasons upon which +he bases his decision. The motions to Lie on the Table [§ 19], or for the +Previous Question [§ 20], can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, +and when adopted they affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may +also be reconsidered [§ 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. + +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders of the +assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every member, who +notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. In such cases he +shall rise from his seat, and say, “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.” +The speaker should immediately take his seat, and the Chairman requests the +member to state his point of order, which he does, and resumes his seat. The +Chair decides the point, and then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first +member to resume his speech. If the member’s remarks are decided to be +improper, and any one objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue +it without a vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language used in +debate, for a member to say, “I call the gentleman to order;” the Chairman +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as before. The +Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to decide questions of +order, but the advice must be given sitting, to avoid the appearance of debate; +or the Chair, when unable to decide the question, may at once submit it to the +assembly. The effect of laying an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least +for the time, the decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the +question which gave rise to the question of order. + +15. Objection to the Consideration of a Question. An +objection can be made to any principal motion [§ 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of order [§ +14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, and does not +require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to order, so can he put +this question if he deems it necessary, upon his own responsibility. It can not +be debated [§ 35] or have any subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. When a +motion is made and any member “objects to its consideration,” the Chairman +shall immediately put the question, “Will the assembly consider it?” or, “Shall +the question be considered” [or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a +two-thirds vote [§ 39], the whole matter is dismissed for that session [§ 42]; +otherwise the discussion continues as if this question had never been made. + +The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see § 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41st Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: “Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, ‘Will the House now consider it?’ +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker.” The English use the “Previous Question,” for +a similar purpose [see note to § 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, “Shall the +question be discussed?” The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.] + +16. Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see § 8.] +Where papers are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have +them once read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a +member asks for the reading of any such paper, evidently for information, and +not for delay, the Chair should direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a +member has not the right to have anything read (excepting stated above) without +getting permission from the assembly. + +17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see § +8.] When a question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one objects, the +presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection is made, it will be +necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a motion for that purpose. This +motion cannot be debated or amended. When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is +the same as if it had never been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn +by the mover, before a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be +gained in ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] + +18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, +see § 8.] This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [§ 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be reconsidered [§ +27], nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [§ 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, though the +next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot be renewed the same +day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be suspended except for a definite +purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. + +The Form of this motion is, to “suspend the rules which interfere with,” +etc., specifying the object of the suspension. + +Subsidiary Motions. +[§§ 19-24; see § 7.] + +19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of +all other Subsidiary Questions [§ 7], and yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or +Incidental [§ 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or have +any other subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. It removes the subject from +consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the table. + +The Form of this motion is, “I move that the question lie on the table,” or, +“that it be laid on the table,” or, “to lay the question on the table.” When it +is desired to take the question up again, a motion is made, either “to take the +question from the table,” or “to now consider such and such a question;” which +motion is undebatable, and cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. + +The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [§ 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [§ 42]. + +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything that +adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie on the table, +the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with it. The following +cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [§ 14] being laid on the table, has the +effect of sustaining, at least for the time, the decision of the Chair, and +does not carry the original subject to the table. (b) So when a motion to +reconsider [§ 27] a question is laid on the table, the original question is +left where it was before the reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the +minutes being laid on the table does not carry the minutes with it. + +Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +questions still before the assembly. + +20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a +technical name for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as +it has nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To demand +the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving “That debate now cease, +and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the questions before it,” (the +exceptions are stated above). The English Previous Question is an entirely +different one from ours, and is used for a different purpose. In the English +Parliament it is moved by the enemies of a measure, who then vote in the +negative, and thus prevent for the day, the consideration of the main question, +(which in this country could be accomplished by “objecting to the consideration +of the question” [§ 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a view +to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a vote on the +questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as different as the objects +of the motions. It requires only a majority vote for its adoption in the House +of Representatives, and is not allowed in the United States Senate.] takes +precedence of every debatable question [§ 35], and yields to Privileged [§ 9] +and Incidental [§ 8] questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [§ 19]. +It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary [§ 7] +motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its adoption. + +When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: “Shall the +main question be now put?” If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [§ 34]; after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made. + +The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : “Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?”] + +The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best. + +It applies to questions of privilege [§ 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon. + +To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question. + +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is carried while a motion to Postpone is +pending, its effect is only to bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if +it is voted not to postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an +Appeal [§ 14] or a motion to Reconsider [§ 27] is pending when the Previous +Question is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. + +An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [§ 22] exhausts the Previous +Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. + +[For other methods of closing debate see § 37 and § 58]. + +21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes +precedence of a motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and +yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or Incidental [§ 8] question, and to the motion +to Lie on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and the Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate [§ 35], +and that must not go into the merits of the subject matter any further than is +necessary to enable the assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. + +The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [§ 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[§ 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[§ 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [§ 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day. + +22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject +has been previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or +Incidental [§ 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for +the Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended by +altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, and opens +to debate [§ 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to commit. + +The Form of this motion is “to refer the subject to a committee.” When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following order: +(1) Committee the whole [§ 32], (2) a standing committee, and (3) a special (or +select) committee. The number of a committee is usually decided without the +formality of a motion, as in filling blanks [§ 25]: the Chairman asks “of how +many shall the committee consist?” and a question is then put upon each number +suggested, beginning with the largest. The number and kind of the committee +need not be decided till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a +committee. If the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include +the method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, the +Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is usually +decided informally. Sometimes the Chair “appoints,” in which case he names the +members of the committee and no vote is taken upon them; or the committee is +“nominated” either by the Chair or members of the assembly (no member +nominating more than one except by general consent), and then they are all +voted upon together, except where more nominations are made than the number of +the committee, when they shall be voted upon singly. + +Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small, and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly. + +In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, § 29.] + +23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but +the question which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged [§ 9], +Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] Question, except to Indefinitely Postpone. +It can be amended itself, but this “amendment of an amendment” cannot be +amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one already adopted, or may +directly conflict with the spirit of the original motion, but it must have a +direct bearing upon the subject of that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a +vote of thanks could be amended by substituting for “thanks” the word +“censure;” or one condemning certain customs could be amended by adding other +customs. + +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to “add or insert” +certain words or paragraphs; (b) to “strike out” certain words or paragraphs, +the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: “Shall these words (or +paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?” and if this is adopted (that +is, the motion to “strike out,” fails) it does not preclude either amendment or +a motion to “strike out and insert;” (c) “to strike certain words and insert +others,” which motion is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude another +motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; (d) to +“substitute” another motion on the same subject for the one pending; (e) to +“divide the question” into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as +to get a separate vote on any particular point or points [see § 4]. + +If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [§ 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted. + +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the words to +be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand if the +amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and propositions +containing several paragraphs, see § 44.] + +The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend. + +The following motions cannot be amended: + + To Adjourn (when unqualified) ………………………. See § 11. + For the Orders of the Day ………………………….. ” § 12. + All Incidental Questions …………………………… ” § 8. + To Lie on the Table ……………………………….. ” § 19. + For the Previous Question ………………………….. ” § 20. + An Amendment of an Amendment ……………………….. ” § 23. + To Postpone Indefinitely …………………………… ” § 24. + Reconsider ……………………………………….. ” § 27. + +An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see § 45]. + +24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence +of nothing except the Principal Question [§ 6], and yields to any Privileged [§ +9], Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot be +amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed to +postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before the +assembly for that session [§ 42]. + +The Previous Question [§ 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question. + +Miscellaneous Motions. +[§§ 25-27.] + +25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and +the longest time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the +most convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving to +strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number of members +to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a motion, these +different propositions not being regarded in the light of amendments. + +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second nomination, +instead of being an amendment to the first, is an independent motion, which, if +the first fails, is to be immediately voted upon. Any number of nominations can +be made, the Chairman announcing each name as he hears it, and they should be +voted upon in the order announced, until one receives a vote sufficient for an +election. + +26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [§ 6] +or Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken up +again at the same session [§ 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [§ 27]. The +motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in debate, or any +business transacted. As a general rule the introduction of any motion that +alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to renew any Privileged or +Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the Rules as provided in § 18), or +Subsidiary motion (excepting an amendment), as in such a case the real question +before the assembly is a different one. + +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, suppose +afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is now in order +to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a motion would not be +in order, if it were not made till after the failure of the motion to commit, +as the question then resumes its previous condition. + +When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed. + +27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when +another member has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to +Adjourn, during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [§ 38], when the rule above +applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] on which a +motion has been acted upon, to move to “Reconsider the vote” and have such +motion “entered on the record,” but it cannot be considered while another +question is before the assembly. It must be made, excepting when the vote is by +ballot, by a member who voted with the prevailing side; for instance, in case a +motion fails to pass for lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be +moved by one who voted against the motion. + +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [§ 7] motion takes precedence +of the main question. It yields to Privileged [§ 9] questions (except for the +Orders of the Day), and Incidental [§ 8] questions. + +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result can be +more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a similar reason, +an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table cannot be +reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to Suspend the Rules. +It is debatable or not, just as the question to be reconsidered is debatable or +undebatable [§ 35]; when debatable, it opens up for discussion the entire +subject to be reconsidered, and can have the Previous question [§ 20] applied +to it without affecting any thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid +on the table [§ 19], and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; +it is quite common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must +be voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.** [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to prevent +its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the table does not +carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a motion has been either +adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the motion as amended, it is not +in order to reconsider the vote on the amendment until after the vote on the +original motion has been reconsidered. If anything which the assembly cannot +reverse, has been done as the result a vote, then that vote cannot be +reconsidered. + +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the original +motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted upon; but if it +is not called up, its effect terminates with the session [§ 42], provided,* [In +Congress the effect always terminates with the session, and it cannot be called +up by any one but the mover, until the expiration of the time during which it +is in order to move a reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular +meetings as often as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held +of the one at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not +terminate till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of +this section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another question +cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question before the +assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the reconsideration, if +called up, takes precedence of every thing except the motions to adjourn, and +to fix the time to which to adjourn. As long as its effect lasts (as shown +above), any one can call up the motion to reconsider and have it acted +upon—excepting that when its effect extends beyond the meeting at which the +motion was made, no one but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the +reconsideration of an Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] motion shall be +immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent action on the main +question. + +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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [§ 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly. + +When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [§ 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of § 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made. + +A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see § 28]. + +Note On Reconsider.—In the English Parliament a vote once taken cannot be +reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a reconsideration of +the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the close of the last day for +making the motion, any one can call up the motion to reconsider, so that this +motion cannot delay action more than two days, and the effect of the motion, if +not acted upon, terminates with the session. There seems to be no reason or +good precedent for permitting merely two persons, by moving a reconsideration, +to suspend for any length of time all action under resolutions adopted by the +assembly, and yet where the delay is very short the advantages of +reconsideration overbalance the evils. + +Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session. + +Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action. +[§§ 28-33.] + +28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to +have all preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done +by means of committees. These may be either “standing committees” (which are +appointed for the session [§ 42], or for some definite time, as one year); or +“select committees,” appointed for a special purpose; or a “committee of the +whole” [§ 32], consisting of the entire assembly. [For method of appointing +committees of the whole, see § 32; other committees, see commit, § 22.] The +first person named on a committee is chairman, and should act as such, without +the committee should see fit to elect another chairman, which they are +competent to do. The clerk should furnish him, or some other member of the +committee, with notice of the appointment of the committee, giving the names of +the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as the assembly +have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee together, and if there +is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see § 43,) he should read or have +read, the entire resolutions referred to them; he should then read each +paragraph, and pause for amendments to be offered; when the amendments to that +paragraph are voted on he proceeds to the next, only taking votes on +amendments, as the committee cannot vote on the adoption of matter referred to +them by the assembly. + +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, on +amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which draft has +been previously prepared by one of their members or a sub-committee); they do +not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having completed the amendments, they +vote on the adoption of the entire report. When there is a preamble, it is +considered last. If the report originates with the committee, all amendments +are to be incorporated in the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, +the committee cannot alter the text, but must submit the original paper intact, +with their amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, § 23) written +on a separate sheet. + +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed its +clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members present at a +meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the members of the +committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its report. The minority may +be permitted to submit their views in writing also, either together, or each +member separately, but their reports can only be acted upon, by voting to +substitute one of them for the report of the committee. The rules of the +assembly, as far as possible, shall apply in committee; but a reconsideration +[§ 27] of a vote shall be allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when +every member who voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is +moved.* [Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with rather +than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above seems more just, +and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary committees, who usually +reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage can be taken of the privilege, as +long as every member who voted with the majority must be present when the +reconsideration is moved.] A committee (except a committee of the whole, § 32] +may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the business assigned them, a +motion is made for the committee to “rise” (which is equivalent to the motion +to adjourn), and that the chairman (or some member who is more familiar with +the subject) make its report to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as +soon as the assembly receives the report [§ 30]. + +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, its +resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can be made in +the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be by a report of the +committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of a committee to meet on the +call of any two its of members, if the chairman be absent or decline to appoint +such meeting. When a committee adjourns without appointing a time for the next +meeting, it is called together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a +committee adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though usually +advisable) that absent members should be notified of the adjourned meeting. + +29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is +usually similar to the following: + +A standing committee reports thus: “The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report,” [or “beg leave to report,” or “beg +leave to submit the following report,”] etc., letting the report follow. + +A select or special committee reports as follows: “The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report,” etc. Or for “The committee” is sometimes +written “Your committee,” or “The undersigned, a committee.” + +When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): “The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred,” etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority. + +All reports conclude with, “All of which is respectfully submitted.” They are +sometimes signed only by the chairman of the committee, but if the matter is of +much importance, it is better that the report be signed by every member who +concurs. The report is not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as +for example, “Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a +Hall.” + +30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be “received”* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see § 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that “the report be +adopted and the committee discharged,” when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time. + +Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see §§ 31 and 44]. + +When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. + +31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a +report, a motion should be made to “adopt,” “accept,” or “agree to” the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the doings of +the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if done by the +assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the report contains merely +a statement of opinion or facts, the motion should be to “accept” the report; +if it also concludes with resolutions or certain propositions, the motion +should be to “agree to” the resolutions, or to “adopt” the propositions. After +the above motion is made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the +same as if there had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by +the motion of the member who made the report. [See § 34 for his privileges in +debate, and § 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] + +32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to +consider a subject which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet +where the subject matter is not well digested and put into proper form for its +definite action, or, when for any other reason, it is desirable for the +assembly to consider a subject with all the freedom of an ordinary committee, +it is the practice to refer the matter to the “Committee of the Whole.”* [In +large assemblies, such as the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member +can speak to any question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a +necessity, as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time +it can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] + +If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +“That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration,” etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to “commit” [see § 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section. + +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee “rise +and report,” as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the “yeas and nays” [§ 38]. +The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the whole, is for the +assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall cease at a certain time, or +that after a certain time no debate shall be allowed excepting on new +amendments, and then only one speech in favor of and one against it, of say, +five minutes each; or in some other way regulate the time for debate.* [In +Congress no motion to limit debate in committee of the whole is in order till +after the subject has been already considered in committee of the whole. As no +subject would probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, +in an ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The rule as +given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into committee of +the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, such restrictions as are +allowed in Congress after the subject has already been considered in committee +of the whole.] + +If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as he can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [§ 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it. + +When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that “the committee rise and report,” etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings. + +This motion “to rise” is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +“the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;” or he will make such other report as will suit the case. + +The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [§ 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn. + +33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if +in committee of the whole). It has become customary in many assemblies, instead +of going into committee of the whole, to consider the question “informally,” +and afterwards to act “formally.” In a small assembly there is no objection to +this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and treaties, upon +their second reading are considered “as if the Senate were in committee of the +whole,” which is equivalent to considering them informally. [U. S. Senate Rules +28 and 38.] In large assemblies it is better to follow the practice of the +House of Representatives, and go into committee of the whole.] While acting +informally upon any resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, +and without further motion the Chairman announces that “the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject under +consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will report.” The +subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a committee. While +acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as it is not necessary to +move that the committee rise, but at any time the adoption of such motions as +to adjourn, the previous question, to commit, or any motion except to amend or +adopt, puts an end to the informal consideration; as for example, the motion to +commit is equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: +(1) That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of the whole be discharged +from the further consideration of the subject, and (3) that it be referred to a +committee. + +While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [§ 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman’s report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly’s proceedings. + +Art. V. Debate and Decorum. +[§§ 34-37.] + +34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read §§ 1-5.] +When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see § 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, he shall +rise and respectfully address himself to “Mr. Chairman.” [“Mr. President” is +used where that is the designated title of the presiding officer; “Brother +Moderator” is more common in religious meetings.] The Chairman shall then +announce his name [see § 2]. By parliamentary courtesy, the member upon whose +motion a subject is brought before the assembly is first entitled to the floor, +even though another member has risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of +a report of a committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this +member is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon the +question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [§ 20] being ordered, or +in any other way. With this exception, no member shall speak more than twice to +the same question (only once to a question of order, § 14), nor longer than ten +minutes at one time, without leave of the assembly, and the question upon +granting the leave shall be decided by a majority vote without debate.* [The +limit in time should vary to suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches +of ten minutes each will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be +increased, when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in § 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can speak more +than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. The fourth rule of +the Senate is as follows: “No Senator shall speak more than twice in any one +debate on the same day, without leave of the Senate, which question shall be +decided without debate.” If no rule is adopted, each member can speak but once +to the same question.] + +If greater freedom is desired, the proper course is to refer the subject to the +committee of the whole [§ 32], or to consider it informally [§ 33]. [For +limiting or closing the debate, see § 37.] No member can speak the second time +to a question, until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an +amendment, or any other motion being offered, makes the real question before +the assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is treated +as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a suggestion, is not +considered as speaking. + +35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be +decided without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: + +—To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a privileged +question, § 10). +—To Adjourn [§ 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead of +to adjourn). +—For the Orders of the Day [§ 13], and questions relating to the priority +of business. +—An Appeal [§ 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, or +when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of speaking, +or to the priority of business. +—Objection to the Consideration of a Question [§ 15]. +—Questions relating to Reading of Papers [§ 16], or Withdrawing a Motion +[§ 17], or Suspending the Rules [§ 18], or extending the limits of debate [§ +34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to continue his speech to +one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate [§ 36]. +—To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [§ 19]. +—The Previous Question [§ 20]. +—To Reconsider [§ 26] a question which is itself undebatable. + +The motion to Postpone to a certain time [§ 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [§ 26], or to +Commit [§ 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [§ 24], opens the main question +[§ 6] to debate. To Amend [§ 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment. + +The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable. + +Note On Undebatable Questions.—The English common parliamentary law makes all +motions debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing’s +Manual, § 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon certain +motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section conform to the +practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common to allow of brief +remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes five or six members +speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one objects. + +By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [§ 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles: + +(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see § 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question. + +(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [§ 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [§ 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure. + +Illustrations: To “Indefinitely Postpone” [§ 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question. + +To “Postpone to a certain time” prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement. + +To “Lie on the Table” leaves the question so that the assembly can at any time +consider it, and therefore should not be, and is not debatable. + +To “Commit” would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it is often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee. + +36. Decorum in Debate [see § 2]. In debate a member must +confine himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to conclude +his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while debating such +motion. In referring to another member, he should, as much as possible, avoid +using his name, rather referring to him as “the member who spoke last,” or in +some other way describing him. The officers of the assembly should always be +referred to by their official titles. It is not allowable to arraign the +motives of a member, but the nature or consequences of a measure may be +condemned in strong terms. It is not the man, but the measure, that is the +subject of debate. If at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, +or give information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see § 40], the +member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been first heard. When +called to order, the member must sit down until the question of order is +decided. If his remarks are decided to be improper, he cannot proceed, if any +one objects, without the leave of the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which +question there shall be no debate. + +Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used. + +37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by +the Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative and +negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate [see § 38]. +Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are undebatable [§ 35], +and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a two-thirds* [In Congress, +where each speaker can occupy the floor one hour, any of these motions to cut +off debate can be adopted by a mere majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [§ 39]: + +(a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is first introduced, § 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [§ 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed. + +(b) To lie on the table [§ 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action. + +(c) The previous question [§ 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in § 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment. + +(d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment. + +Art. VI. Vote. +[§§ 38-39.] + +38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it +permits of no modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; +if the question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are various +forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the country. The +rule in Congress, in the House of Representatives, is as follows: “Questions +shall be distinctly put in this form, to-wit: ‘As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;’ and after the affirmative voice is +expressed, ‘As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.’” The following +form is very common: “It has been moved and seconded that (here state the +question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; those opposed, No.” Or, +if the motion is for the adoption of a certain resolution, after it has been +read the Chairman can say, “You have heard the resolution read; those in favor +of its adoption will hold up the right hand; those opposed will manifest it by +the same sign.” These examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of +putting a question, the affirmative being always put first. + +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in the +following form: “The motion is carried—the resolution is adopted,” or, “The +ayes have it—the resolution is adopted.” If, when he announces a vote, any +member rises and states that he doubts the vote, or calls for a “division,” the +Chairman shall say, “A division is called for; those in favor of the motion +will rise.” After counting these, and announcing the number, he shall say, +“Those opposed will rise.” will count these, announce the number, and declare +the result; that is, whether the motion is carried or lost. Instead of counting +the vote himself, he can appoint tellers to make the count and report to him. +When tellers are appointed, they should be selected from both sides of the +question. A member has the right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) +before the decision of the question has been finally and conclusively +pronounced by the Chair, but not afterwards. + +Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put. + +No one can vote on a question affecting himself, but if more than one name is +included in the resolution (though a sense of delicacy would prevent this right +being exercised, excepting when it would change the vote) all are entitled to +vote; for if this were not so, a minority could control an assembly by +including the names of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring +charges against them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. +When there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his vote +for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote will make a +tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. + +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when required +by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the assembly has +ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such cases, appoints at least +two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon which each member, including +the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect to vote before the ballots are +counted, he cannot then vote without the permission of the assembly.] writes +his vote; the votes are then collected, counted by the tellers, and the result +reported to the Chairman, who announces it to the assembly. The Chairman +announces the result of the vote, in case of an election to office, in a manner +similar to the following: “The whole number of votes cast is —; the number +necessary for an election is —; Mr. A. received —; Mr. B. —; Mr. C. —. Mr. B. +having received the required number is elected —.” Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the assembly +for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is necessary to +ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make a vote unanimous, it +fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots all blanks are ignored. + +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question be +taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has the effect +to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to this country, and +while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely useful in ordinary societies. +By the Constitution, one-fifth of the members present can, in either house of +Congress, order a vote to be taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the +resulting inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can only be +ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to hinder business. +In representative bodies it is very useful, especially where the proceedings +are published, as it enables the people to know how their representatives voted +on important measures. In some small bodies a vote on a resolution must be +taken by yeas and nays, upon the demand of a single member.] In this method of +voting the Chairman states both sides of the question at once; the clerk calls +the roll and each member as his name is called rises and answers yes or no, and +the clerk notes his answer. Upon the completion of the roll call the clerk +reads over the names of those who answered the affirmative, and afterwards +those in the negative, that mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number +voting on each side to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be +made in the minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of +those in the negative. + +The form of putting a question upon which the vote has been ordered to be taken +by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of the +adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are called, answer yes [or +aye]—those opposed will answer no.” The Chairman will then direct the clerk to +call the roll. The negative being put at the same time as the affirmative, it +is too late, after the question is put, to renew the debate. After the +commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask to be excused from voting. +The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in committee of the whole [§ 32]. + +39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no +rule to the contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum +[§ 43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for the +suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions to +suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, +and to make a special order [see note to § 37].] The following motions shall +require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right of discussion, and +the right to have the rules enforced, should not be abridged by a mere +majority: + + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question ………….. § 15. + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ……………. § 13. + To Suspend the Rules ………………………………….. § 18. + The Previous Question …………………………………. § 20. + To Close or Limit Debate ………………………………. § 37. + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ……….. § 43. + To Make a special order ……………………………….. § 13. + +Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes. +[§§ 40, 41.] + +40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read § 44, +and also § 40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title +has been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of the +assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. + +His duties are generally as follows: + +To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [§ 44]; to state and to put to vote [§ 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote; + +To restrain the members, when engaged in debate, within the rules of order; to +enforce on all occasions the observance of order and decorum [§ 36] among the +members, deciding all questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly +by any two members, § 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; + +To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceedings of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will, and in all things obeying its +commands. + +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise while +putting questions in very small bodies, such as committees, boards of trustees, +&c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it sitting; he shall also +rise from his seat (without calling any one to the chair), when speaking to a +question of order, which he can do in preference to other members. In referring +to himself he should always use his official title thus: “The Chair decides so +and so,” not “I decide, &c.” When a member has the floor, the chairman +cannot interrupt him as long as he does not transgress any of the rules of the +assembly, excepting as provided in § 2. + +He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot,* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote. + +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a chairman +pro tem.,** [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one on the list +that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman during the absence of +the President, and should always be called to the chair when the President +temporarily vacates it.] but the first adjournment puts an end to the +appointment, which the assembly can terminate before, if it pleases, by +electing another chairman. But the regular chairman, knowing that he will be +absent from a future meeting, cannot authorize another member to act in his +place at such meeting; the clerk [§ 41], or in his absence any member, should +in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman pro tem. be elected, who +would hold office during that session [§ 42], without such office was +terminated by the entrance of the regular chairman. + +The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. “It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings, in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so; and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate.” [Cushing’s +Manual, page 106.] “Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact.” [Jefferson’s Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay’s “Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.,” page 195.]] + +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and set the +example of strict conformity to it, but he should be aman of executive ability, +capable of controlling men; and it should never be forgotten, that, to control +others, it is necessary to control one’s self. An excited chairman can scarcely +fail to cause trouble in a meeting. + +A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that—“The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense.” + +41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording +officer is usually called the “Clerk” or “Secretary,”* [When there are two +secretaries, he is termed the “recording secretary,” and the other one, the +“corresponding secretary.” In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a certain +extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as banker, only +paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary alone, or by the +president and secretary. In such cases the secretary becomes in reality the +financial officer of the society, and should make reports to the society, of +funds received and from what sources, and of the funds expended and for what +purposes. See § 52 for his duties as financial officer.] and the record of +proceedings the “Minutes.” His desk should be near that of the chairman, and in +the absence of the chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the +hour for opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which should +be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, commencing in +a form similar to the following :** [See Clerk and Minutes in Part II, § 51.] + +“At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held on the +31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the President in the +chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and approved.” If the regular clerk +is absent, insert after the words “in the chair,” the following: “The clerk +being absent, Robert Smith was appointed clerk pro tem. The minutes were then +read and approved.” If the minutes were not read, say “the reading of the +minutes was dispensed with.” The above form will show the essentials, which are +as follows: (a) The kind of meeting, “regular” [or stated] or “special,” or +“adjourned regular,” or “adjourned special;” (6) name of the assembly; (c) date +and place of meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the +fact of the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous meeting +were approved. + +The minutes should be signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers. + +In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted. + +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have at +least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of Boards of +Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in reporting the +debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly to record what is +“done” by the assembly, not what is said by the members. Without there is a +rule to the contrary, he should enter every Principal motion [§ 6] that is +before the assembly, whether it is adopted or rejected; and where there is a +division [see Voting, § 38], or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter +the number of votes on each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [§ +38], he should enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He +should endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the records, +for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a brief summary of a +report that has been agreed to, except where it contains resolutions, in which +case the resolutions will be entered in full as adopted by the assembly, and +not as if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [§ 32], or while acting informally [§ 33], should not be entered on the +minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to read over the +minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or society will not +occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings are not separated by too +great a time, the minutes are read at the next meeting. + +The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [§ 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members. + +Art. VIII. Miscellaneous. +[§§ 42-45.] + +42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions +in Introduction for the distinction between “meeting” and “session.”] which, +though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a session of a +Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it terminates by an +“adjournment without day.” The intermediate adjournments from day to day, or +the recesses taken during the day, do not destroy the continuity of the +meeting—they in reality constitute one session. In the case of a permanent +society, having regular meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each +meeting constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however +can be prolonged by adjourning to another day. + +If a principal motion [§ 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see Renewal +of a Motion, § 26], it can be at the next, without it is prohibited by a rule +of the assembly. + +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the assembly at +any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or resolution of a +permanent nature, and it continues in force until at some future session it is +rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they are termed, do not interfere with +future sessions, because at any moment a majority can suspend or rescind them, +or adopt new ones.] without it is expressly so provided in their Constitution, +Bylaws, or Rules of Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of +amendments, and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are +not subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or wishes of +any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were ill, it would not +be competent for one session of the assembly to elect a chairman to hold office +longer than that session, as it cannot control or dictate to the next session +of the assembly. By going through the prescribed routine of an election to fill +the vacancy, giving whatever notice is required, it could then legally elect a +chairman to hold office while the vacancy lasted. So it is improper for an +assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the next succeeding session, and +thus attempt to prevent the next session from considering the question. On the +other hand, it is not permitted to move a reconsideration [§ 27] of a vote +taken at a previous session [though the motion to reconsider can be called up, +provided it was made at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees +can be appointed to report at a future session. + +Note On Session—In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual. + +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of an +ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very great. [Examine +Indefinitely Postpone, § 24, and Renewal of a Motion, § 26.] If members of any +society take advantage of the freedom allowed by considering each regular +meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious or unprofitable +motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the second introduction of +any principal question [§ 6] within, say, three or six months after its +rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after the society has refused to +consider it. But generally it is better to suppress the motion by refusing to +consider it [§ 15]. + +43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is +competent to transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the +subject, the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is usual to +adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than one-twentieth of +its members; this becomes a necessity in most large societies, where only a +small fraction of the members are ever present at a meeting.* [While a quorum +is competent to transact any business, it is usually not expedient to transact +important business without there is a fair attendance at the meeting, or else +previous notice of such action has been given.] + +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except where +there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can be +transacted, except simply to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is +found not to be a quorum present, the only thing to be done is to +adjourn—though if no question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, +but no vote taken, except to adjourn. + +In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum. + +44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society +having a permanent existence, to adopt an order of business for its meetings. +When no rule has been adopted, the following is the order: + + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval]. + (2) Reports of Standing Committees. + (3) Reports of Select Committees. + (4) Unfinished Business. + (5) New Business. + +Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a “special order” for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [§ 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [§ 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of. + +The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,—one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see § 30]. In § 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows: + +The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, “Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?” If none +are offered, he says, “No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;” he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph. + +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the clerk +reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first and puts it to +the question, and so on till all the amendments are adopted or rejected, +admitting amendments to the committee’s amendments, but no others. When through +with the committee’s amendments, the Chairman pauses for any other amendments +to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are voted on, he puts the +question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as amended. Where the resolutions +have been just read by the member presenting them, the reading by the clerk is +usually dispensed with without the formality of a vote. By “suspending the +rules” [§ 18], or by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without +following any of the above routine. + +45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be +amended at any regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the +members present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the +previous regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their being +amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous notice of the +amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain rules that it may be +desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should state how they can be +suspended, just as is done in these Rules of Order, § 18. If there is no such +rule it is impossible to suspend any rule, if a single member objects. + + + + +PART II. +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.* + + +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms permitted, +but that these forms are proper and common. They are inserted for the benefit +of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, and are sufficiently numerous for +ordinary meetings.] + +Art. IX. Organization and Meetings. +[§§ 46-49.] + +46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) +Organization. When a meeting is held which is not one of an organized society, +shortly after the time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly +steps forward and says: “The meeting will please come to order; I move that Mr. +A. act as chairman of this meeting.” Some one else says, “I second the motion.” +The first member then puts the question to vote, by saying, “It has been moved +and seconded that Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the +motion will say aye,” and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, “those +opposed will say no.” If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, “The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* +[Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, the assembly +signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. +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 Mr. A. 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 before. +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 a vote on +the first one he heard, putting the question thus: “As many as are in favor of +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;—those opposed will +say no.” If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. C., and so on, till +some one is elected. In large meetings the secretary takes his seat near the +chairman: he should in all cases keep a record of the proceedings as described +in § 51. + +(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all +that are usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, +the chairman asks, “What is the further pleasure of the meeting?” If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some special +subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for some one to offer +a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else to move 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, then says, “I move the adoption of the following +resolutions,” which he then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in +legislative bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and only +one chairman. In many 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, without there +is a rule or established custom to the contrary, it is allowable, and +frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are +fully understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of Order, +§ 44.] some one else says, “I second the motion.” The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he says, “The +question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read,” and if no one rises +immediately, he adds, “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 just read, +will say aye;” after the ayes have voted, he says, “As many as are of a +contrary opinion will say no;” he then announces the result of the vote as +follows: “The motion is carried—the resolutions are adopted,” or, “The ayes +have it—the resolutions are 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 been recognized, says, “I move that a committee be appointed to draft +resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on,” etc., adding the +subject for which the meeting was called. This motion being seconded, the +Chairman states the question [§ 67] and asks, “Are you ready for the question?” +If no one rises, he puts the question, announces the result, and, if it is +carried, he 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 the members of the +assembly (no member naming more than one, except by unanimous consent), and +then the assembly vote 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, will say aye.” +If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more names mentioned +than the number of the committee, a separate vote should be taken on each name. +(In a mass meeting it is safer to have all committees appointed by the +chairman.) + +When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in § 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, § 2.] when he says, “The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly. + +A member then moves the “adoption” or “acceptance” of the report, or that “the +resolutions be agreed to,” which motions have the same effect if carried, +namely, to make the resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the +committee had had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a +report has been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it +has been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. Another +mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report be accepted +which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is only to have the +report up for consideration and afterwards move its adoption.] + +When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in §§ 55-63. + +When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves “to adjourn;” if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, “The motion is carried; +—this assembly stands adjourned without day.” [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in § 48.] + +(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are required +than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before introducing the +resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; or the assembly can +first form a temporary organization in the manner already described, only +adding “pro tem.” to the title of the officers, thus: “chairman pro tem.” In +this latter case, as soon as the secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is +appointed to nominate the permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [§ +47]. Frequently the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes +there is a large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. + +47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If +the members of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it +becomes necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of a +chairman and secretary “pro tem.,” when the chairman announces, “The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials.” A motion +may then be made covering the entire case, thus: “I move that a committee of +three on the credentials of members be appointed by the Chair, and that the +committee report as soon as practicable;” or they may include only one of these +details, thus: “I move that a committee be appointed on the credentials of +members.” In either case the Chair proceeds as already described in the cases +of committees on resolutions [§ 46, (c)]. + +On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote. + +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least for +the time, announces that “The next business in order is the election of +permanent officers of the assembly.” Some one then moves the appointment of a +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: “I move that a +committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the permanent officers +of this convention.” This motion is treated as already explained. When the +committee make their report, some one moves “That the report of the committee +be accepted and that the officers nominated be declared the officers of this +convention.”* [Where there is any competition for the offices, it is better +that they be elected by ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee +report, a motion can be made as follows: “I move that the convention now +proceed to ballot for its permanent officers;” or “I move that we now proceed +to the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention.” [See +Rules of Order, § 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] The +constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the officers shall be +elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the chairman declares the +officers elected, and instantly calls the new presiding officer to the chair, +and the temporary secretary is at the same time replaced. The convention is now +organized for work. + +48. A Permanent Society. (a) First +Meeting. When it is desired to form a permanent society, those interested in it +should see that only the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain +time and place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to +organize a society, to commence until fifteen or thirty minutes after the +appointed time, when some one 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 an “occasional +meeting” [§ 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is elected, he +announces as the first business in order the election of a secretary. + +After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting. + +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 +getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as already +described [§ 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been offered at the +commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very large one, this would +probably be better than to have the informal discussion. + +After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly.” This motion can be amended [§ 56] +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 meeting?” When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see § 63] 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.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are +conducted like this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the +business in the order prescribed by the rules of the society [§ 72]. For +example, after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, “The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees.” He may then +call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: “Has the committee +on applications for membership any report to make?” In which case the committee +may report, as shown above, or some member of it reply that they have no report +to make. Or, when the chairman knows that there are but few if any reports to +make, 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 select +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.] 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 adds, “The secretary will read +the minutes of the last meeting.” If any one notices an error in the minutes, +he can 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, “If there is no +objection the minutes will stand approved as read” [or “corrected,” if any +corrections have been made]. + +He 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, reads the committee’s +report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and formal bodies the +chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the report, usually directs +the secretary to read it again. See note to § 46 (c), for a few common errors +in acting upon reports of committees. [See also note to § 46 (b).]] If no +motion is made, the chairman says, “You have heard the report read—what order +shall be taken upon it?” Or simply inquires, “What shall be done with the +report?” Some one moves its adoption, or still better, moves “the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee,” and when seconded, the chairman +says, “The question is on the adoption of the Constitution reported by the +committee.” He then reads the first article of the Constitution, and asks, “Are +there any amendments proposed to this article?” If none are offered, after a +pause, he reads the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus +until he reads the last article, when he says, “The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment.” Now any one can move amendments to any +part of the Constitution. + +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;” and then, “As many as are opposed, will +say no.” He distinctly announces the result of the vote, which should always be +done. If the articles of the Constitution are subdivided into sections or +paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or paragraphs, +instead of by articles. + +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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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. + +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and says, +“The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws.” Some one moves the +adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they are treated just +like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, “What is the further pleasure of +the meeting?” or states that the next business in order is the election of the +permanent officers of the society. In either case some one moves the +appointment of a committee to nominate the permanent officers of the society, +which motion is treated as already described in § 47. As each officer is +elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are all elected the +organization is completed. + +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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated. + +49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing +Rules. In forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure +copies of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending each +article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When they have +completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the committee. The +By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having finished the work +assigned them, some one moves, “That the committee rise, and that the chairman +(or some other member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly.” If +this is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: “Your committee, appointed to draft a Constitution +and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with the recommendation +that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws of this society;” which is +signed by all the members of the committee that concur in it. Sometimes the +report is only signed by the chairman of the committee. + +In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following: + +(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution. + +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided into +sections. The Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it +should be made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the +amendment is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [§ 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than two-thirds, +and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should not be allowed to be +made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after having been proposed at the +previous quarterly meeting. + +The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: “The rules contained in—(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society.” Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting. + +In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [§ 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws, as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for. + +Art. X. Officers and Committees. + +50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman +to call the meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the +meetings, to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to preserve +order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order (subject to an appeal). +When he “puts a question” to vote, and when speaking upon an appeal, he should +stand;* [In meetings of boards of managers, committees and other small bodies, +the chairman usually retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not +rise.] in all other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect +the result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member rises to +speak, he should say, “Mr. Chairman,” and the chairman should reply, “Mr. A;” +he should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should listen +to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the assembly. The +chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance of partizanship, but +he has the right to call another member to the chair while he addresses the +assembly on a question; when speaking to a question of order he does not leave +the chair. + +51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is +variously called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of +which depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every resolution +or motion that is adopted. + +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for publication, +and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and generally best, to +appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it is a tax on the judgment of +the clerk to decide what to enter on the record, or the “Minutes,” as it is +usually called. Sometimes the points of each speech should be entered, and at +other times only the remark that the question was discussed by Messrs. A., B. +and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in the negative. Every +resolution that is adopted should be entered, which can be done in this form: +“On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, &c.” + +Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book. + +The Form of the Minutes can be as follows: + +“At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on Tuesday +evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting as secretary, +the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The committee on +Applications reported the names of Messrs. C. and D. as applicants for +membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they were admitted as members. The +committee on —— reported a series of resolutions, which were thoroughly +discussed and amended, and finally adopted as follows: + +“Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *” + +On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned. +L- B-, Secretary. + +If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper. + +The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society. + +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, not +specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his duties are also of a +financial kind, when he should make such reports as are prescribed in the next +section. + +52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different +societies. In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely +holding the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always required, +in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on hand at the +commencement of the year, the amount received during the year (stating from +what source received), the total amount paid out by order of the society, and +the balance on hand. When this report is presented it is referred to an +“auditing committee,” consisting of one or two persons, who examine the +treasurer’s books and vouchers, and certify on his report that they “have +examined his accounts and vouchers and find them correct, and the balance on +hand is,” etc., stating the amount on hand. The auditing committee’s report +being accepted is equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, +namely, that the treasurer’s report is correct. + +In the case here supposed, the real financial statement is made either by the +board of trustees, or by the secretary or some other officer, according to the +Constitution of the society. The principles involved, are, that every officer +who receives money is to account for it in a report to the society, and that +whatever officer is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the +society. If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary should +make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable the society to +readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. + +It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct. + +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he makes a +payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as they are the +vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the auditing committee. +Disbursing officers cannot be too careful in keeping their accounts, and they +should insist upon having their accounts audited every time they make a report, +as by this means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee’s report that the financial report +is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the responsibility of the +past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it would cause no trouble. The +best form for these financial reports depends upon the kind of society, and is +best determined by examining those made in similar societies. + +The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures): + +Treasurer’s Report. + +The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report: + +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was —— dollars and —— +cents. There was received from all sources during the year, —— dollars and —— +cents; during the same time the expenses amounted to —— dollars and —— cents, +leaving a balance on hand of —— dollars and —— cents. The annexed statement of +receipts and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the +receipts were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. + +S— M—, Treasurer M. L. S. + +The “Statement of receipts and expenditures” can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee’s certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows: + +Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +———————————————————————————————————- +1874. 1874. + +Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand + ” Gas ……….. 80 00 from last year’s + ” Stationery …. 26 50 account ………. $ 21 13 + ” Janitor ……. 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00 + ” Balance on hand 24 63 ” members’ dues .. 875 00 + ———- ———- + $991 13 $991 13 + +We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm. + +53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those +where but little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees are of +the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in nine cases out +of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A committee for action should +be small and consist only of those heartily in favor of the proposed action. A +committee for deliberation or investigation, on the contrary, should be larger +and represent all parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with +it as great weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on the +committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in § 46 (c). + +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his duty to +call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If he is absent, or +from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it is the duty of the +committee to assemble on the call of any two of their members. The committee +are a miniature assembly, only being able to act when a quorum is present. If a +paper is referred to them they must not deface it in any way, but write their +amendments on a separate sheet. If they originate the paper, all amendments +must be incorporated in it. When they originate the paper, usually one member +has previously prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read +by paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, “Are there +any amendments proposed to this paragraph?” No vote is taken on the adoption of +the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has been read in this way, +it is open to amendment, generally, by striking out any paragraph or inserting +new ones, or by substituting an entirely new paper for it. When it has been +amended to suit the committee, they should adopt it as their report, and direct +the chairman or some other member to report it to the assembly. It is then +written out, usually commencing in a style similar to this: “The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the +following report;” or, “Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report,” etc. It usually closes thus: “All of which is +respectfully submitted,” followed by the signatures of all the members +concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of the chairman. + +If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: “The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed,” etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee’s report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee’s report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to re-commit), if adopted, revives the committee. + +Art. XI. Introduction of Business. + +54. Any member wishing to bring business before the +assembly, should, without it is very simple, write down in the form of a +motion, what he would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: + +Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality. + +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and addresses the +chairman by his title, thus: “Mr. Chairman,” who immediately recognizes him by +announcing his name.* [If the chairman has any special title, as President, for +instance, he should be addressed by it, thus: “Mr. President.” Sometimes the +chairman recognizes the speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course +is to announce his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he “moves the +adoption of the following resolution,” which he reads and hands to the +chairman.** [Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes +to offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, “It has +been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted,” when he +reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then state the question +thus: “The question is on the adoption of the resolution just read.” The merits +of the resolution are then open to discussion, but before any member can +discuss the question or make any motion, he must first obtain the floor as just +described. After the chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or +when he thinks the debate closed, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the following: +“The question is on the adoption of the resolution which you have heard; as +many as are in favor of its adoption will say aye.” When the ayes have voted, +he says, “As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no.”* [There are many +other ways of putting a question; see § 67, and Rules of Order, § 38. Other +illustrations of the ordinary practice in introducing business will be seen in +§§ 46-48.] He then announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or +lost, as the case may be, in the following form: “The motion is carried—the +resolution is adopted;” or, “The ayes have it—the resolution is adopted.” A +majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, +excepting those mentioned in § 68. + +Art. XII. Motions. + +55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead +of immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, it +may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this purpose +various motions have come into use, which can be made while a resolution is +being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. No one can make any of +these motions while another member has the floor, excepting as shown in § 64, +which see for the circumstances under which each motion can be made. + +The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.] + +Motions Classified. + + (1) To Amend or Modify ………………………………… [§ 56] + (a) Amend. + (b) Commit. + (2) To Defer action …………………………………… [§ 57] + (a) Postpone to a certain time. + (b) Lie on the Table. + (3) To Suppress Debate ………………………………… [§ 58] + (a) Previous Question. + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate. + (4) To Suppress the question …………………………… [§ 59] + (a) Objection to its Consideration. + (b) Postpone Indefinitely. + (c) Lie on the Table. + (5) To Consider a question the second time ………………. [§ 60] + (a) Reconsider. + (6) Order and Rules …………………………………… [§ 61] + (a) Orders of the day. + (b) Special Orders. + (c) Suspension of the Rules. + (d) Questions of Order. + (e) Appeal. + (7) Miscellaneous …………………………………….. [§ 62] + (a) Reading of Papers. + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion. + (c) Questions of Privilege. + (8) To close a meeting ………………………………… [§ 63] + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn. + (b) Adjourn. + +56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If +it is desired to modify the question in any way, the proper motion to make is +to “amend,” either by “adding” words, or by “striking out” words; or by +“striking out certain words and inserting others;” or by “substituting” a +different motion on the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by +“dividing the question” into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so +as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its friends, +and thus defeat it. + +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should always +state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly what is +before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to amend; then +the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the words to be inserted, +if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will stand if the amendment is +adopted. He then states that the question is on the adoption of the amendment, +which is open to debate, the remarks being confined to the merits of the +amendment, only going into the main question so far as is necessary in order to +ascertain the propriety of adopting the amendment. + +This amendment can be amended, but an “amendment of an amendment” cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in § 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely. + +(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, +or needs more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move “to refer it to a committee.” This motion can be made while an amendment +is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to debate. This +motion can be amended by specifying the number of the committee, or how they +shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or by giving them any other +instructions. [See § 53 on committees, and § 46 (c) on their appointment.] + +57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a +certain time. If it is desired to defer action upon a question till a +particular time, the proper motion to make, is to “postpone it to that time.” +This motion allows of but limited debate, which must be confined to the +propriety of the postponement to that time; it can be amended by altering the +time, and this amendment allows of the same debate. The time specified must not +be beyond that session [§ 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, +in which case it comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. +This motion can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. + +(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to +a particular time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some +other question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to defeat +a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it at any other +time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken from the table, +except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the society of the advantages +of the motion to “lie on the table.” because it would not be safe to lay a +question aside temporarily, if one-third of the assembly were opposed to the +measure, as that one-third could prevent its ever being taken from the table. A +bare majority should not have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or +reject a question, or prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at +end of § 35, Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the question +“lie on the table.” This motion allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the +chairman immediately puts the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid +aside until the assembly vote to “take it from the table” (which latter motion +is undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used to +suppress a measure, as shown in § 59 (c). + +58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous +Question. While as a general rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* +[Except an “objection to the consideration of the question” [§ 59 (a)]. See +note to § 35, Rules of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] +which, if adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing +it from before the assembly for the session,—yet, to prevent a minority from +making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have methods by +which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken upon a question. + +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, it is +only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and “call for the previous +question;” this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows of no debate, +instantly puts the question, thus: “Shall the main question be now put?” If +this is carried by a two-thirds vote [§ 68], all debate instantly ceases, +excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, or reported it +from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to the floor to close the +debate; after which, the chairman immediately puts the questions to the +assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if it is pending; if this is carried, +of course the subject goes to the committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is +next taken on amendments, and finally on the resolution as amended. + +If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate. + +(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, +instead of cutting off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is +desirable to allow of but very limited debate. In this case, a motion is made +to limit the time allowed each speaker or the number of speeches on each side, +or to appoint a time at which debate shall close and the question be put. The +motion may be made to limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main +question would afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made +simply on an amendment to an amendment. + +In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions. + +59. To Suppress the Question. (a) +Objection to the consideration of a question. Sometimes a resolution is +introduced that the assembly do not wish to consider at all, because it is +profitless, or irrelevant to the objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. +The proper course to pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is +introduced, to “object to the consideration of the question.” This objection +not requiring a second, the chairman immediately puts the question, “Will the +assembly consider this question?” If decided in the negative by a two-thirds +vote, the question is immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced +during that session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another member +has the floor. + +(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been +debated, the proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the +session, is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an amendment +has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is before the assembly. +It opens the merits of the main question to debate to as great an extent as if +the main question were before the assembly. On account of these two facts, in +assemblies with short sessions it is not very useful, as the same result can +usually be more easily attained by the next motion. + +(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during +the remainder of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the +question, then the quickest way of suppressing it is to move “that the question +lie on the table;” which, allowing of no debate, enables the majority to +instantly lay the question on the table, from which it cannot be taken without +their consent. + +From its high rank [§ 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in § 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration. + +60. To Consider a question a second +time. Reconsider. When a question has been once adopted, rejected or +suppressed, it cannot be again considered during that session [§ 70], except by +a motion to “reconsider the vote” on that question. This motion can only be +made by one who voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken +which it is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any one +can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered on all +important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary societies.] It +can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of debate, even when +another member has the floor, but cannot be considered until there is no +question before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. + +A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable. + +If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote. + +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be called up +by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If the assembly has +not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph would not apply, but this +motion to reconsider would, like any other motion, fall to the ground if not +acted upon before the close of the session at which the original vote was +adopted.] If he fails to call it up then, any one else can do so. But should +there be no succeeding meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, +then the effect of the motion to reconsider terminates with the adjournment of +the meeting at which it was made, and any one can call it up at that meeting. + +In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in § +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, § 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.] + +61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the +Day. Sometimes an assembly decides that certain questions shall be considered +at a particular time, and when that time arrives those questions constitute +what is termed the “orders of the day,” and if any member “calls for the orders +of the day,” as it requires no second, the chairman immediately puts the +question, thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to the orders of the day?” If +carried, the subject under consideration is laid aside, and the questions +appointed for that time are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the +chairman may state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot be +renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* [In +Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a call for +the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most common case where +orders of the day are decided upon is where it is necessary to make a programme +for the session. When the hour arrives for the consideration of any subject on +the programme, these rules permit any member to call for the orders of the day +(as described in Rules of Order, § 2) even though another person has the floor. +If this were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone the +orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion of the +question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when any subject +shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules of the assembly; the +latter must be enforced by the chairman, without they are suspended by a +two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can only be carried out by the +order of a majority of the assembly then present and voting.] + +(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that +it is desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made to make +the question a “special order” for that particular time. This motion requires a +two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really a suspension of the +rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to suspend the rules is in order. +If a subject is a special order for a particular day, then on that day it +supersedes all business except the reading of the minutes. A special order can +be postponed by a majority vote. If two special orders are made for the same +day, the one first made takes precedence. + +(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every +assembly, if discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being +wasted, and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by suspending +their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes a motion “to +suspend the rules that interfere with,” etc., stating the object of the +suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds vote, then the particular +thing for which the rules were suspended can be done. By “general consent,” +that is, if no one objects, the rules can at any time be ignored without the +formality of a motion. + +(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to +enforce the rules and preserve order, and when any member notices a breach of +order, he can call for the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he +rises he usually says, “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.” The chairman +then directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of order, +decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his speech, +directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be out of order. +When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he cannot continue his +speech, if any one objects, without permission is granted him by a vote of the +assembly. Instead of the above method, when a member uses improper language, +some one says, “I call the gentleman to order;” when the chairman decides as +before whether the language is disorderly. + +(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of +interpretation of the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the +chairman to first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to +“appeal from the decision.” If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the question, +thus: “Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the assembly?” +[or society, convention, etc.] + +The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained, or reversed, as the case may be. + +62. +Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a motion. If a +speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw his motion after it has +been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if any one objects, to make a motion +to grant the permission. + +(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur +during the meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of +the members, any member may “rise to a question of privilege,” and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of privilege: +(from the chairman’s decision of course an appeal can be taken). If the +question is one of privilege, it supersedes, for the time being, the business +before the assembly; its consideration can be postponed to another time, or the +previous question can be ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid +on the table, or referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon +as the question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. + +63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the +time to which to adjourn. If it is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the +assembly, it is best some time before its close to move, “That when this +assembly adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time,” specifying the time. +This motion can be amended by altering the time, but if made when another +question is before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it stands as +any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can be made even while +the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but not when another member +has the floor. + +(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly from being +kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to have a rule +limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one member at one +time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is desired to close the +meeting, without the member who has the floor will yield it, the only resource +is to wait till his time expires, and then a member who gets the floor should +move “to adjourn.” The motion being seconded, the chairman instantly put the +question, as it allows of no amendment or debate; and if decided in the +affirmative, he says, “The motion is carried;—this assembly stands adjourned.” +If the assembly is one that will have no other meeting, instead of “adjourned,” +he says “adjourned without day,” or “sine die.” If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he states +that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion to adjourn is +qualified by specifying the time, as, “to adjourn to to-morrow evening,” it +cannot be made when any other question is before the assembly; like any other +main motion, it can then be amended and debated.** [For the effect of an +adjournment upon unfinished business see § 69.] + +64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions +rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first. + +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection to the +consideration of a question, can be made while another member has the floor: +so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be entered on the minutes +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the assembly. + +Art. XIII. Debate. + +65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be +addressed to the chairman, and must be confined to the question before the +assembly, avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one’s motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of times +any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed for each +speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from each member only +one speech of one hour’s length; the Senate allows two speeches without limit +as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he could speak only once to the +same question, might defeat a measure by prolonging his speech and declining to +yield the floor except for a motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two +speeches should be allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules +also limit the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a +member to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. + +However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, §§ 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in § 58 (b). + +66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main +Question to Debate. [A full list of these will be found in § 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be added +the motion to close or limit debate.] + +Art. XIV. Miscellaneous. + +67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a +motion has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the +motion is in order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what +question is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or +when it is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. + +Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question. + +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, “It is moved +and seconded that,” and then give the motion. When an amendment has been voted +on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, “The question now recurs +on the resolution,” or, “on the resolution as amended,” as the case may be. So +in all cases, as soon as a vote is taken, he should immediately state the +question then before the assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable +or can be amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and always +before finally putting it, inquires, “Are you ready for the question?” Some of +the common forms of stating and putting questions are shown in §§ 46-48. The +forms of putting the following questions, are, however, peculiar: + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main +question be now put?” + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?” [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?” + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will +the assembly consider it?” or, “Shall the question be considered?” [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]—those opposed will answer no.” + +68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds +Vote, page 159, and § 39 of Rules of Order.] + +All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule: + +To amend or suspend the rules. +To make a special order. +To take up a question out of its proper order. +An objection to the consideration of a question. +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. + +69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the +unfinished business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the +first business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new business at +the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are more frequent than +yearly.** [See Rules of Order, § 11, for a fuller explanation of the effect of +an adjournment upon unfinished business, and the Congressional practice.] If +the meetings are only once a year, the adjournment of the session puts an end +to all unfinished business. + +70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes +a separate session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +“adjourns without day.”* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by moving +simply “to adjourn;” the society meet again at the time provided either by +their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not meet till the +time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the By-Laws, then the +adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an adjournment without day. +If, however, they had previously fixed the time for the next meeting, either by +a direct vote, or by adopting a programme of exercises covering several +meetings or even days, in either case the adjournment is in effect to a certain +day, and does not close the session.] + +When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to § 49]. + +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules limit +the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of Business +prescribed in § 72 requires that the minutes of the previous meeting, the +reports of committees previously appointed, and the unfinished business of the +last session, shall all take precedence of new business, and that no subject +can be considered out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it +is allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up with +unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day beyond the +next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next session to consider +the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can be made at one meeting and +called up at the next meeting even though it be another session, provided the +society holds its regular sessions as frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of +Order, § 42, for a full discussion of this subject.] + +71. Quorum. [See § 43 for full information on this +subject.] + +72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year: + +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. +(3) Reports of Select Committees. +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). +(5) New Business. + +Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read. + +73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of +Order, should be permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular +meeting of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, amendments +should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after having been proposed at +the previous quarterly meeting. + +Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their +Members. + +The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a 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 +their 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. + +The 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 or 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 treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights. + +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 held the case under +advisement for one year, and then reversed the decision of the State Court, +because it conflicted with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court +that had acted upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, +laid down the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a +larger and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has been +carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. + +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. In § 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case. + +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 investigate the matter and report to the society. +This report need not go into details, but should contain their 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. + +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. + +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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt. + + + + +TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS. + + +[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.] + +Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, “Lie on +the table:” the Table shows that § 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is “undebatable” and “cannot be amended;” and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) “cannot be reconsidered:” +— the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +“open the main question to debate,” that it does not “require a 2/3 +vote,” that it does “require to be seconded,” and that it is not “in +order when another member has the floor.” + +The column headed “Requires a two-thirds vote,” applies only where the +“Pocket Manual of Rules of Order,” or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See “Two-thirds Vote,” on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] + +After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc. + + In order when another has the floor [§ 2]——————-| + Requires no Second [§ 3]—————-| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [§ 39]—See Note 1.————-| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [§ 27]———-| | | | + Cannot be Amended [§ 23]——-| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [§ 35]—-| | | | | | + Undebatable [§ 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ……………………………………… x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ………………. 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ……………………………………….. . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment ……………………………. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ………………………………. . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ………… x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ……………………….. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ………………………………… x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ……………………….. x . . . x . . +22 Commit ………………………………………. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to ………….. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn ……………….. 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table ……………………………… x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ……………………….. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] …….. x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ………………. x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time …………………….. 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely …………………………. . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question …………………………….. x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ……… x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ……………………………….. x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ………………… . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question ……………… x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) ………………………… . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) ……………… x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ……………. x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ………………………. . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) …………………….. . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules …………………………….. x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table …………………………… x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order ………. x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion ………………………… x . x . . . . + +Notes To The Table. + +(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to “suspend the rules,” which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.] + +(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. + +(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. + +(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. + +(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly; it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side. + +(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted. + +(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate. + + + + +MISCELLANEOUS RULES. + + +Order of Precedence of Motions. + +The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when, if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first. + +Two-thirds Vote. + +In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to “suspend the +rules,” which would require a unanimous vote. + +Forms of Putting Certain Questions. + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main +question now be put?” + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?” [convention, society, etc.]. + +If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +“Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?” + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will +the assembly consider it?” or “Shall the question be considered?” [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]—those opposed will answer no.” + +Various Forms of Amendments. + +An Amendment may be either (1) by “adding” or (2) by “striking out” +words or paragraphs; or (3) by “striking out certain words and inserting +others;” or (4) by “substituting” a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by “dividing the question” into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. + +Additions and Corrections. + +[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.] + +19th page, 7th line, after “§ 13” insert a star referring to this note: “See +note to § 61.” +50th ” 2d line of last note, omit all after “reconsideration.” +51st ” at end of 12th line, insert “upon another day.” +” ” 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: “In Congress the +effect always terminates with the session, and it cannot be called up by any +one but the mover, until the expiration of the time during which it is in order +to move a reconsideration.” +69th ” 4th line, after “§ 34,” insert “or limiting or closing debate.” +72d ” 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: “If both are +personally interested. [See p. 161.]” +73d ” last line of note, insert “final” before “vote.” +80th ” add to the list in § 39 the motion “To make a special order.” + + + + +INDEX. + + +The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION. + +Adjourn, motion to ……………………………………… 11, 63b + when in order ………………………………………… 11, 64 + effect upon unfinished business ………………………… 11, 69 + motion to “fix the time to which to adjourn” ……………… 10, 63 +Amendment, motion to “amend” ……………………………. 23, 56a + by “adding” or “striking out” ………………………….. 23, 56a + by “striking out and inserting” ………………………… 23, 56a + by “substituting” …………………………………….. 23, 56a + by “dividing the question” ………………………….. 4, 23, 56a + of an amendment ………………………………………. 23, 56a + in committee ………………………………………….. 28, 53 + in committee of the whole …………………………………. 32 + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ……….. 44, 48b + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions ……………… 45, 73 + motions that cannot be amended …………………………. 23, 56a +Announcing the vote. See Forms. +Appeal from the decision of the chair …………………….. 14, 61e +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14). +Assembly, how organized ………………………………. 46, 47, 48 + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc., + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16. + legal rights of, pp. 158-163. + right to punish members, p. 158. + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159. + trial of members, p. 160. +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, § 38. +Ballot …………………………………………………….. 38 +Blanks, filling of ………………………………………….. 25 + in balloting, not to be counted …………………………….. 38 +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in + order when reports of standing committees are made ………… 44, 72 + (See Quorum.) +Business, introduction of ……………………………….. 1-5, 54 + order of ……………………………………………… 44, 72 + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ………………… 11, 69 + [See Priority of Business.] +By-Laws, what they should contain …………………………….. 49 + adoption of ……………………………………………… 46a + amendment of ………………………………………….. 45, 73 +Chairman, duties of ……………………………………… 40, 50 + election of ……………………………………………… 46a + temporary …………………………………………….. 40, 47 + of a committee ………………………………………… 28, 53 +of committee of the whole ……………………………………. 32 +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ………………. 38 +Classification of Motions according to their object …………….. 55 + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ……………….. 6-9 +Clerk, duties of ………………………………………… 41, 51 + additional duties of when receiving money ……………………. 52 + election of ……………………………………………… 46a +Commit, motion to ………………………………………. 22, 56b +Committees, appointment of ………………………………. 22, 46c + how they should be composed …………………………….. 22, 53 + object of …………………………………………….. 28, 53 + manner of conducting business in ………………………… 28, 53 + Reports of, their form …………………………………. 29, 53 + their reception …………………………………….. 30, 46c + their adoption ……………………………………… 31, 46c + their place in the order of business …………………… 44, 72 + common errors in acting upon (note) …………………… 30, 46c + Minority Reports of, their form …………………………. 29, 53 + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute + for the committee’s report ………………………….. 28, 53 + of the whole ……………………………………………… 32 + as if in committee of the whole …………………………….. 33 +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12. +Consideration of a question, objection to …………………. 15, 59a +Constitutions, what they should contain ……………………….. 49 + adoption of by a society ………………………………….. 48b + amendment of ………………………………………….. 45, 73 +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a + meeting of …………………………………………….. 47 +Credentials of delegates …………………………………….. 47 +Debate, what precedes …………………………………….. 3, 54 + no member to speak but twice in same …………………….. 34, 65 + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one + time ……………………………………………….. 34, 65 + a majority can extend the number and length of + speeches allowed ……………………………………. 34, 65 + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress + (note) ……………………………………………… 34, 65 + member introducing measure has right to close ………………… 34 + list of undebatable questions …………………………… 35, 66 + motions that open the main question to ………………………. 35 + principles regulating the extent of (see note) ……………….. 35 + decorum in ……………………………………………. 36, 65 + closing or limiting ……………………………………. 37, 58 +Decorum in debate ……………………………………….. 36, 65 +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15]. +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ……………………….. 47 +Division of the assembly …………………………………….. 38 + of questions [see Amendment] ……………………………. 4, 56a +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159. +Election of Officers ……………………………………. 46a, 47 +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to ……………….. 10, 63a +Floor, how to obtain ……………………………………… 2, 54 +Forms of making motions ………………………………….. 46, 54 + of stating and putting questions ………………………… 38, 67 + of announcing the result of a vote ………………………. 38, 54 + of reports of committees ……………………………….. 29, 53 + of treasurers’ reports …………………………………….. 52 + of minutes of a meeting ………………………………… 41, 51 + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ………………….. 46 + of conducting a meeting of delegates ………………………… 47 + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ………………… 48 + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ………………. 48b +Incidental questions …………………………………………. 8 +Indefinite postponement …………………………………. 24, 59b +Informal consideration of a question ………………………….. 33 +Introduction of Business ………………………………… 1-5, 54 +Journal, or minutes ……………………………………… 41, 51 +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals. +Lie on the table, motion to …………………………. 19, 57b, 59c +Main question ……………………………………………….. 6 +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum. +Meeting, distinction between it and session ………………… 42, 70 + [See also Introduction, page 15.] + how to conduct. See Forms. +Members not to be present during a debate or vote + concerning themselves ……………………………………… 36 + trial of, p. 160. +Minority Report. See Committees. +Minutes, form and contents of …………………………….. 41, 51 +Moderator. See Chairman. +Modification of a motion by the mover ………………………….. 5 +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.] + Adjourn ……………………………………………… 11, 63b + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ………………………. 10, 63a + Amend ……………………………………………….. 23, 56a + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) ……………… 31, 46c + Appeal ………………………………………………. 14, 61e + Blanks, filling …………………………………………… 25 + Call to order ………………………………………… 14, 61d + Close debate ………………………………………….. 37, 58 + Commit ………………………………………………. 22, 56b + Consideration of a question, objection to ………………. 15, 59a + Divide the question ………………………………… 4, 23, 56a + Extend the limits of debate …………………………….. 34, 65 + Fix the time to which to adjourn ……………………….. 10, 63a + Incidental motions or questions ……………………………… 8 + Indefinitely postpone …………………………………. 24, 59b + Informal consideration of a question ………………………… 33 + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum …………….. 36 + Leave to withdraw a motion …………………………….. 17, 62b + Lie on the table …………………………………. 19, 57b, 59c + Limit Debate …………………………………………. 37, 58b + Main motions or questions …………………………………… 6 + Objection to the consideration of a question …………….. 15, 59a + Order, questions of …………………………………… 14, 61d + Orders of the day …………………………………….. 13, 61a + Orders, special ………………………………………….. 61b + Postpone to a certain day ……………………………… 21, 57a + Postpone indefinitely …………………………………. 24, 59b + Previous question …………………………………….. 20, 58a + Principal motions or questions ………………………………. 6 + Priority of Business, questions relating to ………………….. 35 + Privileged motions or questions ……………………………… 9 + Privilege, questions of ……………………………….. 12, 62c + Reading papers ………………………………………… 16, 62 + Reception of a report [see Committees] ………………….. 30, 46c + Recommit [same as Commit] ………………………………. 22, 56 + Reconsider ……………………………………………. 27, 60 + Refer [same as Commit] ………………………………… 22, 56b + Renewal of a motion ……………………………………. 26, 60 + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ……………………… 11, 32 + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] …………. 15, 59a + Special Order, to make a ………………………………….. 61b + Strike out [see Amendment] …………………………….. 23, 56a + Subsidiary motions or questions ……………………………… 7 + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) ……………….. 23, 56a + Suspension of the Rules ……………………………….. 18, 61c + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ………………. 19, 57b + Take up a question out of its proper order ……………….. 44, 72 + Withdrawal of a motion …………………………………. 17, 62 +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166. + classified according to their object ………………………… 55 + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ……… 6-9 + order of precedence of [see each motion, §§ 10-27] ……………. 64 + how to be made …………………………………… 1, 2, 46, 54 + a second required (with certain exceptions) ……………….. 3, 67 + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ……………. 3, 54 + when to be in writing …………………………………… 4, 54 + how to be divided ………………………………………….. 4 + how to be modified by the mover ……………………….. 3, 5, 17 + how to be stated and put to the question …………………. 38, 67 + that cannot be amended ………………………………… 23, 56a + that cannot be debated …………………………………. 35, 66 + that open main question to debate …………………………… 35 + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption …………… 39, 68 +Nominations, how treated ………………………………… 25, 46a +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without + a vote …………………………………………………… 23 +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction + of a question ………………………………………… 15, 59a +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer + and Vice-Presidents. +Order, questions of and a call to ………………………… 14, 61d + of business …………………………………………… 44, 72 + of the day …………………………………………… 13, 61a + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) ………. 61a + special …………………………………………………. 61b + of precedence of motions. See Precedence. +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting …………………. 46a + of a convention or assembly of delegates …………………….. 47 + of a permanent society …………………………………….. 48 +Papers and documents, reading of ………………………….. 16, 62 + in custody of clerk ……………………………………. 41, 51 +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.) +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.) + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.) + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business, + (Introduction, page 14.) +Postpone to a certain time ………………………………. 21, 57a + indefinitely …………………………………………. 24, 59b +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper …………………. 44 +Precedence of motions [see each motion, §§ 10-27] ………………. 64 + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +Presiding Officer. See Chairman. +Previous Question ………………………………………. 20, 58a +Principal (or main) question ………………………………….. 6 +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ……… 35 +Privilege, questions of …………………………………. 12, 62c +Privileged questions …………………………………………. 9 +Putting the question, form of …………………………….. 38, 67 +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order. +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority …………… 43 + committees and boards cannot decide upon …………………….. 43 +Reading of Papers ……………………………………….. 16, 62 +Reception of a report. See Committees. +Re-commit (same as Commit) ………………………………. 22, 56b +Reconsider ……………………………………………… 27, 60 +Record, or minutes ………………………………………. 41, 51 +Recording officer. See Clerk. +Refer [same as Commit] ………………………………….. 22, 56b +Renewal of a motion ……………………………………… 26, 60 +Reports of committees. See Committees. +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly. + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159. +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ………………. 11, 32 +Rules of debate. See Debate. + of Order, amendment of …………………………………. 45, 73 + of Order, what they should contain ………………………….. 49 + standing, what they should contain ………………………….. 49 + suspension of ………………………………………… 18, 61c + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166. +Seconding, motions that do not require ……………………… 3, 67 +Secretary. See Clerk. +Session [See also Meeting] ……………………………….. 42, 70 +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ……………. 15, 59a +Speaking, rules of, See Debate. +Special Order ……………………………………………… 61b +Standing Rules ……………………………………………… 49 +Stating a question, form of ………………………………. 38, 67 +Strike out (see Amendment) ………………………………. 23, 56a +Subsidiary motions or questions ……………………………….. 7 +Substitute (see Amendment) ………………………………. 23, 56a +Sum, largest, first put ……………………………………… 25 +Suspension of the rules …………………………………. 18, 61c +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166. +Take from the table, motion to …………………………… 19, 57b +Time, longest, first put …………………………………….. 25 +Treasurer, duties of ………………………………………… 52 +Trial of Members, p. 160. +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring ………………………… 39, 68 +Undebatable Questions ……………………………………. 35, 66 +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon …………….. 11, 69 + its place in the order of business ………………………. 44, 72 +Vice-Presidents ……………………………………………. 46d +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ………………….. 38, 54 + motions requiring more than a majority …………………… 39, 68 + change of, permitted before result is announced ………………. 38 +Voting, various methods of …………………………………… 38 +Withdrawal of a motion …………………………………… 17, 62 +Yeas and Nays, voting by …………………………………….. 38 +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER *** + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will +be renamed. + +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the +United States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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Robert</title> + +<style type="text/css"> + +body { margin-left: 20%; + margin-right: 20%; + text-align: justify; } + +h1, h2, h3, h4, h5 {text-align: center; font-style: normal; font-weight: +normal; line-height: 1.5; margin-top: .5em; margin-bottom: .5em;} + +h1 {font-size: 300%; + margin-top: 0.6em; + margin-bottom: 0.6em; + letter-spacing: 0.12em; + word-spacing: 0.2em; + text-indent: 0em;} +h2 {font-size: 150%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em;} +h3 {font-size: 130%; margin-top: 1em;} +h4 {font-size: 120%;} +h5 {font-size: 110%;} + +.no-break {page-break-before: avoid;} /* for epubs */ + +div.chapter {page-break-before: always; margin-top: 4em;} + +hr {width: 80%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em;} + +p {text-indent: 1em; + margin-top: 0.25em; + margin-bottom: 0.25em; } + +p.letter {text-indent: 0%; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.center {text-align: center; + text-indent: 0em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +p.right {text-align: right; + margin-right: 10%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; } + +a:link {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:visited {color:blue; text-decoration:none} +a:hover {color:red} + +</style> + +</head> + +<body> + +<div style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Robert’s Rules of Order, by Henry M. Robert</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and +most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions +whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms +of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online +at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you +are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the +country where you are located before using this eBook. +</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Robert’s Rules of Order<br /> + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Henry M. Robert</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: September 5, 2003 [eBook #9097]<br /> +[Most recently updated: September 8, 2022]</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> +<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Randyl Kent Plampin</div> +<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER ***</div> + +<h1>ROBERT’S<br/> +RULES OF ORDER</h1> + +<h3>For<br/> +Deliberative Assemblies</h3> + +<hr /> + +<h3>Part I.<br/> +Rules of Order.</h3> + +<p class="center"> +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, based upon the rules and practice of +Congress. +</p> + +<h3>Part II.<br/> +Organization and Conduct Of Business.</h3> + +<p class="center"> +A simple explanation of the methods of organizing and conducting the business +of societies, conventions, and other deliberative assemblies. +</p> + +<h2 class="no-break">by Major Henry M. Robert,<br/> +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A.</h2> + +<p class="center"> +Chicago:<br/> +S. C. Griggs & Company.<br/> +1876. +</p> + +<hr /> + +<p class="center"> +Copyright, A.D. 1876,<br/> +by<br/> +H. M. Robert +</p> + +<p class="center"> +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee +</p> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="pref01"></a>PREFACE.</h2> + +<p> +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in its +general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and adapted, in +its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work should give, not +only the methods of organizing and conducting the meetings, the duties of the +officers and the names of the ordinary motions, but in addition, should state +in a systematic manner, in reference to each motion, its object and effect; +whether it can be amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it +opens the main question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be +made, and what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a condensed and +systematic manner, each rule being either complete in itself, or giving +references to every section that in any way qualifies it, so that a stranger to +the work can refer to any special subject with safety. +</p> + +<p> +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating to +each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of Rules, +which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to some two +hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to greatly assist the +reader in systematizing his knowledge of parliamentary law. +</p> + +<p> +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of conducting +business in ordinary meetings, in which the motions are classified according to +their uses, and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part +is expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are unfamiliar +with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much study to the +subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn enough to enable them to +take part in meetings of deliberative assemblies without fear of being out of +order. The object of Rules of Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an +assembly to accomplish the work for which it was designed, in the best possible +manner. To do this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the +right of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every man does +what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty. Experience +has shown the importance of definiteness in the law; and in this country, where +customs are so slightly established and the published manuals of parliamentary +practice so conflicting, no society should attempt to conduct business without +having adopted some work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not +covered by their own rules. +</p> + +<p> +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: “Whether these forms be in all cases the most rational or +not is really not of so great importance. It is much more material that there +should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, that there may be a +uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to the caprice of the +chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very material that order, +decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified public body.” +</p> + +<p class="right"> +H. M. R. +</p> + +<p class="letter"> +<i>December</i>, 1875. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>TABLE OF CONTENTS.</h2> + +<table summary="" style=""> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref01">Preface</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref02">Introduction</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref03">Parliamentary Law</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref04">Plan of the Work</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#pref05">Definitions</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#part01"><b>Part I.—Rules of Order</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art01"><b>Art. I.—Introduction of Business</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec01">§ 1. How introduced</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec02">§ 2. Obtaining the floor</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec03">§ 3. What precedes debate on a question</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec04">§ 4. What motions to be in writing, and how they shall be divided</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec05">§ 5. Modification of a motion by the mover</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art02"><b>Art. II.—General Classification of Motions</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec06">§ 6. Principal or Main motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec07">§ 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec08">§ 8. Incidental motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec09">§ 9. Privileged motions</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art03"><b>Art. III.—Motions and their Order of Precedence</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art03a">Privileged Motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec10">§ 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec11">§ 11. Adjourn</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec12">§ 12. Questions of privilege</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec13">§ 13. Orders of the day</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art03b">Incidental Motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec14">§ 14. Appeal [Questions of Order]</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec15">§ 15. Objection to the consideration of a question</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec16">§ 16. Reading papers</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec17">§ 17. Withdrawal of a motion</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec18">§ 18. Suspension of the Rules</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art03c">Subsidiary Motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec19">§ 19. Lie on the table</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec20">§ 20. Previous Question</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec21">§ 21. Postpone to a certain day</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec22">§ 22. Commit [or Re-commit]</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec23">§ 23. Amend</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec24">§ 24. Postpone indefinitely</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art03d">Miscellaneous Motions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec25">§ 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec26">§ 26. Renewal of a motion</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec27">§ 27. Reconsideration</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art04"><b>Art. IV.—Committees and Informal Action</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec28">§ 28. Committees</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec29">§ 29. Form of their Reports</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec30">§ 30. Reception of their Reports</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec31">§ 31. Adoption of their Reports</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec32">§ 32. Committee of the Whole</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec33">§ 33. Informal consideration of a question</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art05"><b>Art. V.—Debate and Decorum</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec34">§ 34. Debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec35">§ 35. Undebatable questions and those opening the main question to debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec36">§ 36. Decorum in debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec37">§ 37. Closing debate, methods of</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art06"><b>Art. Art. VI.—Vote</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec38">§ 38. Voting, various modes of</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec39">§ 39. Motions requiring more than a majority vote</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art07"><b>Art. VII.—Officers and the Minutes</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec40">§ 40. Chairman or President</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec41">§ 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art08"><b>Art. VIII.—Miscellaneous</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec42">§ 42. Session</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec43">§ 43. Quorum</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec44">§ 44. Order of business</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec45">§ 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#part02"><b>Part II.—Organization and Conduct of Business</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art09"><b>Art. IX.—Organization and Meetings</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec46">§ 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec46a">(a) Organization</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec46b">(b) Adoption of resolutions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec46c">(c) Committee on resolutions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec46d">(d) Additional Officers</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec47">§ 47. A Convention or Assembly of Delegates</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec48">§ 48. A Permanent Society</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec48a">(a) First meeting</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec48b">(b) Second meeting</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec49">§ 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art10"><b>Art. X.—Officers and Committees</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec50">§ 50. President or Chairman</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec51">§ 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec52">§ 52. Treasurer</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec53">§ 53. Committees</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art11"><b>Art. XI—Introduction of Business</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec54">§ 54. Introduction of Business</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art12"><b>Art. XII.—Motions</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec55">§ 55. Motions classified according to their object</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec56">§ 56. To Amend or modify</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec56a">(a) Amend</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec56b">(b) Commit</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec57">§ 57. To Defer action</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec57a">(a) Postpone to a certain time</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec57b">(b) Lie on the table</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec58">§ 58. To Suppress Debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec58a">(a) Previous Question</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec58b">(b) An Order limiting or closing debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec59">§ 59. To Suppress the question</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec59a">(a) Objection to its consideration</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec59b">(b) Postpone indefinitely</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec59c">(c) Lie on the table</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec60">§ 60. To Consider a question the second time</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec60a">(a) Reconsider</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61">§ 61. Order and Rules</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61a">(a) Orders of the day</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61b">(b) Special orders</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61c">(c) Suspension of the rules</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61d">(d) Questions of order</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec61e">(e) Appeal</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec62">§ 62. Miscellaneous</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec62a">(a) Reading of papers</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec62b">(b) Withdrawal of a motion</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec62c">(c) Questions of privilege</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec63">§ 63. To close a meeting</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec63a">(a) Fix the time to which to adjourn</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec63b">(b) Adjourn</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec64">§ 64. Order of Precedence of motions</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art13"><b>Art. XIII.—Debate</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec65">§ 65. Rules of speaking in debate</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec66">§ 66. Undebatable questions and those that open the main question to debate</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#art14"><b>Art. XIV.—Miscellaneous</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec67">§ 67. Forms of stating and putting questions</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec68">§ 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote for their adoption</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec69">§ 69. Unfinished business</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec70">§ 70. Session</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec71">§ 71. Quorum</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec72">§ 72. Order of Business</a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec73">§ 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order</a><br /><br /></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec74"><b>Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec75"><b>Table of Rules Relating to Motions</b></a></td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> <a href="#sec76"><b>Index</b></a></td> +</tr> + +</table> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="pref02"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + +<h3><a name="pref03"></a>Parliamentary Law.</h3> + +<p>Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents.</p> + +<p> +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for customs and +precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we think are +improvements, and hence changes have been and are being constantly made in the +written rules which our legislative bodies have found best to adopt. As each +house adopts its own rules, it results that the two houses of the same +legislature do not always agree in their practice; even in Congress the order +of precedence of motions is not the same in both houses, and the Previous +Question is admitted in the House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As +a consequence of this, the exact method of conducting business in any +particular legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual +of that body. +</p> + +<p>The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies.</p> + +<p>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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies.</p> + +<p>But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body.</p> + +<p>While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived, the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous Question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [§ 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +the power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day’s notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.]</p> + +<h3><a name="pref04"></a>Plan of the Work.</h3> + +<p> +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative assemblies +that are not legislative in their character. It has been made sufficiently +complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until they see fit to adopt +special rules conflicting with and superseding any of its rules of detail, such +as the Order of Business [§ 44], etc. Even in matters of detail the practice of +Congress is followed, wherever it is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary +assemblies, and in such cases, in Part I, there will be found, in a foot note, +the Congressional practice. In the important matters referred to above, in +which the practice of the House of Representatives settles the common +parliamentary law of the country, this Manual strictly conforms to such +practice.* [On account of the party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, +no such thing as harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to +give a bare majority in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) +the power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the rights of +the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this Manual [§ 39], for +sustaining an objection to the introduction of a question, or for adopting a +motion for the Previous Question, or for adopting an order closing or limiting +debate. In this respect the policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those +of the House and Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous +to follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the Senate. +It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to order the yeas and +nays, which is doubtless best in the majority of assemblies; but in all bodies +in which the members are responsible to their constituents, a much smaller +number should have this power. In Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, +and in some bodies a single member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and +nays. Any society adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in +all cases to which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent +with the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all of the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in the +Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [§ 43], and an Order of +Business [§ 44], as suggested in these rules.] +</p> + +<p>The Manual is divided into two distinct parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form, for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.]</p> + +<p> +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as shown in +the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is complete in +itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be misled in examining any +particular subject. Cross references are freely used to save repeating from +other sections, and by this means the reader, without using the index, is +referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any bearing upon the +subject he is investigating. The references are by sections, and for +convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at the top of each page. The +motions are arranged under the usual classes, in their order of rank, but in +the index under the word motion will be found an alphabetical list of all the +motions generally used. In reference to each motion there is stated: +</p> + +<p> + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, be +pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion).<br/> + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made while this +motion is pending).<br/> + (3) Whether it is debatable or not.<br/> + (4) Whether it can be amended or not.<br/> + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, the fact +is stated [see Adjourn, § 11, for an example: the meaning is, that the +particular motion to adjourn, for example, cannot be laid on the table, +postponed, committed or amended].<br/> + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted.<br/> + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other +information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. +</p> + +<p> +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first part, it +does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who have no +acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also explains the +method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting a meeting. The +motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being classified according +to the objects for which they are used, and those of each class compared +together so that the reader may obtain the best motion for the accomplishment +of any given object. It omits the complications of parliamentary law, and has +but few references to the rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order +to make it complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. +</p> + +<h3><a name="pref05"></a>Definitions.</h3> + +<p>In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called.</p> + +<p>Meeting and Session.—In this Manual the term “meeting” is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an “adjourned meeting” of the same session.</p> + +<p> +A “meeting” of an assembly is terminated by a temporary adjournment; a +“session” of an assembly ends with an adjournment without day, and may consist +of many meetings [see Session, § 42]. +</p> + +<p>Previous Question—This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to “Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly,” with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +see § 20 for a full explanation).</p> + +<p>Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +“objects to its consideration” (or “discussion,” or “introduction”), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see § 15].</p> + +<p>Whenever the word “assembly,” which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, § 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, “Society,” or “Convention,” or “Board.” The +term “Congress,” when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S.</p> + +<h2><a name="part01"></a>Part I.<br/> +Rules of Order.</h2> + +<h3><a name="art01"></a>Art. I. Introduction of Business.<br/> +[§§ 1-5.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec01"></a>1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a +motion of a member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. +It is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of committees +[§ 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other cases in the +ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is dispensed with; but +should any member object, a regular motion becomes necessary. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec02"></a>2. Before a member can make a motion or address the +assembly upon any question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, +he must rise and address the presiding officer by his title, thus: “Mr. +Chairman” [§ 34], who will then announce the member’s name. Where two or more +rise at the same time the Chairman must decide who is entitled to the floor, +which he does by announcing that member’s name. From this decision, however, an +appeal [§ 14] can he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled +to the floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote—the one getting the largest vote being entitled to the +floor. +</p> + +<p>The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee’s report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, § 36.]</p> + +<p> +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from addressing the +assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a motion to adjourn, or for any +purpose, by either the Chairman or any member, except (a) to have entered on +the minutes a motion to reconsider [§ 27]; (b) by a call to order [§ 14]; (c) +by an objection to the consideration of the question [§ 15]; or (d) by a call +for the orders of the day [§ 13].* [See note to § 61.] In such cases the member +when he arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he “rises to a point of order.” A call for an +adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is not a motion; +as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, the Chair, and being +announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for the question are themselves +breaches of order, and do not prevent the speaker from going on if he pleases. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec03"></a>3. Before any subject is open to debate [§ 34] it is +necessary, first, that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see +exceptions below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When +the motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before it +is debated. +</p> + +<p> +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is stated +by the presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into debate. The +member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by the presiding +officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it entirely; after it is +stated he can do neither, without the consent of the assembly. [See §§ 5 and +17]. When the mover modifies his motion, the one who seconded it can withdraw +his second. +</p> + +<p>Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [§§ 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec04"></a>4. All Principal Motions [§ 6], Amendments and Instructions +to Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into several +questions, no one member (without there is a special rule allowing it) can +insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move that the question be +divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be divided. Any one else can +move as an amendment to this, to divide it differently. +</p> + +<p>This Division of a Question is really an amendment [§ 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to “commit with instructions,” is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided “it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House.” But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.]</p> + +<p>The motion to “strike out certain words and insert others,” is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec05"></a>5. After a question has been stated by the presiding +officer, it is in the possession of the assembly for debate; the mover cannot +withdraw or modify it, if any one objects, except by obtaining leave from the +assembly [§ 17], or by moving an amendment. +</p> + +<h3><a name="art02"></a>Art. II. General Classification of Motions.<br/> +[§§ 6-9.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec06"></a>6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made +to bring before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the assembly. It +takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, Incidental and +Subsidiary Questions [§§ 7, 8, 9]. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec07"></a>7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a +Principal Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most +appropriate manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, +and must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They yield +to Privileged and Incidental Questions [§§ 8, 9], and are as follows (being +arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): +</p> + +<p> +Lie on the Table ……………….. See § 19.<br/> +The Previous Question …………… ” § 20.<br/> +Postpone to a Certain Day ……….. ” § 21.<br/> +Commit ………………………… ” § 22.<br/> +Amend …………………………. ” § 23.<br/> +Postpone Indefinitely …………… ” § 24. +</p> + +<p>Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [§ 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [§ 19].</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec08"></a>8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other +questions, and, consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, +the questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions [§ +9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, they are undebatable; an Appeal +is debatable or not, according to circumstances, as shown in § 14. They are as +follows: +</p> + +<p> + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ……………………… See § 14.<br/> + Objection to the Consideration of a Question …………. ” § 15.<br/> + The Reading of Papers ……………………………… ” § 16.<br/> + Leave to Withdraw a Motion …………………………. ” § 17.<br/> + Suspension of the Rules ……………………………. ” § 18. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec09"></a>9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their +importance, take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account +of this very privilege they are undebatable [§ 35], excepting when relating to +the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be made use +of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows (being arranged +in their order of precedence among themselves): +</p> + +<p> + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn …… See § 10.<br/> + Adjourn ………………………………………….. ” § 11.<br/> + Questions relating to the Rights and<br/> + Privileges of the Assembly or any of<br/> + its Members …………………………………….. ” § 12.<br/> + Call for the Orders of the Day ……………………… ” § 13. +</p> + +<h3> +<a name="art03"></a>Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see § 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[§§ 10-27.]</h3> + +<h3><a name="art03a"></a>Privileged Motions.<br/> +[§§ 10-13. See § 9.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec10"></a>10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. +This motion takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the +assembly has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the +result of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it is +undebatable [§ 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made when no +other question is before the asembly, it stands as any other principal motion, +and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better to follow the common +parliamentary law, and permit this question to be introduced as a principal +question, when it can be debated and suppressed [§ 58, 59] like other +questions. In Congress, it is never debatable, and has entirely superseded the +unprivileged and inferior motion to “adjourn to a particular time.”] +</p> + +<p> +The Form of this motion is, “When this assembly adjourns, it adjourns to meet +at such a time.” +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec11"></a>11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes +precedence of all others, except to “fix the time to which to adjourn,” to +which it yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses its +privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The motion to +adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening business, though it +be simply progress in debate [§ 26]. When a committee is through with any +business referred to it, and prepared to report, instead of adjourning, a +motion should be made “to rise,” which motion, in committee, has the same +privileges as to adjourn in the assembly [§ 32]. +</p> + +<p>The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +[“After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place.” Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing unfinished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, § 42]:</p> + +<p>(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment.</p> + +<p>(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see § 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected.</p> + +<p> +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not meet +more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an elective body, and +this session ends the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall +put an end to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been before +the assembly. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec12"></a>12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the +rights and privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence +of all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [§ 20] can be applied to these, as to all other debatable +questions. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec13"></a>13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day +takes precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [§ 27], and the +three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not debatable, nor can +it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. +</p> + +<p> +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or hour, they +become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they cannot be +considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [§ 39]. And when that +day or hour arrives, if called up, they take precedence of all but the three +preceding questions [§§ 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them, the assembly +may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken up on the day +specified, the order falls to the ground. +</p> + +<p>When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question, is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time.</p> + +<p>The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, “Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?” or, “Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?”</p> + +<p>The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [§ 11].</p> + +<p> +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense with the orders merely so far as +they interfere with the consideration of the question then before the assembly. +</p> + +<h3><a name="art03b"></a>Incidental Motions.<br/> +[§§ 14-18; see § 8]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec14"></a>14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes +precedence of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the +presiding officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +“I appeal from the decision of the Chair.” If the Appeal is seconded, the +Chairman immediately states the question as follows: “Shall the decision of the +Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?”* [The word Assembly can be +replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., according to the name of the +organization.] This Appeal yields to Privileged Questions [§ 9]. It cannot be +amended; it cannot be debated when it relates simply to indecorum [§ 36], or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if +it is made while the previous question [§ 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the Chair, can state the reasons upon which +he bases his decision. The motions to Lie on the Table [§ 19], or for the +Previous Question [§ 20], can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, +and when adopted they affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may +also be reconsidered [§ 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. +</p> + +<p> +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders of the +assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every member, who +notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. In such cases he +shall rise from his seat, and say, “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.” +The speaker should immediately take his seat, and the Chairman requests the +member to state his point of order, which he does, and resumes his seat. The +Chair decides the point, and then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first +member to resume his speech. If the member’s remarks are decided to be +improper, and any one objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue +it without a vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language used in +debate, for a member to say, “I call the gentleman to order;” the Chairman +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as before. The +Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to decide questions of +order, but the advice must be given sitting, to avoid the appearance of debate; +or the Chair, when unable to decide the question, may at once submit it to the +assembly. The effect of laying an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least +for the time, the decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the +question which gave rise to the question of order. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec15"></a>15. Objection to the Consideration of a Question. An +objection can be made to any principal motion [§ 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of order [§ +14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, and does not +require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to order, so can he put +this question if he deems it necessary, upon his own responsibility. It can not +be debated [§ 35] or have any subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. When a +motion is made and any member “objects to its consideration,” the Chairman +shall immediately put the question, “Will the assembly consider it?” or, “Shall +the question be considered” [or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a +two-thirds vote [§ 39], the whole matter is dismissed for that session [§ 42]; +otherwise the discussion continues as if this question had never been made. +</p> + +<p>The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see § 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41st Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: “Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, ‘Will the House now consider it?’ +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker.” The English use the “Previous Question,” for +a similar purpose [see note to § 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, “Shall the +question be discussed?” The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.]</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec16"></a>16. Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see § 8.] +Where papers are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have +them once read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a +member asks for the reading of any such paper, evidently for information, and +not for delay, the Chair should direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a +member has not the right to have anything read (excepting stated above) without +getting permission from the assembly. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec17"></a>17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see § +8.] When a question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one objects, the +presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection is made, it will be +necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a motion for that purpose. This +motion cannot be debated or amended. When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is +the same as if it had never been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn +by the mover, before a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be +gained in ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec18"></a>18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, +see § 8.] This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [§ 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be reconsidered [§ +27], nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [§ 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, though the +next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot be renewed the same +day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be suspended except for a definite +purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. +</p> + +<p>The Form of this motion is, to “suspend the rules which interfere with,” +etc., specifying the object of the suspension.</p> + +<h3><a name="art03c"></a>Subsidiary Motions.<br/> +[§§ 19-24; see § 7.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec19"></a>19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of +all other Subsidiary Questions [§ 7], and yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or +Incidental [§ 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or have +any other subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. It removes the subject from +consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the table. +</p> + +<p> +The Form of this motion is, “I move that the question lie on the table,” or, +“that it be laid on the table,” or, “to lay the question on the table.” When it +is desired to take the question up again, a motion is made, either “to take the +question from the table,” or “to now consider such and such a question;” which +motion is undebatable, and cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. +</p> + +<p>The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [§ 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [§ 42].</p> + +<p> +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything that +adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie on the table, +the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with it. The following +cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [§ 14] being laid on the table, has the +effect of sustaining, at least for the time, the decision of the Chair, and +does not carry the original subject to the table. (b) So when a motion to +reconsider [§ 27] a question is laid on the table, the original question is +left where it was before the reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the +minutes being laid on the table does not carry the minutes with it. +</p> + +<p>Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +questions still before the assembly.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec20"></a>20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a +technical name for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as +it has nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To demand +the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving “That debate now cease, +and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the questions before it,” (the +exceptions are stated above). The English Previous Question is an entirely +different one from ours, and is used for a different purpose. In the English +Parliament it is moved by the enemies of a measure, who then vote in the +negative, and thus prevent for the day, the consideration of the main question, +(which in this country could be accomplished by “objecting to the consideration +of the question” [§ 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a view +to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a vote on the +questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as different as the objects +of the motions. It requires only a majority vote for its adoption in the House +of Representatives, and is not allowed in the United States Senate.] takes +precedence of every debatable question [§ 35], and yields to Privileged [§ 9] +and Incidental [§ 8] questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [§ 19]. +It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary [§ 7] +motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its adoption. +</p> + +<p>When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: “Shall the +main question be now put?” If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [§ 34]; after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made.</p> + +<p>The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : “Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?”]</p> + +<p>The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best.</p> + +<p>It applies to questions of privilege [§ 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon.</p> + +<p>To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question.</p> + +<p> +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is carried while a motion to Postpone is +pending, its effect is only to bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if +it is voted not to postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an +Appeal [§ 14] or a motion to Reconsider [§ 27] is pending when the Previous +Question is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. +</p> + +<p>An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [§ 22] exhausts the Previous +Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. +</p> + +<p>[For other methods of closing debate see § 37 and § 58].</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec21"></a>21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes +precedence of a motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and +yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or Incidental [§ 8] question, and to the motion +to Lie on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and the Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate [§ 35], +and that must not go into the merits of the subject matter any further than is +necessary to enable the assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. +</p> + +<p>The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [§ 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[§ 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[§ 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [§ 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec22"></a>22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject +has been previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [§ 9] or +Incidental [§ 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for +the Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended by +altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, and opens +to debate [§ 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to commit. +</p> + +<p> +The Form of this motion is “to refer the subject to a committee.” When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following order: +(1) Committee the whole [§ 32], (2) a standing committee, and (3) a special (or +select) committee. The number of a committee is usually decided without the +formality of a motion, as in filling blanks [§ 25]: the Chairman asks “of how +many shall the committee consist?” and a question is then put upon each number +suggested, beginning with the largest. The number and kind of the committee +need not be decided till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a +committee. If the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include +the method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, the +Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is usually +decided informally. Sometimes the Chair “appoints,” in which case he names the +members of the committee and no vote is taken upon them; or the committee is +“nominated” either by the Chair or members of the assembly (no member +nominating more than one except by general consent), and then they are all +voted upon together, except where more nominations are made than the number of +the committee, when they shall be voted upon singly. +</p> + +<p>Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small, and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly.</p> + +<p>In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, § 29.]</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec23"></a>23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but +the question which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged [§ 9], +Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] Question, except to Indefinitely Postpone. +It can be amended itself, but this “amendment of an amendment” cannot be +amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one already adopted, or may +directly conflict with the spirit of the original motion, but it must have a +direct bearing upon the subject of that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a +vote of thanks could be amended by substituting for “thanks” the word +“censure;” or one condemning certain customs could be amended by adding other +customs. +</p> + +<p> +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to “add or insert” +certain words or paragraphs; (b) to “strike out” certain words or paragraphs, +the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: “Shall these words (or +paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?” and if this is adopted (that +is, the motion to “strike out,” fails) it does not preclude either amendment or +a motion to “strike out and insert;” (c) “to strike certain words and insert +others,” which motion is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude another +motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; (d) to +“substitute” another motion on the same subject for the one pending; (e) to +“divide the question” into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as +to get a separate vote on any particular point or points [see § 4]. +</p> + +<p>If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [§ 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted.</p> + +<p> +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the words to +be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand if the +amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and propositions +containing several paragraphs, see § 44.] +</p> + +<p>The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend.</p> + +<p>The following motions cannot be amended:</p> + +<p> To Adjourn (when unqualified) ………………………. See § 11.<br/> + For the Orders of the Day ………………………….. ” § 12.<br/> + All Incidental Questions …………………………… ” § 8.<br/> + To Lie on the Table ……………………………….. ” § 19.<br/> + For the Previous Question ………………………….. ” § 20.<br/> + An Amendment of an Amendment ……………………….. ” § 23.<br/> + To Postpone Indefinitely …………………………… ” § 24.<br/> + Reconsider ……………………………………….. ” § 27. +</p> + +<p>An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see § 45].</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec24"></a>24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence +of nothing except the Principal Question [§ 6], and yields to any Privileged [§ +9], Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot be +amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed to +postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before the +assembly for that session [§ 42]. +</p> + +<p>The Previous Question [§ 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question.</p> + +<h3><a name="art03d"></a>Miscellaneous Motions.<br/> +[§§ 25-27.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec25"></a>25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and +the longest time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the +most convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving to +strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number of members +to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a motion, these +different propositions not being regarded in the light of amendments. +</p> + +<p> +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second nomination, +instead of being an amendment to the first, is an independent motion, which, if +the first fails, is to be immediately voted upon. Any number of nominations can +be made, the Chairman announcing each name as he hears it, and they should be +voted upon in the order announced, until one receives a vote sufficient for an +election. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec26"></a>26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [§ 6] +or Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken up +again at the same session [§ 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [§ 27]. The +motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in debate, or any +business transacted. As a general rule the introduction of any motion that +alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to renew any Privileged or +Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the Rules as provided in § 18), or +Subsidiary motion (excepting an amendment), as in such a case the real question +before the assembly is a different one. +</p> + +<p> +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, suppose +afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is now in order +to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a motion would not be +in order, if it were not made till after the failure of the motion to commit, +as the question then resumes its previous condition. +</p> + +<p>When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec27"></a>27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when +another member has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to +Adjourn, during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [§ 38], when the rule above +applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] on which a +motion has been acted upon, to move to “Reconsider the vote” and have such +motion “entered on the record,” but it cannot be considered while another +question is before the assembly. It must be made, excepting when the vote is by +ballot, by a member who voted with the prevailing side; for instance, in case a +motion fails to pass for lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be +moved by one who voted against the motion. +</p> + +<p> +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [§ 7] motion takes precedence +of the main question. It yields to Privileged [§ 9] questions (except for the +Orders of the Day), and Incidental [§ 8] questions. +</p> + +<p> +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result can be +more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a similar reason, +an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table cannot be +reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to Suspend the Rules. +It is debatable or not, just as the question to be reconsidered is debatable or +undebatable [§ 35]; when debatable, it opens up for discussion the entire +subject to be reconsidered, and can have the Previous question [§ 20] applied +to it without affecting any thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid +on the table [§ 19], and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; +it is quite common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must +be voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.** [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to prevent +its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the table does not +carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a motion has been either +adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the motion as amended, it is not +in order to reconsider the vote on the amendment until after the vote on the +original motion has been reconsidered. If anything which the assembly cannot +reverse, has been done as the result a vote, then that vote cannot be +reconsidered. +</p> + +<p> +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the original +motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted upon; but if it +is not called up, its effect terminates with the session [§ 42], provided,* [In +Congress the effect always terminates with the session, and it cannot be called +up by any one but the mover, until the expiration of the time during which it +is in order to move a reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular +meetings as often as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held +of the one at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not +terminate till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of +this section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another question +cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question before the +assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the reconsideration, if +called up, takes precedence of every thing except the motions to adjourn, and +to fix the time to which to adjourn. As long as its effect lasts (as shown +above), any one can call up the motion to reconsider and have it acted +upon—excepting that when its effect extends beyond the meeting at which the +motion was made, no one but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the +reconsideration of an Incidental [§ 8] or Subsidiary [§ 7] motion shall be +immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent action on the main +question. +</p> + +<p>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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [§ 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly.</p> + +<p>When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [§ 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of § 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made.</p> + +<p>A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see § 28].</p> + +<p> +Note On Reconsider.—In the English Parliament a vote once taken cannot be +reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a reconsideration of +the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the close of the last day for +making the motion, any one can call up the motion to reconsider, so that this +motion cannot delay action more than two days, and the effect of the motion, if +not acted upon, terminates with the session. There seems to be no reason or +good precedent for permitting merely two persons, by moving a reconsideration, +to suspend for any length of time all action under resolutions adopted by the +assembly, and yet where the delay is very short the advantages of +reconsideration overbalance the evils. +</p> + +<p>Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session.</p> + +<h3><a name="art04"></a>Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action.<br/> +[§§ 28-33.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec28"></a>28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to +have all preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done +by means of committees. These may be either “standing committees” (which are +appointed for the session [§ 42], or for some definite time, as one year); or +“select committees,” appointed for a special purpose; or a “committee of the +whole” [§ 32], consisting of the entire assembly. [For method of appointing +committees of the whole, see § 32; other committees, see commit, § 22.] The +first person named on a committee is chairman, and should act as such, without +the committee should see fit to elect another chairman, which they are +competent to do. The clerk should furnish him, or some other member of the +committee, with notice of the appointment of the committee, giving the names of +the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as the assembly +have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee together, and if there +is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see § 43,) he should read or have +read, the entire resolutions referred to them; he should then read each +paragraph, and pause for amendments to be offered; when the amendments to that +paragraph are voted on he proceeds to the next, only taking votes on +amendments, as the committee cannot vote on the adoption of matter referred to +them by the assembly. +</p> + +<p> +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, on +amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which draft has +been previously prepared by one of their members or a sub-committee); they do +not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having completed the amendments, they +vote on the adoption of the entire report. When there is a preamble, it is +considered last. If the report originates with the committee, all amendments +are to be incorporated in the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, +the committee cannot alter the text, but must submit the original paper intact, +with their amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, § 23) written +on a separate sheet. +</p> + +<p> +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed its +clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members present at a +meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the members of the +committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its report. The minority may +be permitted to submit their views in writing also, either together, or each +member separately, but their reports can only be acted upon, by voting to +substitute one of them for the report of the committee. The rules of the +assembly, as far as possible, shall apply in committee; but a reconsideration +[§ 27] of a vote shall be allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when +every member who voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is +moved.* [Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with rather +than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above seems more just, +and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary committees, who usually +reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage can be taken of the privilege, as +long as every member who voted with the majority must be present when the +reconsideration is moved.] A committee (except a committee of the whole, § 32] +may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the business assigned them, a +motion is made for the committee to “rise” (which is equivalent to the motion +to adjourn), and that the chairman (or some member who is more familiar with +the subject) make its report to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as +soon as the assembly receives the report [§ 30]. +</p> + +<p> +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, its +resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can be made in +the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be by a report of the +committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of a committee to meet on the +call of any two its of members, if the chairman be absent or decline to appoint +such meeting. When a committee adjourns without appointing a time for the next +meeting, it is called together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a +committee adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though usually +advisable) that absent members should be notified of the adjourned meeting. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec29"></a>29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is +usually similar to the following: +</p> + +<p>A standing committee reports thus: “The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report,” [or “beg leave to report,” or “beg +leave to submit the following report,”] etc., letting the report follow.</p> + +<p>A select or special committee reports as follows: “The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report,” etc. Or for “The committee” is sometimes +written “Your committee,” or “The undersigned, a committee.”</p> + +<p>When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): “The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred,” etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority.</p> + +<p> +All reports conclude with, “All of which is respectfully submitted.” They are +sometimes signed only by the chairman of the committee, but if the matter is of +much importance, it is better that the report be signed by every member who +concurs. The report is not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as +for example, “Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a +Hall.” +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec30"></a>30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be “received”* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see § 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that “the report be +adopted and the committee discharged,” when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time.</p> + +<p>Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see §§ 31 and 44].</p> + +<p>When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec31"></a>31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a +report, a motion should be made to “adopt,” “accept,” or “agree to” the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the doings of +the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if done by the +assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the report contains merely +a statement of opinion or facts, the motion should be to “accept” the report; +if it also concludes with resolutions or certain propositions, the motion +should be to “agree to” the resolutions, or to “adopt” the propositions. After +the above motion is made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the +same as if there had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by +the motion of the member who made the report. [See § 34 for his privileges in +debate, and § 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec32"></a>32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to +consider a subject which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet +where the subject matter is not well digested and put into proper form for its +definite action, or, when for any other reason, it is desirable for the +assembly to consider a subject with all the freedom of an ordinary committee, +it is the practice to refer the matter to the “Committee of the Whole.”* [In +large assemblies, such as the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member +can speak to any question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a +necessity, as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time +it can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] +</p> + +<p>If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +“That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration,” etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to “commit” [see § 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section.</p> + +<p> +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee “rise +and report,” as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the “yeas and nays” [§ 38]. +The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the whole, is for the +assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall cease at a certain time, or +that after a certain time no debate shall be allowed excepting on new +amendments, and then only one speech in favor of and one against it, of say, +five minutes each; or in some other way regulate the time for debate.* [In +Congress no motion to limit debate in committee of the whole is in order till +after the subject has been already considered in committee of the whole. As no +subject would probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, +in an ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The rule as +given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into committee of +the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, such restrictions as are +allowed in Congress after the subject has already been considered in committee +of the whole.] +</p> + +<p>If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as he can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [§ 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it.</p> + +<p>When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that “the committee rise and report,” etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings.</p> + +<p>This motion “to rise” is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +“the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;” or he will make such other report as will suit the case.</p> + +<p>The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [§ 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec33"></a>33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if +in committee of the whole). It has become customary in many assemblies, instead +of going into committee of the whole, to consider the question “informally,” +and afterwards to act “formally.” In a small assembly there is no objection to +this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and treaties, upon +their second reading are considered “as if the Senate were in committee of the +whole,” which is equivalent to considering them informally. [U. S. Senate Rules +28 and 38.] In large assemblies it is better to follow the practice of the +House of Representatives, and go into committee of the whole.] While acting +informally upon any resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, +and without further motion the Chairman announces that “the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject under +consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will report.” The +subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a committee. While +acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as it is not necessary to +move that the committee rise, but at any time the adoption of such motions as +to adjourn, the previous question, to commit, or any motion except to amend or +adopt, puts an end to the informal consideration; as for example, the motion to +commit is equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: +(1) That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of the whole be discharged +from the further consideration of the subject, and (3) that it be referred to a +committee. +</p> + +<p>While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [§ 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman’s report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly’s proceedings.</p> + +<h3><a name="art05"></a>Art. V. Debate and Decorum.<br/> +[§§ 34-37.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec34"></a>34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read §§ 1-5.] +When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see § 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, he shall +rise and respectfully address himself to “Mr. Chairman.” [“Mr. President” is +used where that is the designated title of the presiding officer; “Brother +Moderator” is more common in religious meetings.] The Chairman shall then +announce his name [see § 2]. By parliamentary courtesy, the member upon whose +motion a subject is brought before the assembly is first entitled to the floor, +even though another member has risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of +a report of a committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this +member is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon the +question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [§ 20] being ordered, or +in any other way. With this exception, no member shall speak more than twice to +the same question (only once to a question of order, § 14), nor longer than ten +minutes at one time, without leave of the assembly, and the question upon +granting the leave shall be decided by a majority vote without debate.* [The +limit in time should vary to suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches +of ten minutes each will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be +increased, when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in § 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can speak more +than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. The fourth rule of +the Senate is as follows: “No Senator shall speak more than twice in any one +debate on the same day, without leave of the Senate, which question shall be +decided without debate.” If no rule is adopted, each member can speak but once +to the same question.] +</p> + +<p> +If greater freedom is desired, the proper course is to refer the subject to the +committee of the whole [§ 32], or to consider it informally [§ 33]. [For +limiting or closing the debate, see § 37.] No member can speak the second time +to a question, until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an +amendment, or any other motion being offered, makes the real question before +the assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is treated +as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a suggestion, is not +considered as speaking. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec35"></a>35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be +decided without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: +</p> + +<p> +—To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a privileged +question, § 10).<br/> +—To Adjourn [§ 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead of +to adjourn).<br/> +—For the Orders of the Day [§ 13], and questions relating to the priority +of business.<br/> +—An Appeal [§ 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, or +when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of speaking, +or to the priority of business.<br/> +—Objection to the Consideration of a Question [§ 15].<br/> +—Questions relating to Reading of Papers [§ 16], or Withdrawing a Motion +[§ 17], or Suspending the Rules [§ 18], or extending the limits of debate [§ +34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to continue his speech to +one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate [§ 36].<br/> +—To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [§ 19].<br/> +—The Previous Question [§ 20].<br/> +—To Reconsider [§ 26] a question which is itself undebatable. +</p> + +<p>The motion to Postpone to a certain time [§ 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [§ 26], or to +Commit [§ 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [§ 24], opens the main question +[§ 6] to debate. To Amend [§ 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment.</p> + +<p>The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable.</p> + +<p> +Note On Undebatable Questions.—The English common parliamentary law makes all +motions debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing’s +Manual, § 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon certain +motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section conform to the +practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common to allow of brief +remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes five or six members +speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one objects. +</p> + +<p>By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [§ 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles:</p> + +<p>(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see § 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question.</p> + +<p>(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [§ 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [§ 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure.</p> + +<p>Illustrations: To “Indefinitely Postpone” [§ 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question.</p> + +<p>To “Postpone to a certain time” prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement.</p> + +<p> +To “Lie on the Table” leaves the question so that the assembly can at any time +consider it, and therefore should not be, and is not debatable. +</p> + +<p>To “Commit” would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it is often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec36"></a>36. Decorum in Debate [see § 2]. In debate a member must +confine himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to conclude +his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while debating such +motion. In referring to another member, he should, as much as possible, avoid +using his name, rather referring to him as “the member who spoke last,” or in +some other way describing him. The officers of the assembly should always be +referred to by their official titles. It is not allowable to arraign the +motives of a member, but the nature or consequences of a measure may be +condemned in strong terms. It is not the man, but the measure, that is the +subject of debate. If at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, +or give information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see § 40], the +member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been first heard. When +called to order, the member must sit down until the question of order is +decided. If his remarks are decided to be improper, he cannot proceed, if any +one objects, without the leave of the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which +question there shall be no debate. +</p> + +<p>Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec37"></a>37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by +the Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative and +negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate [see § 38]. +Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are undebatable [§ 35], +and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a two-thirds* [In Congress, +where each speaker can occupy the floor one hour, any of these motions to cut +off debate can be adopted by a mere majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [§ 39]: +</p> + +<p> +(a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is first introduced, § 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [§ 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed.</p> + +<p> +(b) To lie on the table [§ 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action.</p> + +<p> +(c) The previous question [§ 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in § 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment.</p> + +<p> +(d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment.</p> + +<h3><a name="art06"></a>Art. VI. Vote.<br/> +[§§ 38-39.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec38"></a>38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it +permits of no modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; +if the question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are various +forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the country. The +rule in Congress, in the House of Representatives, is as follows: “Questions +shall be distinctly put in this form, to-wit: ‘As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;’ and after the affirmative voice is +expressed, ‘As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.’” The following +form is very common: “It has been moved and seconded that (here state the +question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; those opposed, No.” Or, +if the motion is for the adoption of a certain resolution, after it has been +read the Chairman can say, “You have heard the resolution read; those in favor +of its adoption will hold up the right hand; those opposed will manifest it by +the same sign.” These examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of +putting a question, the affirmative being always put first. +</p> + +<p> +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in the +following form: “The motion is carried—the resolution is adopted,” or, “The +ayes have it—the resolution is adopted.” If, when he announces a vote, any +member rises and states that he doubts the vote, or calls for a “division,” the +Chairman shall say, “A division is called for; those in favor of the motion +will rise.” After counting these, and announcing the number, he shall say, +“Those opposed will rise.” will count these, announce the number, and declare +the result; that is, whether the motion is carried or lost. Instead of counting +the vote himself, he can appoint tellers to make the count and report to him. +When tellers are appointed, they should be selected from both sides of the +question. A member has the right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) +before the decision of the question has been finally and conclusively +pronounced by the Chair, but not afterwards. +</p> + +<p>Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put.</p> + +<p> +No one can vote on a question affecting himself, but if more than one name is +included in the resolution (though a sense of delicacy would prevent this right +being exercised, excepting when it would change the vote) all are entitled to +vote; for if this were not so, a minority could control an assembly by +including the names of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring +charges against them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. +When there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his vote +for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote will make a +tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. +</p> + +<p> +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when required +by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the assembly has +ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such cases, appoints at least +two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon which each member, including +the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect to vote before the ballots are +counted, he cannot then vote without the permission of the assembly.] writes +his vote; the votes are then collected, counted by the tellers, and the result +reported to the Chairman, who announces it to the assembly. The Chairman +announces the result of the vote, in case of an election to office, in a manner +similar to the following: “The whole number of votes cast is —; the number +necessary for an election is —; Mr. A. received —; Mr. B. —; Mr. C. —. Mr. B. +having received the required number is elected —.” Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the assembly +for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is necessary to +ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make a vote unanimous, it +fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots all blanks are ignored. +</p> + +<p> +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question be +taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has the effect +to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to this country, and +while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely useful in ordinary societies. +By the Constitution, one-fifth of the members present can, in either house of +Congress, order a vote to be taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the +resulting inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can only be +ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to hinder business. +In representative bodies it is very useful, especially where the proceedings +are published, as it enables the people to know how their representatives voted +on important measures. In some small bodies a vote on a resolution must be +taken by yeas and nays, upon the demand of a single member.] In this method of +voting the Chairman states both sides of the question at once; the clerk calls +the roll and each member as his name is called rises and answers yes or no, and +the clerk notes his answer. Upon the completion of the roll call the clerk +reads over the names of those who answered the affirmative, and afterwards +those in the negative, that mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number +voting on each side to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be +made in the minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of +those in the negative. +</p> + +<p> +The form of putting a question upon which the vote has been ordered to be taken +by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of the +adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are called, answer yes [or +aye]—those opposed will answer no.” The Chairman will then direct the clerk to +call the roll. The negative being put at the same time as the affirmative, it +is too late, after the question is put, to renew the debate. After the +commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask to be excused from voting. +The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in committee of the whole [§ 32]. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec39"></a>39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no +rule to the contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum +[§ 43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for the +suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions to +suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, +and to make a special order [see note to § 37].] The following motions shall +require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right of discussion, and +the right to have the rules enforced, should not be abridged by a mere +majority: +</p> + +<p> + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question ………….. § 15.<br/> + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ……………. § 13.<br/> + To Suspend the Rules ………………………………….. § 18.<br/> + The Previous Question …………………………………. § 20.<br/> + To Close or Limit Debate ………………………………. § 37.<br/> + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ……….. § 43.<br/> + To Make a special order ……………………………….. § 13. +</p> + +<h3><a name="art07"></a>Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes.<br/> +[§§ 40, 41.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec40"></a>40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read § 44, +and also § 40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title +has been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of the +assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. +</p> + +<p>His duties are generally as follows:</p> + +<p>To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [§ 44]; to state and to put to vote [§ 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote;</p> + +<p> +To restrain the members, when engaged in debate, within the rules of order; to +enforce on all occasions the observance of order and decorum [§ 36] among the +members, deciding all questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly +by any two members, § 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; +</p> + +<p>To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceedings of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will, and in all things obeying its +commands.</p> + +<p> +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise while +putting questions in very small bodies, such as committees, boards of trustees, +&c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it sitting; he shall also +rise from his seat (without calling any one to the chair), when speaking to a +question of order, which he can do in preference to other members. In referring +to himself he should always use his official title thus: “The Chair decides so +and so,” not “I decide, &c.” When a member has the floor, the chairman +cannot interrupt him as long as he does not transgress any of the rules of the +assembly, excepting as provided in § 2. +</p> + +<p>He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot,* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote.</p> + +<p> +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a chairman +pro tem.,** [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one on the list +that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman during the absence of +the President, and should always be called to the chair when the President +temporarily vacates it.] but the first adjournment puts an end to the +appointment, which the assembly can terminate before, if it pleases, by +electing another chairman. But the regular chairman, knowing that he will be +absent from a future meeting, cannot authorize another member to act in his +place at such meeting; the clerk [§ 41], or in his absence any member, should +in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman pro tem. be elected, who +would hold office during that session [§ 42], without such office was +terminated by the entrance of the regular chairman. +</p> + +<p>The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. “It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings, in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so; and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate.” [Cushing’s +Manual, page 106.] “Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact.” [Jefferson’s Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay’s “Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.,” page 195.]]</p> + +<p> +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and set the +example of strict conformity to it, but he should be aman of executive ability, +capable of controlling men; and it should never be forgotten, that, to control +others, it is necessary to control one’s self. An excited chairman can scarcely +fail to cause trouble in a meeting. +</p> + +<p>A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that—“The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense.”</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec41"></a>41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording +officer is usually called the “Clerk” or “Secretary,”* [When there are two +secretaries, he is termed the “recording secretary,” and the other one, the +“corresponding secretary.” In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a certain +extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as banker, only +paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary alone, or by the +president and secretary. In such cases the secretary becomes in reality the +financial officer of the society, and should make reports to the society, of +funds received and from what sources, and of the funds expended and for what +purposes. See § 52 for his duties as financial officer.] and the record of +proceedings the “Minutes.” His desk should be near that of the chairman, and in +the absence of the chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the +hour for opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which should +be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, commencing in +a form similar to the following :** [See Clerk and Minutes in Part II, § 51.] +</p> + +<p> +“At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held on the +31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the President in the +chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and approved.” If the regular clerk +is absent, insert after the words “in the chair,” the following: “The clerk +being absent, Robert Smith was appointed clerk pro tem. The minutes were then +read and approved.” If the minutes were not read, say “the reading of the +minutes was dispensed with.” The above form will show the essentials, which are +as follows: (a) The kind of meeting, “regular” [or stated] or “special,” or +“adjourned regular,” or “adjourned special;” (6) name of the assembly; (c) date +and place of meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the +fact of the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous meeting +were approved. +</p> + +<p>The minutes should be signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers.</p> + +<p>In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted.</p> + +<p> +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have at +least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of Boards of +Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in reporting the +debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly to record what is +“done” by the assembly, not what is said by the members. Without there is a +rule to the contrary, he should enter every Principal motion [§ 6] that is +before the assembly, whether it is adopted or rejected; and where there is a +division [see Voting, § 38], or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter +the number of votes on each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [§ +38], he should enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He +should endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the records, +for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a brief summary of a +report that has been agreed to, except where it contains resolutions, in which +case the resolutions will be entered in full as adopted by the assembly, and +not as if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [§ 32], or while acting informally [§ 33], should not be entered on the +minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to read over the +minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or society will not +occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings are not separated by too +great a time, the minutes are read at the next meeting. +</p> + +<p>The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [§ 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members.</p> + +<h3><a name="art08"></a>Art. VIII. Miscellaneous.<br/> +[§§ 42-45.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec42"></a>42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions +in Introduction for the distinction between “meeting” and “session.”] which, +though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a session of a +Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it terminates by an +“adjournment without day.” The intermediate adjournments from day to day, or +the recesses taken during the day, do not destroy the continuity of the +meeting—they in reality constitute one session. In the case of a permanent +society, having regular meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each +meeting constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however +can be prolonged by adjourning to another day. +</p> + +<p> +If a principal motion [§ 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see Renewal +of a Motion, § 26], it can be at the next, without it is prohibited by a rule +of the assembly. +</p> + +<p> +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the assembly at +any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or resolution of a +permanent nature, and it continues in force until at some future session it is +rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they are termed, do not interfere with +future sessions, because at any moment a majority can suspend or rescind them, +or adopt new ones.] without it is expressly so provided in their Constitution, +Bylaws, or Rules of Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of +amendments, and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are +not subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or wishes of +any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were ill, it would not +be competent for one session of the assembly to elect a chairman to hold office +longer than that session, as it cannot control or dictate to the next session +of the assembly. By going through the prescribed routine of an election to fill +the vacancy, giving whatever notice is required, it could then legally elect a +chairman to hold office while the vacancy lasted. So it is improper for an +assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the next succeeding session, and +thus attempt to prevent the next session from considering the question. On the +other hand, it is not permitted to move a reconsideration [§ 27] of a vote +taken at a previous session [though the motion to reconsider can be called up, +provided it was made at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees +can be appointed to report at a future session. +</p> + +<p>Note On Session—In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual.</p> + +<p> +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of an +ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very great. [Examine +Indefinitely Postpone, § 24, and Renewal of a Motion, § 26.] If members of any +society take advantage of the freedom allowed by considering each regular +meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious or unprofitable +motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the second introduction of +any principal question [§ 6] within, say, three or six months after its +rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after the society has refused to +consider it. But generally it is better to suppress the motion by refusing to +consider it [§ 15]. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec43"></a>43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is +competent to transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the +subject, the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is usual to +adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than one-twentieth of +its members; this becomes a necessity in most large societies, where only a +small fraction of the members are ever present at a meeting.* [While a quorum +is competent to transact any business, it is usually not expedient to transact +important business without there is a fair attendance at the meeting, or else +previous notice of such action has been given.] +</p> + +<p> +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except where +there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can be +transacted, except simply to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is +found not to be a quorum present, the only thing to be done is to +adjourn—though if no question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, +but no vote taken, except to adjourn. +</p> + +<p>In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec44"></a>44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society +having a permanent existence, to adopt an order of business for its meetings. +When no rule has been adopted, the following is the order: +</p> + +<p> + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval].<br/> + (2) Reports of Standing Committees.<br/> + (3) Reports of Select Committees.<br/> + (4) Unfinished Business.<br/> + (5) New Business.</p> + +<p>Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a “special order” for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [§ 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [§ 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of.</p> + +<p>The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,—one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see § 30]. In § 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows:</p> + +<p>The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, “Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?” If none +are offered, he says, “No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;” he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph.</p> + +<p> +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the clerk +reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first and puts it to +the question, and so on till all the amendments are adopted or rejected, +admitting amendments to the committee’s amendments, but no others. When through +with the committee’s amendments, the Chairman pauses for any other amendments +to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are voted on, he puts the +question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as amended. Where the resolutions +have been just read by the member presenting them, the reading by the clerk is +usually dispensed with without the formality of a vote. By “suspending the +rules” [§ 18], or by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without +following any of the above routine. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec45"></a>45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be +amended at any regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the +members present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the +previous regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their being +amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous notice of the +amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain rules that it may be +desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should state how they can be +suspended, just as is done in these Rules of Order, § 18. If there is no such +rule it is impossible to suspend any rule, if a single member objects. +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="part02"></a>PART II.<br/> +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.*</h2> + +<p> +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms permitted, +but that these forms are proper and common. They are inserted for the benefit +of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, and are sufficiently numerous for +ordinary meetings.] +</p> + +<h3><a name="art09"></a>Art. IX. Organization and Meetings.<br/> +[§§ 46-49.]</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec46"></a><a name="sec46a"></a>46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) +Organization. When a meeting is held which is not one of an organized society, +shortly after the time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly +steps forward and says: “The meeting will please come to order; I move that Mr. +A. act as chairman of this meeting.” Some one else says, “I second the motion.” +The first member then puts the question to vote, by saying, “It has been moved +and seconded that Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the +motion will say aye,” and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, “those +opposed will say no.” If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, “The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* +[Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, the assembly +signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. +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.] +</p> + +<p> +When Mr. A. 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 before. +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 a vote on +the first one he heard, putting the question thus: “As many as are in favor of +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;—those opposed will +say no.” If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. C., and so on, till +some one is elected. In large meetings the secretary takes his seat near the +chairman: he should in all cases keep a record of the proceedings as described +in § 51. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec46b"></a>(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all +that are usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, +the chairman asks, “What is the further pleasure of the meeting?” If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some special +subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for some one to offer +a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else to move 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, then says, “I move the adoption of the following +resolutions,” which he then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in +legislative bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and only +one chairman. In many 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, without there +is a rule or established custom to the contrary, it is allowable, and +frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are +fully understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of Order, +§ 44.] some one else says, “I second the motion.” The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he says, “The +question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read,” and if no one rises +immediately, he adds, “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 just read, +will say aye;” after the ayes have voted, he says, “As many as are of a +contrary opinion will say no;” he then announces the result of the vote as +follows: “The motion is carried—the resolutions are adopted,” or, “The ayes +have it—the resolutions are adopted.” +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec46c"></a>(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 been recognized, says, “I move that a committee be appointed to draft +resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on,” etc., adding the +subject for which the meeting was called. This motion being seconded, the +Chairman states the question [§ 67] and asks, “Are you ready for the question?” +If no one rises, he puts the question, announces the result, and, if it is +carried, he 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. +</p> + +<p> +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 the members of the +assembly (no member naming more than one, except by unanimous consent), and +then the assembly vote 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, will say aye.” +If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more names mentioned +than the number of the committee, a separate vote should be taken on each name. +(In a mass meeting it is safer to have all committees appointed by the +chairman.) +</p> + +<p>When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in § 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, § 2.] when he says, “The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly.</p> + +<p> +A member then moves the “adoption” or “acceptance” of the report, or that “the +resolutions be agreed to,” which motions have the same effect if carried, +namely, to make the resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the +committee had had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a +report has been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it +has been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. Another +mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report be accepted +which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is only to have the +report up for consideration and afterwards move its adoption.] +</p> + +<p>When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in §§ 55-63.</p> + +<p>When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves “to adjourn;” if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, “The motion is carried; +—this assembly stands adjourned without day.” [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in § 48.]</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec46d"></a>(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are required +than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before introducing the +resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; or the assembly can +first form a temporary organization in the manner already described, only +adding “pro tem.” to the title of the officers, thus: “chairman pro tem.” In +this latter case, as soon as the secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is +appointed to nominate the permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [§ +47]. Frequently the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes +there is a large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec47"></a>47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If +the members of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it +becomes necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of a +chairman and secretary “pro tem.,” when the chairman announces, “The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials.” A motion +may then be made covering the entire case, thus: “I move that a committee of +three on the credentials of members be appointed by the Chair, and that the +committee report as soon as practicable;” or they may include only one of these +details, thus: “I move that a committee be appointed on the credentials of +members.” In either case the Chair proceeds as already described in the cases +of committees on resolutions [§ 46, (c)]. +</p> + +<p>On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote.</p> + +<p> +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least for +the time, announces that “The next business in order is the election of +permanent officers of the assembly.” Some one then moves the appointment of a +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: “I move that a +committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the permanent officers +of this convention.” This motion is treated as already explained. When the +committee make their report, some one moves “That the report of the committee +be accepted and that the officers nominated be declared the officers of this +convention.”* [Where there is any competition for the offices, it is better +that they be elected by ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee +report, a motion can be made as follows: “I move that the convention now +proceed to ballot for its permanent officers;” or “I move that we now proceed +to the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention.” [See +Rules of Order, § 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] The +constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the officers shall be +elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the chairman declares the +officers elected, and instantly calls the new presiding officer to the chair, +and the temporary secretary is at the same time replaced. The convention is now +organized for work. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec48"></a><a name="sec48a"></a>48. A Permanent Society. (a) First +Meeting. When it is desired to form a permanent society, those interested in it +should see that only the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain +time and place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to +organize a society, to commence until fifteen or thirty minutes after the +appointed time, when some one 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 an “occasional +meeting” [§ 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is elected, he +announces as the first business in order the election of a secretary. +</p> + +<p>After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting.</p> + +<p> +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 +getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as already +described [§ 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been offered at the +commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very large one, this would +probably be better than to have the informal discussion. +</p> + +<p>After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly.” This motion can be amended [§ 56] +by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable.</p> + +<p>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 meeting?” When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see § 63] 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.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec48b"></a>(b) Second Meeting.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are +conducted like this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the +business in the order prescribed by the rules of the society [§ 72]. For +example, after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, “The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees.” He may then +call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: “Has the committee +on applications for membership any report to make?” In which case the committee +may report, as shown above, or some member of it reply that they have no report +to make. Or, when the chairman knows that there are but few if any reports to +make, 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 select +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.] 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 adds, “The secretary will read +the minutes of the last meeting.” If any one notices an error in the minutes, +he can 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, “If there is no +objection the minutes will stand approved as read” [or “corrected,” if any +corrections have been made]. +</p> + +<p> +He 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, reads the committee’s +report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and formal bodies the +chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the report, usually directs +the secretary to read it again. See note to § 46 (c), for a few common errors +in acting upon reports of committees. [See also note to § 46 (b).]] If no +motion is made, the chairman says, “You have heard the report read—what order +shall be taken upon it?” Or simply inquires, “What shall be done with the +report?” Some one moves its adoption, or still better, moves “the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee,” and when seconded, the chairman +says, “The question is on the adoption of the Constitution reported by the +committee.” He then reads the first article of the Constitution, and asks, “Are +there any amendments proposed to this article?” If none are offered, after a +pause, he reads the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus +until he reads the last article, when he says, “The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment.” Now any one can move amendments to any +part of the Constitution. +</p> + +<p> +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;” and then, “As many as are opposed, will +say no.” He distinctly announces the result of the vote, which should always be +done. If the articles of the Constitution are subdivided into sections or +paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or paragraphs, +instead of by articles. +</p> + +<p>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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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.</p> + +<p> +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and says, +“The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws.” Some one moves the +adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they are treated just +like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, “What is the further pleasure of +the meeting?” or states that the next business in order is the election of the +permanent officers of the society. In either case some one moves the +appointment of a committee to nominate the permanent officers of the society, +which motion is treated as already described in § 47. As each officer is +elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are all elected the +organization is completed. +</p> + +<p>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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec49"></a>49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing +Rules. In forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure +copies of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending each +article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When they have +completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the committee. The +By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having finished the work +assigned them, some one moves, “That the committee rise, and that the chairman +(or some other member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly.” If +this is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: “Your committee, appointed to draft a Constitution +and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with the recommendation +that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws of this society;” which is +signed by all the members of the committee that concur in it. Sometimes the +report is only signed by the chairman of the committee. +</p> + +<p>In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following:</p> + +<p>(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution.</p> + +<p> +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided into +sections. The Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it +should be made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the +amendment is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [§ 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than two-thirds, +and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should not be allowed to be +made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after having been proposed at the +previous quarterly meeting. +</p> + +<p>The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: “The rules contained in—(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society.” Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting.</p> + +<p>In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [§ 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws, as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for.</p> + +<h3><a name="art10"></a>Art. X. Officers and Committees.</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec50"></a>50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman +to call the meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the +meetings, to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to preserve +order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order (subject to an appeal). +When he “puts a question” to vote, and when speaking upon an appeal, he should +stand;* [In meetings of boards of managers, committees and other small bodies, +the chairman usually retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not +rise.] in all other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect +the result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member rises to +speak, he should say, “Mr. Chairman,” and the chairman should reply, “Mr. A;” +he should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should listen +to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the assembly. The +chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance of partizanship, but +he has the right to call another member to the chair while he addresses the +assembly on a question; when speaking to a question of order he does not leave +the chair. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec51"></a>51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is +variously called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of +which depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every resolution +or motion that is adopted. +</p> + +<p> +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for publication, +and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and generally best, to +appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it is a tax on the judgment of +the clerk to decide what to enter on the record, or the “Minutes,” as it is +usually called. Sometimes the points of each speech should be entered, and at +other times only the remark that the question was discussed by Messrs. A., B. +and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in the negative. Every +resolution that is adopted should be entered, which can be done in this form: +“On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, &c.” +</p> + +<p>Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book.</p> + +<p>The Form of the Minutes can be as follows:</p> + +<p> +“At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on Tuesday +evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting as secretary, +the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. The committee on +Applications reported the names of Messrs. C. and D. as applicants for +membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they were admitted as members. The +committee on —— reported a series of resolutions, which were thoroughly +discussed and amended, and finally adopted as follows: +</p> + +<p>“Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *”</p> + +<p>On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned.<br/> +L- B-, Secretary. +</p> + +<p>If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper.</p> + +<p>The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society.</p> + +<p> +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, not +specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his duties are also of a +financial kind, when he should make such reports as are prescribed in the next +section. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec52"></a>52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different +societies. In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely +holding the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always required, +in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on hand at the +commencement of the year, the amount received during the year (stating from +what source received), the total amount paid out by order of the society, and +the balance on hand. When this report is presented it is referred to an +“auditing committee,” consisting of one or two persons, who examine the +treasurer’s books and vouchers, and certify on his report that they “have +examined his accounts and vouchers and find them correct, and the balance on +hand is,” etc., stating the amount on hand. The auditing committee’s report +being accepted is equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, +namely, that the treasurer’s report is correct. +</p> + +<p> +In the case here supposed, the real financial statement is made either by the +board of trustees, or by the secretary or some other officer, according to the +Constitution of the society. The principles involved, are, that every officer +who receives money is to account for it in a report to the society, and that +whatever officer is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the +society. If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary should +make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable the society to +readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. +</p> + +<p>It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct.</p> + +<p> +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he makes a +payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as they are the +vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the auditing committee. +Disbursing officers cannot be too careful in keeping their accounts, and they +should insist upon having their accounts audited every time they make a report, +as by this means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee’s report that the financial report +is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the responsibility of the +past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it would cause no trouble. The +best form for these financial reports depends upon the kind of society, and is +best determined by examining those made in similar societies. +</p> + +<p>The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures):</p> + +<p>Treasurer’s Report.</p> + +<p>The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report:</p> + +<p> +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was —— dollars and —— +cents. There was received from all sources during the year, —— dollars and —— +cents; during the same time the expenses amounted to —— dollars and —— cents, +leaving a balance on hand of —— dollars and —— cents. The annexed statement of +receipts and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the +receipts were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. +</p> + +<p>S— M—, Treasurer M. L. S.</p> + +<p>The “Statement of receipts and expenditures” can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee’s certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows:</p> + +<p>Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +———————————————————————————————————- +1874. 1874.</p> + +<p>Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand<br/> + ” Gas ……….. 80 00 from last year’s<br/> + ” Stationery …. 26 50 account ………. $ 21 13<br/> + ” Janitor ……. 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00<br/> + ” Balance on hand 24 63 ” members’ dues .. 875 00<br/> + ———- ———-<br/> + $991 13 $991 13 +</p> + +<p>We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec53"></a>53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those +where but little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees are of +the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in nine cases out +of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A committee for action should +be small and consist only of those heartily in favor of the proposed action. A +committee for deliberation or investigation, on the contrary, should be larger +and represent all parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with +it as great weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on the +committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in § 46 (c). +</p> + +<p> +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his duty to +call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If he is absent, or +from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it is the duty of the +committee to assemble on the call of any two of their members. The committee +are a miniature assembly, only being able to act when a quorum is present. If a +paper is referred to them they must not deface it in any way, but write their +amendments on a separate sheet. If they originate the paper, all amendments +must be incorporated in it. When they originate the paper, usually one member +has previously prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read +by paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, “Are there +any amendments proposed to this paragraph?” No vote is taken on the adoption of +the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has been read in this way, +it is open to amendment, generally, by striking out any paragraph or inserting +new ones, or by substituting an entirely new paper for it. When it has been +amended to suit the committee, they should adopt it as their report, and direct +the chairman or some other member to report it to the assembly. It is then +written out, usually commencing in a style similar to this: “The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the +following report;” or, “Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report,” etc. It usually closes thus: “All of which is +respectfully submitted,” followed by the signatures of all the members +concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of the chairman. +</p> + +<p>If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: “The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed,” etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee’s report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee’s report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to re-commit), if adopted, revives the committee.</p> + +<h3><a name="art11"></a>Art. XI. Introduction of Business.</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec54"></a>54. Any member wishing to bring business before the +assembly, should, without it is very simple, write down in the form of a +motion, what he would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: +</p> + +<p>Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality.</p> + +<p> +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and addresses the +chairman by his title, thus: “Mr. Chairman,” who immediately recognizes him by +announcing his name.* [If the chairman has any special title, as President, for +instance, he should be addressed by it, thus: “Mr. President.” Sometimes the +chairman recognizes the speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course +is to announce his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he “moves the +adoption of the following resolution,” which he reads and hands to the +chairman.** [Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes +to offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, “It has +been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted,” when he +reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then state the question +thus: “The question is on the adoption of the resolution just read.” The merits +of the resolution are then open to discussion, but before any member can +discuss the question or make any motion, he must first obtain the floor as just +described. After the chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or +when he thinks the debate closed, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the following: +“The question is on the adoption of the resolution which you have heard; as +many as are in favor of its adoption will say aye.” When the ayes have voted, +he says, “As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no.”* [There are many +other ways of putting a question; see § 67, and Rules of Order, § 38. Other +illustrations of the ordinary practice in introducing business will be seen in +§§ 46-48.] He then announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or +lost, as the case may be, in the following form: “The motion is carried—the +resolution is adopted;” or, “The ayes have it—the resolution is adopted.” A +majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, +excepting those mentioned in § 68. +</p> + +<h3><a name="art12"></a>Art. XII. Motions.</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec55"></a>55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead +of immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, it +may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this purpose +various motions have come into use, which can be made while a resolution is +being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. No one can make any of +these motions while another member has the floor, excepting as shown in § 64, +which see for the circumstances under which each motion can be made. +</p> + +<p>The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.]</p> + +<p>Motions Classified.</p> + +<p> (1) To Amend or Modify ………………………………… [§ 56]<br/> + (a) Amend.<br/> + (b) Commit.<br/> + (2) To Defer action …………………………………… [§ 57]<br/> + (a) Postpone to a certain time.<br/> + (b) Lie on the Table.<br/> + (3) To Suppress Debate ………………………………… [§ 58]<br/> + (a) Previous Question.<br/> + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate.<br/> + (4) To Suppress the question …………………………… [§ 59]<br/> + (a) Objection to its Consideration.<br/> + (b) Postpone Indefinitely.<br/> + (c) Lie on the Table.<br/> + (5) To Consider a question the second time ………………. [§ 60]<br/> + (a) Reconsider.<br/> + (6) Order and Rules …………………………………… [§ 61]<br/> + (a) Orders of the day.<br/> + (b) Special Orders.<br/> + (c) Suspension of the Rules.<br/> + (d) Questions of Order.<br/> + (e) Appeal.<br/> + (7) Miscellaneous …………………………………….. [§ 62]<br/> + (a) Reading of Papers.<br/> + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion.<br/> + (c) Questions of Privilege.<br/> + (8) To close a meeting ………………………………… [§ 63]<br/> + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn.<br/> + (b) Adjourn. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec56"></a><a name="sec56a"></a>56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If +it is desired to modify the question in any way, the proper motion to make is +to “amend,” either by “adding” words, or by “striking out” words; or by +“striking out certain words and inserting others;” or by “substituting” a +different motion on the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by +“dividing the question” into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so +as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its friends, +and thus defeat it. +</p> + +<p> +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should always +state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly what is +before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to amend; then +the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the words to be inserted, +if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will stand if the amendment is +adopted. He then states that the question is on the adoption of the amendment, +which is open to debate, the remarks being confined to the merits of the +amendment, only going into the main question so far as is necessary in order to +ascertain the propriety of adopting the amendment. +</p> + +<p>This amendment can be amended, but an “amendment of an amendment” cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in § 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec56b"></a>(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, +or needs more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move “to refer it to a committee.” This motion can be made while an amendment +is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to debate. This +motion can be amended by specifying the number of the committee, or how they +shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or by giving them any other +instructions. [See § 53 on committees, and § 46 (c) on their appointment.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec57"></a><a name="sec57a"></a>57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a +certain time. If it is desired to defer action upon a question till a +particular time, the proper motion to make, is to “postpone it to that time.” +This motion allows of but limited debate, which must be confined to the +propriety of the postponement to that time; it can be amended by altering the +time, and this amendment allows of the same debate. The time specified must not +be beyond that session [§ 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, +in which case it comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. +This motion can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec57b"></a>(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to +a particular time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some +other question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to defeat +a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it at any other +time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken from the table, +except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the society of the advantages +of the motion to “lie on the table.” because it would not be safe to lay a +question aside temporarily, if one-third of the assembly were opposed to the +measure, as that one-third could prevent its ever being taken from the table. A +bare majority should not have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or +reject a question, or prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at +end of § 35, Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the question +“lie on the table.” This motion allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the +chairman immediately puts the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid +aside until the assembly vote to “take it from the table” (which latter motion +is undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used to +suppress a measure, as shown in § 59 (c). +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec58"></a><a name="sec58a"></a>58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous +Question. While as a general rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* +[Except an “objection to the consideration of the question” [§ 59 (a)]. See +note to § 35, Rules of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] +which, if adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing +it from before the assembly for the session,—yet, to prevent a minority from +making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have methods by +which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken upon a question. +</p> + +<p> +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, it is +only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and “call for the previous +question;” this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows of no debate, +instantly puts the question, thus: “Shall the main question be now put?” If +this is carried by a two-thirds vote [§ 68], all debate instantly ceases, +excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, or reported it +from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to the floor to close the +debate; after which, the chairman immediately puts the questions to the +assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if it is pending; if this is carried, +of course the subject goes to the committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is +next taken on amendments, and finally on the resolution as amended. +</p> + +<p>If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec58b"></a>(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, +instead of cutting off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is +desirable to allow of but very limited debate. In this case, a motion is made +to limit the time allowed each speaker or the number of speeches on each side, +or to appoint a time at which debate shall close and the question be put. The +motion may be made to limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main +question would afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made +simply on an amendment to an amendment. +</p> + +<p>In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec59"></a><a name="sec59a"></a>59. To Suppress the Question. (a) +Objection to the consideration of a question. Sometimes a resolution is +introduced that the assembly do not wish to consider at all, because it is +profitless, or irrelevant to the objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. +The proper course to pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is +introduced, to “object to the consideration of the question.” This objection +not requiring a second, the chairman immediately puts the question, “Will the +assembly consider this question?” If decided in the negative by a two-thirds +vote, the question is immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced +during that session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another member +has the floor. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec59b"></a>(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been +debated, the proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the +session, is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an amendment +has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is before the assembly. +It opens the merits of the main question to debate to as great an extent as if +the main question were before the assembly. On account of these two facts, in +assemblies with short sessions it is not very useful, as the same result can +usually be more easily attained by the next motion. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec59c"></a>(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during +the remainder of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the +question, then the quickest way of suppressing it is to move “that the question +lie on the table;” which, allowing of no debate, enables the majority to +instantly lay the question on the table, from which it cannot be taken without +their consent. +</p> + +<p>From its high rank [§ 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in § 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec60"></a><a name="sec60a"></a>60. To Consider a question a second +time. Reconsider. When a question has been once adopted, rejected or +suppressed, it cannot be again considered during that session [§ 70], except by +a motion to “reconsider the vote” on that question. This motion can only be +made by one who voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken +which it is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any one +can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered on all +important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary societies.] It +can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of debate, even when +another member has the floor, but cannot be considered until there is no +question before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. +</p> + +<p>A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable.</p> + +<p>If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote.</p> + +<p> +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be called up +by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If the assembly has +not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph would not apply, but this +motion to reconsider would, like any other motion, fall to the ground if not +acted upon before the close of the session at which the original vote was +adopted.] If he fails to call it up then, any one else can do so. But should +there be no succeeding meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, +then the effect of the motion to reconsider terminates with the adjournment of +the meeting at which it was made, and any one can call it up at that meeting. +</p> + +<p>In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in § +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, § 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.]</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec61"></a><a name="sec61a"></a>61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the +Day. Sometimes an assembly decides that certain questions shall be considered +at a particular time, and when that time arrives those questions constitute +what is termed the “orders of the day,” and if any member “calls for the orders +of the day,” as it requires no second, the chairman immediately puts the +question, thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to the orders of the day?” If +carried, the subject under consideration is laid aside, and the questions +appointed for that time are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the +chairman may state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot be +renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* [In +Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a call for +the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most common case where +orders of the day are decided upon is where it is necessary to make a programme +for the session. When the hour arrives for the consideration of any subject on +the programme, these rules permit any member to call for the orders of the day +(as described in Rules of Order, § 2) even though another person has the floor. +If this were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone the +orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion of the +question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when any subject +shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules of the assembly; the +latter must be enforced by the chairman, without they are suspended by a +two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can only be carried out by the +order of a majority of the assembly then present and voting.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec61b"></a>(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that +it is desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made to make +the question a “special order” for that particular time. This motion requires a +two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really a suspension of the +rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to suspend the rules is in order. +If a subject is a special order for a particular day, then on that day it +supersedes all business except the reading of the minutes. A special order can +be postponed by a majority vote. If two special orders are made for the same +day, the one first made takes precedence. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec61c"></a>(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every +assembly, if discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being +wasted, and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by suspending +their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes a motion “to +suspend the rules that interfere with,” etc., stating the object of the +suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds vote, then the particular +thing for which the rules were suspended can be done. By “general consent,” +that is, if no one objects, the rules can at any time be ignored without the +formality of a motion. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec61d"></a>(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to +enforce the rules and preserve order, and when any member notices a breach of +order, he can call for the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he +rises he usually says, “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.” The chairman +then directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of order, +decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his speech, +directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be out of order. +When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he cannot continue his +speech, if any one objects, without permission is granted him by a vote of the +assembly. Instead of the above method, when a member uses improper language, +some one says, “I call the gentleman to order;” when the chairman decides as +before whether the language is disorderly. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec61e"></a>(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of +interpretation of the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the +chairman to first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to +“appeal from the decision.” If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the question, +thus: “Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment of the assembly?” +[or society, convention, etc.] +</p> + +<p>The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained, or reversed, as the case may be.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec62"></a><a name="sec62a"></a><a name="sec62b"></a>62. +Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a motion. If a +speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw his motion after it has +been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if any one objects, to make a motion +to grant the permission. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec62c"></a>(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur +during the meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of +the members, any member may “rise to a question of privilege,” and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of privilege: +(from the chairman’s decision of course an appeal can be taken). If the +question is one of privilege, it supersedes, for the time being, the business +before the assembly; its consideration can be postponed to another time, or the +previous question can be ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid +on the table, or referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon +as the question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec63"></a><a name="sec63a"></a>63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the +time to which to adjourn. If it is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the +assembly, it is best some time before its close to move, “That when this +assembly adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time,” specifying the time. +This motion can be amended by altering the time, but if made when another +question is before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it stands as +any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can be made even while +the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but not when another member +has the floor. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec63b"></a>(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly from being +kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to have a rule +limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one member at one +time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is desired to close the +meeting, without the member who has the floor will yield it, the only resource +is to wait till his time expires, and then a member who gets the floor should +move “to adjourn.” The motion being seconded, the chairman instantly put the +question, as it allows of no amendment or debate; and if decided in the +affirmative, he says, “The motion is carried;—this assembly stands adjourned.” +If the assembly is one that will have no other meeting, instead of “adjourned,” +he says “adjourned without day,” or “sine die.” If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he states +that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion to adjourn is +qualified by specifying the time, as, “to adjourn to to-morrow evening,” it +cannot be made when any other question is before the assembly; like any other +main motion, it can then be amended and debated.** [For the effect of an +adjournment upon unfinished business see § 69.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec64"></a>64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions +rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: +</p> + +<p>To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn.<br/> +To Adjourn (when unqualified).<br/> +For the Orders of the Day.<br/> +To Lie on the Table.<br/> +For the Previous Question.<br/> +To Postpone to a Certain Time.<br/> +To Commit.<br/> +To Amend.<br/> +To Postpone Indefinitely. +</p> + +<p>The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first.</p> + +<p> +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection to the +consideration of a question, can be made while another member has the floor: +so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be entered on the minutes +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the assembly. +</p> + +<h3><a name="art13"></a>Art. XIII. Debate.</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec65"></a>65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be +addressed to the chairman, and must be confined to the question before the +assembly, avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one’s motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of times +any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed for each +speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from each member only +one speech of one hour’s length; the Senate allows two speeches without limit +as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he could speak only once to the +same question, might defeat a measure by prolonging his speech and declining to +yield the floor except for a motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two +speeches should be allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules +also limit the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a +member to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. +</p> + +<p>However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, §§ 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in § 58 (b).</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec66"></a>66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main +Question to Debate. [A full list of these will be found in § 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be added +the motion to close or limit debate.] +</p> + +<h3><a name="art14"></a>Art. XIV. Miscellaneous.</h3> + +<p> +<a name="sec67"></a>67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a +motion has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the +motion is in order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what +question is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or +when it is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. +</p> + +<p>Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question.</p> + +<p> +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, “It is moved +and seconded that,” and then give the motion. When an amendment has been voted +on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, “The question now recurs +on the resolution,” or, “on the resolution as amended,” as the case may be. So +in all cases, as soon as a vote is taken, he should immediately state the +question then before the assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable +or can be amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and always +before finally putting it, inquires, “Are you ready for the question?” Some of +the common forms of stating and putting questions are shown in §§ 46-48. The +forms of putting the following questions, are, however, peculiar: +</p> + +<p>If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so +that on a tie vote they are struck out.</p> + +<p>If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main +question be now put?”</p> + +<p>If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?” [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?”</p> + +<p>When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will +the assembly consider it?” or, “Shall the question be considered?” [or +discussed.]</p> + +<p>If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]—those opposed will answer no.”</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec68"></a>68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds +Vote, page 159, and § 39 of Rules of Order.] +</p> + +<p>All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule:</p> + +<p>To amend or suspend the rules.<br/> +To make a special order.<br/> +To take up a question out of its proper order.<br/> +An objection to the consideration of a question.<br/> +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec69"></a>69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the +unfinished business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the +first business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new business at +the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are more frequent than +yearly.** [See Rules of Order, § 11, for a fuller explanation of the effect of +an adjournment upon unfinished business, and the Congressional practice.] If +the meetings are only once a year, the adjournment of the session puts an end +to all unfinished business. +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec70"></a>70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes +a separate session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +“adjourns without day.”* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by moving +simply “to adjourn;” the society meet again at the time provided either by +their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not meet till the +time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the By-Laws, then the +adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an adjournment without day. +If, however, they had previously fixed the time for the next meeting, either by +a direct vote, or by adopting a programme of exercises covering several +meetings or even days, in either case the adjournment is in effect to a certain +day, and does not close the session.] +</p> + +<p>When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to § 49].</p> + +<p> +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules limit +the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of Business +prescribed in § 72 requires that the minutes of the previous meeting, the +reports of committees previously appointed, and the unfinished business of the +last session, shall all take precedence of new business, and that no subject +can be considered out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it +is allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up with +unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day beyond the +next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next session to consider +the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can be made at one meeting and +called up at the next meeting even though it be another session, provided the +society holds its regular sessions as frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of +Order, § 42, for a full discussion of this subject.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec71"></a>71. Quorum. [See § 43 for full information on this +subject.] +</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec72"></a>72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year:</p> + +<p> +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting.<br/> +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees.<br/> +(3) Reports of Select Committees.<br/> +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting).<br/> +(5) New Business.</p> + +<p>Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read.</p> + +<p> +<a name="sec73"></a>73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of +Order, should be permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular +meeting of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, amendments +should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after having been proposed at +the previous quarterly meeting. +</p> + +<h3><a name="sec74"></a>Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their +Members.</h3> + +<p>The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a right, for its own protection, to give +public notice that the person has ceased to be a member of that society.</p> + +<p>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 +their 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.</p> + +<p>The 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 or order, using whatever +force is necessary to eject the party.</p> + +<p>The chairman can detail members to remove the person, without calling +upon the police. If, however, in enforcing the order, any one uses +harsher treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +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 held the case under +advisement for one year, and then reversed the decision of the State Court, +because it conflicted with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court +that had acted upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, +laid down the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a +larger and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has been +carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. +</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of +expulsion if they refuse. In § 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p> +In either case the committee investigate the matter and report to the society. +This report need not go into details, but should contain their 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. +</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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.</p> + +<p>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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt.</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="sec75"></a>TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS.</h2> + +<p>[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.]</p> + +<p>Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, “Lie on +the table:” the Table shows that § 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is “undebatable” and “cannot be amended;” and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) “cannot be reconsidered:” +— the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +“open the main question to debate,” that it does not “require a 2/3 +vote,” that it does “require to be seconded,” and that it is not “in +order when another member has the floor.”</p> + +<p>The column headed “Requires a two-thirds vote,” applies only where the +“Pocket Manual of Rules of Order,” or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See “Two-thirds Vote,” on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] +</p> + +<p>After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc.</p> + +<p> + In order when another has the floor [§ 2]——————-| + Requires no Second [§ 3]—————-| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [§ 39]—See Note 1.————-| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [§ 27]———-| | | | + Cannot be Amended [§ 23]——-| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [§ 35]—-| | | | | | + Undebatable [§ 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ……………………………………… x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ………………. 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ……………………………………….. . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment ……………………………. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ………………………………. . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ………… x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ……………………….. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ………………………………… x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ……………………….. x . . . x . . +22 Commit ………………………………………. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to ………….. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn ……………….. 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table ……………………………… x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ……………………….. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] …….. x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ………………. x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time …………………….. 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely …………………………. . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question …………………………….. x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ……… x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ……………………………….. x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ………………… . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question ……………… x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) ………………………… . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) ……………… x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ……………. x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ………………………. . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) …………………….. . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules …………………………….. x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table …………………………… x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order ………. x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion ………………………… x . x . . . .</p> + +<h3>Notes To The Table.</h3> + +<p>(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to “suspend the rules,” which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.]</p> + +<p>(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly.</p> + +<p>(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered.</p> + +<p>(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement.</p> + +<p>(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly; it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side.</p> + +<p>(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted.</p> + +<p>(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate.</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2>MISCELLANEOUS RULES.</h2> + +<h3>Order of Precedence of Motions.</h3> + +<p>The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order:</p> + +<p>To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn.<br/> +To Adjourn (when unqualified).<br/> +For the Orders of the Day.<br/> +To Lie on the Table.<br/> +For the Previous Question.<br/> +To Postpone to a Certain Time.<br/> +To Commit.<br/> +To Amend.<br/> +To Postpone Indefinitely. +</p> + +<p>The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when, if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first.</p> + +<h3>Two-thirds Vote.</h3> + +<p>In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to “suspend the +rules,” which would require a unanimous vote.</p> + +<h3>Forms of Putting Certain Questions.</h3> + +<p>If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so +that on a tie vote they are struck out.</p> + +<p>If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main +question now be put?”</p> + +<p>If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?” [convention, society, etc.].</p> + +<p>If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +“Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?” +</p> + +<p>When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will +the assembly consider it?” or “Shall the question be considered?” [or +discussed.]</p> + +<p>If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]—those opposed will answer no.”</p> + +<h3>Various Forms of Amendments.</h3> + +<p>An Amendment may be either (1) by “adding” or (2) by “striking out” +words or paragraphs; or (3) by “striking out certain words and inserting +others;” or (4) by “substituting” a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by “dividing the question” into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points.</p> + +<h3>Additions and Corrections.</h3> + +<p>[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.]</p> + +<p> +19th page, 7th line, after “§ 13” insert a star referring to this note: “See +note to § 61.”<br/> +50th ” 2d line of last note, omit all after “reconsideration.”<br/> +51st ” at end of 12th line, insert “upon another day.”<br/> +” ” 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: “In Congress the +effect always terminates with the session, and it cannot be called up by any +one but the mover, until the expiration of the time during which it is in order +to move a reconsideration.”<br/> +69th ” 4th line, after “§ 34,” insert “or limiting or closing debate.”<br/> +72d ” 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: “If both are +personally interested. [See p. 161.]”<br/> +73d ” last line of note, insert “final” before “vote.”<br/> +80th ” add to the list in § 39 the motion “To make a special order.” +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div class="chapter"> + +<h2><a name="sec76"></a>INDEX.</h2> + +<p>The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION.</p> + +<p>Adjourn, motion to ……………………………………… 11, 63b<br/> + when in order ………………………………………… 11, 64<br/> + effect upon unfinished business ………………………… 11, 69<br/> + motion to “fix the time to which to adjourn” ……………… 10, 63<br/> +Amendment, motion to “amend” ……………………………. 23, 56a<br/> + by “adding” or “striking out” ………………………….. 23, 56a<br/> + by “striking out and inserting” ………………………… 23, 56a<br/> + by “substituting” …………………………………….. 23, 56a<br/> + by “dividing the question” ………………………….. 4, 23, 56a<br/> + of an amendment ………………………………………. 23, 56a<br/> + in committee ………………………………………….. 28, 53<br/> + in committee of the whole …………………………………. 32<br/> + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ……….. 44, 48b<br/> + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions ……………… 45, 73<br/> + motions that cannot be amended …………………………. 23, 56a<br/> +Announcing the vote. See Forms.<br/> +Appeal from the decision of the chair …………………….. 14, 61e<br/> +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14).<br/> +Assembly, how organized ………………………………. 46, 47, 48<br/> + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc.,<br/> + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16.<br/> + legal rights of, pp. 158-163.<br/> + right to punish members, p. 158.<br/> + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159.<br/> + trial of members, p. 160.<br/> +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, § 38.<br/> +Ballot …………………………………………………….. 38<br/> +Blanks, filling of ………………………………………….. 25<br/> + in balloting, not to be counted …………………………….. 38<br/> +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in<br/> + order when reports of standing committees are made ………… 44, 72<br/> + (See Quorum.)<br/> +Business, introduction of ……………………………….. 1-5, 54<br/> + order of ……………………………………………… 44, 72<br/> + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ………………… 11, 69<br/> + [See Priority of Business.]<br/> +By-Laws, what they should contain …………………………….. 49<br/> + adoption of ……………………………………………… 46a<br/> + amendment of ………………………………………….. 45, 73<br/> +Chairman, duties of ……………………………………… 40, 50<br/> + election of ……………………………………………… 46a<br/> + temporary …………………………………………….. 40, 47<br/> + of a committee ………………………………………… 28, 53<br/> +of committee of the whole ……………………………………. 32<br/> +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ………………. 38<br/> +Classification of Motions according to their object …………….. 55<br/> + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ……………….. 6-9<br/> +Clerk, duties of ………………………………………… 41, 51<br/> + additional duties of when receiving money ……………………. 52<br/> + election of ……………………………………………… 46a<br/> +Commit, motion to ………………………………………. 22, 56b<br/> +Committees, appointment of ………………………………. 22, 46c<br/> + how they should be composed …………………………….. 22, 53<br/> + object of …………………………………………….. 28, 53<br/> + manner of conducting business in ………………………… 28, 53<br/> + Reports of, their form …………………………………. 29, 53<br/> + their reception …………………………………….. 30, 46c<br/> + their adoption ……………………………………… 31, 46c<br/> + their place in the order of business …………………… 44, 72<br/> + common errors in acting upon (note) …………………… 30, 46c<br/> + Minority Reports of, their form …………………………. 29, 53<br/> + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute<br/> + for the committee’s report ………………………….. 28, 53<br/> + of the whole ……………………………………………… 32<br/> + as if in committee of the whole …………………………….. 33<br/> +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12.<br/> +Consideration of a question, objection to …………………. 15, 59a<br/> +Constitutions, what they should contain ……………………….. 49<br/> + adoption of by a society ………………………………….. 48b<br/> + amendment of ………………………………………….. 45, 73<br/> +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a<br/> + meeting of …………………………………………….. 47<br/> +Credentials of delegates …………………………………….. 47<br/> +Debate, what precedes …………………………………….. 3, 54<br/> + no member to speak but twice in same …………………….. 34, 65<br/> + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one<br/> + time ……………………………………………….. 34, 65<br/> + a majority can extend the number and length of<br/> + speeches allowed ……………………………………. 34, 65<br/> + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress<br/> + (note) ……………………………………………… 34, 65<br/> + member introducing measure has right to close ………………… 34<br/> + list of undebatable questions …………………………… 35, 66<br/> + motions that open the main question to ………………………. 35<br/> + principles regulating the extent of (see note) ……………….. 35<br/> + decorum in ……………………………………………. 36, 65<br/> + closing or limiting ……………………………………. 37, 58<br/> +Decorum in debate ……………………………………….. 36, 65<br/> +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15].<br/> +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ……………………….. 47<br/> +Division of the assembly …………………………………….. 38<br/> + of questions [see Amendment] ……………………………. 4, 56a<br/> +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159.<br/> +Election of Officers ……………………………………. 46a, 47<br/> +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to ……………….. 10, 63a<br/> +Floor, how to obtain ……………………………………… 2, 54<br/> +Forms of making motions ………………………………….. 46, 54<br/> + of stating and putting questions ………………………… 38, 67<br/> + of announcing the result of a vote ………………………. 38, 54<br/> + of reports of committees ……………………………….. 29, 53<br/> + of treasurers’ reports …………………………………….. 52<br/> + of minutes of a meeting ………………………………… 41, 51<br/> + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ………………….. 46<br/> + of conducting a meeting of delegates ………………………… 47<br/> + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ………………… 48<br/> + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ………………. 48b<br/> +Incidental questions …………………………………………. 8<br/> +Indefinite postponement …………………………………. 24, 59b<br/> +Informal consideration of a question ………………………….. 33<br/> +Introduction of Business ………………………………… 1-5, 54<br/> +Journal, or minutes ……………………………………… 41, 51<br/> +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals.<br/> +Lie on the table, motion to …………………………. 19, 57b, 59c<br/> +Main question ……………………………………………….. 6<br/> +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum.<br/> +Meeting, distinction between it and session ………………… 42, 70<br/> + [See also Introduction, page 15.]<br/> + how to conduct. See Forms.<br/> +Members not to be present during a debate or vote<br/> + concerning themselves ……………………………………… 36<br/> + trial of, p. 160.<br/> +Minority Report. See Committees.<br/> +Minutes, form and contents of …………………………….. 41, 51<br/> +Moderator. See Chairman.<br/> +Modification of a motion by the mover ………………………….. 5<br/> +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.]<br/> + Adjourn ……………………………………………… 11, 63b<br/> + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ………………………. 10, 63a<br/> + Amend ……………………………………………….. 23, 56a<br/> + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) ……………… 31, 46c<br/> + Appeal ………………………………………………. 14, 61e<br/> + Blanks, filling …………………………………………… 25<br/> + Call to order ………………………………………… 14, 61d<br/> + Close debate ………………………………………….. 37, 58<br/> + Commit ………………………………………………. 22, 56b<br/> + Consideration of a question, objection to ………………. 15, 59a<br/> + Divide the question ………………………………… 4, 23, 56a<br/> + Extend the limits of debate …………………………….. 34, 65<br/> + Fix the time to which to adjourn ……………………….. 10, 63a<br/> + Incidental motions or questions ……………………………… 8<br/> + Indefinitely postpone …………………………………. 24, 59b<br/> + Informal consideration of a question ………………………… 33<br/> + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum …………….. 36<br/> + Leave to withdraw a motion …………………………….. 17, 62b<br/> + Lie on the table …………………………………. 19, 57b, 59c<br/> + Limit Debate …………………………………………. 37, 58b<br/> + Main motions or questions …………………………………… 6<br/> + Objection to the consideration of a question …………….. 15, 59a<br/> + Order, questions of …………………………………… 14, 61d<br/> + Orders of the day …………………………………….. 13, 61a<br/> + Orders, special ………………………………………….. 61b<br/> + Postpone to a certain day ……………………………… 21, 57a<br/> + Postpone indefinitely …………………………………. 24, 59b<br/> + Previous question …………………………………….. 20, 58a<br/> + Principal motions or questions ………………………………. 6<br/> + Priority of Business, questions relating to ………………….. 35<br/> + Privileged motions or questions ……………………………… 9<br/> + Privilege, questions of ……………………………….. 12, 62c<br/> + Reading papers ………………………………………… 16, 62<br/> + Reception of a report [see Committees] ………………….. 30, 46c<br/> + Recommit [same as Commit] ………………………………. 22, 56<br/> + Reconsider ……………………………………………. 27, 60<br/> + Refer [same as Commit] ………………………………… 22, 56b<br/> + Renewal of a motion ……………………………………. 26, 60<br/> + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ……………………… 11, 32<br/> + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] …………. 15, 59a<br/> + Special Order, to make a ………………………………….. 61b<br/> + Strike out [see Amendment] …………………………….. 23, 56a<br/> + Subsidiary motions or questions ……………………………… 7<br/> + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) ……………….. 23, 56a<br/> + Suspension of the Rules ……………………………….. 18, 61c<br/> + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ………………. 19, 57b<br/> + Take up a question out of its proper order ……………….. 44, 72<br/> + Withdrawal of a motion …………………………………. 17, 62<br/> +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166.<br/> + classified according to their object ………………………… 55<br/> + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ……… 6-9<br/> + order of precedence of [see each motion, §§ 10-27] ……………. 64<br/> + how to be made …………………………………… 1, 2, 46, 54<br/> + a second required (with certain exceptions) ……………….. 3, 67<br/> + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ……………. 3, 54<br/> + when to be in writing …………………………………… 4, 54<br/> + how to be divided ………………………………………….. 4<br/> + how to be modified by the mover ……………………….. 3, 5, 17<br/> + how to be stated and put to the question …………………. 38, 67<br/> + that cannot be amended ………………………………… 23, 56a<br/> + that cannot be debated …………………………………. 35, 66<br/> + that open main question to debate …………………………… 35<br/> + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption …………… 39, 68<br/> +Nominations, how treated ………………………………… 25, 46a<br/> +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without<br/> + a vote …………………………………………………… 23<br/> +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction<br/> + of a question ………………………………………… 15, 59a<br/> +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer<br/> + and Vice-Presidents.<br/> +Order, questions of and a call to ………………………… 14, 61d<br/> + of business …………………………………………… 44, 72<br/> + of the day …………………………………………… 13, 61a<br/> + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) ………. 61a<br/> + special …………………………………………………. 61b<br/> + of precedence of motions. See Precedence.<br/> +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting …………………. 46a<br/> + of a convention or assembly of delegates …………………….. 47<br/> + of a permanent society …………………………………….. 48<br/> +Papers and documents, reading of ………………………….. 16, 62<br/> + in custody of clerk ……………………………………. 41, 51<br/> +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.)<br/> +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.)<br/> + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.)<br/> + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business,<br/> + (Introduction, page 14.)<br/> +Postpone to a certain time ………………………………. 21, 57a<br/> + indefinitely …………………………………………. 24, 59b<br/> +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper …………………. 44<br/> +Precedence of motions [see each motion, §§ 10-27] ………………. 64<br/> + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.)<br/> +Presiding Officer. See Chairman.<br/> +Previous Question ………………………………………. 20, 58a<br/> +Principal (or main) question ………………………………….. 6<br/> +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ……… 35<br/> +Privilege, questions of …………………………………. 12, 62c<br/> +Privileged questions …………………………………………. 9<br/> +Putting the question, form of …………………………….. 38, 67<br/> +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order.<br/> +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority …………… 43<br/> + committees and boards cannot decide upon …………………….. 43<br/> +Reading of Papers ……………………………………….. 16, 62<br/> +Reception of a report. See Committees.<br/> +Re-commit (same as Commit) ………………………………. 22, 56b<br/> +Reconsider ……………………………………………… 27, 60<br/> +Record, or minutes ………………………………………. 41, 51<br/> +Recording officer. See Clerk.<br/> +Refer [same as Commit] ………………………………….. 22, 56b<br/> +Renewal of a motion ……………………………………… 26, 60<br/> +Reports of committees. See Committees.<br/> +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly.<br/> + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159.<br/> +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ………………. 11, 32<br/> +Rules of debate. See Debate.<br/> + of Order, amendment of …………………………………. 45, 73<br/> + of Order, what they should contain ………………………….. 49<br/> + standing, what they should contain ………………………….. 49<br/> + suspension of ………………………………………… 18, 61c<br/> + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166.<br/> +Seconding, motions that do not require ……………………… 3, 67<br/> +Secretary. See Clerk.<br/> +Session [See also Meeting] ……………………………….. 42, 70<br/> +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ……………. 15, 59a<br/> +Speaking, rules of, See Debate.<br/> +Special Order ……………………………………………… 61b<br/> +Standing Rules ……………………………………………… 49<br/> +Stating a question, form of ………………………………. 38, 67<br/> +Strike out (see Amendment) ………………………………. 23, 56a<br/> +Subsidiary motions or questions ……………………………….. 7<br/> +Substitute (see Amendment) ………………………………. 23, 56a<br/> +Sum, largest, first put ……………………………………… 25<br/> +Suspension of the rules …………………………………. 18, 61c<br/> +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166.<br/> +Take from the table, motion to …………………………… 19, 57b<br/> +Time, longest, first put …………………………………….. 25<br/> +Treasurer, duties of ………………………………………… 52<br/> +Trial of Members, p. 160.<br/> +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring ………………………… 39, 68<br/> +Undebatable Questions ……………………………………. 35, 66<br/> +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon …………….. 11, 69<br/> + its place in the order of business ………………………. 44, 72<br/> +Vice-Presidents ……………………………………………. 46d<br/> +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ………………….. 38, 54<br/> + motions requiring more than a majority …………………… 39, 68<br/> + change of, permitted before result is announced ………………. 38<br/> +Voting, various methods of …………………………………… 38<br/> +Withdrawal of a motion …………………………………… 17, 62<br/> +Yeas and Nays, voting by …………………………………….. 38<br/> +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +</p> + +</div><!--end chapter--> + +<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT’S RULES OF ORDER ***</div> +<div style='text-align:left'> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will +be renamed. +</div> + +<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> +Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright +law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, +so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United +States without permission and without paying copyright +royalties. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Robert's Rules of Order + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies + +Author: Henry M. Robert + +Release Date: October, 2005 [EBook #9097] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 5, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Randyl Kent Plampin + + + + +ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER + +=== Page 1 ============================================================= + +Pocket Manual +of +Rules Of Order +For +Deliberative Assemblies + +--- + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, 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 societies, conventions, +and other deliberative assemblies. + +By Major Henry M. Robert, +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. + +Chicago: +S. C. Griggs & Company. +1876. + +=== Page 2 ============================================================= + +--- + +Copyright, A.D. 1876, +by +H. M. Robert + +--- + +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee + +=== Page 3 ============================================================= + +PREFACE. + +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in +its general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and +adapted, in its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work +should give, not only the methods of organizing and conducting the +meetings, the duties of the officers and the names of the ordinary +motions, but in addition, should state in a systematic manner, in +reference to each motion, its object and effect; whether it can be +amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it opens the main +question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be made, and +what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a +condensed and systematic manner, each rule being either complete in +itself, or giving references to every section that in any way qualifies +it, so that a stranger to the work can refer to any special subject with +safety. + +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating +to each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of +Rules, which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to +some two hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to +greatly assist the reader in systematizing his knowledge of +parliamentary law. + +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of +conducting business in ordinary + +=== Page 4 ============================================================= + +meetings, in which the motions are classified according to their uses, +and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part is +expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are +unfamiliar with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much +study to the subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn +enough to enable them to take part in meetings of deliberative +assemblies without fear of being out of order. The object of Rules of +Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an assembly to accomplish +the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. To do +this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the right +of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every +man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real +liberty. Experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the +law, and in this country, where customs are so slightly established and +the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting, no +society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some +work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not covered by +their own rules. + +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: "Whether these forms be in all cases the most +rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more +material that there should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, +that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to +the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very +material that order, decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified +public body." + +H. M. R. +December, 1875. + +=== Page 5 ============================================================= + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. +Introduction. Page. + Parliamentary Law .................................................. 9 + Plan of the Work .................................................. 12 + '' Part I .................................................... 13 + '' Part II ................................................... 14 + Definitions ....................................................... 15 + +Part I.--Rules of Order. +Art. I.--Introduction of Business. +Sec. 1. How introduced .............................................. 17 + 2. Obtaining the floor ............................................ 17 + 3. What precedes debate on a question ............................. 19 + 4. What motions to be in writing, and + how they shall be divided ...................................... 20 + 5. Modification of a motion by the mover .......................... 21 + +Art. II.--General Classification of Motions. +Sec. 6. Principal or Main motions ................................... 22 + 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions ................................ 22 + 8. Incidental motions ............................................. 23 + 9. Privileged motions ............................................. 24 + +Art. III.--Motions and their Order of Precedence. +Privileged Motions. + 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn ........................... 25 + 11. Adjourn ....................................................... 26 + 12. Questions of privilege ........................................ 28 + 13. Orders of the day ............................................. 28 +Incidental Motions. + 14. Appeal [Questions of Order] ................................... 30 + 15. Objection to the consideration of a + question ...................................................... 32 + 16. Reading papers ................................................ 33 + 17. Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 34 + 18. Suspension of the Rules ....................................... 34 + +=== Page 6 ============================================================= + +Subsidiary Motions. +Sec. 19. Lie on the table ........................................... 35 + 20. Previous Question ............................................. 37 + 21. Postpone to a certain day ..................................... 40 + 22. Commit [or Re-commit] ......................................... 41 + 23. Amend ......................................................... 43 + 24. Postpone indefinitely ......................................... 46 +Miscellaneous Motions. + 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations ............................... 47 + 26. Renewal of a motion ........................................... 48 + 27. Reconsideration ............................................... 49 + +Art. IV.--Committees and Informal Action. +Sec. 28. Committees ................................................. 54 + 29. '' Form of their Reports .............................. 58 + 30. '' Reception '' .............................. 59 + 31. '' Adoption '' .............................. 61 + 32. Committee of the Whole ........................................ 61 + 33. Informal consideration of a question .......................... 65 + +Art. V.--Debate and Decorum. +Sec. 34. Debate ..................................................... 66 + 35. Undebatable questions and those opening + the main question to debate ................................... 68 + 36. Decorum in debate ............................................. 71 + 37. Closing debate, methods of .................................... 72 + +Art. VI.--Vote. +Sec. 38. Voting, various modes of ................................... 74 + 39. Motions requiring more than a + majority vote ................................................. 80 + +Art. VII.--Officers and the Minutes. +Sec. 40. Chairman or President ...................................... 81 + 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes .......................... 85 + +Art. VIII.--Miscellaneous. +Sec. 42. Session .................................................... 90 + 43. Quorum ........................................................ 93 + 44. Order of business ............................................. 94 + 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order ............................... 97 + +=== Page 7 ============================================================= + +Part II.-Organization and Conduct of Business. + +Art. IX.--Organization and Meetings. +Sec. 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. + (a) Organization .............................................. 99 + (b) Adoption of resolutions .................................. 101 + (c) Committee on '' .................................. 102 + (d) Additional Officers ...................................... 105 + 47. A Convention or Assembly of + Delegates .................................................... 106 + 48. A Permanent Society. + (a) First meeting ............................................. 108 + (b) Second meeting ............................................ 111 + 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of + Order and Standing Rules ..................................... 115 + +Art. X.--Officers and Committees. +Sec. 50. President or Chairman ..................................... 119 + 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes ......................... 120 + 52. Treasurer .................................................... 123 + 53. Committees ................................................... 127 + +Art. XI--Introduction of Business. +Sec. 54. Introduction of Business .................................. 129 + +Art. XII.--Motions. +Sec. 55. Motions classified according to their + object ....................................................... 131 + 56. To Amend or modify. + (a) Amend .................................................... 133 + (b) Commit ................................................... 134 + 57. To Defer action. + (a) Postpone to a certain time ............................... 134 + (b) Lie on the table ......................................... 135 + 58. To Suppress Debate. + (a) Previous Question ........................................ 136 + (b) An Order limiting or closing + debate ................................................... 137 + +=== Page 8 ============================================================= + +Sec. 59. To Suppress the question. + (a) Objection to its consideration ........................... 138 + (b) Postpone indefinitely .................................... 139 + (c) Lie on the table ......................................... 139 + 60. To Consider a question the second time + (a) Reconsider ............................................... 140 + 61. Order and Rules. + (a) Orders of the day ........................................ 142 + (b) Special orders ........................................... 143 + (c) Suspension of the rules .................................. 144 + (d) Questions of order ....................................... 144 + (e) Appeal ................................................... 145 + 62. Miscellaneous. + (a) Reading of papers ........................................ 146 + (b) Withdrawal of a motion ................................... 146 + (c) Questions of privilege ................................... 146 + 63. To close a meeting. + (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn ......................... 147 + (b) Adjourn .................................................. 147 + 64. Order of Precedence of motions ............................... 149 + +Art. XIII.--Debate. +Sec. 65. Rules of speaking in debate ............................... 150 + 66. Undebatable questions and those that + open the main question to debate ............................. 151 + +Art. XIV.--Miscellaneous. +Sec. 67. Forms of stating and putting questions .................... 154 + 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote + for their adoption ........................................... 154 + 69. Unfinished business .......................................... 154 + 70. Session ...................................................... 155 + 71. Quorum ....................................................... 156 + 72. Order of Business ............................................ 156 + 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws + and Rules of Order ........................................... 157 + +Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies ............................ 158 +Table of Rules Relating to Motions ................................. 166 +Index .............................................................. 169 + +=== Page 9 ============================================================= + +INTRODUCTION. + +Parliamentary Law. + +Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents. + +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for +customs and precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we +think are improvements, and hence changes have been and are being +constantly made in the written rules which our legislative bodies have +found best to adopt. As each house adopts its own rules, it results +that the two houses of the same legislature do not always agree in their +practice; even in Congress the order of precedence of motions is not +the same in both houses, and the Previous Question is admitted in the +House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As a consequence of +this, the exact method of conducting business in any particular + +=== Page 10 ============================================================ + +legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual of +that body. + +The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies. + +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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies. + +=== Page 11 ============================================================ + +But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body. + +While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +that power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day's notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.] + +=== Page 12 ============================================================ + +Plan of the Work. + +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative +assemblies that are not legislative in their character. It has been +made sufficiently complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until +they see fit to adopt special rules conflicting with and superseding any +of its rules of detail, such as the Order of Business [Sec. 44], etc. Even +in matters of detail the practice of Congress is followed, wherever it +is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary assemblies, and in such cases, in +Part I, there will be found, in a footnote, the Congressional practice. +In the important matters referred to above, in which the practice of the +House of + +=== Page 13 ============================================================ + +Representatives settles the common parliamentary law of the country, +this Manual strictly conforms to such practice.* [On account of the +party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, no such thing as +harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to give a bare +majority, in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) the +power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the +rights of the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this +Manual [Sec. 39], for sustaining an objection to the introduction of a +question, or for adopting a motion for the Previous Question, or for +adopting an order closing or limiting debate. In this respect the +policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those of the House and +Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous to +follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the +Senate. It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to +order the yeas and nays, which is doubtless best to the majority of +assemblies; but in all bodies in which the members are responsible to +their constituents, a much smaller number should have this power. In +Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, end in some bodies a single +member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and nays. Any society +adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all or the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in +the Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [Sec. 43], and an +Order of Business [Sec. 44], as suggested in these rules.] + +The Manual is divided into two distinct, parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.] + +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as +shown in the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is +complete in itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be +misled in examining any particular subject. Cross references are freely +used to save repeating + +=== Page 14 ============================================================ + +from other sections, and by this means, the reader, without using the +index, is referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any +bearing upon the subject he is investigating. The references are by +sections, and for convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at +the top of each page. The motions are arranged under the usual classes, +in their order of rank, but in the index under the word motion will be +found an alphabetical list of all the motions generally used. In +reference to each motion there is stated: + + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, + be pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion). + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made + while this motion is pending). + (3) Whether it is debatable or not. + (4) Whether it can be amended or not. + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, + the fact is stated [see Adjourn, Sec. 11, for an example: the + meaning is, that the particular motion to adjourn, for example, + cannot be laid on the table, postponed, committed or amended]. + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted. + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other + information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. + +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first +part, it does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who +have + +=== Page 15 ============================================================ + +no acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also +explains the method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting +a meeting. The motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being +classified according to the objects for which they are used, and those +of each class compared together so that the reader may obtain the best +motion for the accomplishment of any given object. It omits the +complications of parliamentary law, and has but few references to the +rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order to make it +complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. + +Definitions. + +In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called. + +Meeting and Session.--In this Manual the term "meeting" is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an "adjourned meeting" of the same session. + +A "meeting" of an assembly is terminated by a + +=== Page 16 ============================================================ + +temporary adjournment; a "session" of an assembly ends with an +adjournment without day, and may consist of many meetings [see Session, +Sec. 42]. + +Previous Question--This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to "Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly," with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +See Sec. 20 for a full explanation). + +Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +"objects to its consideration" (or "discussion," or "introduction"), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see Sec. 15]. + +Whenever the word "assembly," which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, Sec. 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, "Society," or "Convention," or "Board." The +term "Congress," when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S. + +=== Page 17 ============================================================ + +Part I. + +Rules of Order. + +--- + +Art. I. Introduction of Business. +[Sec.Sec. 1-5.] + +1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a +member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. It +is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of +committees [Sec. 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other +cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is +dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes +necessary. + +2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any +question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must +rise and address the presiding officer + +=== Page 18 ============================================================ + +by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [Sec. 34], who will then announce the +member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman +must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing +that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [Sec. 14] can +he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the +floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to +the floor. + +The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, Sec. 36.] + +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from +addressing the assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a + +=== Page 19 ============================================================ + +motion to adjourn, or for any purpose, by either the Chairman or any +member, except (a) to have entered on the minutes a motion to reconsider +[Sec. 27]; (b) by a call to order [Sec. 14]; (c) by an objection to the +consideration of the question [Sec. 15]; or (d) by a call for the orders of +the day [Sec. 13].* [See note to Sec. 61.] In such cases the member when he +arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he "rises to a point of order." A call +for an adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is +not a motion; as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, +the Chair, and being announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for +the question are themselves breaches of order, and do not prevent the +speaker from going on if he pleases. + +3. Before any subject is open to debate [Sec. 34] it is necessary, first, +that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see exceptions +below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When the +motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before +it is debated. + +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is +stated by the + +=== Page 20 ============================================================ + +presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into +debate. The member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by +the presiding officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it +entirely; after it is stated he can do neither, without the consent of +the assembly. [See Sec.Sec. 5 and 17]. When the mover modifies his motion, +the one who seconded it can withdraw his second. + +Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [Sec.Sec. 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly. + +4. All Principal Motions [Sec. 6], Amendments and Instructions to +Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into +several questions, no one member (without there is a special rule +allowing it) can insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move +that the question be divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be +divided. Any one else can move as + +=== Page 21 ============================================================ + +an amendment to this, to divide it differently. + +This Division of a Question is really an amendment [Sec. 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to "commit with instructions," is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided "it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House." But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.] + +The motion to "strike out certain words and insert others," is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition. + +5. After a question has been stated by the presiding officer, it is in +the possession of the + +=== Page 22 ============================================================ + +assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any one +objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [Sec. 17], or by +moving an amendment. + +Art. II. General Classification of Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 6-9.] + +6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring +before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the +assembly. It takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, +Incidental and Subsidiary Questions [Sec.Sec. 7, 8, 9]. + +7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a Principal +Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most appropriate +manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, and +must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They +yield to Privileged and Incidental Questions [Sec.Sec. 8, 9], and are as +follows (being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + +=== Page 23 ============================================================ + +Lie on the Table .................... See Sec. 19. +The Previous Question ............... '' Sec. 20. +Postpone to a Certain Day ........... '' Sec. 21. +Commit .............................. '' Sec. 22. +Amend ............................... '' Sec. 23. +Postpone Indefinitely ............... '' Sec. 24. + +Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [Sec. 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [Sec. 19]. + +8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other questions, and, +consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, the +questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions +[Sec. 9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, + +=== Page 24 ============================================================ + +they are undebatable; an Appeal is debatable or not, according to +circumstances, as shown in Sec. 14. They are as follows: + + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ........................... See Sec. 14. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question ............. '' Sec. 15. + The Reading of Papers .................................... '' Sec. 16. + Leave to Withdraw a Motion ............................... '' Sec. 17. + Suspension of the Rules .................................. '' Sec. 18. + +9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their importance, +take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account of +this very privilege they are undebatable [Sec. 35], excepting when relating +to the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be +made use of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows +(being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn ...... See Sec. 10. + Adjourn .................................................. '' Sec. 11. + Questions relating to the Rights and + Privileges of the Assembly or any of + its Members ............................................ '' Sec. 12. + Call for the Orders of the Day ........................... '' Sec. 13. + +=== Page 25 ============================================================ + +Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see Sec. 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[Sec.Sec. 10-27.] + +Privileged Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 10-13. See Sec. 9.] + +10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. This motion +takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the assembly +has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the result +of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it +is undebatable [Sec. 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made +when no other question is before the assembly, it stands as any other +principal motion, and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better +to follow the common parliamentary law, and permit this question to be +introduced as a principal question, when it can be debated and +suppressed [Sec. 58, 59] like other questions. In Congress, it is never +debatable, and has entirely superseded the unprivileged and inferior +motion to "adjourn to a particular time."] + +The form of this motion is, "When this assembly + +=== Page 26 ============================================================ + +adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time." + +11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes precedence of all +others, except to "fix the time to which to adjourn," to which it +yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses +its privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The +motion to adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening +business, though it be simply progress in debate [Sec. 26]. When a +committee is through with any business referred to it, and prepared to +report, instead of adjourning, a motion should be made "to rise," which +motion, in committee, has the same privileges as to adjourn in the +assembly [Sec. 32]. + +The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +["After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place." Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing finished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, Sec. 42]: + +=== Page 27 ============================================================ + +(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment. + +(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see Sec. 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected. + +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not +meet more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an +elective body, and this session ends + +=== Page 28 ============================================================ + +the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall put an end +to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been +before the assembly. + +12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the rights and +privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence of +all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [Sec. 20] can be applied to these, as to all other +debatable questions. + +13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day takes +precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [Sec. 27], and +the three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not +debatable, nor can it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. + +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or +hour, they become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they +cannot be considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [Sec. +39]. And when that day or hour arrives, if called up, they take +precedence of all but the three + +=== Page 29 ============================================================ + +preceding questions [Sec.Sec. 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them the +assembly may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken +up on the day specified, the order falls to the ground. + +When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time. + +The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, "Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?" or, "Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?" + +The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [Sec. 11]. + +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense + +=== Page 30 ============================================================ + +with the orders merely so far as they interfere with the consideration +of the question then before the assembly. + +Incidental Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 14-18; see Sec. 8] + +14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes precedence +of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the presiding +officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +"I appeal from the decision of the Chair." If the Appeal is seconded, +the Chairman immediately states the question as follows: "Shall the +decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?"* [The +word Assembly can be replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., +according to the name of the organization.] This Appeal yields to +Privileged Questions [Sec. 9]. It cannot be amended; it cannot be debated +when it relates simply to indecorum [Sec. 36], or to transgressions of the +rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if it is made +while the previous question [Sec. 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the + +=== Page 31 ============================================================ + +Chair, can state the reasons upon which he bases his decision. The +motions to Lie on the Table [Sec. 19], or for the Previous Question [Sec. 20], +can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, and when adopted they +affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may also be +reconsidered [Sec. 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. + +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders +of the assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every +member, who notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. +In such cases he shall rise from his seat, and say, "Mr. Chairman, I +rise to a point of order." The speaker should immediately take his +seat, and the Chairman requests the member to state his point of order, +which he does, and resumes his seat. The Chair decides the point, and +then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first member to resume his +speech. If the member's remarks are decided to be improper, and any one +objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue it without a +vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language +used in debate, for a member to say, "I call the gentleman to order;" +the Chairman + +=== Page 32 ============================================================ + +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as +before. The Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to +decide questions of order, but the advice must be given sitting, to +avoid the appearance of debate; or the Chair, when unable to decide the +question, may at once submit it to the assembly. The effect of laying +an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least for the time, the +decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the question +which gave rise to the question of Order. + +15. Objection to the Consideration a Question. An objection can be +made to any principal motion [Sec. 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of +order [Sec. 14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, +and does not require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to +order, so can he put this question if he deems it necessary, upon his +own responsibility. It can not be debated [Sec. 35] or have any subsidiary +motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. When a motion is made and any member +"objects to its consideration," the Chairman shall immediately put the +question, "Will the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be +considered" + +=== Page 33 ============================================================ + +[or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote [Sec. 39], +the whole matter is dismissed for that session [Sec. 42]; otherwise the +discussion continues as if this question had never been made. + +The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see Sec. 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41St Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: "Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, 'Will the House now consider it?' +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker." The English use the "Previous Question," for +a similar purpose [see note to Sec. 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, "Shall the +question be discussed?" The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.] + +Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] Where papers +are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have them once +read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a member +asks for the reading of any such + +=== Page 34 ============================================================ + +paper, evidently for information, and not for delay, the Chair should +direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a member has not the right +to have anything read (excepting stated above) without getting +permission from the assembly. + +17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] When a +question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one +objects, the presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection +is made, it will be necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a +motion for that purpose. This motion cannot be debated or amended. +When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never +been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn by the mover, before +a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be gained in +ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] + +18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] +This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [Sec. 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be +reconsidered [Sec. 27], + +=== Page 35 ============================================================ + +nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [Sec. 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, +though the next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot +be renewed the same day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be +suspended except for a definite purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. + +The Form of this motion is, to "suspend the rules which interfere with," +etc., specifying the object of the suspension. + +Subsidiary Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 19-24; see Sec. 7.] + +19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of all other +Subsidiary Questions [Sec. 7], and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9] or +Incidental [Sec. 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or +have any other subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. It removes the +subject from consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the +table. + +The Form of this motion is, "I move that the question lie on the table," +or, "that it be laid on the table," or, "to lay the question + +=== Page 36 ============================================================ + +on the table." When it is desired to take the question up again, a +motion is made, either "to take the question from the table," or "to now +consider such and such a question;" which motion is undebatable, and +cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. + +The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [Sec. 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [Sec. 42]. + +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything +that adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie +on the table, the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with +it. The following cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [Sec. 14] being +laid on the table, has the effect of sustaining, at least for the time, +the decision of the Chair, and does not carry the original subject to +the table. (b) So when a motion to reconsider [Sec. 27] a question is + +=== Page 37 ============================================================ + +laid on the table, the original question is left where it was before the +reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the minutes being laid +on the table does not carry the minutes with it. + +Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +question before the assembly. + +20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name +for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has +nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To +demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That +debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the +questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English +Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used +for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the +enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent +for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this +country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the +question" [Sec. 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a +view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a +vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as +different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority +vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not +allowed in the United Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable +question [Sec. 35], and yields to Privileged [Sec. 9] and Incidental [Sec. 8] +questions and to the motion to Lie on the table [Sec. 19]. It is not +debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary + +=== Page 38 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its +adoption. + +When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the +main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [Sec. 34] after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made. + +The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?"] + +=== Page 39 ============================================================ + +The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best. + +It applies to questions of privilege [Sec. 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon. + +To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question. + +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is + +=== Page 40 ============================================================ + +carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to +bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to +postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [Sec. 14] +or a motion to Reconsider [Sec. 27] is pending when the Previous Question +is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. + +An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [Sec. 22] exhausts the Previous +Question and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. + +[For other methods of closing debate see Sec. 37 and Sec. 58]. + +21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes precedence of a +motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any +Privileged [Sec. 9] or Incidental [Sec. 8] question, and to the motion to Lie +on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate +[Sec. 35], and must not go into the merits of the subject matter any +further than is necessary to enable the + +=== Page 41 ============================================================ + +assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. + +The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [Sec. 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[Sec. 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[Sec. 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [Sec. 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day. + +22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject has been +previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9] or +Incidental + +=== Page 42 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for the +Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended +by altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, +and opens to debate [Sec. 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to +commit. + +The Form of this motion is "to refer the subject to a committee." When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following +order: (1) Committee the whole [Sec. 32], (2) a standing committee, and +(3) a special (or select) committee. The number of a committee is +usually decided without the formality of a motion, as in filling blanks +[Sec. 25]: the Chairman asks "of how many shall the committee consist?" +and a question is then put upon each number suggested, beginning with +the largest. The number and kind of the committee need not be decided +till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a committee. If +the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include the +method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, +the Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is +usually decided informally. Sometimes the Chair "appoints," in which +case he names the members of the committee and no vote is taken + +=== Page 43 ============================================================ + +upon them; or the committee is "nominated" either by the Chair or +members of the assembly (no member nominating more than one except by +general consent), and then they are all voted upon together, except +where more nominations are made than the number of the committee, when +they shall be voted upon singly. + +Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly. + +In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, Sec. 29.] + +23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but the question +which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged + +=== Page 44 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 9], Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] Question, except to +Indefinitely Postpone. It can be amended itself, but "amendment of an +amendment" cannot be amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one +already adopted, or may directly conflict with the spirit of the +original motion, but it must have a direct bearing upon the subject of +that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a vote of thanks could be +amended by substituting for "thanks" the word "censure;" or condemning +certain customs could be amended by adding other customs. + +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to "add or +insert" certain words or paragraphs; (b) to "strike out" certain words +or paragraphs, the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: +"Shall these words (or paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?" +and if this is adopted (that is, the motion to "strike out," fails) it +does not preclude either amendment or a motion to "strike out and +insert;" (c) "to strike certain words and insert others," which motion +is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude + +=== Page 45 ============================================================ + +another motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; +(d) to "substitute" another motion on the same subject for the one +pending; (e) to "divide the question" into two or more questions, as the +mover specifies, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or +points [see Sec. 4]. + +If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [Sec. 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted. + +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the +words to be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand +if + +=== Page 46 ============================================================ + +the amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and +propositions containing several paragraphs, see Sec. 44.] + +The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend. + +The following motions cannot be amended: + + To Adjourn (when unqualified) ............................ See Sec. 11. + For the Orders of the Day ................................ '' Sec. 12. + All Incidental Questions ................................. '' Sec. 8. + To Lie on the Table ...................................... '' Sec. 19. + For the Previous Question ................................ '' Sec. 20. + An Amendment of an Amendment ............................. '' Sec. 23. + To Postpone Indefinitely ................................. '' Sec. 24. + Reconsider ............................................... '' Sec. 27. + +An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see Sec. 45]. + +24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence of nothing +except the Principal Question [Sec. 6], and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9], +Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot +be amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed +to postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before +the assembly for that session [Sec. 42]. + +=== Page 47 ============================================================ + +The Previous Question [Sec. 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question. + +Miscellaneous Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 25-27.] + +25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and the longest +time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the most +convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving +to strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number +of members to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a +motion, these different propositions not being regarded in the light of +amendments. + +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second +nomination, instead of being an amendment to the first, is an +independent motion, which, if the first fails, is to be immediately +voted upon. Any number of nominations can be made, the Chairman +announcing each name as he hears it, and they + +=== Page 48 ============================================================ + +should be voted upon in the order announced until one receives a vote +sufficient for an election. + +26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [Sec. 6] or +Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken +up again at the same session [Sec. 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [Sec. +27]. The motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in +debate, or any business transacted. As a general rule the introduction +of any motion that alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to +renew any Privileged or Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the +Rules as provided in Sec. 18), or Subsidiary motion (excepting an +amendment), as in such a case the real question before the assembly is a +different one. + +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, +suppose afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is +now in order to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a +motion would not be in order, if it were not made till after the failure +of the motion to commit, as + +=== Page 49 ============================================================ + +the question then resumes its previous condition. + +When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed. + +27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when another member +has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to Adjourn, +during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [Sec. 38], when the rule +above applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] +on which a motion has been acted upon, to move to "Reconsider the vote" +and have such motion "entered on the record," but it cannot be +considered while another question is before the assembly. It must be +made, excepting when the vote is by ballot, by a member who voted with +the prevailing side; for instance, in case a motion fails to pass for +lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be moved by one who +voted against the motion. + +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [Sec. 7] motion takes +precedence of the main question. It yields to Privileged [Sec. 9] + +=== Page 50 ============================================================ + +questions (except for the Orders of the Day, and Incidental [Sec. 8] +questions. + +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result +can be more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a +similar reason, an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table +cannot be reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to +Suspend the Rules. It is debatable or not, just as the question to be +reconsidered is debatable or undebatable [Sec. 35]; when debatable, it +opens up for discussion the entire subject to be reconsidered, and can +have the Previous question [Sec. 20] applied to it without affecting any +thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid on the table [Sec. 19], +and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; it is quite +common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must be +voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.* [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to +prevent its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the +table does not carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a +motion has been either adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the +motion as amended, it is not in order to reconsider the vote on the +amendment until + +=== Page 51 ============================================================ + +after the vote on the original motion has been reconsidered. If +anything which the assembly cannot reverse, has been done as the result +a vote, then that vote cannot be reconsidered. + +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the +original motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted +upon; but if it is not called up, its effect terminates with the session +[Sec. 42], provided,* [In Congress the effect always terminates with the +session, and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, until the +expiration of the time during which it is in order to move a +reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular meetings as often +as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held of the one +at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not terminate +till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of this +section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another +question cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question +before the assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the +reconsideration, if called up, takes precedence of every thing except +the motions to adjourn, and to fix the time to which to adjourn. As +long as its effect lasts (as shown above), any one can call up the +motion to reconsider and have it acted upon--excepting that when its +effect extends beyond the meeting at which the motion was made, no one +but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the reconsideration +of an Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] + +=== Page 52 ============================================================ + +motion shall be immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent +action on the main question. + +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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [Sec. 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly. + +When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [Sec. 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of Sec. 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made. + +A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see Sec. 28]. + +Note On Reconsider.--In the English Parliament a vote once taken +cannot be reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a +reconsideration of the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the +close of the last day for making the motion, any one can call up the +motion to reconsider, so that this motion cannot delay action more than +two days, and the effect + +=== Page 53 ============================================================ + +of the motion, if not acted upon, terminates with the session. There +seems to be no reason or good precedent for permitting merely two +persons, by moving a reconsideration, to suspend for any length of time +all action under resolutions adopted by the assembly, and yet where the +delay is very short the advantages of reconsideration overbalance the +evils. + +Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session. + +=== Page 54 ============================================================ + +Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action. +[Sec.Sec. 28-33.] + +28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to have all +preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done by +means of committees. These may be either "standing committees" (which +are appointed for the session [Sec. 42], or for some definite time, as one +year); or "select committees," appointed for a special purpose; or a +"committee of the whole" [Sec. 32], consisting of the entire assembly. +[For method of appointing committees of the whole, see Sec. 32; other +committees, see commit, Sec. 22.] The first person named on a committee is +chairman, and should act as such, without the committee should see fit +to elect another chairman, which they are competent to do. The clerk +should furnish him, or some other member of the committee, with notice +of the appointment of the committee, giving the names + +=== Page 55 ============================================================ + +of the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as +the assembly have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee +together, and if there is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see Sec. +43,) he should read or have read, the entire resolutions referred to +them; he should then read each paragraph, and pause for amendments to be +offered; when the amendments to that paragraph are voted on he proceeds +to the next, only taking votes on amendments, as the committee cannot +vote on the adoption of matter referred to them by the assembly. + +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, +on amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which +draft has been previously prepared by one of their members or a +sub-committee); they do not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having +completed the amendments, they vote on the adoption of the entire +report. When there is a preamble, it is considered last. If the report +originates with the committee, all amendments are to be incorporated in +the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, the committee cannot +alter + +=== Page 56 ============================================================ + +the text, but must submit the original paper intact, with their +amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, Sec. 23) written on a +separate sheet. + +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed +its clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members +present at a meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the +members of the committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its +report. The minority may be permitted to submit their views in writing +also, either together, or each member separately, but their reports can +only be acted upon, by voting to substitute one of them for the report +of the committee. The rules of the assembly, as far as possible, shall +apply in committee; but a reconsideration [Sec. 27] of a vote shall be +allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when every member who +voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is moved.* +[Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with +rather than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above +seems more just, and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary +committees, who usually reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage +can be taken of the privilege, as long as every member who voted with +the majority must be present when the reconsideration is moved.] A +committee (except a committee + +=== Page 57 ============================================================ + +of the whole, Sec. 32) may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the +business assigned them, a motion is made for the committee to "rise" +(which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and that the chairman +(or some member who is more familiar with the subject) make its report +to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as soon as the assembly +receives the report [Sec. 30]. + +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, +its resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can +be made in the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be +by a report of the committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of +a committee to meet on the call of any two its of members, if the +chairman be absent or decline to appoint such meeting. When a committee +adjourns without appointing a time for the next meeting, it is called +together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a committee +adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though + +=== Page 58 ============================================================ + +usually advisable) that absent members should be notified of the +adjourned meeting. + +29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is usually +similar to the following: + +A standing committee reports thus: "The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report," [or "beg leave to report," or "beg +leave to submit the following report,"] etc., letting the report follow. + +A select or special committee reports as follows: "The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report," etc. Or for "The committee" is sometimes +written "Your committee," or "The undersigned, a committee." + +When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): "The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred," etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority. + +All reports conclude with, "All of which is + +=== Page 59 ============================================================ + +respectfully submitted." They are sometimes signed only by the chairman +of the committee, but if the matter is of much importance, it is better +that the report be signed by every member who concurs. The report is +not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as for example, +"Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a Hall." + +30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be "received"* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see Sec. 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that "the report be +adopted and the committee discharged," when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time. + +=== Page 60 ============================================================ + +Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see Sec.Sec. 31 and 44]. + +When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. + +=== Page 61 ============================================================ + +31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a report, a +motion should be made to "adopt," "accept," or "agree to" the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the +doings of the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if +done by the assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the +report contains merely a statement of opinion or facts, the motion +should be to "accept" the report; if it also concludes with resolutions +or certain propositions, the motion should be to "agree to" the +resolutions, or to "adopt" the propositions. After the above motion is +made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the same as if there +had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by the motion +of the member who made the report. [See Sec. 34 for his privileges in +debate, and Sec. 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] + +32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to consider a subject +which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet where the +subject matter is not well digested + +=== Page 62 ============================================================ + +and put into proper form for its definite action, or, when for any other +reason, it is desirable for the assembly to consider a subject with all +the freedom of an ordinary committee, it is the practice to refer the +matter to the Committee of the Whole."* [In large assemblies, such as +the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member can speak to any +question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a necessity, +as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time it +can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] + +If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +"That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration," etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to "commit" [see Sec. 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section. + +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee +"rise and report," as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the "yeas and +nays" [Sec. 38]. The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the +whole, is for the assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall +cease at a certain time, or that after a certain time no debate shall be +allowed excepting on new amendments, and then only one speech in favor +of + +=== Page 63 ============================================================ + +and one against it, of say, five minutes each; or in some other way +regulate the time for debate.* [In Congress no motion to limit debate in +committee of the whole is in order till after the subject has been +already considered in committee of the whole. As no subject would +probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, in an +ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The +rule as given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into +committee of the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, +such restrictions as are allowed in Congress after the subject has +already been considered in committee of the whole.] + +If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as be can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [Sec. 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it. + +When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that "the committee rise and report," etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings. + +=== Page 64 ============================================================ + +This motion "to rise" is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +"the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;" or he will make such other report as will suit the case. + +The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [Sec. 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn. + +=== Page 65 ============================================================ + +33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if in committee +of the whole). + +It has become customary in many assemblies, instead of going into +committee of the whole, to consider the question "informally," and +afterwards to act "formally." In a small assembly there is no objection +to this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and +treaties, upon their second reading are considered "as if the Senate +were in committee of the whole," which is equivalent to considering them +informally. [U. S. Senate Rules 28 and 38.) In large assemblies it is +better to follow the practice of the House of Representatives, and go +into committee of the whole.] While acting informally upon any +resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, and without +further motion the Chairman announces that "the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject +under consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will +report." The subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a +committee. While acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as +it is not necessary to move that the committee rise, but at any time the +adoption of such motions as to adjourn, the previous question, to +commit, or any motion except to amend or adopt, puts an end to the +informal consideration; as for example, the motion to commit is +equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: (1) +That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of + +=== Page 66 ============================================================ + +the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, +and (3) that it be referred to a committee. + +While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [Sec. 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman's report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly's proceedings. + +Art. V. Debate and Decorum. + +[Sec.Sec. 34-37.] + +34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read Sec.Sec. 1-5.] When a +motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see Sec. 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, +he shall rise and respectfully address himself to "Mr. Chairman." +["Mr. President" is used where that is the designated title of the +presiding + +=== Page 67 ============================================================ + +officer; "Brother Moderator" is more common in religious meetings.] The +Chairman shall then announce his name [see Sec. 2]. By parliamentary +courtesy, the member upon whose motion a subject is brought before the +assembly is first entitled to the floor, even though another member has +risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of a report of a +committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this member +is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon +the question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [Sec. 20] being +ordered, or in any other way. With this exception, no member shall +speak more than twice to the same question (only once to a question of +order, Sec. 14), nor longer than ten minutes at one time, without leave of +the assembly, and the question upon granting the leave shall be decided +by a majority vote without debate.* [The limit in time should vary to +suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches of ten minutes each +will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be increased, +when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in Sec. 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can +speak more than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. +The fourth rule of the Senate is as follows: "No Senator shall speak +more than twice in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the +Senate, which question shall be decided without debate." If no rule is +adopted, each member can speak but once to the same question.] + +If greater freedom is desired, the + +=== Page 68 ============================================================ + +proper course is to refer the subject to the committee of the whole [Sec. +32], or to consider it informally [Sec. 33]. [For limiting or closing the +debate, see Sec. 37.] No member can speak the second time to a question, +until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an amendment, or +any other motion being offered, makes the real question before the +assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is +treated as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a +suggestion is not considered as speaking. + +35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be decided +without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a +privileged question, Sec. 10). + To Adjourn [Sec. 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead +of to adjourn). + For the Orders of the Day [Sec. 13], and questions relating to the +priority of business. + An Appeal [Sec. 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, +or when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of +speaking, or to the priority of business. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question [Sec. 15]. + +=== Page 69 ============================================================ + + Questions relating to Reading of Papers [Sec. 16], or Withdrawing a +Motion [Sec. 17], or Suspending the Rules [Sec. 18], or extending the limits +of debate [Sec. 34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to +continue his speech to one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate +[Sec. 36]. + To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [Sec. 19]. + The Previous Question [Sec. 20]. + To Reconsider [Sec. 26] a question which is itself undebatable. + +The motion to Postpone to a certain time [Sec. 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [Sec. 26], or to +Commit [Sec. 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [Sec. 24], opens the main question +[Sec. 6] to debate. To Amend [Sec. 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment. + +The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable. + +Note On Undebatable Questions.--The English common parliamentary law +makes all motions + +=== Page 70 ============================================================ + +debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing's +Manual, Sec. 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon +certain motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section +conform to the practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common +to allow of brief remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes +five or six members speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one +objects. + +By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [Sec. 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles: + +(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see Sec. 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question. + +(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [Sec. 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [Sec. 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure. + +Illustrations: To "Indefinitely Postpone" [Sec. 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question. + +To "Postpone to a certain time" prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement. + +To "Lie on the Table" leaves the question so + +=== Page 71 ============================================================ + +that the assembly can at any time consider it, and therefore should not +be, and is not debatable. + +To "Commit" would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it if often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee. + +36. Decorum in Debate [see Sec. 2]. In debate a member must confine +himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to +conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while +debating such motion. In referring to another member, he should, as +much as possible, avoid using his name, rather referring to him as "the +member who spoke last," or in some other way describing him. The +officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official +titles. It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member, but the +nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms. +It is not the man, but the measure, that is the subject of debate. If +at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, or give +information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see + +=== Page 72 ============================================================ + +Sec. 40], the member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been +first heard. When called to order, the member must sit down until the +question of order is decided. If his remarks are decided to be +improper, he cannot proceed, if any one objects, without the leave of +the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which question there shall be no +debate. + +Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used. + +37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by the +Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative + +=== Page 73 ============================================================ + +and negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate +[see Sec. 38]. Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are +undebatable [Sec. 35], and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a +two-thirds* [In Congress where each speaker can occupy the floor one +hour, any of these motions to cut off debate can be adopted by a mere +majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [Sec. 39]: + + (a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is introduced, Sec. 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [Sec. 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed. + + (b) To lie on the table [Sec. 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action. + + (c) The previous question [Sec. 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in Sec. 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment. + +=== Page 74 ============================================================ + + (d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment. + +Art. VI. Vote. +[Sec.Sec. 38-39.] + +38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it permits of no +modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; if the +question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are +various forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the +country. The rule in Congress, in + +=== Page 75 ============================================================ + +the House of Representatives, is as follows: "Questions shall be +distinctly put in this form, to-wit: 'As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;' and after the affirmative voice +is expressed, 'As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.'" The +following form is very common: "It has been moved and seconded that +(here state the question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; +those opposed, No." Or, if the motion is for the adoption of a certain +resolution, after it has been read the Chairman can say, "You have heard +the resolution read; those in favor of its adoption will hold up the +right hand; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign." These +examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of putting a question, +the affirmative being always put first. + +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in +the following form: "The motion is carried--the resolution is +adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is adopted." If, when +he announces a vote, any member rises and states that he doubts the +vote, or calls for a "division," the + +=== Page 76 ============================================================ + +Chairman shall say, "A division is called for; those in favor of the +motion will rise." After counting these, and announcing the number, he +shall say, "Those opposed will rise." will count these, announce the +number, and declare the result; that is, whether the motion is carried +or lost. Instead of counting the vote himself, he can appoint tellers +to make the count and report to him. When tellers are appointed, they +should be selected from both sides of the question. A member has the +right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) before the decision +of the question has been finally and conclusively pronounced by the +Chair, but not afterwards. + +Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put. + +No one can vote on a question affecting + +=== Page 77 ============================================================ + +himself, but if more than one name is included in the resolution (though +a sense of delicacy would prevent this right being exercised, excepting +when it would change the vote) all are entitled to vote; for if this +were not so, a minority could control an assembly by including the names +of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring charges against +them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. When +there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his +vote for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote +will make a tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. + +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when +required by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the +assembly has ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such +cases, appoints at least two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon +which each member, including the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect +to vote before the ballots are counted, he cannot then vote without the +permission of the assembly.] writes his vote; the votes are then +collected, counted by the tellers, and the result reported to the +Chairman, who announces + +=== Page 78 ============================================================ + +it to the assembly. The Chairman announces the result of the vote, in +case of an election to office, in a manner similar to the following: +"The whole number of votes cast is --; the number necessary for an +election is --; Mr. A. received --; Mr. B. --; Mr. C. --. Mr. B. having +received the required number is elected." Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the +assembly for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is +necessary to ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make +a vote unanimous, it fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots +all blanks are ignored. + +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question +be taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has +the effect to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to +this country, and while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely +useful in ordinary societies. By the Constitution, one-fifth of the +members present can, in either house of Congress, order a vote to be +taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the resulting +inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can +only be ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to +hinder business. In representative bodies it is very useful, especially +where the proceedings are published, as it enables the people to know +how their representatives voted on important measures. In some small +bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays, upon the +demand of a single member.] In this method of voting the Chairman states +both sides of the question + +=== Page 79 ============================================================ + +at once; the clerk calls the roll and each member as his name is called +rises and answers yes or no, and the clerk notes his answer. Upon the +completion of the roll call the clerk reads over the names of those who +answered the affirmative, and afterwards those in the negative, that +mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number voting on each side +to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be made in the +minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of those +in the negative. + +The form of putting a question upon which vote has been ordered to be +taken by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: "As many as are in +favor of the adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are +called, answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." The +Chairman will then direct the clerk to call the roll. The negative +being put at the same time as the affirmative, it is too late, after the +question is put, to renew the + +=== Page 80 ============================================================ + +debate. After the commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask +to be excused from voting. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in +committee of the whole [Sec. 32]. + +39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no rule to the +contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum [Sec. +43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for +the suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions +to suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper +order, and to make a special order [see note to Sec. 37].] The following +motions shall require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right +of discussion, and the right to have the rules enforced, should not be +abridged by a mere majority: + + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question .............. Sec. 15. + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ................ Sec. 13. + To Suspend the Rules ......................................... Sec. 18. + The Previous Question ........................................ Sec. 20. + To Close or Limit Debate ..................................... Sec. 37. + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ........... Sec. 43. + To Make a special order ...................................... Sec. 13. + +=== Page 81 ============================================================ + +Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes. +[Sec.Sec. 40, 41.] + +40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read Sec. 44, and also Sec. +40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title has +been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of +the assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. + +His duties are generally as follows: + +To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [Sec. 44] to state and to put to vote [Sec. 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote; + +To restrain the members, when engaged in + +=== Page 82 ============================================================ + +debate, within the rules of order; to enforce on all occasions the +observance of order and decorum [Sec. 36] among the members, deciding all +questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly by any two +members, Sec. 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; + +To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceeding of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will and in all things obeying its +commands. + +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise +while putting the questions in very small bodies, such as committees, +boards of trustees, &c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it +sitting; he shall also rise from his seat (without calling any one to +the chair), when speaking to a question of order, which he can do in +preference to other members. In referring to himself he should always +use his official title thus: "The Chair decides so and so," not "I +decide, &c." When a member has the floor, the chairman cannot interrupt +him as long as he does not transgress + +=== Page 83 ============================================================ + +any of the rules of the assembly, excepting as provided in Sec. 2. + +He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote. + +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a +chairman pro tem.,* [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one +on the list that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman +during the absence of the President, and should always be called to the +chair when the President temporarily vacates it.] but the first +adjournment puts an end to the appointment, which the assembly can +terminate before, if it pleases, by electing another chairman. But the +regular chairman, knowing that he will be absent from a future meeting, +cannot authorize another member to act + +=== Page 84 ============================================================ + +in his place at such meeting; the clerk [Sec. 41], or in his absence any +member, should in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman +pro tem. be elected, who would hold office during that session [Sec. 42], +without such office was terminated by the entrance of the regular +chairman. + +The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. "It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate." [Cushing's +Manual, page 106.] "Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact." [Jefferson's Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay's "Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.," page 195.]] + +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and +set the example of strict conformity to it, but he should be a + +=== Page 85 ============================================================ + +man of executive ability, capable of controlling men; and it should +never be forgotten, that, to control others, it is necessary to control +one's self. An excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a +meeting. + +A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that--"The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense." + +41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording officer is +usually called + +=== Page 86 ============================================================ + +the "Clerk" or "Secretary,"* [When there are two secretaries, he is +termed the "recording secretary," and the other one, the "corresponding +secretary." In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a +certain extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as +banker, only paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary +alone, or by the president and secretary. In such cases the secretary +becomes in reality the financial officer of the society, and should make +reports to the society, of funds received and from what sources, and of +the funds expended and for what purposes. See Sec. 52 for his duties as +financial officer.] and the record of proceedings the "Minutes." His +desk should be near that of the chairman, and in the absence of the +chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the hour for +opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which +should be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, +commencing in a form similar to the following :* [See Clerk and Minutes +in Part II, Sec. 51.] + +"At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held +on the 31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the +President in the chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and +approved." If the regular clerk is absent, insert after the words "in +the chair," the following: "The clerk being absent, Robert Smith was +appointed clerk pro tem. + +=== Page 87 ============================================================ + +The minutes were then read and approved." If the minutes were not read, +say "the reading of the minutes was dispensed with." The above form +will show the essentials, which are as follows: (a) The kind of +meeting, "regular" [or stated] or "special," or "adjourned regular," +or "adjourned special;" (b) name of the assembly; (c) date and place of +meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the fact of +the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous +meeting were approved. + +The minutes should he signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers. + +In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted. + +=== Page 88 ============================================================ + +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have +at least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of +Boards of Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in +reporting the debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly +to record what is "done" by the assembly, not what is said by the +members. Without there is a rule to the contrary, he should enter every +Principal motion [Sec. 6] that is before the assembly, whether it is +adopted or rejected; and where there is a division [see Voting, Sec. 38], +or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter the number of votes on +each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [Sec. 38], he should +enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He should +endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the +records, for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a +brief summary of a report that has been agreed to, except where it +contains resolutions, in which case the resolutions will he entered in +full as adopted by the assembly, and not as + +=== Page 89 ============================================================ + +if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [Sec. 32], or while acting informally [Sec. 33], should not be entered +on the minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to +read over the minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or +society will not occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings +are not separated by too great a time, the minutes are read at the next +meeting. + +The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [Sec. 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members. + +=== Page 90 ============================================================ + +Art. VIII. Miscellaneous. +[Sec.Sec. 42-45.] + +42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions in +Introduction for the distinction between "meeting" and "session."] +which, though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a +session of a Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it +terminates by an "adjournment without day." The intermediate +adjournments from day to day, or the recesses taken during the day, do +not destroy the continuity of the meeting--they in reality constitute +one session. In the case of a permanent society, having regular +meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each meeting +constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however can +be prolonged by adjourning to another day. + +If a principal motion [Sec. 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see +Renewal of a Motion, Sec. 26], it can be at + +=== Page 91 ============================================================ + +the next, without it is prohibited by a rule of the assembly. + +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the +assembly at any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or +resolution of a permanent nature, and it continues in force until at +some future session it is rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they +are termed, do not interfere with future sessions, because at any moment +a majority can suspend or rescind them, or adopt new ones.] without it +is expressly so provided in their Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules of +Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of amendments, +and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are not +subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or +wishes of any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were +ill, it would not be competent for one session of the assembly to elect +a chairman to hold office longer than that session, as it cannot control +or dictate to the next session of the assembly. By going through the +prescribed routine of an election to fill the vacancy, giving whatever +notice is required, it could then legally elect a chairman to hold +office while the vacancy lasted. So it + +=== Page 92 ============================================================ + +is improper for an assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the +next succeeding session, and thus attempt to prevent the next session +from considering the question. On the other band, it is not permitted +to move a reconsideration [Sec. 27] of a vote taken at a previous session +[though the motion to reconsider can be called up, provided it was made +at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees can be +appointed to report at a future session. + +Note On Session--In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual. + +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of +an ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very +great. [Examine Indefinitely Postpone, Sec. 24, and Renewal of a Motion, Sec. +26.] If members of any society take advantage of the freedom allowed by +considering + +=== Page 93 ============================================================ + +each regular meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious +or unprofitable motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the +second introduction of any principal question [Sec. 6] within, say, three +or six months after its rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after +the society has refused to consider it. But generally it is better to +suppress the motion by refusing to consider it [Sec. 15]. + +43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is competent to +transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the subject, +the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is +usual to adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than +one-twentieth of its members; this becomes a necessity in most large +societies, where only a small fraction of the members are ever present +at a meeting.* [While a quorum is competent to transact any business, it +is usually not expedient to transact important business without there is +a fair attendance at the meeting, or else previous notice of such action +has been given.] + +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except +where there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can +be transacted, except simply + +=== Page 94 ============================================================ + +to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is found not to be a +quorum present, the only thing to be done is to adjourn--though if no +question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, but no vote +taken, except to adjourn. + +In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum. + +44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society having a +permanent existence, + +=== Page 95 ============================================================ + +to adopt an order of business for its meetings. When no rule has been +adopted, the following is the order: + + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval]. + (2) Reports of Standing Committees. + (3) Reports of Select Committees. + (4) Unfinished Business. + (5) New Business. + +Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a "special order" for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [Sec. 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [Sec. 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of. + +The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,--one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see Sec. 30]. In Sec. 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows: + +=== Page 96 ============================================================ + +The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, "Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" If none +are offered, he says, "No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;" he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph. + +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the +clerk reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first +and puts it to the question, and so on till all the amendments are +adopted or rejected, admitting amendments to the committee's amendments, +but no others. When + +=== Page 97 ============================================================ + +through with the committee's amendments, the Chairman pauses for any +other amendments to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are +voted on, he puts the question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as +amended. Where the resolutions have been just read by the member +presenting them, the reading by the clerk is usually dispensed with +without the formality of a vote. By "suspending the rules" [Sec. 18], or +by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without following +any of the above routine. + +45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be amended at any +regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the members +present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous +regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their +being amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous +notice of the amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain +rules that it may be desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should +state how they can be suspended, just as is done in these Rules of +Order, Sec. 18. If there is no such rule it is impossible to suspend any +rule, if a single member objects. + +=== Page 98 ============================================================ +=== Page 99 ============================================================ + +PART II. + +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.* +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms +permitted, but that these forms are proper and common. They are +inserted for the benefit of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, +and are sufficiently numerous for ordinary meetings.] + +Art. IX. Organization and Meetings. +[Sec.Sec. 46-49.] + +46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) Organization. When a meeting +is held which is not one of an organized society, shortly after the +time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly steps +forward and says: "The meeting will please come to order; I move that +Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting." Some one else says, "I second +the motion." The first member then puts the + +=== Page 100 =========================================================== + +question to vote, by saying, "It has been moved and seconded that Mr. A. +act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the motion will say +aye," and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, "those opposed +will say no." If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* [Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, +the assembly signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. 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 Mr. A. 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 before. 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 a vote on the first one he heard, putting +the question thus: "As many as are in favor of + +=== Page 101 =========================================================== + +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;--those +opposed will say no." If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. +C., and so on, till some one is elected. In large meetings the +secretary takes his seat near the chairman: he should in all cases keep +a record of the proceedings as described in Sec. 51. + +(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all that are +usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, the +chairman asks, "What is the further pleasure of the meeting?" If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some +special subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for +some one to offer a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else +to move 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, +then says, "I move the adoption of the following resolutions," which he +then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in legislative +bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and +only one chairman. In many 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, without there is a rule or established custom to the +contrary, it is allowable, and frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are fully +understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of +Order, Sec. 44.] + +=== Page 102 =========================================================== + +some one else says, "I second the motion." The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he +says, "The question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read," +and if no one rises immediately, he adds, "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 just read, will say aye;" after the ayes +have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no;" +he then announces the result of the vote as follows: "The motion is +carried--the resolutions are adopted," or, "The ayes have it the +resolutions are 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 been recognized, says, "I move that a committee be appointed +to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on," + +=== Page 103 =========================================================== + +etc., adding the subject for which the meeting was called. This motion +being seconded, the Chairman states the question [Sec. 67] and asks, "Are +you ready for the question?" If no one rises, he puts the question, +announces the result, and, if it is carried, he 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 the members of the assembly (no member naming more than +one, except by unanimous consent), and then the assembly vote 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, will say + +=== Page 104 =========================================================== + +aye." If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more +names mentioned than the number of the committee, a separate vote should +be taken on each name. (In a mass meeting it is safer to have all +committees appointed by the chairman.) + +When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in Sec. 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, Sec. 2.] when he says, "The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly. + +A member then moves the "adoption" or + +=== Page 105 =========================================================== + +"acceptance" of the report, or that "the resolutions be agreed to," +which motions have the same effect if carried, namely, to make the +resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the committee had +had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a report +has been read, to move that it be received whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is +only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards move its +adoption.] + +When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in Sec.Sec. 55-63. + +When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves "to adjourn;" if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, "The motion is carried; +this assembly stands adjourned without day." [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in Sec. 48.] + +(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are + +=== Page 106 =========================================================== + +required than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before +introducing the resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; +or the assembly can first form a temporary organization in the manner +already described, only adding "pro tem." to the title of the officers, +thus: "chairman pro tem." In this latter case, as soon as the +secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is appointed to nominate the +permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [Sec. 47]. Frequently +the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes there is a +large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. + +47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If the members +of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it becomes +necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of +a chairman + +=== Page 107 =========================================================== + +and secretary "pro tem.," when the chairman announces, "The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials." A +motion may then be made covering the entire case, thus: "I move that a +committee of three on the credentials of members be appointed by the +Chair, and that the committee report as soon as practicable;" or they +may include only one of these details, thus: "I move that a committee +be appointed on the credentials of members." In either case the Chair +proceeds as already described in the cases of committees on resolutions +[Sec. 46, (c)]. + +On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote. + +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least +for the time, announces that "The next business in order is the election +of permanent officers of the assembly." Some one then moves the +appointment of a + +=== Page 108 =========================================================== + +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: "I move +that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the +permanent officers of this convention." This motion is treated as +already explained. When the committee make their report, some one moves +"That the report of the committee be accepted and that the officers +nominated be declared the officers of this convention.* [Where there is +any competition for the offices, it is better that they be elected by +ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee report, a motion +can be made as follows: "I move that the convention now proceed to +ballot for its permanent officers;" or "I move that we now proceed to +the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention." +[See Rules of Order Sec. 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] +The constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the +officers shall be elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the +chairman declares the officers elected, and instantly calls the new +presiding officer to the chair, and the temporary secretary is at the +same time replaced. The convention is now organized for work. + +48. A Permanent Society. (a) First Meeting. When it is desired to +form a permanent society, those interested in it should see that only +the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain time and +place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to organize +a society, to commence until + +=== Page 109 =========================================================== + +fifteen or thirty minutes after the appointed time, when some one 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 an "occasional +meeting" [Sec. 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is +elected, he announces as the first business in order the election of a +secretary. + +After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting. + +When a sufficient time has been spent in this + +=== Page 110 =========================================================== + +informal way, some one should offer a resolution, so that definite +action can be taken. Those interested in getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as +already described [Sec. 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been +offered at the commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very +large one, this would probably be better than to have the informal +discussion. + +After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly." This motion can be amended [Sec. 56] +by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable. + +=== Page 111 =========================================================== + +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 meeting?" When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see Sec. 63] 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.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are conducted like +this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the business in +the order prescribed by the rules of the society [Sec. 72]. For example, +after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, "The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees." He +may then call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: +"Has the committee on applications for membership any report to make?" +In which case the committee may report, as shown above, or some member +of it reply that they have no report to make. Or, when the chairman +knows that there are but few if any reports to make, 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 select +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.] 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 + +=== Page 112 =========================================================== + +please come to order:" as soon as the assembly is seated, he adds, "The +secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting." If any one +notices an error in the minutes, he can 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, "If there is no objection the +minutes will stand approved as read" [or "corrected," if any corrections +have been made]. + +He 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, reads +the committee's report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and +formal bodies the chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the +report, usually directs the secretary to read it again. See note to Sec. +46 (c), for a few common errors in acting upon reports of committees. +[See also note to Sec. 46 (b).]] If no motion is made, the chairman says, +"You have heard the report read -- + +=== Page 113 =========================================================== + +what order shall be taken upon it?" Or simply inquires, "What shall be +done with the report?" Some one moves its adoption, or still better, +moves "the adoption of the Constitution reported by the committee," and +when seconded, the chairman says, "The question is on the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee." He then reads the first +article of the Constitution, and asks, "Are there any amendments +proposed to this article?" If none are offered, after a pause, he reads +the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus until he +reads the last article, when he says, "The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment." Now any one can move amendments to +any part of the Constitution. + +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;" and then, "As many +as are opposed, will say no." He distinctly announces the result of the +vote, which should always be done. If the articles of the Constitution +are subdivided into sections + +=== Page 114 =========================================================== + +or paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or +paragraphs, instead of by articles. + +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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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. + +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and +says, "The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws." Some one +moves the adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they +are treated just like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, "What +is the further pleasure of the meeting?" or states that the next +business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the +society. In either case some one moves the appointment of a committee +to nominate the permanent officers of the society, which motion is +treated as already described in Sec. 47. As + +=== Page 115 =========================================================== + +each officer is elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are +all elected the organization is completed. + +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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated. + +49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules. In +forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure copies +of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending +each article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When +they have completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the +committee. The By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having +finished the work assigned them, some one moves, "That the committee +rise, and that the chairman (or some other + +=== Page 116 =========================================================== + +member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly." If this +is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: "Your committee, appointed to draft a +Constitution and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with +the recommendation that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws +of this society;" which is signed by all the members of the committee +that concur in it. Sometimes the report is only signed by the chairman +of the committee. + +In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following: + +(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving + details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution. + +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided +into sections. The + +=== Page 117 =========================================================== + +Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it should be +made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the amendment +is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [Sec. 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than +two-thirds, and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should +not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: "The rules contained in--(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society." Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting. + +=== Page 118 =========================================================== + +In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [Sec. 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for. + +=== Page 119 =========================================================== + +Art. X. Officers and Committees. + +50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman to call the +meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the meetings, +to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to +preserve order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order +(subject to an appeal). When he "puts a question" to vote, and when +speaking upon an appeal, he should stand;* [In meetings of boards of +managers, committees and other small bodies, the chairman usually +retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not rise.] in all +other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect the +result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member +rises to speak, he + +=== Page 120 =========================================================== + +should say, "Mr. Chairman," and the chairman should reply, "Mr. A;" he +should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should +listen to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the +assembly. The chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance +of partizanship, but he has the right to call another member to the +chair while he addresses the assembly on a question; when speaking to a +question of order he does not leave the chair. + +51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is variously +called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of which +depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every +resolution or motion that is adopted. + +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for +publication, and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and +generally best, to appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it +is a tax on the judgment of the clerk to decide what to enter on the +record, or the "Minutes," as it is usually called. Sometimes the points +of each speech should be entered, + +=== Page 121 =========================================================== + +and at other times only the remark that the question was discussed by +Messrs. A., B. and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in +the negative. Every resolution that is adopted should be entered, which +can be done in this form: "On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, +&c." + +Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book. + +The Form of the Minutes can be as follows: + +"At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on +Tuesday evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting +as secretary, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and + +=== Page 122 =========================================================== + +approved. The committee on Applications reported the names of Messrs. +C. and D. as applicants for membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they +were admitted as members. The committee on --- reported a series of +resolutions, which were thoroughly discussed and amended, and finally +adopted as follows: + +"Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " + +On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned. +L- B-, Secretary. + +If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper. + +The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society. + +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, +not specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his + +=== Page 123 =========================================================== + +duties are also of a financial kind, when he should make such reports as +are prescribed in the next section. + +52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different societies. +In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely holding +the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always +required, in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on +hand at the commencement of the year, the amount received during the +year (stating from what source received), the total amount paid out by +order of the society, and the balance on hand. When this report is +presented it is referred to an "auditing committee," consisting of one +or two persons, who examine the treasurer's books and vouchers, and +certify on his report that they "have examined his accounts and vouchers +and find them correct, and the balance on hand is," etc., stating the +amount on hand. The auditing committee's report being accepted is +equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, namely, +that the treasurer's report is correct. + +In the case here supposed, the real financial + +=== Page 124 =========================================================== + +statement is made either by the board of trustees, or by the secretary +or some other officer, according to the Constitution of the society. +The principles involved, are, that every officer who receives money is +to account for it in a report to the society, and that whatever officer +is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the society. +If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary +should make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable +the society to readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. + +It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct. + +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he +makes a payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as +they are the vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the +auditing committee. Disbursing officers cannot be + +=== Page 125 =========================================================== + +too careful in keeping their accounts, and they should insist upon +having their accounts audited every time they make a report, as by this +means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee's report that the financial +report is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the +responsibility of the past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it +would cause no trouble. The best form for these financial reports +depends upon the kind of society, and is best determined by examining +those made in similar societies. + +The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures): + +Treasurer's Report. + +The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report: + +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was --- dollars and +--- cents. There was received from all sources during the year, --- +dollars and --- cents; during the same time the + +=== Page 126 =========================================================== + +expenses amounted to --- dollars and --- cents, leaving a balance on +hand of --- dollars and --- cents. The annexed statement of receipts +and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the receipts +were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. + +Treasurer M. L. S. + +The "Statement of receipts and expenditures" can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee's certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows: + +Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +1874. 1874. + +Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand + '' Gas ........... 80 00 from last year's + '' Stationery .... 26 50 account .......... $ 21 13 + '' Janitor ....... 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00 + '' Balance on hand 24 63 '' members' dues .. 875 00 + ------- ------- + $991 13 $991 13 + +We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm. + +=== Page 127 =========================================================== + +53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those where but +little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees +are of the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in +nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A +committee for action should be small and consist only of those heartily +in favor of the proposed action. A committee for deliberation or +investigation, on the contrary, should be larger and represent all +parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with it as great +weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on +the committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in Sec. +46 (c). + +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his +duty to call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If +he is absent, or from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it +is the duty of the committee to assemble on the call of any two of their +members. The committee are a miniature assembly, only being able to act +when + +=== Page 128 =========================================================== + +a quorum is present. If a paper is referred to them they must not +deface it in any way, but write their amendments on a separate sheet. +If they originate the paper, all amendments must be incorporated in it. +When they originate the paper, usually one member has previously +prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read by +paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, "Are +there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" No vote is taken on +the adoption of the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has +been read in this way, it is open to amendment, generally, by striking +out any paragraph or inserting new ones, or by substituting an entirely +new paper for it. When it has been amended to suit the committee, they +should adopt it as their report, and direct the chairman or some other +member to report it to the assembly. It is then written out, usually +commencing in a style similar to this: "The committee to which was +referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the following +report;" or, "Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report," etc. It usually closes thus: "All of which is +respectfully submitted," followed by the signatures of + +=== Page 129 =========================================================== + +all the members concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of +the chairman. + +If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: "The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed," etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee's report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee's report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to recommit), if adopted, revives the committee. + +Art. XI. Introduction of Business. + +54. Any member wishing to bring business before the assembly, should, +without it is very simple, write down in the form of a motion, what he +would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: + +Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality. + +=== Page 130 =========================================================== + +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and +addresses the chairman by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman," who +immediately recognizes him by announcing his name.* [If the chairman has +any special title, as President, for instance, he should be addressed by +it, thus: "Mr. President." Sometimes the chairman recognizes the +speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course is to announce +his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he "moves the adoption +of the following resolution," which he reads and hands to the chairman.* +[Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes to +offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, "It +has been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted," +when he reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then +state the question thus: "The question is on the adoption of the +resolution just read." The merits of the resolution are then open to +discussion, but before any member can discuss the question or make any +motion, he must first obtain the floor as just described. After the +chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or when he +thinks the debate closed, he asks, "Are you ready for the question?" If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the +following: "The question is on the adoption of the resolution + +=== Page 131 =========================================================== + +which you have heard; as many as are in favor of its adoption will say +aye." When the ayes have voted, he says, "As many as are of a. contrary +opinion will say no."* [There are many other ways of putting a question; +see Sec. 67, and Rules of Order, Sec. 38. Other illustrations of the ordinary +practice in introducing business will be seen in Sec.Sec. 46-48.] He then +announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or lost, as +the case may be, in the following form: "The motion is carried--the +resolution is adopted;" or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is +adopted." A majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption +of any motion, excepting those mentioned in Sec. 68. + +Art. XII. Motions. + +55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead of +immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, +it may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this +purpose various motions have come into use, which can be made while a +resolution is being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. +No one can make any of these motions while another member has the floor, + +=== Page 132 =========================================================== + +excepting as shown in Sec. 64, which see for the circumstances under which +each motion can be made. + +The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.] + +Motions Classified. + + (1) To Amend or Modify ....................................... [Sec. 56] + (a) Amend. + (b) Commit. + (2) To Defer action .......................................... [Sec. 57] + (a) Postpone to a certain time. + (b) Lie on the Table. + (3) To Suppress Debate ....................................... [Sec. 58] + (a) Previous Question. + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate. + (4) To Suppress the question ................................. [Sec. 59] + (a) Objection to its Consideration. + (b) Postpone Indefinitely. + (c) Lie on the Table. + (5) To Consider a question the second time ................... [Sec. 60] + (a) Reconsider. + (6) Order and Rules .......................................... [Sec. 61] + (a) Orders of the day. + (b) Special Orders. + (c) Suspension of the Rules. + (d) Questions of Order. + (e) Appeal. + +=== Page 133 =========================================================== + + (7) Miscellaneous ............................................ [Sec. 62] + (a) Reading of Papers. + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion. + (c) Questions of Privilege. + (8) To close a meeting ....................................... [Sec. 63] + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn. + (b) Adjourn. + +56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If it is desired to modify the +question in any way, the proper motion to make is to "amend," either by +"adding" words, or by "striking out" words; or by "striking out certain +words and inserting others;" or by "substituting" a different motion on +the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by "dividing the +question" into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as to +get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its +friends, and thus defeat it. + +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should +always state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly +what is before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to +amend; then the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the +words to be inserted, if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will +stand if the + +=== Page 134 =========================================================== + +amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the +adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being +confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main +question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of +adopting the amendment. + +This amendment can be amended, but an "amendment of an amendment" cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in Sec. 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely. + +(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs +more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move "to refer it to a committee." This motion can be made while an +amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to +debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the +committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or +by giving them any other instructions. [See Sec. 53 on committees, and Sec. +46 (c) on their appointment.] + +57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a certain time. If it is desired +to defer action + +=== Page 135 =========================================================== + +upon a question till a particular time, the proper motion to make, is to +"postpone it to that time." This motion allows of but limited debate, +which must be confined to the propriety of the postponement to that +time; it can be amended by altering the time, and this amendment allows +of the same debate. The time specified must not be beyond that session +[Sec. 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, in which case it +comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. This motion +can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. + +(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to a particular +time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some other +question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to +defeat a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it +at any other time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken +from the table, except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the +society of the advantages of the motion to "lie on the table." because +it would not be safe to lay a question aside temporarily, if one-third +of the assembly were opposed to the measure, as that one-third could +prevent its ever being taken from the table. A bare majority should not +have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or +prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of Sec. 35, +Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the +question "lie on the table." This motion + +=== Page 136 =========================================================== + +allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts +the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the +assembly vote to "take it from the table" (which latter motion is +undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used +to suppress a measure, as shown in Sec. 59 (c). + +58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous Question. While as a general +rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* [Except an "objection to +the consideration of the question" [Sec. 59 (a)]. See note to Sec. 35, Rules +of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] which, if +adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing it +from before the assembly for the session--yet, to prevent a minority +from making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have +methods by which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken +upon a question. + +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, +it is only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and "call for the +previous question;" this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows +of no debate, instantly puts the question, thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" If this is carried by a two-thirds vote [Sec. 68], +all debate instantly + +=== Page 137 =========================================================== + +ceases, excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, +or reported it from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to +the floor to close the debate; after which, the chairman immediately +puts the questions to the assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if +it is pending; if this is carried, of course the subject goes to the +committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is next taken on amendments, +and finally on the resolution as amended. + +If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate. + +(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, instead of cutting +off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is desirable +to allow of but very limited debate. In + +=== Page 138 =========================================================== + +this case, a motion is made to limit the time allowed each speaker or +the number of speeches on each side, or to appoint a time at which +debate shall close and the question be put. The motion may be made to +limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main question would +afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made simply on +an amendment to an amendment. + +In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions. + +59. To Suppress the Question. (a) Objection to the consideration of a +question. Sometimes a resolution is introduced that the assembly do not +wish to consider at all, because it is profitless, or irrelevant to the +objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. The proper course to +pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is introduced, to +"object to the consideration of the question." This objection not +requiring a second, the chairman immediately + +=== Page 139 =========================================================== + +puts the question, "Will the assembly consider this question?" If +decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote, the question is +immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced during that +session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another +member has the floor. + +(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been debated, the +proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the session, +is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an +amendment has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is +before the assembly. It opens the merits of the main question to debate +to as great an extent as if the main question were before the assembly. +On account of these two facts, in assemblies with short sessions it is +not very useful, as the same result can usually be more easily attained +by the next motion. + +(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during the remainder +of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the question, +then the quickest way of suppressing it is + +=== Page 140 =========================================================== + +to move "that the question lie on the table;" which, allowing of no +debate, enables the majority to instantly lay the question on the table, +from which it cannot be taken without their consent. + +From its high rank [Sec. 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in Sec. 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration. + +60. To Consider a question a second time. Reconsider. When a question +has been once adopted, rejected or suppressed, it cannot be again +considered during that session [Sec. 70], except by a motion to "reconsider +the vote" on that question. This motion can only be made by one who +voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken which it +is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any +one can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered +on all important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary +societies.] It can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of +debate, even when another member has the floor, but cannot be considered +until there is no question + +=== Page 141 =========================================================== + +before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. + +A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable. + +If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote. + +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be +called up by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If +the assembly has not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph +would not apply, but this motion to reconsider would, like any other +motion, fall to the ground if not acted upon before the close of the +session at which the original vote was adopted.] If he fails to call it +up then, any one else can do so. But should there be no succeeding +meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, then the effect of +the motion to reconsider + +=== Page 142 =========================================================== + +terminates with the adjournment of the meeting at which it was made, and +any one can call it up at that meeting. + +In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in Sec. +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, Sec. 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.] + +61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the Day. Sometimes an assembly +decides that certain questions shall be considered at a particular time, +and when that time arrives those questions constitute what is termed the +"orders of the day," and if any member "calls for the orders of the +day," as it requires no second, the + +=== Page 143 =========================================================== + +chairman immediately puts the question, thus: "Will the assembly now +proceed to the orders of the day?" If carried, the subject under +consideration is laid aside, and the questions appointed for that time +are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the chairman may +state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot +be renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* +[In Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a +call for the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most +common case where orders of the day are decided upon is where it is +necessary to make a programme for the session. When the hour arrives +for the consideration of any subject on the programme, these rules +permit any member to call for the orders of the day (as described in +Rules of Order, Sec. 2) even though another person has the floor. If this +were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone +the orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion +of the question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when +any subject shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules +of the assembly; the latter must be enforced by the chairman, without +they are suspended by a two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can +only be carried out by the order of a majority of the assembly then +present and voting.] + +(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that it is +desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made +to make the question a "special order" for that particular time. This + +=== Page 144 =========================================================== + +motion requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really +a suspension of the rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to +suspend the rules is in order. If a subject is a special order for a +particular day, then on that day it supersedes all business except the +reading of the minutes. A special order can be postponed by a majority +vote. If two special orders are made for the same day, the one first +made takes precedence. + +(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every assembly, if +discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being wasted, +and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by +suspending their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes +a motion "to suspend the rules that interfere with," etc., stating the +object of the suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds +vote, then the particular thing for which the rules were suspended can +be done. By "general consent," that is, if no one objects, the rules +can at any time be ignored without the formality of a motion. + +(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to enforce the +rules and preserve + +=== Page 145 =========================================================== + +order, and when any member notices a breach of order, he can call for +the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he rises he usually +says, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order." The chairman then +directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of +order, decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his +speech, directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be +out of order. When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he +cannot continue his speech, if any one objects, without permission is +granted him by a vote of the assembly. Instead of the above method, +when a member uses improper language, some one says, "I call the +gentleman to order;" when the chairman decides as before whether the +language is disorderly. + +(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of interpretation of +the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the chairman to +first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to "appeal +from the decision." If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the +question, thus: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment +of the assembly?" [or society, convention, etc.] + +=== Page 146 =========================================================== + +The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained or reversed, as the case may be. + +62. Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a +motion. If a speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw +his motion after it has been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if +any one objects, to make a motion to grant the permission. + +(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur during the +meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of the +members, any member may "rise to a question of privilege," and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of +privilege: (from the chairman's decision of course an appeal can be +taken). If the question is one of privilege, it supersedes, + +=== Page 147 =========================================================== + +for the time being, the business before the assembly; its consideration +can be postponed to another time, or the previous question can be +ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid on the table, or +referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon as the +question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. + +63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. If it +is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the assembly, it is best some +time before its close to move, "That when this assembly adjourns, it +adjourns to meet at such a time," specifying the time. This motion can +be amended by altering the time, but if made when another question is +before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it +stands as any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can +be made even while the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but +not when another member has the floor. + +(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly + +=== Page 148 =========================================================== + +from being kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to +have a rule limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one +member at one time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is +desired to close the meeting, without the member who has the floor will +yield it, the only resource is to wait till his time expires, and then a +member who gets the floor should move "to adjourn." The motion being +seconded, the chairman instantly put the question, as it allows of no +amendment or debate; and if decided in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried;--this assembly stands adjourned." If the assembly +is one that will have no other meeting, instead of adjourned," he says +"adjourned without day," or "sine die." If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he +states that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion +to adjourn is qualified by specifying the time, as, "to adjourn to +tomorrow evening," it cannot be made when any other question is before +the assembly; like any other main motion, it can then be amended and +debated.* [For the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business see +Sec. 69.] + +=== Page 149 =========================================================== + +64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions rank as +follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first. + +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection +to the consideration of a question, can be made while another member has +the floor: so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be +entered on the minutes + +=== Page 150 =========================================================== + +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the +assembly. + +Art. XIII. Debate. + +65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be addressed to the +chairman, and must be confined to the question before the assembly, +avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one's motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of +times any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed +for each speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from +each member only one speech of one hour's length; the Senate allows two +speeches without limit as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he +could speak only once to the same question, might defeat a measure by +prolonging his speech and declining to yield the floor except for a +motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two speeches should be +allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules also limit +the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a member +to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. + +=== Page 151 =========================================================== + +However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, Sec.Sec. 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in Sec. 58 (b). + +66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main Question to +Debate. [A full list of these will be found in Sec. 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be +added the motion to close or limit debate.] + +Art. XIV. Miscellaneous. + +67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been +made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in +order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question +is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently + +=== Page 152 =========================================================== + +but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it +is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. + +Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question. + +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, "It is +moved and seconded that," and then give the motion. When an amendment +has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, +"The question now recurs on the resolution," or, "on the resolution as +amended" as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is +taken, he should immediately state the question then before the +assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be +amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and + +=== Page 153 =========================================================== + +always before finally putting it, inquires, "Are you ready for the +question?" Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions +are shown in Sec.Sec. 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions, +are, however, peculiar: + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: "Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +=== Page 154 =========================================================== + +68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds Vote, page +159, and Sec. 39 of Rules of Order.] + +All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule: + +To amend or suspend the rules. +To make a special order. +To take up a question out of its proper order. +An objection to the consideration of a question. +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. + +69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the unfinished +business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the first +business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new +business at the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are +more frequent than yearly.* [See Rules of Order, Sec. 11, for a fuller +explanation of the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business, +and the Congressional practice.] If the meetings are only once a + +=== Page 155 =========================================================== + +year, the adjournment of the session puts an end to all unfinished +business. + +70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes a separate +session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +"adjourns without day."* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by +moving simply "to adjourn;" the society meet again at the time provided +either by their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not +meet till the time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the +By-Laws, then the adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an +adjournment without day. If, however, they had previously fixed the +time for the next meeting, either by a direct vote, or by adopting a +programme of exercises covering several meetings or even days, in either +case the adjournment is in effect to a certain day, and does not close +the session.] + +When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to Sec. 49]. + +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules +limit the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of +Business prescribed in Sec. 72 requires that the + +=== Page 156 =========================================================== + +minutes of the previous meeting, the reports of committees previously +appointed, and the unfinished business of the last session, shall all +take precedence of new business, and that no subject can be considered +out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it is +allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up +with unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day +beyond the next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next +session to consider the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can +be made at one meeting and called up at the next meeting, even though it +be another session, provided the society holds its regular sessions as +frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of Order, Sec. 42, for a full discussion +of this subject.] + +71. Quorum. [See Sec. 43 for full information on this subject.] + +72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year: + +=== Page 157 =========================================================== + +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. +(3) Reports of Select Committees. +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). +(5) New Business. + +Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read. + +73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order, should be +permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular meeting +of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, +amendments should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +=== Page 158 =========================================================== + +Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their Members. + +The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a 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 +their order, a statement of the grave charges upon which he 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. + +=== Page 159 =========================================================== + +The 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 or 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 treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights. + +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 + +=== Page 160 =========================================================== + +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 held the case under advisement for one year, +and then reversed the decision of the State Court, because it conflicted +with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court that had acted +upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, laid down +the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a larger +and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has +been carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. + +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. + +=== Page 161 =========================================================== + +It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of +expulsion if they refuse. In Sec. 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case. + +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 investigate the matter and report to the +society. This report need not go into details, but should contain their +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, + +=== Page 162 =========================================================== + +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. + +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. + +=== Page 163 =========================================================== + +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. + +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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt. + +=== Page 164 =========================================================== +=== Page 165 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES + +RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.] + +=== Page 166 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, "Lie on +the table:" the Table shows that Sec. 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is "undebatable" and "cannot be amended;" and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) "cannot be reconsidered:" +-- the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +"open the main question to debate," that it does not "require a 2/3 +vote," that it does "require to be seconded," and that it is not "in +order when another member has the floor." + +The column headed "Requires a two-thirds vote," applies only where the +"Pocket Manual of Rules of Order," or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See "Two-thirds Vote," on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] + +After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc. + + In order when another has the floor [Sec. 2]-------------| + Requires no Second [Sec. 3]-----------| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [Sec. 39]--See Note 1.---------| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [Sec. 27]-------| | | | + Cannot be Amended [Sec. 23]-----| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [Sec. 35]---| | | | | | + Undebatable [Sec. 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ............................................. x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ................... 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ............................................... . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment .................................. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ..................................... . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ............ x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ............................. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ....................................... x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +22 Commit .............................................. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to .............. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn .................... 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table .................................... x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] ........ x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ................... x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time .......................... 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely ............................... . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question ................................... x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ......... x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ...................................... x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ..................... . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question .................. x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) .............................. . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) .................. x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ................ x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ............................ . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) .......................... . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules ................................... x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table ................................. x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order .......... x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion .............................. x . x . . . . + +=== Page 167 =========================================================== + +Notes To The Table. + +(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the rules," which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.] + +(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. + +(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. + +(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. + +(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly: it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side. + +(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted. + +(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate. + +MISCELLANEOUS RULES. + +Order of Precedence of Motions. + +The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first. + +Two-thirds Vote. + +In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the +rules," which would require a unanimous vote. + +Forms of Putting Certain Questions. + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question now be put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.]. + +If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +"Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no. + +Various Forms of Amendments. + +An Amendment may be either (1) by "adding" or (2) by "striking out" +words or paragraphs; or (3) by "striking out certain words and inserting +others;" or (4) by "substituting" a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by "dividing the question" into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. + +=== Page 168 =========================================================== + +Additions and Corrections. + +[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.] + +19th page, 7th line, after "Sec. 13" insert a star referring to this + note: "See note to Sec. 61." +50th '' 2d line of last note, omit all after "reconsideration." +51st '' at end of 12th line, insert "upon another day." + '' '' 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: "In + Congress the effect always terminates with the session, + and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, + until the expiration of the time during which it is in + order to move a reconsideration." +69th '' 4th line, after "Sec. 34," insert "or limiting debate." +72d '' 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: + "If both are personally interested. [See p. 161.]" +73d '' last line of note, insert "final" before "vote." +80th '' add to the list in Sec. 39 the motion + "To make a special order." + +=== Page 169 =========================================================== + +INDEX. + +The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION. + +Adjourn, motion to ............................................. 11, 63b + when in order ................................................ 11, 64 + effect upon unfinished business .............................. 11, 69 + motion to "fix the time to which to adjourn" .................. 10, 63 +Amendment, motion to "amend" .................................. 23, 56a + by "adding" or "striking out" ................................ 23, 56a + by "striking out and inserting" .............................. 23, 56a + by "substituting" ............................................ 23, 56a + by "dividing the question" ................................ 4, 23, 56a + of an amendment .............................................. 23, 56a + in committee .................................................. 28, 53 + in committee of the whole ........................................ 32 + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ........... 44, 48b + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions .................. 45, 73 + motions that cannot be amended ............................... 23, 56a +Announcing the vote. See Forms. +Appeal from the decision of the chair .......................... 14, 61e +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14). +Assembly, how organized ..................................... 46, 47, 48 + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc., + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16. + legal rights of, pp. 158-163. + right to punish members, p. 158. + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159. + trial of members, p. 160. +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, Sec. 38. +Ballot .............................................................. 38 +Blanks, filling of .................................................. 25 + in balloting, not to be counted ................................... 38 + +=== Page 170 =========================================================== + +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in + order when reports of standing committees are made ............ 44, 72 + (See Quorum.) +Business, introduction of ...................................... 1-5, 54 + order of ...................................................... 44, 72 + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ..................... 11, 69 + [See Priority of Business.] +By-Laws, what they should contain ................................... 49 + adoption of ...................................................... 46a + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Chairman, duties of ............................................. 40, 50 + election of ...................................................... 46a + temporary ..................................................... 40, 47 + of a committee ................................................ 28, 53 +of committee of the whole ........................................... 32 +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ................... 38 +Classification of Motions according to their object ................. 55 + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. .................... 6-9 +Clerk, duties of ................................................ 41, 51 + additional duties of when receiving money ......................... 52 + election of ...................................................... 46a +Commit, motion to .............................................. 22, 56b +Committees, appointment of ..................................... 22, 46c + how they should be composed ................................... 22, 53 + object of ..................................................... 28, 53 + manner of conducting business in .............................. 28, 53 + Reports of, their form ........................................ 29, 53 + their reception ............................................ 30, 46c + their adoption ............................................. 31, 46c + their place in the order of business ........................ 44, 72 + common errors in acting upon (note) ........................ 30, 46c + Minority Reports of, their form ............................... 29, 53 + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute + for the committee's report ................................ 28, 53 + of the whole ...................................................... 32 + as if in committee of the whole ................................... 33 + +=== Page 171 =========================================================== + +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12. +Consideration of a question, objection to ...................... 15, 59a +Constitutions, what they should contain ............................. 49 + adoption of by a society ......................................... 48b + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a + meeting of ..................................................... 47 +Credentials of delegates ............................................ 47 +Debate, what precedes ............................................ 3, 54 + no member to speak but twice in same .......................... 34, 65 + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one + time ........................................................ 34, 65 + a majority can extend the number and length of + speeches allowed ........................................... 34, 65 + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress + (note) ...................................................... 34, 65 + member introducing measure has right to close ..................... 34 + list of undebatable questions ................................. 35, 66 + motions that open the main question to ............................ 35 + principles regulating the extent of (see note) .................... 35 + decorum in .................................................... 36, 65 + closing or limiting ........................................... 37, 58 +Decorum in debate ............................................... 36, 65 +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15]. +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ............................. 47 +Division of the assembly ............................................ 38 + of questions [see Amendment] .................................. 4, 56a +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159. +Election of Officers ........................................... 46a, 47 +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to .................... 10, 63a +Floor, how to obtain ............................................. 2, 54 +Forms of making motions ......................................... 46, 54 + of stating and putting questions .............................. 38, 67 + of announcing the result of a vote ............................ 38, 54 + of reports of committees ...................................... 29, 53 + of treasurers' reports ............................................ 52 + of minutes of a meeting ....................................... 41, 51 + +=== Page 172 =========================================================== + +Forms-Continued. + + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ....................... 46 + of conducting a meeting of delegates .............................. 47 + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ..................... 48 + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ................... 48b +Incidental questions ................................................. 8 +Indefinite postponement ........................................ 24, 59b +Informal consideration of a question ................................ 33 +Introduction of Business ....................................... 1-5, 54 +Journal, or minutes ............................................. 41, 51 +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals. +Lie on the table, motion to ............................... 19, 57b, 59c +Main question ........................................................ 6 +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum. +Meeting, distinction between it and session ..................... 42, 70 + [See also Introduction, page 15.] + how to conduct. See Forms. +Members not to be present during a debate or vote + concerning themselves ............................................. 36 + trial of, p. 160. +Minority Report. See Committees. +Minutes, form and contents of ................................... 41, 51 +Moderator. See Chairman. +Modification of a motion by the mover ................................ 5 +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.] + Adjourn ...................................................... 11, 63b + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ............................ 10, 63a + Amend ........................................................ 23, 56a + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) .................. 31, 46c + Appeal ....................................................... 14, 61e + Blanks, filling ................................................... 25 + Call to order ................................................ 14, 61d + Close debate .................................................. 37, 58 + Commit ....................................................... 22, 56b + Consideration of a question, objection to ................... 15, 59a + Divide the question ....................................... 4, 23, 56a + +=== Page 173 =========================================================== + +Motions-Continued. + + Extend the limits of debate ................................... 34, 65 + Fix the time to which to adjourn ............................. 10, 63a + Incidental motions or questions .................................... 8 + Indefinitely postpone ........................................ 24, 59b + Informal consideration of a question .............................. 33 + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum ................. 36 + Leave to withdraw a motion ................................... 17, 62b + Lie on the table ........................................ 19, 57b, 59c + Limit Debate ................................................. 37, 58b + Main motions or questions .......................................... 6 + Objection to the consideration of a question ................. 15, 59a + Order, questions of .......................................... 14, 61d + Orders of the day ............................................ 13, 61a + Orders, special .................................................. 61b + Postpone to a certain day .................................... 21, 57a + Postpone indefinitely ........................................ 24, 59b + Previous question ............................................ 20, 58a + Principal motions or questions ..................................... 6 + Priority of Business, questions relating to ....................... 35 + Privileged motions or questions .................................... 9 + Privilege, questions of ...................................... 12, 62c + Reading papers ................................................ 16, 62 + Reception of a report [see Committees] ....................... 30, 46c + Recommit [same as Commit] ..................................... 22, 56 + Reconsider .................................................... 27, 60 + Refer [same as Commit] ....................................... 22, 56b + Renewal of a motion ........................................... 26, 60 + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ........................... 11, 32 + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] ............. 15, 59a + Special Order, to make a ......................................... 61b + Strike out [see Amendment] ................................... 23, 56a + Subsidiary motions or questions .................................... 7 + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) .................... 23, 56a + Suspension of the Rules ...................................... 18, 61c + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ................... 19, 57b + Take up a question out of its proper order .................... 44, 72 + Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 17, 62 + +=== Page 174 =========================================================== + +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166. + classified according to their object .............................. 55 + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ......... 6-9 + order of precedence of [see each motion, Sec.Sec. 10-27] .......... 64 + how to be made .......................................... 1, 2, 46, 54 + a second required (with certain exceptions) .................... 3, 67 + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ................ 3, 54 + when to be in writing .......................................... 4, 54 + how to be divided .................................................. 4 + how to be modified by the mover ............................. 3, 5, 17 + how to be stated and put to the question ...................... 38, 67 + that cannot be amended ....................................... 23, 56a + that cannot be debated ........................................ 35, 66 + that open main question to debate ................................. 35 + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption ............... 39, 68 +Nominations, how treated ....................................... 25, 46a +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without + a vote ............................................................ 23 +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction + of a question ................................................ 15, 59a +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer + and Vice-Presidents. +Order, questions of and a call to .............................. 14, 61d + of business ................................................... 44, 72 + of the day ................................................... 13, 61a + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) .......... 61a + special .......................................................... 61b + of precedence of motions. See Precedence. +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting ...................... 46a + of a convention or assembly of delegates .......................... 47 + of a permanent society ............................................ 48 +Papers and documents, reading of ................................ 16, 62 + in custody of clerk ........................................... 41, 51 +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.) +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.) + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.) + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business, + (Introduction, page 14.) + +=== Page 175 =========================================================== + +Postpone to a certain time ..................................... 21, 57a + indefinitely ................................................. 24, 59b +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper ...................... 44 +Precedence of motions [see each motion, Sec.Sec. 10-27] ............. 64 + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +Presiding Officer. See Chairman. +Previous Question .............................................. 20, 58a +Principal (or main) question ......................................... 6 +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ......... 35 +Privilege, questions of ........................................ 12, 62c +Privileged questions ................................................. 9 +Putting the question, form of ................................... 38, 67 +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order. +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority ............... 43 + committees and boards cannot decide upon .......................... 43 +Reading of Papers ............................................... 16, 62 +Reception of a report. See Committees. +Re-commit (same as Commit) ..................................... 22, 56b +Reconsider ...................................................... 27, 60 +Record, or minutes .............................................. 41, 51 +Recording officer. See Clerk. +Refer [same as Commit] ......................................... 22, 56b +Renewal of a motion ............................................. 26, 60 +Reports of committees. See Committees. +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly. + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159. +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ................... 11, 32 +Rules of debate. See Debate. + of Order, amendment of ........................................ 45, 73 + of Order, what they should contain ................................ 49 + standing, what they should contain ................................ 49 + suspension of ................................................ 18, 61c + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166. + +=== Page 176 =========================================================== + +Seconding, motions that do not require ........................... 3, 67 +Secretary. See Clerk. +Session [See also Meeting] ...................................... 42, 70 +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ................ 15, 59a +Speaking, rules of, See Debate. +Special Order ...................................................... 61b +Standing Rules ...................................................... 49 +Stating a question, form of ..................................... 38, 67 +Strike out (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Subsidiary motions or questions ...................................... 7 +Substitute (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Sum, largest, first put ............................................. 25 +Suspension of the rules ........................................ 18, 61c +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166. +Take from the table, motion to ................................. 19, 57b +Time, longest, first put ............................................ 25 +Treasurer, duties of ................................................ 52 +Trial of Members, p. 160. +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring .............................. 39, 68 +Undebatable Questions ........................................... 35, 66 +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon ................. 11, 69 + its place in the order of business ............................ 44, 72 +Vice-Presidents .................................................... 46d +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ....................... 38, 54 + motions requiring more than a majority ........................ 39, 68 + change of, permitted before result is announced ................... 38 +Voting, various methods of .......................................... 38 +Withdrawal of a motion .......................................... 17, 62 +Yeas and Nays, voting by ............................................ 38 +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Robert's Rules of Order, by Henry M. 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Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Robert's Rules of Order + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies + +Author: Henry M. Robert + +Release Date: October, 2005 [EBook #9097] +[Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] +[This file was first posted on September 5, 2003] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Randyl Kent Plampin + + + + +ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER + +=== Page 1 ============================================================= + +Pocket Manual +of +Rules Of Order +For +Deliberative Assemblies + +--- + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, 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 societies, conventions, +and other deliberative assemblies. + +By Major Henry M. Robert, +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. + +Chicago: +S. C. Griggs & Company. +1876. + +=== Page 2 ============================================================= + +--- + +Copyright, A.D. 1876, +by +H. M. Robert + +--- + +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee + +=== Page 3 ============================================================= + +PREFACE. + +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in +its general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and +adapted, in its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work +should give, not only the methods of organizing and conducting the +meetings, the duties of the officers and the names of the ordinary +motions, but in addition, should state in a systematic manner, in +reference to each motion, its object and effect; whether it can be +amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it opens the main +question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be made, and +what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a +condensed and systematic manner, each rule being either complete in +itself, or giving references to every section that in any way qualifies +it, so that a stranger to the work can refer to any special subject with +safety. + +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating +to each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of +Rules, which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to +some two hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to +greatly assist the reader in systematizing his knowledge of +parliamentary law. + +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of +conducting business in ordinary + +=== Page 4 ============================================================= + +meetings, in which the motions are classified according to their uses, +and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part is +expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are +unfamiliar with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much +study to the subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn +enough to enable them to take part in meetings of deliberative +assemblies without fear of being out of order. The object of Rules of +Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an assembly to accomplish +the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. To do +this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the right +of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every +man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real +liberty. Experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the +law, and in this country, where customs are so slightly established and +the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting, no +society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some +work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not covered by +their own rules. + +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: "Whether these forms be in all cases the most +rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more +material that there should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, +that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to +the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very +material that order, decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified +public body." + +H. M. R. +December, 1875. + +=== Page 5 ============================================================= + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. +Introduction. Page. + Parliamentary Law .................................................. 9 + Plan of the Work .................................................. 12 + '' Part I .................................................... 13 + '' Part II ................................................... 14 + Definitions ....................................................... 15 + +Part I.--Rules of Order. +Art. I.--Introduction of Business. + 1. How introduced ................................................. 17 + 2. Obtaining the floor ............................................ 17 + 3. What precedes debate on a question ............................. 19 + 4. What motions to be in writing, and + how they shall be divided ...................................... 20 + 5. Modification of a motion by the mover .......................... 21 + +Art. II.--General Classification of Motions. + 6. Principal or Main motions ...................................... 22 + 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions ................................ 22 + 8. Incidental motions ............................................. 23 + 9. Privileged motions ............................................. 24 + +Art. III.--Motions and their Order of Precedence. +Privileged Motions. + 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn ........................... 25 + 11. Adjourn ....................................................... 26 + 12. Questions of privilege ........................................ 28 + 13. Orders of the day ............................................. 28 +Incidental Motions. + 14. Appeal [Questions of Order] ................................... 30 + 15. Objection to the consideration of a + question ...................................................... 32 + 16. Reading papers ................................................ 33 + 17. Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 34 + 18. Suspension of the Rules ....................................... 34 + +=== Page 6 ============================================================= + +Subsidiary Motions. + 19. Lie on the table .............................................. 35 + 20. Previous Question ............................................. 37 + 21. Postpone to a certain day ..................................... 40 + 22. Commit [or Re-commit] ......................................... 41 + 23. Amend ......................................................... 43 + 24. Postpone indefinitely ......................................... 46 +Miscellaneous Motions. + 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations ............................... 47 + 26. Renewal of a motion ........................................... 48 + 27. Reconsideration ............................................... 49 + +Art. IV.--Committees and Informal Action. + 28. Committees .................................................... 54 + 29. '' Form of their Reports .............................. 58 + 30. '' Reception '' .............................. 59 + 31. '' Adoption '' .............................. 61 + 32. Committee of the Whole ........................................ 61 + 33. Informal consideration of a question .......................... 65 + +Art. V.--Debate and Decorum. + 34. Debate ........................................................ 66 + 35. Undebatable questions and those opening + the main question to debate ................................... 68 + 36. Decorum in debate ............................................. 71 + 37. Closing debate, methods of .................................... 72 + +Art. VI.--Vote. + 38. Voting, various modes of ...................................... 74 + 39. Motions requiring more than a + majority vote ................................................. 80 + +Art. VII.--Officers and the Minutes. + 40. Chairman or President ......................................... 81 + 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes .......................... 85 + +Art. VIII.--Miscellaneous. + 42. Session ....................................................... 90 + 43. Quorum ........................................................ 93 + 44. Order of business ............................................. 94 + 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order ............................... 97 + +=== Page 7 ============================================================= + +Part II.-Organization and Conduct of Business. + +Art. IX.--Organization and Meetings. + 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. + (a) Organization .............................................. 99 + (b) Adoption of resolutions .................................. 101 + (c) Committee on '' .................................. 102 + (d) Additional Officers ...................................... 105 + 47. A Convention or Assembly of + Delegates .................................................... 106 + 48. A Permanent Society. + (a) First meeting ............................................. 108 + (b) Second meeting ............................................ 111 + 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of + Order and Standing Rules ..................................... 115 + +Art. X.--Officers and Committees. + 50. President or Chairman ........................................ 119 + 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes ......................... 120 + 52. Treasurer .................................................... 123 + 53. Committees ................................................... 127 + +Art. XI--Introduction of Business. + 54. Introduction of Business ..................................... 129 + +Art. XII.--Motions. + 55. Motions classified according to their + object ....................................................... 131 + 56. To Amend Or modify. + (a) Amend .................................................... 133 + (b) Commit ................................................... 134 + 57. To Defer action. + (a) Postpone to a certain time ............................... 134 + (b) Lie on the table ......................................... 135 + 58. To Suppress Debate. + (a) Previous Question ........................................ 136 + (b) An Order limiting or closing + debate ................................................... 137 + +=== Page 8 ============================================================= + + 59. To Suppress the question. + (a) Objection to its consideration ........................... 138 + (b) Postpone indefinitely .................................... 139 + (c) Lie on the table ......................................... 139 + 60. To Consider a question the second time + (a) Reconsider ............................................... 140 + 61. Order and Rules. + (a) Orders of the day ........................................ 142 + (b) Special orders ........................................... 143 + (c) Suspension of the rules .................................. 144 + (d) Questions of order ....................................... 144 + (e) Appeal ................................................... 145 + 62. Miscellaneous. + (a) Reading of papers ........................................ 146 + (b) Withdrawal of a motion ................................... 146 + (c) Questions of privilege ................................... 146 + 63. To close a meeting. + (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn ......................... 147 + (b) Adjourn .................................................. 147 + 64. Order of Precedence of motions ............................... 149 + +Art. XIII.--Debate. + 65. Rules of speaking in debate .................................. 150 + 66. Undebatable questions and those that + open the main question to debate ............................. 151 + +Art. XIV.--Miscellaneous. + 67. Forms of stating and putting questions ....................... 154 + 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote + for their adoption ........................................... 154 + 69. Unfinished business .......................................... 154 + 70. Session ...................................................... 155 + 71. Quorum ....................................................... 156 + 72. Order of Business ............................................ 156 + 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws + and Rules of Order ........................................... 157 + +Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies ............................ 158 +Table of Rules Relating to Motions ................................. 166 +Index .............................................................. 169 + +=== Page 9 ============================================================= + +INTRODUCTION. + +Parliamentary Law. + +Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents. + +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for +customs and precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we +think are improvements, and hence changes have been and are being +constantly made in the written rules which our legislative bodies have +found best to adopt. As each house adopts its own rules, it results +that the two houses of the same legislature do not always agree in their +practice; even in Congress the order of precedence of motions is not +the same in both houses, and the Previous Question is admitted in the +House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As a consequence of +this, the exact method of conducting business in any particular + +=== Page 10 ============================================================ + +legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual of +that body. + +The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies. + +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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies. + +=== Page 11 ============================================================ + +But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body. + +While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [ 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +that power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day's notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.] + +=== Page 12 ============================================================ + +Plan of the Work. + +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative +assemblies that are not legislative in their character. It has been +made sufficiently complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until +they see fit to adopt special rules conflicting with and superseding any +of its rules of detail, such as the Order of Business [ 44], etc. Even +in matters of detail the practice of Congress is followed, wherever it +is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary assemblies, and in such cases, in +Part I, there will be found, in a footnote, the Congressional practice. +In the important matters referred to above, in which the practice of the +House of + +=== Page 13 ============================================================ + +Representatives settles the common parliamentary law of the country, +this Manual strictly conforms to such practice.* [On account of the +party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, no such thing as +harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to give a bare +majority, in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) the +power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the +rights of the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this +Manual [ 39], for sustaining an objection to the introduction of a +question, or for adopting a motion for the Previous Question, or for +adopting an order closing or limiting debate. In this respect the +policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those of the House and +Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous to +follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the +Senate. It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to +order the yeas and nays, which is doubtless best to the majority of +assemblies; but in all bodies in which the members are responsible to +their constituents, a much smaller number should have this power. In +Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, end in some bodies a single +member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and nays. Any society +adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all or the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in +the Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [ 43], and an +Order of Business [ 44], as suggested in these rules.] + +The Manual is divided into two distinct, parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.] + +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as +shown in the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is +complete in itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be +misled in examining any particular subject. Cross references are freely +used to save repeating + +=== Page 14 ============================================================ + +from other sections, and by this means, the reader, without using the +index, is referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any +bearing upon the subject he is investigating. The references are by +sections, and for convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at +the top of each page. The motions are arranged under the usual classes, +in their order of rank, but in the index under the word motion will be +found an alphabetical list of all the motions generally used. In +reference to each motion there is stated: + + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, + be pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion). + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made + while this motion is pending). + (3) Whether it is debatable or not. + (4) Whether it can be amended or not. + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, + the fact is stated [see Adjourn, 11, for an example: the + meaning is, that the particular motion to adjourn, for example, + cannot be laid on the table, postponed, committed or amended]. + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted. + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other + information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. + +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first +part, it does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who +have + +=== Page 15 ============================================================ + +no acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also +explains the method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting +a meeting. The motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being +classified according to the objects for which they are used, and those +of each class compared together so that the reader may obtain the best +motion for the accomplishment of any given object. It omits the +complications of parliamentary law, and has but few references to the +rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order to make it +complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. + +Definitions. + +In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called. + +Meeting and Session.--In this Manual the term "meeting" is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an "adjourned meeting" of the same session. + +A "meeting" of an assembly is terminated by a + +=== Page 16 ============================================================ + +temporary adjournment; a "session" of an assembly ends with an +adjournment without day, and may consist of many meetings [see Session, + 42]. + +Previous Question--This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to "Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly," with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +See 20 for a full explanation). + +Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +"objects to its consideration" (or "discussion," or "introduction"), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see 15]. + +Whenever the word "assembly," which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, "Society," or "Convention," or "Board." The +term "Congress," when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S. + +=== Page 17 ============================================================ + +Part I. + +Rules of Order. + +--- + +Art. I. Introduction of Business. +[ 1-5.] + +1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a +member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. It +is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of +committees [ 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other +cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is +dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes +necessary. + +2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any +question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must +rise and address the presiding officer + +=== Page 18 ============================================================ + +by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [ 34], who will then announce the +member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman +must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing +that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [ 14] can +he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the +floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to +the floor. + +The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, 36.] + +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from +addressing the assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a + +=== Page 19 ============================================================ + +motion to adjourn, or for any purpose, by either the Chairman or any +member, except (a) to have entered on the minutes a motion to reconsider +[ 27]; (b) by a call to order [ 14]; (c) by an objection to the +consideration of the question [ 15]; or (d) by a call for the orders of +the day [ 13].* [See note to 61.] In such cases the member when he +arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he "rises to a point of order." A call +for an adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is +not a motion; as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, +the Chair, and being announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for +the question are themselves breaches of order, and do not prevent the +speaker from going on if he pleases. + +3. Before any subject is open to debate [ 34] it is necessary, first, +that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see exceptions +below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When the +motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before +it is debated. + +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is +stated by the + +=== Page 20 ============================================================ + +presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into +debate. The member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by +the presiding officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it +entirely; after it is stated he can do neither, without the consent of +the assembly. [See 5 and 17]. When the mover modifies his motion, +the one who seconded it can withdraw his second. + +Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [ 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly. + +4. All Principal Motions [ 6], Amendments and Instructions to +Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into +several questions, no one member (without there is a special rule +allowing it) can insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move +that the question be divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be +divided. Any one else can move as + +=== Page 21 ============================================================ + +an amendment to this, to divide it differently. + +This Division of a Question is really an amendment [ 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to "commit with instructions," is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided "it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House." But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.] + +The motion to "strike out certain words and insert others," is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition. + +5. After a question has been stated by the presiding officer, it is in +the possession of the + +=== Page 22 ============================================================ + +assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any one +objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [ 17], or by +moving an amendment. + +Art. II. General Classification of Motions. +[ 6-9.] + +6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring +before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the +assembly. It takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, +Incidental and Subsidiary Questions [ 7, 8, 9]. + +7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a Principal +Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most appropriate +manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, and +must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They +yield to Privileged and Incidental Questions [ 8, 9], and are as +follows (being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + +=== Page 23 ============================================================ + +Lie on the Table .................... See 19. +The Previous Question ............... '' 20. +Postpone to a Certain Day ........... '' 21. +Commit .............................. '' 22. +Amend ............................... '' 23. +Postpone Indefinitely ............... '' 24. + +Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [ 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [ 19]. + +8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other questions, and, +consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, the +questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions +[ 9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, + +=== Page 24 ============================================================ + +they are undebatable; an Appeal is debatable or not, according to +circumstances, as shown in 14. They are as follows: + + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ........................... See 14. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question ............. '' 15. + The Reading of Papers .................................... '' 16. + Leave to Withdraw a Motion ............................... '' 17. + Suspension of the Rules .................................. '' 18. + +9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their importance, +take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account of +this very privilege they are undebatable [ 35], excepting when relating +to the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be +made use of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows +(being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn ...... See 10. + Adjourn .................................................. '' 11. + Questions relating to the Rights and + Privileges of the Assembly or any of + its Members ............................................ '' 12. + Call for the Orders of the Day ........................... '' 13. + +=== Page 25 ============================================================ + +Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[ 10-27.] + +Privileged Motions. +[ 10-13. See 9.] + +10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. This motion +takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the assembly +has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the result +of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it +is undebatable [ 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made +when no other question is before the assembly, it stands as any other +principal motion, and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better +to follow the common parliamentary law, and permit this question to be +introduced as a principal question, when it can be debated and +suppressed [ 58, 59] like other questions. In Congress, it is never +debatable, and has entirely superseded the unprivileged and inferior +motion to "adjourn to a particular time."] + +The form of this motion is, "When this assembly + +=== Page 26 ============================================================ + +adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time." + +11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes precedence of all +others, except to "fix the time to which to adjourn," to which it +yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [ 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses +its privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The +motion to adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening +business, though it be simply progress in debate [ 26]. When a +committee is through with any business referred to it, and prepared to +report, instead of adjourning, a motion should be made "to rise," which +motion, in committee, has the same privileges as to adjourn in the +assembly [ 32]. + +The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +["After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place." Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing finished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, 42]: + +=== Page 27 ============================================================ + +(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment. + +(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected. + +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not +meet more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an +elective body, and this session ends + +=== Page 28 ============================================================ + +the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall put an end +to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been +before the assembly. + +12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the rights and +privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence of +all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [ 20] can be applied to these, as to all other +debatable questions. + +13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day takes +precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [ 27], and +the three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not +debatable, nor can it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. + +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or +hour, they become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they +cannot be considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [ +39]. And when that day or hour arrives, if called up, they take +precedence of all but the three + +=== Page 29 ============================================================ + +preceding questions [ 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them the +assembly may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken +up on the day specified, the order falls to the ground. + +When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time. + +The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, "Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?" or, "Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?" + +The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [ 11]. + +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense + +=== Page 30 ============================================================ + +with the orders merely so far as they interfere with the consideration +of the question then before the assembly. + +Incidental Motions. +[ 14-18; see 8] + +14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes precedence +of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the presiding +officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +"I appeal from the decision of the Chair." If the Appeal is seconded, +the Chairman immediately states the question as follows: "Shall the +decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?"* [The +word Assembly can be replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., +according to the name of the organization.] This Appeal yields to +Privileged Questions [ 9]. It cannot be amended; it cannot be debated +when it relates simply to indecorum [ 36], or to transgressions of the +rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if it is made +while the previous question [ 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the + +=== Page 31 ============================================================ + +Chair, can state the reasons upon which he bases his decision. The +motions to Lie on the Table [ 19], or for the Previous Question [ 20], +can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, and when adopted they +affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may also be +reconsidered [ 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. + +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders +of the assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every +member, who notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. +In such cases he shall rise from his seat, and say, "Mr. Chairman, I +rise to a point of order." The speaker should immediately take his +seat, and the Chairman requests the member to state his point of order, +which he does, and resumes his seat. The Chair decides the point, and +then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first member to resume his +speech. If the member's remarks are decided to be improper, and any one +objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue it without a +vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language +used in debate, for a member to say, "I call the gentleman to order;" +the Chairman + +=== Page 32 ============================================================ + +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as +before. The Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to +decide questions of order, but the advice must be given sitting, to +avoid the appearance of debate; or the Chair, when unable to decide the +question, may at once submit it to the assembly. The effect of laying +an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least for the time, the +decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the question +which gave rise to the question of Order. + +15. Objection to the Consideration a Question. An objection can be +made to any principal motion [ 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of +order [ 14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, +and does not require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to +order, so can he put this question if he deems it necessary, upon his +own responsibility. It can not be debated [ 35] or have any subsidiary +motion [ 7] applied to it. When a motion is made and any member +"objects to its consideration," the Chairman shall immediately put the +question, "Will the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be +considered" + +=== Page 33 ============================================================ + +[or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote [ 39], +the whole matter is dismissed for that session [ 42]; otherwise the +discussion continues as if this question had never been made. + +The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41St Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: "Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, 'Will the House now consider it?' +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker." The English use the "Previous Question," for +a similar purpose [see note to 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, "Shall the +question be discussed?" The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.] + +Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see 8.] Where papers +are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have them once +read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a member +asks for the reading of any such + +=== Page 34 ============================================================ + +paper, evidently for information, and not for delay, the Chair should +direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a member has not the right +to have anything read (excepting stated above) without getting +permission from the assembly. + +17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see 8.] When a +question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one +objects, the presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection +is made, it will be necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a +motion for that purpose. This motion cannot be debated or amended. +When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never +been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn by the mover, before +a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be gained in +ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] + +18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, see 8.] +This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [ 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be +reconsidered [ 27], + +=== Page 35 ============================================================ + +nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [ 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, +though the next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot +be renewed the same day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be +suspended except for a definite purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. + +The Form of this motion is, to "suspend the rules which interfere with," +etc., specifying the object of the suspension. + +Subsidiary Motions. +[ 19-24; see 7.] + +19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of all other +Subsidiary Questions [ 7], and yields to any Privileged [ 9] or +Incidental [ 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or +have any other subsidiary motion [ 7] applied to it. It removes the +subject from consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the +table. + +The Form of this motion is, "I move that the question lie on the table," +or, "that it be laid on the table," or, "to lay the question + +=== Page 36 ============================================================ + +on the table." When it is desired to take the question up again, a +motion is made, either "to take the question from the table," or "to now +consider such and such a question;" which motion is undebatable, and +cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. + +The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [ 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [ 42]. + +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything +that adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie +on the table, the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with +it. The following cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [ 14] being +laid on the table, has the effect of sustaining, at least for the time, +the decision of the Chair, and does not carry the original subject to +the table. (b) So when a motion to reconsider [ 27] a question is + +=== Page 37 ============================================================ + +laid on the table, the original question is left where it was before the +reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the minutes being laid +on the table does not carry the minutes with it. + +Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +question before the assembly. + +20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name +for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has +nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To +demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That +debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the +questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English +Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used +for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the +enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent +for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this +country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the +question" [ 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a +view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a +vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as +different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority +vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not +allowed in the United Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable +question [ 35], and yields to Privileged [ 9] and Incidental [ 8] +questions and to the motion to Lie on the table [ 19]. It is not +debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary + +=== Page 38 ============================================================ + +[ 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its +adoption. + +When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the +main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [ 34] after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made. + +The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?"] + +=== Page 39 ============================================================ + +The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best. + +It applies to questions of privilege [ 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon. + +To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question. + +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is + +=== Page 40 ============================================================ + +carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to +bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to +postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [ 14] +or a motion to Reconsider [ 27] is pending when the Previous Question +is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. + +An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [ 22] exhausts the Previous +Question and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. + +[For other methods of closing debate see 37 and 58]. + +21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes precedence of a +motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any +Privileged [ 9] or Incidental [ 8] question, and to the motion to Lie +on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate +[ 35], and must not go into the merits of the subject matter any +further than is necessary to enable the + +=== Page 41 ============================================================ + +assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. + +The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [ 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[ 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[ 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [ 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day. + +22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject has been +previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [ 9] or +Incidental + +=== Page 42 ============================================================ + +[ 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for the +Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended +by altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, +and opens to debate [ 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to +commit. + +The Form of this motion is "to refer the subject to a committee." When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following +order: (1) Committee the whole [ 32], (2) a standing committee, and +(3) a special (or select) committee. The number of a committee is +usually decided without the formality of a motion, as in filling blanks +[ 25]: the Chairman asks "of how many shall the committee consist?" +and a question is then put upon each number suggested, beginning with +the largest. The number and kind of the committee need not be decided +till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a committee. If +the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include the +method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, +the Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is +usually decided informally. Sometimes the Chair "appoints," in which +case he names the members of the committee and no vote is taken + +=== Page 43 ============================================================ + +upon them; or the committee is "nominated" either by the Chair or +members of the assembly (no member nominating more than one except by +general consent), and then they are all voted upon together, except +where more nominations are made than the number of the committee, when +they shall be voted upon singly. + +Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly. + +In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, 29.] + +23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but the question +which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged + +=== Page 44 ============================================================ + +[ 9], Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] Question, except to +Indefinitely Postpone. It can be amended itself, but "amendment of an +amendment" cannot be amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one +already adopted, or may directly conflict with the spirit of the +original motion, but it must have a direct bearing upon the subject of +that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a vote of thanks could be +amended by substituting for "thanks" the word "censure;" or condemning +certain customs could be amended by adding other customs. + +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to "add or +insert" certain words or paragraphs; (b) to "strike out" certain words +or paragraphs, the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: +"Shall these words (or paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?" +and if this is adopted (that is, the motion to "strike out," fails) it +does not preclude either amendment or a motion to "strike out and +insert;" (c) "to strike certain words and insert others," which motion +is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude + +=== Page 45 ============================================================ + +another motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; +(d) to "substitute" another motion on the same subject for the one +pending; (e) to "divide the question" into two or more questions, as the +mover specifies, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or +points [see 4]. + +If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [ 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted. + +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the +words to be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand +if + +=== Page 46 ============================================================ + +the amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and +propositions containing several paragraphs, see 44.] + +The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend. + +The following motions cannot be amended: + + To Adjourn (when unqualified) ............................ See 11. + For the Orders of the Day ................................ '' 12. + All Incidental Questions ................................. '' 8. + To Lie on the Table ...................................... '' 19. + For the Previous Question ................................ '' 20. + An Amendment of an Amendment ............................. '' 23. + To Postpone Indefinitely ................................. '' 24. + Reconsider ............................................... '' 27. + +An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see 45]. + +24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence of nothing +except the Principal Question [ 6], and yields to any Privileged [ 9], +Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot +be amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed +to postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before +the assembly for that session [ 42]. + +=== Page 47 ============================================================ + +The Previous Question [ 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question. + +Miscellaneous Motions. +[ 25-27.] + +25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and the longest +time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the most +convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving +to strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number +of members to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a +motion, these different propositions not being regarded in the light of +amendments. + +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second +nomination, instead of being an amendment to the first, is an +independent motion, which, if the first fails, is to be immediately +voted upon. Any number of nominations can be made, the Chairman +announcing each name as he hears it, and they + +=== Page 48 ============================================================ + +should be voted upon in the order announced until one receives a vote +sufficient for an election. + +26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [ 6] or +Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken +up again at the same session [ 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [ +27]. The motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in +debate, or any business transacted. As a general rule the introduction +of any motion that alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to +renew any Privileged or Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the +Rules as provided in 18), or Subsidiary motion (excepting an +amendment), as in such a case the real question before the assembly is a +different one. + +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, +suppose afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is +now in order to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a +motion would not be in order, if it were not made till after the failure +of the motion to commit, as + +=== Page 49 ============================================================ + +the question then resumes its previous condition. + +When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed. + +27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when another member +has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to Adjourn, +during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [ 38], when the rule +above applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] +on which a motion has been acted upon, to move to "Reconsider the vote" +and have such motion "entered on the record," but it cannot be +considered while another question is before the assembly. It must be +made, excepting when the vote is by ballot, by a member who voted with +the prevailing side; for instance, in case a motion fails to pass for +lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be moved by one who +voted against the motion. + +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [ 7] motion takes +precedence of the main question. It yields to Privileged [ 9] + +=== Page 50 ============================================================ + +questions (except for the Orders of the Day, and Incidental [ 8] +questions. + +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result +can be more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a +similar reason, an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table +cannot be reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to +Suspend the Rules. It is debatable or not, just as the question to be +reconsidered is debatable or undebatable [ 35]; when debatable, it +opens up for discussion the entire subject to be reconsidered, and can +have the Previous question [ 20] applied to it without affecting any +thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid on the table [ 19], +and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; it is quite +common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must be +voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.* [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to +prevent its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the +table does not carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a +motion has been either adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the +motion as amended, it is not in order to reconsider the vote on the +amendment until + +=== Page 51 ============================================================ + +after the vote on the original motion has been reconsidered. If +anything which the assembly cannot reverse, has been done as the result +a vote, then that vote cannot be reconsidered. + +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the +original motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted +upon; but if it is not called up, its effect terminates with the session +[ 42], provided,* [In Congress the effect always terminates with the +session, and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, until the +expiration of the time during which it is in order to move a +reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular meetings as often +as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held of the one +at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not terminate +till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of this +section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another +question cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question +before the assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the +reconsideration, if called up, takes precedence of every thing except +the motions to adjourn, and to fix the time to which to adjourn. As +long as its effect lasts (as shown above), any one can call up the +motion to reconsider and have it acted upon--excepting that when its +effect extends beyond the meeting at which the motion was made, no one +but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the reconsideration +of an Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] + +=== Page 52 ============================================================ + +motion shall be immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent +action on the main question. + +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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [ 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly. + +When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [ 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made. + +A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see 28]. + +Note On Reconsider.--In the English Parliament a vote once taken +cannot be reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a +reconsideration of the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the +close of the last day for making the motion, any one can call up the +motion to reconsider, so that this motion cannot delay action more than +two days, and the effect + +=== Page 53 ============================================================ + +of the motion, if not acted upon, terminates with the session. There +seems to be no reason or good precedent for permitting merely two +persons, by moving a reconsideration, to suspend for any length of time +all action under resolutions adopted by the assembly, and yet where the +delay is very short the advantages of reconsideration overbalance the +evils. + +Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session. + +=== Page 54 ============================================================ + +Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action. +[ 28-33.] + +28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to have all +preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done by +means of committees. These may be either "standing committees" (which +are appointed for the session [ 42], or for some definite time, as one +year); or "select committees," appointed for a special purpose; or a +"committee of the whole" [ 32], consisting of the entire assembly. +[For method of appointing committees of the whole, see 32; other +committees, see commit, 22.] The first person named on a committee is +chairman, and should act as such, without the committee should see fit +to elect another chairman, which they are competent to do. The clerk +should furnish him, or some other member of the committee, with notice +of the appointment of the committee, giving the names + +=== Page 55 ============================================================ + +of the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as +the assembly have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee +together, and if there is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see +43,) he should read or have read, the entire resolutions referred to +them; he should then read each paragraph, and pause for amendments to be +offered; when the amendments to that paragraph are voted on he proceeds +to the next, only taking votes on amendments, as the committee cannot +vote on the adoption of matter referred to them by the assembly. + +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, +on amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which +draft has been previously prepared by one of their members or a +sub-committee); they do not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having +completed the amendments, they vote on the adoption of the entire +report. When there is a preamble, it is considered last. If the report +originates with the committee, all amendments are to be incorporated in +the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, the committee cannot +alter + +=== Page 56 ============================================================ + +the text, but must submit the original paper intact, with their +amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, 23) written on a +separate sheet. + +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed +its clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members +present at a meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the +members of the committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its +report. The minority may be permitted to submit their views in writing +also, either together, or each member separately, but their reports can +only be acted upon, by voting to substitute one of them for the report +of the committee. The rules of the assembly, as far as possible, shall +apply in committee; but a reconsideration [ 27] of a vote shall be +allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when every member who +voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is moved.* +[Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with +rather than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above +seems more just, and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary +committees, who usually reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage +can be taken of the privilege, as long as every member who voted with +the majority must be present when the reconsideration is moved.] A +committee (except a committee + +=== Page 57 ============================================================ + +of the whole, 32) may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the +business assigned them, a motion is made for the committee to "rise" +(which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and that the chairman +(or some member who is more familiar with the subject) make its report +to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as soon as the assembly +receives the report [ 30]. + +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, +its resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can +be made in the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be +by a report of the committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of +a committee to meet on the call of any two its of members, if the +chairman be absent or decline to appoint such meeting. When a committee +adjourns without appointing a time for the next meeting, it is called +together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a committee +adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though + +=== Page 58 ============================================================ + +usually advisable) that absent members should be notified of the +adjourned meeting. + +29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is usually +similar to the following: + +A standing committee reports thus: "The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report," [or "beg leave to report," or "beg +leave to submit the following report,"] etc., letting the report follow. + +A select or special committee reports as follows: "The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report," etc. Or for "The committee" is sometimes +written "Your committee," or "The undersigned, a committee." + +When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): "The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred," etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority. + +All reports conclude with, "All of which is + +=== Page 59 ============================================================ + +respectfully submitted." They are sometimes signed only by the chairman +of the committee, but if the matter is of much importance, it is better +that the report be signed by every member who concurs. The report is +not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as for example, +"Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a Hall." + +30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be "received"* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that "the report be +adopted and the committee discharged," when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time. + +=== Page 60 ============================================================ + +Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see 31 and 44]. + +When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. + +=== Page 61 ============================================================ + +31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a report, a +motion should be made to "adopt," "accept," or "agree to" the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the +doings of the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if +done by the assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the +report contains merely a statement of opinion or facts, the motion +should be to "accept" the report; if it also concludes with resolutions +or certain propositions, the motion should be to "agree to" the +resolutions, or to "adopt" the propositions. After the above motion is +made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the same as if there +had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by the motion +of the member who made the report. [See 34 for his privileges in +debate, and 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] + +32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to consider a subject +which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet where the +subject matter is not well digested + +=== Page 62 ============================================================ + +and put into proper form for its definite action, or, when for any other +reason, it is desirable for the assembly to consider a subject with all +the freedom of an ordinary committee, it is the practice to refer the +matter to the Committee of the Whole."* [In large assemblies, such as +the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member can speak to any +question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a necessity, +as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time it +can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] + +If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +"That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration," etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to "commit" [see 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section. + +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee +"rise and report," as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the "yeas and +nays" [ 38]. The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the +whole, is for the assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall +cease at a certain time, or that after a certain time no debate shall be +allowed excepting on new amendments, and then only one speech in favor +of + +=== Page 63 ============================================================ + +and one against it, of say, five minutes each; or in some other way +regulate the time for debate.* [In Congress no motion to limit debate in +committee of the whole is in order till after the subject has been +already considered in committee of the whole. As no subject would +probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, in an +ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The +rule as given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into +committee of the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, +such restrictions as are allowed in Congress after the subject has +already been considered in committee of the whole.] + +If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as be can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [ 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it. + +When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that "the committee rise and report," etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings. + +=== Page 64 ============================================================ + +This motion "to rise" is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +"the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;" or he will make such other report as will suit the case. + +The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [ 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn. + +=== Page 65 ============================================================ + +33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if in committee +of the whole). + +It has become customary in many assemblies, instead of going into +committee of the whole, to consider the question "informally," and +afterwards to act "formally." In a small assembly there is no objection +to this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and +treaties, upon their second reading are considered "as if the Senate +were in committee of the whole," which is equivalent to considering them +informally. [U. S. Senate Rules 28 and 38.) In large assemblies it is +better to follow the practice of the House of Representatives, and go +into committee of the whole.] While acting informally upon any +resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, and without +further motion the Chairman announces that "the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject +under consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will +report." The subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a +committee. While acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as +it is not necessary to move that the committee rise, but at any time the +adoption of such motions as to adjourn, the previous question, to +commit, or any motion except to amend or adopt, puts an end to the +informal consideration; as for example, the motion to commit is +equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: (1) +That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of + +=== Page 66 ============================================================ + +the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, +and (3) that it be referred to a committee. + +While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [ 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman's report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly's proceedings. + +Art. V. Debate and Decorum. + +[ 34-37.] + +34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read 1-5.] When a +motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, +he shall rise and respectfully address himself to "Mr. Chairman." +["Mr. President" is used where that is the designated title of the +presiding + +=== Page 67 ============================================================ + +officer; "Brother Moderator" is more common in religious meetings.] The +Chairman shall then announce his name [see 2]. By parliamentary +courtesy, the member upon whose motion a subject is brought before the +assembly is first entitled to the floor, even though another member has +risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of a report of a +committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this member +is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon +the question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [ 20] being +ordered, or in any other way. With this exception, no member shall +speak more than twice to the same question (only once to a question of +order, 14), nor longer than ten minutes at one time, without leave of +the assembly, and the question upon granting the leave shall be decided +by a majority vote without debate.* [The limit in time should vary to +suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches of ten minutes each +will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be increased, +when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can +speak more than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. +The fourth rule of the Senate is as follows: "No Senator shall speak +more than twice in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the +Senate, which question shall be decided without debate." If no rule is +adopted, each member can speak but once to the same question.] + +If greater freedom is desired, the + +=== Page 68 ============================================================ + +proper course is to refer the subject to the committee of the whole [ +32], or to consider it informally [ 33]. [For limiting or closing the +debate, see 37.] No member can speak the second time to a question, +until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an amendment, or +any other motion being offered, makes the real question before the +assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is +treated as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a +suggestion is not considered as speaking. + +35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be decided +without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a +privileged question, 10). + To Adjourn [ 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead +of to adjourn). + For the Orders of the Day [ 13], and questions relating to the +priority of business. + An Appeal [ 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, +or when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of +speaking, or to the priority of business. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question [ 15]. + +=== Page 69 ============================================================ + + Questions relating to Reading of Papers [ 16], or Withdrawing a +Motion [ 17], or Suspending the Rules [ 18], or extending the limits +of debate [ 34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to +continue his speech to one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate +[ 36]. + To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [ 19]. + The Previous Question [ 20]. + To Reconsider [ 26] a question which is itself undebatable. + +The motion to Postpone to a certain time [ 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [ 26], or to +Commit [ 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [ 24], opens the main question +[ 6] to debate. To Amend [ 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment. + +The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable. + +Note On Undebatable Questions.--The English common parliamentary law +makes all motions + +=== Page 70 ============================================================ + +debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing's +Manual, 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon +certain motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section +conform to the practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common +to allow of brief remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes +five or six members speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one +objects. + +By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [ 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles: + +(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question. + +(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [ 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [ 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure. + +Illustrations: To "Indefinitely Postpone" [ 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question. + +To "Postpone to a certain time" prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement. + +To "Lie on the Table" leaves the question so + +=== Page 71 ============================================================ + +that the assembly can at any time consider it, and therefore should not +be, and is not debatable. + +To "Commit" would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it if often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee. + +36. Decorum in Debate [see 2]. In debate a member must confine +himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to +conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while +debating such motion. In referring to another member, he should, as +much as possible, avoid using his name, rather referring to him as "the +member who spoke last," or in some other way describing him. The +officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official +titles. It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member, but the +nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms. +It is not the man, but the measure, that is the subject of debate. If +at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, or give +information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see + +=== Page 72 ============================================================ + + 40], the member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been +first heard. When called to order, the member must sit down until the +question of order is decided. If his remarks are decided to be +improper, he cannot proceed, if any one objects, without the leave of +the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which question there shall be no +debate. + +Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used. + +37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by the +Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative + +=== Page 73 ============================================================ + +and negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate +[see 38]. Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are +undebatable [ 35], and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a +two-thirds* [In Congress where each speaker can occupy the floor one +hour, any of these motions to cut off debate can be adopted by a mere +majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [ 39]: + + (a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is introduced, 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [ 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed. + + (b) To lie on the table [ 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action. + + (c) The previous question [ 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment. + +=== Page 74 ============================================================ + + (d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment. + +Art. VI. Vote. +[ 38-39.] + +38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it permits of no +modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; if the +question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are +various forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the +country. The rule in Congress, in + +=== Page 75 ============================================================ + +the House of Representatives, is as follows: "Questions shall be +distinctly put in this form, to-wit: 'As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;' and after the affirmative voice +is expressed, 'As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.'" The +following form is very common: "It has been moved and seconded that +(here state the question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; +those opposed, No." Or, if the motion is for the adoption of a certain +resolution, after it has been read the Chairman can say, "You have heard +the resolution read; those in favor of its adoption will hold up the +right hand; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign." These +examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of putting a question, +the affirmative being always put first. + +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in +the following form: "The motion is carried--the resolution is +adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is adopted." If, when +he announces a vote, any member rises and states that he doubts the +vote, or calls for a "division," the + +=== Page 76 ============================================================ + +Chairman shall say, "A division is called for; those in favor of the +motion will rise." After counting these, and announcing the number, he +shall say, "Those opposed will rise." will count these, announce the +number, and declare the result; that is, whether the motion is carried +or lost. Instead of counting the vote himself, he can appoint tellers +to make the count and report to him. When tellers are appointed, they +should be selected from both sides of the question. A member has the +right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) before the decision +of the question has been finally and conclusively pronounced by the +Chair, but not afterwards. + +Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put. + +No one can vote on a question affecting + +=== Page 77 ============================================================ + +himself, but if more than one name is included in the resolution (though +a sense of delicacy would prevent this right being exercised, excepting +when it would change the vote) all are entitled to vote; for if this +were not so, a minority could control an assembly by including the names +of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring charges against +them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. When +there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his +vote for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote +will make a tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. + +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when +required by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the +assembly has ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such +cases, appoints at least two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon +which each member, including the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect +to vote before the ballots are counted, he cannot then vote without the +permission of the assembly.] writes his vote; the votes are then +collected, counted by the tellers, and the result reported to the +Chairman, who announces + +=== Page 78 ============================================================ + +it to the assembly. The Chairman announces the result of the vote, in +case of an election to office, in a manner similar to the following: +"The whole number of votes cast is --; the number necessary for an +election is --; Mr. A. received --; Mr. B. --; Mr. C. --. Mr. B. having +received the required number is elected." Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the +assembly for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is +necessary to ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make +a vote unanimous, it fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots +all blanks are ignored. + +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question +be taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has +the effect to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to +this country, and while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely +useful in ordinary societies. By the Constitution, one-fifth of the +members present can, in either house of Congress, order a vote to be +taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the resulting +inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can +only be ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to +hinder business. In representative bodies it is very useful, especially +where the proceedings are published, as it enables the people to know +how their representatives voted on important measures. In some small +bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays, upon the +demand of a single member.] In this method of voting the Chairman states +both sides of the question + +=== Page 79 ============================================================ + +at once; the clerk calls the roll and each member as his name is called +rises and answers yes or no, and the clerk notes his answer. Upon the +completion of the roll call the clerk reads over the names of those who +answered the affirmative, and afterwards those in the negative, that +mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number voting on each side +to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be made in the +minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of those +in the negative. + +The form of putting a question upon which vote has been ordered to be +taken by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: "As many as are in +favor of the adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are +called, answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." The +Chairman will then direct the clerk to call the roll. The negative +being put at the same time as the affirmative, it is too late, after the +question is put, to renew the + +=== Page 80 ============================================================ + +debate. After the commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask +to be excused from voting. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in +committee of the whole [ 32]. + +39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no rule to the +contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum [ +43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for +the suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions +to suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper +order, and to make a special order [see note to 37].] The following +motions shall require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right +of discussion, and the right to have the rules enforced, should not be +abridged by a mere majority: + + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question .............. 15. + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ................ 13. + To Suspend the Rules ......................................... 18. + The Previous Question ........................................ 20. + To Close or Limit Debate ..................................... 37. + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ........... 43. + To Make a special order ...................................... 13. + +=== Page 81 ============================================================ + +Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes. +[ 40, 41.] + +40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read 44, and also +40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title has +been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of +the assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. + +His duties are generally as follows: + +To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [ 44] to state and to put to vote [ 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote; + +To restrain the members, when engaged in + +=== Page 82 ============================================================ + +debate, within the rules of order; to enforce on all occasions the +observance of order and decorum [ 36] among the members, deciding all +questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly by any two +members, 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; + +To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceeding of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will and in all things obeying its +commands. + +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise +while putting the questions in very small bodies, such as committees, +boards of trustees, &c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it +sitting; he shall also rise from his seat (without calling any one to +the chair), when speaking to a question of order, which he can do in +preference to other members. In referring to himself he should always +use his official title thus: "The Chair decides so and so," not "I +decide, &c." When a member has the floor, the chairman cannot interrupt +him as long as he does not transgress + +=== Page 83 ============================================================ + +any of the rules of the assembly, excepting as provided in 2. + +He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote. + +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a +chairman pro tem.,* [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one +on the list that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman +during the absence of the President, and should always be called to the +chair when the President temporarily vacates it.] but the first +adjournment puts an end to the appointment, which the assembly can +terminate before, if it pleases, by electing another chairman. But the +regular chairman, knowing that he will be absent from a future meeting, +cannot authorize another member to act + +=== Page 84 ============================================================ + +in his place at such meeting; the clerk [ 41], or in his absence any +member, should in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman +pro tem. be elected, who would hold office during that session [ 42], +without such office was terminated by the entrance of the regular +chairman. + +The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. "It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate." [Cushing's +Manual, page 106.] "Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact." [Jefferson's Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay's "Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.," page 195.]] + +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and +set the example of strict conformity to it, but he should be a + +=== Page 85 ============================================================ + +man of executive ability, capable of controlling men; and it should +never be forgotten, that, to control others, it is necessary to control +one's self. An excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a +meeting. + +A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that--"The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense." + +41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording officer is +usually called + +=== Page 86 ============================================================ + +the "Clerk" or "Secretary,"* [When there are two secretaries, he is +termed the "recording secretary," and the other one, the "corresponding +secretary." In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a +certain extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as +banker, only paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary +alone, or by the president and secretary. In such cases the secretary +becomes in reality the financial officer of the society, and should make +reports to the society, of funds received and from what sources, and of +the funds expended and for what purposes. See 52 for his duties as +financial officer.] and the record of proceedings the "Minutes." His +desk should be near that of the chairman, and in the absence of the +chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the hour for +opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which +should be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, +commencing in a form similar to the following :* [See Clerk and Minutes +in Part II, 51.] + +"At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held +on the 31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the +President in the chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and +approved." If the regular clerk is absent, insert after the words "in +the chair," the following: "The clerk being absent, Robert Smith was +appointed clerk pro tem. + +=== Page 87 ============================================================ + +The minutes were then read and approved." If the minutes were not read, +say "the reading of the minutes was dispensed with." The above form +will show the essentials, which are as follows: (a) The kind of +meeting, "regular" [or stated] or "special," or "adjourned regular," +or "adjourned special;" (b) name of the assembly; (c) date and place of +meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the fact of +the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous +meeting were approved. + +The minutes should he signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers. + +In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted. + +=== Page 88 ============================================================ + +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have +at least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of +Boards of Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in +reporting the debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly +to record what is "done" by the assembly, not what is said by the +members. Without there is a rule to the contrary, he should enter every +Principal motion [ 6] that is before the assembly, whether it is +adopted or rejected; and where there is a division [see Voting, 38], +or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter the number of votes on +each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [ 38], he should +enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He should +endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the +records, for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a +brief summary of a report that has been agreed to, except where it +contains resolutions, in which case the resolutions will he entered in +full as adopted by the assembly, and not as + +=== Page 89 ============================================================ + +if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [ 32], or while acting informally [ 33], should not be entered +on the minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to +read over the minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or +society will not occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings +are not separated by too great a time, the minutes are read at the next +meeting. + +The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [ 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members. + +=== Page 90 ============================================================ + +Art. VIII. Miscellaneous. +[ 42-45.] + +42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions in +Introduction for the distinction between "meeting" and "session."] +which, though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a +session of a Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it +terminates by an "adjournment without day." The intermediate +adjournments from day to day, or the recesses taken during the day, do +not destroy the continuity of the meeting--they in reality constitute +one session. In the case of a permanent society, having regular +meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each meeting +constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however can +be prolonged by adjourning to another day. + +If a principal motion [ 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see +Renewal of a Motion, 26], it can be at + +=== Page 91 ============================================================ + +the next, without it is prohibited by a rule of the assembly. + +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the +assembly at any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or +resolution of a permanent nature, and it continues in force until at +some future session it is rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they +are termed, do not interfere with future sessions, because at any moment +a majority can suspend or rescind them, or adopt new ones.] without it +is expressly so provided in their Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules of +Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of amendments, +and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are not +subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or +wishes of any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were +ill, it would not be competent for one session of the assembly to elect +a chairman to hold office longer than that session, as it cannot control +or dictate to the next session of the assembly. By going through the +prescribed routine of an election to fill the vacancy, giving whatever +notice is required, it could then legally elect a chairman to hold +office while the vacancy lasted. So it + +=== Page 92 ============================================================ + +is improper for an assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the +next succeeding session, and thus attempt to prevent the next session +from considering the question. On the other band, it is not permitted +to move a reconsideration [ 27] of a vote taken at a previous session +[though the motion to reconsider can be called up, provided it was made +at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees can be +appointed to report at a future session. + +Note On Session--In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual. + +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of +an ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very +great. [Examine Indefinitely Postpone, 24, and Renewal of a Motion, +26.] If members of any society take advantage of the freedom allowed by +considering + +=== Page 93 ============================================================ + +each regular meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious +or unprofitable motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the +second introduction of any principal question [ 6] within, say, three +or six months after its rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after +the society has refused to consider it. But generally it is better to +suppress the motion by refusing to consider it [ 15]. + +43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is competent to +transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the subject, +the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is +usual to adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than +one-twentieth of its members; this becomes a necessity in most large +societies, where only a small fraction of the members are ever present +at a meeting.* [While a quorum is competent to transact any business, it +is usually not expedient to transact important business without there is +a fair attendance at the meeting, or else previous notice of such action +has been given.] + +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except +where there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can +be transacted, except simply + +=== Page 94 ============================================================ + +to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is found not to be a +quorum present, the only thing to be done is to adjourn--though if no +question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, but no vote +taken, except to adjourn. + +In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum. + +44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society having a +permanent existence, + +=== Page 95 ============================================================ + +to adopt an order of business for its meetings. When no rule has been +adopted, the following is the order: + + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval]. + (2) Reports of Standing Committees. + (3) Reports of Select Committees. + (4) Unfinished Business. + (5) New Business. + +Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a "special order" for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [ 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [ 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of. + +The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,--one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see 30]. In 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows: + +=== Page 96 ============================================================ + +The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, "Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" If none +are offered, he says, "No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;" he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph. + +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the +clerk reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first +and puts it to the question, and so on till all the amendments are +adopted or rejected, admitting amendments to the committee's amendments, +but no others. When + +=== Page 97 ============================================================ + +through with the committee's amendments, the Chairman pauses for any +other amendments to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are +voted on, he puts the question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as +amended. Where the resolutions have been just read by the member +presenting them, the reading by the clerk is usually dispensed with +without the formality of a vote. By "suspending the rules" [ 18], or +by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without following +any of the above routine. + +45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be amended at any +regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the members +present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous +regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their +being amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous +notice of the amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain +rules that it may be desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should +state how they can be suspended, just as is done in these Rules of +Order, 18. If there is no such rule it is impossible to suspend any +rule, if a single member objects. + +=== Page 98 ============================================================ +=== Page 99 ============================================================ + +PART II. + +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.* +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms +permitted, but that these forms are proper and common. They are +inserted for the benefit of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, +and are sufficiently numerous for ordinary meetings.] + +Art. IX. Organization and Meetings. +[ 46-49.] + +46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) Organization. When a meeting +is held which is not one of an organized society, shortly after the +time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly steps +forward and says: "The meeting will please come to order; I move that +Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting." Some one else says, "I second +the motion." The first member then puts the + +=== Page 100 =========================================================== + +question to vote, by saying, "It has been moved and seconded that Mr. A. +act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the motion will say +aye," and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, "those opposed +will say no." If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* [Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, +the assembly signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. 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 Mr. A. 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 before. 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 a vote on the first one he heard, putting +the question thus: "As many as are in favor of + +=== Page 101 =========================================================== + +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;--those +opposed will say no." If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. +C., and so on, till some one is elected. In large meetings the +secretary takes his seat near the chairman: he should in all cases keep +a record of the proceedings as described in 51. + +(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all that are +usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, the +chairman asks, "What is the further pleasure of the meeting?" If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some +special subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for +some one to offer a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else +to move 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, +then says, "I move the adoption of the following resolutions," which he +then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in legislative +bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and +only one chairman. In many 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, without there is a rule or established custom to the +contrary, it is allowable, and frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are fully +understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of +Order, 44.] + +=== Page 102 =========================================================== + +some one else says, "I second the motion." The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he +says, "The question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read," +and if no one rises immediately, he adds, "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 just read, will say aye;" after the ayes +have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no;" +he then announces the result of the vote as follows: "The motion is +carried--the resolutions are adopted," or, "The ayes have it the +resolutions are 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 been recognized, says, "I move that a committee be appointed +to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on," + +=== Page 103 =========================================================== + +etc., adding the subject for which the meeting was called. This motion +being seconded, the Chairman states the question [ 67] and asks, "Are +you ready for the question?" If no one rises, he puts the question, +announces the result, and, if it is carried, he 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 the members of the assembly (no member naming more than +one, except by unanimous consent), and then the assembly vote 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, will say + +=== Page 104 =========================================================== + +aye." If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more +names mentioned than the number of the committee, a separate vote should +be taken on each name. (In a mass meeting it is safer to have all +committees appointed by the chairman.) + +When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, 2.] when he says, "The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly. + +A member then moves the "adoption" or + +=== Page 105 =========================================================== + +"acceptance" of the report, or that "the resolutions be agreed to," +which motions have the same effect if carried, namely, to make the +resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the committee had +had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a report +has been read, to move that it be received whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is +only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards move its +adoption.] + +When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in 55-63. + +When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves "to adjourn;" if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, "The motion is carried; +this assembly stands adjourned without day." [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in 48.] + +(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are + +=== Page 106 =========================================================== + +required than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before +introducing the resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; +or the assembly can first form a temporary organization in the manner +already described, only adding "pro tem." to the title of the officers, +thus: "chairman pro tem." In this latter case, as soon as the +secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is appointed to nominate the +permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [ 47]. Frequently +the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes there is a +large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. + +47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If the members +of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it becomes +necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of +a chairman + +=== Page 107 =========================================================== + +and secretary "pro tem.," when the chairman announces, "The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials." A +motion may then be made covering the entire case, thus: "I move that a +committee of three on the credentials of members be appointed by the +Chair, and that the committee report as soon as practicable;" or they +may include only one of these details, thus: "I move that a committee +be appointed on the credentials of members." In either case the Chair +proceeds as already described in the cases of committees on resolutions +[ 46, (c)]. + +On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote. + +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least +for the time, announces that "The next business in order is the election +of permanent officers of the assembly." Some one then moves the +appointment of a + +=== Page 108 =========================================================== + +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: "I move +that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the +permanent officers of this convention." This motion is treated as +already explained. When the committee make their report, some one moves +"That the report of the committee be accepted and that the officers +nominated be declared the officers of this convention.* [Where there is +any competition for the offices, it is better that they be elected by +ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee report, a motion +can be made as follows: "I move that the convention now proceed to +ballot for its permanent officers;" or "I move that we now proceed to +the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention." +[See Rules of Order 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] +The constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the +officers shall be elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the +chairman declares the officers elected, and instantly calls the new +presiding officer to the chair, and the temporary secretary is at the +same time replaced. The convention is now organized for work. + +48. A Permanent Society. (a) First Meeting. When it is desired to +form a permanent society, those interested in it should see that only +the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain time and +place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to organize +a society, to commence until + +=== Page 109 =========================================================== + +fifteen or thirty minutes after the appointed time, when some one 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 an "occasional +meeting" [ 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is +elected, he announces as the first business in order the election of a +secretary. + +After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting. + +When a sufficient time has been spent in this + +=== Page 110 =========================================================== + +informal way, some one should offer a resolution, so that definite +action can be taken. Those interested in getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as +already described [ 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been +offered at the commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very +large one, this would probably be better than to have the informal +discussion. + +After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly." This motion can be amended [ 56] +by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable. + +=== Page 111 =========================================================== + +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 meeting?" When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see 63] 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.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are conducted like +this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the business in +the order prescribed by the rules of the society [ 72]. For example, +after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, "The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees." He +may then call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: +"Has the committee on applications for membership any report to make?" +In which case the committee may report, as shown above, or some member +of it reply that they have no report to make. Or, when the chairman +knows that there are but few if any reports to make, 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 select +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.] 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 + +=== Page 112 =========================================================== + +please come to order:" as soon as the assembly is seated, he adds, "The +secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting." If any one +notices an error in the minutes, he can 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, "If there is no objection the +minutes will stand approved as read" [or "corrected," if any corrections +have been made]. + +He 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, reads +the committee's report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and +formal bodies the chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the +report, usually directs the secretary to read it again. See note to +46 (c), for a few common errors in acting upon reports of committees. +[See also note to 46 (b).]] If no motion is made, the chairman says, +"You have heard the report read -- + +=== Page 113 =========================================================== + +what order shall be taken upon it?" Or simply inquires, "What shall be +done with the report?" Some one moves its adoption, or still better, +moves "the adoption of the Constitution reported by the committee," and +when seconded, the chairman says, "The question is on the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee." He then reads the first +article of the Constitution, and asks, "Are there any amendments +proposed to this article?" If none are offered, after a pause, he reads +the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus until he +reads the last article, when he says, "The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment." Now any one can move amendments to +any part of the Constitution. + +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;" and then, "As many +as are opposed, will say no." He distinctly announces the result of the +vote, which should always be done. If the articles of the Constitution +are subdivided into sections + +=== Page 114 =========================================================== + +or paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or +paragraphs, instead of by articles. + +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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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. + +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and +says, "The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws." Some one +moves the adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they +are treated just like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, "What +is the further pleasure of the meeting?" or states that the next +business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the +society. In either case some one moves the appointment of a committee +to nominate the permanent officers of the society, which motion is +treated as already described in 47. As + +=== Page 115 =========================================================== + +each officer is elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are +all elected the organization is completed. + +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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated. + +49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules. In +forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure copies +of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending +each article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When +they have completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the +committee. The By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having +finished the work assigned them, some one moves, "That the committee +rise, and that the chairman (or some other + +=== Page 116 =========================================================== + +member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly." If this +is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: "Your committee, appointed to draft a +Constitution and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with +the recommendation that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws +of this society;" which is signed by all the members of the committee +that concur in it. Sometimes the report is only signed by the chairman +of the committee. + +In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following: + +(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving + details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution. + +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided +into sections. The + +=== Page 117 =========================================================== + +Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it should be +made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the amendment +is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [ 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than +two-thirds, and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should +not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: "The rules contained in--(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society." Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting. + +=== Page 118 =========================================================== + +In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [ 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for. + +=== Page 119 =========================================================== + +Art. X. Officers and Committees. + +50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman to call the +meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the meetings, +to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to +preserve order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order +(subject to an appeal). When he "puts a question" to vote, and when +speaking upon an appeal, he should stand;* [In meetings of boards of +managers, committees and other small bodies, the chairman usually +retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not rise.] in all +other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect the +result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member +rises to speak, he + +=== Page 120 =========================================================== + +should say, "Mr. Chairman," and the chairman should reply, "Mr. A;" he +should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should +listen to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the +assembly. The chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance +of partizanship, but he has the right to call another member to the +chair while he addresses the assembly on a question; when speaking to a +question of order he does not leave the chair. + +51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is variously +called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of which +depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every +resolution or motion that is adopted. + +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for +publication, and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and +generally best, to appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it +is a tax on the judgment of the clerk to decide what to enter on the +record, or the "Minutes," as it is usually called. Sometimes the points +of each speech should be entered, + +=== Page 121 =========================================================== + +and at other times only the remark that the question was discussed by +Messrs. A., B. and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in +the negative. Every resolution that is adopted should be entered, which +can be done in this form: "On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, +&c." + +Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book. + +The Form of the Minutes can be as follows: + +"At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on +Tuesday evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting +as secretary, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and + +=== Page 122 =========================================================== + +approved. The committee on Applications reported the names of Messrs. +C. and D. as applicants for membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they +were admitted as members. The committee on --- reported a series of +resolutions, which were thoroughly discussed and amended, and finally +adopted as follows: + +"Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " + +On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned. +L- B-, Secretary. + +If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper. + +The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society. + +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, +not specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his + +=== Page 123 =========================================================== + +duties are also of a financial kind, when he should make such reports as +are prescribed in the next section. + +52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different societies. +In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely holding +the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always +required, in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on +hand at the commencement of the year, the amount received during the +year (stating from what source received), the total amount paid out by +order of the society, and the balance on hand. When this report is +presented it is referred to an "auditing committee," consisting of one +or two persons, who examine the treasurer's books and vouchers, and +certify on his report that they "have examined his accounts and vouchers +and find them correct, and the balance on hand is," etc., stating the +amount on hand. The auditing committee's report being accepted is +equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, namely, +that the treasurer's report is correct. + +In the case here supposed, the real financial + +=== Page 124 =========================================================== + +statement is made either by the board of trustees, or by the secretary +or some other officer, according to the Constitution of the society. +The principles involved, are, that every officer who receives money is +to account for it in a report to the society, and that whatever officer +is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the society. +If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary +should make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable +the society to readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. + +It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct. + +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he +makes a payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as +they are the vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the +auditing committee. Disbursing officers cannot be + +=== Page 125 =========================================================== + +too careful in keeping their accounts, and they should insist upon +having their accounts audited every time they make a report, as by this +means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee's report that the financial +report is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the +responsibility of the past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it +would cause no trouble. The best form for these financial reports +depends upon the kind of society, and is best determined by examining +those made in similar societies. + +The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures): + +Treasurer's Report. + +The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report: + +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was --- dollars and +--- cents. There was received from all sources during the year, --- +dollars and --- cents; during the same time the + +=== Page 126 =========================================================== + +expenses amounted to --- dollars and --- cents, leaving a balance on +hand of --- dollars and --- cents. The annexed statement of receipts +and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the receipts +were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. + +Treasurer M. L. S. + +The "Statement of receipts and expenditures" can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee's certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows: + +Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +1874. 1874. + +Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand + '' Gas ........... 80 00 from last year's + '' Stationery .... 26 50 account .......... $ 21 13 + '' Janitor ....... 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00 + '' Balance on hand 24 63 '' members' dues .. 875 00 + ------- ------- + $991 13 $991 13 + +We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm. + +=== Page 127 =========================================================== + +53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those where but +little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees +are of the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in +nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A +committee for action should be small and consist only of those heartily +in favor of the proposed action. A committee for deliberation or +investigation, on the contrary, should be larger and represent all +parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with it as great +weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on +the committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in +46 (c). + +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his +duty to call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If +he is absent, or from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it +is the duty of the committee to assemble on the call of any two of their +members. The committee are a miniature assembly, only being able to act +when + +=== Page 128 =========================================================== + +a quorum is present. If a paper is referred to them they must not +deface it in any way, but write their amendments on a separate sheet. +If they originate the paper, all amendments must be incorporated in it. +When they originate the paper, usually one member has previously +prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read by +paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, "Are +there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" No vote is taken on +the adoption of the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has +been read in this way, it is open to amendment, generally, by striking +out any paragraph or inserting new ones, or by substituting an entirely +new paper for it. When it has been amended to suit the committee, they +should adopt it as their report, and direct the chairman or some other +member to report it to the assembly. It is then written out, usually +commencing in a style similar to this: "The committee to which was +referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the following +report;" or, "Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report," etc. It usually closes thus: "All of which is +respectfully submitted," followed by the signatures of + +=== Page 129 =========================================================== + +all the members concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of +the chairman. + +If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: "The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed," etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee's report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee's report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to recommit), if adopted, revives the committee. + +Art. XI. Introduction of Business. + +54. Any member wishing to bring business before the assembly, should, +without it is very simple, write down in the form of a motion, what he +would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: + +Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality. + +=== Page 130 =========================================================== + +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and +addresses the chairman by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman," who +immediately recognizes him by announcing his name.* [If the chairman has +any special title, as President, for instance, he should be addressed by +it, thus: "Mr. President." Sometimes the chairman recognizes the +speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course is to announce +his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he "moves the adoption +of the following resolution," which he reads and hands to the chairman.* +[Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes to +offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, "It +has been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted," +when he reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then +state the question thus: "The question is on the adoption of the +resolution just read." The merits of the resolution are then open to +discussion, but before any member can discuss the question or make any +motion, he must first obtain the floor as just described. After the +chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or when he +thinks the debate closed, he asks, "Are you ready for the question?" If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the +following: "The question is on the adoption of the resolution + +=== Page 131 =========================================================== + +which you have heard; as many as are in favor of its adoption will say +aye." When the ayes have voted, he says, "As many as are of a. contrary +opinion will say no."* [There are many other ways of putting a question; +see 67, and Rules of Order, 38. Other illustrations of the ordinary +practice in introducing business will be seen in 46-48.] He then +announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or lost, as +the case may be, in the following form: "The motion is carried--the +resolution is adopted;" or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is +adopted." A majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption +of any motion, excepting those mentioned in 68. + +Art. XII. Motions. + +55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead of +immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, +it may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this +purpose various motions have come into use, which can be made while a +resolution is being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. +No one can make any of these motions while another member has the floor, + +=== Page 132 =========================================================== + +excepting as shown in 64, which see for the circumstances under which +each motion can be made. + +The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.] + +Motions Classified. + + (1) To Amend or Modify ....................................... [ 56] + (a) Amend. + (b) Commit. + (2) To Defer action .......................................... [ 57] + (a) Postpone to a certain time. + (b) Lie on the Table. + (3) To Suppress Debate ....................................... [ 58] + (a) Previous Question. + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate. + (4) To Suppress the question ................................. [ 59] + (a) Objection to its Consideration. + (b) Postpone Indefinitely. + (c) Lie on the Table. + (5) To Consider a question the second time ................... [ 60] + (a) Reconsider. + (6) Order and Rules .......................................... [ 61] + (a) Orders of the day. + (b) Special Orders. + (c) Suspension of the Rules. + (d) Questions of Order. + (e) Appeal. + +=== Page 133 =========================================================== + + (7) Miscellaneous ............................................ [ 62] + (a) Reading of Papers. + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion. + (c) Questions of Privilege. + (8) To close a meeting ....................................... [ 63] + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn. + (b) Adjourn. + +56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If it is desired to modify the +question in any way, the proper motion to make is to "amend," either by +"adding" words, or by "striking out" words; or by "striking out certain +words and inserting others;" or by "substituting" a different motion on +the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by "dividing the +question" into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as to +get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its +friends, and thus defeat it. + +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should +always state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly +what is before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to +amend; then the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the +words to be inserted, if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will +stand if the + +=== Page 134 =========================================================== + +amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the +adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being +confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main +question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of +adopting the amendment. + +This amendment can be amended, but an "amendment of an amendment" cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely. + +(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs +more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move "to refer it to a committee." This motion can be made while an +amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to +debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the +committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or +by giving them any other instructions. [See 53 on committees, and +46 (c) on their appointment.] + +57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a certain time. If it is desired +to defer action + +=== Page 135 =========================================================== + +upon a question till a particular time, the proper motion to make, is to +"postpone it to that time." This motion allows of but limited debate, +which must be confined to the propriety of the postponement to that +time; it can be amended by altering the time, and this amendment allows +of the same debate. The time specified must not be beyond that session +[ 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, in which case it +comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. This motion +can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. + +(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to a particular +time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some other +question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to +defeat a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it +at any other time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken +from the table, except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the +society of the advantages of the motion to "lie on the table." because +it would not be safe to lay a question aside temporarily, if one-third +of the assembly were opposed to the measure, as that one-third could +prevent its ever being taken from the table. A bare majority should not +have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or +prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of 35, +Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the +question "lie on the table." This motion + +=== Page 136 =========================================================== + +allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts +the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the +assembly vote to "take it from the table" (which latter motion is +undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used +to suppress a measure, as shown in 59 (c). + +58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous Question. While as a general +rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* [Except an "objection to +the consideration of the question" [ 59 (a)]. See note to 35, Rules +of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] which, if +adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing it +from before the assembly for the session--yet, to prevent a minority +from making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have +methods by which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken +upon a question. + +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, +it is only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and "call for the +previous question;" this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows +of no debate, instantly puts the question, thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" If this is carried by a two-thirds vote [ 68], +all debate instantly + +=== Page 137 =========================================================== + +ceases, excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, +or reported it from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to +the floor to close the debate; after which, the chairman immediately +puts the questions to the assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if +it is pending; if this is carried, of course the subject goes to the +committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is next taken on amendments, +and finally on the resolution as amended. + +If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate. + +(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, instead of cutting +off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is desirable +to allow of but very limited debate. In + +=== Page 138 =========================================================== + +this case, a motion is made to limit the time allowed each speaker or +the number of speeches on each side, or to appoint a time at which +debate shall close and the question be put. The motion may be made to +limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main question would +afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made simply on +an amendment to an amendment. + +In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions. + +59. To Suppress the Question. (a) Objection to the consideration of a +question. Sometimes a resolution is introduced that the assembly do not +wish to consider at all, because it is profitless, or irrelevant to the +objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. The proper course to +pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is introduced, to +"object to the consideration of the question." This objection not +requiring a second, the chairman immediately + +=== Page 139 =========================================================== + +puts the question, "Will the assembly consider this question?" If +decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote, the question is +immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced during that +session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another +member has the floor. + +(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been debated, the +proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the session, +is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an +amendment has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is +before the assembly. It opens the merits of the main question to debate +to as great an extent as if the main question were before the assembly. +On account of these two facts, in assemblies with short sessions it is +not very useful, as the same result can usually be more easily attained +by the next motion. + +(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during the remainder +of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the question, +then the quickest way of suppressing it is + +=== Page 140 =========================================================== + +to move "that the question lie on the table;" which, allowing of no +debate, enables the majority to instantly lay the question on the table, +from which it cannot be taken without their consent. + +From its high rank [ 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration. + +60. To Consider a question a second time. Reconsider. When a question +has been once adopted, rejected or suppressed, it cannot be again +considered during that session [ 70], except by a motion to "reconsider +the vote" on that question. This motion can only be made by one who +voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken which it +is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any +one can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered +on all important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary +societies.] It can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of +debate, even when another member has the floor, but cannot be considered +until there is no question + +=== Page 141 =========================================================== + +before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. + +A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable. + +If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote. + +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be +called up by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If +the assembly has not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph +would not apply, but this motion to reconsider would, like any other +motion, fall to the ground if not acted upon before the close of the +session at which the original vote was adopted.] If he fails to call it +up then, any one else can do so. But should there be no succeeding +meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, then the effect of +the motion to reconsider + +=== Page 142 =========================================================== + +terminates with the adjournment of the meeting at which it was made, and +any one can call it up at that meeting. + +In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.] + +61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the Day. Sometimes an assembly +decides that certain questions shall be considered at a particular time, +and when that time arrives those questions constitute what is termed the +"orders of the day," and if any member "calls for the orders of the +day," as it requires no second, the + +=== Page 143 =========================================================== + +chairman immediately puts the question, thus: "Will the assembly now +proceed to the orders of the day?" If carried, the subject under +consideration is laid aside, and the questions appointed for that time +are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the chairman may +state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot +be renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* +[In Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a +call for the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most +common case where orders of the day are decided upon is where it is +necessary to make a programme for the session. When the hour arrives +for the consideration of any subject on the programme, these rules +permit any member to call for the orders of the day (as described in +Rules of Order, 2) even though another person has the floor. If this +were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone +the orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion +of the question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when +any subject shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules +of the assembly; the latter must be enforced by the chairman, without +they are suspended by a two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can +only be carried out by the order of a majority of the assembly then +present and voting.] + +(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that it is +desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made +to make the question a "special order" for that particular time. This + +=== Page 144 =========================================================== + +motion requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really +a suspension of the rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to +suspend the rules is in order. If a subject is a special order for a +particular day, then on that day it supersedes all business except the +reading of the minutes. A special order can be postponed by a majority +vote. If two special orders are made for the same day, the one first +made takes precedence. + +(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every assembly, if +discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being wasted, +and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by +suspending their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes +a motion "to suspend the rules that interfere with," etc., stating the +object of the suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds +vote, then the particular thing for which the rules were suspended can +be done. By "general consent," that is, if no one objects, the rules +can at any time be ignored without the formality of a motion. + +(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to enforce the +rules and preserve + +=== Page 145 =========================================================== + +order, and when any member notices a breach of order, he can call for +the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he rises he usually +says, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order." The chairman then +directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of +order, decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his +speech, directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be +out of order. When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he +cannot continue his speech, if any one objects, without permission is +granted him by a vote of the assembly. Instead of the above method, +when a member uses improper language, some one says, "I call the +gentleman to order;" when the chairman decides as before whether the +language is disorderly. + +(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of interpretation of +the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the chairman to +first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to "appeal +from the decision." If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the +question, thus: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment +of the assembly?" [or society, convention, etc.] + +=== Page 146 =========================================================== + +The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained or reversed, as the case may be. + +62. Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a +motion. If a speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw +his motion after it has been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if +any one objects, to make a motion to grant the permission. + +(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur during the +meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of the +members, any member may "rise to a question of privilege," and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of +privilege: (from the chairman's decision of course an appeal can be +taken). If the question is one of privilege, it supersedes, + +=== Page 147 =========================================================== + +for the time being, the business before the assembly; its consideration +can be postponed to another time, or the previous question can be +ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid on the table, or +referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon as the +question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. + +63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. If it +is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the assembly, it is best some +time before its close to move, "That when this assembly adjourns, it +adjourns to meet at such a time," specifying the time. This motion can +be amended by altering the time, but if made when another question is +before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it +stands as any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can +be made even while the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but +not when another member has the floor. + +(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly + +=== Page 148 =========================================================== + +from being kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to +have a rule limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one +member at one time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is +desired to close the meeting, without the member who has the floor will +yield it, the only resource is to wait till his time expires, and then a +member who gets the floor should move "to adjourn." The motion being +seconded, the chairman instantly put the question, as it allows of no +amendment or debate; and if decided in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried;--this assembly stands adjourned." If the assembly +is one that will have no other meeting, instead of adjourned," he says +"adjourned without day," or "sine die." If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he +states that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion +to adjourn is qualified by specifying the time, as, "to adjourn to +tomorrow evening," it cannot be made when any other question is before +the assembly; like any other main motion, it can then be amended and +debated.* [For the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business see + 69.] + +=== Page 149 =========================================================== + +64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions rank as +follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first. + +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection +to the consideration of a question, can be made while another member has +the floor: so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be +entered on the minutes + +=== Page 150 =========================================================== + +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the +assembly. + +Art. XIII. Debate. + +65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be addressed to the +chairman, and must be confined to the question before the assembly, +avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one's motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of +times any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed +for each speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from +each member only one speech of one hour's length; the Senate allows two +speeches without limit as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he +could speak only once to the same question, might defeat a measure by +prolonging his speech and declining to yield the floor except for a +motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two speeches should be +allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules also limit +the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a member +to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. + +=== Page 151 =========================================================== + +However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in 58 (b). + +66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main Question to +Debate. [A full list of these will be found in 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be +added the motion to close or limit debate.] + +Art. XIV. Miscellaneous. + +67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been +made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in +order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question +is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently + +=== Page 152 =========================================================== + +but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it +is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. + +Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question. + +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, "It is +moved and seconded that," and then give the motion. When an amendment +has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, +"The question now recurs on the resolution," or, "on the resolution as +amended" as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is +taken, he should immediately state the question then before the +assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be +amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and + +=== Page 153 =========================================================== + +always before finally putting it, inquires, "Are you ready for the +question?" Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions +are shown in 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions, +are, however, peculiar: + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: "Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +=== Page 154 =========================================================== + +68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds Vote, page +159, and 39 of Rules of Order.] + +All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule: + +To amend or suspend the rules. +To make a special order. +To take up a question out of its proper order. +An objection to the consideration of a question. +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. + +69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the unfinished +business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the first +business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new +business at the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are +more frequent than yearly.* [See Rules of Order, 11, for a fuller +explanation of the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business, +and the Congressional practice.] If the meetings are only once a + +=== Page 155 =========================================================== + +year, the adjournment of the session puts an end to all unfinished +business. + +70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes a separate +session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +"adjourns without day."* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by +moving simply "to adjourn;" the society meet again at the time provided +either by their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not +meet till the time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the +By-Laws, then the adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an +adjournment without day. If, however, they had previously fixed the +time for the next meeting, either by a direct vote, or by adopting a +programme of exercises covering several meetings or even days, in either +case the adjournment is in effect to a certain day, and does not close +the session.] + +When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to 49]. + +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules +limit the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of +Business prescribed in 72 requires that the + +=== Page 156 =========================================================== + +minutes of the previous meeting, the reports of committees previously +appointed, and the unfinished business of the last session, shall all +take precedence of new business, and that no subject can be considered +out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it is +allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up +with unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day +beyond the next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next +session to consider the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can +be made at one meeting and called up at the next meeting, even though it +be another session, provided the society holds its regular sessions as +frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of Order, 42, for a full discussion +of this subject.] + +71. Quorum. [See 43 for full information on this subject.] + +72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year: + +=== Page 157 =========================================================== + +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. +(3) Reports of Select Committees. +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). +(5) New Business. + +Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read. + +73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order, should be +permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular meeting +of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, +amendments should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +=== Page 158 =========================================================== + +Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their Members. + +The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a 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 +their order, a statement of the grave charges upon which he 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. + +=== Page 159 =========================================================== + +The 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 or 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 treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights. + +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 + +=== Page 160 =========================================================== + +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 held the case under advisement for one year, +and then reversed the decision of the State Court, because it conflicted +with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court that had acted +upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, laid down +the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a larger +and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has +been carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. + +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. + +=== Page 161 =========================================================== + +It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of +expulsion if they refuse. In 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case. + +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 investigate the matter and report to the +society. This report need not go into details, but should contain their +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, + +=== Page 162 =========================================================== + +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. + +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. + +=== Page 163 =========================================================== + +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. + +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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt. + +=== Page 164 =========================================================== +=== Page 165 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES + +RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.] + +=== Page 166 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, "Lie on +the table:" the Table shows that 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is "undebatable" and "cannot be amended;" and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) "cannot be reconsidered:" +-- the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +"open the main question to debate," that it does not "require a 2/3 +vote," that it does "require to be seconded," and that it is not "in +order when another member has the floor." + +The column headed "Requires a two-thirds vote," applies only where the +"Pocket Manual of Rules of Order," or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See "Two-thirds Vote," on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] + +After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc. + + In order when another has the floor [ 2]-------------| + Requires no Second [ 3]-----------| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [ 39]--See Note 1.---------| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [ 27]-------| | | | + Cannot be Amended [ 23]-----| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [ 35]---| | | | | | + Undebatable [ 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ............................................. x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ................... 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ............................................... . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment .................................. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ..................................... . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ............ x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ............................. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ....................................... x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +22 Commit .............................................. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to .............. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn .................... 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table .................................... x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] ........ x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ................... x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time .......................... 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely ............................... . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question ................................... x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ......... x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ...................................... x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ..................... . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question .................. x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) .............................. . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) .................. x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ................ x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ............................ . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) .......................... . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules ................................... x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table ................................. x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order .......... x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion .............................. x . x . . . . + +=== Page 167 =========================================================== + +Notes To The Table. + +(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the rules," which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.] + +(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. + +(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. + +(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. + +(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly: it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side. + +(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted. + +(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate. + +MISCELLANEOUS RULES. + +Order of Precedence of Motions. + +The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first. + +Two-thirds Vote. + +In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the +rules," which would require a unanimous vote. + +Forms of Putting Certain Questions. + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question now be put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.]. + +If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +"Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no. + +Various Forms of Amendments. + +An Amendment may be either (1) by "adding" or (2) by "striking out" +words or paragraphs; or (3) by "striking out certain words and inserting +others;" or (4) by "substituting" a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by "dividing the question" into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. + +=== Page 168 =========================================================== + +Additions and Corrections. + +[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.] + +19th page, 7th line, after " 13" insert a star referring to this + note: "See note to 61." +50th '' 2d line of last note, omit all after "reconsideration." +51st '' at end of 12th line, insert "upon another day." + '' '' 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: "In + Congress the effect always terminates with the session, + and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, + until the expiration of the time during which it is in + order to move a reconsideration." +69th '' 4th line, after " 34," insert "or limiting debate." +72d '' 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: + "If both are personally interested. [See p. 161.]" +73d '' last line of note, insert "final" before "vote." +80th '' add to the list in 39 the motion + "To make a special order." + +=== Page 169 =========================================================== + +INDEX. + +The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION. + +Adjourn, motion to ............................................. 11, 63b + when in order ................................................ 11, 64 + effect upon unfinished business .............................. 11, 69 + motion to "fix the time to which to adjourn" .................. 10, 63 +Amendment, motion to "amend" .................................. 23, 56a + by "adding" or "striking out" ................................ 23, 56a + by "striking out and inserting" .............................. 23, 56a + by "substituting" ............................................ 23, 56a + by "dividing the question" ................................ 4, 23, 56a + of an amendment .............................................. 23, 56a + in committee .................................................. 28, 53 + in committee of the whole ........................................ 32 + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ........... 44, 48b + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions .................. 45, 73 + motions that cannot be amended ............................... 23, 56a +Announcing the vote. See Forms. +Appeal from the decision of the chair .......................... 14, 61e +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14). +Assembly, how organized ..................................... 46, 47, 48 + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc., + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16. + legal rights of, pp. 158-163. + right to punish members, p. 158. + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159. + trial of members, p. 160. +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, 38. +Ballot .............................................................. 38 +Blanks, filling of .................................................. 25 + in balloting, not to be counted ................................... 38 + +=== Page 170 =========================================================== + +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in + order when reports of standing committees are made ............ 44, 72 + (See Quorum.) +Business, introduction of ...................................... 1-5, 54 + order of ...................................................... 44, 72 + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ..................... 11, 69 + [See Priority of Business.] +By-Laws, what they should contain ................................... 49 + adoption of ...................................................... 46a + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Chairman, duties of ............................................. 40, 50 + election of ...................................................... 46a + temporary ..................................................... 40, 47 + of a committee ................................................ 28, 53 +of committee of the whole ........................................... 32 +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ................... 38 +Classification of Motions according to their object ................. 55 + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. .................... 6-9 +Clerk, duties of ................................................ 41, 51 + additional duties of when receiving money ......................... 52 + election of ...................................................... 46a +Commit, motion to .............................................. 22, 56b +Committees, appointment of ..................................... 22, 46c + how they should be composed ................................... 22, 53 + object of ..................................................... 28, 53 + manner of conducting business in .............................. 28, 53 + Reports of, their form ........................................ 29, 53 + their reception ............................................ 30, 46c + their adoption ............................................. 31, 46c + their place in the order of business ........................ 44, 72 + common errors in acting upon (note) ........................ 30, 46c + Minority Reports of, their form ............................... 29, 53 + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute + for the committee's report ................................ 28, 53 + of the whole ...................................................... 32 + as if in committee of the whole ................................... 33 + +=== Page 171 =========================================================== + +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12. +Consideration of a question, objection to ...................... 15, 59a +Constitutions, what they should contain ............................. 49 + adoption of by a society ......................................... 48b + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a + meeting of ..................................................... 47 +Credentials of delegates ............................................ 47 +Debate, what precedes ............................................ 3, 54 + no member to speak but twice in same .......................... 34, 65 + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one + time ........................................................ 34, 65 + a majority can extend the number and length of + speeches allowed ........................................... 34, 65 + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress + (note) ...................................................... 34, 65 + member introducing measure has right to close ..................... 34 + list of undebatable questions ................................. 35, 66 + motions that open the main question to ............................ 35 + principles regulating the extent of (see note) .................... 35 + decorum in .................................................... 36, 65 + closing or limiting ........................................... 37, 58 +Decorum in debate ............................................... 36, 65 +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15]. +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ............................. 47 +Division of the assembly ............................................ 38 + of questions [see Amendment] .................................. 4, 56a +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159. +Election of Officers ........................................... 46a, 47 +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to .................... 10, 63a +Floor, how to obtain ............................................. 2, 54 +Forms of making motions ......................................... 46, 54 + of stating and putting questions .............................. 38, 67 + of announcing the result of a vote ............................ 38, 54 + of reports of committees ...................................... 29, 53 + of treasurers' reports ............................................ 52 + of minutes of a meeting ....................................... 41, 51 + +=== Page 172 =========================================================== + +Forms-Continued. + + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ....................... 46 + of conducting a meeting of delegates .............................. 47 + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ..................... 48 + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ................... 48b +Incidental questions ................................................. 8 +Indefinite postponement ........................................ 24, 59b +Informal consideration of a question ................................ 33 +Introduction of Business ....................................... 1-5, 54 +Journal, or minutes ............................................. 41, 51 +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals. +Lie on the table, motion to ............................... 19, 57b, 59c +Main question ........................................................ 6 +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum. +Meeting, distinction between it and session ..................... 42, 70 + [See also Introduction, page 15.] + how to conduct. See Forms. +Members not to be present during a debate or vote + concerning themselves ............................................. 36 + trial of, p. 160. +Minority Report. See Committees. +Minutes, form and contents of ................................... 41, 51 +Moderator. See Chairman. +Modification of a motion by the mover ................................ 5 +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.] + Adjourn ...................................................... 11, 63b + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ............................ 10, 63a + Amend ........................................................ 23, 56a + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) .................. 31, 46c + Appeal ....................................................... 14, 61e + Blanks, filling ................................................... 25 + Call to order ................................................ 14, 61d + Close debate .................................................. 37, 58 + Commit ....................................................... 22, 56b + Consideration of a question, objection to ................... 15, 59a + Divide the question ....................................... 4, 23, 56a + +=== Page 173 =========================================================== + +Motions-Continued. + + Extend the limits of debate ................................... 34, 65 + Fix the time to which to adjourn ............................. 10, 63a + Incidental motions or questions .................................... 8 + Indefinitely postpone ........................................ 24, 59b + Informal consideration of a question .............................. 33 + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum ................. 36 + Leave to withdraw a motion ................................... 17, 62b + Lie on the table ........................................ 19, 57b, 59c + Limit Debate ................................................. 37, 58b + Main motions or questions .......................................... 6 + Objection to the consideration of a question ................. 15, 59a + Order, questions of .......................................... 14, 61d + Orders of the day ............................................ 13, 61a + Orders, special .................................................. 61b + Postpone to a certain day .................................... 21, 57a + Postpone indefinitely ........................................ 24, 59b + Previous question ............................................ 20, 58a + Principal motions or questions ..................................... 6 + Priority of Business, questions relating to ....................... 35 + Privileged motions or questions .................................... 9 + Privilege, questions of ...................................... 12, 62c + Reading papers ................................................ 16, 62 + Reception of a report [see Committees] ....................... 30, 46c + Recommit [same as Commit] ..................................... 22, 56 + Reconsider .................................................... 27, 60 + Refer [same as Commit] ....................................... 22, 56b + Renewal of a motion ........................................... 26, 60 + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ........................... 11, 32 + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] ............. 15, 59a + Special Order, to make a ......................................... 61b + Strike out [see Amendment] ................................... 23, 56a + Subsidiary motions or questions .................................... 7 + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) .................... 23, 56a + Suspension of the Rules ...................................... 18, 61c + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ................... 19, 57b + Take up a question out of its proper order .................... 44, 72 + Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 17, 62 + +=== Page 174 =========================================================== + +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166. + classified according to their object .............................. 55 + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ......... 6-9 + order of precedence of [see each motion, 10-27] ................ 64 + how to be made .......................................... 1, 2, 46, 54 + a second required (with certain exceptions) .................... 3, 67 + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ................ 3, 54 + when to be in writing .......................................... 4, 54 + how to be divided .................................................. 4 + how to be modified by the mover ............................. 3, 5, 17 + how to be stated and put to the question ...................... 38, 67 + that cannot be amended ....................................... 23, 56a + that cannot be debated ........................................ 35, 66 + that open main question to debate ................................. 35 + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption ............... 39, 68 +Nominations, how treated ....................................... 25, 46a +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without + a vote ............................................................ 23 +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction + of a question ................................................ 15, 59a +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer + and Vice-Presidents. +Order, questions of and a call to .............................. 14, 61d + of business ................................................... 44, 72 + of the day ................................................... 13, 61a + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) .......... 61a + special .......................................................... 61b + of precedence of motions. See Precedence. +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting ...................... 46a + of a convention or assembly of delegates .......................... 47 + of a permanent society ............................................ 48 +Papers and documents, reading of ................................ 16, 62 + in custody of clerk ........................................... 41, 51 +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.) +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.) + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.) + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business, + (Introduction, page 14.) + +=== Page 175 =========================================================== + +Postpone to a certain time ..................................... 21, 57a + indefinitely ................................................. 24, 59b +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper ...................... 44 +Precedence of motions [see each motion, 10-27] ................... 64 + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +Presiding Officer. See Chairman. +Previous Question .............................................. 20, 58a +Principal (or main) question ......................................... 6 +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ......... 35 +Privilege, questions of ........................................ 12, 62c +Privileged questions ................................................. 9 +Putting the question, form of ................................... 38, 67 +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order. +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority ............... 43 + committees and boards cannot decide upon .......................... 43 +Reading of Papers ............................................... 16, 62 +Reception of a report. See Committees. +Re-commit (same as Commit) ..................................... 22, 56b +Reconsider ...................................................... 27, 60 +Record, or minutes .............................................. 41, 51 +Recording officer. See Clerk. +Refer [same as Commit] ......................................... 22, 56b +Renewal of a motion ............................................. 26, 60 +Reports of committees. See Committees. +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly. + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159. +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ................... 11, 32 +Rules of debate. See Debate. + of Order, amendment of ........................................ 45, 73 + of Order, what they should contain ................................ 49 + standing, what they should contain ................................ 49 + suspension of ................................................ 18, 61c + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166. + +=== Page 176 =========================================================== + +Seconding, motions that do not require ........................... 3, 67 +Secretary. See Clerk. +Session [See also Meeting] ...................................... 42, 70 +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ................ 15, 59a +Speaking, rules of, See Debate. +Special Order ...................................................... 61b +Standing Rules ...................................................... 49 +Stating a question, form of ..................................... 38, 67 +Strike out (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Subsidiary motions or questions ...................................... 7 +Substitute (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Sum, largest, first put ............................................. 25 +Suspension of the rules ........................................ 18, 61c +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166. +Take from the table, motion to ................................. 19, 57b +Time, longest, first put ............................................ 25 +Treasurer, duties of ................................................ 52 +Trial of Members, p. 160. +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring .............................. 39, 68 +Undebatable Questions ........................................... 35, 66 +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon ................. 11, 69 + its place in the order of business ............................ 44, 72 +Vice-Presidents .................................................... 46d +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ....................... 38, 54 + motions requiring more than a majority ........................ 39, 68 + change of, permitted before result is announced ................... 38 +Voting, various methods of .......................................... 38 +Withdrawal of a motion .......................................... 17, 62 +Yeas and Nays, voting by ............................................ 38 +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Robert's Rules of Order, by Henry M. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Robert's Rules of Order + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies + +Author: Henry M. Robert + +Release Date: November 13, 2004 [EBook #9097] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Randyl Kent Plampin + + + + + +ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER + +=== Page 1 ============================================================= + +Pocket Manual +of +Rules Of Order +For +Deliberative Assemblies + +--- + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, 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 societies, conventions, +and other deliberative assemblies. + +By Major Henry M. Robert, +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. + +Chicago: +S. C. Griggs & Company. +1876. + +=== Page 2 ============================================================= + +--- + +Copyright, A.D. 1876, +by +H. M. Robert + +--- + +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee + +=== Page 3 ============================================================= + +PREFACE. + +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in +its general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and +adapted, in its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work +should give, not only the methods of organizing and conducting the +meetings, the duties of the officers and the names of the ordinary +motions, but in addition, should state in a systematic manner, in +reference to each motion, its object and effect; whether it can be +amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it opens the main +question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be made, and +what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a +condensed and systematic manner, each rule being either complete in +itself, or giving references to every section that in any way qualifies +it, so that a stranger to the work can refer to any special subject with +safety. + +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating +to each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of +Rules, which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to +some two hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to +greatly assist the reader in systematizing his knowledge of +parliamentary law. + +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of +conducting business in ordinary + +=== Page 4 ============================================================= + +meetings, in which the motions are classified according to their uses, +and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part is +expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are +unfamiliar with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much +study to the subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn +enough to enable them to take part in meetings of deliberative +assemblies without fear of being out of order. The object of Rules of +Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an assembly to accomplish +the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. To do +this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the right +of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every +man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real +liberty. Experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the +law; and in this country, where customs are so slightly established and +the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting, no +society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some +work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not covered by +their own rules. + +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: "Whether these forms be in all cases the most +rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more +material that there should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, +that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to +the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very +material that order, decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified +public body." + +H. M. R. +December, 1875. + +=== Page 5 ============================================================= + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. +Introduction. Page. + Parliamentary Law .................................................. 9 + Plan of the Work .................................................. 12 + '' Part I .................................................... 13 + '' Part II ................................................... 14 + Definitions ....................................................... 15 + +Part I.--Rules of Order. +Art. I.--Introduction of Business. + 1. How introduced ................................................. 17 + 2. Obtaining the floor ............................................ 17 + 3. What precedes debate on a question ............................. 19 + 4. What motions to be in writing, and + how they shall be divided ...................................... 20 + 5. Modification of a motion by the mover .......................... 21 + +Art. II.--General Classification of Motions. + 6. Principal or Main motions ...................................... 22 + 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions ................................ 22 + 8. Incidental motions ............................................. 23 + 9. Privileged motions ............................................. 24 + +Art. III.--Motions and their Order of Precedence. +Privileged Motions. + 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn ........................... 25 + 11. Adjourn ....................................................... 26 + 12. Questions of privilege ........................................ 28 + 13. Orders of the day ............................................. 28 +Incidental Motions. + 14. Appeal [Questions of Order] ................................... 30 + 15. Objection to the consideration of a + question ...................................................... 32 + 16. Reading papers ................................................ 33 + 17. Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 34 + 18. Suspension of the Rules ....................................... 34 + +=== Page 6 ============================================================= + +Subsidiary Motions. + 19. Lie on the table .............................................. 35 + 20. Previous Question ............................................. 37 + 21. Postpone to a certain day ..................................... 40 + 22. Commit [or Re-commit] ......................................... 41 + 23. Amend ......................................................... 43 + 24. Postpone indefinitely ......................................... 46 +Miscellaneous Motions. + 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations ............................... 47 + 26. Renewal of a motion ........................................... 48 + 27. Reconsideration ............................................... 49 + +Art. IV.--Committees and Informal Action. + 28. Committees .................................................... 54 + 29. '' Form of their Reports .............................. 58 + 30. '' Reception '' .............................. 59 + 31. '' Adoption '' .............................. 61 + 32. Committee of the Whole ........................................ 61 + 33. Informal consideration of a question .......................... 65 + +Art. V.--Debate and Decorum. + 34. Debate ........................................................ 66 + 35. Undebatable questions and those opening + the main question to debate ................................... 68 + 36. Decorum in debate ............................................. 71 + 37. Closing debate, methods of .................................... 72 + +Art. VI.--Vote. + 38. Voting, various modes of ...................................... 74 + 39. Motions requiring more than a + majority vote ................................................. 80 + +Art. VII.--Officers and the Minutes. + 40. Chairman or President ......................................... 81 + 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes .......................... 85 + +Art. VIII.--Miscellaneous. + 42. Session ....................................................... 90 + 43. Quorum ........................................................ 93 + 44. Order of business ............................................. 94 + 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order ............................... 97 + +=== Page 7 ============================================================= + +Part II.-Organization and Conduct of Business. + +Art. IX.--Organization and Meetings. + 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. + (a) Organization .............................................. 99 + (b) Adoption of resolutions .................................. 101 + (c) Committee on '' .................................. 102 + (d) Additional Officers ...................................... 105 + 47. A Convention or Assembly of + Delegates .................................................... 106 + 48. A Permanent Society. + (a) First meeting ............................................. 108 + (b) Second meeting ............................................ 111 + 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of + Order and Standing Rules ..................................... 115 + +Art. X.--Officers and Committees. + 50. President or Chairman ........................................ 119 + 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes ......................... 120 + 52. Treasurer .................................................... 123 + 53. Committees ................................................... 127 + +Art. XI--Introduction of Business. + 54. Introduction of Business ..................................... 129 + +Art. XII.--Motions. + 55. Motions classified according to their + object ....................................................... 131 + 56. To Amend or modify. + (a) Amend .................................................... 133 + (5) Commit ................................................... 134 + 57. To Defer action. + (a) Postpone to a certain time ............................... 134 + (b) Lie on the table ......................................... 135 + 58. To Suppress Debate. + (a) Previous Question ........................................ 136 + (b) An Order limiting or closing + debate ................................................... 137 + +=== Page 8 ============================================================= + + 59. To Suppress the question. + (a) Objection to its consideration ........................... 138 + (b) Postpone indefinitely .................................... 139 + (c) Lie on the table ......................................... 139 + 60. To Consider a question the second time + (a) Reconsider ............................................... 140 + 61. Order and Rules. + (a) Orders of the day ........................................ 142 + (b) Special orders ........................................... 143 + (c) Suspension of the rules .................................. 144 + (d) Questions of order ....................................... 144 + (e) Appeal ................................................... 145 + 62. Miscellaneous. + (a) Reading of papers ........................................ 146 + (b) Withdrawal of a motion ................................... 146 + (c) Questions of privilege ................................... 146 + 63. To close a meeting. + (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn ......................... 147 + (b) Adjourn .................................................. 147 + 64. Order of Precedence of motions ............................... 149 + +Art. XIII.--Debate. + 65. Rules of speaking in debate .................................. 150 + 66. Undebatable questions and those that + open the main question to debate ............................. 151 + +Art. XIV.--Miscellaneous. + 67. Forms of stating and putting questions ....................... 154 + 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote + for their adoption ........................................... 154 + 69. Unfinished business .......................................... 154 + 70. Session ...................................................... 155 + 71. Quorum ....................................................... 156 + 72. Order of Business ............................................ 156 + 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws + and Rules of Order ........................................... 157 + +Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies ............................ 158 +Table of Rules Relating to Motions ................................. 166 +Index .............................................................. 169 + +=== Page 9 ============================================================= + +INTRODUCTION. + +Parliamentary Law. + +Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents. + +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for +customs and precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we +think are improvements, and hence changes have been and are being +constantly made in the written rules which our legislative bodies have +found best to adopt. As each house adopts its own rules, it results +that the two houses of the same legislature do not always agree in their +practice; even in Congress the order of precedence of motions is not +the same in both houses, and the Previous Question is admitted in the +House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As a consequence of +this, the exact method of conducting business in any particular + +=== Page 10 ============================================================ + +legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual of +that body. + +The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies. + +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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies. + +=== Page 11 ============================================================ + +But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body. + +While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived, the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous Question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [ 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +the power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day's notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.] + +=== Page 12 ============================================================ + +Plan of the Work. + +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative +assemblies that are not legislative in their character. It has been +made sufficiently complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until +they see fit to adopt special rules conflicting with and superseding any +of its rules of detail, such as the Order of Business [ 44], etc. Even +in matters of detail the practice of Congress is followed, wherever it +is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary assemblies, and in such cases, in +Part I, there will be found, in a foot note, the Congressional practice. +In the important matters referred to above, in which the practice of the +House of + +=== Page 13 ============================================================ + +Representatives settles the common parliamentary law of the country, +this Manual strictly conforms to such practice.* [On account of the +party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, no such thing as +harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to give a bare +majority in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) the +power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the +rights of the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this +Manual [ 39], for sustaining an objection to the introduction of a +question, or for adopting a motion for the Previous Question, or for +adopting an order closing or limiting debate. In this respect the +policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those of the House and +Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous to +follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the +Senate. It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to +order the yeas and nays, which is doubtless best in the majority of +assemblies; but in all bodies in which the members are responsible to +their constituents, a much smaller number should have this power. In +Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, and in some bodies a single +member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and nays. Any society +adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all of the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in +the Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [ 43], and an +Order of Business [ 44], as suggested in these rules.] + +The Manual is divided into two distinct parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form, for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.] + +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as +shown in the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is +complete in itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be +misled in examining any particular subject. Cross references are freely +used to save repeating + +=== Page 14 ============================================================ + +from other sections, and by this means the reader, without using the +index, is referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any +bearing upon the subject he is investigating. The references are by +sections, and for convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at +the top of each page. The motions are arranged under the usual classes, +in their order of rank, but in the index under the word motion will be +found an alphabetical list of all the motions generally used. In +reference to each motion there is stated: + + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, + be pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion). + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made + while this motion is pending). + (3) Whether it is debatable or not. + (4) Whether it can be amended or not. + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, + the fact is stated [see Adjourn, 11, for an example: the + meaning is, that the particular motion to adjourn, for example, + cannot be laid on the table, postponed, committed or amended]. + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted. + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other + information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. + +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first +part, it does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who +have + +=== Page 15 ============================================================ + +no acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also +explains the method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting +a meeting. The motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being +classified according to the objects for which they are used, and those +of each class compared together so that the reader may obtain the best +motion for the accomplishment of any given object. It omits the +complications of parliamentary law, and has but few references to the +rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order to make it +complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. + +Definitions. + +In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called. + +Meeting and Session.--In this Manual the term "meeting" is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an "adjourned meeting" of the same session. + +A "meeting" of an assembly is terminated by a + +=== Page 16 ============================================================ + +temporary adjournment; a "session" of an assembly ends with an +adjournment without day, and may consist of many meetings [see Session, + 42]. + +Previous Question--This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to "Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly," with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +see 20 for a full explanation). + +Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +"objects to its consideration" (or "discussion," or "introduction"), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see 15]. + +Whenever the word "assembly," which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, "Society," or "Convention," or "Board." The +term "Congress," when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S. + +=== Page 17 ============================================================ + +Part I. + +Rules of Order. + +--- + +Art. I. Introduction of Business. +[ 1-5.] + +1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a +member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. It +is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of +committees [ 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other +cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is +dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes +necessary. + +2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any +question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must +rise and address the presiding officer + +=== Page 18 ============================================================ + +by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [ 34], who will then announce the +member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman +must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing +that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [ 14] can +he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the +floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to +the floor. + +The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, 36.] + +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from +addressing the assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a + +=== Page 19 ============================================================ + +motion to adjourn, or for any purpose, by either the Chairman or any +member, except (a) to have entered on the minutes a motion to reconsider +[ 27]; (b) by a call to order [ 14]; (c) by an objection to the +consideration of the question [ 15]; or (d) by a call for the orders of +the day [ 13].* [See note to 61.] In such cases the member when he +arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he "rises to a point of order." A call +for an adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is +not a motion; as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, +the Chair, and being announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for +the question are themselves breaches of order, and do not prevent the +speaker from going on if he pleases. + +3. Before any subject is open to debate [ 34] it is necessary, first, +that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see exceptions +below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When the +motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before +it is debated. + +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is +stated by the + +=== Page 20 ============================================================ + +presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into +debate. The member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by +the presiding officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it +entirely; after it is stated he can do neither, without the consent of +the assembly. [See 5 and 17]. When the mover modifies his motion, +the one who seconded it can withdraw his second. + +Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [ 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly. + +4. All Principal Motions [ 6], Amendments and Instructions to +Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into +several questions, no one member (without there is a special rule +allowing it) can insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move +that the question be divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be +divided. Any one else can move as + +=== Page 21 ============================================================ + +an amendment to this, to divide it differently. + +This Division of a Question is really an amendment [ 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to "commit with instructions," is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided "it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House." But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.] + +The motion to "strike out certain words and insert others," is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition. + +5. After a question has been stated by the presiding officer, it is in +the possession of the + +=== Page 22 ============================================================ + +assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any one +objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [ 17], or by +moving an amendment. + +Art. II. General Classification of Motions. +[ 6-9.] + +6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring +before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the +assembly. It takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, +Incidental and Subsidiary Questions [ 7, 8, 9]. + +7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a Principal +Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most appropriate +manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, and +must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They +yield to Privileged and Incidental Questions [ 8, 9], and are as +follows (being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + +=== Page 23 ============================================================ + +Lie on the Table .................... See 19. +The Previous Question ............... '' 20. +Postpone to a Certain Day ........... '' 21. +Commit .............................. '' 22. +Amend ............................... '' 23. +Postpone Indefinitely ............... '' 24. + +Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [ 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [ 19]. + +8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other questions, and, +consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, the +questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions +[ 9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, + +=== Page 24 ============================================================ + +they are undebatable; an Appeal is debatable or not, according to +circumstances, as shown in 14. They are as follows: + + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ........................... See 14. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question ............. '' 15. + The Reading of Papers .................................... '' 16. + Leave to Withdraw a Motion ............................... '' 17. + Suspension of the Rules .................................. '' 18. + +9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their importance, +take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account of +this very privilege they are undebatable [ 35], excepting when relating +to the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be +made use of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows +(being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn ...... See 10. + Adjourn .................................................. '' 11. + Questions relating to the Rights and + Privileges of the Assembly or any of + its Members ............................................ '' 12. + Call for the Orders of the Day ........................... '' 13. + +=== Page 25 ============================================================ + +Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[ 10-27.] + +Privileged Motions. +[ 10-13. See 9.] + +10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. This motion +takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the assembly +has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the result +of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it +is undebatable [ 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made +when no other question is before the asembly, it stands as any other +principal motion, and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better +to follow the common parliamentary law, and permit this question to be +introduced as a principal question, when it can be debated and +suppressed [ 58, 59] like other questions. In Congress, it is never +debatable, and has entirely superseded the unprivileged and inferior +motion to "adjourn to a particular time."] + +The Form of this motion is, "When this assembly + +=== Page 26 ============================================================ + +adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time." + +11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes precedence of all +others, except to "fix the time to which to adjourn," to which it +yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [ 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses +its privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The +motion to adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening +business, though it be simply progress in debate [ 26]. When a +committee is through with any business referred to it, and prepared to +report, instead of adjourning, a motion should be made "to rise," which +motion, in committee, has the same privileges as to adjourn in the +assembly [ 32]. + +The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +["After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place." Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing unfinished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, 42]: + +=== Page 27 ============================================================ + +(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment. + +(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected. + +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not +meet more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an +elective body, and this session ends + +=== Page 28 ============================================================ + +the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall put an end +to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been +before the assembly. + +12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the rights and +privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence of +all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [ 20] can be applied to these, as to all other +debatable questions. + +13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day takes +precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [ 27], and +the three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not +debatable, nor can it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. + +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or +hour, they become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they +cannot be considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [ +39]. And when that day or hour arrives, if called up, they take +precedence of all but the three + +=== Page 29 ============================================================ + +preceding questions [ 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them, the +assembly may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken +up on the day specified, the order falls to the ground. + +When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question, is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time. + +The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, "Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?" or, "Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?" + +The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [ 11]. + +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense + +=== Page 30 ============================================================ + +with the orders merely so far as they interfere with the consideration +of the question then before the assembly. + +Incidental Motions. +[ 14-18; see 8] + +14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes precedence +of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the presiding +officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +"I appeal from the decision of the Chair." If the Appeal is seconded, +the Chairman immediately states the question as follows: "Shall the +decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?"* [The +word Assembly can be replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., +according to the name of the organization.] This Appeal yields to +Privileged Questions [ 9]. It cannot be amended; it cannot be debated +when it relates simply to indecorum [ 36], or to transgressions of the +rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if it is made +while the previous question [ 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the + +=== Page 31 ============================================================ + +Chair, can state the reasons upon which he bases his decision. The +motions to Lie on the Table [ 19], or for the Previous Question [ 20], +can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, and when adopted they +affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may also be +reconsidered [ 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. + +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders +of the assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every +member, who notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. +In such cases he shall rise from his seat, and say, "Mr. Chairman, I +rise to a point of order." The speaker should immediately take his +seat, and the Chairman requests the member to state his point of order, +which he does, and resumes his seat. The Chair decides the point, and +then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first member to resume his +speech. If the member's remarks are decided to be improper, and any one +objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue it without a +vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language +used in debate, for a member to say, "I call the gentleman to order;" +the Chairman + +=== Page 32 ============================================================ + +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as +before. The Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to +decide questions of order, but the advice must be given sitting, to +avoid the appearance of debate; or the Chair, when unable to decide the +question, may at once submit it to the assembly. The effect of laying +an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least for the time, the +decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the question +which gave rise to the question of order. + +15. Objection to the Consideration of a Question. An objection can be +made to any principal motion [ 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of +order [ 14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, +and does not require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to +order, so can he put this question if he deems it necessary, upon his +own responsibility. It can not be debated [ 35] or have any subsidiary +motion [ 7] applied to it. When a motion is made and any member +"objects to its consideration," the Chairman shall immediately put the +question, "Will the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be +considered" + +=== Page 33 ============================================================ + +[or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote [ 39], +the whole matter is dismissed for that session [ 42]; otherwise the +discussion continues as if this question had never been made. + +The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41st Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: "Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, 'Will the House now consider it?' +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker." The English use the "Previous Question," for +a similar purpose [see note to 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, "Shall the +question be discussed?" The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.] + +16. Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see 8.] Where papers +are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have them once +read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a member +asks for the reading of any such + +=== Page 34 ============================================================ + +paper, evidently for information, and not for delay, the Chair should +direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a member has not the right +to have anything read (excepting stated above) without getting +permission from the assembly. + +17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see 8.] When a +question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one +objects, the presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection +is made, it will be necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a +motion for that purpose. This motion cannot be debated or amended. +When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never +been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn by the mover, before +a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be gained in +ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] + +18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, see 8.] +This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [ 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be +reconsidered [ 27], + +=== Page 35 ============================================================ + +nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [ 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, +though the next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot +be renewed the same day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be +suspended except for a definite purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. + +The Form of this motion is, to "suspend the rules which interfere with," +etc., specifying the object of the suspension. + +Subsidiary Motions. +[ 19-24; see 7.] + +19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of all other +Subsidiary Questions [ 7], and yields to any Privileged [ 9] or +Incidental [ 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or +have any other subsidiary motion [ 7] applied to it. It removes the +subject from consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the +table. + +The Form of this motion is, "I move that the question lie on the table," +or, "that it be laid on the table," or, "to lay the question + +=== Page 36 ============================================================ + +on the table." When it is desired to take the question up again, a +motion is made, either "to take the question from the table," or "to now +consider such and such a question;" which motion is undebatable, and +cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. + +The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [ 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [ 42]. + +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything +that adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie +on the table, the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with +it. The following cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [ 14] being +laid on the table, has the effect of sustaining, at least for the time, +the decision of the Chair, and does not carry the original subject to +the table. (b) So when a motion to reconsider [ 27] a question is + +=== Page 37 ============================================================ + +laid on the table, the original question is left where it was before the +reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the minutes being laid +on the table does not carry the minutes with it. + +Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +questions still before the assembly. + +20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name +for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has +nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To +demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That +debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the +questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English +Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used +for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the +enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent +for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this +country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the +question" [ 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a +view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a +vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as +different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority +vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not +allowed in the United States Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable +question [ 35], and yields to Privileged [ 9] and Incidental [ 8] +questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [ 19]. It is not +debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary + +=== Page 38 ============================================================ + +[ 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its +adoption. + +When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the +main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [ 34]; after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made. + +The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?"] + +=== Page 39 ============================================================ + +The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best. + +It applies to questions of privilege [ 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon. + +To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question. + +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is + +=== Page 40 ============================================================ + +carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to +bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to +postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [ 14] +or a motion to Reconsider [ 27] is pending when the Previous Question +is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. + +An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [ 22] exhausts the Previous +Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. + +[For other methods of closing debate see 37 and 58]. + +21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes precedence of a +motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any +Privileged [ 9] or Incidental [ 8] question, and to the motion to Lie +on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and the Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate +[ 35], and that must not go into the merits of the subject matter any +further than is necessary to enable the + +=== Page 41 ============================================================ + +assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. + +The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [ 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[ 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[ 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [ 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day. + +22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject has been +previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [ 9] or +Incidental + +=== Page 42 ============================================================ + +[ 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for the +Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended +by altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, +and opens to debate [ 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to +commit. + +The Form of this motion is "to refer the subject to a committee." When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following +order: (1) Committee the whole [ 32], (2) a standing committee, and +(3) a special (or select) committee. The number of a committee is +usually decided without the formality of a motion, as in filling blanks +[ 25]: the Chairman asks "of how many shall the committee consist?" +and a question is then put upon each number suggested, beginning with +the largest. The number and kind of the committee need not be decided +till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a committee. If +the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include the +method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, +the Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is +usually decided informally. Sometimes the Chair "appoints," in which +case he names the members of the committee and no vote is taken + +=== Page 43 ============================================================ + +upon them; or the committee is "nominated" either by the Chair or +members of the assembly (no member nominating more than one except by +general consent), and then they are all voted upon together, except +where more nominations are made than the number of the committee, when +they shall be voted upon singly. + +Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small, and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly. + +In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, 29.] + +23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but the question +which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged + +=== Page 44 ============================================================ + +[ 9], Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] Question, except to +Indefinitely Postpone. It can be amended itself, but this "amendment of an +amendment" cannot be amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one +already adopted, or may directly conflict with the spirit of the +original motion, but it must have a direct bearing upon the subject of +that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a vote of thanks could be +amended by substituting for "thanks" the word "censure;" or one condemning +certain customs could be amended by adding other customs. + +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to "add or +insert" certain words or paragraphs; (b) to "strike out" certain words +or paragraphs, the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: +"Shall these words (or paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?" +and if this is adopted (that is, the motion to "strike out," fails) it +does not preclude either amendment or a motion to "strike out and +insert;" (c) "to strike certain words and insert others," which motion +is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude + +=== Page 45 ============================================================ + +another motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; +(d) to "substitute" another motion on the same subject for the one +pending; (e) to "divide the question" into two or more questions, as the +mover specifies, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or +points [see 4]. + +If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [ 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted. + +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the +words to be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand +if + +=== Page 46 ============================================================ + +the amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and +propositions containing several paragraphs, see 44.] + +The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend. + +The following motions cannot be amended: + + To Adjourn (when unqualified) ............................ See 11. + For the Orders of the Day ................................ '' 12. + All Incidental Questions ................................. '' 8. + To Lie on the Table ...................................... '' 19. + For the Previous Question ................................ '' 20. + An Amendment of an Amendment ............................. '' 23. + To Postpone Indefinitely ................................. '' 24. + Reconsider ............................................... '' 27. + +An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see 45]. + +24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence of nothing +except the Principal Question [ 6], and yields to any Privileged [ 9], +Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot +be amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed +to postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before +the assembly for that session [ 42]. + +=== Page 47 ============================================================ + +The Previous Question [ 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question. + +Miscellaneous Motions. +[ 25-27.] + +25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and the longest +time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the most +convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving +to strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number +of members to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a +motion, these different propositions not being regarded in the light of +amendments. + +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second +nomination, instead of being an amendment to the first, is an +independent motion, which, if the first fails, is to be immediately +voted upon. Any number of nominations can be made, the Chairman +announcing each name as he hears it, and they + +=== Page 48 ============================================================ + +should be voted upon in the order announced, until one receives a vote +sufficient for an election. + +26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [ 6] or +Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken +up again at the same session [ 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [ +27]. The motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in +debate, or any business transacted. As a general rule the introduction +of any motion that alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to +renew any Privileged or Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the +Rules as provided in 18), or Subsidiary motion (excepting an +amendment), as in such a case the real question before the assembly is a +different one. + +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, +suppose afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is +now in order to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a +motion would not be in order, if it were not made till after the failure +of the motion to commit, as + +=== Page 49 ============================================================ + +the question then resumes its previous condition. + +When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed. + +27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when another member +has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to Adjourn, +during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [ 38], when the rule +above applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] +on which a motion has been acted upon, to move to "Reconsider the vote" +and have such motion "entered on the record," but it cannot be +considered while another question is before the assembly. It must be +made, excepting when the vote is by ballot, by a member who voted with +the prevailing side; for instance, in case a motion fails to pass for +lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be moved by one who +voted against the motion. + +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [ 7] motion takes +precedence of the main question. It yields to Privileged [ 9] + +=== Page 50 ============================================================ + +questions (except for the Orders of the Day), and Incidental [ 8] +questions. + +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result +can be more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a +similar reason, an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table +cannot be reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to +Suspend the Rules. It is debatable or not, just as the question to be +reconsidered is debatable or undebatable [ 35]; when debatable, it +opens up for discussion the entire subject to be reconsidered, and can +have the Previous question [ 20] applied to it without affecting any +thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid on the table [ 19], +and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; it is quite +common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must be +voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.** [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to +prevent its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the +table does not carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a +motion has been either adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the +motion as amended, it is not in order to reconsider the vote on the +amendment until + +=== Page 51 ============================================================ + +after the vote on the original motion has been reconsidered. If +anything which the assembly cannot reverse, has been done as the result +a vote, then that vote cannot be reconsidered. + +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the +original motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted +upon; but if it is not called up, its effect terminates with the session +[ 42], provided,* [In Congress the effect always terminates with the +session, and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, until the +expiration of the time during which it is in order to move a +reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular meetings as often +as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held of the one +at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not terminate +till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of this +section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another +question cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question +before the assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the +reconsideration, if called up, takes precedence of every thing except +the motions to adjourn, and to fix the time to which to adjourn. As +long as its effect lasts (as shown above), any one can call up the +motion to reconsider and have it acted upon--excepting that when its +effect extends beyond the meeting at which the motion was made, no one +but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the reconsideration +of an Incidental [ 8] or Subsidiary [ 7] + +=== Page 52 ============================================================ + +motion shall be immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent +action on the main question. + +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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [ 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly. + +When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [ 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made. + +A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see 28]. + +Note On Reconsider.--In the English Parliament a vote once taken +cannot be reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a +reconsideration of the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the +close of the last day for making the motion, any one can call up the +motion to reconsider, so that this motion cannot delay action more than +two days, and the effect + +=== Page 53 ============================================================ + +of the motion, if not acted upon, terminates with the session. There +seems to be no reason or good precedent for permitting merely two +persons, by moving a reconsideration, to suspend for any length of time +all action under resolutions adopted by the assembly, and yet where the +delay is very short the advantages of reconsideration overbalance the +evils. + +Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session. + +=== Page 54 ============================================================ + +Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action. +[ 28-33.] + +28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to have all +preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done by +means of committees. These may be either "standing committees" (which +are appointed for the session [ 42], or for some definite time, as one +year); or "select committees," appointed for a special purpose; or a +"committee of the whole" [ 32], consisting of the entire assembly. +[For method of appointing committees of the whole, see 32; other +committees, see commit, 22.] The first person named on a committee is +chairman, and should act as such, without the committee should see fit +to elect another chairman, which they are competent to do. The clerk +should furnish him, or some other member of the committee, with notice +of the appointment of the committee, giving the names + +=== Page 55 ============================================================ + +of the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as +the assembly have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee +together, and if there is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see +43,) he should read or have read, the entire resolutions referred to +them; he should then read each paragraph, and pause for amendments to be +offered; when the amendments to that paragraph are voted on he proceeds +to the next, only taking votes on amendments, as the committee cannot +vote on the adoption of matter referred to them by the assembly. + +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, +on amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which +draft has been previously prepared by one of their members or a +sub-committee); they do not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having +completed the amendments, they vote on the adoption of the entire +report. When there is a preamble, it is considered last. If the report +originates with the committee, all amendments are to be incorporated in +the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, the committee cannot +alter + +=== Page 56 ============================================================ + +the text, but must submit the original paper intact, with their +amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, 23) written on a +separate sheet. + +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed +its clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members +present at a meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the +members of the committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its +report. The minority may be permitted to submit their views in writing +also, either together, or each member separately, but their reports can +only be acted upon, by voting to substitute one of them for the report +of the committee. The rules of the assembly, as far as possible, shall +apply in committee; but a reconsideration [ 27] of a vote shall be +allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when every member who +voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is moved.* +[Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with +rather than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above +seems more just, and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary +committees, who usually reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage +can be taken of the privilege, as long as every member who voted with +the majority must be present when the reconsideration is moved.] A +committee (except a committee + +=== Page 57 ============================================================ + +of the whole, 32] may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the +business assigned them, a motion is made for the committee to "rise" +(which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and that the chairman +(or some member who is more familiar with the subject) make its report +to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as soon as the assembly +receives the report [ 30]. + +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, +its resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can +be made in the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be +by a report of the committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of +a committee to meet on the call of any two its of members, if the +chairman be absent or decline to appoint such meeting. When a committee +adjourns without appointing a time for the next meeting, it is called +together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a committee +adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though + +=== Page 58 ============================================================ + +usually advisable) that absent members should be notified of the +adjourned meeting. + +29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is usually +similar to the following: + +A standing committee reports thus: "The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report," [or "beg leave to report," or "beg +leave to submit the following report,"] etc., letting the report follow. + +A select or special committee reports as follows: "The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report," etc. Or for "The committee" is sometimes +written "Your committee," or "The undersigned, a committee." + +When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): "The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred," etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority. + +All reports conclude with, "All of which is + +=== Page 59 ============================================================ + +respectfully submitted." They are sometimes signed only by the chairman +of the committee, but if the matter is of much importance, it is better +that the report be signed by every member who concurs. The report is +not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as for example, +"Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a Hall." + +30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be "received"* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that "the report be +adopted and the committee discharged," when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time. + +=== Page 60 ============================================================ + +Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see 31 and 44]. + +When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. + +=== Page 61 ============================================================ + +31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a report, a +motion should be made to "adopt," "accept," or "agree to" the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the +doings of the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if +done by the assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the +report contains merely a statement of opinion or facts, the motion +should be to "accept" the report; if it also concludes with resolutions +or certain propositions, the motion should be to "agree to" the +resolutions, or to "adopt" the propositions. After the above motion is +made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the same as if there +had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by the motion +of the member who made the report. [See 34 for his privileges in +debate, and 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] + +32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to consider a subject +which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet where the +subject matter is not well digested + +=== Page 62 ============================================================ + +and put into proper form for its definite action, or, when for any other +reason, it is desirable for the assembly to consider a subject with all +the freedom of an ordinary committee, it is the practice to refer the +matter to the "Committee of the Whole."* [In large assemblies, such as +the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member can speak to any +question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a necessity, +as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time it +can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] + +If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +"That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration," etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to "commit" [see 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section. + +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee +"rise and report," as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the "yeas and +nays" [ 38]. The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the +whole, is for the assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall +cease at a certain time, or that after a certain time no debate shall be +allowed excepting on new amendments, and then only one speech in favor +of + +=== Page 63 ============================================================ + +and one against it, of say, five minutes each; or in some other way +regulate the time for debate.* [In Congress no motion to limit debate in +committee of the whole is in order till after the subject has been +already considered in committee of the whole. As no subject would +probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, in an +ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The +rule as given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into +committee of the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, +such restrictions as are allowed in Congress after the subject has +already been considered in committee of the whole.] + +If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as he can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [ 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it. + +When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that "the committee rise and report," etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings. + +=== Page 64 ============================================================ + +This motion "to rise" is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +"the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;" or he will make such other report as will suit the case. + +The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [ 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn. + +=== Page 65 ============================================================ + +33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if in committee +of the whole). + +It has become customary in many assemblies, instead of going into +committee of the whole, to consider the question "informally," and +afterwards to act "formally." In a small assembly there is no objection +to this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and +treaties, upon their second reading are considered "as if the Senate +were in committee of the whole," which is equivalent to considering them +informally. [U. S. Senate Rules 28 and 38.] In large assemblies it is +better to follow the practice of the House of Representatives, and go +into committee of the whole.] While acting informally upon any +resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, and without +further motion the Chairman announces that "the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject +under consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will +report." The subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a +committee. While acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as +it is not necessary to move that the committee rise, but at any time the +adoption of such motions as to adjourn, the previous question, to +commit, or any motion except to amend or adopt, puts an end to the +informal consideration; as for example, the motion to commit is +equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: (1) +That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of + +=== Page 66 ============================================================ + +the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, +and (3) that it be referred to a committee. + +While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [ 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman's report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly's proceedings. + +Art. V. Debate and Decorum. + +[ 34-37.] + +34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read 1-5.] When a +motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, +he shall rise and respectfully address himself to "Mr. Chairman." +["Mr. President" is used where that is the designated title of the +presiding + +=== Page 67 ============================================================ + +officer; "Brother Moderator" is more common in religious meetings.] The +Chairman shall then announce his name [see 2]. By parliamentary +courtesy, the member upon whose motion a subject is brought before the +assembly is first entitled to the floor, even though another member has +risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of a report of a +committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this member +is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon +the question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [ 20] being +ordered, or in any other way. With this exception, no member shall +speak more than twice to the same question (only once to a question of +order, 14), nor longer than ten minutes at one time, without leave of +the assembly, and the question upon granting the leave shall be decided +by a majority vote without debate.* [The limit in time should vary to +suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches of ten minutes each +will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be increased, +when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can +speak more than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. +The fourth rule of the Senate is as follows: "No Senator shall speak +more than twice in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the +Senate, which question shall be decided without debate." If no rule is +adopted, each member can speak but once to the same question.] + +If greater freedom is desired, the + +=== Page 68 ============================================================ + +proper course is to refer the subject to the committee of the whole [ +32], or to consider it informally [ 33]. [For limiting or closing the +debate, see 37.] No member can speak the second time to a question, +until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an amendment, or +any other motion being offered, makes the real question before the +assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is +treated as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a +suggestion, is not considered as speaking. + +35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be decided +without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a +privileged question, 10). + To Adjourn [ 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead +of to adjourn). + For the Orders of the Day [ 13], and questions relating to the +priority of business. + An Appeal [ 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, +or when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of +speaking, or to the priority of business. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question [ 15]. + +=== Page 69 ============================================================ + + Questions relating to Reading of Papers [ 16], or Withdrawing a +Motion [ 17], or Suspending the Rules [ 18], or extending the limits +of debate [ 34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to +continue his speech to one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate +[ 36]. + To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [ 19]. + The Previous Question [ 20]. + To Reconsider [ 26] a question which is itself undebatable. + +The motion to Postpone to a certain time [ 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [ 26], or to +Commit [ 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [ 24], opens the main question +[ 6] to debate. To Amend [ 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment. + +The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable. + +Note On Undebatable Questions.--The English common parliamentary law +makes all motions + +=== Page 70 ============================================================ + +debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing's +Manual, 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon +certain motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section +conform to the practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common +to allow of brief remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes +five or six members speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one +objects. + +By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [ 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles: + +(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question. + +(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [ 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [ 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure. + +Illustrations: To "Indefinitely Postpone" [ 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question. + +To "Postpone to a certain time" prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement. + +To "Lie on the Table" leaves the question so + +=== Page 71 ============================================================ + +that the assembly can at any time consider it, and therefore should not +be, and is not debatable. + +To "Commit" would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it is often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee. + +36. Decorum in Debate [see 2]. In debate a member must confine +himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to +conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while +debating such motion. In referring to another member, he should, as +much as possible, avoid using his name, rather referring to him as "the +member who spoke last," or in some other way describing him. The +officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official +titles. It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member, but the +nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms. +It is not the man, but the measure, that is the subject of debate. If +at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, or give +information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see + +=== Page 72 ============================================================ + + 40], the member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been +first heard. When called to order, the member must sit down until the +question of order is decided. If his remarks are decided to be +improper, he cannot proceed, if any one objects, without the leave of +the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which question there shall be no +debate. + +Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used. + +37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by the +Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative + +=== Page 73 ============================================================ + +and negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate +[see 38]. Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are +undebatable [ 35], and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a +two-thirds* [In Congress, where each speaker can occupy the floor one +hour, any of these motions to cut off debate can be adopted by a mere +majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [ 39]: + + (a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is first introduced, 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [ 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed. + + (b) To lie on the table [ 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action. + + (c) The previous question [ 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment. + +=== Page 74 ============================================================ + + (d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment. + +Art. VI. Vote. +[ 38-39.] + +38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it permits of no +modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; if the +question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are +various forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the +country. The rule in Congress, in + +=== Page 75 ============================================================ + +the House of Representatives, is as follows: "Questions shall be +distinctly put in this form, to-wit: 'As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;' and after the affirmative voice +is expressed, 'As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.'" The +following form is very common: "It has been moved and seconded that +(here state the question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; +those opposed, No." Or, if the motion is for the adoption of a certain +resolution, after it has been read the Chairman can say, "You have heard +the resolution read; those in favor of its adoption will hold up the +right hand; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign." These +examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of putting a question, +the affirmative being always put first. + +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in +the following form: "The motion is carried--the resolution is +adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is adopted." If, when +he announces a vote, any member rises and states that he doubts the +vote, or calls for a "division," the + +=== Page 76 ============================================================ + +Chairman shall say, "A division is called for; those in favor of the +motion will rise." After counting these, and announcing the number, he +shall say, "Those opposed will rise." will count these, announce the +number, and declare the result; that is, whether the motion is carried +or lost. Instead of counting the vote himself, he can appoint tellers +to make the count and report to him. When tellers are appointed, they +should be selected from both sides of the question. A member has the +right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) before the decision +of the question has been finally and conclusively pronounced by the +Chair, but not afterwards. + +Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put. + +No one can vote on a question affecting + +=== Page 77 ============================================================ + +himself, but if more than one name is included in the resolution (though +a sense of delicacy would prevent this right being exercised, excepting +when it would change the vote) all are entitled to vote; for if this +were not so, a minority could control an assembly by including the names +of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring charges against +them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. When +there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his +vote for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote +will make a tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. + +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when +required by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the +assembly has ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such +cases, appoints at least two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon +which each member, including the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect +to vote before the ballots are counted, he cannot then vote without the +permission of the assembly.] writes his vote; the votes are then +collected, counted by the tellers, and the result reported to the +Chairman, who announces + +=== Page 78 ============================================================ + +it to the assembly. The Chairman announces the result of the vote, in +case of an election to office, in a manner similar to the following: +"The whole number of votes cast is --; the number necessary for an +election is --; Mr. A. received --; Mr. B. --; Mr. C. --. Mr. B. having +received the required number is elected --." Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the +assembly for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is +necessary to ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make +a vote unanimous, it fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots +all blanks are ignored. + +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question +be taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has +the effect to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to +this country, and while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely +useful in ordinary societies. By the Constitution, one-fifth of the +members present can, in either house of Congress, order a vote to be +taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the resulting +inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can +only be ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to +hinder business. In representative bodies it is very useful, especially +where the proceedings are published, as it enables the people to know +how their representatives voted on important measures. In some small +bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays, upon the +demand of a single member.] In this method of voting the Chairman states +both sides of the question + +=== Page 79 ============================================================ + +at once; the clerk calls the roll and each member as his name is called +rises and answers yes or no, and the clerk notes his answer. Upon the +completion of the roll call the clerk reads over the names of those who +answered the affirmative, and afterwards those in the negative, that +mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number voting on each side +to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be made in the +minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of those +in the negative. + +The form of putting a question upon which the vote has been ordered to be +taken by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: "As many as are in +favor of the adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are +called, answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." The +Chairman will then direct the clerk to call the roll. The negative +being put at the same time as the affirmative, it is too late, after the +question is put, to renew the + +=== Page 80 ============================================================ + +debate. After the commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask +to be excused from voting. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in +committee of the whole [ 32]. + +39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no rule to the +contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum [ +43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for +the suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions +to suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper +order, and to make a special order [see note to 37].] The following +motions shall require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right +of discussion, and the right to have the rules enforced, should not be +abridged by a mere majority: + + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question .............. 15. + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ................ 13. + To Suspend the Rules ......................................... 18. + The Previous Question ........................................ 20. + To Close or Limit Debate ..................................... 37. + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ........... 43. + To Make a special order ...................................... 13. + +=== Page 81 ============================================================ + +Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes. +[ 40, 41.] + +40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read 44, and also +40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title has +been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of +the assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. + +His duties are generally as follows: + +To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [ 44]; to state and to put to vote [ 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote; + +To restrain the members, when engaged in + +=== Page 82 ============================================================ + +debate, within the rules of order; to enforce on all occasions the +observance of order and decorum [ 36] among the members, deciding all +questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly by any two +members, 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; + +To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceedings of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will, and in all things obeying its +commands. + +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise +while putting questions in very small bodies, such as committees, +boards of trustees, &c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it +sitting; he shall also rise from his seat (without calling any one to +the chair), when speaking to a question of order, which he can do in +preference to other members. In referring to himself he should always +use his official title thus: "The Chair decides so and so," not "I +decide, &c." When a member has the floor, the chairman cannot interrupt +him as long as he does not transgress + +=== Page 83 ============================================================ + +any of the rules of the assembly, excepting as provided in 2. + +He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot,* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote. + +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a +chairman pro tem.,** [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one +on the list that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman +during the absence of the President, and should always be called to the +chair when the President temporarily vacates it.] but the first +adjournment puts an end to the appointment, which the assembly can +terminate before, if it pleases, by electing another chairman. But the +regular chairman, knowing that he will be absent from a future meeting, +cannot authorize another member to act + +=== Page 84 ============================================================ + +in his place at such meeting; the clerk [ 41], or in his absence any +member, should in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman +pro tem. be elected, who would hold office during that session [ 42], +without such office was terminated by the entrance of the regular +chairman. + +The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. "It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings, in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so; and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate." [Cushing's +Manual, page 106.] "Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact." [Jefferson's Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay's "Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.," page 195.]] + +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and +set the example of strict conformity to it, but he should be a + +=== Page 85 ============================================================ + +man of executive ability, capable of controlling men; and it should +never be forgotten, that, to control others, it is necessary to control +one's self. An excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a +meeting. + +A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that--"The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense." + +41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording officer is +usually called + +=== Page 86 ============================================================ + +the "Clerk" or "Secretary,"* [When there are two secretaries, he is +termed the "recording secretary," and the other one, the "corresponding +secretary." In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a +certain extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as +banker, only paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary +alone, or by the president and secretary. In such cases the secretary +becomes in reality the financial officer of the society, and should make +reports to the society, of funds received and from what sources, and of +the funds expended and for what purposes. See 52 for his duties as +financial officer.] and the record of proceedings the "Minutes." His +desk should be near that of the chairman, and in the absence of the +chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the hour for +opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which +should be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, +commencing in a form similar to the following :** [See Clerk and Minutes +in Part II, 51.] + +"At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held +on the 31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the +President in the chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and +approved." If the regular clerk is absent, insert after the words "in +the chair," the following: "The clerk being absent, Robert Smith was +appointed clerk pro tem. + +=== Page 87 ============================================================ + +The minutes were then read and approved." If the minutes were not read, +say "the reading of the minutes was dispensed with." The above form +will show the essentials, which are as follows: (a) The kind of +meeting, "regular" [or stated] or "special," or "adjourned regular," +or "adjourned special;" (6) name of the assembly; (c) date and place of +meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the fact of +the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous +meeting were approved. + +The minutes should be signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers. + +In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted. + +=== Page 88 ============================================================ + +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have +at least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of +Boards of Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in +reporting the debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly +to record what is "done" by the assembly, not what is said by the +members. Without there is a rule to the contrary, he should enter every +Principal motion [ 6] that is before the assembly, whether it is +adopted or rejected; and where there is a division [see Voting, 38], +or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter the number of votes on +each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [ 38], he should +enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He should +endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the +records, for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a +brief summary of a report that has been agreed to, except where it +contains resolutions, in which case the resolutions will be entered in +full as adopted by the assembly, and not as + +=== Page 89 ============================================================ + +if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [ 32], or while acting informally [ 33], should not be entered +on the minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to +read over the minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or +society will not occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings +are not separated by too great a time, the minutes are read at the next +meeting. + +The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [ 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members. + +=== Page 90 ============================================================ + +Art. VIII. Miscellaneous. +[ 42-45.] + +42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions in +Introduction for the distinction between "meeting" and "session."] +which, though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a +session of a Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it +terminates by an "adjournment without day." The intermediate +adjournments from day to day, or the recesses taken during the day, do +not destroy the continuity of the meeting--they in reality constitute +one session. In the case of a permanent society, having regular +meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each meeting +constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however can +be prolonged by adjourning to another day. + +If a principal motion [ 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see +Renewal of a Motion, 26], it can be at + +=== Page 91 ============================================================ + +the next, without it is prohibited by a rule of the assembly. + +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the +assembly at any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or +resolution of a permanent nature, and it continues in force until at +some future session it is rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they +are termed, do not interfere with future sessions, because at any moment +a majority can suspend or rescind them, or adopt new ones.] without it +is expressly so provided in their Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules of +Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of amendments, +and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are not +subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or +wishes of any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were +ill, it would not be competent for one session of the assembly to elect +a chairman to hold office longer than that session, as it cannot control +or dictate to the next session of the assembly. By going through the +prescribed routine of an election to fill the vacancy, giving whatever +notice is required, it could then legally elect a chairman to hold +office while the vacancy lasted. So it + +=== Page 92 ============================================================ + +is improper for an assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the +next succeeding session, and thus attempt to prevent the next session +from considering the question. On the other hand, it is not permitted +to move a reconsideration [ 27] of a vote taken at a previous session +[though the motion to reconsider can be called up, provided it was made +at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees can be +appointed to report at a future session. + +Note On Session--In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual. + +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of +an ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very +great. [Examine Indefinitely Postpone, 24, and Renewal of a Motion, +26.] If members of any society take advantage of the freedom allowed by +considering + +=== Page 93 ============================================================ + +each regular meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious +or unprofitable motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the +second introduction of any principal question [ 6] within, say, three +or six months after its rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after +the society has refused to consider it. But generally it is better to +suppress the motion by refusing to consider it [ 15]. + +43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is competent to +transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the subject, +the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is +usual to adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than +one-twentieth of its members; this becomes a necessity in most large +societies, where only a small fraction of the members are ever present +at a meeting.* [While a quorum is competent to transact any business, it +is usually not expedient to transact important business without there is +a fair attendance at the meeting, or else previous notice of such action +has been given.] + +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except +where there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can +be transacted, except simply + +=== Page 94 ============================================================ + +to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is found not to be a +quorum present, the only thing to be done is to adjourn--though if no +question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, but no vote +taken, except to adjourn. + +In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum. + +44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society having a +permanent existence, + +=== Page 95 ============================================================ + +to adopt an order of business for its meetings. When no rule has been +adopted, the following is the order: + + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval]. + (2) Reports of Standing Committees. + (3) Reports of Select Committees. + (4) Unfinished Business. + (5) New Business. + +Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a "special order" for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [ 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [ 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of. + +The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,--one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see 30]. In 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows: + +=== Page 96 ============================================================ + +The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, "Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" If none +are offered, he says, "No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;" he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph. + +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the +clerk reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first +and puts it to the question, and so on till all the amendments are +adopted or rejected, admitting amendments to the committee's amendments, +but no others. When + +=== Page 97 ============================================================ + +through with the committee's amendments, the Chairman pauses for any +other amendments to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are +voted on, he puts the question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as +amended. Where the resolutions have been just read by the member +presenting them, the reading by the clerk is usually dispensed with +without the formality of a vote. By "suspending the rules" [ 18], or +by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without following +any of the above routine. + +45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be amended at any +regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the members +present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous +regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their +being amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous +notice of the amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain +rules that it may be desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should +state how they can be suspended, just as is done in these Rules of +Order, 18. If there is no such rule it is impossible to suspend any +rule, if a single member objects. + +=== Page 98 ============================================================ +=== Page 99 ============================================================ + +PART II. + +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.* +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms +permitted, but that these forms are proper and common. They are +inserted for the benefit of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, +and are sufficiently numerous for ordinary meetings.] + +Art. IX. Organization and Meetings. +[ 46-49.] + +46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) Organization. When a meeting +is held which is not one of an organized society, shortly after the +time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly steps +forward and says: "The meeting will please come to order; I move that +Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting." Some one else says, "I second +the motion." The first member then puts the + +=== Page 100 =========================================================== + +question to vote, by saying, "It has been moved and seconded that Mr. A. +act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the motion will say +aye," and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, "those opposed +will say no." If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* [Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, +the assembly signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. 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 Mr. A. 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 before. 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 a vote on the first one he heard, putting +the question thus: "As many as are in favor of + +=== Page 101 =========================================================== + +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;--those +opposed will say no." If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. +C., and so on, till some one is elected. In large meetings the +secretary takes his seat near the chairman: he should in all cases keep +a record of the proceedings as described in 51. + +(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all that are +usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, the +chairman asks, "What is the further pleasure of the meeting?" If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some +special subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for +some one to offer a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else +to move 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, +then says, "I move the adoption of the following resolutions," which he +then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in legislative +bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and +only one chairman. In many 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, without there is a rule or established custom to the +contrary, it is allowable, and frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are fully +understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of +Order, 44.] + +=== Page 102 =========================================================== + +some one else says, "I second the motion." The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he +says, "The question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read," +and if no one rises immediately, he adds, "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 just read, will say aye;" after the ayes +have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no;" +he then announces the result of the vote as follows: "The motion is +carried--the resolutions are adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the +resolutions are 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 been recognized, says, "I move that a committee be appointed +to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on," + +=== Page 103 =========================================================== + +etc., adding the subject for which the meeting was called. This motion +being seconded, the Chairman states the question [ 67] and asks, "Are +you ready for the question?" If no one rises, he puts the question, +announces the result, and, if it is carried, he 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 the members of the assembly (no member naming more than +one, except by unanimous consent), and then the assembly vote 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, will say + +=== Page 104 =========================================================== + +aye." If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more +names mentioned than the number of the committee, a separate vote should +be taken on each name. (In a mass meeting it is safer to have all +committees appointed by the chairman.) + +When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, 2.] when he says, "The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly. + +A member then moves the "adoption" or + +=== Page 105 =========================================================== + +"acceptance" of the report, or that "the resolutions be agreed to," +which motions have the same effect if carried, namely, to make the +resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the committee had +had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a report +has been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is +only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards move its +adoption.] + +When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in 55-63. + +When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves "to adjourn;" if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, "The motion is carried; +--this assembly stands adjourned without day." [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in 48.] + +(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are + +=== Page 106 =========================================================== + +required than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before +introducing the resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; +or the assembly can first form a temporary organization in the manner +already described, only adding "pro tem." to the title of the officers, +thus: "chairman pro tem." In this latter case, as soon as the +secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is appointed to nominate the +permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [ 47]. Frequently +the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes there is a +large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. + +47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If the members +of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it becomes +necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of +a chairman + +=== Page 107 =========================================================== + +and secretary "pro tem.," when the chairman announces, "The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials." A +motion may then be made covering the entire case, thus: "I move that a +committee of three on the credentials of members be appointed by the +Chair, and that the committee report as soon as practicable;" or they +may include only one of these details, thus: "I move that a committee +be appointed on the credentials of members." In either case the Chair +proceeds as already described in the cases of committees on resolutions +[ 46, (c)]. + +On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote. + +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least +for the time, announces that "The next business in order is the election +of permanent officers of the assembly." Some one then moves the +appointment of a + +=== Page 108 =========================================================== + +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: "I move +that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the +permanent officers of this convention." This motion is treated as +already explained. When the committee make their report, some one moves +"That the report of the committee be accepted and that the officers +nominated be declared the officers of this convention."* [Where there is +any competition for the offices, it is better that they be elected by +ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee report, a motion +can be made as follows: "I move that the convention now proceed to +ballot for its permanent officers;" or "I move that we now proceed to +the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention." +[See Rules of Order, 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] +The constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the +officers shall be elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the +chairman declares the officers elected, and instantly calls the new +presiding officer to the chair, and the temporary secretary is at the +same time replaced. The convention is now organized for work. + +48. A Permanent Society. (a) First Meeting. When it is desired to +form a permanent society, those interested in it should see that only +the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain time and +place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to organize +a society, to commence until + +=== Page 109 =========================================================== + +fifteen or thirty minutes after the appointed time, when some one 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 an "occasional +meeting" [ 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is +elected, he announces as the first business in order the election of a +secretary. + +After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting. + +When a sufficient time has been spent in this + +=== Page 110 =========================================================== + +informal way, some one should offer a resolution, so that definite +action can be taken. Those interested in getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as +already described [ 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been +offered at the commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very +large one, this would probably be better than to have the informal +discussion. + +After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly." This motion can be amended [ 56] +by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable. + +=== Page 111 =========================================================== + +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 meeting?" When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see 63] 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.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are conducted like +this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the business in +the order prescribed by the rules of the society [ 72]. For example, +after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, "The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees." He +may then call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: +"Has the committee on applications for membership any report to make?" +In which case the committee may report, as shown above, or some member +of it reply that they have no report to make. Or, when the chairman +knows that there are but few if any reports to make, 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 select +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.] 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 + +=== Page 112 =========================================================== + +please come to order:" as soon as the assembly is seated, he adds, "The +secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting." If any one +notices an error in the minutes, he can 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, "If there is no objection the +minutes will stand approved as read" [or "corrected," if any corrections +have been made]. + +He 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, reads +the committee's report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and +formal bodies the chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the +report, usually directs the secretary to read it again. See note to +46 (c), for a few common errors in acting upon reports of committees. +[See also note to 46 (b).]] If no motion is made, the chairman says, +"You have heard the report read -- + +=== Page 113 =========================================================== + +what order shall be taken upon it?" Or simply inquires, "What shall be +done with the report?" Some one moves its adoption, or still better, +moves "the adoption of the Constitution reported by the committee," and +when seconded, the chairman says, "The question is on the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee." He then reads the first +article of the Constitution, and asks, "Are there any amendments +proposed to this article?" If none are offered, after a pause, he reads +the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus until he +reads the last article, when he says, "The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment." Now any one can move amendments to +any part of the Constitution. + +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;" and then, "As many +as are opposed, will say no." He distinctly announces the result of the +vote, which should always be done. If the articles of the Constitution +are subdivided into sections + +=== Page 114 =========================================================== + +or paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or +paragraphs, instead of by articles. + +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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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. + +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and +says, "The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws." Some one +moves the adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they +are treated just like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, "What +is the further pleasure of the meeting?" or states that the next +business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the +society. In either case some one moves the appointment of a committee +to nominate the permanent officers of the society, which motion is +treated as already described in 47. As + +=== Page 115 =========================================================== + +each officer is elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are +all elected the organization is completed. + +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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated. + +49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules. In +forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure copies +of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending +each article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When +they have completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the +committee. The By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having +finished the work assigned them, some one moves, "That the committee +rise, and that the chairman (or some other + +=== Page 116 =========================================================== + +member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly." If this +is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: "Your committee, appointed to draft a +Constitution and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with +the recommendation that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws +of this society;" which is signed by all the members of the committee +that concur in it. Sometimes the report is only signed by the chairman +of the committee. + +In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following: + +(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving + details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution. + +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided +into sections. The + +=== Page 117 =========================================================== + +Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it should be +made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the amendment +is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [ 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than +two-thirds, and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should +not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: "The rules contained in--(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society." Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting. + +=== Page 118 =========================================================== + +In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [ 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws, as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for. + +=== Page 119 =========================================================== + +Art. X. Officers and Committees. + +50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman to call the +meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the meetings, +to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to +preserve order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order +(subject to an appeal). When he "puts a question" to vote, and when +speaking upon an appeal, he should stand;* [In meetings of boards of +managers, committees and other small bodies, the chairman usually +retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not rise.] in all +other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect the +result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member +rises to speak, he + +=== Page 120 =========================================================== + +should say, "Mr. Chairman," and the chairman should reply, "Mr. A;" he +should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should +listen to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the +assembly. The chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance +of partizanship, but he has the right to call another member to the +chair while he addresses the assembly on a question; when speaking to a +question of order he does not leave the chair. + +51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is variously +called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of which +depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every +resolution or motion that is adopted. + +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for +publication, and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and +generally best, to appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it +is a tax on the judgment of the clerk to decide what to enter on the +record, or the "Minutes," as it is usually called. Sometimes the points +of each speech should be entered, + +=== Page 121 =========================================================== + +and at other times only the remark that the question was discussed by +Messrs. A., B. and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in +the negative. Every resolution that is adopted should be entered, which +can be done in this form: "On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, +&c." + +Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book. + +The Form of the Minutes can be as follows: + +"At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on +Tuesday evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting +as secretary, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and + +=== Page 122 =========================================================== + +approved. The committee on Applications reported the names of Messrs. +C. and D. as applicants for membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they +were admitted as members. The committee on --- reported a series of +resolutions, which were thoroughly discussed and amended, and finally +adopted as follows: + +"Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " + +On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned. +L- B-, Secretary. + +If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper. + +The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society. + +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, +not specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his + +=== Page 123 =========================================================== + +duties are also of a financial kind, when he should make such reports as +are prescribed in the next section. + +52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different societies. +In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely holding +the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always +required, in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on +hand at the commencement of the year, the amount received during the +year (stating from what source received), the total amount paid out by +order of the society, and the balance on hand. When this report is +presented it is referred to an "auditing committee," consisting of one +or two persons, who examine the treasurer's books and vouchers, and +certify on his report that they "have examined his accounts and vouchers +and find them correct, and the balance on hand is," etc., stating the +amount on hand. The auditing committee's report being accepted is +equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, namely, +that the treasurer's report is correct. + +In the case here supposed, the real financial + +=== Page 124 =========================================================== + +statement is made either by the board of trustees, or by the secretary +or some other officer, according to the Constitution of the society. +The principles involved, are, that every officer who receives money is +to account for it in a report to the society, and that whatever officer +is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the society. +If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary +should make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable +the society to readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. + +It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct. + +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he +makes a payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as +they are the vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the +auditing committee. Disbursing officers cannot be + +=== Page 125 =========================================================== + +too careful in keeping their accounts, and they should insist upon +having their accounts audited every time they make a report, as by this +means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee's report that the financial +report is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the +responsibility of the past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it +would cause no trouble. The best form for these financial reports +depends upon the kind of society, and is best determined by examining +those made in similar societies. + +The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures): + +Treasurer's Report. + +The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report: + +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was --- dollars and +--- cents. There was received from all sources during the year, --- +dollars and --- cents; during the same time the + +=== Page 126 =========================================================== + +expenses amounted to --- dollars and --- cents, leaving a balance on +hand of --- dollars and --- cents. The annexed statement of receipts +and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the receipts +were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. + +S-- M--, Treasurer M. L. S. + +The "Statement of receipts and expenditures" can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee's certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows: + +Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +1874. 1874. + +Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand + '' Gas ........... 80 00 from last year's + '' Stationery .... 26 50 account .......... $ 21 13 + '' Janitor ....... 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00 + '' Balance on hand 24 63 '' members' dues .. 875 00 + ------- ------- + $991 13 $991 13 + +We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm. + +=== Page 127 =========================================================== + +53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those where but +little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees +are of the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in +nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A +committee for action should be small and consist only of those heartily +in favor of the proposed action. A committee for deliberation or +investigation, on the contrary, should be larger and represent all +parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with it as great +weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on +the committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in +46 (c). + +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his +duty to call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If +he is absent, or from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it +is the duty of the committee to assemble on the call of any two of their +members. The committee are a miniature assembly, only being able to act +when + +=== Page 128 =========================================================== + +a quorum is present. If a paper is referred to them they must not +deface it in any way, but write their amendments on a separate sheet. +If they originate the paper, all amendments must be incorporated in it. +When they originate the paper, usually one member has previously +prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read by +paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, "Are +there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" No vote is taken on +the adoption of the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has +been read in this way, it is open to amendment, generally, by striking +out any paragraph or inserting new ones, or by substituting an entirely +new paper for it. When it has been amended to suit the committee, they +should adopt it as their report, and direct the chairman or some other +member to report it to the assembly. It is then written out, usually +commencing in a style similar to this: "The committee to which was +referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the following +report;" or, "Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report," etc. It usually closes thus: "All of which is +respectfully submitted," followed by the signatures of + +=== Page 129 =========================================================== + +all the members concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of +the chairman. + +If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: "The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed," etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee's report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee's report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to re-commit), if adopted, revives the committee. + +Art. XI. Introduction of Business. + +54. Any member wishing to bring business before the assembly, should, +without it is very simple, write down in the form of a motion, what he +would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: + +Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality. + +=== Page 130 =========================================================== + +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and +addresses the chairman by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman," who +immediately recognizes him by announcing his name.* [If the chairman has +any special title, as President, for instance, he should be addressed by +it, thus: "Mr. President." Sometimes the chairman recognizes the +speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course is to announce +his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he "moves the adoption +of the following resolution," which he reads and hands to the chairman.** +[Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes to +offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, "It +has been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted," +when he reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then +state the question thus: "The question is on the adoption of the +resolution just read." The merits of the resolution are then open to +discussion, but before any member can discuss the question or make any +motion, he must first obtain the floor as just described. After the +chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or when he +thinks the debate closed, he asks, "Are you ready for the question?" If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the +following: "The question is on the adoption of the resolution + +=== Page 131 =========================================================== + +which you have heard; as many as are in favor of its adoption will say +aye." When the ayes have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary +opinion will say no."* [There are many other ways of putting a question; +see 67, and Rules of Order, 38. Other illustrations of the ordinary +practice in introducing business will be seen in 46-48.] He then +announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or lost, as +the case may be, in the following form: "The motion is carried--the +resolution is adopted;" or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is +adopted." A majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption +of any motion, excepting those mentioned in 68. + +Art. XII. Motions. + +55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead of +immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, +it may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this +purpose various motions have come into use, which can be made while a +resolution is being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. +No one can make any of these motions while another member has the floor, + +=== Page 132 =========================================================== + +excepting as shown in 64, which see for the circumstances under which +each motion can be made. + +The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.] + +Motions Classified. + + (1) To Amend or Modify ....................................... [ 56] + (a) Amend. + (b) Commit. + (2) To Defer action .......................................... [ 57] + (a) Postpone to a certain time. + (b) Lie on the Table. + (3) To Suppress Debate ....................................... [ 58] + (a) Previous Question. + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate. + (4) To Suppress the question ................................. [ 59] + (a) Objection to its Consideration. + (b) Postpone Indefinitely. + (c) Lie on the Table. + (5) To Consider a question the second time ................... [ 60] + (a) Reconsider. + (6) Order and Rules .......................................... [ 61] + (a) Orders of the day. + (b) Special Orders. + (c) Suspension of the Rules. + (d) Questions of Order. + (e) Appeal. + +=== Page 133 =========================================================== + + (7) Miscellaneous ............................................ [ 62] + (a) Reading of Papers. + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion. + (c) Questions of Privilege. + (8) To close a meeting ....................................... [ 63] + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn. + (b) Adjourn. + +56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If it is desired to modify the +question in any way, the proper motion to make is to "amend," either by +"adding" words, or by "striking out" words; or by "striking out certain +words and inserting others;" or by "substituting" a different motion on +the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by "dividing the +question" into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as to +get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its +friends, and thus defeat it. + +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should +always state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly +what is before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to +amend; then the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the +words to be inserted, if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will +stand if the + +=== Page 134 =========================================================== + +amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the +adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being +confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main +question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of +adopting the amendment. + +This amendment can be amended, but an "amendment of an amendment" cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely. + +(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs +more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move "to refer it to a committee." This motion can be made while an +amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to +debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the +committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or +by giving them any other instructions. [See 53 on committees, and +46 (c) on their appointment.] + +57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a certain time. If it is desired +to defer action + +=== Page 135 =========================================================== + +upon a question till a particular time, the proper motion to make, is to +"postpone it to that time." This motion allows of but limited debate, +which must be confined to the propriety of the postponement to that +time; it can be amended by altering the time, and this amendment allows +of the same debate. The time specified must not be beyond that session +[ 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, in which case it +comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. This motion +can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. + +(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to a particular +time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some other +question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to +defeat a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it +at any other time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken +from the table, except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the +society of the advantages of the motion to "lie on the table." because +it would not be safe to lay a question aside temporarily, if one-third +of the assembly were opposed to the measure, as that one-third could +prevent its ever being taken from the table. A bare majority should not +have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or +prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of 35, +Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the +question "lie on the table." This motion + +=== Page 136 =========================================================== + +allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts +the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the +assembly vote to "take it from the table" (which latter motion is +undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used +to suppress a measure, as shown in 59 (c). + +58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous Question. While as a general +rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* [Except an "objection to +the consideration of the question" [ 59 (a)]. See note to 35, Rules +of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] which, if +adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing it +from before the assembly for the session,--yet, to prevent a minority +from making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have +methods by which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken +upon a question. + +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, +it is only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and "call for the +previous question;" this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows +of no debate, instantly puts the question, thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" If this is carried by a two-thirds vote [ 68], +all debate instantly + +=== Page 137 =========================================================== + +ceases, excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, +or reported it from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to +the floor to close the debate; after which, the chairman immediately +puts the questions to the assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if +it is pending; if this is carried, of course the subject goes to the +committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is next taken on amendments, +and finally on the resolution as amended. + +If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate. + +(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, instead of cutting +off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is desirable +to allow of but very limited debate. In + +=== Page 138 =========================================================== + +this case, a motion is made to limit the time allowed each speaker or +the number of speeches on each side, or to appoint a time at which +debate shall close and the question be put. The motion may be made to +limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main question would +afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made simply on +an amendment to an amendment. + +In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions. + +59. To Suppress the Question. (a) Objection to the consideration of a +question. Sometimes a resolution is introduced that the assembly do not +wish to consider at all, because it is profitless, or irrelevant to the +objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. The proper course to +pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is introduced, to +"object to the consideration of the question." This objection not +requiring a second, the chairman immediately + +=== Page 139 =========================================================== + +puts the question, "Will the assembly consider this question?" If +decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote, the question is +immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced during that +session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another +member has the floor. + +(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been debated, the +proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the session, +is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an +amendment has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is +before the assembly. It opens the merits of the main question to debate +to as great an extent as if the main question were before the assembly. +On account of these two facts, in assemblies with short sessions it is +not very useful, as the same result can usually be more easily attained +by the next motion. + +(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during the remainder +of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the question, +then the quickest way of suppressing it is + +=== Page 140 =========================================================== + +to move "that the question lie on the table;" which, allowing of no +debate, enables the majority to instantly lay the question on the table, +from which it cannot be taken without their consent. + +From its high rank [ 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration. + +60. To Consider a question a second time. Reconsider. When a question +has been once adopted, rejected or suppressed, it cannot be again +considered during that session [ 70], except by a motion to "reconsider +the vote" on that question. This motion can only be made by one who +voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken which it +is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any +one can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered +on all important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary +societies.] It can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of +debate, even when another member has the floor, but cannot be considered +until there is no question + +=== Page 141 =========================================================== + +before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. + +A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable. + +If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote. + +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be +called up by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If +the assembly has not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph +would not apply, but this motion to reconsider would, like any other +motion, fall to the ground if not acted upon before the close of the +session at which the original vote was adopted.] If he fails to call it +up then, any one else can do so. But should there be no succeeding +meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, then the effect of +the motion to reconsider + +=== Page 142 =========================================================== + +terminates with the adjournment of the meeting at which it was made, and +any one can call it up at that meeting. + +In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.] + +61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the Day. Sometimes an assembly +decides that certain questions shall be considered at a particular time, +and when that time arrives those questions constitute what is termed the +"orders of the day," and if any member "calls for the orders of the +day," as it requires no second, the + +=== Page 143 =========================================================== + +chairman immediately puts the question, thus: "Will the assembly now +proceed to the orders of the day?" If carried, the subject under +consideration is laid aside, and the questions appointed for that time +are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the chairman may +state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot +be renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* +[In Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a +call for the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most +common case where orders of the day are decided upon is where it is +necessary to make a programme for the session. When the hour arrives +for the consideration of any subject on the programme, these rules +permit any member to call for the orders of the day (as described in +Rules of Order, 2) even though another person has the floor. If this +were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone +the orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion +of the question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when +any subject shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules +of the assembly; the latter must be enforced by the chairman, without +they are suspended by a two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can +only be carried out by the order of a majority of the assembly then +present and voting.] + +(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that it is +desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made +to make the question a "special order" for that particular time. This + +=== Page 144 =========================================================== + +motion requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really +a suspension of the rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to +suspend the rules is in order. If a subject is a special order for a +particular day, then on that day it supersedes all business except the +reading of the minutes. A special order can be postponed by a majority +vote. If two special orders are made for the same day, the one first +made takes precedence. + +(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every assembly, if +discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being wasted, +and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by +suspending their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes +a motion "to suspend the rules that interfere with," etc., stating the +object of the suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds +vote, then the particular thing for which the rules were suspended can +be done. By "general consent," that is, if no one objects, the rules +can at any time be ignored without the formality of a motion. + +(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to enforce the +rules and preserve + +=== Page 145 =========================================================== + +order, and when any member notices a breach of order, he can call for +the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he rises he usually +says, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order." The chairman then +directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of +order, decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his +speech, directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be +out of order. When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he +cannot continue his speech, if any one objects, without permission is +granted him by a vote of the assembly. Instead of the above method, +when a member uses improper language, some one says, "I call the +gentleman to order;" when the chairman decides as before whether the +language is disorderly. + +(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of interpretation of +the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the chairman to +first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to "appeal +from the decision." If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the +question, thus: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment +of the assembly?" [or society, convention, etc.] + +=== Page 146 =========================================================== + +The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained, or reversed, as the case may be. + +62. Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a +motion. If a speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw +his motion after it has been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if +any one objects, to make a motion to grant the permission. + +(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur during the +meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of the +members, any member may "rise to a question of privilege," and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of +privilege: (from the chairman's decision of course an appeal can be +taken). If the question is one of privilege, it supersedes, + +=== Page 147 =========================================================== + +for the time being, the business before the assembly; its consideration +can be postponed to another time, or the previous question can be +ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid on the table, or +referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon as the +question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. + +63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. If it +is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the assembly, it is best some +time before its close to move, "That when this assembly adjourns, it +adjourns to meet at such a time," specifying the time. This motion can +be amended by altering the time, but if made when another question is +before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it +stands as any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can +be made even while the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but +not when another member has the floor. + +(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly + +=== Page 148 =========================================================== + +from being kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to +have a rule limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one +member at one time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is +desired to close the meeting, without the member who has the floor will +yield it, the only resource is to wait till his time expires, and then a +member who gets the floor should move "to adjourn." The motion being +seconded, the chairman instantly put the question, as it allows of no +amendment or debate; and if decided in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried;--this assembly stands adjourned." If the assembly +is one that will have no other meeting, instead of "adjourned," he says +"adjourned without day," or "sine die." If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he +states that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion +to adjourn is qualified by specifying the time, as, "to adjourn to +to-morrow evening," it cannot be made when any other question is before +the assembly; like any other main motion, it can then be amended and +debated.** [For the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business see + 69.] + +=== Page 149 =========================================================== + +64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions rank as +follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first. + +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection +to the consideration of a question, can be made while another member has +the floor: so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be +entered on the minutes + +=== Page 150 =========================================================== + +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the +assembly. + +Art. XIII. Debate. + +65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be addressed to the +chairman, and must be confined to the question before the assembly, +avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one's motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of +times any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed +for each speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from +each member only one speech of one hour's length; the Senate allows two +speeches without limit as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he +could speak only once to the same question, might defeat a measure by +prolonging his speech and declining to yield the floor except for a +motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two speeches should be +allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules also limit +the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a member +to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. + +=== Page 151 =========================================================== + +However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in 58 (b). + +66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main Question to +Debate. [A full list of these will be found in 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be +added the motion to close or limit debate.] + +Art. XIV. Miscellaneous. + +67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been +made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in +order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question +is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently + +=== Page 152 =========================================================== + +but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it +is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. + +Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question. + +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, "It is +moved and seconded that," and then give the motion. When an amendment +has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, +"The question now recurs on the resolution," or, "on the resolution as +amended," as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is +taken, he should immediately state the question then before the +assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be +amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and + +=== Page 153 =========================================================== + +always before finally putting it, inquires, "Are you ready for the +question?" Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions +are shown in 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions, +are, however, peculiar: + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: "Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +=== Page 154 =========================================================== + +68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds Vote, page +159, and 39 of Rules of Order.] + +All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule: + +To amend or suspend the rules. +To make a special order. +To take up a question out of its proper order. +An objection to the consideration of a question. +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. + +69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the unfinished +business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the first +business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new +business at the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are +more frequent than yearly.** [See Rules of Order, 11, for a fuller +explanation of the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business, +and the Congressional practice.] If the meetings are only once a + +=== Page 155 =========================================================== + +year, the adjournment of the session puts an end to all unfinished +business. + +70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes a separate +session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +"adjourns without day."* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by +moving simply "to adjourn;" the society meet again at the time provided +either by their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not +meet till the time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the +By-Laws, then the adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an +adjournment without day. If, however, they had previously fixed the +time for the next meeting, either by a direct vote, or by adopting a +programme of exercises covering several meetings or even days, in either +case the adjournment is in effect to a certain day, and does not close +the session.] + +When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to 49]. + +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules +limit the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of +Business prescribed in 72 requires that the + +=== Page 156 =========================================================== + +minutes of the previous meeting, the reports of committees previously +appointed, and the unfinished business of the last session, shall all +take precedence of new business, and that no subject can be considered +out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it is +allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up +with unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day +beyond the next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next +session to consider the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can +be made at one meeting and called up at the next meeting even though it +be another session, provided the society holds its regular sessions as +frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of Order, 42, for a full discussion +of this subject.] + +71. Quorum. [See 43 for full information on this subject.] + +72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year: + +=== Page 157 =========================================================== + +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. +(3) Reports of Select Committees. +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). +(5) New Business. + +Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read. + +73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order, should be +permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular meeting +of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, +amendments should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +=== Page 158 =========================================================== + +Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their Members. + +The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a 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 +their 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. + +=== Page 159 =========================================================== + +The 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 or 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 treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights. + +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 + +=== Page 160 =========================================================== + +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 held the case under advisement for one year, +and then reversed the decision of the State Court, because it conflicted +with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court that had acted +upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, laid down +the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a larger +and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has +been carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. + +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. + +=== Page 161 =========================================================== + +It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of +expulsion if they refuse. In 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case. + +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 investigate the matter and report to the +society. This report need not go into details, but should contain their +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, + +=== Page 162 =========================================================== + +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. + +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. + +=== Page 163 =========================================================== + +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. + +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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt. + +=== Page 164 =========================================================== +=== Page 165 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES + +RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.] + +=== Page 166 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, "Lie on +the table:" the Table shows that 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is "undebatable" and "cannot be amended;" and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) "cannot be reconsidered:" +-- the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +"open the main question to debate," that it does not "require a 2/3 +vote," that it does "require to be seconded," and that it is not "in +order when another member has the floor." + +The column headed "Requires a two-thirds vote," applies only where the +"Pocket Manual of Rules of Order," or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See "Two-thirds Vote," on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] + +After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc. + + In order when another has the floor [ 2]-------------| + Requires no Second [ 3]-----------| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [ 39]--See Note 1.---------| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [ 27]-------| | | | + Cannot be Amended [ 23]-----| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [ 35]---| | | | | | + Undebatable [ 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ............................................. x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ................... 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ............................................... . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment .................................. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ..................................... . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ............ x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ............................. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ....................................... x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +22 Commit .............................................. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to .............. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn .................... 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table .................................... x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] ........ x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ................... x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time .......................... 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely ............................... . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question ................................... x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ......... x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ...................................... x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ..................... . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question .................. x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) .............................. . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) .................. x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ................ x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ............................ . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) .......................... . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules ................................... x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table ................................. x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order .......... x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion .............................. x . x . . . . + +=== Page 167 =========================================================== + +Notes To The Table. + +(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the rules," which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.] + +(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. + +(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. + +(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. + +(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly; it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side. + +(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted. + +(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate. + +MISCELLANEOUS RULES. + +Order of Precedence of Motions. + +The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when, if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first. + +Two-thirds Vote. + +In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the +rules," which would require a unanimous vote. + +Forms of Putting Certain Questions. + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question now be put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.]. + +If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +"Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +Various Forms of Amendments. + +An Amendment may be either (1) by "adding" or (2) by "striking out" +words or paragraphs; or (3) by "striking out certain words and inserting +others;" or (4) by "substituting" a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by "dividing the question" into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. + +=== Page 168 =========================================================== + +Additions and Corrections. + +[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.] + +19th page, 7th line, after " 13" insert a star referring to this + note: "See note to 61." +50th '' 2d line of last note, omit all after "reconsideration." +51st '' at end of 12th line, insert "upon another day." + '' '' 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: "In + Congress the effect always terminates with the session, + and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, + until the expiration of the time during which it is in + order to move a reconsideration." +69th '' 4th line, after " 34," insert "or limiting or closing debate." +72d '' 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: + "If both are personally interested. [See p. 161.]" +73d '' last line of note, insert "final" before "vote." +80th '' add to the list in 39 the motion + "To make a special order." + +=== Page 169 =========================================================== + +INDEX. + +The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION. + +Adjourn, motion to ............................................. 11, 63b + when in order ................................................ 11, 64 + effect upon unfinished business .............................. 11, 69 + motion to "fix the time to which to adjourn" .................. 10, 63 +Amendment, motion to "amend" .................................. 23, 56a + by "adding" or "striking out" ................................ 23, 56a + by "striking out and inserting" .............................. 23, 56a + by "substituting" ............................................ 23, 56a + by "dividing the question" ................................ 4, 23, 56a + of an amendment .............................................. 23, 56a + in committee .................................................. 28, 53 + in committee of the whole ........................................ 32 + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ........... 44, 48b + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions .................. 45, 73 + motions that cannot be amended ............................... 23, 56a +Announcing the vote. See Forms. +Appeal from the decision of the chair .......................... 14, 61e +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14). +Assembly, how organized ..................................... 46, 47, 48 + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc., + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16. + legal rights of, pp. 158-163. + right to punish members, p. 158. + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159. + trial of members, p. 160. +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, 38. +Ballot .............................................................. 38 +Blanks, filling of .................................................. 25 + in balloting, not to be counted ................................... 38 + +=== Page 170 =========================================================== + +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in + order when reports of standing committees are made ............ 44, 72 + (See Quorum.) +Business, introduction of ...................................... 1-5, 54 + order of ...................................................... 44, 72 + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ..................... 11, 69 + [See Priority of Business.] +By-Laws, what they should contain ................................... 49 + adoption of ...................................................... 46a + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Chairman, duties of ............................................. 40, 50 + election of ...................................................... 46a + temporary ..................................................... 40, 47 + of a committee ................................................ 28, 53 +of committee of the whole ........................................... 32 +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ................... 38 +Classification of Motions according to their object ................. 55 + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. .................... 6-9 +Clerk, duties of ................................................ 41, 51 + additional duties of when receiving money ......................... 52 + election of ...................................................... 46a +Commit, motion to .............................................. 22, 56b +Committees, appointment of ..................................... 22, 46c + how they should be composed ................................... 22, 53 + object of ..................................................... 28, 53 + manner of conducting business in .............................. 28, 53 + Reports of, their form ........................................ 29, 53 + their reception ............................................ 30, 46c + their adoption ............................................. 31, 46c + their place in the order of business ........................ 44, 72 + common errors in acting upon (note) ........................ 30, 46c + Minority Reports of, their form ............................... 29, 53 + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute + for the committee's report ................................ 28, 53 + of the whole ...................................................... 32 + as if in committee of the whole ................................... 33 + +=== Page 171 =========================================================== + +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12. +Consideration of a question, objection to ...................... 15, 59a +Constitutions, what they should contain ............................. 49 + adoption of by a society ......................................... 48b + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a + meeting of ..................................................... 47 +Credentials of delegates ............................................ 47 +Debate, what precedes ............................................ 3, 54 + no member to speak but twice in same .......................... 34, 65 + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one + time ........................................................ 34, 65 + a majority can extend the number and length of + speeches allowed ........................................... 34, 65 + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress + (note) ...................................................... 34, 65 + member introducing measure has right to close ..................... 34 + list of undebatable questions ................................. 35, 66 + motions that open the main question to ............................ 35 + principles regulating the extent of (see note) .................... 35 + decorum in .................................................... 36, 65 + closing or limiting ........................................... 37, 58 +Decorum in debate ............................................... 36, 65 +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15]. +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ............................. 47 +Division of the assembly ............................................ 38 + of questions [see Amendment] .................................. 4, 56a +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159. +Election of Officers ........................................... 46a, 47 +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to .................... 10, 63a +Floor, how to obtain ............................................. 2, 54 +Forms of making motions ......................................... 46, 54 + of stating and putting questions .............................. 38, 67 + of announcing the result of a vote ............................ 38, 54 + of reports of committees ...................................... 29, 53 + of treasurers' reports ............................................ 52 + of minutes of a meeting ....................................... 41, 51 + +=== Page 172 =========================================================== + +Forms-Continued. + + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ....................... 46 + of conducting a meeting of delegates .............................. 47 + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ..................... 48 + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ................... 48b +Incidental questions ................................................. 8 +Indefinite postponement ........................................ 24, 59b +Informal consideration of a question ................................ 33 +Introduction of Business ....................................... 1-5, 54 +Journal, or minutes ............................................. 41, 51 +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals. +Lie on the table, motion to ............................... 19, 57b, 59c +Main question ........................................................ 6 +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum. +Meeting, distinction between it and session ..................... 42, 70 + [See also Introduction, page 15.] + how to conduct. See Forms. +Members not to be present during a debate or vote + concerning themselves ............................................. 36 + trial of, p. 160. +Minority Report. See Committees. +Minutes, form and contents of ................................... 41, 51 +Moderator. See Chairman. +Modification of a motion by the mover ................................ 5 +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.] + Adjourn ...................................................... 11, 63b + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ............................ 10, 63a + Amend ........................................................ 23, 56a + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) .................. 31, 46c + Appeal ....................................................... 14, 61e + Blanks, filling ................................................... 25 + Call to order ................................................ 14, 61d + Close debate .................................................. 37, 58 + Commit ....................................................... 22, 56b + Consideration of a question, objection to ................... 15, 59a + Divide the question ....................................... 4, 23, 56a + +=== Page 173 =========================================================== + +Motions-Continued. + + Extend the limits of debate ................................... 34, 65 + Fix the time to which to adjourn ............................. 10, 63a + Incidental motions or questions .................................... 8 + Indefinitely postpone ........................................ 24, 59b + Informal consideration of a question .............................. 33 + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum ................. 36 + Leave to withdraw a motion ................................... 17, 62b + Lie on the table ........................................ 19, 57b, 59c + Limit Debate ................................................. 37, 58b + Main motions or questions .......................................... 6 + Objection to the consideration of a question ................. 15, 59a + Order, questions of .......................................... 14, 61d + Orders of the day ............................................ 13, 61a + Orders, special .................................................. 61b + Postpone to a certain day .................................... 21, 57a + Postpone indefinitely ........................................ 24, 59b + Previous question ............................................ 20, 58a + Principal motions or questions ..................................... 6 + Priority of Business, questions relating to ....................... 35 + Privileged motions or questions .................................... 9 + Privilege, questions of ...................................... 12, 62c + Reading papers ................................................ 16, 62 + Reception of a report [see Committees] ....................... 30, 46c + Recommit [same as Commit] ..................................... 22, 56 + Reconsider .................................................... 27, 60 + Refer [same as Commit] ....................................... 22, 56b + Renewal of a motion ........................................... 26, 60 + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ........................... 11, 32 + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] ............. 15, 59a + Special Order, to make a ......................................... 61b + Strike out [see Amendment] ................................... 23, 56a + Subsidiary motions or questions .................................... 7 + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) .................... 23, 56a + Suspension of the Rules ...................................... 18, 61c + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ................... 19, 57b + Take up a question out of its proper order .................... 44, 72 + Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 17, 62 + +=== Page 174 =========================================================== + +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166. + classified according to their object .............................. 55 + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ......... 6-9 + order of precedence of [see each motion, 10-27] ................ 64 + how to be made .......................................... 1, 2, 46, 54 + a second required (with certain exceptions) .................... 3, 67 + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ................ 3, 54 + when to be in writing .......................................... 4, 54 + how to be divided .................................................. 4 + how to be modified by the mover ............................. 3, 5, 17 + how to be stated and put to the question ...................... 38, 67 + that cannot be amended ....................................... 23, 56a + that cannot be debated ........................................ 35, 66 + that open main question to debate ................................. 35 + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption ............... 39, 68 +Nominations, how treated ....................................... 25, 46a +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without + a vote ............................................................ 23 +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction + of a question ................................................ 15, 59a +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer + and Vice-Presidents. +Order, questions of and a call to .............................. 14, 61d + of business ................................................... 44, 72 + of the day ................................................... 13, 61a + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) .......... 61a + special .......................................................... 61b + of precedence of motions. See Precedence. +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting ...................... 46a + of a convention or assembly of delegates .......................... 47 + of a permanent society ............................................ 48 +Papers and documents, reading of ................................ 16, 62 + in custody of clerk ........................................... 41, 51 +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.) +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.) + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.) + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business, + (Introduction, page 14.) + +=== Page 175 =========================================================== + +Postpone to a certain time ..................................... 21, 57a + indefinitely ................................................. 24, 59b +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper ...................... 44 +Precedence of motions [see each motion, 10-27] ................... 64 + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +Presiding Officer. See Chairman. +Previous Question .............................................. 20, 58a +Principal (or main) question ......................................... 6 +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ......... 35 +Privilege, questions of ........................................ 12, 62c +Privileged questions ................................................. 9 +Putting the question, form of ................................... 38, 67 +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order. +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority ............... 43 + committees and boards cannot decide upon .......................... 43 +Reading of Papers ............................................... 16, 62 +Reception of a report. See Committees. +Re-commit (same as Commit) ..................................... 22, 56b +Reconsider ...................................................... 27, 60 +Record, or minutes .............................................. 41, 51 +Recording officer. See Clerk. +Refer [same as Commit] ......................................... 22, 56b +Renewal of a motion ............................................. 26, 60 +Reports of committees. See Committees. +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly. + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159. +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ................... 11, 32 +Rules of debate. See Debate. + of Order, amendment of ........................................ 45, 73 + of Order, what they should contain ................................ 49 + standing, what they should contain ................................ 49 + suspension of ................................................ 18, 61c + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166. + +=== Page 176 =========================================================== + +Seconding, motions that do not require ........................... 3, 67 +Secretary. See Clerk. +Session [See also Meeting] ...................................... 42, 70 +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ................ 15, 59a +Speaking, rules of, See Debate. +Special Order ...................................................... 61b +Standing Rules ...................................................... 49 +Stating a question, form of ..................................... 38, 67 +Strike out (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Subsidiary motions or questions ...................................... 7 +Substitute (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Sum, largest, first put ............................................. 25 +Suspension of the rules ........................................ 18, 61c +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166. +Take from the table, motion to ................................. 19, 57b +Time, longest, first put ............................................ 25 +Treasurer, duties of ................................................ 52 +Trial of Members, p. 160. +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring .............................. 39, 68 +Undebatable Questions ........................................... 35, 66 +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon ................. 11, 69 + its place in the order of business ............................ 44, 72 +Vice-Presidents .................................................... 46d +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ....................... 38, 54 + motions requiring more than a majority ........................ 39, 68 + change of, permitted before result is announced ................... 38 +Voting, various methods of .......................................... 38 +Withdrawal of a motion .......................................... 17, 62 +Yeas and Nays, voting by ............................................ 38 +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Robert's Rules of Order, by Henry M. 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Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/9097-8.zip b/old/9097-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..dbeb044 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/9097-8.zip diff --git a/old/9097.txt b/old/9097.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c2be9ca --- /dev/null +++ b/old/9097.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5016 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Robert's Rules of Order, by Henry M. Robert + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Robert's Rules of Order + Pocket Manual of Rules Of Order For Deliberative Assemblies + +Author: Henry M. Robert + +Release Date: November 13, 2004 [EBook #9097] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER *** + + + + +Produced by Randyl Kent Plampin + + + + + +ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER + +=== Page 1 ============================================================= + +Pocket Manual +of +Rules Of Order +For +Deliberative Assemblies + +--- + +Part I. +Rules of Order. + +A Compendium of Parliamentary Law, 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 societies, conventions, +and other deliberative assemblies. + +By Major Henry M. Robert, +Corps of Engineers, U.S.A. + +Chicago: +S. C. Griggs & Company. +1876. + +=== Page 2 ============================================================= + +--- + +Copyright, A.D. 1876, +by +H. M. Robert + +--- + +Printed by Burdick & Armitage, Milwaukee + +=== Page 3 ============================================================= + +PREFACE. + +There appears to be much needed a work on parliamentary law, based, in +its general principles, upon the rules and practice of Congress, and +adapted, in its details, to the use of ordinary societies. Such a work +should give, not only the methods of organizing and conducting the +meetings, the duties of the officers and the names of the ordinary +motions, but in addition, should state in a systematic manner, in +reference to each motion, its object and effect; whether it can be +amended or debated; if debatable, the extent to which it opens the main +question to debate; the circumstances under which it can be made, and +what other motions can be made while it is pending. This Manual has +been prepared with a view to supplying the above information in a +condensed and systematic manner, each rule being either complete in +itself, or giving references to every section that in any way qualifies +it, so that a stranger to the work can refer to any special subject with +safety. + +To aid in quickly referring to as many as possible of the rules relating +to each motion, there is placed immediately before the Index, a Table of +Rules, which enables one, without turning a page, to find the answers to +some two hundred questions. The Table of Rules is so arranged as to +greatly assist the reader in systematizing his knowledge of +parliamentary law. + +The second part is a simple explanation of the common methods of +conducting business in ordinary + +=== Page 4 ============================================================= + +meetings, in which the motions are classified according to their uses, +and those used for a similar purpose compared together. This part is +expressly intended for that large class of the community, who are +unfamiliar with parliamentary usages and are unwilling to devote much +study to the subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn +enough to enable them to take part in meetings of deliberative +assemblies without fear of being out of order. The object of Rules of +Order in deliberative assemblies, is to assist an assembly to accomplish +the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. To do +this, it is necessary to somewhat restrain the individual, as the right +of an individual in any community to do what he pleases, is incompatible +with the best interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but every +man does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real +liberty. Experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the +law; and in this country, where customs are so slightly established and +the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting, no +society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some +work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not covered by +their own rules. + +It has been well said by one of the greatest of English writers on +parliamentary law: "Whether these forms be in all cases the most +rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more +material that there should be a rule to go by, than what that rule is, +that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to +the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very +material that order, decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified +public body." + +H. M. R. +December, 1875. + +=== Page 5 ============================================================= + +TABLE OF CONTENTS. +Introduction. Page. + Parliamentary Law .................................................. 9 + Plan of the Work .................................................. 12 + '' Part I .................................................... 13 + '' Part II ................................................... 14 + Definitions ....................................................... 15 + +Part I.--Rules of Order. +Art. I.--Introduction of Business. +Sec. 1. How introduced ................................................. 17 + 2. Obtaining the floor ............................................ 17 + 3. What precedes debate on a question ............................. 19 + 4. What motions to be in writing, and + how they shall be divided ...................................... 20 + 5. Modification of a motion by the mover .......................... 21 + +Art. II.--General Classification of Motions. +Sec. 6. Principal or Main motions ...................................... 22 + 7. Subsidiary or Secondary motions ................................ 22 + 8. Incidental motions ............................................. 23 + 9. Privileged motions ............................................. 24 + +Art. III.--Motions and their Order of Precedence. +Privileged Motions. + 10. To fix the time to which to adjourn ........................... 25 + 11. Adjourn ....................................................... 26 + 12. Questions of privilege ........................................ 28 + 13. Orders of the day ............................................. 28 +Incidental Motions. + 14. Appeal [Questions of Order] ................................... 30 + 15. Objection to the consideration of a + question ...................................................... 32 + 16. Reading papers ................................................ 33 + 17. Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 34 + 18. Suspension of the Rules ....................................... 34 + +=== Page 6 ============================================================= + +Subsidiary Motions. +Sec. 19. Lie on the table .............................................. 35 + 20. Previous Question ............................................. 37 + 21. Postpone to a certain day ..................................... 40 + 22. Commit [or Re-commit] ......................................... 41 + 23. Amend ......................................................... 43 + 24. Postpone indefinitely ......................................... 46 +Miscellaneous Motions. + 25. Filling blanks, and Nominations ............................... 47 + 26. Renewal of a motion ........................................... 48 + 27. Reconsideration ............................................... 49 + +Art. IV.--Committees and Informal Action. +Sec. 28. Committees .................................................... 54 + 29. '' Form of their Reports .............................. 58 + 30. '' Reception '' .............................. 59 + 31. '' Adoption '' .............................. 61 + 32. Committee of the Whole ........................................ 61 + 33. Informal consideration of a question .......................... 65 + +Art. V.--Debate and Decorum. +Sec. 34. Debate ........................................................ 66 + 35. Undebatable questions and those opening + the main question to debate ................................... 68 + 36. Decorum in debate ............................................. 71 + 37. Closing debate, methods of .................................... 72 + +Art. VI.--Vote. +Sec. 38. Voting, various modes of ...................................... 74 + 39. Motions requiring more than a + majority vote ................................................. 80 + +Art. VII.--Officers and the Minutes. +Sec. 40. Chairman or President ......................................... 81 + 41. Clerk, or Secretary, and the Minutes .......................... 85 + +Art. VIII.--Miscellaneous. +Sec. 42. Session ....................................................... 90 + 43. Quorum ........................................................ 93 + 44. Order of business ............................................. 94 + 45. Amendment of the Rules of Order ............................... 97 + +=== Page 7 ============================================================= + +Part II.-Organization and Conduct of Business. + +Art. IX.--Organization and Meetings. +Sec. 46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. + (a) Organization .............................................. 99 + (b) Adoption of resolutions .................................. 101 + (c) Committee on '' .................................. 102 + (d) Additional Officers ...................................... 105 + 47. A Convention or Assembly of + Delegates .................................................... 106 + 48. A Permanent Society. + (a) First meeting ............................................. 108 + (b) Second meeting ............................................ 111 + 49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of + Order and Standing Rules ..................................... 115 + +Art. X.--Officers and Committees. +Sec. 50. President or Chairman ........................................ 119 + 51. Secretary, or Clerk, and the Minutes ......................... 120 + 52. Treasurer .................................................... 123 + 53. Committees ................................................... 127 + +Art. XI--Introduction of Business. +Sec. 54. Introduction of Business ..................................... 129 + +Art. XII.--Motions. +Sec. 55. Motions classified according to their + object ....................................................... 131 + 56. To Amend or modify. + (a) Amend .................................................... 133 + (5) Commit ................................................... 134 + 57. To Defer action. + (a) Postpone to a certain time ............................... 134 + (b) Lie on the table ......................................... 135 + 58. To Suppress Debate. + (a) Previous Question ........................................ 136 + (b) An Order limiting or closing + debate ................................................... 137 + +=== Page 8 ============================================================= + +Sec. 59. To Suppress the question. + (a) Objection to its consideration ........................... 138 + (b) Postpone indefinitely .................................... 139 + (c) Lie on the table ......................................... 139 + 60. To Consider a question the second time + (a) Reconsider ............................................... 140 + 61. Order and Rules. + (a) Orders of the day ........................................ 142 + (b) Special orders ........................................... 143 + (c) Suspension of the rules .................................. 144 + (d) Questions of order ....................................... 144 + (e) Appeal ................................................... 145 + 62. Miscellaneous. + (a) Reading of papers ........................................ 146 + (b) Withdrawal of a motion ................................... 146 + (c) Questions of privilege ................................... 146 + 63. To close a meeting. + (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn ......................... 147 + (b) Adjourn .................................................. 147 + 64. Order of Precedence of motions ............................... 149 + +Art. XIII.--Debate. +Sec. 65. Rules of speaking in debate .................................. 150 + 66. Undebatable questions and those that + open the main question to debate ............................. 151 + +Art. XIV.--Miscellaneous. +Sec. 67. Forms of stating and putting questions ....................... 154 + 68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote + for their adoption ........................................... 154 + 69. Unfinished business .......................................... 154 + 70. Session ...................................................... 155 + 71. Quorum ....................................................... 156 + 72. Order of Business ............................................ 156 + 73. Amendment of Constitutions, By-Laws + and Rules of Order ........................................... 157 + +Legal Rights of Deliberative Assemblies ............................ 158 +Table of Rules Relating to Motions ................................. 166 +Index .............................................................. 169 + +=== Page 9 ============================================================= + +INTRODUCTION. + +Parliamentary Law. + +Parliamentary Law refers originally to the customs and rules of +conducting business in the English Parliament; and thence to the customs +and rules of our own legislative assemblies. In England these customs +and usages of Parliament form a part of the unwritten law of the land, +and in our own legislative bodies they are of authority in all cases +where they do not conflict with existing rules or precedents. + +But as a people we have not the respect which the English have for +customs and precedents, and are always ready for innovations which we +think are improvements, and hence changes have been and are being +constantly made in the written rules which our legislative bodies have +found best to adopt. As each house adopts its own rules, it results +that the two houses of the same legislature do not always agree in their +practice; even in Congress the order of precedence of motions is not +the same in both houses, and the Previous Question is admitted in the +House of Representatives, but not in the Senate. As a consequence of +this, the exact method of conducting business in any particular + +=== Page 10 ============================================================ + +legislative body is to be obtained only from the Legislative Manual of +that body. + +The vast number of societies, political, literary, scientific, +benevolent and religious, formed all over the land, though not +legislative, are still deliberative in their character, and must have +some system of conducting business, and some rules to govern their +proceedings, and are necessarily subject to the common parliamentary law +where it does not conflict with their own special rules. But as their +knowledge of parliamentary law has been obtained from the usages in this +country, rather than from the customs of Parliament, it has resulted +that these societies have followed the customs of our own legislative +bodies, and our people have thus been educated under a system of +parliamentary law which is peculiar to this country, and yet so well +established as to supersede the English parliamentary law as the common +law of ordinary deliberative assemblies. + +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 +England, in determining the general principles of the common +parliamentary law of the land; but it does not follow that in every +matter of detail the rules of Congress can be appealed to as the common +law governing every deliberative assembly. In these matters of detail, +the rules of each House of Congress are adapted to their own peculiar +wants, and are of no force whatever in other assemblies. + +=== Page 11 ============================================================ + +But upon all great parliamentary questions, such as what motions can be +made, what is their order of precedence, which can be debated, what is +their effect, etc., the common law of the land is settled by the +practice of the U. S. House of Representatives, and not by that of the +English Parliament, the U. S. Senate, or any other body. + +While in extreme cases there is no difficulty in deciding the question +as to whether the practice of Congress determines the common +parliamentary law, yet between these extremes there must necessarily be +a large number of doubtful cases upon which there would be great +difference of opinion, and to avoid the serious difficulties always +arising from a lack of definiteness in the law, every deliberative +assembly should imitate our legislative bodies in adopting Rules of +Order for the conduct of their business.* [Where the practice of +Congress differs from that of Parliament upon a material point, the +common law of this country follows the practice of Congress. Thus in +every American deliberative assembly having no rules for conducting +business, the motion to adjourn would be decided to be undebatable, as +in Congress, the English parliamentary law to the contrary +notwithstanding; so if the Previous Question were negatived, the debate +upon the subject would continue as in Congress, whereas in Parliament +the subject would be immediately dismissed; so too the Previous Question +could be moved when there was before the assembly a motion either to +amend, to commit, or to postpone definitely or indefinitely, just as in +Congress, notwithstanding that, according to English parliamentary law, +the Previous Question could not be moved under such circumstances. +When the rules of the two Houses of Congress conflict, the H. R. rules +are of greater authority than those of the Senate in determining the +parliamentary law of the country, just as the practice of the House of +Commons, and not the House of Lords, determines the parliamentary law of +England. For instance, though the Senate rules do not allow the motion +for the Previous Question, and make the motion to postpone indefinitely +take precedence of every other subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] except to lie on +the table, yet the parliamentary law of the land follows the practice of +the House of Representatives, in recognizing the Previous Question as a +legitimate motion, and assigning to the very lowest rank the motion to +postpone indefinitely. But in matters of detail, the rules of the House +of Representatives are adapted to the peculiar wants of that body, and +are of no authority in any other assembly. No one for instance would +accept the following H. R. rules as common parliamentary law in this +country: That the chairman, in case of disorderly conduct, would have +the power to order the galleries to be cleared; that the ballot could +not be used in electing the officers of an assembly; that any fifteen +members would be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members +and make them pay the expenses of the messengers sent after them; that +all committees not appointed by the Chair would have to be appointed by +ballot, and if the required number were not elected by a majority vote, +then a second ballot must be taken in which a plurality of votes would +prevail; that each member would be limited in debate upon any question, +to one hour; that a day's notice must be given of the introduction of a +bill, and that before its passage it must be read three times, and that +without the special order of the assembly it cannot be read twice the +same day. These examples are sufficient to show the absurdity of the +idea that the rules of Congress in all things determine the common +parliamentary law.] + +=== Page 12 ============================================================ + +Plan of the Work. + +This Manual is prepared to partially meet this want in deliberative +assemblies that are not legislative in their character. It has been +made sufficiently complete to answer for the rules of an assembly, until +they see fit to adopt special rules conflicting with and superseding any +of its rules of detail, such as the Order of Business [Sec. 44], etc. Even +in matters of detail the practice of Congress is followed, wherever it +is not manifestly unsuited to ordinary assemblies, and in such cases, in +Part I, there will be found, in a foot note, the Congressional practice. +In the important matters referred to above, in which the practice of the +House of + +=== Page 13 ============================================================ + +Representatives settles the common parliamentary law of the country, +this Manual strictly conforms to such practice.* [On account of the +party lines being so strictly drawn in Congress, no such thing as +harmony of action is possible, and it has been found best to give a bare +majority in the House of Representatives (but not in the Senate) the +power to take final action upon a question without allowing of any +discussion. In ordinary societies more regard should be paid to the +rights of the minority, and a two-thirds vote be required, as in this +Manual [Sec. 39], for sustaining an objection to the introduction of a +question, or for adopting a motion for the Previous Question, or for +adopting an order closing or limiting debate. In this respect the +policy of the Pocket Manual is a mean between those of the House and +Senate. But some societies will doubtless find it advantageous to +follow the practice of the H. R., and others will prefer that of the +Senate. It requires a majority, according to the Pocket Manual, to +order the yeas and nays, which is doubtless best in the majority of +assemblies; but in all bodies in which the members are responsible to +their constituents, a much smaller number should have this power. In +Congress it requires but a one-fifth vote, and in some bodies a single +member can require a vote to be taken by yeas and nays. Any society +adopting this Manual, should make its rules govern them in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the By-Laws and Rules of Order of the society. Their own rules should +include all of the cases where it is desirable to vary from the rules in +the Manual, and especially should provide for a Quorum [Sec. 43], and an +Order of Business [Sec. 44], as suggested in these rules.] + +The Manual is divided into two distinct parts, each complete in itself. +[The table at the end contains a large amount of information in a +tabular form, for easy reference in the midst of the business of a +meeting.] + +Part I contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as +shown in the Table of Contents. Each one of the forty-five sections is +complete in itself, so that no one unfamiliar with the work can be +misled in examining any particular subject. Cross references are freely +used to save repeating + +=== Page 14 ============================================================ + +from other sections, and by this means the reader, without using the +index, is referred to everything in the Rules of Order that has any +bearing upon the subject he is investigating. The references are by +sections, and for convenience the numbers of the sections are placed at +the top of each page. The motions are arranged under the usual classes, +in their order of rank, but in the index under the word motion will be +found an alphabetical list of all the motions generally used. In +reference to each motion there is stated: + + (1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may, + be pending, and yet it be in order to make this motion). + (2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made + while this motion is pending). + (3) Whether it is debatable or not. + (4) Whether it can be amended or not. + (5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, + the fact is stated [see Adjourn, Sec. 11, for an example: the + meaning is, that the particular motion to adjourn, for example, + cannot be laid on the table, postponed, committed or amended]. + (6) The effect of the motion if adopted. + (7) The form of stating the question when peculiar, and whatever other + information is necessary to enable one to understand the question. + +Part II. While the second part covers the entire ground of the first +part, it does so in a much simpler manner, being intended for those who +have + +=== Page 15 ============================================================ + +no acquaintance with the usages of deliberative assemblies. It also +explains the method of organizing an assembly or society, and conducting +a meeting. The motions are treated on an entirely different plan, being +classified according to the objects for which they are used, and those +of each class compared together so that the reader may obtain the best +motion for the accomplishment of any given object. It omits the +complications of parliamentary law, and has but few references to the +rules of Congress, or those in this Manual. In order to make it +complete in itself, it was necessary to repeat a few pages from the +first part. + +Definitions. + +In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding +to and applying to, see p. 14), there are other terms that are liable to +be misunderstood, to which attention should he called. + +Meeting and Session.--In this Manual the term "meeting" is used to +denote an assembling together of the members of a deliberative assembly +for any length of time, during which there is no separation of the +members by adjournment. An adjournment to meet again at some other +time, even the same day, terminates the meeting, but not the session, +which latter includes all the adjourned meetings. The next meeting, in +this case, would be an "adjourned meeting" of the same session. + +A "meeting" of an assembly is terminated by a + +=== Page 16 ============================================================ + +temporary adjournment; a "session" of an assembly ends with an +adjournment without day, and may consist of many meetings [see Session, +Sec. 42]. + +Previous Question--This term is frequently understood to refer to the +question previously under consideration. As used in this country it is +equivalent to a motion to "Stop debate, and proceed to voting on all the +questions before the assembly," with certain exceptions, where it +affects only one motion (as to postpone, to reconsider and an appeal; +see Sec. 20 for a full explanation). + +Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which +is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member +"objects to its consideration" (or "discussion," or "introduction"), is +not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from +coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds +vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly +immediately [see Sec. 15]. + +Whenever the word "assembly," which is used throughout these rules, +occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, Sec. 14), it is better to +replace it by the special term used to designate the particular +assembly; as for instance, "Society," or "Convention," or "Board." The +term "Congress," when used in this Manual, refers to the House of +Representatives of the U.S. + +=== Page 17 ============================================================ + +Part I. + +Rules of Order. + +--- + +Art. I. Introduction of Business. +[Sec.Sec. 1-5.] + +1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a +member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. It +is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of +committees [Sec. 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other +cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is +dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes +necessary. + +2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any +question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must +rise and address the presiding officer + +=== Page 18 ============================================================ + +by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [Sec. 34], who will then announce the +member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman +must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing +that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [Sec. 14] can +he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the +floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the +question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to +the floor. + +The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought +before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who +presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor +(if he has not already had it during that discussion), notwithstanding +another member may have first risen and addressed the Chair. If the +Chairman rise to speak before the floor has been assigned to any one, it +is the duty of a member who may have previously risen to take his seat. +[See Decorum in Debate, Sec. 36.] + +When a member has obtained the floor, he cannot be cut off from +addressing the assembly, nor be interrupted in this speech by a + +=== Page 19 ============================================================ + +motion to adjourn, or for any purpose, by either the Chairman or any +member, except (a) to have entered on the minutes a motion to reconsider +[Sec. 27]; (b) by a call to order [Sec. 14]; (c) by an objection to the +consideration of the question [Sec. 15]; or (d) by a call for the orders of +the day [Sec. 13].* [See note to Sec. 61.] In such cases the member when he +arises and addresses the Chair should state at once for what purpose he +rises, as, for instance, that he "rises to a point of order." A call +for an adjournment, or for the question, by members in their seats, is +not a motion; as no motion can be made, without rising and addressing, +the Chair, and being announced by the presiding officer. Such calls for +the question are themselves breaches of order, and do not prevent the +speaker from going on if he pleases. + +3. Before any subject is open to debate [Sec. 34] it is necessary, first, +that a motion he made; second, that it be seconded, (see exceptions +below); and third, that it be stated by the presiding officer. When the +motion is in writing it shall be handed to the Chairman, and read before +it is debated. + +This does not prevent suggestions of alterations, before the question is +stated by the + +=== Page 20 ============================================================ + +presiding officer. To the contrary, much time may be saved by such +informal remarks; which, however, must never be allowed to run into +debate. The member who offers the motion, until it has been stated by +the presiding officer, can modify his motion, or even withdraw it +entirely; after it is stated he can do neither, without the consent of +the assembly. [See Sec.Sec. 5 and 17]. When the mover modifies his motion, +the one who seconded it can withdraw his second. + +Exceptions: A call for the order of the day, a question of order +(though not an appeal), or an objection to the consideration of a +question [Sec.Sec. 13, 14, 15], does not have to be seconded; and many +questions of routine are not seconded or even made; the presiding +officer merely announcing that, if no objection is made, such will be +considered the action of the assembly. + +4. All Principal Motions [Sec. 6], Amendments and Instructions to +Committees, should be in writing, if required by the presiding officer. +Although a question is complicated, and capable of being made into +several questions, no one member (without there is a special rule +allowing it) can insist upon its being divided; his resource is to move +that the question be divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be +divided. Any one else can move as + +=== Page 21 ============================================================ + +an amendment to this, to divide it differently. + +This Division of a Question is really an amendment [Sec. 23], and subject +to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the +same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an +amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must be +a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others +were adopted. Thus, a motion to "commit with instructions," is +indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail, +then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as +there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House of +Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of one +member, provided "it comprehends propositions in substance so distinct +that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall remain for +the decision of the House." But this does not allow a division so as to +have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st Rule expressly +provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the members a separate vote +shall be taken on such items separately, and others collectively, as +shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill making +appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to divide a +question into items extends to no case but the one specified. The +common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the assembly +orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to give +less trouble than the Congressional one.] + +The motion to "strike out certain words and insert others," is +indivisible, as it is strictly one proposition. + +5. After a question has been stated by the presiding officer, it is in +the possession of the + +=== Page 22 ============================================================ + +assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any one +objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [Sec. 17], or by +moving an amendment. + +Art. II. General Classification of Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 6-9.] + +6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring +before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No +Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the +assembly. It takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged, +Incidental and Subsidiary Questions [Sec.Sec. 7, 8, 9]. + +7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a Principal +Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most appropriate +manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal Question, and +must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They +yield to Privileged and Incidental Questions [Sec.Sec. 8, 9], and are as +follows (being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + +=== Page 23 ============================================================ + +Lie on the Table .................... See Sec. 19. +The Previous Question ............... '' Sec. 20. +Postpone to a Certain Day ........... '' Sec. 21. +Commit .............................. '' Sec. 22. +Amend ............................... '' Sec. 23. +Postpone Indefinitely ............... '' Sec. 24. + +Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a lower +order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order. They +cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in Introduction, +for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one another except +in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies to the motion +to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and can, if +specified, be applied to a pending amendment [Sec. 20]; (b) the motions to +Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended; and (c) a +motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without carrying +the minutes with it [Sec. 19]. + +8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other questions, and, +consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, the +questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions +[Sec. 9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal, + +=== Page 24 ============================================================ + +they are undebatable; an Appeal is debatable or not, according to +circumstances, as shown in Sec. 14. They are as follows: + + Appeal (or Questions of Order) ........................... See Sec. 14. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question ............. '' Sec. 15. + The Reading of Papers .................................... '' Sec. 16. + Leave to Withdraw a Motion ............................... '' Sec. 17. + Suspension of the Rules .................................. '' Sec. 18. + +9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their importance, +take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account of +this very privilege they are undebatable [Sec. 35], excepting when relating +to the rights of the assembly or its members, as otherwise they could be +made use of so as to seriously interrupt business. They are as follows +(being arranged in their order of precedence among themselves): + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn ...... See Sec. 10. + Adjourn .................................................. '' Sec. 11. + Questions relating to the Rights and + Privileges of the Assembly or any of + its Members ............................................ '' Sec. 12. + Call for the Orders of the Day ........................... '' Sec. 13. + +=== Page 25 ============================================================ + +Art. III. Motions and their Order of Precedence.* [For a list of all +the ordinary motions, arranged in their order of precedence, see Sec. 64. +All the Privileged and Subsidiary ones in this Article are so arranged.] +[Sec.Sec. 10-27.] + +Privileged Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 10-13. See Sec. 9.] + +10. To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn. This motion +takes precedence of all others, and is in order even after the assembly +has voted to adjourn, provided the Chairman has not announced the result +of the vote. If made when another question is before the assembly, it +is undebatable [Sec. 35]; it can be amended by altering the time. If made +when no other question is before the asembly, it stands as any other +principal motion, and is debatable.** [In ordinary societies it is better +to follow the common parliamentary law, and permit this question to be +introduced as a principal question, when it can be debated and +suppressed [Sec. 58, 59] like other questions. In Congress, it is never +debatable, and has entirely superseded the unprivileged and inferior +motion to "adjourn to a particular time."] + +The Form of this motion is, "When this assembly + +=== Page 26 ============================================================ + +adjourns, it adjourns to meet at such a time." + +11. To Adjourn. This motion (when unqualified) takes precedence of all +others, except to "fix the time to which to adjourn," to which it +yields. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended, or have any other +subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. If qualified in any way it loses +its privileged character, and stands as any other principal motion. The +motion to adjourn can be repeated if there has been any intervening +business, though it be simply progress in debate [Sec. 26]. When a +committee is through with any business referred to it, and prepared to +report, instead of adjourning, a motion should be made "to rise," which +motion, in committee, has the same privileges as to adjourn in the +assembly [Sec. 32]. + +The effect upon Unfinished Business of an adjournment is as follows* +["After six days from the commencement of a second or subsequent session +of any Congress, all bills, resolutions and reports which originated in +the House, and at the close of the next preceding session remained +undetermined, shall be resumed, and acted on in the same manner as if an +adjournment had not taken place." Rule 136, H. R. Any ordinary society +that meets as seldom as once each year, is apt to be composed of as +different membership at its successive meetings, as any two successive +Congresses, and only trouble would result from allowing unfinished +business to hold over to the next yearly meeting.] [see Session, Sec. 42]: + +=== Page 27 ============================================================ + +(a) When it does not close the session, the business interrupted by the +adjournment is the first in order after the reading of the minutes at +the next meeting, and is treated the same as if there had been no +adjournment; an adjourned meeting being legally the continuation of the +meeting of which it is an adjournment. + +(b) When it closes a session in an assembly which has more than one +regular session each year, then the unfinished business is taken up at +the next succeeding session previous to new business, and treated the +same as if there had been no adjournment [see Sec. 44, for its place in the +order of business]. Provided, that, in a body elected for a definite +time (as a board of directors elected for one year), unfinished business +falls to the ground with the expiration of the term for which the board +or any portion of them were elected. + +(c) When the adjournment closes a session in an assembly which does not +meet more frequently than once a year, or when the assembly is an +elective body, and this session ends + +=== Page 28 ============================================================ + +the term of a portion of the members, the adjournment shall put an end +to all business unfinished at the close of the session. The business +can be introduced at the next session, the same as if it had never been +before the assembly. + +12. Questions of Privilege. Questions relating to the rights and +privileges of the assembly, or any of its members, take precedence of +all other questions, except the two preceding, to which they yield. The +Previous Question [Sec. 20] can be applied to these, as to all other +debatable questions. + +13. Orders of the Day. A call for the Orders of the Day takes +precedence of every other motion, excepting to Reconsider [Sec. 27], and +the three preceding, to which latter three it yields, and is not +debatable, nor can it be amended. It does not require to be seconded. + +When one or more subjects have been assigned to a particular day or +hour, they become the Orders of the Day for that day or hour, and they +cannot be considered before that time, except by a two-thirds vote [Sec. +39]. And when that day or hour arrives, if called up, they take +precedence of all but the three + +=== Page 29 ============================================================ + +preceding questions [Sec.Sec. 10, 11, 12]. Instead of considering them, the +assembly may appoint another time for their consideration. If not taken +up on the day specified, the order falls to the ground. + +When the Orders of the Day are taken up, it is necessary to take up the +separate questions in their exact order, the one first assigned to the +day or hour, taking precedence of one afterwards assigned to the same +day or hour. (A motion to take up a particular part of the Orders of +the Day, or a certain question, is not a privileged motion). Any of the +subjects, when taken up, instead of being then considered, can be +assigned to some other time. + +The Form of this question, as put by the Chair when the proper time +arrives, or on the call of a member, is, "Shall the Order of the Day be +taken up?" or, "Will the assembly now proceed with the Orders of the +Day?" + +The Effect of an affirmative vote on a call for the Orders of the Day, +is to remove the question under consideration from before the assembly, +the same as if it had been interrupted by an adjournment [Sec. 11]. + +The Effect of a negative vote is to dispense + +=== Page 30 ============================================================ + +with the orders merely so far as they interfere with the consideration +of the question then before the assembly. + +Incidental Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 14-18; see Sec. 8] + +14. Appeal [Questions of Order]. A Question of Order takes precedence +of the question giving rise to it, and must be decided by the presiding +officer without debate. If a member objects to the decision, he says, +"I appeal from the decision of the Chair." If the Appeal is seconded, +the Chairman immediately states the question as follows: "Shall the +decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the assembly?"* [The +word Assembly can be replaced by Society, Convention, Board, etc., +according to the name of the organization.] This Appeal yields to +Privileged Questions [Sec. 9]. It cannot be amended; it cannot be debated +when it relates simply to indecorum [Sec. 36], or to transgressions of the +rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, or if it is made +while the previous question [Sec. 20] is pending. When debatable, no +member is allowed to speak but once, and whether debatable or not, the +presiding officer, without leaving the + +=== Page 31 ============================================================ + +Chair, can state the reasons upon which he bases his decision. The +motions to Lie on the Table [Sec. 19], or for the Previous Question [Sec. 20], +can be applied to an Appeal, when it is debatable, and when adopted they +affect nothing but the Appeal. The vote on an Appeal may also be +reconsidered [Sec. 27]. An Appeal is not in order when another Appeal is +pending. + +It is the duty of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and orders +of the assembly, without debate or delay. It is also the right of every +member, who notices a breach of a rule to insist upon its enforcement. +In such cases he shall rise from his seat, and say, "Mr. Chairman, I +rise to a point of order." The speaker should immediately take his +seat, and the Chairman requests the member to state his point of order, +which he does, and resumes his seat. The Chair decides the point, and +then, if no appeal is taken, permits the first member to resume his +speech. If the member's remarks are decided to be improper, and any one +objects to his continuing his speech, he cannot continue it without a +vote of the assembly to that effect. Instead of the method just +described, it is usual, when it is simply a case of improper language +used in debate, for a member to say, "I call the gentleman to order;" +the Chairman + +=== Page 32 ============================================================ + +decides whether the speaker is in or out of order, and proceeds as +before. The Chairman can ask the advice of members when he has to +decide questions of order, but the advice must be given sitting, to +avoid the appearance of debate; or the Chair, when unable to decide the +question, may at once submit it to the assembly. The effect of laying +an appeal on the table, is to sustain, at least for the time, the +decision of the Chair, and does not carry to the table the question +which gave rise to the question of order. + +15. Objection to the Consideration of a Question. An objection can be +made to any principal motion [Sec. 6], but only when it is first +introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of +order [Sec. 14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, +and does not require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to +order, so can he put this question if he deems it necessary, upon his +own responsibility. It can not be debated [Sec. 35] or have any subsidiary +motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. When a motion is made and any member +"objects to its consideration," the Chairman shall immediately put the +question, "Will the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be +considered" + +=== Page 33 ============================================================ + +[or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote [Sec. 39], +the whole matter is dismissed for that session [Sec. 42]; otherwise the +discussion continues as if this question had never been made. + +The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other +motions are provided, see Sec. 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid +altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or +contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be +temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41st Rule of the +House of Representatives, which is as follows: "Where any motion or +proposition is made, the question, 'Will the House now consider it?' +shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed +necessary by the Speaker." The English use the "Previous Question," for +a similar purpose [see note to Sec. 20]. The question of consideration is +seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, +where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a +necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly +throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common +form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, "Shall the +question be discussed?" The form to which preference is given in the +rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be +misunderstood.] + +16. Reading Papers. [For the order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] Where papers +are laid before the assembly, every member has a right to have them once +read before he can be compelled to vote on them, and whenever a member +asks for the reading of any such + +=== Page 34 ============================================================ + +paper, evidently for information, and not for delay, the Chair should +direct it to be read, if no one objects. But a member has not the right +to have anything read (excepting stated above) without getting +permission from the assembly. + +17. Withdrawal of a Motion. [For order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] When a +question is before the assembly and the mover wishes to withdraw or +modify it, or substitute a different one in its place, if no one +objects, the presiding officer grants the permission; if any objection +is made, it will be necessary to obtain leave to withdraw, etc., on a +motion for that purpose. This motion cannot be debated or amended. +When a motion is withdrawn, the effect is the same as if it had never +been made.* [In Congress, a motion may be withdrawn by the mover, before +a decision or amendment [Rule 40, H. R.]. Nothing would be gained in +ordinary societies by varying from the common law as stated above.] + +18. Suspension of the Rules. [For the order of precedence, see Sec. 8.] +This motion is not debatable, and cannot be amended, nor can any +subsidiary [Sec. 7] motion be applied to it, nor a vote on it be +reconsidered [Sec. 27], + +=== Page 35 ============================================================ + +nor a motion to suspend the rules for the same purpose be renewed [Sec. 26] +at the same meeting, though it may be renewed after an adjournment, +though the next meeting be held the same day.* [In Congress, it cannot +be renewed the same day.] The rules of the assembly shall not be +suspended except for a definite purpose, and by a two-thirds vote. + +The Form of this motion is, to "suspend the rules which interfere with," +etc., specifying the object of the suspension. + +Subsidiary Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 19-24; see Sec. 7.] + +19. To Lie on the Table. This motion takes precedence of all other +Subsidiary Questions [Sec. 7], and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9] or +Incidental [Sec. 8] Question. It is not debatable, and cannot be amended or +have any other subsidiary motion [Sec. 7] applied to it. It removes the +subject from consideration till the assembly vote to take it from the +table. + +The Form of this motion is, "I move that the question lie on the table," +or, "that it be laid on the table," or, "to lay the question + +=== Page 36 ============================================================ + +on the table." When it is desired to take the question up again, a +motion is made, either "to take the question from the table," or "to now +consider such and such a question;" which motion is undebatable, and +cannot have any subsidiary motion applied to it. + +The Object of this motion is to postpone the subject in such a way, that +at any time it can be taken up, either at the same or some future +meeting, which could not be accomplished by a motion to postpone, either +definitely or indefinitely. It is also frequently used to suppress a +question [Sec. 59], which it does, provided a majority vote can never be +obtained to take it from the table during that session [Sec. 42]. + +The Effect of this motion is in general to place on the table everything +that adheres to the subject; so that if an amendment be ordered to lie +on the table, the subject which it is proposed to amend, goes there with +it. The following cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [Sec. 14] being +laid on the table, has the effect of sustaining, at least for the time, +the decision of the Chair, and does not carry the original subject to +the table. (b) So when a motion to reconsider [Sec. 27] a question is + +=== Page 37 ============================================================ + +laid on the table, the original question is left where it was before the +reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the minutes being laid +on the table does not carry the minutes with it. + +Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of +taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the +questions still before the assembly. + +20. The Previous Question* [The Previous Question is a technical name +for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has +nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To +demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving "That +debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the +questions before it," (the exceptions are stated above). The English +Previous Question is an entirely different one from ours, and is used +for a different purpose. In the English Parliament it is moved by the +enemies of a measure, who then vote in the negative, and thus prevent +for the day, the consideration of the main question, (which in this +country could be accomplished by "objecting to the consideration of the +question" [Sec. 15], if the objection were sustained). In our Congress, it +is moved by the friends of a measure, who vote in the affirmative with a +view to cutting off debate and immediately bringing the assembly to a +vote on the questions before it. The rules in the two cases are as +different as the objects of the motions. It requires only a majority +vote for its adoption in the House of Representatives, and is not +allowed in the United States Senate.] takes precedence of every debatable +question [Sec. 35], and yields to Privileged [Sec. 9] and Incidental [Sec. 8] +questions, and to the motion to Lie on the table [Sec. 19]. It is not +debatable, and cannot be amended or have any other Subsidiary + +=== Page 38 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 7] motion applied to it. It shall require a two-thirds vote for its +adoption. + +When a member calls for the previous question, and the call is seconded, +the presiding officer must immediately put the question: "Shall the +main question be now put?" If adopted, the member who introduced the +pending measure still has the right to close the debate [Sec. 34]; after +which the presiding officer, without allowing further discussion, shall +put to vote the questions before the assembly, in their order of +precedence, till the main question, with all its subsidiary and +incidental questions, is disposed of (see the exceptions below). If it +fails, the discussion continues as if this motion had not been made. + +The previous question can be moved on a pending amendment, and if +adopted, debate is closed on the amendment only. After the amendment is +voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In +this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall +the amendment be now put to the question?"] + +=== Page 39 ============================================================ + +The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the +question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is +rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and +yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate +when they think it best. + +It applies to questions of privilege [Sec. 12] as well as any other +debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a +resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon. + +To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we +have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a +motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the +committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the +presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion +(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of +course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the +present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main +question. + +Exceptions: If the Previous Question is + +=== Page 40 ============================================================ + +carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to +bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to +postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [Sec. 14] +or a motion to Reconsider [Sec. 27] is pending when the Previous Question +is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on +them. + +An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [Sec. 22] exhausts the Previous +Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous +Question. + +[For other methods of closing debate see Sec. 37 and Sec. 58]. + +21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes precedence of a +motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any +Privileged [Sec. 9] or Incidental [Sec. 8] question, and to the motion to Lie +on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by +altering the time, and the Previous Question can be applied to it without +affecting any other motions pending. It allows of very limited debate +[Sec. 35], and that must not go into the merits of the subject matter any +further than is necessary to enable the + +=== Page 41 ============================================================ + +assembly to judge the propriety of the postponement. + +The Effect of this motion is to postpone the entire subject to the time +specified, until which time it cannot be taken up except by a two-thirds +vote [Sec. 13]. When that time arrives it is entitled to be taken up in +preference to every thing except Privileged questions. Where several +questions are postponed to different times and are not reached then, +they shall be considered in the order of the times to which they were +postponed. It is not in order to postpone to a time beyond that session +[Sec. 42] of the assembly, except* [In Congress a motion cannot be +postponed to the next session, but it is customary in ordinary +societies.] to the day of the next session when it comes up with the +unfinished business, and consequently takes precedence of new business +[Sec. 44]. If it is desired to hold an adjourned meeting to consider a +special subject, the time to which the assembly shall adjourn [Sec. 10] +should be first fixed before making the motion to postpone the subject +to that day. + +22. To Commit [or Recommit as it is called when the subject has been +previously committed]. This motion takes precedence of the motions to +Amend or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9] or +Incidental + +=== Page 42 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 8] Question, and also to the motion to Lie on the Table, or for the +Previous Question, or to Postpone to a certain day. It can be amended +by altering the committee, or giving it instructions. It is debatable, +and opens to debate [Sec. 35] the merits of the question it is proposed to +commit. + +The Form of this motion is "to refer the subject to a committee." When +different committees are proposed they should he voted in the following +order: (1) Committee the whole [Sec. 32], (2) a standing committee, and +(3) a special (or select) committee. The number of a committee is +usually decided without the formality of a motion, as in filling blanks +[Sec. 25]: the Chairman asks "of how many shall the committee consist?" +and a question is then put upon each number suggested, beginning with +the largest. The number and kind of the committee need not be decided +till after it has been voted to refer the subject to a committee. If +the committee is a select one, and the motion does not include the +method of appointing it, and there is no standing rule on the subject, +the Chairman inquires how the committee shall be appointed, and this is +usually decided informally. Sometimes the Chair "appoints," in which +case he names the members of the committee and no vote is taken + +=== Page 43 ============================================================ + +upon them; or the committee is "nominated" either by the Chair or +members of the assembly (no member nominating more than one except by +general consent), and then they are all voted upon together, except +where more nominations are made than the number of the committee, when +they shall be voted upon singly. + +Where a committee is one for action (a committee of arrangements for +holding a public meeting, for example), it should generally be small, and +no one placed upon it who is not favorable to the proposed action; and +if any such should be appointed he should ask to be excused. But when +the committee is for deliberation or investigation, it is of the utmost +importance that all parties be represented on it, so that in committee +the fullest discussion may take place, and thus diminish the chances of +unpleasant debates in the assembly. + +In ordinary assemblies, by judicious appointment of committees, debates +upon delicate and troublesome questions can be mostly confined to the +committees, which will contain the representative members of all +parties. [See Reports of Committees, Sec. 29.] + +23. To Amend. This motion takes precedence of nothing but the question +which it proposed to amend, and yields to any Privileged + +=== Page 44 ============================================================ + +[Sec. 9], Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] Question, except to +Indefinitely Postpone. It can be amended itself, but this "amendment of an +amendment" cannot be amended. An Amendment may be inconsistent with one +already adopted, or may directly conflict with the spirit of the +original motion, but it must have a direct bearing upon the subject of +that motion. To illustrate: a motion for a vote of thanks could be +amended by substituting for "thanks" the word "censure;" or one condemning +certain customs could be amended by adding other customs. + +An Amendment may be in any of the following forms: (a) to "add or +insert" certain words or paragraphs; (b) to "strike out" certain words +or paragraphs, the question, however, being stated by the Chair thus: +"Shall these words (or paragraphs) stand as a part of the resolution?" +and if this is adopted (that is, the motion to "strike out," fails) it +does not preclude either amendment or a motion to "strike out and +insert;" (c) "to strike certain words and insert others," which motion +is indivisible, and if lost does not preclude + +=== Page 45 ============================================================ + +another motion to strike out the same words and insert different ones; +(d) to "substitute" another motion on the same subject for the one +pending; (e) to "divide the question" into two or more questions, as the +mover specifies, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or +points [see Sec. 4]. + +If a paragraph is inserted it should be perfected by its friends +previous to voting on it, as when once inserted it cannot be struck out +or amended except by adding to it. The same is true in regard to words +to be inserted in a resolution, as when once inserted they cannot be +struck out, except by a motion to strike out the paragraph, or such a +portion of it as shall make the question an entirely different one from +that of inserting the particular words. The principle involved is that +when the assembly has voted that certain words shall form a part of a +resolution, it is not in order to make another motion which involves +exactly the same question as the one they have decided. The only way to +bring it up again is to move a Reconsideration [Sec. 27] of the vote by +which the words were inserted. + +In stating the question on an Amendment the Chairman should read (1) the +passage to be amended; (2) the words to be struck out, if any; (3) the +words to be inserted, if any; and (4) the whole passage as it will stand +if + +=== Page 46 ============================================================ + +the amendment is adopted. [For amending reports of committees, and +propositions containing several paragraphs, see Sec. 44.] + +The numbers prefixed to paragraphs are only marginal indications, and +should be corrected, if necessary, by the clerk, without any motion to +amend. + +The following motions cannot be amended: + + To Adjourn (when unqualified) ............................ See Sec. 11. + For the Orders of the Day ................................ '' Sec. 12. + All Incidental Questions ................................. '' Sec. 8. + To Lie on the Table ...................................... '' Sec. 19. + For the Previous Question ................................ '' Sec. 20. + An Amendment of an Amendment ............................. '' Sec. 23. + To Postpone Indefinitely ................................. '' Sec. 24. + Reconsider ............................................... '' Sec. 27. + +An Amendment to Rules of Order, By-Laws or a Constitution shall require +previous notice and a two-thirds vote for its adoption [see Sec. 45]. + +24. To Postpone Indefinitely. This motion takes precedence of nothing +except the Principal Question [Sec. 6], and yields to any Privileged [Sec. 9], +Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] Motion, except to Amend. It cannot +be amended; it opens to debate the entire question which it is proposed +to postpone. Its effect is to entirely remove the question from before +the assembly for that session [Sec. 42]. + +=== Page 47 ============================================================ + +The Previous Question [Sec. 20], if ordered when this motion is pending, +applies only to it without affecting the main question. + +Miscellaneous Motions. +[Sec.Sec. 25-27.] + +25. Filling Blanks. In filling blanks the largest sum and the longest +time proposed shall be first put to the question. Sometimes the most +convenient way of amending a resolution is to create a blank by moving +to strike out a certain number or time. It is customary for any number +of members to propose numbers to fill a blank without the formality of a +motion, these different propositions not being regarded in the light of +amendments. + +Nominations are treated in a similar manner, so that the second +nomination, instead of being an amendment to the first, is an +independent motion, which, if the first fails, is to be immediately +voted upon. Any number of nominations can be made, the Chairman +announcing each name as he hears it, and they + +=== Page 48 ============================================================ + +should be voted upon in the order announced, until one receives a vote +sufficient for an election. + +26. Renewal of a Motion. When any Principal Question [Sec. 6] or +Amendment has been once acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken +up again at the same session [Sec. 42] except by a motion to Reconsider [Sec. +27]. The motion to Adjourn can be renewed if there has been progress in +debate, or any business transacted. As a general rule the introduction +of any motion that alters the state of affairs makes it admissible to +renew any Privileged or Incidental motion (excepting Suspension of the +Rules as provided in Sec. 18), or Subsidiary motion (excepting an +amendment), as in such a case the real question before the assembly is a +different one. + +To illustrate: a motion that a question lie on the table having failed, +suppose afterwards it be moved to refer the matter to a committee, it is +now in order to move again that the subject lie on the table; but such a +motion would not be in order, if it were not made till after the failure +of the motion to commit, as + +=== Page 49 ============================================================ + +the question then resumes its previous condition. + +When a subject has been referred to a committee which reports at the +same meeting, the matter stands before the assembly as if it had been +introduced for the first time. A motion which has been withdrawn has +not been acted upon, and therefore can be renewed. + +27. Reconsider. It is in order at any time, even when another member +has the floor, or while the assembly is voting on the motion to Adjourn, +during the day* [In Congress any one can move a reconsideration, +excepting where the vote is taken by yeas and nays [Sec. 38], when the rule +above applies. The motion can be made on the same or succeeding day.] +on which a motion has been acted upon, to move to "Reconsider the vote" +and have such motion "entered on the record," but it cannot be +considered while another question is before the assembly. It must be +made, excepting when the vote is by ballot, by a member who voted with +the prevailing side; for instance, in case a motion fails to pass for +lack of a two-thirds vote, a reconsideration must be moved by one who +voted against the motion. + +A motion to reconsider the vote on a Subsidiary [Sec. 7] motion takes +precedence of the main question. It yields to Privileged [Sec. 9] + +=== Page 50 ============================================================ + +questions (except for the Orders of the Day), and Incidental [Sec. 8] +questions. + +This motion can be applied* [It is not the practice to reconsider an +affirmative vote on the motion to lie on the table, as the same result +can be more easily reached by the motion to take from the table. For a +similar reason, an affirmative vote on the motion to take from the table +cannot be reconsidered.] to every question, except to Adjourn and to +Suspend the Rules. It is debatable or not, just as the question to be +reconsidered is debatable or undebatable [Sec. 35]; when debatable, it +opens up for discussion the entire subject to be reconsidered, and can +have the Previous question [Sec. 20] applied to it without affecting any +thing but the motion to reconsider. It can be laid on the table [Sec. 19], +and in such cases the last motion cannot be reconsidered; it is quite +common and allowable to combine these two motions (though they must be +voted on separately); in this case, the reconsideration like any other +question, can be taken from the table, but possesses no privilege.** [In +Congress this is a common method used by the friends of a measure to +prevent its reconsideration.] The motion to reconsider being laid on the +table does not carry with it the pending measure. If an amendment to a +motion has been either adopted or rejected, and then a vote taken on the +motion as amended, it is not in order to reconsider the vote on the +amendment until + +=== Page 51 ============================================================ + +after the vote on the original motion has been reconsidered. If +anything which the assembly cannot reverse, has been done as the result +a vote, then that vote cannot be reconsidered. + +The Effect of making this motion is to suspend all action that the +original motion would have required until the reconsideration is acted +upon; but if it is not called up, its effect terminates with the session +[Sec. 42], provided,* [In Congress the effect always terminates with the +session, and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, until the +expiration of the time during which it is in order to move a +reconsideration.] that in an assembly having regular meetings as often +as monthly, if no adjourned meeting upon another day is held of the one +at which the reconsideration was moved, its effect shall not terminate +till the close of the next succeeding session. [See note at end of this +section.] While this motion is so highly privileged as far as relates to +having it entered on the minutes, yet the reconsideration of another +question cannot be made to interfere with the discussion of a question +before the assembly, but as soon as that subject is disposed of, the +reconsideration, if called up, takes precedence of every thing except +the motions to adjourn, and to fix the time to which to adjourn. As +long as its effect lasts (as shown above), any one can call up the +motion to reconsider and have it acted upon--excepting that when its +effect extends beyond the meeting at which the motion was made, no one +but the mover can call it up at that meeting. But the reconsideration +of an Incidental [Sec. 8] or Subsidiary [Sec. 7] + +=== Page 52 ============================================================ + +motion shall be immediately acted upon, as otherwise it would prevent +action on the main question. + +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 upon; consequently no one can debate the question +reconsidered who had previously exhausted his right of debate [Sec. 34] on +that question; his only resource is to discuss the question while the +motion to reconsider is before the assembly. + +When a vote taken under the operation of the previous question [Sec. 20] is +reconsidered, the question is then divested of the previous question, +and is open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had +been exhausted [see latter part of Sec. 20] by votes taken on all the +questions covered by it, before the motion to reconsider was made. + +A reconsideration requires only a majority vote, regardless of the vote +necessary to adopt the motion reconsidered. [For reconsidering in +committee see Sec. 28]. + +Note On Reconsider.--In the English Parliament a vote once taken +cannot be reconsidered, but in our Congress it is allowed to move a +reconsideration of the vote on the same or succeeding day, and after the +close of the last day for making the motion, any one can call up the +motion to reconsider, so that this motion cannot delay action more than +two days, and the effect + +=== Page 53 ============================================================ + +of the motion, if not acted upon, terminates with the session. There +seems to be no reason or good precedent for permitting merely two +persons, by moving a reconsideration, to suspend for any length of time +all action under resolutions adopted by the assembly, and yet where the +delay is very short the advantages of reconsideration overbalance the +evils. + +Where a permanent society has meetings weekly or monthly, and usually +only a small proportion of the society is present, it seems best to +allow a reconsideration to hold over to another meeting, so that the +society may have notice of what action is about to be taken. To prevent +the motion being used to defeat a measure that cannot be deferred till +the next regular meeting, it is provided that in case the society +adjourn, to meet the next day for instance, then the reconsideration +will not hold over beyond that session; this allows sufficient delay to +notify the society, while, if the question is one requiring immediate +action, the delay cannot extend beyond the day to which they adjourn. +Where the meetings are only quarterly or annual, the society should be +properly represented at each meeting, and their best interests are +subserved by following the practice of Congress, and letting the effect +of the reconsideration terminate with the session. + +=== Page 54 ============================================================ + +Art. IV. Committees and Informal Action. +[Sec.Sec. 28-33.] + +28. Committees. It is usual in deliberative assemblies, to have all +preliminary work in the preparation of matter for their action, done by +means of committees. These may be either "standing committees" (which +are appointed for the session [Sec. 42], or for some definite time, as one +year); or "select committees," appointed for a special purpose; or a +"committee of the whole" [Sec. 32], consisting of the entire assembly. +[For method of appointing committees of the whole, see Sec. 32; other +committees, see commit, Sec. 22.] The first person named on a committee is +chairman, and should act as such, without the committee should see fit +to elect another chairman, which they are competent to do. The clerk +should furnish him, or some other member of the committee, with notice +of the appointment of the committee, giving the names + +=== Page 55 ============================================================ + +of the members, the matter referred to them, and such instructions as +the assembly have decided upon. The chairman shall call the committee +together, and if there is a quorum (a majority of the committee, see Sec. +43,) he should read or have read, the entire resolutions referred to +them; he should then read each paragraph, and pause for amendments to be +offered; when the amendments to that paragraph are voted on he proceeds +to the next, only taking votes on amendments, as the committee cannot +vote on the adoption of matter referred to them by the assembly. + +If the committee originate the resolutions, they vote, in the same way, +on amendments to each paragraph of the draft of the resolutions, (which +draft has been previously prepared by one of their members or a +sub-committee); they do not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having +completed the amendments, they vote on the adoption of the entire +report. When there is a preamble, it is considered last. If the report +originates with the committee, all amendments are to be incorporated in +the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, the committee cannot +alter + +=== Page 56 ============================================================ + +the text, but must submit the original paper intact, with their +amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, Sec. 23) written on a +separate sheet. + +A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to +transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed +its clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members +present at a meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the +members of the committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its +report. The minority may be permitted to submit their views in writing +also, either together, or each member separately, but their reports can +only be acted upon, by voting to substitute one of them for the report +of the committee. The rules of the assembly, as far as possible, shall +apply in committee; but a reconsideration [Sec. 27] of a vote shall be +allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when every member who +voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is moved.* +[Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress +prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict +enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with +rather than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above +seems more just, and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary +committees, who usually reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage +can be taken of the privilege, as long as every member who voted with +the majority must be present when the reconsideration is moved.] A +committee (except a committee + +=== Page 57 ============================================================ + +of the whole, Sec. 32] may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the +business assigned them, a motion is made for the committee to "rise" +(which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and that the chairman +(or some member who is more familiar with the subject) make its report +to the assembly. The committee ceases to exist as soon as the assembly +receives the report [Sec. 30]. + +The committee has no power to punish its members for disorderly conduct, +its resource being to report the facts to the assembly. No allusion can +be made in the assembly to what has occurred in committee, except it be +by a report of the committee, or by general consent. It is the duty of +a committee to meet on the call of any two its of members, if the +chairman be absent or decline to appoint such meeting. When a committee +adjourns without appointing a time for the next meeting, it is called +together in the same way as at its first meeting. When a committee +adjourns to meet at another time, it is not necessary (though + +=== Page 58 ============================================================ + +usually advisable) that absent members should be notified of the +adjourned meeting. + +29. Forms of Reports of Committees. The form of a report is usually +similar to the following: + +A standing committee reports thus: "The committee on [insert name of +committee] respectfully report," [or "beg leave to report," or "beg +leave to submit the following report,"] etc., letting the report follow. + +A select or special committee reports as follows: "The committee to +which was referred [state the matter referred] having considered the +same respectfully report," etc. Or for "The committee" is sometimes +written "Your committee," or "The undersigned, a committee." + +When a minority report is submitted, it should be in this form (the +majority reporting as above): "The undersigned, a minority of a +committee to which was referred," etc. The majority report is the +report of the committee, and should never be made out as the report of +the majority. + +All reports conclude with, "All of which is + +=== Page 59 ============================================================ + +respectfully submitted." They are sometimes signed only by the chairman +of the committee, but if the matter is of much importance, it is better +that the report be signed by every member who concurs. The report is +not usually dated, or addressed, but can he headed, as for example, +"Report of the Finance Committee of the Y. P. A., on Renting a Hall." + +30. Reception of Reports. When the report of a committee is to be +made, the chairman (or member appointed to make the report) informs the +assembly that the committee to whom was referred such a subject or +paper, has directed him to make a report thereon, or report it with or +without amendment, as the case may be; either he or any other member may +move that it be "received"* [A very common error is, after a report has +been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common, but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted (which is equivalent to adopting it, see Sec. 31), when the +intention is only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards +move its adoption. Still a third error is to move that "the report be +adopted and the committee discharged," when the committee have reported +in full and their report been received, so that the committee has +already ceased to exist. If the committee however have made but a +partial report, or report progress, then it is in order to move that the +committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.] +now or at some other specified time. + +=== Page 60 ============================================================ + +Usually the formality of a vote on the reception of a report of a +committee is dispensed with, the time being settled by general consent. +Should any one object, a formal motion becomes necessary. When the time +arrives for the assembly to receive the report, the chairman of the +committee reads it in his place, and then delivers it to the clerk, when +it lies on the table till the assembly sees fit to consider it. If the +report consists of a paper with amendments, the chairman of the +committee reads the amendments with the coherence in the paper, +explaining the alterations and reasons of the committee for the +amendments, till he has gone through the whole. If the report is very +long, it is not usually read until the assembly is ready to consider it +[see Sec.Sec. 31 and 44]. + +When the report has been received, whether it has been read or not, the +committee is thereby dissolved, and can act no more without it is +revived by a vote to recommit. If the report is recommitted, all the +parts of the report that have not been agreed to by the assembly, are +ignored by the committee as if the report had never been made. + +=== Page 61 ============================================================ + +31. Adoption of Reports. When the assembly is to consider a report, a +motion should be made to "adopt," "accept," or "agree to" the report, +all of which, when carried, have the same effect, namely, to make the +doings of the committee become the acts of the assembly, the same as if +done by the assembly without the intervention of a committee. If the +report contains merely a statement of opinion or facts, the motion +should be to "accept" the report; if it also concludes with resolutions +or certain propositions, the motion should be to "agree to" the +resolutions, or to "adopt" the propositions. After the above motion is +made, the matter stands before the assembly exactly the same as if there +had been no committee, and the subject had been introduced by the motion +of the member who made the report. [See Sec. 34 for his privileges in +debate, and Sec. 44 for the method of treating a report containing several +propositions, when being considered by the assembly.] + +32. Committee of the Whole. When an assembly has to consider a subject +which it does not wish to refer to a committee, and yet where the +subject matter is not well digested + +=== Page 62 ============================================================ + +and put into proper form for its definite action, or, when for any other +reason, it is desirable for the assembly to consider a subject with all +the freedom of an ordinary committee, it is the practice to refer the +matter to the "Committee of the Whole."* [In large assemblies, such as +the U. S. House of Representatives, where a member can speak to any +question but once, the committee of the whole seems almost a necessity, +as it allows the freest discussion of a subject, while at any time it +can rise and thus bring into force the strict rules of the assembly.] + +If it is desired to consider the question at once, the motion is made, +"That the assembly do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole +to take under consideration," etc., specifying the subject. This is +really a motion to "commit" [see Sec. 22 for its order of precedence, +etc.] If adopted, the Chairman immediately calls another member to the +chair, and takes his place as a member of the committee. The committee +is under the rules of the assembly, excepting as stated hereafter in +this section. + +The only motions in order are to amend and adopt, and that the committee +"rise and report," as it cannot adjourn; nor can it order the "yeas and +nays" [Sec. 38]. The only way to close or limit debate in committee of the +whole, is for the assembly to vote that the debate in committee shall +cease at a certain time, or that after a certain time no debate shall be +allowed excepting on new amendments, and then only one speech in favor +of + +=== Page 63 ============================================================ + +and one against it, of say, five minutes each; or in some other way +regulate the time for debate.* [In Congress no motion to limit debate in +committee of the whole is in order till after the subject has been +already considered in committee of the whole. As no subject would +probably be considered more than once in committee of the whole, in an +ordinary society, the enforcement of this rule would practically prevent +such a society from putting any limit to debate in the committee. The +rule as given above, allows the society, whenever resolving itself into +committee of the whole, to impose upon the debate in the committee, +such restrictions as are allowed in Congress after the subject has +already been considered in committee of the whole.] + +If no limit is prescribed, any member may speak as often as he can get +the floor, and as long each time as allowed in debate in the assembly, +provided no one wishes the floor who has not spoken on that particular +question. Debate having been closed at a particular time by order of +the assembly, it is not competent for the committee, even by unanimous +consent, to extend the time. The committee cannot refer the subject to +another committee. Like other committees [Sec. 28], it cannot alter the +text of any resolution referred to it; but if the resolution originated +in the committee, then all the amendments are incorporated in it. + +When it is through with the consideration of the subject referred to it, +or if it wishes to adjourn, or to have the assembly limit debate, a +motion is made that "the committee rise and report," etc., specifying +the result of its proceedings. + +=== Page 64 ============================================================ + +This motion "to rise" is equivalent to the motion to adjourn, in the +assembly, and is always in order (except when another member has the +floor), and is undebatable. As soon as this motion is adopted, the +presiding officer takes the chair, and the chairman of the committee, +having resumed his place in the assembly, arises and informs him, that +"the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that +he is ready to make the report, when the assembly is ready to receive +it;" or he will make such other report as will suit the case. + +The clerk does not record the proceedings of the committee on the +minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of +the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which +is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk +acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly, +and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can +take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the +committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [Sec. 43]. If +the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report +the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn. + +=== Page 65 ============================================================ + +33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if in committee +of the whole). + +It has become customary in many assemblies, instead of going into +committee of the whole, to consider the question "informally," and +afterwards to act "formally." In a small assembly there is no objection +to this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and +treaties, upon their second reading are considered "as if the Senate +were in committee of the whole," which is equivalent to considering them +informally. [U. S. Senate Rules 28 and 38.] In large assemblies it is +better to follow the practice of the House of Representatives, and go +into committee of the whole.] While acting informally upon any +resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, and without +further motion the Chairman announces that "the assembly acting +informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject +under consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will +report." The subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a +committee. While acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as +it is not necessary to move that the committee rise, but at any time the +adoption of such motions as to adjourn, the previous question, to +commit, or any motion except to amend or adopt, puts an end to the +informal consideration; as for example, the motion to commit is +equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: (1) +That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of + +=== Page 66 ============================================================ + +the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, +and (3) that it be referred to a committee. + +While acting informally, every member can speak as many times as he +pleases, and as long each time as permitted in the assembly [Sec. 34], and +the informal action may be rejected or altered by the assembly. While +the clerk should keep a memorandum of the informal proceedings, it +should not be entered on the minutes, being only for temporary use. The +Chairman's report to the assembly of the informal action, should be +entered on the minutes, as it belongs to the assembly's proceedings. + +Art. V. Debate and Decorum. + +[Sec.Sec. 34-37.] + +34. Debate.* [In connection with this section read Sec.Sec. 1-5.] When a +motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the Chairman before +being debated [see Sec. 3]. When any member is about to speak in debate, +he shall rise and respectfully address himself to "Mr. Chairman." +["Mr. President" is used where that is the designated title of the +presiding + +=== Page 67 ============================================================ + +officer; "Brother Moderator" is more common in religious meetings.] The +Chairman shall then announce his name [see Sec. 2]. By parliamentary +courtesy, the member upon whose motion a subject is brought before the +assembly is first entitled to the floor, even though another member has +risen first and addressed the Chair; [in case of a report of a +committee, it is the member who presents the report] ; and this member +is also entitled to close the debate, but not until every member +choosing to speak, has spoken. This right to make the last speech upon +the question, is not taken away by the Previous Question [Sec. 20] being +ordered, or in any other way. With this exception, no member shall +speak more than twice to the same question (only once to a question of +order, Sec. 14), nor longer than ten minutes at one time, without leave of +the assembly, and the question upon granting the leave shall be decided +by a majority vote without debate.* [The limit in time should vary to +suit circumstances, but the limit of two speeches of ten minutes each +will usually answer in ordinary assemblies, and it can be increased, +when desirable, by a majority vote as shown above, or diminished as +shown in Sec. 37. In the U. S. House of Representatives no member can +speak more than once to the same question, nor longer than one hour. +The fourth rule of the Senate is as follows: "No Senator shall speak +more than twice in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the +Senate, which question shall be decided without debate." If no rule is +adopted, each member can speak but once to the same question.] + +If greater freedom is desired, the + +=== Page 68 ============================================================ + +proper course is to refer the subject to the committee of the whole [Sec. +32], or to consider it informally [Sec. 33]. [For limiting or closing the +debate, see Sec. 37.] No member can speak the second time to a question, +until every member choosing to speak has spoken. But an amendment, or +any other motion being offered, makes the real question before the +assembly a different one, and, in regard to the right to debate, is +treated as a new question. Merely asking a question, or making a +suggestion, is not considered as speaking. + +35. Undebatable Questions. The following questions shall be decided +without debate, all others being debatable [see note at end of this +section]: + + To Fix the Time to which the Assembly shall Adjourn (when a +privileged question, Sec. 10). + To Adjourn [Sec. 11], (or in committee, to rise, which is used instead +of to adjourn). + For the Orders of the Day [Sec. 13], and questions relating to the +priority of business. + An Appeal [Sec. 14] when made while the Previous Question is pending, +or when simply relating to indecorum or transgressions of the rules of +speaking, or to the priority of business. + Objection to the Consideration of a Question [Sec. 15]. + +=== Page 69 ============================================================ + + Questions relating to Reading of Papers [Sec. 16], or Withdrawing a +Motion [Sec. 17], or Suspending the Rules [Sec. 18], or extending the limits +of debate [Sec. 34], or limiting or closing debate, or granting leave to +continue his speech to one who has been guilty of indecorum in debate +[Sec. 36]. + To Lie on the Table or to Take from the Table [Sec. 19]. + The Previous Question [Sec. 20]. + To Reconsider [Sec. 26] a question which is itself undebatable. + +The motion to Postpone to a certain time [Sec. 21] allows of but very +limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the +postponement; but to Reconsider a debatable question [Sec. 26], or to +Commit [Sec. 22], or Indefinitely Postpone [Sec. 24], opens the main question +[Sec. 6] to debate. To Amend [Sec. 23] opens the main question to debate only +so far as it is necessarily involved in the amendment. + +The distinction between debate and making suggestions or asking a +question, should always be kept in view, and when the latter will +assist the assembly in determining the question, is allowed to a +limited extent, even though the question before the assembly is +undebatable. + +Note On Undebatable Questions.--The English common parliamentary law +makes all motions + +=== Page 70 ============================================================ + +debatable, without there is a rule adopted limiting debate [Cushing's +Manual, Sec. 330]; but every assembly is obliged to restrict debate upon +certain motions. The restrictions to debate prescribed in this section +conform to the practice of Congress, where, however, it is very common +to allow of brief remarks upon the most undebatable questions, sometimes +five or six members speaking; this of course is allowed only when no one +objects. + +By examining the above list, it will be found, that, while free debate +is allowed upon every principal question [Sec. 6], it is permitted or +prohibited upon other questions in accordance with the following +principles: + +(a) Highly privileged questions, as a rule, should not be debated, as in +that case they could be used to prevent the assembly from coming to a +vote on the main question; (for instance, if the motion to adjourn were +debatable, it could be used [see Sec. 11] in a way to greatly hinder +business). High privilege is, as a rule, incompatible with the right of +debate on the privileged question. + +(b) A motion that has the effect to suppress a question before the +assembly, so that it cannot again be taken up that session [Sec. 42], +allows of free debate. And a subsidiary motion [Sec. 7, except commit, +which see below,] is debatable to just the extent that it interferes +with the right of the assembly to take up the original question at its +pleasure. + +Illustrations: To "Indefinitely Postpone" [Sec. 24] a question, places it +out of the power of the assembly to again take it up during that +session, and consequently this motion allows of free debate, even +involving the whole merits of the original question. + +To "Postpone to a certain time" prevents the assembly taking up the +question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate +upon the propriety of the postponement. + +To "Lie on the Table" leaves the question so + +=== Page 71 ============================================================ + +that the assembly can at any time consider it, and therefore should not +be, and is not debatable. + +To "Commit" would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it +is an exception, because it is often important that the committee should +know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not +only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is +proposed to refer to the committee. + +36. Decorum in Debate [see Sec. 2]. In debate a member must confine +himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. +He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to +conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while +debating such motion. In referring to another member, he should, as +much as possible, avoid using his name, rather referring to him as "the +member who spoke last," or in some other way describing him. The +officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official +titles. It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member, but the +nature or consequences of a measure may be condemned in strong terms. +It is not the man, but the measure, that is the subject of debate. If +at any time the Chairman rises to state a point of order, or give +information, or otherwise speak, within his privilege [see + +=== Page 72 ============================================================ + +Sec. 40], the member speaking must take his seat till the Chairman has been +first heard. When called to order, the member must sit down until the +question of order is decided. If his remarks are decided to be +improper, he cannot proceed, if any one objects, without the leave of +the assembly expressed by a vote, upon which question there shall be no +debate. + +Disorderly words should be taken down by the member who objects to them, +or by the clerk, and then read to the member; if he denies them, the +assembly shall decide by a vote whether they are his words or not. If a +member cannot justify the words he used, and will not suitably apologize +for using them, it is the duty of the assembly to act in the case, +requiring both members to withdraw* [If both are personally interested. +[See page 161.]] till it has decided its course, it being a general rule +that no member should he present in the assembly when any matter +relating to himself is under debate. If any business has taken place +since the member spoke, it is too late to take notice of any disorderly +words he used. + +37. Closing Debate. Debate upon a question is not closed by the +Chairman rising to put the question, as, until both the affirmative + +=== Page 73 ============================================================ + +and negative are put, a member can claim the floor, and re-open debate +[see Sec. 38]. Debate can be closed by the following motions, which are +undebatable [Sec. 35], and, except to Lie on the Table, shall require a +two-thirds* [In Congress, where each speaker can occupy the floor one +hour, any of these motions to cut off debate can be adopted by a mere +majority. 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 debate.] vote for their adoption [Sec. 39]: + + (a) An objection to the consideration of a question [only allowable +when the question is first introduced, Sec. 15], which, if sustained, not only +stops debate, but also throws the subject out of the assembly for that +session [Sec. 42]; which latter effect is the one for which it was +designed. + + (b) To lie on the table [Sec. 19], which, if adopted, carries the +question to the table, from which it cannot be taken without a majority +favors such action. + + (c) The previous question [Sec. 20], which has the effect of requiring +all the questions before the assembly [excepting as limited in Sec. 20] to +be put to vote at once without further debate. It may be applied merely +to an amendment or to an amendment of an amendment. + +=== Page 74 ============================================================ + + (d) For the assembly to adopt an order (1) limiting debate upon a +special subject, either as to the number or length of the speeches; or +(2) closing debate upon the subject at a stated time, when all pending +questions shall be put to vote without further debate. Either of these +two measures may be applied only to a pending amendment, or an amendment +thereto, and when this is voted upon, the original question is still +open to debate and amendment. + +Art. VI. Vote. +[Sec.Sec. 38-39.] + +38. Voting. Whenever from the nature of the question it permits of no +modification or debate, the Chairman immediately puts it to vote; if the +question is debatable, when the Chairman thinks the debate has been +brought to a close, he should inquire if the assembly is ready for the +question, and if no one rises he puts the question to vote. There are +various forms for putting the question, in use in different parts of the +country. The rule in Congress, in + +=== Page 75 ============================================================ + +the House of Representatives, is as follows: "Questions shall be +distinctly put in this form, to-wit: 'As many as are of the opinion +that (as the question may be) say Aye;' and after the affirmative voice +is expressed, 'As many as are of the contrary opinion, say No.'" The +following form is very common: "It has been moved and seconded that +(here state the question). As many as are favor of the motion say Aye; +those opposed, No." Or, if the motion is for the adoption of a certain +resolution, after it has been read the Chairman can say, "You have heard +the resolution read; those in favor of its adoption will hold up the +right hand; those opposed will manifest it by the same sign." These +examples are sufficient to show the usual methods of putting a question, +the affirmative being always put first. + +When a vote is taken, the Chairman should always announce the result in +the following form: "The motion is carried--the resolution is +adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is adopted." If, when +he announces a vote, any member rises and states that he doubts the +vote, or calls for a "division," the + +=== Page 76 ============================================================ + +Chairman shall say, "A division is called for; those in favor of the +motion will rise." After counting these, and announcing the number, he +shall say, "Those opposed will rise." will count these, announce the +number, and declare the result; that is, whether the motion is carried +or lost. Instead of counting the vote himself, he can appoint tellers +to make the count and report to him. When tellers are appointed, they +should be selected from both sides of the question. A member has the +right to change his vote (when not made by ballot) before the decision +of the question has been finally and conclusively pronounced by the +Chair, but not afterwards. + +Until the negative is put, it is in order for any member, in the same +manner as if the voting had not been commenced, to rise and speak, make +motions for amendment or otherwise, and thus renew the debate; and this, +whether the member was in the assembly room or not when the question was +put and the vote partly taken. In such case the question is in the same +condition as if it had never been put. + +No one can vote on a question affecting + +=== Page 77 ============================================================ + +himself, but if more than one name is included in the resolution (though +a sense of delicacy would prevent this right being exercised, excepting +when it would change the vote) all are entitled to vote; for if this +were not so, a minority could control an assembly by including the names +of a sufficient number in a motion, say for preferring charges against +them, and suspend them, or even expel them from the assembly. When +there is a tie vote the motion fails, without the Chairman gives his +vote for the affirmative, which in such case he can do. Where his vote +will make a tie, he can cast it and thus defeat the measure. + +Another form of voting is by ballot. This method is only adopted when +required by the constitution or by-laws of the assembly, or when the +assembly has ordered the vote to be so taken. The Chairman, in such +cases, appoints at least two tellers, who distribute slips of paper upon +which each member, including the Chairman,* [Should the Chairman neglect +to vote before the ballots are counted, he cannot then vote without the +permission of the assembly.] writes his vote; the votes are then +collected, counted by the tellers, and the result reported to the +Chairman, who announces + +=== Page 78 ============================================================ + +it to the assembly. The Chairman announces the result of the vote, in +case of an election to office, in a manner similar to the following: +"The whole number of votes cast is --; the number necessary for an +election is --; Mr. A. received --; Mr. B. --; Mr. C. --. Mr. B. having +received the required number is elected --." Where there is only one +candidate for an office, and the constitution requires the vote to be by +ballot, it is common to authorize the clerk to cast the vote of the +assembly for such and such a person; if any one objects however, it is +necessary to ballot in the usual way. So when a motion is made to make +a vote unanimous, it fails if any one objects. In counting the ballots +all blanks are ignored. + +The assembly can by a majority vote order that the vote on any question +be taken by Yeas and Nays.* [Taking a vote by yeas and nays, which has +the effect to place on the record how each member votes, is peculiar to +this country, and while it consumes a great deal of time, is rarely +useful in ordinary societies. By the Constitution, one-fifth of the +members present can, in either house of Congress, order a vote to be +taken by yeas and nays, and to avoid some of the resulting +inconveniences various rules and customs have been established, which +are ignored in this Manual, as according to it the yeas and nays can +only be ordered by a majority, which prevents its being made use of to +hinder business. In representative bodies it is very useful, especially +where the proceedings are published, as it enables the people to know +how their representatives voted on important measures. In some small +bodies a vote on a resolution must be taken by yeas and nays, upon the +demand of a single member.] In this method of voting the Chairman states +both sides of the question + +=== Page 79 ============================================================ + +at once; the clerk calls the roll and each member as his name is called +rises and answers yes or no, and the clerk notes his answer. Upon the +completion of the roll call the clerk reads over the names of those who +answered the affirmative, and afterwards those in the negative, that +mistakes may be corrected; he then gives the number voting on each side +to the Chairman, who announces the result. An entry must be made in the +minutes of the names of all voting in the affirmative, and also of those +in the negative. + +The form of putting a question upon which the vote has been ordered to be +taken by yeas and nays, is similar to the following: "As many as are in +favor of the adoption of these resolutions will, when their names are +called, answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." The +Chairman will then direct the clerk to call the roll. The negative +being put at the same time as the affirmative, it is too late, after the +question is put, to renew the + +=== Page 80 ============================================================ + +debate. After the commencement of the roll call, it is too late to ask +to be excused from voting. The yeas and nays cannot be ordered in +committee of the whole [Sec. 32]. + +39. Motions Requiring More than a Majority Vote.* [Where no rule to the +contrary is adopted, a majority vote of the assembly, when a quorum [Sec. +43] is present, is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except for +the suspension of a rule, which can only be done by general consent, or +unanimously. Congress requires a two-thirds vote for only the motions +to suspend and to amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper +order, and to make a special order [see note to Sec. 37].] The following +motions shall require a two-thirds vote for their adoption, as the right +of discussion, and the right to have the rules enforced, should not be +abridged by a mere majority: + + An Objection to the Consideration of a Question .............. Sec. 15. + To Take up a Question out of its proper order ................ Sec. 13. + To Suspend the Rules ......................................... Sec. 18. + The Previous Question ........................................ Sec. 20. + To Close or Limit Debate ..................................... Sec. 37. + To Amend the Rules (requires previous notice also) ........... Sec. 43. + To Make a special order ...................................... Sec. 13. + +=== Page 81 ============================================================ + +Art. VII. The Officers and the Minutes. +[Sec.Sec. 40, 41.] + +40. Chairman* [In connection with this section read Sec. 44, and also Sec. +40, 41.] or President. The presiding officer, when no special title has +been assigned him, is ordinarily called the Chairman (or in religious +assemblies more usually the Moderator); frequently the constitution of +the assembly prescribes for him a title, such as President. + +His duties are generally as follows: + +To open the session at the time at which the assembly is to meet, by +taking the chair and calling the members to order; to announce the +business before the assembly in the order in which it is to be acted +upon [Sec. 44]; to state and to put to vote [Sec. 38] all questions which are +regularly moved, or necessarily arise in the course of proceedings, and +to announce the result of the vote; + +To restrain the members, when engaged in + +=== Page 82 ============================================================ + +debate, within the rules of order; to enforce on all occasions the +observance of order and decorum [Sec. 36] among the members, deciding all +questions of order (subject to an appeal to the assembly by any two +members, Sec. 14), and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when +referred to for the purpose, on a point of order or practice; + +To authenticate, by his signature, when necessary, all the acts, orders +and proceedings of the assembly, and in general to represent and stand +for the assembly, declaring its will, and in all things obeying its +commands. + +The chairman shall rise* [It is not customary for the chairman to rise +while putting questions in very small bodies, such as committees, +boards of trustees, &c.] to put a question to vote, but may state it +sitting; he shall also rise from his seat (without calling any one to +the chair), when speaking to a question of order, which he can do in +preference to other members. In referring to himself he should always +use his official title thus: "The Chair decides so and so," not "I +decide, &c." When a member has the floor, the chairman cannot interrupt +him as long as he does not transgress + +=== Page 83 ============================================================ + +any of the rules of the assembly, excepting as provided in Sec. 2. + +He is entitled to vote when the vote is by ballot,* [But this right is +lost if he does not use it before the tellers have commenced to count +the ballots. The assembly can give leave to the chairman to vote under +such circumstances.] and in all other cases where the vote would change +the result. Thus in a case where two-thirds vote is necessary, and his +vote thrown with the minority would prevent the adoption of the +question, he can cast his vote; so also he can vote with the minority +when it will produce a tie vote and thus cause the motion to fail. +Whenever a motion is made referring especially to the chairman, the +maker of the motion should put it to vote. + +The chairman can, if it is necessary to vacate the chair, appoint a +chairman pro tem.,** [When there are Vice Presidents, then the first one +on the list that is present, is, by virtue of his office, chairman +during the absence of the President, and should always be called to the +chair when the President temporarily vacates it.] but the first +adjournment puts an end to the appointment, which the assembly can +terminate before, if it pleases, by electing another chairman. But the +regular chairman, knowing that he will be absent from a future meeting, +cannot authorize another member to act + +=== Page 84 ============================================================ + +in his place at such meeting; the clerk [Sec. 41], or in his absence any +member, should in such case call the meeting to order, and a chairman +pro tem. be elected, who would hold office during that session [Sec. 42], +without such office was terminated by the entrance of the regular +chairman. + +The chairman sometimes calls a member to the chair, and himself takes +part in the debate. But this should rarely be done, and nothing can +justify it in a case where much feeling is shown, and there is a +liability to difficulty in preserving order. If the chairman has even +the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to +control those who are on the opposite side of the question.* [The +unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon +questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the +floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the +practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate +should never accept the chair. "It is a general rule, in all +deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not +participate in the debate, or other proceedings, in any other capacity +than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters +of fact within his knowledge; to inform the assembly on points of order +or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when +he finds it necessary to do so; and on appeals from his decision on +questions of order, to address the assembly in debate." [Cushing's +Manual, page 106.] "Though the Speaker [chairman] may of right speak to +matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on +any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts +within his knowledge; then he may, with their leave, state the matter of +fact." [Jefferson's Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay's "Digest of the +Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S.," page 195.]] + +The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and +set the example of strict conformity to it, but he should be a + +=== Page 85 ============================================================ + +man of executive ability, capable of controlling men; and it should +never be forgotten, that, to control others, it is necessary to control +one's self. An excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a +meeting. + +A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties +attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the +advice of a distinguished writer on parliamentary law, and recollect +that--"The great purpose of all rules and forms, is to subserve the +will of the assembly, rather than to restrain it; to facilitate, and not +to obstruct, the expression of their deliberate sense." + +41. Clerk or Secretary [and the Minutes]. The recording officer is +usually called + +=== Page 86 ============================================================ + +the "Clerk" or "Secretary,"* [When there are two secretaries, he is +termed the "recording secretary," and the other one, the "corresponding +secretary." In many societies the secretary, besides acting as +recording officer, collects the dues of members, and thus becomes to a +certain extent a financial officer. In most cases the treasurer acts as +banker, only paying on the order of the society, signed by the secretary +alone, or by the president and secretary. In such cases the secretary +becomes in reality the financial officer of the society, and should make +reports to the society, of funds received and from what sources, and of +the funds expended and for what purposes. See Sec. 52 for his duties as +financial officer.] and the record of proceedings the "Minutes." His +desk should be near that of the chairman, and in the absence of the +chairman, (if there is no vice president present) when the hour for +opening the session arrives, it is his duty to call the meeting to +order, and to preside until the election of a chairman pro tem., which +should be done immediately. He should keep a record of the proceedings, +commencing in a form similar to the following :** [See Clerk and Minutes +in Part II, Sec. 51.] + +"At a regular quarterly meeting of [state the name of the society] held +on the 31st day of March, 1875, at [state the place of meeting], the +President in the chair, the minutes were read by the clerk and +approved." If the regular clerk is absent, insert after the words "in +the chair," the following: "The clerk being absent, Robert Smith was +appointed clerk pro tem. + +=== Page 87 ============================================================ + +The minutes were then read and approved." If the minutes were not read, +say "the reading of the minutes was dispensed with." The above form +will show the essentials, which are as follows: (a) The kind of +meeting, "regular" [or stated] or "special," or "adjourned regular," +or "adjourned special;" (6) name of the assembly; (c) date and place of +meeting (excepting when the place is always the same); (d) the fact of +the presence of the regular chairman and clerk, or in their absence the +names of their substitutes; (e) whether the minutes of the previous +meeting were approved. + +The minutes should be signed by the person who acted as clerk for that +meeting: in some societies the chairman must also sign them. When +published, they should be signed by both officers. + +In keeping the minutes much depends upon the kind of meeting, and +whether the minutes are to be published. If they are to be published, +it is often of far more interest to know what was said by the leading +speakers, than to know what routine business was done, and what +resolutions adopted. + +=== Page 88 ============================================================ + +In such case the duties of the secretary are arduous, and he should have +at least one assistant. In ordinary society meetings and meetings of +Boards of Managers and Trustees, on the contrary, there is no object in +reporting the debates; the duty of the clerk, in such cases, is mainly +to record what is "done" by the assembly, not what is said by the +members. Without there is a rule to the contrary, he should enter every +Principal motion [Sec. 6] that is before the assembly, whether it is +adopted or rejected; and where there is a division [see Voting, Sec. 38], +or where the vote is by ballot, he should enter the number of votes on +each side; and when the voting is by yeas and nays [Sec. 38], he should +enter a list of the names of those voting on each side. He should +endorse on the reports of committees, the date of their reception, and +what further action was taken upon them, and preserve them among the +records, for which he is responsible. He should in the minutes make a +brief summary of a report that has been agreed to, except where it +contains resolutions, in which case the resolutions will be entered in +full as adopted by the assembly, and not as + +=== Page 89 ============================================================ + +if it was the report accepted. The proceedings of the committee of the +whole [Sec. 32], or while acting informally [Sec. 33], should not be entered +on the minutes. Before an adjournment without day, it is customary to +read over the minutes for approval, if the next meeting of the board or +society will not occur for a long period. Where the regular meetings +are not separated by too great a time, the minutes are read at the next +meeting. + +The clerk should, previous to each meeting, for the use of the chairman, +make out an order of business [Sec. 44], showing in their exact order what +is necessarily to come before the assembly. He should also have at each +meeting a list of all standing committees, and such select committees as +are in existence at the time. When a committee is appointed, he should +hand the names of the committee and all papers referred to it to the +chairman, or some other of its members. + +=== Page 90 ============================================================ + +Art. VIII. Miscellaneous. +[Sec.Sec. 42-45.] + +42. A Session of an assembly is a meeting* [See definitions in +Introduction for the distinction between "meeting" and "session."] +which, though it may last for days, is virtually one meeting, as a +session of a Convention; or even months, as a session of Congress; it +terminates by an "adjournment without day." The intermediate +adjournments from day to day, or the recesses taken during the day, do +not destroy the continuity of the meeting--they in reality constitute +one session. In the case of a permanent society, having regular +meetings every week, month, or year, for example, each meeting +constitutes a separate session of the society, which session however can +be prolonged by adjourning to another day. + +If a principal motion [Sec. 6] is indefinitely postponed or rejected at one +session, while it cannot be introduced again at the same session [see +Renewal of a Motion, Sec. 26], it can be at + +=== Page 91 ============================================================ + +the next, without it is prohibited by a rule of the assembly. + +No one session of the assembly can interfere with the rights of the +assembly at any future session,* [Any one session can adopt a rule or +resolution of a permanent nature, and it continues in force until at +some future session it is rescinded. But these Standing Rules, as they +are termed, do not interfere with future sessions, because at any moment +a majority can suspend or rescind them, or adopt new ones.] without it +is expressly so provided in their Constitution, Bylaws, or Rules of +Order, all of which are so guarded (by requiring notice of amendments, +and at least a two-thirds vote for their adoption) that they are not +subject to sudden changes, but may be considered as expressing the +deliberate views of the whole society, rather than the opinions or +wishes of any particular meeting. Thus, if the presiding officer were +ill, it would not be competent for one session of the assembly to elect +a chairman to hold office longer than that session, as it cannot control +or dictate to the next session of the assembly. By going through the +prescribed routine of an election to fill the vacancy, giving whatever +notice is required, it could then legally elect a chairman to hold +office while the vacancy lasted. So it + +=== Page 92 ============================================================ + +is improper for an assembly to postpone anything to a day beyond the +next succeeding session, and thus attempt to prevent the next session +from considering the question. On the other hand, it is not permitted +to move a reconsideration [Sec. 27] of a vote taken at a previous session +[though the motion to reconsider can be called up, provided it was made +at the last meeting of the previous session.] Committees can be +appointed to report at a future session. + +Note On Session--In Congress, and in fact all legislative bodies, the +limits of the sessions are clearly defined; but in ordinary societies +having a permanent existence, with regular meetings more or less +frequent, there appears to be a great deal of confusion upon the +subject. Any society is competent to decide what shall constitute one +of its sessions, but, where there is no rule on the subject, the common +parliamentary law would make each of its regular or special meetings a +separate session, as they are regarded in this Manual. + +The disadvantages of a rule making a session include all the meetings of +an ordinary society, held during a long time as one year, are very +great. [Examine Indefinitely Postpone, Sec. 24, and Renewal of a Motion, Sec. +26.] If members of any society take advantage of the freedom allowed by +considering + +=== Page 93 ============================================================ + +each regular meeting a separate session, and repeatedly renew obnoxious +or unprofitable motions, the society can adopt a rule prohibiting the +second introduction of any principal question [Sec. 6] within, say, three +or six months after its rejection, or indefinite postponement, or after +the society has refused to consider it. But generally it is better to +suppress the motion by refusing to consider it [Sec. 15]. + +43. A Quorum of an assembly is such a number as is competent to +transact its business. Without there is a special rule on the subject, +the quorum of every assembly is a majority of all the members of the +assembly. But whenever a society has any permanent existence, it is +usual to adopt a much smaller number, the quorum being often less than +one-twentieth of its members; this becomes a necessity in most large +societies, where only a small fraction of the members are ever present +at a meeting.* [While a quorum is competent to transact any business, it +is usually not expedient to transact important business without there is +a fair attendance at the meeting, or else previous notice of such action +has been given.] + +The Chairman should not take the chair till a quorum is present, except +where there is no hope of there being a quorum, and then no business can +be transacted, except simply + +=== Page 94 ============================================================ + +to adjourn. So whenever during the meeting there is found not to be a +quorum present, the only thing to be done is to adjourn--though if no +question is raised about it, the debate can be continued, but no vote +taken, except to adjourn. + +In committee of the whole, the quorum is the same as in the assembly; in +any other committee the majority is a quorum, without the assembly order +otherwise, and it must wait for a quorum before proceeding to business. +If the number afterwards should be reduced below a quorum, business is +not interrupted, unless a member calls attention to the fact; but no +question can be decided except when a quorum is present. Boards of +Trustees, Managers, Directors, etc., are on the same footing as +committees, in regard to a quorum. Their power is delegated to them as +a body, and what number shall be present in order that they may act as a +Board, is to be decided by the society that appoints the Board. If no +quorum is specified, then a majority constitutes a quorum. + +44. Order of Business. It is customary for every society having a +permanent existence, + +=== Page 95 ============================================================ + +to adopt an order of business for its meetings. When no rule has been +adopted, the following is the order: + + (1) Reading the Minutes of the previous meeting [and their approval]. + (2) Reports of Standing Committees. + (3) Reports of Select Committees. + (4) Unfinished Business. + (5) New Business. + +Boards of Managers, Trustees, etc., come under the head of standing +committees. Questions that have been postponed from a previous +meeting, come under the head of unfinished business; and if a subject +has been made a "special order" for the day, it shall take precedence of +all business except reading the minutes. If it is desired to transact +business out of its order, it is necessary to suspend the rules [Sec. 18], +which can only be done by a two-thirds vote; but as each subject comes +up, a majority can at once lay it on the table [Sec. 19], and thus reach +any question which they desire to first dispose of. + +The order of business, in considering any report or proposition +containing several paragraphs,* [No vote should be taken on the adoption +of the several paragraphs,--one vote being taken finally on the +adoption of the whole paper. By not adopting separately the different +paragraphs, it is in order, after they have all been amended, to go back +and amend any of them still further. In committee a similar paper would +be treated the same way [see Sec. 30]. In Sec. 48 (b) an illustration is +given of the practical application of this section.] is as follows: + +=== Page 96 ============================================================ + +The whole paper should be read entirely through by the clerk; then the +Chairman should read it by paragraphs, pausing at the end of each, and +asking, "Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" If none +are offered, he says, "No amendments being offered to this paragraph, +the next will be read;" he then reads the next, and proceeds thus to the +last paragraph, when he states that the whole report or resolutions have +been read, and are open to amendment. He finally puts the question on +agreeing to or adopting the whole paper as amended. If there is a +preamble it should be read after the last paragraph. + +If the paper has been reported back by a committee with amendments, the +clerk reads only the amendments, and the Chairman then reads the first +and puts it to the question, and so on till all the amendments are +adopted or rejected, admitting amendments to the committee's amendments, +but no others. When + +=== Page 97 ============================================================ + +through with the committee's amendments, the Chairman pauses for any +other amendments to be proposed by the assembly; and when these are +voted on, he puts the question on agreeing to or adopting the paper as +amended. Where the resolutions have been just read by the member +presenting them, the reading by the clerk is usually dispensed with +without the formality of a vote. By "suspending the rules" [Sec. 18], or +by general consent, a report can be at once adopted without following +any of the above routine. + +45. Amendments of Rules of Order. These rules can be amended at any +regular meeting of the assembly, by a two-thirds vote of the members +present, provided the amendment was submitted in writing at the previous +regular meeting. And no amendment to Constitutions or By-Laws shall be +permitted, without at least equal notice and a two-thirds vote.* +[Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order should always prohibit their +being amended by less than a two-thirds vote, and without previous +notice of the amendment being given. If the By-Laws should contain +rules that it may be desirable to occasionally suspend, then they should +state how they can be suspended, just as is done in these Rules of +Order, Sec. 18. If there is no such rule it is impossible to suspend any +rule, if a single member objects. + +=== Page 98 ============================================================ +=== Page 99 ============================================================ + +PART II. + +ORGANIZATION AND CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.* +[The exact words used by the chairman or member, are in many cases in +quotations. It is not to be inferred that these are the only forms +permitted, but that these forms are proper and common. They are +inserted for the benefit of those unaccustomed to parliamentary forms, +and are sufficiently numerous for ordinary meetings.] + +Art. IX. Organization and Meetings. +[Sec.Sec. 46-49.] + +46. An Occasional or Mass Meeting. (a) Organization. When a meeting +is held which is not one of an organized society, shortly after the +time appointed for the meeting, some member of the assembly steps +forward and says: "The meeting will please come to order; I move that +Mr. A. act as chairman of this meeting." Some one else says, "I second +the motion." The first member then puts the + +=== Page 100 =========================================================== + +question to vote, by saying, "It has been moved and seconded that Mr. A. +act as chairman of this meeting; those in favor of the motion will say +aye," and when the affirmative vote is taken, he says, "those opposed +will say no." If the majority vote in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried; Mr. A. will 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.* [Sometimes a member nominates a chairman and no vote is taken, +the assembly signifying their approval by acclamation. 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. 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 Mr. A. 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 before. 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 a vote on the first one he heard, putting +the question thus: "As many as are in favor of + +=== Page 101 =========================================================== + +Mr. B. acting as secretary of this meeting, will say aye;--those +opposed will say no." If the motion is lost the question is put on Mr. +C., and so on, till some one is elected. In large meetings the +secretary takes his seat near the chairman: he should in all cases keep +a record of the proceedings as described in Sec. 51. + +(b) Adoption of Resolutions. These two officers are all that are +usually necessary for a meeting; so, when the secretary is elected, the +chairman asks, "What is the further pleasure of the meeting?" If the +meeting is merely a public assembly called together to consider some +special subject, it is customary at this stage of the proceedings for +some one to offer a series of resolutions previously prepared, or else +to move 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, +then says, "I move the adoption of the following resolutions," which he +then reads and hands to the chairman;* [The practice in legislative +bodies, is 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 +endorsed on each. In such bodies, however, there are several clerks and +only one chairman. In many 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, without there is a rule or established custom to the +contrary, it is allowable, and frequently 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 can omit reading them when be thinks they are fully +understood. In reference to the manner of reading and stating the +question, when the resolution contains several paragraphs, see Rules of +Order, Sec. 44.] + +=== Page 102 =========================================================== + +some one else says, "I second the motion." The chairman sometimes +directs the secretary to read the resolutions again, after which he +says, "The question is on the adoption of the resolutions just read," +and if no one rises immediately, he adds, "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 just read, will say aye;" after the ayes +have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no;" +he then announces the result of the vote as follows: "The motion is +carried--the resolutions are adopted," or, "The ayes have it--the +resolutions are 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 been recognized, says, "I move that a committee be appointed +to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting on," + +=== Page 103 =========================================================== + +etc., adding the subject for which the meeting was called. This motion +being seconded, the Chairman states the question [Sec. 67] and asks, "Are +you ready for the question?" If no one rises, he puts the question, +announces the result, and, if it is carried, he 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 the members of the assembly (no member naming more than +one, except by unanimous consent), and then the assembly vote 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, will say + +=== Page 104 =========================================================== + +aye." If nominations are made by members of the assembly, and more +names mentioned than the number of the committee, a separate vote should +be taken on each name. (In a mass meeting it is safer to have all +committees appointed by the chairman.) + +When the committee are appointed they should at once retire and agree +upon a report, which should be written out as described in Sec. 53. During +their absence other business may be attended to, or the time may be +occupied with hearing addresses. Upon their return the chairman of the +committee (who is the one first named on the committee, and who quite +commonly, though not necessarily, is the one who made the motion to +appoint the committee), avails himself of the first opportunity to +obtain the floor,* [See Rules of Order, Sec. 2.] when he says, "The +committee appointed to draft resolutions, are 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, and handed to the presiding +officer, upon which the committee is dissolved without any action of the +assembly. + +A member then moves the "adoption" or + +=== Page 105 =========================================================== + +"acceptance" of the report, or that "the resolutions be agreed to," +which motions have the same effect if carried, namely, to make the +resolutions the resolutions of the assembly just as if the committee had +had nothing to do with them.* [A very common error is, after a report +has been read, to move that it be received; whereas, the fact that it has +been read, shows that it has been already received by the assembly. +Another mistake, less common but dangerous, is to vote that the report +be accepted which is equivalent to adopting it), when the intention is +only to have the report up for consideration and afterwards move its +adoption.] + +When one of these motions is made, the chairman acts as stated above +when the resolutions were offered by a member. If it is not desired to +immediately adopt the resolutions, they can be debated, modified, their +consideration postponed, etc., as explained in Sec.Sec. 55-63. + +When through with the business for which the assembly were convened, or +when from any other cause it is desirable to close the meeting, some one +moves "to adjourn;" if the motion is carried and no other time for +meeting has been appointed, the chairman says, "The motion is carried; +--this assembly stands adjourned without day." [Another method by which +the meeting may be conducted is shown in Sec. 48.] + +(d) Additional Officers. If more officers are + +=== Page 106 =========================================================== + +required than a chairman and secretary, they can be appointed before +introducing the resolutions, in the manner described for those officers; +or the assembly can first form a temporary organization in the manner +already described, only adding "pro tem." to the title of the officers, +thus: "chairman pro tem." In this latter case, as soon as the +secretary pro tem. is elected, a committee is appointed to nominate the +permanent officers, as in the case of a convention [Sec. 47]. Frequently +the presiding officer is called the President, and sometimes there is a +large number of Vice Presidents appointed for mere 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. + +47. Meeting of a Convention or Assembly of Delegates. If the members +of the assembly have been elected or appointed as members, it becomes +necessary to know who are properly members of the assembly and entitled +to vote, before the permanent organization is effected. In this case a +temporary organization is made, as already described, by the election of +a chairman + +=== Page 107 =========================================================== + +and secretary "pro tem.," when the chairman announces, "The next +business in order is the appointment of a committee on credentials." A +motion may then be made covering the entire case, thus: "I move that a +committee of three on the credentials of members be appointed by the +Chair, and that the committee report as soon as practicable;" or they +may include only one of these details, thus: "I move that a committee +be appointed on the credentials of members." In either case the Chair +proceeds as already described in the cases of committees on resolutions +[Sec. 46, (c)]. + +On the motion to accept the report of the committee, none can vote +except those reported by the committee as having proper credentials. +The committee, beside reporting a list of members with proper +credentials, may report doubtful or contested cases, with +recommendations, which the assembly may adopt, or reject, or postpone, +etc. Only members whose right to their seats is undisputed, can vote. + +The chairman, after the question of credentials is disposed of, at least +for the time, announces that "The next business in order is the election +of permanent officers of the assembly." Some one then moves the +appointment of a + +=== Page 108 =========================================================== + +committee to nominate the officers, in a form similar to this: "I move +that a committee of three be appointed by the Chair to nominate the +permanent officers of this convention." This motion is treated as +already explained. When the committee make their report, some one moves +"That the report of the committee be accepted and that the officers +nominated be declared the officers of this convention."* [Where there is +any competition for the offices, it is better that they be elected by +ballot. In this case, when the nominating committee report, a motion +can be made as follows: "I move that the convention now proceed to +ballot for its permanent officers;" or "I move that we now proceed to +the election, by ballot, of the permanent officers of this convention." +[See Rules of Order, Sec. 38, for balloting, and other methods of voting.] +The constitutions of permanent societies usually provide that the +officers shall be elected by ballot.] This motion being carried, the +chairman declares the officers elected, and instantly calls the new +presiding officer to the chair, and the temporary secretary is at the +same time replaced. The convention is now organized for work. + +48. A Permanent Society. (a) First Meeting. When it is desired to +form a permanent society, those interested in it should see that only +the proper persons are invited to be present, at a certain time and +place. It is not usual in mass meetings, or meetings called to organize +a society, to commence until + +=== Page 109 =========================================================== + +fifteen or thirty minutes after the appointed time, when some one 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 an "occasional +meeting" [Sec. 46, (a)]; and, as in that case, when the chairman is +elected, he announces as the first business in order the election of a +secretary. + +After the secretary is elected, the chairman calls on some member who is +most interested in getting up 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 upon 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 meeting. + +When a sufficient time has been spent in this + +=== Page 110 =========================================================== + +informal way, some one should offer a resolution, so that definite +action can be taken. Those interested in getting up 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 a 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 chairman, would be open to debate and be treated as +already described [Sec. 46, (b)]. This preliminary motion could have been +offered at the commencement of the meeting, and if the meeting is a very +large one, this would probably be better than to have the informal +discussion. + +After this preliminary motion has been voted on, or even without waiting +for such motion, one like this can 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 they report at an +adjourned meeting of this assembly." This motion can be amended [Sec. 56] +by striking out and adding words, etc., and it is debatable. + +=== Page 111 =========================================================== + +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 meeting?" When all business is finished, a motion can 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 [see Sec. 63] 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.* [Ordinary meetings of a society are conducted like +this second meeting, the chairman, however, announcing the business in +the order prescribed by the rules of the society [Sec. 72]. For example, +after the minutes are read and approved, he would say, "The next +business in order is hearing reports from the standing committees." He +may then call upon each committee in their order, for a report, thus: +"Has the committee on applications for membership any report to make?" +In which case the committee may report, as shown above, or some member +of it reply that they have no report to make. Or, when the chairman +knows that there are but few if any reports to make, 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 select +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.] 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 + +=== Page 112 =========================================================== + +please come to order:" as soon as the assembly is seated, he adds, "The +secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting." If any one +notices an error in the minutes, he can 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, "If there is no objection the +minutes will stand approved as read" [or "corrected," if any corrections +have been made]. + +He 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, reads +the committee's report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and +formal bodies the chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the +report, usually directs the secretary to read it again. See note to Sec. +46 (c), for a few common errors in acting upon reports of committees. +[See also note to Sec. 46 (b).]] If no motion is made, the chairman says, +"You have heard the report read -- + +=== Page 113 =========================================================== + +what order shall be taken upon it?" Or simply inquires, "What shall be +done with the report?" Some one moves its adoption, or still better, +moves "the adoption of the Constitution reported by the committee," and +when seconded, the chairman says, "The question is on the adoption of +the Constitution reported by the committee." He then reads the first +article of the Constitution, and asks, "Are there any amendments +proposed to this article?" If none are offered, after a pause, he reads +the next article and asks the same question, and proceeds thus until he +reads the last article, when he says, "The whole Constitution having +been read, it is open to amendment." Now any one can move amendments to +any part of the Constitution. + +When the chairman thinks it 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, will say aye;" and then, "As many +as are opposed, will say no." He distinctly announces the result of the +vote, which should always be done. If the articles of the Constitution +are subdivided into sections + +=== Page 114 =========================================================== + +or paragraphs, then the amendments should be made by sections or +paragraphs, instead of by articles. + +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 suggests, +if the assembly is a large one, 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. + +The recess having expired, the chairman calls the meeting to order and +says, "The next business in order is the adoption of By-Laws." Some one +moves the adoption of the By-Laws reported by the committee, and they +are treated just like the Constitution. The chairman then asks, "What +is the further pleasure of the meeting?" or states that the next +business in order is the election of the permanent officers of the +society. In either case some one moves the appointment of a committee +to nominate the permanent officers of the society, which motion is +treated as already described in Sec. 47. As + +=== Page 115 =========================================================== + +each officer is elected he replaces the temporary one, and when they are +all elected the organization is completed. + +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 one on the committee on the Constitution +should consult a lawyer before this second meeting, so that the laws may +be conformed to. In this case the trustees are usually instructed to +take the proper measures to have the society incorporated. + +49. Constitutions, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules. In +forming a Constitution and By-Laws, it is always best to procure copies +of those adopted by several similar societies, and for the committee, +after comparing them, to select one as the basis of their own, amending +each article just as their own report is amended by the Society. When +they have completed amending the Constitution, it is adopted by the +committee. The By-Laws are treated in the same way, and then, having +finished the work assigned them, some one moves, "That the committee +rise, and that the chairman (or some other + +=== Page 116 =========================================================== + +member) report the Constitution and By-Laws to the assembly." If this +is adopted, the Constitution and By-Laws are written out, and a brief +report made of this form: "Your committee, appointed to draft a +Constitution and By-Laws, would respectfully submit the following, with +the recommendation that they be adopted as the Constitution and By-Laws +of this society;" which is signed by all the members of the committee +that concur in it. Sometimes the report is only signed by the chairman +of the committee. + +In the organization just given, it is assumed that both a Constitution +and By-Laws are adopted. This is not always done; some societies adopt +only a Constitution, and others only By-Laws. Where both are adopted, +the constitution usually contains only the following: + +(1) Name and object of the society. +(2) Qualification of members. +(3) Officers, their election and duties. +(4) Meetings of the society (only including what is essential, leaving + details to the By-Laws). +(5) How to amend the Constitution. + +These can be arranged in five articles, each article being subdivided +into sections. The + +=== Page 117 =========================================================== + +Constitution containing nothing but what is fundamental, it should be +made very difficult to amend; usually previous notice of the amendment +is required, and also a two-thirds or three-fourths vote for its +adoption [Sec. 73]. It is better not to require a larger vote than +two-thirds, and, where the meetings are frequent, an amendment should +not be allowed to be made except at a quarterly or annual meeting, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +The By-Laws contain all the other standing rules of the society, of such +importance that they should be placed out of the power of any one +meeting to modify; or they may omit the rules relating to the conduct of +business in the meetings, which would then constitute the Rules of Order +of the society. Every society, in its By-Laws or Rules of Order, should +adopt a rule like this: "The rules contained in--(specifying the work +on parliamentary practice) shall govern the society in all cases to +which they are applicable, and in which they are not inconsistent with +the Rules of Order (or By-Laws) adopted by the society." Without such a +rule, any one so disposed, could cause great trouble in a meeting. + +=== Page 118 =========================================================== + +In addition to the Constitution, By-Laws and Rules of Order, in nearly +every society resolutions of a permanent nature are occasionally +adopted, which are binding on the society until they are rescinded or +modified. These are called Standing Rules, and can be adopted by a +majority vote at any meeting. After they have been adopted, they cannot +be modified at the same session except by a reconsideration [Sec. 60]. At +any future session they can be suspended, modified or rescinded by a +majority vote. The Standing Rules, then, comprise those rules of a +society which have been adopted like ordinary resolutions, without the +previous notice, etc., required for By-Laws, and consequently, future +sessions of the society are at liberty to terminate them whenever they +please. No Standing Rule (or other resolution) can be adopted which +conflicts with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules of Order.* [In +practice these various classes of rules are frequently very much mixed. +The Standing Rules of some societies are really By-Laws, as the society +cannot suspend them, nor can they be amended until previous notice is +given. This produces confusion without any corresponding benefit. +Standing Rules should contain only such rules as are subject to the will +of the majority of any meeting, and which it may be expedient to change +at any time, without the delay incident to giving previous notice. +Rules of Order should contain only the rules relating to the orderly +transaction of the business in the meetings of the society. The By-Laws +should contain all the other rules of the society which are of too great +importance to be changed without giving notice to the society of such +change; provided that the most important of these can be placed in a +Constitution instead of in the By-Laws. These latter three should +provide for their amendment. The Rules of Order should provide for +their suspension. The By-Laws sometimes provide for the suspension of +certain articles. None of these three can be suspended without it is +expressly provided for. + +=== Page 119 =========================================================== + +Art. X. Officers and Committees. + +50. Chairman or President. It is the duty of the chairman to call the +meeting to order at the appointed time, to preside at all the meetings, +to announce the business before the assembly in its proper order, to +state and put all questions properly brought before the assembly, to +preserve order and decorum, and to decide all questions of order +(subject to an appeal). When he "puts a question" to vote, and when +speaking upon an appeal, he should stand;* [In meetings of boards of +managers, committees and other small bodies, the chairman usually +retains his seat, and even members in speaking do not rise.] in all +other cases he can sit. In all cases where his vote would affect the +result, or where the vote is by ballot, he can vote. When a member +rises to speak, he + +=== Page 120 =========================================================== + +should say, "Mr. Chairman," and the chairman should reply, "Mr. A;" he +should not interrupt a speaker as long as he is in order, but should +listen to his speech, which should be addressed to him and not to the +assembly. The chairman should be careful to abstain from the appearance +of partizanship, but he has the right to call another member to the +chair while he addresses the assembly on a question; when speaking to a +question of order he does not leave the chair. + +51. The Clerk, Secretary or Recording Secretary, as he is variously +called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of which +depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the +record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every +resolution or motion that is adopted. + +In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for +publication, and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and +generally best, to appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it +is a tax on the judgment of the clerk to decide what to enter on the +record, or the "Minutes," as it is usually called. Sometimes the points +of each speech should be entered, + +=== Page 121 =========================================================== + +and at other times only the remark that the question was discussed by +Messrs. A., B. and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in +the negative. Every resolution that is adopted should be entered, which +can be done in this form: "On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that, +&c." + +Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously +assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays, +the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short +speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are +very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain +either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and +should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In +permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist +of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept +in a book. + +The Form of the Minutes can be as follows: + +"At a regular meeting of the M. L. Society, held in their hall, on +Tuesday evening, March 16, 1875, Mr. A. in the chair and Mr. B. acting +as secretary, the minutes of the previous meeting were read and + +=== Page 122 =========================================================== + +approved. The committee on Applications reported the names of Messrs. +C. and D. as applicants for membership; and on motion of Mr. F. they +were admitted as members. The committee on --- reported a series of +resolutions, which were thoroughly discussed and amended, and finally +adopted as follows: + +"Resolved, That * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * " + +On motion of Mr. L. the society adjourned. +L- B-, Secretary. + +If the proceedings are to be published, the secretary should always +examine the published proceedings of similar meetings, so as to conform +to the custom, excepting where it is manifestly improper. + +The Constitution, By-Laws, Rules of Order and Standing Rules should all +be written in one book, leaving every other page blank; and whenever an +amendment is made to any of them, it should be immediately entered on +the page opposite to the article amended, with a reference to the date +and page of the minutes where is recorded the action of the society. + +The secretary has the custody of all papers belonging to the society, +not specially under charge of any other officer. Sometimes his + +=== Page 123 =========================================================== + +duties are also of a financial kind, when he should make such reports as +are prescribed in the next section. + +52. Treasurer. The duties of this officer vary in different societies. +In probably the majority of cases he acts as a banker, merely holding +the funds deposited with him, and paying them out on the order of the +society signed by the secretary. His annual report, which is always +required, in this case consists of merely a statement of the amount on +hand at the commencement of the year, the amount received during the +year (stating from what source received), the total amount paid out by +order of the society, and the balance on hand. When this report is +presented it is referred to an "auditing committee," consisting of one +or two persons, who examine the treasurer's books and vouchers, and +certify on his report that they "have examined his accounts and vouchers +and find them correct, and the balance on hand is," etc., stating the +amount on hand. The auditing committee's report being accepted is +equivalent to a resolution of the society to the same effect, namely, +that the treasurer's report is correct. + +In the case here supposed, the real financial + +=== Page 124 =========================================================== + +statement is made either by the board of trustees, or by the secretary +or some other officer, according to the Constitution of the society. +The principles involved, are, that every officer who receives money is +to account for it in a report to the society, and that whatever officer +is responsible for the disbursements, shall report them to the society. +If the secretary, as in many societies, is really responsible for the +expenses, the treasurer merely paying upon his order, then the secretary +should make a full report of these expenses, so classified as to enable +the society to readily see the amounts expended for various purposes. + +It should always be remembered that the financial report is made for the +information of members. The details of dates and separate payments for +the same object, are a hinderance to its being understood, and are +useless, as it is the duty of the auditing committee to examine into the +details and see if the report is correct. + +Every disbursing officer should be careful to get a receipt whenever he +makes a payment; these receipts should be preserved in regular order, as +they are the vouchers for the payments, which must be examined by the +auditing committee. Disbursing officers cannot be + +=== Page 125 =========================================================== + +too careful in keeping their accounts, and they should insist upon +having their accounts audited every time they make a report, as by this +means any error is quickly detected and may be corrected. When the +society has accepted the auditing committee's report that the financial +report is correct, the disbursing officer is relieved from the +responsibility of the past, and if his vouchers were lost afterwards, it +would cause no trouble. The best form for these financial reports +depends upon the kind of society, and is best determined by examining +those made in similar societies. + +The following form can be varied to suit most cases: (when the +statement of receipts and expenses is very long, it is often desirable +to specify the amounts received from one or two particular sources, +which can be done immediately after stating the total receipts; the same +course can be taken in regard to the expenditures): + +Treasurer's Report. + +The undersigned, Treasurer of the M. L. Society, begs leave to submit +the following annual report: + +The balance on hand at the commencement of the year was --- dollars and +--- cents. There was received from all sources during the year, --- +dollars and --- cents; during the same time the + +=== Page 126 =========================================================== + +expenses amounted to --- dollars and --- cents, leaving a balance on +hand of --- dollars and --- cents. The annexed statement of receipts +and expenditures will show in detail the sources from which the receipts +were obtained, and the objects to which the expenditures have been +applied. All of which is respectfully submitted. + +S-- M--, Treasurer M. L. S. + +The "Statement of receipts and expenditures" can be made, by simply +giving a list of receipts, followed by a list of expenses, and finishing +up with the balance on hand. The auditing committee's certificate to +the correctness of the account should be written on the statement. +Often the statement is made out in the form of an account, as follows: + +Dr. The M. L. S. in acct. with S. M., Treas. Cr. +----------------------------------------------------------------------- +1874. 1874. + +Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand + '' Gas ........... 80 00 from last year's + '' Stationery .... 26 50 account .......... $ 21 13 + '' Janitor ....... 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00 + '' Balance on hand 24 63 '' members' dues .. 875 00 + ------- ------- + $991 13 $991 13 + +We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of +the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands +is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm. + +=== Page 127 =========================================================== + +53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those where but +little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in +large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees +are of the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in +nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A +committee for action should be small and consist only of those heartily +in favor of the proposed action. A committee for deliberation or +investigation, on the contrary, should be larger and represent all +parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with it as great +weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly +impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on +the committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in Sec. +46 (c). + +The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his +duty to call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If +he is absent, or from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it +is the duty of the committee to assemble on the call of any two of their +members. The committee are a miniature assembly, only being able to act +when + +=== Page 128 =========================================================== + +a quorum is present. If a paper is referred to them they must not +deface it in any way, but write their amendments on a separate sheet. +If they originate the paper, all amendments must be incorporated in it. +When they originate the paper, usually one member has previously +prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read by +paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, "Are +there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?" No vote is taken on +the adoption of the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has +been read in this way, it is open to amendment, generally, by striking +out any paragraph or inserting new ones, or by substituting an entirely +new paper for it. When it has been amended to suit the committee, they +should adopt it as their report, and direct the chairman or some other +member to report it to the assembly. It is then written out, usually +commencing in a style similar to this: "The committee to which was +referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the following +report;" or, "Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would +respectfully report," etc. It usually closes thus: "All of which is +respectfully submitted," followed by the signatures of + +=== Page 129 =========================================================== + +all the members concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of +the chairman. + +If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: "The undersigned, a +minority of the committee appointed," etc., continuing as the regular +report of the committee. After the committee's report has been read, it +is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be +acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the +committee. When the committee's report is read, they are discharged +without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same +committee (or to re-commit), if adopted, revives the committee. + +Art. XI. Introduction of Business. + +54. Any member wishing to bring business before the assembly, should, +without it is very simple, write down in the form of a motion, what he +would like to have the assembly adopt, thus: + +Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens +of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality. + +=== Page 130 =========================================================== + +When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and +addresses the chairman by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman," who +immediately recognizes him by announcing his name.* [If the chairman has +any special title, as President, for instance, he should be addressed by +it, thus: "Mr. President." Sometimes the chairman recognizes the +speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course is to announce +his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he "moves the adoption +of the following resolution," which he reads and hands to the chairman.** +[Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes to +offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their +adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, "It +has been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted," +when he reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then +state the question thus: "The question is on the adoption of the +resolution just read." The merits of the resolution are then open to +discussion, but before any member can discuss the question or make any +motion, he must first obtain the floor as just described. After the +chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or when he +thinks the debate closed, he asks, "Are you ready for the question?" If +no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the +following: "The question is on the adoption of the resolution + +=== Page 131 =========================================================== + +which you have heard; as many as are in favor of its adoption will say +aye." When the ayes have voted, he says, "As many as are of a contrary +opinion will say no."* [There are many other ways of putting a question; +see Sec. 67, and Rules of Order, Sec. 38. Other illustrations of the ordinary +practice in introducing business will be seen in Sec.Sec. 46-48.] He then +announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or lost, as +the case may be, in the following form: "The motion is carried--the +resolution is adopted;" or, "The ayes have it--the resolution is +adopted." A majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption +of any motion, excepting those mentioned in Sec. 68. + +Art. XII. Motions. + +55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead of +immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, +it may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this +purpose various motions have come into use, which can be made while a +resolution is being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. +No one can make any of these motions while another member has the floor, + +=== Page 132 =========================================================== + +excepting as shown in Sec. 64, which see for the circumstances under which +each motion can be made. + +The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight +classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The +names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated +separately, as shown by the references.] + +Motions Classified. + + (1) To Amend or Modify ....................................... [Sec. 56] + (a) Amend. + (b) Commit. + (2) To Defer action .......................................... [Sec. 57] + (a) Postpone to a certain time. + (b) Lie on the Table. + (3) To Suppress Debate ....................................... [Sec. 58] + (a) Previous Question. + (b) An Order limiting or closing Debate. + (4) To Suppress the question ................................. [Sec. 59] + (a) Objection to its Consideration. + (b) Postpone Indefinitely. + (c) Lie on the Table. + (5) To Consider a question the second time ................... [Sec. 60] + (a) Reconsider. + (6) Order and Rules .......................................... [Sec. 61] + (a) Orders of the day. + (b) Special Orders. + (c) Suspension of the Rules. + (d) Questions of Order. + (e) Appeal. + +=== Page 133 =========================================================== + + (7) Miscellaneous ............................................ [Sec. 62] + (a) Reading of Papers. + (b) Withdrawal of a Motion. + (c) Questions of Privilege. + (8) To close a meeting ....................................... [Sec. 63] + (a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn. + (b) Adjourn. + +56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If it is desired to modify the +question in any way, the proper motion to make is to "amend," either by +"adding" words, or by "striking out" words; or by "striking out certain +words and inserting others;" or by "substituting" a different motion on +the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by "dividing the +question" into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as to +get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the +enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its +friends, and thus defeat it. + +When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should +always state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly +what is before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to +amend; then the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the +words to be inserted, if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will +stand if the + +=== Page 134 =========================================================== + +amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the +adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being +confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main +question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of +adopting the amendment. + +This amendment can be amended, but an "amendment of an amendment" cannot +be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in Sec. 66, except +to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion +to postpone indefinitely. + +(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs +more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to +move "to refer it to a committee." This motion can be made while an +amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to +debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the +committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or +by giving them any other instructions. [See Sec. 53 on committees, and Sec. +46 (c) on their appointment.] + +57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a certain time. If it is desired +to defer action + +=== Page 135 =========================================================== + +upon a question till a particular time, the proper motion to make, is to +"postpone it to that time." This motion allows of but limited debate, +which must be confined to the propriety of the postponement to that +time; it can be amended by altering the time, and this amendment allows +of the same debate. The time specified must not be beyond that session +[Sec. 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, in which case it +comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. This motion +can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone +indefinitely, is pending. + +(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to a particular +time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some other +question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its +consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to +defeat a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it +at any other time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken +from the table, except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the +society of the advantages of the motion to "lie on the table." because +it would not be safe to lay a question aside temporarily, if one-third +of the assembly were opposed to the measure, as that one-third could +prevent its ever being taken from the table. A bare majority should not +have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or +prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of Sec. 35, +Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions +undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the +question "lie on the table." This motion + +=== Page 136 =========================================================== + +allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts +the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the +assembly vote to "take it from the table" (which latter motion is +undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used +to suppress a measure, as shown in Sec. 59 (c). + +58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous Question. While as a general +rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* [Except an "objection to +the consideration of the question" [Sec. 59 (a)]. See note to Sec. 35, Rules +of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] which, if +adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing it +from before the assembly for the session,--yet, to prevent a minority +from making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have +methods by which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken +upon a question. + +To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly, +it is only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and "call for the +previous question;" this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows +of no debate, instantly puts the question, thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" If this is carried by a two-thirds vote [Sec. 68], +all debate instantly + +=== Page 137 =========================================================== + +ceases, excepting that the member who offered the original resolution, +or reported it from a committee, is, as in all other cases, entitled to +the floor to close the debate; after which, the chairman immediately +puts the questions to the assembly, first, on the motion to commit, if +it is pending; if this is carried, of course the subject goes to the +committee; if, however, it fails, the vote is next taken on amendments, +and finally on the resolution as amended. + +If a motion to postpone, either definitely or indefinitely, or a motion +to reconsider, or an appeal is pending, the previous question is +exhausted by the vote on the postponement, reconsideration or appeal, +and does not cut off debate upon any other motions that may be pending. +If the call for the previous question fails, that is, the debate is not +cut off, the debate continues the same as if this motion had not been +made. The previous question can be called for simply on an amendment, +and after the amendment has been acted upon, the main question is again +open to debate. + +(b) An order limiting or closing debate. Sometimes, instead of cutting +off debate entirely by ordering the previous question, it is desirable +to allow of but very limited debate. In + +=== Page 138 =========================================================== + +this case, a motion is made to limit the time allowed each speaker or +the number of speeches on each side, or to appoint a time at which +debate shall close and the question be put. The motion may be made to +limit debate on an amendment, in which case the main question would +afterwards be open to debate and amendment; or it may be made simply on +an amendment to an amendment. + +In ordinary societies, where harmony is so important, a two-thirds vote +should be required for the adoption of any of the above motions to cut +off or limit debate.* [In the House of Representatives, these motions +require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the +contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its +passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the +above motions. + +59. To Suppress the Question. (a) Objection to the consideration of a +question. Sometimes a resolution is introduced that the assembly do not +wish to consider at all, because it is profitless, or irrelevant to the +objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. The proper course to +pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is introduced, to +"object to the consideration of the question." This objection not +requiring a second, the chairman immediately + +=== Page 139 =========================================================== + +puts the question, "Will the assembly consider this question?" If +decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote, the question is +immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced during that +session. This objection must be made when the question is first +introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another +member has the floor. + +(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been debated, the +proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the session, +is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except +the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an +amendment has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is +before the assembly. It opens the merits of the main question to debate +to as great an extent as if the main question were before the assembly. +On account of these two facts, in assemblies with short sessions it is +not very useful, as the same result can usually be more easily attained +by the next motion. + +(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during the remainder +of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the question, +then the quickest way of suppressing it is + +=== Page 140 =========================================================== + +to move "that the question lie on the table;" which, allowing of no +debate, enables the majority to instantly lay the question on the table, +from which it cannot be taken without their consent. + +From its high rank [Sec. 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very +commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in Sec. 57 (b), its +effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assembly choose to +consider it, and it only suppresses the question so long as there is a +majority opposed to its consideration. + +60. To Consider a question a second time. Reconsider. When a question +has been once adopted, rejected or suppressed, it cannot be again +considered during that session [Sec. 70], except by a motion to "reconsider +the vote" on that question. This motion can only be made by one who +voted on the prevailing side, and on the day the vote was taken which it +is proposed to reconsider.* [In Congress it can be made on the same or +succeeding day; and if the yeas and nays were not taken on the vote, any +one can move the reconsideration. The yeas and nays are however ordered +on all important votes in Congress, which is not the case in ordinary +societies.] It can be made and entered on the minutes in the midst of +debate, even when another member has the floor, but cannot be considered +until there is no question + +=== Page 141 =========================================================== + +before the assembly, when, if called up, it takes precedence of every +motion except to adjourn and to fix the time to which the assembly shall +adjourn. + +A motion to reconsider a vote on a debatable question, opens to debate +the entire merits of the original motion. If the question to be +reconsidered is undebatable, then the reconsideration is undebatable. + +If the motion to reconsider is carried, the chairman announces that the +question now recurs on the adoption of the question the vote on which +has been just reconsidered: the original question is now in exactly the +same condition that it was in before the first vote was taken on its +adoption, and must be disposed of by a vote. + +When a motion to reconsider is entered on the minutes, it need not be +called up by the mover till the next meeting, on a succeeding day.* [If +the assembly has not adopted these or similar rules, this paragraph +would not apply, but this motion to reconsider would, like any other +motion, fall to the ground if not acted upon before the close of the +session at which the original vote was adopted.] If he fails to call it +up then, any one else can do so. But should there be no succeeding +meeting, either adjourned or regular, within a month, then the effect of +the motion to reconsider + +=== Page 142 =========================================================== + +terminates with the adjournment of the meeting at which it was made, and +any one can call it up at that meeting. + +In general no motion (except to adjourn) that has been once acted upon, +can again be considered during the same session, except by a motion to +reconsider. [The motion to adjourn can be renewed if there has been +progress in business or debate, and it cannot be reconsidered.] But this +rule does not prevent the renewal of any of the motions mentioned in Sec. +64, provided the question before the assembly has in any way changed; +for in this case, while the motions are nominally the same, they are in +fact different.* [Thus to move to postpone a resolution is a different +question from moving to postpone it after it has been amended. A motion +to suspend the rules for a certain purpose cannot be renewed at the same +meeting, but can be at an adjourned meeting. A call for the orders of +the day that has been negatived, cannot be renewed while the question +then before the assembly is still under consideration. See Rules of +Order, Sec. 27, for many peculiarities of this motion.] + +61. Order and Rules. (a) Orders of the Day. Sometimes an assembly +decides that certain questions shall be considered at a particular time, +and when that time arrives those questions constitute what is termed the +"orders of the day," and if any member "calls for the orders of the +day," as it requires no second, the + +=== Page 143 =========================================================== + +chairman immediately puts the question, thus: "Will the assembly now +proceed to the orders of the day?" If carried, the subject under +consideration is laid aside, and the questions appointed for that time +are taken up in their order. When the time arrives, the chairman may +state that fact, and put the above question without waiting for a +motion. If the motion fails, the call for the orders of the day cannot +be renewed till the subject then before the assembly is disposed of.* +[In Congress, a member entitled to the floor cannot be interrupted by a +call for the orders of the day. In an ordinary assembly, the most +common case where orders of the day are decided upon is where it is +necessary to make a programme for the session. When the hour arrives +for the consideration of any subject on the programme, these rules +permit any member to call for the orders of the day (as described in +Rules of Order, Sec. 2) even though another person has the floor. If this +were not permitted, it would often be impossible to carry out the +programme, though wished for by the majority. A majority could postpone +the orders of the day, when called for, so as to continue the discussion +of the question then before the assembly. An order as to the time when +any subject shall be considered, must not be confounded with the rules +of the assembly; the latter must be enforced by the chairman, without +they are suspended by a two-thirds vote; the former, in strictness, can +only be carried out by the order of a majority of the assembly then +present and voting.] + +(b) Special Order. If a subject is of such importance that it is +desired to consider it at a special time in preference to the orders of +the day and established order of business, then a motion should be made +to make the question a "special order" for that particular time. This + +=== Page 144 =========================================================== + +motion requires a two-thirds vote for its adoption, because it is really +a suspension of the rules, and it is in order whenever a motion to +suspend the rules is in order. If a subject is a special order for a +particular day, then on that day it supersedes all business except the +reading of the minutes. A special order can be postponed by a majority +vote. If two special orders are made for the same day, the one first +made takes precedence. + +(c) Suspension of the Rules. It is necessary for every assembly, if +discussion is allowed, to have rules to prevent its time being wasted, +and to enable it to accomplish the object for which the assembly was +organized. And yet at times their best interests are subserved by +suspending their rules temporarily. In order to do this, some one makes +a motion "to suspend the rules that interfere with," etc., stating the +object of the suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds +vote, then the particular thing for which the rules were suspended can +be done. By "general consent," that is, if no one objects, the rules +can at any time be ignored without the formality of a motion. + +(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the chairman to enforce the +rules and preserve + +=== Page 145 =========================================================== + +order, and when any member notices a breach of order, he can call for +the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he rises he usually +says, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order." The chairman then +directs the speaker to take his seat, and having heard the point of +order, decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his +speech, directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be +out of order. When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he +cannot continue his speech, if any one objects, without permission is +granted him by a vote of the assembly. Instead of the above method, +when a member uses improper language, some one says, "I call the +gentleman to order;" when the chairman decides as before whether the +language is disorderly. + +(e) Appeal. While on all questions of order, and of interpretation of +the rules and of priority of business, it is the duty of the chairman to +first decide the question, it is the privilege of any member to "appeal +from the decision." If the appeal is seconded, the chairman states his +decision, and that it has been appealed from, and then states the +question, thus: "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the judgment +of the assembly?" [or society, convention, etc.] + +=== Page 146 =========================================================== + +The chairman can then, without leaving the chair, state the reasons for +his decision, after which it is open to debate (no member speaking but +once), excepting in the following cases, when it is undebatable: (1) +When it relates to transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to some +indecorum, or to the priority of business; and (2) when the previous +question was pending at the time the question of order was raised. +After the vote is taken, the chairman states that the decision of the +chair is sustained, or reversed, as the case may be. + +62. Miscellaneous. (a) Reading of papers and (b) Withdrawal of a +motion. If a speaker wishes to read a paper, or a member to withdraw +his motion after it has been stated by the chair, it is necessary, if +any one objects, to make a motion to grant the permission. + +(c) Questions of Privilege. Should any disturbance occur during the +meeting, or anything affecting the rights of the assembly or any of the +members, any member may "rise to a question of privilege," and state the +matter, which the chairman decides to be, or not to be, a matter of +privilege: (from the chairman's decision of course an appeal can be +taken). If the question is one of privilege, it supersedes, + +=== Page 147 =========================================================== + +for the time being, the business before the assembly; its consideration +can be postponed to another time, or the previous question can be +ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid on the table, or +referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon as the +question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was +interrupted is resumed. + +63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. If it +is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the assembly, it is best some +time before its close to move, "That when this assembly adjourns, it +adjourns to meet at such a time," specifying the time. This motion can +be amended by altering the time, but if made when another question is +before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be +debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it +stands as any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can +be made even while the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but +not when another member has the floor. + +(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly + +=== Page 148 =========================================================== + +from being kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to +have a rule limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one +member at one time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is +desired to close the meeting, without the member who has the floor will +yield it, the only resource is to wait till his time expires, and then a +member who gets the floor should move "to adjourn." The motion being +seconded, the chairman instantly put the question, as it allows of no +amendment or debate; and if decided in the affirmative, he says, "The +motion is carried;--this assembly stands adjourned." If the assembly +is one that will have no other meeting, instead of "adjourned," he says +"adjourned without day," or "sine die." If previously it had been +decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he +states that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion +to adjourn is qualified by specifying the time, as, "to adjourn to +to-morrow evening," it cannot be made when any other question is before +the assembly; like any other main motion, it can then be amended and +debated.** [For the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business see +Sec. 69.] + +=== Page 149 =========================================================== + +64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions rank as +follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a +lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of; when, if called up, it takes precedence of +all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the time to which to +adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly take +precedence of them, and must be acted upon first. + +A question of order, a call for the orders of the day, or an objection +to the consideration of a question, can be made while another member has +the floor: so, too, can a motion to reconsider, but it can only be +entered on the minutes + +=== Page 150 =========================================================== + +at that time, as it cannot supersede the question then before the +assembly. + +Art. XIII. Debate. + +65. Rules of Speaking in Debate. All remarks must be addressed to the +chairman, and must be confined to the question before the assembly, +avoiding all personalities and reflections upon any one's motives. It +is usual for permanent assemblies to adopt rules limiting the number of +times any member can speak to the same question, and the time allowed +for each speech;* [In Congress the House of Representatives allows from +each member only one speech of one hour's length; the Senate allows two +speeches without limit as to length.] as otherwise one member, while he +could speak only once to the same question, might defeat a measure by +prolonging his speech and declining to yield the floor except for a +motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two speeches should be +allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules also limit +the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a member +to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion +granting such permission cannot be debated. + +=== Page 151 =========================================================== + +However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider +the question informally, or if the assembly is large, go into committee +of the whole.* [See Rules of Order, Sec.Sec. 32, 33.] If on the other hand it +is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be +done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in Sec. 58 (b). + +66. Undebatable Questions and those Opening the Main Question to +Debate. [A full list of these will be found in Sec. 35, to which the +reader is referred. To the undebatable motions in that list, should be +added the motion to close or limit debate.] + +Art. XIV. Miscellaneous. + +67. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been +made and seconded, it is the duty of the chairman, if the motion is in +order, to state the question so that the assembly may know what question +is before them. The seconding of a motion is required to prevent a +question being introduced when only one member is in favor of it, and +consequently + +=== Page 152 =========================================================== + +but little attention is paid to it in mere routine motions, or when it +is evident that many are in favor of the motion; in such cases the +chairman assumes that the motion is seconded. + +Often in routine work the chairman puts the question without waiting for +even a motion, as few persons like to make such formal motions, and much +time would be wasted by waiting for them: (but the chairman can only do +this as long as no one objects.) The following motions, however, do not +have to be seconded: (a) a call for the orders of the day; (b) a call +to order, or the raising of any question of order; and (c) an objection +to the consideration of a question. + +One of the commonest forms of stating a question is to say that, "It is +moved and seconded that," and then give the motion. When an amendment +has been voted on, the chairman announces the result, and then says, +"The question now recurs on the resolution," or, "on the resolution as +amended," as the case may be. So in all cases, as soon as a vote is +taken, he should immediately state the question then before the +assembly, if there be any. If the motion is debatable or can be +amended, the chairman, usually after stating the question, and + +=== Page 153 =========================================================== + +always before finally putting it, inquires, "Are you ready for the +question?" Some of the common forms of stating and putting questions +are shown in Sec.Sec. 46-48. The forms of putting the following questions, +are, however, peculiar: + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question be now put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is +put thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.] If the Orders of the Day are +called for, the question is put thus: "Will the assembly now proceed to +the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +=== Page 154 =========================================================== + +68. Motions requiring a two-thirds vote.* [See Two-thirds Vote, page +159, and Sec. 39 of Rules of Order.] + +All motions that have the effect to make a variation from the +established rules and customs, should require a two-thirds vote for +their adoption. Among these established customs should be regarded the +right of free debate upon the merits of any measure, before the assembly +can be forced to take final action upon it. The following motions would +come under this rule: + +To amend or suspend the rules. +To make a special order. +To take up a question out of its proper order. +An objection to the consideration of a question. +The Previous Question, or a motion to limit or close debate. + +69. Unfinished Business. When an assembly adjourns, the unfinished +business comes up at the adjourned meeting, if one is held, as the first +business after the reading of the minutes; if there is no adjourned +meeting, the unfinished business comes up immediately before new +business at the next regular meeting, provided the regular meetings are +more frequent than yearly.** [See Rules of Order, Sec. 11, for a fuller +explanation of the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business, +and the Congressional practice.] If the meetings are only once a + +=== Page 155 =========================================================== + +year, the adjournment of the session puts an end to all unfinished +business. + +70. Session. Each regular meeting of a society constitutes a separate +session. Any meeting which is not an adjournment of another meeting, +commences a new session; the session terminates as soon as the assembly +"adjourns without day."* [In ordinary practice, a meeting is closed by +moving simply "to adjourn;" the society meet again at the time provided +either by their rules or by a resolution of the society. If they do not +meet till the time for the next regular meeting, as provided in the +By-Laws, then the adjournment closed the session, and was in effect an +adjournment without day. If, however, they had previously fixed the +time for the next meeting, either by a direct vote, or by adopting a +programme of exercises covering several meetings or even days, in either +case the adjournment is in effect to a certain day, and does not close +the session.] + +When an assembly has meetings for several days consecutively, they all +constitute one session. Each session of a society is independent of the +other sessions, excepting as expressly provided in their Constitution, +By-Laws, or Rules of Order, and excepting that resolutions adopted by +one session are in force during succeeding sessions until rescinded by a +majority vote [see note to Sec. 49]. + +Where a society holds more than one regular session a year, these rules +limit the independence of each session as follows: (a) The Order of +Business prescribed in Sec. 72 requires that the + +=== Page 156 =========================================================== + +minutes of the previous meeting, the reports of committees previously +appointed, and the unfinished business of the last session, shall all +take precedence of new business, and that no subject can be considered +out of its proper order, except by a two-thirds vote; (b) it is +allowable to postpone a question to the next session, when it comes up +with unfinished business, but it is not allowable to postpone to a day +beyond the next session, and thus interfere with the right of the next +session to consider the question; (c) a motion to reconsider a vote can +be made at one meeting and called up at the next meeting even though it +be another session, provided the society holds its regular sessions as +frequently as monthly.* [See Rules of Order, Sec. 42, for a full discussion +of this subject.] + +71. Quorum. [See Sec. 43 for full information on this subject.] + +72. Order of Business. Every society should adopt an order of business +adapted to its special wants. The following is the usual order where no +special rule is adopted, and when more than one regular meeting is held +each year: + +=== Page 157 =========================================================== + +(1) Reading of the minutes of the last meeting. +(2) Reports of Boards of Trustees or Managers, and Standing Committees. +(3) Reports of Select Committees. +(4) Unfinished Business (including questions postponed to this meeting). +(5) New Business. + +Business cannot be considered out of its order, except by a two-thirds +vote; but a majority can lay on the table the different questions as +they come up, and thus reach a subject they wish first to consider. If +a subject has been made a Special Order for this meeting, then it is to +be considered immediately after the minutes are read. + +73. Amendments of Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order, should be +permitted only when adopted by a two-thirds vote, at a regular meeting +of the society, after having been proposed at the previous regular +meeting. If the meetings are very frequent, weekly, for instance, +amendments should be adopted only at the quarterly meetings, after +having been proposed at the previous quarterly meeting. + +=== Page 158 =========================================================== + +Legal Rights of Assemblies and the Trial of their Members. + +The Right of Deliberative Assemblies to Punish their 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 a 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 +their 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. + +=== Page 159 =========================================================== + +The 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 or 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 treatment than is necessary to remove the person, the courts +have held that he, and he alone is liable to prosecution, 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 are liable for damages, as, in ordering his +removal, they did not exceed their legal rights. + +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 + +=== Page 160 =========================================================== + +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 held the case under advisement for one year, +and then reversed the decision of the State Court, because it conflicted +with the decision of the highest ecclesiastical court that had acted +upon the case. The Supreme Court, in rendering its decision, laid down +the broad principle that, when a local church is but a part of a larger +and more general organization or denomination, it will accept the +decision of the highest ecclesiastical tribunal to which the case has +been carried within that general church organization, as final, 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. + +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. + +=== Page 161 =========================================================== + +It can require any of them to testify in the case, under pain of +expulsion if they refuse. In Sec. 36 is shown the method of procedure when +a member is charged with violating the rules of decorum in debate. If +the disorderly words are of a personal nature, before the assembly +proceeds to deliberate upon the case, both parties to the personality +should retire. It is not necessary for the member objecting to the +words to retire, unless he is personally involved in the case. + +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 investigate the matter and report to the +society. This report need not go into details, but should contain their +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, + +=== Page 162 =========================================================== + +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. + +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. + +=== Page 163 =========================================================== + +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. + +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 report to +the society the result of their trial of the case, with resolutions +covering the punishment which they recommend the society to adopt. + +=== Page 164 =========================================================== +=== Page 165 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES + +RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +[This Table contains the answers to more than two hundred questions on +parliamentary law, and should always be consulted before referring to +the body of the Manual.] + +=== Page 166 =========================================================== + +TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS. + +Explanation of the Table. A Star shows that the rule heading the column +in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is +placed: a blank shows that the rule does not apply: a figure shows +that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note +on the next page showing the limitations. Take, for example, "Lie on +the table:" the Table shows that Sec. 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of +this motion; that it is "undebatable" and "cannot be amended;" and that +an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 3) "cannot be reconsidered:" +-- the four other columns being blank, show that this motion does not +"open the main question to debate," that it does not "require a 2/3 +vote," that it does "require to be seconded," and that it is not "in +order when another member has the floor." + +The column headed "Requires a two-thirds vote," applies only where the +"Pocket Manual of Rules of Order," or similar rules, have been adopted. +[See "Two-thirds Vote," on next page, under Miscellaneous Rules.] + +After the note to the Table is some additional information that a +chairman should always have at hand, such as the Order of Precedence of +Motions, the Forms Of Putting Certain Questions, etc. + + In order when another has the floor [Sec. 2]-------------| + Requires no Second [Sec. 3]-----------| | + Requires a 2/3 vote [Sec. 39]--See Note 1.---------| | | + Cannot be Reconsidered [Sec. 27]-------| | | | + Cannot be Amended [Sec. 23]-----| | | | | + Opens Main Question to Debate [Sec. 35]---| | | | | | + Undebatable [Sec. 35]-| | | | | | | +|- Section in Pocket Manual | | | | | | | +| | | | | | | | +11 Adjourn ............................................. x . x x . . . +10 Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to ................... 2 . . . . . . +23 Amend ............................................... . . . . . . . +23 Amend an Amendment .................................. . . x . . . . +43 Amend the Rules ..................................... . . . . x . . +14 Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc., [6] ............ x . x . . . x +14 Appeal, all other cases ............................. . . x . . . x +14 Call to Order ....................................... x . x . . x x +37 Close Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +22 Commit .............................................. . x . . . . . +31 Extend the limits of debate, motion to .............. x . . . . . . +10 Fix the Time to which to Adjourn .................... 2 . . . . . . +15 Leave to continue speaking when guilty of indecorum x . x . . . . +19 Lie on the Table .................................... x . x 3 . . . +37 Limit Debate, motion to ............................. x . . . x . . +13 Objection to Consideration of a Question [7] ........ x . x . x x x +13 Orders of the Day, motion for the ................... x . x . . x x +21 Postpone to a certain time .......................... 4 . . . . . . +24 Postpone indefinitely ............................... . x x . . . . +20 Previous Question ................................... x . x . x . . +44 Priority of Business, questions relating to ......... x . . . . . . +16 Reading Papers ...................................... x . x . . . . +27 Reconsider a debatable question ..................... . x x . . . 5 +27 Reconsider an undebatable question .................. x . x . . . 5 +22 Refer (same as Commit) .............................. . x . . . . . +11 Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) .................. x . x x . . . +11 Shall the question be discussed? [7] ................ x . x . x x x +61 Special Order, to make a ............................ . . . . x . . +23 Substitute (same as Amend) .......................... . . . . . . . +18 Suspend the Rules ................................... x . x x x . . +59 Take from the table ................................. x . x 3 . . . +44 Take up a question out of its proper order .......... x . x . x . . +17 Withdrawal of a motion .............................. x . x . . . . + +=== Page 167 =========================================================== + +Notes To The Table. + +(1) This column only applies to assemblies that have adopted these +Rules. If no rules are adopted, a majority vote is sufficient for the +adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the rules," which requires a +unanimous vote. [See Two-thirds Vote, below.] + +(2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. + +(3) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. + +(4) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. + +(5) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, +but cannot interrupt the business then before the assembly; it must be +made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with +the prevailing side. + +(6) An appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to +transgressions of the rules of speaking, or to the priority of business, +or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, +only one speech from each member is permitted. + +(7) The objection can only be made when the question is first +introduced, before debate. + +MISCELLANEOUS RULES. + +Order of Precedence of Motions. + +The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) +can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can +supercede one of a higher order: + +To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn. +To Adjourn (when unqualified). +For the Orders of the Day. +To Lie on the Table. +For the Previous Question. +To Postpone to a Certain Time. +To Commit. +To Amend. +To Postpone Indefinitely. + +The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before +the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before +the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when, if called up, it +takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn and to fix the +time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the +assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first. + +Two-thirds Vote. + +In Congress the only motions requiring a two-thirds vote, are to suspend +or amend the Rules, to take up business out of its proper order, and to +make a special order. In ordinary societies harmony is so essential, +that a two-thirds vote should be required to force the assembly to a +final vote upon a resolution without allowing free debate. The Table +conforms to the Rules of Order, which are based upon this principle. If +an assembly has adopted no Rules of Order, then a majority vote is +sufficient for the adoption of any motion, except to "suspend the +rules," which would require a unanimous vote. + +Forms of Putting Certain Questions. + +If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in +this form: "Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?" so +that on a tie vote they are struck out. + +If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: "Shall the main +question now be put?" + +If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put +thus: "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the +assembly?" [convention, society, etc.]. + +If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: +"Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?" + +When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its +consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: "Will +the assembly consider it?" or "Shall the question be considered?" [or +discussed.] + +If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question +is put in a form similar to the following: "As many as are in favor of +the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, +answer yes [or aye]--those opposed will answer no." + +Various Forms of Amendments. + +An Amendment may be either (1) by "adding" or (2) by "striking out" +words or paragraphs; or (3) by "striking out certain words and inserting +others;" or (4) by "substituting" a different motion on the same +subject; or (5) by "dividing the question" into two or more questions, +so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. + +=== Page 168 =========================================================== + +Additions and Corrections. + +[These corrections, though mostly contained in other parts of +the Manual, are also needed in the places here indicated.] + +19th page, 7th line, after "Sec. 13" insert a star referring to this + note: "See note to Sec. 61." +50th '' 2d line of last note, omit all after "reconsideration." +51st '' at end of 12th line, insert "upon another day." + '' '' 10th line, insert a star, referring to this note: "In + Congress the effect always terminates with the session, + and it cannot be called up by any one but the mover, + until the expiration of the time during which it is in + order to move a reconsideration." +69th '' 4th line, after "Sec. 34," insert "or limiting or closing debate." +72d '' 17th line, insert a star referring to this note: + "If both are personally interested. [See p. 161.]" +73d '' last line of note, insert "final" before "vote." +80th '' add to the list in Sec. 39 the motion + "To make a special order." + +=== Page 169 =========================================================== + +INDEX. + +The figures from 1 to 45 refer to sections in Part I; those greater than +45, to sections in Part II. A complete list of motions will be found in +the Index, under the title Motions, list of. The arrangement of the +work can be most easily seen by examining the Table of Contents [pp. +5-8]; its plan is explained in the Introduction, pp. 12-15. + SECTION. + +Adjourn, motion to ............................................. 11, 63b + when in order ................................................ 11, 64 + effect upon unfinished business .............................. 11, 69 + motion to "fix the time to which to adjourn" .................. 10, 63 +Amendment, motion to "amend" .................................. 23, 56a + by "adding" or "striking out" ................................ 23, 56a + by "striking out and inserting" .............................. 23, 56a + by "substituting" ............................................ 23, 56a + by "dividing the question" ................................ 4, 23, 56a + of an amendment .............................................. 23, 56a + in committee .................................................. 28, 53 + in committee of the whole ........................................ 32 + of reports or propositions with several paragraphs ........... 44, 48b + of Rules of Order, By-Laws and Constitutions .................. 45, 73 + motions that cannot be amended ............................... 23, 56a +Announcing the vote. See Forms. +Appeal from the decision of the chair .......................... 14, 61e +Apply, meaning of (Introduction, page 14). +Assembly, how organized ..................................... 46, 47, 48 + the word to be replaced by Society, Convention, etc., + when it occurs in forms of questions, p 16. + legal rights of, pp. 158-163. + right to punish members, p. 158. + right to eject persons from their room, p. 159. + trial of members, p. 160. +Ayes and Noes. See Yeas and Nays, Sec. 38. +Ballot .............................................................. 38 +Blanks, filling of .................................................. 25 + in balloting, not to be counted ................................... 38 + +=== Page 170 =========================================================== + +Boards of Trustees, Managers, etc., their reports in + order when reports of standing committees are made ............ 44, 72 + (See Quorum.) +Business, introduction of ...................................... 1-5, 54 + order of ...................................................... 44, 72 + unfinished, effect of an adjournment upon ..................... 11, 69 + [See Priority of Business.] +By-Laws, what they should contain ................................... 49 + adoption of ...................................................... 46a + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Chairman, duties of ............................................. 40, 50 + election of ...................................................... 46a + temporary ..................................................... 40, 47 + of a committee ................................................ 28, 53 +of committee of the whole ........................................... 32 +Change of Vote allowed before result is announced ................... 38 +Classification of Motions according to their object ................. 55 + into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. .................... 6-9 +Clerk, duties of ................................................ 41, 51 + additional duties of when receiving money ......................... 52 + election of ...................................................... 46a +Commit, motion to .............................................. 22, 56b +Committees, appointment of ..................................... 22, 46c + how they should be composed ................................... 22, 53 + object of ..................................................... 28, 53 + manner of conducting business in .............................. 28, 53 + Reports of, their form ........................................ 29, 53 + their reception ............................................ 30, 46c + their adoption ............................................. 31, 46c + their place in the order of business ........................ 44, 72 + common errors in acting upon (note) ........................ 30, 46c + Minority Reports of, their form ............................... 29, 53 + to be acted upon must be moved as a substitute + for the committee's report ................................ 28, 53 + of the whole ...................................................... 32 + as if in committee of the whole ................................... 33 + +=== Page 171 =========================================================== + +Congress, rules of, the basis of this work, pp. 10-12. +Consideration of a question, objection to ...................... 15, 59a +Constitutions, what they should contain ............................. 49 + adoption of by a society ......................................... 48b + amendment of .................................................. 45, 73 +Convention, manner of organizing and conducting a + meeting of ..................................................... 47 +Credentials of delegates ............................................ 47 +Debate, what precedes ............................................ 3, 54 + no member to speak but twice in same .......................... 34, 65 + no member to speak longer than ten minutes at one + time ........................................................ 34, 65 + a majority can extend the number and length of + speeches allowed ........................................... 34, 65 + number of speeches and time allowed in Congress + (note) ...................................................... 34, 65 + member introducing measure has right to close ..................... 34 + list of undebatable questions ................................. 35, 66 + motions that open the main question to ............................ 35 + principles regulating the extent of (see note) .................... 35 + decorum in .................................................... 36, 65 + closing or limiting ........................................... 37, 58 +Decorum in debate ............................................... 36, 65 +Definitions of various terms [Introduction, p. 15]. +Delegates, organization of a meeting of ............................. 47 +Division of the assembly ............................................ 38 + of questions [see Amendment] .................................. 4, 56a +Ecclesiastical Tribunals, legal rights of, p. 159. +Election of Officers ........................................... 46a, 47 +Fix the time to which to Adjourn, motion to .................... 10, 63a +Floor, how to obtain ............................................. 2, 54 +Forms of making motions ......................................... 46, 54 + of stating and putting questions .............................. 38, 67 + of announcing the result of a vote ............................ 38, 54 + of reports of committees ...................................... 29, 53 + of treasurers' reports ............................................ 52 + of minutes of a meeting ....................................... 41, 51 + +=== Page 172 =========================================================== + +Forms-Continued. + + of conducting an occasional or mass meeting ....................... 46 + of conducting a meeting of delegates .............................. 47 + of conduction a meeting to organize a society ..................... 48 + of conducting an ordinary meeting of a society ................... 48b +Incidental questions ................................................. 8 +Indefinite postponement ........................................ 24, 59b +Informal consideration of a question ................................ 33 +Introduction of Business ....................................... 1-5, 54 +Journal, or minutes ............................................. 41, 51 +Legal Rights. See Assembly and Ecclesiastical Tribunals. +Lie on the table, motion to ............................... 19, 57b, 59c +Main question ........................................................ 6 +Majority. See Two-thirds and Quorum. +Meeting, distinction between it and session ..................... 42, 70 + [See also Introduction, page 15.] + how to conduct. See Forms. +Members not to be present during a debate or vote + concerning themselves ............................................. 36 + trial of, p. 160. +Minority Report. See Committees. +Minutes, form and contents of ................................... 41, 51 +Moderator. See Chairman. +Modification of a motion by the mover ................................ 5 +Motions, list of. [For details, see each motion in the Index.] + Adjourn ...................................................... 11, 63b + Adjourn, Fix the time to which to ............................ 10, 63a + Amend ........................................................ 23, 56a + Adopt a report (same as accept or agree to) .................. 31, 46c + Appeal ....................................................... 14, 61e + Blanks, filling ................................................... 25 + Call to order ................................................ 14, 61d + Close debate .................................................. 37, 58 + Commit ....................................................... 22, 56b + Consideration of a question, objection to ................... 15, 59a + Divide the question ....................................... 4, 23, 56a + +=== Page 173 =========================================================== + +Motions-Continued. + + Extend the limits of debate ................................... 34, 65 + Fix the time to which to adjourn ............................. 10, 63a + Incidental motions or questions .................................... 8 + Indefinitely postpone ........................................ 24, 59b + Informal consideration of a question .............................. 33 + Leave to continue speech when guilty of indecorum ................. 36 + Leave to withdraw a motion ................................... 17, 62b + Lie on the table ........................................ 19, 57b, 59c + Limit Debate ................................................. 37, 58b + Main motions or questions .......................................... 6 + Objection to the consideration of a question ................. 15, 59a + Order, questions of .......................................... 14, 61d + Orders of the day ............................................ 13, 61a + Orders, special .................................................. 61b + Postpone to a certain day .................................... 21, 57a + Postpone indefinitely ........................................ 24, 59b + Previous question ............................................ 20, 58a + Principal motions or questions ..................................... 6 + Priority of Business, questions relating to ....................... 35 + Privileged motions or questions .................................... 9 + Privilege, questions of ...................................... 12, 62c + Reading papers ................................................ 16, 62 + Reception of a report [see Committees] ....................... 30, 46c + Recommit [same as Commit] ..................................... 22, 56 + Reconsider .................................................... 27, 60 + Refer [same as Commit] ....................................... 22, 56b + Renewal of a motion ........................................... 26, 60 + Rise [in committee, equals adjourn] ........................... 11, 32 + Shall the question be considered? [or discussed] ............. 15, 59a + Special Order, to make a ......................................... 61b + Strike out [see Amendment] ................................... 23, 56a + Subsidiary motions or questions .................................... 7 + Substitute (same as Amendment, which see) .................... 23, 56a + Suspension of the Rules ...................................... 18, 61c + Take from the table [see Lie on the table] ................... 19, 57b + Take up a question out of its proper order .................... 44, 72 + Withdrawal of a motion ........................................ 17, 62 + +=== Page 174 =========================================================== + +Motions, tabular view of rules relating to, page 166. + classified according to their object .............................. 55 + classified into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, etc. ......... 6-9 + order of precedence of [see each motion, Sec.Sec. 10-27] ................ 64 + how to be made .......................................... 1, 2, 46, 54 + a second required (with certain exceptions) .................... 3, 67 + to be stated by chairman before being discussed ................ 3, 54 + when to be in writing .......................................... 4, 54 + how to be divided .................................................. 4 + how to be modified by the mover ............................. 3, 5, 17 + how to be stated and put to the question ...................... 38, 67 + that cannot be amended ....................................... 23, 56a + that cannot be debated ........................................ 35, 66 + that open main question to debate ................................. 35 + that require two-thirds vote for their adoption ............... 39, 68 +Nominations, how treated ....................................... 25, 46a +Numbers of paragraphs to be corrected by clerk without + a vote ............................................................ 23 +Objection to the consideration (discussion or introduction + of a question ................................................ 15, 59a +Officers of an assembly. See Chairman, Clerk, Treasurer + and Vice-Presidents. +Order, questions of and a call to .............................. 14, 61d + of business ................................................... 44, 72 + of the day ................................................... 13, 61a + distinction between, and rules of the assembly (note) .......... 61a + special .......................................................... 61b + of precedence of motions. See Precedence. +Organization of an occasional or mass meeting ...................... 46a + of a convention or assembly of delegates .......................... 47 + of a permanent society ............................................ 48 +Papers and documents, reading of ................................ 16, 62 + in custody of clerk ........................................... 41, 51 +Parliamentary Law, its origin, etc., (Introduction. p. 9.) +Plan of the Manual, (Introduction, page 12.) + of Part I, Rules of Order, (Introduction, page 13.) + of Part II, Organization and Conduct of Business, + (Introduction, page 14.) + +=== Page 175 =========================================================== + +Postpone to a certain time ..................................... 21, 57a + indefinitely ................................................. 24, 59b +Preamble, considered after the rest of a paper ...................... 44 +Precedence of motions [see each motion, Sec.Sec. 10-27] ................... 64 + meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) +Presiding Officer. See Chairman. +Previous Question .............................................. 20, 58a +Principal (or main) question ......................................... 6 +Priority of Business, questions relating to are undebatable ......... 35 +Privilege, questions of ........................................ 12, 62c +Privileged questions ................................................. 9 +Putting the question, form of ................................... 38, 67 +Questions. See Forms, Motions, Privilege and Order. +Quorum, when there is no rule, consists of a majority ............... 43 + committees and boards cannot decide upon .......................... 43 +Reading of Papers ............................................... 16, 62 +Reception of a report. See Committees. +Re-commit (same as Commit) ..................................... 22, 56b +Reconsider ...................................................... 27, 60 +Record, or minutes .............................................. 41, 51 +Recording officer. See Clerk. +Refer [same as Commit] ......................................... 22, 56b +Renewal of a motion ............................................. 26, 60 +Reports of committees. See Committees. +Rights of assemblies. See Assembly. + of ecclesiastical tribunals, p. 159. +Rise, motion to, in committee, equals adjourn ................... 11, 32 +Rules of debate. See Debate. + of Order, amendment of ........................................ 45, 73 + of Order, what they should contain ................................ 49 + standing, what they should contain ................................ 49 + suspension of ................................................ 18, 61c + relating to motions, tabular view of p. 166. + +=== Page 176 =========================================================== + +Seconding, motions that do not require ........................... 3, 67 +Secretary. See Clerk. +Session [See also Meeting] ...................................... 42, 70 +Shall the question be considered (or discussed) ................ 15, 59a +Speaking, rules of, See Debate. +Special Order ...................................................... 61b +Standing Rules ...................................................... 49 +Stating a question, form of ..................................... 38, 67 +Strike out (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Subsidiary motions or questions ...................................... 7 +Substitute (see Amendment) ..................................... 23, 56a +Sum, largest, first put ............................................. 25 +Suspension of the rules ........................................ 18, 61c +Table of Rules relating to motions, p. 166. +Take from the table, motion to ................................. 19, 57b +Time, longest, first put ............................................ 25 +Treasurer, duties of ................................................ 52 +Trial of Members, p. 160. +Two-thirds vote, motions requiring .............................. 39, 68 +Undebatable Questions ........................................... 35, 66 +Unfinished business, effect of adjournment upon ................. 11, 69 + its place in the order of business ............................ 44, 72 +Vice-Presidents .................................................... 46d +Vote, form of announcing [see also Forms] ....................... 38, 54 + motions requiring more than a majority ........................ 39, 68 + change of, permitted before result is announced ................... 38 +Voting, various methods of .......................................... 38 +Withdrawal of a motion .......................................... 17, 62 +Yeas and Nays, voting by ............................................ 38 +Yields, meaning of, (Introduction, page 14.) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Robert's Rules of Order, by Henry M. 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