NORTHWESTERN
UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY
EVANSTON
ILLINOIS
RULES OF ORDER
FOR
SOCIETIES, CONVENTIONS,
PUBLIC MEETINGS,
AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES,
BY
CHARLES M. SCANLAN, LL. B.,
Autkor oí Law oí Fraternities, Law oí Ckurck
and Grave, Law oí Hol^s, Etc.
«•HTHWeSTBRW
t.iePABTf
SECOND EDITION.
REIC PUBLISHING CO..
Mâwttukee. Wif.
KEYSTONE PTO. CO. 711 ST. PAUL AVE.
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CkeHki $csalta
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3
PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.
Perhaps the first rule of order made by
man was promulgated in Paradise, and pro¬
vided that when Adam rose to speak, thè
house should be silent. Certainly ancient
Ninevah, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Ireland
had their rules of order in their deliberative
assemblies. From the history, laws and rec¬
ords of any of those countries a full set of
rules of order can be written.
The term "Parliamentary Law," as used
in this country, is misleading inasmuch as it
suggests that the English Parliament enacted
the rules of order and the United States
adopted them. Now and then we hear a
presiding officer spoken of as a good "Par¬
liamentarian," Strange as it may seem, the
term Parliamentary Law is not in any dic¬
tionary published in England, and Murray's
voluminous quarto "New English Diction-
r| ary, 1905," gives only the following defini¬
ng tion of Parliamentarian : "One who accepts
a religion or church ordained or ruled by
Parliament."
4 HISTORY OP RULES OP ORDER.
Elsyng, who compiled the first book on
rules of order for the English Parliament,
gave it the title, "The Form and Manner of
Holding Parliament in England"; and Sco-
bel published another work on the same
subject, A. D. 1656, imder the title "Memo¬
rials of Method and Manner of Procedure
in Parliament in Passing Bills."
Thomas Jefferson, while Vice-President,
wrote the first great American work on rules
of order, which has been adopted by Con¬
gress and most of the state legislatures under
the title "Jefferson's Manual."
The most philosophic and comprehensive
treatise on rules of order is " Gushing's Law
and Practice of Legislative Assemblies."
Had he used the word Eules instead of
"Law," it would seem particularly precise
and appropriate. Law suggests a bill duly
passed by a legislative body and approved
by the executive; and rule, a matter in
which, the legislative body only is con¬
cerned.' Consequently, "Rules of Order"
seems the proper title for a work of this
kind.
1. Ârmitage v. Fisher, 74 Hun., 167 ; 26 N. T. Supp.,
ESTABLISHING UNIFORMITY. 5
It is evident that Rules of Order are not
made by somebody and then applied, but
that tbey are established by long-continued
usage of legislative bodies and decisions of
our courts. In the absence of a rule to fit a
case, the presiding officer must make a rul¬
ing, which, if followed for a long time, or
affirmed by a court, becomes a rule of order.
Thus Rules of Order are found in our law
text-books and court decisions. However,
every organization may adopt a set of rules
of its own, which, if reasonable and lawful,
will govern it where there is a confiict with
other rules.
Uniformity in minor particulars of Rules
of Order is wanting because each house of
Congress and each legislature adopts special
rules for its own procedure and their ex¬
ample is followed by societies. However,
the Rules of the House of Representatives
which is the greatest deliberative body in
this country, are the highest authority out¬
side of our courts, but require modification
and elimination to adapt them to the wants
of popular meetings and societies. The main
things to attain are order and expedition of
« AUTHORITY IN COURT.
business, and the rules that secure these,
govern best; but, for the purpose of secur¬
ing freedom of speech and protecting the
rights of the minority, dilatory motions are
to be found in the best devised systems.
The great number of changes made in the
Rules of the House of Representatives, and
late decisions of courts, have rendered a
new popular manual that will be authority
in court, a necessity. It is to supply that
want and to place the subject in a new and
simpler form, that this revised and enlarged
edition of my manual--with changes and
additions to bring it down to date—is
published.
THE AUTHOR.
Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 4, 1907.
7
CONTE^.^
Preface 3
I. Laws Governing Societies 9
II. Special Occasions 13
III. General Occasions 15
IV. Motions, Questions 41
V. Procedure 49
VI. Debate 54
VII. Motions Alphabetically Arranged. 58
»
FORM FOB ADOPTING RULES OF ORDER
"Scanlan's Rules of Order" shall govern
in the organization, procedure and delibera¬
tions of this body (convention, meeting,
lodge, etc.), excepting when otherwise
specifically provided by its own rfiles. (See
page 9.)
9
Scanlan's Rules of Order
C9iapter 1.
LAWS GOVERNING SOCIETIES.
Superior and Inferior Law.—The laws
governing_ organized societies rank as fol¬
lows: 1st, the constitution and laws of the
United States; 2nd, the constitution and
laws of the state whei-e the society is incor¬
porated and of the state where it is located ;
3rd, the common law of the land as declared
m courts of last resort ; 4th, the constitution
of the society, which consists of a charter
or articles of organization ; 5th, the by-laws
of the society, duly enacted under a general
statute of the state or by special authority
delegated by the state ; 6th, rules of order
adopted for the special government and pro¬
cedure of the society; 7th, the generally ac¬
cepted rules of order. No rule or law of
lower rank can supersede or contravene one
of higher rank, and so far as its provisions
violate this rule they are null and void.' A
2. Senaca v Lamb, 26 Barb., 595. Kennebec v. Ken¬
dall, 31 Me., 470. N. Orleans v. Phlllppt, 9 La.
Ann., 44. Kearney v. Andrews, 10 N J. Eq., 70.
Davles T. aty, 87 Mich., 439 ; 49 N. W.. 667.
10 BY-LAWS, CHANGE OF.
member of an incorporated society is sub¬
ject to all of said laws and rules. The courts
construe and enforce the lawful rules and
by-laws of a society, not only within its
membership, but also with non-members as
far as they act or contract under them.*
Amending, Suspending and Repealing.—
By-laws and rules may be amended, sus¬
pended or repealed only by the body having
authority to make them, excepting where
such power is delegated by the superior law¬
making body. When there is no other pro¬
vision in the constitution or laws of the
state, the power to make by-laws is in the
members, but it may be delegated to a board
or other body.*
A by-law that requires a two-thirds vote
on a question (suspension of rules), may be
amended or repealed by a majority vote
unless there is a provision in the state law
or constitution or by-laws of the society to
the contrary."
In unincorporated societies their by-laws
3. Cummings v. Webster. 43 Me., 192.
4. State V. Nixon, 25 Mo. App., 642.
5. Richardson v. V. 0. S., 58 N.. H., 187. Smith v
Nelson, 18 Vt., 511. Am. & Eng. Cy. of Law
"By-Laws." , '
RULING AUTHORITY.
11
and rules are in the nature of a contract,
and without the visitorial power of the
courts.'
Superior and Inferior Authority.—The
highest organized body in a society with a
definite constitution, such as a council of
bishops in a church or a supreme lodge in a
secular society, has superior authority. The
minor divisions have only inferior authority
and must submit to the superior authority
in all that is lawful and reasonable. Re¬
fusal to obey the higher authority is rebel¬
lion, and to organize outside of the superior
authority, or to withdraw, whether by a
majority vote or otherwise, is secession and
the seceders have no right toi any of the
property that the society acquired under the
united body.' To protect the rights of citi¬
zens, in politics the contrary rule prevails
and the authority in its last analysis is in
the voters.'
6. Am. and Eng. Cy. of Law, "By-Laws." Phelps v.
Piper, 48 Neb., 724 ; 67 N. W , 755.
7. Reorganized Church v. Church, 60 F., 937. Free
Church of Scotland t. Overton, Appeal Cases,
House of Lords, 1904, 515. McGinnis v. Wat¬
son, 41 Pa St., 9.
8. Weaver v. Toney. 107 Ky., 419. In re Broat, 27
N. Y. Supp., 176.
12
LAWFUL ACTS—SUITS.
Informality, Irregalarity, Nullity.—Things
done informally are none the less binding,
as the term implies compliance with all the
essentials.* Irregularity includes unlawful
procedure and is more dangerous. It may
include informality and it dovetails into nul¬
lity. Nullity is absolutely void. A want of
due notice not waived, business done by less
than a quorum, and holding a meeting at a
wrong time or place without consent of all
concerned, are such irregularities as make
proceedings null and void. But passing a
question by a two-thirds vote to make a
special order when it requires a two-thirds
vote to suspend a rule, is an irreg'ilarity
that amounts to a suspension of the rule
and it is valid."
Who May Sue.—A person having no legal
or equitable interest in a matter cannot
question it in court."
9. McDonald v. State, 80 Wis., 407 ; 50 N. W. 185
Mann v. City, 109 la., 251 ; 80 N. W..' 327
In re Broat, 27 N. Y. Supp., 176.
10. Kendall v. Board, 106 Mich., 681 ; 64 N. W 745
Salter t. Hilgen, 40 Wis., 363. Am. & Ene Cv
of Law, "Nullity." ®
11. Coles v. Trustees, 10 Wend. (N. Y ), 659.
13
Chapter n.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS.
Preliminiury Meeting, Maes Meeting.—^At
meetings of tmorganized bodies some person
must take the initiative. When the time to
hold the meeting arrives someone calls those
present to order and either nominates an¬
other for chairman or asks: "Whom will
you elect for chairman?" When a name is
presented the person who calls the meeting
to order, or in case he is named, the mover
puts the motion. If several candidates are
named, the vote should be taken by division,
standing, show of hands, or ballot. The
person putting the motion has the right to
decide who has been elected and his de¬
cision is ñnal unless an appeal be taken to
the house.
When the chairman is elected he should
take his place, without a speech, and suggest
the election of a secretary. After the elec¬
tion of a secretary, the meeting is ready for
business.
The first business is the reading of the
call for the meeting by the secretary or a
14
ORDER OP BUSINESS.
statement of its objects by the chairman or
some promoter of it. Much of the work of a
meeting must be done by committees, the
most important of which is the committee on
resolutions, which should include the best
learning and judgment of the assemblage.
While the committees are in session the
house may have informal speaking, but
ought not transact business. Otherwise the
chair might appoint on the committees the
men whom he wanted to keep out of the
house during business. Also every member
has the right to be present during business.
Order of Business for a Convention or a
Mass Meeting:
1. Call to order.
2. Election of temporary chairman.
3. Election of temporary secretary.
4. Reading Call or address of chairman.
5. Appointment of committees on creden¬
tials, organization and resolutions.
6. Recess or informal talks.
7. Reports of committees on credentials
and organization.
8. Election of permanent officers.
9. Installation of permanent officers.
GENERAL OCCASIONS.
15
10. Appointment of committees.
11. Communications, etc.
12. Reports of committees.
13. Business.
14. Nominations and elections.
15. Adjournment.
Chapter III.
GENERAL OCCASIONS.
Meetings, Session, Legislative Day.—A
meeting designates the time from calling the
house to order until its adjournment the
same day. The house may take several re¬
cesses during a meeting. Session and meet¬
ing are identical when no second meeting is
held by the same body; but a session usu¬
ally includes several meetings of the house,
as a session of the legislature. A session is
terminated by a motion of the body or by
the expiration of the terms of the members,
as the second session of Congress ipso facto
terminates on March 4th. A legislative day
is the time from meeting until adjournment
for the day, as shown by the record. Several
calendar days may be included in one leg¬
islative day, and on one occasion in Con-
16 MEETINGS—SPECIAL. MEETINGS.
gress, one legislative day extended over a
month.
Meetings are either regular or special. A
regular meeting is one that is held at a par¬
ticular time and place fixed by the laws of
the state or pursuant to some rule or law
of the society. General business may be
transacted at a regular meeting. When a
regular meeting adjourns to another day to
hear a special matter, it still continues a
meeting for general business, and new busi¬
ness may be introduced."
A special meeting is one called for a spe¬
cial purpose, and at a time and place named.
Notice of a regular meeting need not be
given unless required by some rule or law;
but notice of a special meeting must be
given to all the members, and it must state
the object of the meeting and the time
(minute, hour, day, month and year) when,
and the place (hall, number on street,
street, city and state) where it will be held.
No business only that which is stated in the
notice can be transacted at a special meet¬
ing.
12. Ex parte Wolf, 14 Neb., 24 ; 14 N. W., 660.
TIME OF MEETING—DELAY. 17
A meeting cannot be held before the time
for which it was called, *nor at any other
time or place without the consent of all the
members of the society, committee or other
body, which consent should be in writing
and signed by the members. A delay that
is not unreasonably long after the time ap¬
pointed, particularly when awaiting the
coming of other members, is not illegal; but
usually the meeting should be called within
the hour named, and if there is to be any
further delay, it should be by adjournment
or recess."
When a meeting has been duly called to
order at the time and place designated, or
if the place for some reason cannot be
reached, as in case of a church being locked,
then at the nearest point thereto, it may be
adjourned to some other convenient place
where all may attend." When such adjourn¬
ment becomes necessary; someone should be
stationed at the place where the meeting
was to be held, to direct members to the
place to which the meeting was adjourned.
13. Kimball v. Marshall, 44 N. H., 465.
14. Den. ▼. Pilllnc, 24 N. J. Eg., 653 ; 4 Zabriskle's R.,
653.
18 ADJOURNMENT—NOTICE.
Also, when on account of disorder a meet¬
ing cannot be held at the place called, the
presiding officer may adjourn it to some
convenient adjacent place by general an¬
nouncement thereof."
Notice.—Notice is one of the most im¬
portant matters in procedure, and when re¬
quired it must be given in the manner and
not less than the time specified or other¬
wise the proceedings will he void. In some
cases a notice may be limited as to the
greatest time, and in all cases within the
foregoing limitations, the time must be rea¬
sonable. Persons not under legal disability
may waive notice, unless contrary to law or
public policy; but minors, insane persons or
persons under _any other legal disability,
cannot waive notice.
If there is no special law or rule govern¬
ing the matter, a notice should be served
like a summons. Service of notice^ by mail
is good if the person making the service and
the person on whom it is to be made reside
at different places between which there is
regular mail. It is presumed that a notice
15. Field V. Field, 9 Wend. (N. T.), 395.
MAILING notice:—TIME. 19
enclosed in a sealed envelope, correctly ad¬
dressed, postage prepaid, duly mailed with¬
out instructions on the outside of the en¬
velope, reaches its destination in due course
of mail; and if the person to whom it is
addressed is at his postofiSce address and
able to do business, it is presumed that he
received it. A notice mailed to the resi¬
dence of a man who is unconscious or is out
of the country, is not good, generally."
When several months' notice is required,
the day of the month on which the notice is
served must not be later than the day of the
month on which the matter will be heard;
as for example, a four months' notice served
February 2nd is not good for a meeting held
before June 2nd. Where á month's notice
is required, it must be served the number of
days in the month in which it is served,
before the day fixed for the hearing ; as, for
example, a notice served on January 31st
is not good for a date before March 3rd."
When a number of days less than a week or
16. Van Aernam v. Wlnslom 37 Minn., 514 ; 35 N. W.,
381. People V. Theatrical, etc., 29 State, 105 ;
126 N. v., 622. Taggart v. Phoenix, 8 Pa. Co.
Ct 334
17. Minará v. Burtls, 83 Wis., 267 ; 53 N. W., 509.
20 FIXING DATK—QUORUM.
a number of hours, is the time of notice,
Sunday or a legal holiday is not counted.
The best way to get the correct date in
computing days is to use the days of the
year; as, for èxample, if a ninety days'
notice must be given of a meeting to be held
on July Istr which is the 182nd day of the
year (leap year, 183rd),it must be served not
later than April 2nd, which is the 92nd day
of the year. Sunday is not a legal day for
serving a notice or holding any business
meeting. But meetings of religious or char¬
itable societies may be held on Sunday, and
subscriptions may be taken and dues col¬
lected for religious or charitable purposes,
including fraternal, sick or death benefits
(insurance).
Quorum.—A quorum of a body is the
smallest number of its members who can
legally transact business. Fewer than a
quorum can adjourn from day to day when
there are meetings to be held on consecutive
days, but cannot otherwise fix a time to
which to adjourn."
In stock corporations and associations,
la O'Nell v. Tyler, 3 N. D., 47 ; 53 N. W., 434.
QUORUM—WHO ARE COUNTED. 21
those (or their proxies) who hold the legal
title to a majority of the capital stock as
owners, pledgees, trustees, executors or ad¬
ministrators, constitute a quonim; and in
all other corporations, societies, conventions,
boards and committees, composed of definite
membership, in the absence of a law of the
state or a provision in the charter or a duly
enacted by-law of the society, a majority of
the members at a duly called meeting is a
quorum. When the laws of the state or
charters granted by it or duly enacted law¬
ful by-laws of a society, provide the num¬
ber necessary for a quorum, they govern.
The members present, whether voting or
not, may be counted for a quorum if there
is a rule to that effect." Even in the ab¬
sence of such a rule, the weight of authority
sustains the counting of the members pres¬
ent for a quorum." However, the supreme
court of one state denies the right to count
a member present without his consent."
19. U. S. V. Balln, 144 U. S., 1; 12 Sup. Ct., 607;
36 L. Ed., 321.
20 Atty. Gen. v. Shepberd, 62 N. H., 383 ; 13 Am. B.,
576. State V. Vanosdal, 131 Ind., 388; 31 N.
B T9
21. State V. Ellington, 117 N. 0., 158 ; 30 D. R. A., 632 ;
23 S. B., 250.
22
QUORUM—CASTING VOTE.
When the presiding officer has only a cast¬
ing vote in ease of a tie, he cannot be
counted for a quorum." None htit legal
members can be counted."
Special provisions, such as a quorum^shall
consist of a "majority of the" members
elect," or a "majority of the qualified vot¬
ers," when used in constitutions or laws, fix
the quorum." The state has the fixing of the
number that shall constitute a quorum, when
not delegated, and a city council cannot fix
any other number than a majority, without
special authority."
If the record (which includes the adopted
minutes or an entry of the fact made by
the secretary) shows a quorum, it is pre¬
sumed to be correct and that the quorum
continues during the meeting." If the record
does not show a quorum, in some states
business done is void, and in others the
question is open to proof.
22. Somerset v. Smith, 109 Ky., 552 ; 49 S. W., 456.
23. State V. Orr, 61 Ohio. 384 ; 56 N. B., 14.
24. Cleveland v Com., 108 N. C., 678 ; 12 S. E., 271.
Helskell v..Mayor, 65 Md., 125; 57 Am. E., 308-
4 At., 116.
25. State v. Ellington, 117 N. C., 158 ; 23 S. E., 250 •
53 Am. St. R., 580 ; 30 L. R. A., 532.
VOTING.
23
In organizations of indefinite membership,
those attending the meeting constitute a
quorum."
Voting.—^Voting may be by ballot (paper,
coloted-balls, beans, etc.), by division of the
house, by standing, by show of hands, by
roll-caU, or viva voce. A stockholder has
as many votes on all questions, including
the election of officers, as he has shares of
stock in the company. It is the duty of
every member to vote on every question, and
on a division of the house he must vote if
present when the question is put, unless he
has a pecuniary interest in the matter, or
the vote concerns him personally, or he is
excused; but if he comes in after the ques¬
tion has been put, he cannot vote. In the
absence of other provision, it requires a ma¬
jority vote to order a roll-call. When a bal¬
lot or roll-call is required by the laws of a
body or the laws of the state, it must be
obeyed;" but if there is no objection, the
secretary or someone else may be authorized
to cast the ballot of the body if there is only
26. Madison v. Baptist, 5 Eob. (N. Y.), 649; 28 N.
X s 649
27. Norman v. Ky., 93 Ky., 537 ; 20 S. W., 901.
24
VBRIPTING VOTE.
one candidate or thing to be voted for. How¬
ever, it is vicious procedure, and if objec¬
tion be made by even one member, a regular
ballot must be taken.
Division by standing, show of bands, or
roll-call, to verify a viva voce vote after the
result is announced, should be granted by
the chairman upon request of a member,
provided there were votes on both sides of
the question and division is demanded be¬
fore a new motion is made or any other pro¬
ceeding under the rules is begun. If divi¬
sion is refused, the member may appeal from
the decision of the chair.
A vote is not unanimous so long as there
is a dissenting vote, and a vote to make it
unanimous is subject to the same rule. A
member may change his vote in an open
vote, as by division, show of hands, or roll-
call, at any time before the decision is an¬
nounced; but he cannot do so on a secret
ballot. The chairman may vote with the
body on all except parliamentary questions,
or he may wait until the vote is counted, and
in case of a tie, he may exercise his right to
vote. However, where the law of the state
MAJORITY—VOID VOTES.
26
or of the organization provides that the pre¬
siding officer shall have the casting vote, in
a body of which the chairman is a constitu¬
ent member, he may first vote as such mem¬
ber, and then if there is a tie, he may cast
the deciding vote."
When a mayor and five aldermen consti¬
tute a city council, three votes is not a ma¬
jority of the council." "A majority of the
legal voters of the township," is intended
to require only a majority of the legal voters
of the township voting." In a committee of
twenty-four members requiring a two-thirds
vote for expulsion, there must be at least
sixteen members present to vote for expul¬
sion to render it valid." In a board of eight
members where all voted and it required a
majority of the votes cast to elect, and there
were votes cast for two candidates and a
blank vote, the four votes cast for the high¬
est candidate did not elect him as it was
not a majority of aU the votes cast." Where
28. People V. Rector, 48 Barb., 603.
28. Whitney v. Com. Council, 69 Mich., 189 ; 87 N. W.,
184.
30. St. J. V. Rogers, 83 TJ. S., 644 ; 21 L. Bd., 328.
31. Louhat V. Leroy, 40 Hun., 546.
32. Lawrence v. Ingersol, 88 Tenn., 52 ; 6 L. R. A., 308 ;
17 Am. St R., 870.
26 BLANK VOTES, DRAWING LOTS.
a vote is a tie by reason of a candidate vot¬
ing for himself, the vote is lost." Four votes
one way by a city council, the other four
members refusing to vote, constitute a tie
vote, and gives the mayor the casting vote.
In counting a majority, blank votes cast
must be counted." In a city council of five
where two voted for a question and the
other three on the ground of interest re¬
fused to vote, the question was not legally
carried." When the votes of members per¬
sonally interested in the matter are neces¬
sary to carry an appropriation, it is lost"
In case of a tie vote, an election cannot
be determined by lot without the authority
of a law to that eflPect."
It is lawful for a meeting, by rule or mo¬
tion, to drop the candidate receiving the
least number of votes."
Those excluded from exercising the fran-
33. Höring v. State, 116 Ind., 458 ; 19 N. E 151
34. Lautz V People, 113 111., 137 ; 55 Am. Ren 405
35. State v. Chapman, 44 Conn., 595.
36. Coles V. Trustees, 10 Wend., 659.
37. San Antonia v. Adams, 87 Tex., 125 • 26 «5 w
1040. Hill V. Rich, 119 Mo., 9; 24* S W
38. Beck v. Board, 103 Mich., 192 ; 61 N W ' 346
39. Wheeler v. Com., 98 Ky., 59 ; 32 S. W., 259,
VOTERS. PROXIES. 2T
chise by the laws of the state, as minors,
idiots, insane, convicts and aliens, cannot
vote. Also, those present but not members
of the society, cannot vote. A person in¬
eligible to vote is ineligible to office unless
otherwise specially provided.
If the same name is written on one ballot
several times it shall not be rejected, but
counted as one vote; but if two or more
names for one office are. on a ballot, it is
void. There must be no reasonable doubt
about a ballot before it can be counted. A
name misspelled but giving the same sound
may be counted. Votes for an ineligible are
not counted. On a tie vote, with or without
the chairman's vote, the question is lost.
Voting by proxy is generally provided for
by the laws of the state for stock corpora¬
tions. In other corporations and societies,
members cannot be represented by proxies
unless the state laws or laws of the society
provide therefor.
Order of Business.—An order of business
is a table of headings under which matters
are orderly arranged so as to constitute an
outline of a calendar for a meeting. A care-
28
ORDER OP BUSIKESS.
ful chairman will see that the calendar is
made up in advance, instead of going ahead
without one and asking from time to time,
"What comes next?" All matters on a cal¬
endar that are not disposed of at one meet¬
ing of a series, go over to the next meeting
as unfinished business; but matters do not
so go over from one session or convention
to another without a special provision
therefor.
The following, which may be varied to
suit occasions, is the usual order of busi¬
ness in organizations:
1. Opening exercises.
2. BoU-caU.
3. Beading and approval of minutes.
4. Communications.
5. Beports of officers and committees.
6. Unfinished business.
7. New business.
8. Adjournment.
Duties of Chairman.—Numerous are the
chairman's duties: he should always be, on
time and call the meeting to order promptly ;
he should be an example of order, and keep
the meeting in order; he should foUow the
CHAIRMAN'S DUTIES. 29
calendar, do no unnecessary talking nor
enter into debate while in the chair; he
should be impartial and give the floor to the,
one who has the best right to it instead of
the shouter or one who is always ready to
jump it ; and he should protect the health of
the people against drafts and by proper ven¬
tilation, and protect their bodies from in¬
jury. He should stand when speaking or
putting a motion or taking a viva voce vote
in large or formal meetings. In small, in¬
formal meetings and in committees, except¬
ing committees of the whole, the chairman
need not stand. The chairman may second
a motion. Also, ïe may hold the office of
secretary."
If the chairman declares a meeting ad¬
journed without a vote or contrary to the
vote of the majority, excepting when the
time to adjourn is flxed and has arrived, or
if he abandons the chair, or refuses to act,
a new chairman may be elected and the
meeting continued." If the chairman re¬
fuses to put a motion, an appeal should be
40. Budd v. W. W., 2 W. Ter., 347 ; 7 Pac., 89,6.
41. 19 Cent. Dig., 215.
30 CHAIRMAN'S DUTIES.
taken to the house instead of a member's
putting it." But if put by a member and
carried, it is legal."
The chairman is the representative of the
bouse and should sign all orders; be may
name any member to preside temporarily in
bis place, but not beyond an adjournment;
be has the right to speak first on all mat¬
ters of order; and at the time fixed for ad¬
journment, be adjourns the bouse without a
motion. The chairman of a meeting is, in
the absence of a regular presiding officer,
chairman of the adjourned meeting.
When a meeting becomes so disorderly or
the place renders it impossible to do busi¬
ness, the chairman may retire and call the
meeting to order at some convenient adja¬
cent place where all who have the right and
desire to conduct an orderly meeting may
attend."
The presiding officer has, generally, the
casting vote in case of a tie ; and in casting
such tie vote, be may give bis reasons tbere-
42. state v. Lashar, 71 Conn., 540 ; 42 At., 636.
43. Hicks V. Longbrancb, 69 N; J. L., 300 ; 54 At..
568; 55 At., 250
44. Com. V. Paterson, 158 Pa. St., 476 ; 27 At., 998.
ROUTINE WORK.
31
for without leaving the chair. He speaks of
himself as "The Chair." Ladies in the chair
are addressed as "Madam Chairman." The
word chairwoman does not seem to have at¬
tained sufficient authority to be used.
Routine Work.—The presiding officer usu¬
ally does not wait for a motion to be made
in unimportant matters or routine work
when a vote is required, but assumes that a
motion has been made, and says: "It has
been moved and seconded that," and so
forth. If anyone should raise the point of
order that there is no motion before the
house, there should be no vote taken unless
a motion will first be made and seconded.
Also, informal remarks may be allowed,
opinions asked for and suggestions made. A
good presiding officer expedites work under
this rule.
Also, a mover may, with the concurrence
of his second, agree to a change of his mo- ■>
tion or consent to an amendment.
Things done without objection are pre¬
sumed done by unanimous consent. But a
demand for the orders of the day is equiv¬
alent to an objection.
32 VICE-CHAIRMAN'S DUTIES.
Vice-Chairman's Duties.—In the absence
of the chairman, the vice-chairman acts. In
the absence of both chairman and vice-
chairman, the house elects a chairman.
"When the time to call a meeting to order
has arrived, and neither the chairman nor
vice-chairman is present, the secretary
should call the meeting to order and proceed
to have a chairman elected; and in default
of all of said officers, any member has the
right to call the meeting to order and pro¬
ceed with the election of a chairman, as
stated in Chap. 1. The authority and func¬
tions of the vice-chairman, or any person
elected to act as chairman, while presiding,
are exactly the same as those of the chair¬
man. Unless otherwise provided in the laws
of an organization, the vice-chairman has no
other duties to perform.
Secretary.—The secretary should prepare
a calendar for the chairman, make a note of
every motion -and the mover's name, and
when the motion is not in writing, he
should take it down fully as stated by the
chairman. Also, every other matter that is
SECRETARY'S DUTIES.
33
required by rule or law (as that there was
a quorum) or that might he of interest
thereafter, should he entered. When the
record states that there is a quorum, it is
presumed to continue during the meeting
unless the contrary is proved." When the
chairman declares a motion carried and it is
entered in the minutes and the minutes are
subsequently approved, it is too late to
question the vote in the absence of fraud."
All minutes should he written first on waste
sheets that should he preserved until after
the minutes are subsequently transcribed
into the hook kept for that purpose and
adopted. When minutes are adopted they
become part of the record, hut not before.
All amendments, erasures and interlinea¬
tions in the record should he certified by the
secretary at the end and then signed by
him."
All documents belonging to the files and
records should be kept by the secretary and,
when required, be read by him.
45. state ▼ Ellington, 117 N. 0., 158; 23 S. E., 250;
53 Am. St., R., 580; 30 L. R. A., 532. State t.
Hutching, 33 Neb., 335 ; 50 N. W., 166.
46. Hlcka t. Longbrancb, 69 N. 3. lt., 3(K>; 54 At., 568.
47. Mann v. Le Mare, 109 la., 251 ; 80 N. W., 327.
34 TREASURER'S DUTIES. AMOTION.
In the absence of the chairman and vice-
chairman, the secretary calls the meeting to
order and proceeds with the election of a
chairman. Also, he puts the motions con¬
cerning the chairman.
Treasurer.—The treasurer should receive
no money without a written entry of the
amount, the name of the giver, and the pur¬
pose for which it was given; and he should
pay out no money only as appropriated, and
then he must take and keep a voucher (re¬
ceipt or order) therefor. This rule cannot
be violated without great danger of the
treasurer's being accused of dishonesty, al¬
though his only fault may be incompetency.
Amotion.—^It is the inherent lawful right
of all organizations to amove (expel from
office) any officer who has been convicted of
an indictable offense, or who has wantonly
violated its by-laws so as to endanger its
franchise, or who arbitrarily refuses to rec¬
ognize the majority, or who has committed
a gross fraud or libel on the organization,
or who has assaulted a member at the place
of meeting, or (in a society of professional
men) a member who has been guilty of
COMMITTEES.
35
grossly improper professional conduct, or
one who has lost his membership in the
church or a religious society. Also, an offi¬
cer may be amoved for any other causes
provided for in the constitution or by-laws
of the organization, if they are reasonable."
Committees.—In all organizations a great
deal of the work is done by committees.
Usually there are standing committees whose
duty it is to carefully examine into and re¬
port to the house upon all matters referred
to them. When there is a matter that does
not seem to fall within the functions of one
of the standing committees, it is referred to
a special committee. A committee should
sometimes be made up of those only who
are favorable to a matter, as when the act
must be done and the only question is as to
the manner of doing it ; but usually a variety
of opinions is good in a committee.
If a committee agrees on a report, it is
sufficient for the chairman only to sign it;
but when the committee cannot agree, those
who can agree upon a report should sign it.
The one signed by a majority of the com-
48. state v. Archibald, 5 N. D., 359 ; 66 N. W., 234.
36
COMMITTEE'S REPORT.
mittee is the committee's report; and any
other report made by members of the com¬
mittee, may be designated as a "minority
report."
All important matters should he reporte^\
in writing. The chairman of the committee
or some member appointed for the purpose '
should present the report to the house. .
When the committee has finished its work
it is ready to report as soon as the house is
ready to receive the report. Usually the
chairman calls for the reports of commit¬
tees. If the chairman calls for the report,,
there is no need for any motion to receive
the report; but if the report has not been
called for as soon as the committee is ready,
to report, a motion may be made that the
report of the committee he received. A
common mistake is to move that the report
of the committee be "accepted." The word
"accept" should not be used. After the re¬
port of the committee has been made, either
orally or in writing, it has been received by
the house and is ready for adoption or re¬
jection as a main question, and a motion to
adopt, reject or recommit is in order. The
QUORUM OP .COMMITTEE. 37
report cannot be debated until a debatable
motion has been made concerning it.
A majority of a committee is a quorum.
The first person named on the committee,
and, in his absence, the other members re¬
spectively in the order in which they were
named, is chairman, unless the committee
deems fit to elect a chairman, which it has a
right to do. Meetings of the committee
should be called by its chairman or any two
of its members. Without leave of the house,
a committee must not hold meetings while
the house is in session; neither should the
house do business when the committee is in
session by order of the house, as every mem¬
ber has a right to be present during the
transaction of business before the house and
he may justly refuse to act on the commit¬
tee while the house is doing business.
When a committee makes a full report it
is ipso facto terminated. If it reports its
work unfinished, the committee still has the
matter in hand until its discharge. After
the report has been disposed of, a vote to
discharge the committee is uncomplimentary
and unnecessary.
3S
MEMBER'S DUTY.
A committee never adjourns ; it rises. The
proper form of the motion is : "I move that
the committee now rise."
Member's Duty.—Every member is in law
and honor bound to observe order and be
respectful to the presiding officer and the
other members. No personal matters that
occurred outside of the meeting can be dis¬
cussed; nor can personalities be used in the
meeting. A member who violates this rule
is "out of order," and the Chair or any
other member through the chairman may
call him to order. When a member is called
to order he should instantly quit talking
until the presiding officer rules whether he
was out of order or not. If the chairman
rules that he was out of order, he can¬
not proceed to speak without the consent of
the house. If the member is not satisfied
with the decision of the Chair, he may ap¬
peal to the house. Anyone who habitually
violates this rule is fit only for a mob, and
sufficient force may be used to put him out
of the meeting. Also, he may be arrested
for disturbing the meeting.
Discipline, Censure, Fine, Suspension, Ex-
DISCIPLINE OP MEMBERS. 39
pulsion.—Every body of people lawfully con¬
vened, has authority and power to keep or¬
der. Any person who persists in disorder
at a meeting may be censured or ordered by
the chairman to leave, and if he will not go
out, he may be put out of the house or ar¬
rested. Censure consists of naming the per¬
son and telling him of his disorder; or in a
more formal way the house passes a vote of
censure or votes that the Chair censure the
disorderly. In organizations of continuing
membership, as in societies, a member may
be fined, suspended from membership, or
expelled from membership, on due notice
and a fair trial, as provided in the laws of
the country or the by-laws of the organiza¬
tion, for any cause for which an officer may
be amoved.** However, it must be remem¬
bered that no member can be suspended or
expelled from membership in a stock cor¬
poration or a business organization where
such expulsion would confiscate his property
or injure his property rights ; but he may be
fined or expelled from the meeting at which
he is disorderly. (See "Point of Order.")
49, People v. Am. Ins., 44 How. Pr., 468.
40 FLOOR, RIGHT OF.
Floor.—The Chair has control of the floor,
subject, however, to the authority of the
house, and a member can get the floor from
the Chair only, except on appeal to the
house; and the member forfeits it by be¬
coming out of order. When several claim
the privilege of the floor at the same time,
the Châir decides who is entitled to it, and
unless his decision is reversed on appeal to
the house, it is final and binding on all the
members.
When a member has the floor he may tem¬
porarily yield it to another to ask a ques¬
tion, state a fact, explain his words, or call
attention to an error in the languagé of the
question; and he must yield the floor on a
caU to order by the chairman, a call for the
orders of the day, an objection to the con¬
sideration of the question, or a question of
privilege. But if a speaker yields the floor
for another to make a debatable motion con¬
cerning the main question, or to make a
motion that would take the consideration of
the question from before the house, he loses
his right to it.
When without the fault of a member who
MOTIONS CLASSIFIED.
41
has the floor, time is lost by interruption
under the rules or by disorder, it is not de¬
ducted out of the time to which he is en¬
titled.
Chapter IV.
MOTIONS, QUESTIONS.
Motion, Question.—A motion is a proposi¬
tion submitted to "the house" (convention,
assembly, committee or other deliberative
body) for its judgment and decision. All
business should be brought before the house
by a motion, which is called the "principal
motion," and after it has been put by the
presiding officer, it is the "main question."
If subsidiary, privileged or incidental mo¬
tions be made while the main question is
pending, the last put is the question before
the house. The house has control of the
question and the mover cannot withdraw it
■without leave. A question that has been
carried is usually designated as an "order,"
a "rule," a "vote," or an "act." A society
orders something done, takes a vote, makes
rules and enacts by-laws.
Motions are divided (1) as to Rank, and
42 RANK, EXPLANATION.
(2) as to Principal, Subsidiary, Privileged,
and Incidental.
Rank of Motions.—The rank of a motion
is determined by the cause or necessity giv¬
ing rise to it. The word "rank" is used in
its sense of relative grade, as the rank of an
ofScer. While a question is before the house,
a motion of equal or lower rank cannot be
received, unless otherwise specified; but one
of higher rank may be made, if relevant.
Those motions having "2/3" after them
require an affirmative (except "considera¬
tion of the question," which requires a neg¬
ative) vote of two-thirds, and all other mo¬
tions require only a majority vote to pass
them, unless the society has adopted some
other rule.
Explajiation of Rank.—When a main ques¬
tion only is before the house, the following
motions may be duly made and seconded
and all pending: (1) To postpone indefi¬
nitely; (2) To amend; (3) To amend the
amendment; (4) To commit; (5) To amend
the motion to commit by changing time or
giving instructions; (6) To postpone to a
time certain; (7) To amend the motion to
MOTIONS, EXPLANATIONS. 43
postpone to a time certain by changing the
time; (8) The previous question; (9) To lay
on the table; (10) To adjourn. Other priv¬
ileged and incidental motions might be put
in, but for our purpose the foregoing list is
sufficient.
The foregoing ten motions must be dis¬
posed of in their reverse order: First, the
motion to adjourn, which, if carried, ad¬
journs the house and all business to the next
meeting; but if lost the motion does not
affect the business before the house.
Then the question to lay on the table will
be before the house. If this is carried (if it
applied to the main question), it disposes of
the main question and all other pending
questions concerning it for the present; but
if it is lost, then the previous question is
before the house, which, if carried, cuts off
debate on all questions to which it was ap¬
plied; but if lost, debate will be in order
on the next motion.
The last question being lost, the house re¬
verts to the question to postpone to a time
certain. If the motion is carried, the main
question with all its pending subsidiary mo-
44 MOTIONS, EXPLANATIONS.
tions goes over to the time fixed ; but if the
motion be lost, it cannot be renewed during
the day.
The motion now before the house is to
amend the motion to commit, which does
not affect the main question, and, whether
lost or carried, leaves the question to com¬
mit before the house. If the motion to
commit prevails, the main question with all
amendments goes to the committee and is
thus taken from before the house; but if
the motion be lost, it leaves the question on
the amendments pending.
The last motion being lost, the motion to
amend the amendment must next be taken
up, and if it be lost, the amendment to the
main question is before the house; but if it
be carried, then the amendment as amended
will be before the house. If the amendment
as amended prevails, then the main ques¬
tion as amended will be the final question
before the house, and all others die.
But if the question on the amendment as
amended is lost, then the question to post¬
pone indefinitely is the next motion before
the house ; and if it be carried, it disposes of
designation op rank. 46
the subject for the session ; but if it be lost,
it cannot be renewed during the day on the
same question in its present condition, and
the main question is the only one before
the house.
All of the foregoing procedure is easily
understood by a careful study of the table
on the following page, which is the key to
the whole subject, and, if mastered, will,
with a little practice, make a student pro¬
ficient in the rules of order.
Designation of Rank.—^In studying the
"Table of Motions in Rank," observe:
Figures in parentheses indicate exceptions
explained on the pages given;
Italics indicate that the question is de¬
batable only when no other question is be¬
fore the house;
Small capitals indicate that the motion
is debatable only when a debatable motion
is applied to it;
"CeXt indicates that debate is allowed
only on the motion itself;
Bold-faced type indicates that debate is
allowed on both the motion itself and the
main question.
46 TABLE OP MOTIONS IN RANK.
Table of Motions in Rank (see pp. 45, 57) :
1. Point of- order (p. 79). f
2. To "withdraw appeal or motion (p. 102). t
3. Appeal from decision of the Chair on
indecorum or pending previous Q.t
4. Suspension of a rule (p. 99).
4. Motion to reconsider (p. 92).
5. To fix a time to which to adjourn.
5. To adjourn when the time is fixed.f
5. To take recess when time is fixed.f
6. Q. OP PRIVILEGE OF THE HOUSE (p. 89).
6. Q. OP PRIVILEGE OP A MEMBER (p. 89.
6. Reading of papers (p. 90).f
7. Orders of the day.f
7. To take up a question out of order ^.f
7. To make a special order of the day ^.f
7. To limit debate
7. Consideration of the question, ^ noes.f
8. To lay on the table, f
9. The previous question.
10. Hppeals from the Chair, except** 3,**
11. Co postpone to a time certain.*
12. Co Commit (or refer).*
13. To amend.*
14. To postpone indefinitely.
15. The principal motion (main question).
•May be amended. t Not debatable.
1
^ SUBSIDIABX MOtlONS. 47
Subsidiary Motions are those which may be
made concerning another question, to-wit :
To Suppress Action:
. Point of order (p. 80).
Objection to consideration, ^ (p. 70).
To withdraw a question (p. 102).
To Defer Action:
To lay on the table.
To postpone to a future time.
To commit.
To Expedite Business:
To suspend a rule
To take up out of order
The previous question
To limit debate y^.
When the Question is Unsatisfactory:
To divide the question.
To commit or recommit.
To amend.
To Avoid Direct Vote:
To postpone indefinitely.
When Reversal of Action is Desired :
Reconsideration of question.
To rescind or repeal (p. 95).
To expunge from the record (p. 72).
48 PHIVIL.EGED. INCIDENTAL.
Privileged Questions.—Questions that af¬
fect the order, integrity or general welfare
of the house, are privileged; that is to say,
a matter of business must give way to them.
A speaker who has the floor may he obliged
to relinquish it a suflScient time to dispose
of a "privileged question" that relates to
order, or a "question of privilege," or the
orders of the day. The other privileged
questions cannot be considered while a mem¬
ber has the floor and depend wholly upon
their rank. The following motions raise
privileged questions:
To fix a time to which to adjourn.
To take a recess, when time is fixed.
To adjourn, when time is fixed.
Question of order.
Question of privilege of the house.
Question of privilege of a member.
Orders of the day.
Incidental Qu/istions.—Incidents occur in
the transactions of a meeting, that require
immediate attention. Any question may
raise one not forming an essential part of it.
Such questions are disposed of on their ap¬
pearance. Here are the principal ones:
MAKING MOTION. 49
Appeal from the decision of the Chair.
Entry of motion to reconsider.
To suspend a rule. /
To obtain leave to read a paper.
To have a paper read.
Leave to speak. '
V
Chapter V.
^ PROCEDURE.
How to Make a Motion.—A member who
desires to make a motion should stand and
address the presiding ofiBcer, as "Mr. Chair¬
man" ("Grand Knight," "Worthy Chief,"
or hy whatever name the presiding officer is
designated). Unless a member observes this
rule, he is not entitled to notice and he is
out of order if he interrupts the meeting by
talking or even standing. The presiding
officer will recognize him by mentioning his
name, as "Mr. Brown." If the chairman
does not know his name, he will designate
the member who is entitled to the floor by
an applicable designation that will make
known to the house who is recognized, as
"the gentleman on my right," "the gentle¬
man from Fox County, ' ' etc. Then the mem-
4
50
SECONDING MOTION.
ber will make his motion and immediately
be seated. A person may make two motions
at a time if the latter is of higher rank than
the former. Circumlocutions such as, "I
move you, now, sir," "I move this honor¬
able body," "I move this house," "I beg
leave to move the members," and so forth,
are bad forms. Meetings are held to do busi¬
ness, and plain, respectful, direct motions
are by far the best forms.
A motion cannot be made after a vote has
been ordered, during the taking of the vote;
and an irrelevant motion is always out of
order.
Seconding Motions.—A member need not
wait to be recognized to second a motion,
excepting in societies that have a form of
salutation for the presiding officer. This is
a very important distinction between mak¬
ing and seconding motions. When more
than one motion has been made, the first one
seconded must be put first. The presiding
officer may second a motion where he has
the casting vote; e. g., in a committee or
board of three. Otherwise for want of a
second one member could prevent the do-
PUTTING QUESTION.
51
ing of any business by refusing to second a
motion and objecting to .the putting of a
motion without a second."
The following motions do not require a
second :
A question of order.
Objection to consideration of a question.
A call for the orders of the day.
Putting the Question.—The chairman
should put oral motions so as to convey the
intent of the mover in good form and lan¬
guage, and the secretary should so take it
down. The chairman is not obliged to state
the motion in a bungling form as presented
by the mover, unless it is in writing. If the
mover is not satisfied with the way the
chairman puts the motion, he should rise to
a question of privilege and state the motion
in the form he wants it, or ask leave to put
it in writing; or the chairman may order it
put in- writing. When a motion is made
concerning the chairman, it is put by the
secretary or mover.
' Every duly made motion must be put by
the chairman, excepting it is concerning
50. state v. Archibald, 5 N. D., 359 ; 66 N. W., 234.
52 PUTTING QUESTION.
himself or he declares it out of order. When
a motion is declared out of order by the
chairman, an appeal may be taken from his
decision. If the house reverses the ruling of
the chairman and he then arbitrarily refuses
to put the motion, it may be put by a
member or the chairman may be amoved
and a new chairman elected." /
As soon as the chairman"" states the mo¬
tion, it is before the house. If it is a de¬
batable question,- it is ready for discussion.
If it is not debatable, the chairman imme¬
diately puts it to a vote. No debate is
proper before the question has been stated
by the chairman.
The chairman first puts the affirmative of
the question, in substantially the following
form: "As many as are in favor of (the
motion), say Aye." And then, after wait¬
ing long enough for all to vote, he puts the
negative thus: "As many as are opposed,
say No."
If all the members vote "aye," it is not >
necessary to put the negative." But if only
51. state V. Lashar, 71 Conn.. 540 ; 42 At., 636. Hicks
V. Longbranch, 69 N. J. L., 800 ; 54 At., 568.
52. Town V. Baker, 76 la., 220 ; 40 N. W., 818.
DECIDING VOTE.
63
a minority vote, the negative must be pijt,
else the action is void.**
If the vote is close the chairman says,
"The ayes (or noes) appear to have it." If
a division of the house is called for before
any other motion is made or other business
is begun, it should be granted. If no such
request is made, the chairman announces
that "The question is carried," or "The
question is lost," as the case may be.
When the Chair declares the result of a
vote and it is entered in the minutes and
the minutes subsequently approved, it is too
late to question the vote, excepting for
fraud.**
Up to the time the negative is put, a
debatable question is open for debate. Also,
until the chairman has announced the vote,
a member may change his vote, excepting
on a secret ballot.
68. Hand v. Deady, 79 Hun., 75 ; 29 N. Y. Supp., 633.
54. Hicks V. Longbrancb, 69 N. J. L., 300; 54 At., 568.
Gipson y. Morris, 31 Tex , 645 ; 73 S. W., 85.
54
Chapter VI.
DEBATE.
Debate.—Unless some other rule has been
adopted, every member has a right to be
heard once for ten minutes on every debat¬
able question.
And when a new debatable subsidiary mo¬
tion is made, a member is entitled to speak
again, notwithstanding that the discussion
of the new question, as an amendment, may
include the old one. However, no member
has a right to speak except from his proper
place nor until he has been recognized by
the chair. The person who rises first is
generally entitled to the fioor; but if the
person who made the motion or who read
the report rises before the floor is given to
another, he should be recognized first, and
at the end of the debate be allowed five min¬
utes to close.
When a member gets the floor he cannot
open debate on the plea that he intends to
make a motion; but he may state why he
makes the motion, if there is something un¬
usual about it or he makes the motion on
DEBATE, RECOGNITION. 55
request. Debate cannot precede the putting
of a question.
The presiding officer should recognize al¬
ternately those for and against the question,
and extend the courtesy of the preference
to a new member. Everything else being
equal, he should recognize the most distant
as frequently as the nearest, and the young
as often as the old.
A member always addresses the Chair as
"Mr, Chairman" (or "Madam Chairman,"),
or in the form required by the special rule
of the society, and not "ladies and gentle¬
men," nor "fellow citizens," nor "breth¬
ren," etc. Reading a speech or papers
without leave is prohibited in debate. Also,
it is not allowable to mention a member's
name, or to refer to him in the second per¬
son, or arraign his motives, or to use per¬
sonalities in debate; but when reference to
another member is necessary, he must be
described as "the gentleman who last
spoke," "the delegate from Buncombe
County," or "the member on my left."
If a member desires to ask another a
question, he must obtain leave to do so
56 DEBATE, ASKING QUESTION.
through the Chair, by rising and saying,
"Mr. Chairman, I desire to ask the gentle¬
man a question." The chairman may say,
"If the gentleman has no objection, you
may do so." The speaker may respectfully
decline to answer any question, or may an¬
swer the question as a courtesy. When a
member rises to ask a question he must ask
his question in terse language and then sit
down. He cannot discuss his question. The
question that he asks the speaker must be
relevant to the discussion, be propounded
respectfully, and must not reflect on the
speaker or the house, else it is out of order.
Indecent or profane language, coughing,
hissing, spitting, whispering, or walking
about the room, is disorderly conduct. Also,
calling "question" or "time" so as to in¬
terrupt a speaker who is in order, is dis¬
orderly.
When a member is called to order for the
use of disorderly words in debate, the words
must be taken down at once, before further
debate or business, or they cannot be re¬
ferred to subsequently for the purpose of
disciplining or censuring the speaker.
DEBATE, EXPLANATIONS. 57
A member who has spoken on the ques¬
tion before the house may rise again to
state a fact, or to explain something that
he said that is misconstrued, or to call at¬
tention to an error in or faulty manner of
the wording of the question; but he must
confine himself to that only.
When the chairman rises to speak on mat¬
ters of order, or to call someone to order,
or to give directions concerning a priv¬
ileged matter, as ventilation or heat, or di¬
rect the doing of something necessary, the
speaker sits or is silent. However, the chair¬
man should try to designate beforehand his
intention, and break in at a period. When¬
ever the chairman desires to enter de¬
bate, he should first call the vice-chairman
or some other member to preside. Except
on points of order, the chairman may not
speak from the chair without leave of the
house.
After debate has been begun on a ques¬
tion, the only motions that shall be received
are the following, in the order of their rank,
to-wit :
ADJOURNMENT.
1. To adjourn.
2. To lay on the table.
3. The previous question.
4. To postpone to a day certain.
5. To refer.
1 6. To amend.
1 7. To postpone indefinitely.
^ Chapter VH.
MOTIONS ALPHABETICALLY
ARRANGED.
Adjourn.—A motion to adjourn when the
time of the next meeting is fixed, is a priv¬
ileged question and always in order except¬
ing when a member is speaking, or a point
of order or an appeal that is not debatable
is before the house, or a vote is being taken,
or a similar motion has just been defeated.
A motion to reconsider another question
may be made and entered in the record, but
no further action can be taken thereon
when a motion to adjourn is before the
house.
The motion to adjourn is not debatable,
and cannot be amended, laid on the table,
committed, postponed, reconsidered, or made
ADJOURN, QUORUM.
59
in a committee of the whole. If the motion
to adjourn is defeated; there must be some
intervening business done before the Chair
will receive another motion to adjourn. The
motion is simply to adjourn. If it is quali¬
fied by adding a time, it is a main question.
Every question that permits of discussion
discussion may be resumed
ing.
Less than a quorum may adjourn, and
when there are regular meetings to be held
daily, may adjourn from day to day, but
otherwise cannot fix a time to which to ad¬
journ, and cannot do any other business.
If the time to adjourn is fixed, when it ar¬
rives the chairman may adjourn the meet¬
ing without a motion. The meeting is not
adjourned until announced by the chairman,
excepting when, contrary to the vote of the
majority, he arbitrarily refuses to declare
the meeting adjourned, when the same ac¬
tion may be taken by the house as in case
where the chairman refuses to put a motion.
When a charter provides that "the vote
of the Common Council shall, in all cases.
is subject to the motion
60 ADOPT, AMENDMENT.
be taken by ayes and noes, and every vote
shall be entered at length in the journal,"
it does not apply to a motion to adjourn,
but relates to the doing of business."
Form: "I move that this meeting do now
adjourn."
Adopt.—motion to adopt is a main
question and is applied only to a resolution
after it has been read or a report after it
has been received. A common error is to
use the word "accept" instead of "receive"
or "adopt." To avoid confusion, the word
accept should not be used.
Form: "I move that the resolution be
adopted."
Amendment.—This motion is subject to
all the motions on the question to which it is
applied. If the main question is debatable,
the amendment is; otherwise, it is not. If
an amendment is committed, postponed, or
laid on the table, it takes with it the main
question, excepting that when an amend¬
ment to the minutes or rules is tabled, it
does not table the minutes or rules. Also, if
the main question is committed, postponed,
55. City V. Brauns, 50 Wis., 204; 6 N. W., 503.
AMENDMENT.
61
or laid on the table, it takes with it all pend¬
ing amendments. An amendment must be
put before the main question. No amend¬
ment can be made after debate has been
closed by putting the question, or after the
previous question, to postpone, or to lay on
the table, has been ordered.
A question may be amended by "adding,"
"striking out," striking out and insert¬
ing," "substituting," or "dividing" the
question. The motion to "strike out" and
"insert" cannot be divided. Also, an
amendment must be germane to the question.
The question to commit can be amended
only by designating the committee, changing
the committee, or giving the committee in¬
structions; and the question to postpone to
a time certain, to take a recess, to make a
special order of the day, and to limit time
in debate, can be amended only as to time.
Two independent amendments cannot be
pending at the same time, unless one is
moved a^ -a substitute for the other. The
substitute may itself have an amendment
applied to it, but it cannot be put until after
an amendment to the first proposed amend-
62
AMENDMENT.
ment has been disposed of, so as to leave
the simple amendment; then the,substitute
may be put for the completed amendment.
A by-law requiring a two-thirds vote may
be amended or repealed by a majority vote
in the absence of a law of the state or society
to the contrary."
A motion to reconsider a vote on an
amendment is allowable only before the vote
is taken on the main question or after a
motion to reconsider the main .question is
carried.
To divide a question is made a distinct
motion from • to aménd by some authors.
There seems to be no good reason for treat¬
ing them separately, as the same rules apply
to them. No motion to divide an amend¬
ment from the main question is allowable:
but a main question may be divided into
several and then each be disposed of sep-»
arately as a main question, only one being
before the house at a time. Any division of,
a question may be divided again; and a
motion to divide máy be amended to divide
the question in a different manner. A mem-
56. Richardson v. U. C. S., 58 N. H., 187.
AMENDING AMENDMENT. 63
ber may amend his own motion or accept
an amendment proposed by another, before
it has been put by the chairman.
The numbering of paragraphs and sections
is not an amendment and is usually done by
the secretary.
Debate on an amendment allows discus¬
sion of the main question. A member who
has spoken in debate on the main question
may again speak on each amendment.
Forms: "I move to amend the question
by striking out the words 'when the work
is finished,' where they occur in the second
line."
"I move to amend by striking out the
word 'six' and inserting the word 'ten' be¬
fore the word 'dollars.' "
"I move to amend the resolution by strik¬
ing out all after the first word and substi¬
tuting the following:" (Give in full.)
"I move to divide the question as fol¬
lows:" (Give divisions.)
Amendmeiit of an Amendment.—An
amendment to an amendment or an amend¬
ment to a substitute is subject to all the
motions of the ordinary amendment, except-
64 AMENDMENT OP RULES.
ing that it cannot be amended. If the amend¬
ment is not satisfactory it should be voted
down and then another amendment to the
amendment may be made. The amendment
to an amendment must be put before the
substitute or the amendment to the main
question. If the motion is carried, the chair¬
man then puts the amendment as amended ;
and if that motion is carried, he puts the
substitute, if any, and then the question as
amended.
Form: "I move to amend the amend¬
ment by striking out the words *ten dol¬
lars.' "
Amendment of Rules.—This is a main
question and its only peculiarity is that it
requires a two-thirds vote to carry it. How¬
ever, it must be borne in mind that only the
body having the authority to make rules
has the power to amend them. The motion
should be very definite and prior notice of
the motion should he given or it should go
over to the next regular meeting. If there
is any provision in the rules or by-laws of
the organization for the amendment of the
rules it must be strictly followed.
APPEALS FROM CHAIR. 65
A by-law or rule that requires a two-
thirds vote on a motion may, in the absence
of a law or rule providing otherwise, be
amended or repealed by a majority vote."
Form: "I move to amend Sec. 1, Article
3, of the Rules, by adding at the end thereof
the following sentence: 'Notice may be
given by mail.' "
Appeals from Decisions of the Chair.—^An
appeal may be taken from any decision of
the Chair, to the house, excepting when an
appeal is pending. It is in order when a
member has the floor. A point of order may
be raised during an appeal, which must be
decided by the Chair, from which there is
no appeal. The house may subsequently
affirm or repudiate the decision of the Chair.
An appeal must be seconded, cannot be
amended, and if it relates to the indecorum
of a member, or the priority of business, or
is taken when the previous question is pend¬
ing, it is not debatable; otherwise it is a
debatable question on which one speech
from each member is allowed. When debat¬
able it is subject to the motions to adjourn,
57. Richardson v. U. C. S., 58 N. H, 187.
66
COMMIT OR REFER.
to lay on the table and the previous ques¬
tion. On a tie vote on the appeal, the de¬
cision of the! Chair is sustained, as it re¬
quires a majority of the votes cast to over¬
rule the Chair.
An appeal cannot be taken after any busi¬
ness intervenes.
When an appeal is taken the chairman
has a right to give his reasons for his rul¬
ing without leaving the chair, before recog¬
nizing anybody else who desires to be heard
on the appeal. If the house reverses the
decision of the Chair he must submit or he
may be amoved.
Forms: Member: "I appeal from the
decision of the Chair."
Chairman: "Shall the decision of the
Chair stand as the judgment of the house?
As many as are in favor of sustaining the
decision of the Chair, say 'Aye.' (Pause.)
Those opposed, say 'No.' "
Commit.—This motion may be applied to
any principal motion, amendment or ques¬
tion of privilege, and is debatable only on
the question to commit. It may be made
when a motion to amend or to postpone in-
COMMIT. 67
definitely is before the house. Also, it may
be amended by giving the committee in¬
structions, changing the number of the com¬
mittee, or referring the matter to a different
committee, which is a "rank" exception.
The motion to postpone to a time certain
is not relevant to the motion to commit ; but
a motion to postpone the main question to a
time certain may be received while the mo¬
tion to commit is pending. When a motion
to commit prevails, it takes the question
from before the house and no motion can be
entertained concerning the main question
excepting the motions to reconsider, to re¬
ceive the report of the committee or to
recall, while a question is committed.
If the motion to commit be laid on the
table it takes with it the main question and
all pending amendments. One clause of a
question or one of several resolutions may
be committed. If a motion to reconsider
the question to commit prevails, it brings
the question to commit back from the com¬
mittee to the house.
When it is desirable to refer a matter to
a committee, the number of the committee
68 COMMITTEE OP THE WHOLE.
and by whom appointed may be included in
the motion. Unless the motion provides for
the appointment of a committee, or a subse¬
quent motion does, in the absence of a spe¬
cial rule the house has the right to name the
members of the committee.
Forms: First Member: "I move that
the matter be referred to the committee on
claims," or "I move that the question be
referred to a committee consisting of one
member from each lodge, to be appointed by
the Chair."
Second Member: "I move to amend by
adding the words 'and that the committee
be empowered to settle all claims and re¬
port thereon at our next meeting.' "
Committee of the Whole.—When freer dis¬
cussion of a question than can be had in an
open meeting is, required, or it seems de¬
sirable to keep no record of the proceedings
in the minutes, the house usually resolves
itself into a committee of the whole, thus
preventing the committee's proceedings
from becoming a part of the minutes of the
meeting. The secretary of the house acts as
secretary of the committee of the whole.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. 69
and keeps minutes for the committee only,
but must carefully keep any proceeding be¬
fore the committee oüt of the minutes of the
meeting. Whatever the committee of the
whole reports to the house is put into the
minutes of the meeting. A majority con¬
stitutes a quorum.
When a motion to refer a matter to a
"committee of the whole" is carried, the
chairman calls some member to the chair,
who should be addressed as "chairman"
during the committee's proceedings, no mat¬
ter by what title the regular chairman is
known. The chairman of the house takes a
place as a member of the body.
The manner of business before the com¬
mittee is similar to that of the house, and
the rules of the house shall be observed in
the committee so far as they apply; but a
motion to adjourn, lay on the table, to re¬
consider, to commit, to postpone, or a ques¬
tion of privilege, cannot be received ; and
there is no limitation on debate excepting by
a special rule of the house. When the com¬
mittee is ready to report, someone moves
that the committee "rise" (which is similar
70 COMMITTEE OP THE WHOLE.
to adjourn in the house), and if the motion
is carried the chairman of the house takes
the chair and the chairman of the commits
tee takes his former place in the body and
reports the proceedings of the committee to
the house. If amendments have been re¬
ported by the committee of the whole, they
must be first taken up in the order re¬
ported; otherwise the report is subject to
the same motions as the report of any other
committee.
When the committee becomes disorderly
or it is necessary to take action that is not
within the power or authority of the com¬
mittee, it should "rise."
Forms: Member: "I move that the house
resolve itself into a committee of the whole
to consider the question."
Chairman: "It is moved that the house
do now resolve itself into a committee of
the whole to consider the question before
the house." (State the question if it is not
pending.)
Member: "I move that this committee
do now rise."
Consideration of the Question.—When a
CONSIDERATION—DISSOLVE. 71
main question is proposed, if there is doubt
as to whether it is worth taking up the time
of the meeting or there is some other good
reason why it should not be considered, any
member may have the question of its con¬
sideration determined before any further ac¬
tion is taken on it ; but not after debate has
begun nor after a subsidiary question relat¬
ing to it has been considered. Motions of
the first five ranks are the only ones that
have precedence over it. It may be made
when a member has the fioor, does not re¬
quire a second, cannot be debated, and a
two-thirds "no" vote is required to prevent
consideration of a" question. If lost, it can¬
not be reconsidered.
Forms: Member: "I raise the question
of consideration," or "I object to the con¬
sideration of the question."
Chairman: "Will the house consider the
question? Those in favor of considering the
question, say aye," etc.
Dissolve.—This motion usually is in the
form to "adjourn sine die/' although some¬
times it is in the form to "adjourn." The
motion is in order only, when the organiza-
72 EXPUNGE PROM THE RECORD.
tion has completed its work and is ready to
disband not to meet -again with the same
members, as at the end of a session of the
legislature, a political convention, or a mass-
meeting. The motion to dissolve is a main
question and debatable. The fact that it is
made in the simple form to adjourn does
not give it privileged rank. It would be
best if the chairman would put the motion
in its correct form.
Forms: Member: "I move that this meet¬
ing adjourn sine die" or "1 move that this
meeting do now dissolve."
Chairman: "It is moved that this meeting
do now dissolve."
Division of tihe Question.—See "Amend¬
ment."
Expunge from the Record.—This may be
either a main or subsidiary question and if
carried the obnoxious document is with¬
drawn or the offensive record is erased or
obliterated. In such cases it is best to paste
paper over the part of the record to be
obliterated and make an endorsement there¬
on something like this: "Expunged from
the record. May 1, 1907, John Fox, Secre-
LIMITING DEBATE, FILLING BLANKS. 73
tary." It is much better to rescind action
than to mutilate and stultify the record.
Nothing should be expunged unless it is
libelous, immoral or disloyal. Jan. 16, 1837,
the United States Senate expunged from the
record a censure passed against President
Jackson in March, 1834.
Form: "I move that (state exactly what)
be expunged from the record."
Extending Limits of Debate.^This motion
may be made when another question is be¬
fore the house, and even when another
member has the floor. It is not debatable,
may be amended as to time and requires a
two-thirds vote to carry it.
Form: "I move that the time allowed for
each speech oh the pending question be ex¬
tended to 20 minutes."
Filling Blanks.—Often resolutions are in¬
troduced or motions made with* blanks pur¬
posely left, to be filled by the house, such as
sums of money, dates, time, etc. Where sev¬
eral different amounts, or different dates, or
different extents of time, are suggested, the
chairman usually first puts the largest
amount, the most distant date, and the long-
74 FIXING TIME TO ADJOURN.
est time. There are no formal motions made,
but the members suggest what they consider
appropriate. If a formal motion were to be
entertained, each suggestion would have to
be voted upon as made, which would defeat
the object of the rule. If no motion thereto
is made, the blank is filled by the assent of
the meeting. A member who is not satisfied
with suggestions or is afraid that a wrong
one may be adopted, should make a motion
to cover his idea. It is in the nature of a
main question.
Forms: "I suggest $100."
"I propose that we fix the time at one
year."
Fixing the Time to Which to Adjourn.—
This motion has all of the characteristics of
a main question, excepting that no subsidi¬
ary question can be applied to it only to
change the time, and it is not debatable if
made when another motion is before the
meeting. If. there is no time to adjourn
fixed, the motion to fix a time may be made
at any time, even when there is another
question before the house, excepting a point
of order or an appeal therefrom. Also, it
LAY ON TABLE.
76
may be made while a member has the floor,
but it cannot interrupt the taking of a vote,
a point t)f order or an appeal. It requires a
quorum. The presiding officer should see
that this motion is not overlooked. When
there will be several sessions of an organ¬
ization, the hours of its meeting and ad¬
journing should be fixed before taking up
other business. When there is a committee
on organization, this is a part of its work.
Forms: "I move that this house convene
daily at 10 o'clock in the forenoon, take a
recess from 12 to 2, and adjourn for the day
at 5 in the afternoon."
"I move that when this meeting adjourn,
it adjourn until 10 o'clock tomorrow morn¬
ing."
Lay on the Table.—This motion, which is
neither debatable nor amendable, cannot be
made in committee of the whole, and if lost
in the house, it cannot be renewed on the
same question during the same day. A ques¬
tion tabled can be considered again only by
a motion to take off the table.
Tabling an amendment, excepting an
amendment to the minutes or the rules, car-
76
LEAVE TO SPEAK.
ries with it the main question; and tabling
a main question carries with it all pending
subsidiary questions growing out of it. The
minutes, the rules, or a report of a commit¬
tee of the whole, cannot be tabled. Laying
an appeal on the table does not take the
subject of appeal with it; nor does laying a
motion to reconsider, lay the question to
which it relates on the table.
Form: "I move that the question be laid
on the table."
Leave to Speak After Being Called to
Ord^.—This motion is not debatable, can¬
not be amended, and may be made only
when a • debatable question is before the
house. When a member becomes out of or¬
der in debate, he forfeits the floor and his
right to speak. If there is no objection, a
member may continue his speech ; but if any¬
one objects, the motion is necessary.
Forms: Chairman: "If there is no ob¬
jection, the member may finish his speech. "
Member: "I object."
Member: "I move that the gentleman be
allowed to continue his speech."
Limiting Debate.—This motion requires a
DEBATE, NOMINATIONS.
77
two-thirds afifirmative vote and is not de¬
batable when any debatable question is be¬
fore the bouse. It may come up as a main
question ; but as it abridges free speech, the
two-thirds rule applies to it.
Form : "I move that the discussion of the
question before the bouse, be limited to one
hour."
Objection to Consideration of a Question.
—See "Consideration."
Nominations.—This is similar to the mo¬
tion to fill blanks and is a main question, as
one nomination is not an amendment to an¬
other.
A fair and reasonable opportunity must
be allowed to make nominations before de¬
claring or voting them closed; and a nom¬
ination of an eligible candidate that has been
made and seconded before the voting is be¬
gun, is before the bouse, and votes cast for
such nominee must be counted. The con¬
struction that affords a member of an or¬
ganization the greater liberty in expressing
bis will or casting bis vote, is a rule of our
courts."
58. Phelps V. Piper, 48 Neb., 724 ; 67 N. W., 765.
78
ORDERS OF THE DAT.
Forms: "I nominate John Doe for chair¬
man."
"I second the nomination of John Doe."
Orders of the Day.—The order of busi¬
ness is usually fixed by a rule, and it is the
duty of the chairman to follow the calen¬
dar ; but by a motion carried by a two-thirds
vote, a matter may he set down for a par¬
ticular time when it will have precedence
of all other business. The call for the or¬
ders of the day can be made when a member
has the floor, but not so as to interrupt his
speech. It ranks seventh, and cannot have
any motion of lower rank applied to it.
When some matter has been set for a par¬
ticular hour of the day, any .member may
rise when the time comes and call the mat¬
ter up. If a special order is not taken up
when the time comes, it loses its preference.
A call for the orders of the day is not de¬
batable and does not require a second. The
chairman may proceed with the orders of
the day without motion.
Forms: Member: "I call for the orders
of the day."
Chairman: "Will the meeting now pro-
POINT OP ORDER.
79
eeed with the orders of the day? As many
as are in favor of proceeding with the or¬
ders of the day, say aye. Those opposed,
say no."
Point of Order.—This question is first in
rank and always in order, excepting that
one point of order cannot be raised upon
another. It arises from disorder in' the
house or from taking up business out of its
fixed order, or from irregularity or unlaw¬
fulness in the proceedings ; and it is not de¬
batable nor subject to any other motion
when it relates to indecorum or priority of
business, or when the previous question is
pending; otherwise the chairman may or
may not submit the question "to discussion.
One of the anomalies of rules of order is
that an appeal may be taken from the rul¬
ing of the Chair on a point of order, and
another point of order may be raised during
the appeal. However, the chair decides the
second point of order arbitrarily, from
which there is no appeal.
Standing or walking about the hall, par¬
ticularly between the Chair and the speaker,
smoking, reading papers, whispering, calling
80
POINT OF ORDER.
"question," abusive language, calling a
member by name, or using personalities, is
out of order.
The following are out of order for techni¬
cal reasons: (1), A motion that is contrary
to the laws of the state or the laws or the
rules of the organization; (2), an amend-
Lment that is not germane; (3), a motion to
postpone, to lay on the table, or to commit,
that has been lost on the same question on
the same day; (4), a motion of equal rank
with or lower rank than the one before the
house; or (5), a motion that is irrelevant.
Under any of these a point of order may be
reserved.
A point of order must be raised immedi¬
ately or else it is waived; if raised at the
proper time when it comes under the last
paragraph, the member may urge it when
he gets the floor to speak on the question.
If an intervening motion be made or an¬
other speaker begins, or any other business
is transacted before the point of order is
raised, it is too late."
' i
As every member who takes part in the
69. People t. Am. Ins., 44 How. Pr., 468
POINT OF ORDER.
81
proceedings is bound thereby unless he ob¬
jects at the proper time, this rule should
be diligently used. Also, it is the duty of
every member of a meeting to see that it is
orderly conducted and that its business is
done according to law and the rules of the
organization. However, before a member
rises to a point of order, he should know
that his point is well taken. "A riser'* is
one who frequently raises points of order
and is not sustained half the times. The
Chair has the right to speak first on an ap¬
peal on a point of order, and to give his
reasons for his rulings without leaving the
chair.
While another point of order or an ap¬
peal is before the house, or a vote is being
taken, the Chair rules peremptorily on
points of order from which there is no ap¬
peal ; but the chairman may subsequently be
called to account for an erroneous ruling
and the ruling be repudiated by the house.
When a member is called to order it is
his duty to cease speaking until it is de¬
cided whether he was out of order or not;
and if he was out of order, he forfeits the
82
POINT OP ORDER.
floor and cannot again resume his speech, if
objection be made, without leave of the
house, which he must obtain either by an
appeal from the decision of the Chair or by
a motion of another member. Usually, in
grave cases, a member who has. been de¬
clared out of order on account of disorderly
language or actions, is not allowed to re¬
sume his speech, and the Chair need not re¬
ceive a motion or allow him to proceed, un¬
less he rises to a question of privilege and
explains his words or actions. If his expla¬
nation is satisfactory, the Chair may receive
a motion and allow him to finish his speech.
A point of order arising out of a questiqn
must be settled before that question. When
a point of order has been denied for one rea¬
son, a new point of order may be raised for
another reason. For the purpose of deciding
a point of order, the chairman may refer to
books, make inquiries, or take the matter
under advisement. Decisions on points of
order are subject to re-examination and de¬
cision by the house.
If part of a motion or resolution is out of
order, it is all out of order. The Chair may
POINT OP ORDER, POSTPONE. 83
rule out of order all motions made for the
purpose of delay or to block business.
Forms: Member: "I rise to a point of
order."
Chairman : "The gentleman will state bis
point of order."
Member:' "The motion is contrary to Art.
2 of our constitution," or "The gentleman
used the words 'yellow dog,' in reference to
a member."
Chairman: "The point of order is well
taken."
Member: "I move that Brother Blank
explain bis words."
Postpone to a Certain Time.—This motion
allows debate on the question to postpone,
but does not allow debate on the main ques¬
tion. It is subject to the motion to amend
as to the time only (which is a "rank" ex¬
ception) and the other subsidiary motions
of higher rank. The previous question cuts
off debate on this motion only, when ap¬
plied to it, and does not cut off debate on
the main question.
Form: "I move that the matter be post¬
poned until the next meeting."
84 POSTPONE INDEFINITELY.
Postpone Indefinitely.—The motion to
postpone indefinitely applies only to the
main question or a question of privilege,
and was first used in the House of Repre¬
sentatives, in 1806, and has never been
adopted in England. It is debatable and in¬
cludes debate on the main question.
The object of the motion is to obtain an
advantage by getting for the opposition the
first and last speech and the affirmative'of
the vote. It isi said that the people who
favor a matter usually vote for it, and othr
ers are inclined to vote "Aye" mechanically;
also, that many who do not favor a matter,
remain silent during the vote.
The question to postpone indefinitely can¬
not be made in committee, nor amended (as
it is in its simplest form), nor have any other
debatable motion except to reconsider, ap¬
plied to it.
If the motion to postpone indefinitely is
carried, the main question cannot be taken
up again during the session, and can only
be brought up as new business on a new
motion.
If the motion to postpone indefinitely be
POSTPONE INDEFINITELY. 85
lost, the main question remains before the
house unaffected by the motion to postpone,
which cannot be renewed on the same ques¬
tion during the day. If the previous ques¬
tion be moved and carried on the question
to postpone indefinitely, it cuts off debate on
the question of postponement only ; but if it
be moved on the main question, it cuts off
debate on both the question to postpone and
the main question.
If a motion to amend the main question
be made when the question to postpone in¬
definitely is before the house, the latter is
held in ábeyance ; and if the motion to amend
prevails, the motion to postpone indefinitely
dies and the main question as amended is
put. >
After a question has been duly carried and
under authority thereof a contract is let or
other binding action taken thereon, a mo¬
tion to reconsider is out of order; and while
such motion to reconsider is so irregularly
before the house, a motion to postpone in¬
definitely is out of order and if put and
carried, the act is null and void."
60. Ashton v. Rochester, 133 N. T., 187 ; 31 N. B., 334 ;
28 Am. St. B., 619.
88 POSTPONE INDEFINITELT.
In the Bules of Order there is no motion
that has been moved from one rank to an¬
other with more violence than the motion to
postpone indefinitely. The House of Repre¬
sentatives has had it placed in three differ¬
ent ranks, and it has been placed in as
many different positions by authors and leg¬
islatures. Some of the legislatures have
entirely excluded it from the Rules.
A motion to amend is a part of the main
question and no motion can logically stand
between them. Also, a motion to indefinitely
postpone is not amendable. Therefore, it ■
should stand above motions that may be
amended.
The motion next in position to the mo¬
tion to amend, as fixed by the house and
nearly every house in the nation, is the
motion to, commit. The motion to postpone
to a certain time being nearer to the nature
of the motion to commit than the motion to
postpone indefinitely, seems to rank next.
Following this line of thought, every motion
seems to remove us a little farther away
from the main question until the motion to
postpone indefinitely becomes the most re-
POSTPONE INDEFINITELY. 87
mote of debatable questions. But an effort
has been made by most deliberative assem¬
blies to put the motion to postpone indefi¬
nitely where it will do the least harm, and
so it has been placed next to the main ques¬
tion. The motion should be suppressed as
illogical and useless. In the House of Rep¬
resentatives the motion to lay on the table
accomplishes the same result without debate,
as the House does not take a question off
the table.
Outside of Congress and the legislatures
the motion to postpone indefinitely should
rarely be used. As a society holding regu¬
lar meetings with a continually changing
membership cannot be said to have a "ses¬
sion," it cannot use the motion with its
present function. If such society wishes to
retain the motion to postpone indefinitely,
it should adopt a rule defining a "session"
of the society.
If it is deemed best to omit the motion to
postpone indefinitely, it can easily be done
by striking it out of the "Table of Motions
in Rank."" Also, it might be given some
other rank, as, for example, by making it
88 PREVIOUS QUESTION.
No. 11, instead of No. 14, and changing the
intermediate numbers accordingly.
Form : "I move that the question be in¬
definitely postponed."
Previous Question, The.—The function of
this motion is to cut off debate and bring
the house to a direct vote on the question
or questions to which it is applied; there¬
fore it applies only to debatable questions.
The previous question cannot be made in"
committee of the whole without a special
rule of the house, nor laid on the table only
with the main question, nor have the ques¬
tion of consideration or any debatable ques¬
tion applied to it; but it can be applied to
any one or several debatable questions
pending, as to postpone, to commit, to
amend, a question of privilege, an ap¬
peal, or the main question. It cuts off de¬
bate on the question or questions to which
it has been applied, and if applied to the
main question, it cuts off debate on all sub¬
sidiary questions. When applied to an ap¬
peal, it does not affect the question giving
rise to the appeal. All incidental questions
of order including appeal, are decided with-
QUESTION OF PRIVILEGE. 89
out debate while the previous question is
pending. Unfinished business with the pre¬
vious question pending, comes up just as it
was left.
The previous question cannot be amended
or debated, and requires a two-thirds vote
to carry it. If it is carried, all discussion
ceases and the question before the house is
immediately put to a vote; but if lost, de¬
bate is again in order.
Forms: Member: "I move the previous
question."
Chairman: "Shall the main question (or
amendment, to commit, to postpone, or the
question of privilege, as the case may be)
be now put?"
Questions of Privilege.—A question of
privilege growing out of a charge of dis¬
honor or dishonesty against a member of the
house, requires no second and is in order
when another member has the fioor; but it
cannot interrupt a speaker unless it is raised
as a point of order.
In the first instance a member simply
makes a statement of the matter which he
claims is a question of privilege, and the
90
READING PAPERS.
chairman makes a ruling as to whether it is
privileged, from which an appeal may be
taken. If no motion is made concerning the
matter, it is passed as a mere incident. If
the chairman rules that the matter raises a
question of privilege, a vote of censure, a
vote of confidence, or a motion to appoint a
committee to investigate and report upon
the matter, or to refer it to a standing com¬
mittee, is in order. On any of these mo¬
tions the question is debatable the same as
a main question and is subject to subsidiary
motions.
Forms: Member: "I rise to a question
of privilege of the house," or "I rise to a
question of personal privilege."
Chairman: "State the question."
Member: "It has been charged that
bribes have been used in this house," or
"I am charged" (give statement of charges),
or "In anger I said" (give exact words).
Chairman: "The matter raises a ques¬
tion of privilege."
Member: "I move that the question be
referred to the committee on grievances."
Reading of Papers.—It is the privilege of
READING PAPERS, RECALL. 91
a member to have the question read once.
Also, he may ask that a paper be read or
ask leave to read a paper bearing on the
question before the house, and if there is
objection made, a motion to grant leave is
in order. The motion cannot be amended
nor debated.
In debate a member cannot read any pa¬
per or document—^not even his own speech,
without leave.
Forms: Member: "I ask that the ques¬
tion be read;" or "I ask the privilege of
reading a communication from the Gov¬
ernor."
Chairman: "If there is no objection the
member may read the communication."
Member: "I object."
Member: "I move that leave be granted
Mr. Jones to read the communication."
Recall.—The function of this motion is to
bring back before the house a report, reso¬
lution or other matter, for the purpose of
making a correction or rescinding action. It
is a "Question of privilege of the house"
and should be in the form of an order to a
committee or a request to an independent
body.
92
RECESS, RECONSIDER.
Forms: "I move that the committee on
judiciary be ordered to return the proposed
amendment to the by-laws;" or "I move'
that the Ladies' Auxiliary be requested to
return the bill sent to it."
Recess.—This'motion is in the nature of a
motion to adjourn when the time is fixed,
and ranks with it. "When the time has not
been fixed for a recess, the motion must in¬
clude the time and it becomes a main ques¬
tion of great privilege, subject to amend¬
ment and subject to debate if there is no
other question befora the house.
Forms: "I move that the house now
take a recess."
"I move that at 12 o'clock the house take
a recess until 2 P. M."
Reconsider.—The motion to reconsider
may be made and entered in the record when
another member has the fioor, or a motion
to adjourn is pending, but it cannot be dis¬
cussed nor voted on when there is another
motion before the house. It opens the main
question to debate, if it be a debatable
question; otherwise not. Also, when debat¬
able it may be laid on the table, but it can-
RECONSIDERATION.
93
not be amended or reconsidered. A sub¬
sidiary motion must be reconsidered at
once, if at all; otherwise it would block ac¬
tion on the main question. The motion to
reconsider a main question may be made
during the day on which the original vote
was taken or on the next day, by someone
"who voted on the prevailing side. If it be
lost, the question to which it applied is en¬
tirely disposed of and not subject to any
further subsidiary motion; but if it be car¬
ried, the question is again before the house
just as it was before the vote was taken
upon it, and the question recurs immedi¬
ately upon the question reconsidered. No
question can he reconsidered a second time
nor after à right under it by contract or
otherwise has vested or it has been partly
executed."
Prom the time that a motion to reconsider
a main question is made, the main question
stands in abeyance until the motion is dis¬
posed of.
After the main question has been dis¬
ci. Ashton V. Rochester, 133 N. T., 187 ; 31 N. B., 334 ;
28 Am. St. R., 619.
94
RECONSIDERATION.
posed of, if it is desired to reconsider an
amendment, a motion must be made to re¬
consider the main question first, and if that
be carried, then a motion to reconsider the
amendment may be made ; but if the motion
to reconsider the main question be lost, a
motion to reconsider the amendment will not
be received. A motion to reconsider a vote
to commit, if carried, brings back from
the committee to the house the question com¬
mitted.
A motion that requires a two-thirds vote
to carry it cannot be reconsidered by less
than a two-thirds vote."
An ordinance passed over the' mayor's
veto cannot be reconsidered. Also, when a
motion to reconsider is made but is not fol¬
lowed by further action in regnlar order, it
dies and cannot be resurrected."
The following motions cannot be reconsid¬
ered: To adjourn, to take recess, to sus¬
pend the rules, or to reconsider.
Form: "I move to reconsider the ques¬
tion of (state it)."
62. Whitney t. Com., 69 Mich., 189: 37 N. W., 184.
63 Ashton v. Rochester, 133 N. T., 187 ; 31 N. B., 334 :
28 Am. St. R., 619.
REMIT, RESCIND, RESOLUTIONS. 95
Remit.—The motion to remit is a main
question, and applies to fines or punishment.
Remission is a bad practice unless an error
has been made in the facts, or the punish¬
ment is too severe for the offense. It has a
tendency to destroy discipline.
Form: "I move that the fine imposed
upon Brother Paul Doe he remitted."
Rescind.—After a question has been car¬
ried, which for good reasons should not
have been passed, and the time for making
a motion to reconsider has expired, a motion
to rescind is in order if such rescission will-
not impair the obligation of a contract or
interfere with a vested right. It is a main
question and should require a two-thirds
vote.
It is most frequently applied to mistakes,
postponements to a time certain, or motions
that violate the golden rule.
Forms: "I move that the resolution con¬
cerning the purchase of a hall be rescinded."
"I move to rescind the resolution censur¬
ing Brother Hugh Capet."
Resolutions.—In large conventions and
public bodies which should act with caution
96
RESOLUTIONS.
and precisión, all resolutions should be in
writing and referred to the committee on
resolutions without being read. The best
talent and learning of a deliberative body
should be on this committee. All resolu¬
tions should be preserved as referred to the
committee and if any change is necessary
the resolution should be rewritten on other
paper. The committee has no right to muti¬
late a resolution and present it as Brother
Sin's. The committee does not state who
wrote the resolutions nor what resolutions
were rejected.
When the resolutions are read, a motion
to adopt, lay on the table, reject, postpone,
or recommit, is in order.
When resolutions contain several para¬
graphs, first they are all read; then each
paragraph is read separately and considered,
amended or passed. Then the resolutions as
amended are adopted.
Form: Member: "I desire to introduce
a resolution."
Chairman : "The resolution is referred to
the committee on resolutions without read¬
ing."
RESOLUTIONS, ROLI^-CALL. 97
Report: "The Coounittee on Resolutions
reports as follo'ws:
"WHEREAS, The public press has
charged this convention with drunkenness
and disorder, etc.
"RESOLVED, That, etc.
"RESOLVED, That, etc.
JOHN SMITH,
THOMAS FOX,
MATT. JONES,
Committee. ' '
Member: "I move that the resolutions
as read (or amended) be adopted."
Roll-Call.—^When the ayes and noes are
ordered, only the. surname of each member
is called, unless there are several of the
same name, when the first name is added. If
there are several of exactly the same name,
the entire name, the address or some other
distinguishing description is added.
It requires a majority to order a roll-call,
in the absence of a law or rule to the con¬
trary, and after being ordered it cannot be
interrupted by any motion or call for the
orders of the day.
»8
ROLL-CALii, RULES.
Those who have answered "present" at
roll-call, may be allowed to vote ; but those
who have not voted nor answered "pres¬
ent" cannot vote. Everybody in the house
is required to vote on roll-call, unless the
question concerns him personally. A mem¬
ber who sits silent is marked "absent." The
general rule that a person "absent" at roll-
call cannot vote afterwards on the pending
vote, applies to the case.
Form: "I move that the vote be taken
by roll-call."
Rules, Inquiry As To.—The chairman is
presumed to know the Rules of Order gov¬
erning the house over which he presides, and
it is the privilege of a member to inquire
in a respectful manner what rule governs
in a particular matter before the house. It
must be remembered, however, that such
inquiry cannot be made for the purpose of
exposing the chairman's ignorance, nor for
the edification or instruction of the member
in an irrelevant matter. If the chairman is
not sure about the rule, it is his privilege to
inquire of members or refer to books, and
then to state the rule to the inquiring mem-
SPECIAL ORDER, SUSPENDING RULES. 9»
ber. If the chairman is not certain as to
the rule, and he desires time to examine
the matter, he may take it under advise¬
ment.
Form: Member: "Mr. Chairman, a ques¬
tion of inquiry concerning the yules."
Chairman: "State your question."
Member: "Is the question to postpone
indefinitely now in order?"
Chairman: "It is ^ot, because it was
moved this morning on this question."
Special Order.—^By a two-thirds vote a
matter may be made a special order for a
future time, and when the time arrives any
member may call the matter up and then it
will be properly before the house. If a spe¬
cial order is not taken up when it is reached,
it loses its privilege. The question is not
debatable and is in the nature of a motion
to suspend a rule.
Form: "I move that the purchase of a
hall be made a special order for 9 o'clock
tomorrow morning. ' '
Suspending the Rules.—This question is
not debatable, cannot be amended nor re¬
considered unless it is a main question, and
100 SUSPENDING RULES.
requires a two-thirds affirmative vote. It is
a main question when there is no other ques¬
tion before the house.
A body may suspend rules that it has
the power to make, but cannot suspend rules
or by-laws unless within its power to make
them, or there is provision made therein for
such suspension. However, when notice is
a personal right, the rule requiring it^ can¬
not be suspended."
The doing of a thing contrary to the rules
without objection, is virtually suspending
the rules by general consent, and nô motion
is necessary. Also, when it requires a two-
thirds vote to suspend the rules, a question
that requires only a majority vote may be
passed by a two-thirds vote, although it
would require a suspension of the rules to
take action on it at that time."
Form: "I move that Rule 3, requiring
an informal ballot, be suspended."
Take From the Table.—A motion to take.
a question from the table requires a major¬
ity vote, and cannot be debated, committed.
64. Weatherly v. Medical, 76 Ala., 567.
66. Kendall t. Board, 106 Mich., 681 ; 64 N. W., 745.
TAKE FROM TABLE, SPECIAL ORDER. 101
postponed, nor amended, and an affirmative
vote cannot be reconsidered. Its principal
use is to bring before the house business
thatshad been previously laid on the table.
A question that has been tabled cannot be
taken from the table unless some interven¬
ing business has been done. When taken
îrom the table a question comes up just as
it was laid on the table, with all pending
amendments and other subsidiary questions.
Form: "I move that we now take from
the table the question of appropriating $100
for periodicals."
Taking Up Questions t)ut of Order.—A
motion to consider à question out of its reg¬
ular order is not debatable, cannot be
amended, and requires a two-thirds affirma¬
tive vote.
The common practice is to first move that
the house take up business under a certain
head, as new business, and then make the
motion desired. The two motions may be
included in one if there is only a single mat¬
ter to be considered. Also, a motion to take
up a matter without mentioning the head
102 WITHDRAWAL OP MOTION.
under which it comes, is an adequate way
of bringing it before the house.
Forms : "I move that we pass to the head
of new business."
"I move that we now; take up the ques¬
tion of building a hall."
Withdrawal of a Motion or Appeal.—The
mover may withdraw any motion made or
appeal taken by him before it shall have
been put by the chairman; after that he
may withdraw it with consent of the house
until it shall have been amended, or decided,
or the previous question ordered, when he
loses all special privileges over it. This ap¬
plies to amendments as well as to main ques¬
tions. The motion to grant leave to with¬
draw a question is not debatable, cannot be
amended, and a majority vote is suflScient to
carry it.
Also, after a committee has made its re¬
port it may withdraw it by consent of the
house before it shall have been amended or
any other disposition has been made of it.
Form: "I move that Mr. Jones be al¬
lowed to withdraw his motion."
103
INDEX.
Absent when question Is pnt 23
"Accept," when Incorrect 60
Accounts 34
Adding, amendment hy 61
Addressing "the Chair" K!
Adjourn, motion to 46,58,71
fixing time 74
rank of motion 46
not In order, when 58
Adopting report 60
resolutions 60,96
Aliens not voters 26,27
Amend, motion to 46,60
an amendment 63,64
hv-Iaws, rules 10, 64.
Irrelevant 61
Amotion of officers 34,52
Announcing vote 24,53
Appeal 65
Apology 82
Arrest 38, 30
Assault and battery 34
Assembly, meeting 41
Authority, ruling 11
Assent, silence 21,24,31, 80,81
Ayes and noes 23
Ballot 23
easting ballot for house 23,24
Blanks, how filled 73
Board, quorum, majority 21
Books, custody, reading from 33
Business, how Introduced 41
order of 14,28
By-laws, authority of 9
amending 10, 64
suspending 10, 99
unincorporated bodies 10
Calendar 27,28,32
Call to order, house 13. 28
member 28, 79-83
Censuring members 39
Chairman, duties, powers 28-31, 53
seconding motion 31
putting the question 51, 53
electing 13
right to speak 57
amoving 34, 52
of committee 37
104
INDEX—Continaed.
refnslniir to act
adjourning meeting to other place 3d
easting the rote 24-26
keeping order In meeting 28,29
Challenge of vote 24
Change of vote 24
place of meeting 16,30
Citizenship and voting 27
Closing nominations 77
Closing debate 73, 76,88
Commit, motion to 66
amending 66,67
Committee, appointing 67,68
chairman of 37
quorum of 37
report of 35,36
discharge of 37
on credentials 14
organization 14
resolutions 14
of the whole 68
Common law 9
Communication 28,91
Congress, rules of 5,6
Consent, presumed when 31,80-81
Consideration of the question 70-71
Constitution, what Is 9
supreme law 9
Contracts, Impairing 93,95
Convention 13,14
Courts, decisions of 5,9
Credentials 14
Crimes, expulsion for 34,39
Cnshing, Luther 5,4
Date 16,19, 20
Debate, order of 54
decorum In 55,56
time allowed 54
limiting 73, 76
closing 88
when It begins 54, 55
when closed 53
Debatable questions 46
Deciding vote 53
Decisions of courts 5.6, 9
Decorum In debate 54-57
Definitions 3
Discipline 39
Dissolution 7]
105
INDEX—Continued.
Disorder 30
Disorderly words 55, 79-82
point of order 79-80
taking down 80
waiving 80
Disqualified to vote 20-27
Division, purpose of 24
when granted 24
of question 61
Documents, custody of 33
reading 33, 90-91
Ejecting member 39
Elections 13,23,24,26
Eligibility to office 27
to vote ' ■ 26, 27
Elsyng 4
Errors, correcting 24,91,95
recall to correct 91
Excused from voting 23
Explanation, personal 57, 82, 89-90
Expulsion 34, 39
Expunge from record 72
Extending debate 73
Evidence 32, 33
Felony, expelling for 34,39
Filing blanks 73
Fine, right to Impose 30
Fixing time to adjourn 74
Floor, right of 40
yielding. 40
Fraud, effect of 34
Freedom of speech 54
Gallery, clearing 28
Government 11
Guardianship 18,26,27
Hats, wearing 70
Hearing, right to 54,55
History of Rules of Order 3
House, defiued 41
of representatives 5,6
Incidental questions 48
Inconsistent motions 50
Indefinite postponement 84,86
rank of 46,86
Infants, legal disability of 18, 26, 27
Inferior law 9
authority 11
Informal procedure 12,31
Inquiry as to rules 98
106
INDBX—Oontbnied.
Insanity, legal disability 18,26,27
Instructing committee 67
Introduction of business dl
Irregularity, effect of 12
Irrelevant amendments SO, 61
motions 60,80
Jefferson, Thomas d
Journal, minutes 32,33
Judgment of court 5, 6, 0
of society tribunal 0,10,30
Lady In chair, how addressed 5S
Law governing societies 9
Lay on table 75
Leave to speak 76,82
Legal rights 39
Legality of action 9
Legislative assemblies 16
day 16
Lie on the table 76
peculiarities of 76
Limiting debate 76,77
Listed membership, quorum 21
Main question 41
peculiarities of 41,46,48
Majority, powers of 20-22
In definite membership 21,22
In Indefinite membership ,. 23
decisions of courts 20-23
Making motion 49
Mass meeting 13
Meeting defined 13,16
notice of, special 16
notice of, general 16
preliminary 13
opening 17
closing 69
changing place of 17,18
Member, duties and rights of 11,38,40
discipline of 39
fining 39
suspending 39
expelling 39
Minors not voters 26,27
may vote, by-laws 9,10,27
Minority report 36
Minutes, how kept 32,33
when part of record 33
adopting 33
errors In 33
107
INDEiX-«~Coiitlnaed«
Mistake, error 33,91,95
Modification of motion 31
Motion, defined *41
making: 49
seconding: 50
putting: 61
writing 61
debating: 62
withdrawing: 52,102
Motions, rank of 42
designation of rank 45
explanation of 42
subsidiary 47
prlviieg:ed 48
incidental 48
during debate 42,57,58
Naming members 39,55
Newspapers, reading 00,91
Nominations, making 77
Notice, time of 19,20
how served 18
mailing 18,19
waiving 18
Nullity 13
Numbering paragraphs 03
Objection, point of order 80
to consideration of question 70,71
Offenses 34-35, 79-80
Officers, title of 49, 50, 55
chairman's duties 28-31
vice-chairman's duties 1 32
secretary's duties 32-33
treasurer's duties 34
suspending 34-39
amoving 34
Order, rules of 4
form for adopting 7
point of 79
of business 14,28
special ^
Orders of the day 78
Papers, reading 00-91
leave to read 91
custody of 33
'^Parliamentary Law" 3
Penalties 39
Personal explanation 82, 89-90
privilege 37
Personalities 80
108
INDEX—Continued.
Point of order 79-82
Postpone to time certain ^
indeflniteiy 84
Practice in meetings 14-15
Precedence of motions 46
Precedent to be followed S
President, chairman 28-31
vice 32
Presiding officer 28-3
Preliminary meeting 13
Previous question 88
Principal motion 41
Priority of business 48
Privilege, question of 89-90
withdrawing a question 102
Privileged questions 48
Pro tem. officers 13, 32, 34
Program, calendar 27-28,32
Property, vested 93,95
Proxy 21,27
Punishment 39
Putting question 51
Qnallflcation for office 27
voting 26-27
ttnestion defined 41
main 41,46
of privilege 89
subsidiary 47
privileged - 48
Incidental 48
division of 61,72
amending 60-63
asking question 56, 98
putting question 51
Quorum, definite membership 21
indefinite membership 23
who may he counted 21
adjournment by less than 20, 59
hoards, committees, etc 21,37
Rank of motions 42-46
Reading Papers 55.99
leave to read 90, 91
speech 55,91
and approving minutes 22, 28,33
Recall from committee, etc 91
Receiving report 36,60
Recess 92
Recommit, motion 66,67
109
INDKX—Continued.
Reconsider, motion 92
effects of 93,94
Record, what constitutes 22, 23
conclusiveness of 22,33, 53
Recurrence 93
Refer, commit 6«
Regularity 12
Remit 95
Reports of committees 36,67,69, 97
Representatives, House of 5, 6
Rescind 95
Resolutions, committee on 14, 95, 96
report of 96,97
Rights of members 9,18,40, 41, 54, 81
officers 28, 32-34
Riots 30
Rise, motion 60
"Riser, A" 81
Roll-call 23
Routine work 31
Rules of order 4
adopting 7
suspending 10,99
amending 10, 64
appealing 10
question as to 98
Secondary questions 47
Seconding motion 50
Secretary, duties of 32-34, 51
calling meeting to order 34
putting motions 51
Serving notice 18
Session defined 15
Silence, assent 21,24,31,80-81
Smoking, out of order 79
Speaking, rules of 49,54-55
disorderly words 56, 79-80
off question 56
Special order 09
Speech, reading 55
State law 9
Stating the question 51
Statutes of state 9
Strangers In house 27
Striking out 61
Subsidiary motions 47
Substitute 61,62
Sum to put In blank 73
Suits 12
110
INDBX—Continued.
Superior iaw J
Superior authority 11
Suspension of rule »v
of member - w
Table of rank of motions
laying on ?
taking off 1®*
Taking up out of order 1®1
Time of meeting 1®
calling meeting before proper IZ
delaying meeting IZ
fixing 20
Treasurer, duties of 3d
Trial of members 30
Two-tbirds vote 42-46
ITndebatable questions 46
Unfinished business 28, 59,101
Unincorporated societies 10
Vacancy 13
Verifying vote 24
Vested rights 93-95
Vice-ebairman's duties 32
Viva voce vote 23,24
Void acts 12
Vote, bow taken 23
majority 25
announcing 24, 52
change of 24
tie vote 26,30
casting vote 30
closing debate 73,76
who may 23,26,27
Voters, who are 23,26,27
Withdrawal of motion 102
Women in the chair 55
Words, disorderly 56,80
Veas and nayes 23
Yielding floor 40
PB-l092-ll^î•5B
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