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MRS. ELIZABETH STRONG-TRACY 
 
®ijf Ollub linman B 3vxmh 
 
 An analysis of Parliamentary Law, with 
 explanations, clear and compre- 
 hensive, 
 
 BY 
 
 Parliamentarian of 
 
 The Texas Woman's Press Association, 
 
 The Fourth District Federation of Clubs, 
 
 AND 
 
 State Superintendent of Parliamentary 
 Law of the Woman's Christian Tem- 
 perance Union. 
 
 Published by J. V. Dealy Co. 
 Houston, Texas. 
 
X 
 
 (^^ 
 
 i 
 
 x-< 
 
 Copyrighted 1909 
 
 BY 
 
 ELIZABETH STROKG-TRACY 
 
 Received from 
 
 Ccpyri-nt O^PJca. 
 JUN 7 1910 
 
 PRESS OF 
 
 J. V. DkalyCo. 
 
TO 
 
 THE WOMEN OF TEXAS, 
 
 Especially those of my Houston friends to 
 
 whose sympathy and encouragement I 
 
 am indebted for the inspiration 
 
 that has resulted in the publica- 
 
 cation of this book. 
 
 E. S.-T. 
 Houston, Texas. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Preface. 
 
 Introduction. 
 
 Parliamentary Law, its History. 
 
 Organization: Complete. 
 
 Constitution — its meaning. 
 
 Introduction of Business. 
 
 General Classification of Motions. 
 
 Motions and Their Order of Precedence. 
 
 Committees, and Informal Action. 
 
 Debate and Decorum. 
 
 Vote. 
 
 The Officers and Minutes. 
 
 Miscellaneous Information. 
 
 Organization and Meetings. 
 
 Officers and Committees. 
 
 Introduction of Business. 
 
 Motions Classified According to their 
 
 Object. 
 Additional Miscellaneous. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 I have written this book to comply with 
 a request of a number of my pupils, and 
 the desire of all to have a book containing 
 explanations of each motion and question 
 as given in class. If the study of this sub- 
 ject is pursued in the right manner, it is 
 never uninteresting, and with proper di- 
 rection will be the origin of most gratify- 
 ing results. There is, so far as I know, no 
 subject that requires the help of an experi- 
 enced teacher more than that of parlia-^ 
 mentary law. The student may take up 
 the manuals of Robert, Reed or Gushing, 
 read and re-read, but without the key to 
 unlock what to the uninitiated is a "com- 
 plicated labyrinth of mystery," will make 
 sm.all advance and become discouraged; 
 this key one who has devoted years to the 
 systematic study of the question, and had 
 a varied experience and some practice, is 
 prepared to furnish. 
 
 "An important point to be considered in 
 the method of instruction is to be able to in- 
 
spire confidence in the minds of those you 
 wish to influence in their ability to master 
 any science, however difficult. The stu- 
 dent must not be discouraged if qualifica- 
 tions she does not possess are pictured.'' 
 In this twentieth century, with all aids ac- 
 cessible, even to the humblest — free 
 schools, free libraries, free literature, free 
 lectures, and a free mind — it is possible to 
 attain to anything one may desire. **It 
 cannot be too deeply impressed upon the 
 mind, that application is the price to be 
 paid for mental acquisitions, and that it is 
 as absurd to expect them without it, as it 
 is to hope for a harvest where we have 
 not sown the seed. In everything we do, 
 we may possibly be laying the train of 
 consequences, the operation of which may 
 only terminate with our existence." In the 
 discharge of my duties as teacher of par- 
 liamentary law, I have frequently felt the 
 need of a more comprehensive, clear and 
 complete elucidation of the subject than 
 I was able to find, and so while studying, I 
 have written out for the benefit of my 
 classes thoughts upon each motion and 
 
question that made them clearer to me, 
 until I have, I believe, compiled a book 
 that may be used in schools and colleges 
 as a text-book. Knowledge (in use) is pow- 
 er. There is nothing like keeping your 
 knowledge in good working order, for you 
 can't tell just when you will need it, and 
 when you do, you'll need it badly. Nega- 
 tive: I think I'll do; positive: I will do. 
 I am indebted to men for my knowledge 
 of this educational feature, and for all au- 
 thorities upon written laws. These au- 
 thorities are, first, ''The Great Ruler of 
 the Universe," ''The Great Legislator, 
 Moses," who prepared himself for his 
 great work pondering for forty years upon 
 the problem of ''Eternal Justice;" Lycur- 
 gus, Draco, Solon, Justinian, Napoleon, 
 Myers' General History, Blackstone, Mon- 
 tesquieu, Jefferson, Gushing, Robert, Reed, 
 Palmer and Howe. It is well for us to 
 becom.e possessed of the truth proclaimed 
 by Drummond that, "No department of 
 knowledge ever contributes to another 
 without receiving its own with usury," and 
 thus I have found this department of par- 
 
liamentary law contributing to self-posses- 
 sion, self-control, self-reliance, stabilit}^ of 
 character, mental poise and charitabla 
 feeling. 
 
 Thomas Jefferson, speaking of parlia- 
 mentary law, says : 
 
 ''For some of the most familiar forms, 
 no written authority is or can be quoted; 
 no writer having supposed it necessary to 
 repeat what all are presumed to know. 
 Much is left to the intelligence of the peo- 
 ple. The proceedings of Parliament in an- 
 cient times, and for a long while, were 
 crude, multiform and embarrassing. They 
 have been, however, constantly advancing 
 toward uniformity and accuracy, and have 
 now attained a degree of aptitude to their 
 object, beyond which little is to be desired 
 or expected." 
 
 Parliamentary law derives its authority 
 from the common usage and acceptance of 
 assemblies; just as international law de- 
 rives its authority from the customs of 
 nations; just as the English common law- 
 derives its authority from immemorial 
 custom and universal usage of a people. 
 
CLASS TALK. 
 
 The aim of the author is to so explain 
 each motion that it may be understood 
 hy itself, and also in its relation to other 
 motions. The vast number of societies, 
 educational, literary, religious, philan- 
 thropic and social, among women, has 
 made it necessary that they should become 
 possessed with the idea of the importance 
 of any knowledge that fits them, not only 
 for official position, but also for member- 
 ship. A capable woman who understands 
 the needs of the organization to which she 
 belongs, and has a ready knowledge of 
 parliamentary law, is equipped for all oc- 
 casions, and is a power wherever she may 
 be, oftentimes greater than that of "the 
 platform," even though she be on the 
 *'f!oor of the house." All organizations 
 that are not legislative are deliberative in 
 character, and have followed the rules and 
 customs of our own legislative bodies, and 
 our people have been thus educated under 
 a system of parliamentary law which is 
 
11 
 
 peculiar to this country, and yet is so well 
 established as to supersede the English 
 parliamentary law as the common law of 
 ordinary deliberative assemblies. The 
 rules of each congress, and of State legis- 
 latures, are changed to meet the exigencies 
 of the case, and are adapted to their own 
 peculiar needs, being of no force whatever 
 in ordinary assemblies ; but, upon all great 
 parliamentary questions, such as, "what 
 motions can be made? what is their order 
 of precedence? which can be debated? 
 what is their effect upon the main ques- 
 tion?" the common parliamentary law of 
 the land is settled by the practice of the 
 United States House of Representatives. 
 To avoid the serious difficulties always 
 arising for lack of definiteness in the law, 
 "Rules of Order" must be adopted by each 
 assemblj^ The protection of parliamentary 
 law is needed only when the rules adopted 
 b}^ the assembly are not sufficient, or are 
 set at naught. Robert says : "All rules of 
 parliamentary proceeding are founded on 
 reason, tested and approved by experience. 
 
12 
 
 and where this seems not to be true, you 
 are at fault, not parliamentary law." 
 
 Montesquieu, in 'The Spirit of Laws," 
 says: 'The fundamental idea of all the 
 study and research during all the centuries 
 of governments, customs, manners and 
 rules, seems to have been the attempt to 
 find those common principles of law oper- 
 ating upon every degree of civilization that 
 would produce the best results, and afford 
 a scientific explanation of what without 
 their aid would seem to be chaotic and in- 
 explicable. He rejoiced to find in the na- 
 ture of things the explanation of so many 
 different laws and customs." ''Every per- 
 son who joins a society, by that act agreesi 
 to be bound by the unwritten law govern- 
 ing such society, as well as to abide by the 
 written constitution, by-laws, and rules of 
 order. Every assembly meets with this 
 implied understanding. This is the under- 
 lying spirit of all organizations," While it 
 is an established principle in this demo- 
 cratic country that majorities shall rule, 
 yet it would be evidently unfair to compel 
 a minority to submit to a decision to which 
 
IS 
 
 they are totally opposed, without showing 
 them a way out of the difficulty. This the 
 general rules of parliamentary law does; 
 and this book embodies them all. 
 
 For this reason explanations are given 
 demonstrating the power and authority of 
 every rule. Gladstone says: 'It is the 
 purpose of all law to make it hard to do 
 wrong, and easy to do right" — hence the 
 necessity of the knowledge of the estab- 
 lished rules of procedure. It must be borne 
 in mind that all manuals, such as Robert^ 
 Reed, Howe, and others, contain only what 
 is called common parliamentary law, and 
 is in every society modified or controlled 
 by special rules ; it submits itself by volun- 
 tary assent to the ordinary rules of parlia- 
 mentary practice, and whenever by mis- 
 take, or by voluntary assent, those rules 
 are departed from, such mistake or de- 
 parture does not vitiate the fair expres- 
 sion of the will of the assembly that has 
 been reached. 
 
 The judgment, opinion, sense or will of 
 a deliberative body, is expressed according 
 to the nature of the subject, either by reso- 
 
14 
 
 lution or motion, order or vote. When it 
 commands, it is an order; but facts, prin- 
 ciples, its own opinions or purposes, are 
 more properly expressed in the form of 
 a resolution, which is the same as motion, 
 the only difference being in the form of 
 presentation. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 PARLIAMENTARY USAGE— ITS USE 
 AND NEED. 
 
 Parliamentary law is usually regarded 
 among women as a complicated labyrinth of 
 myster}', into which only a few may enter. 
 This is not so. The general principles and 
 effects of the rules governing all organizations 
 have been made so intelligible and presented 
 in such a manner that they are easily com- 
 prehended, and have been proved to be of great 
 practical use and value. The knowledge of 
 parliamentary law is a necessity to any one 
 who wishes to become a helpful and valuable 
 acquisition to a society. There is no subject of 
 which ignorance may entail such disastrous 
 consequences, and it is safe to say there are 
 few upon which ignorance is more general. 
 
 Most of us can remember some occasion 
 when we would have given anything within our 
 power to have known just how to manage some 
 point of parliamentary law. How often has 
 our uncertainty lost us an advantage, or left 
 
16 
 
 US to maintain an unequal contest with one 
 whose knowledge was more complete, or who 
 was more masterful and self-possessed. A per- 
 ion who is ignorant of the effect certain par- 
 liamentar}^ motions have upon the main ques- 
 tion is at the mercy of one who is familiar with 
 them, and it is not to be wondered at that 
 iuch an one should upon occasion take advan- 
 tage of the situation. You can never become 
 skilled by now and then attending a meeting 
 or convention; there must be frequent prac- 
 tice, as well as systematic study, so you can 
 realize the importance of practicing these rules 
 and laws at all of your meetings. 
 
 Parliamentary law is a shelter, as well as a 
 defense. One feels a power, a security, when 
 back of them are written laws that have the 
 prestige of established authority. We are some- 
 times led by caprice, humor or ambition to for- 
 get even the law of friendship. It is the tran- 
 fiition in manners and customs during the last 
 half century that has revolutionized society, and 
 developed a need for written laws that must 
 come in to assist in maintaining our mental 
 poise. These established customs have been 
 tested for centuries, and have been proved to 
 
17 
 
 be the best that could have been devised for 
 the purpose. When women from all parts of 
 the world and from every walk of life; enthu- 
 siastic, emotional women, who each have an 
 opinion upon the "Question Before the House/' 
 and who wish to express it all at the same time, 
 the need, or, rather, necessity, for these laws, as 
 well as for rules and regulations which each 
 society has a right to adopt for its own govern- 
 ment, has been found to be compulsory; that 
 our meetings may be conducted with promptness 
 and without friction. These laws and rules ex- 
 ist for your benefit; to secure to you a refined 
 meeting where the utmost harmony must pre- 
 vail, in order that business may be conducted 
 with expedition and in a dignified and orderly 
 manner. They also provide a convenient means 
 of ascertaining the wishes of members and exe- 
 cuting their will, which is expressed by the 
 vote. These parliamentary laws secure economy 
 of time and efficiency of government. Every 
 proposition stated can be supported by abun- 
 dant authority. Accuracy of information is in- 
 dispensable in law ; although very perplexing at 
 first, if the subject is presented in an intelli- 
 gent manner it is readily comprehended. "The 
 
18 
 
 science of law can not remain content with a 
 pnre and simple description of unconnected 
 facts. It requires explanations of the reasons 
 why'^ such parliamentary motions are necessary, 
 or the effects they will have upon the principal 
 motion after it becomes "The Main Question Be- 
 fore the House/^ In this way we arrive at a 
 conclusion that determines the vote. If the 
 majority think the same way, the motion is 
 adopted; if not, it is rejected. At times the 
 situation even in a woman's club becomes acute, 
 and demands heroic treatment. It is then that 
 the member who knows the exact dose to apply 
 and the effect it will have will be able to con- 
 trol it. Preference should be given to those 
 motions that involve the least friction among 
 members. It is here that wisdom and tact are 
 most worthy of consideration, and will meet 
 with unanimous approval. 
 
 Tact is a combination of quiclmess, firmness, 
 readiness, good temper and facility. It never 
 offends, never excites jealousy, never provokes 
 rivalry, never treads on other people's toes. 
 Sometimes the greatest tact is exemplified by 
 silence. A tactful person will Imow when argu- 
 ment has gone far enough. All your forces of 
 
19 
 
 intelligence, judgment and persuasion are 
 called into service at the bidding of tact. In 
 the fewest possible words it is, a nice perception 
 of what is required by circumstances. Judg- 
 ment is the result of knowledge. We must be 
 prepared for emergencies, for the "psychologi- 
 cal moment" that may come at any time, when 
 knowledge and wisdom and tact are our only 
 helps. "Knowledge and wisdom, far from be- 
 ing one, have ofttimes no connection. Knowl- 
 edge dwells in heads, replete with the 
 thoughts of other men. Wisdom, in minds at- 
 tentive to their own. Knowledge, a rude, un- 
 profitable mass, the mere material with which 
 wisdom builds. Till smoothed, and squared, 
 and fitted to its place, does but encumber whom 
 it seems to enrich. Knowledge is proud that 
 lie has learned so much; wisdom is humble that 
 she knows no more." — Cowper. 
 
 "Every organization meets with the implied 
 understanding that it will be governed and con- 
 trolled by the usual custom applicable to such 
 organizations, and these customs are called 
 general parliamentary law." — Reed. Every per- 
 son present is expected to be obedient to them. 
 There must be uniformity of practice so that the 
 
20 
 
 proceedings may be conducted in a dignified and 
 orderly manner; that harmonious action may 
 be taken both to ascertain and carry out the 
 will of the assembly. While it is true that an 
 assembly has the right to make the rules that 
 shall determine its own action for the time be- 
 ing, it is also true that such rules are sub- 
 ject to change by majority vote at any meet- 
 ing, hence experience has shown the necessity 
 for written laws of a permanent nature, appli- 
 cable to all societies alike, that shall govern 
 the society in all cases when these rules they 
 have adopted will not answer the purpose de- 
 sired. The unwritten will of the people, as x- 
 pressed by usage long continued and uniform, is 
 called common law, and has a force as binding 
 on the individual as the written will expressed in 
 legislative enactments — that is the statutory 
 law. The sanction of parliamentary law, the 
 thing that gives it binding force, is general 
 usage; what the experience of assemblies has 
 found to be expedient. 
 
 "Parliamentary law as it now exists has its 
 origin in the Parliament of England. Before 
 the time when Jefferson wrote his 'Manual.^ 
 American parliamentary law was for the most 
 
21 
 
 part an agg'lomeration of English precedents, 
 which were reverenced because they were pre- 
 cedents, and not because they were examples of 
 proper methods of conducting business." Dick- 
 ens says in his book, "The Tale of Two Cities/' 
 in speaking of England: "The country often 
 did disinherit her sons for suggesting improve- 
 ments in customs and laws that had long been 
 highly objectionable, but were only the more 
 respectable." (I have sometimes thought that 
 some women have inherited this notion, judg- 
 ing from the way they cling to old prejudices 
 and struggle against any change, however bene- 
 ficial.) 
 
 Mr. Jefferson, in 1840, speaking of his Man- 
 ual, said : "I have begun a sketch which those 
 that come after me will successively correct and 
 fill up, till a code of rules shall be formed, the 
 effect of which may be accuracy in business, 
 economy of time, uniformity of proceeding, and 
 impartiality." 
 
 One of the ablest speakers in the House of 
 Commons, Mr. Onslow, has said: "The rules 
 of proceeding instituted by our ancestors oper- 
 ate as a check and control on the actions of 
 the majority and were in many instances a 
 
22 
 
 shelter and protection to the minority against 
 the attempts of power." Then, again, history 
 shows that a talented, educated minority, versed 
 in the rules governing deliberative assembles, is 
 more than a match for an ignorant, talentless 
 majority. An object lesson has come in our 
 own time, although in this case both sides 
 were educated and talented, but it demonstrates 
 the power of parliamentary law. Mr. Reed, 
 while speaker of the House of Representatives, 
 because of his thorough knowledge of parlia- 
 mentary law and its adaptions to the needs of 
 the hour, scored a great triumph, by which he 
 will be remembered, for by his action he dem- 
 onstrated the power of the majority to rule 
 when acting along the lines of reason, fair- 
 ness and justice. "A series of circumstances 
 prior to 1890 occurred to make the House of 
 Representatives the most unwieldly parliamen- 
 tary body in the world. The last revision of the 
 rules had been made by distinguished men of 
 both parties, but all animated, for different rea- 
 sons then existing, by a desire that the minor- 
 ity should have great power. By these rules, 
 adopted by the Forty-sixth Congress, the power 
 was really made absolute. The motions to 'Ad- 
 
23 
 
 joiirn/ to Tix the day of Adjournment/ and to 
 take a ^Recess' being in order at all times^ consti- 
 tuted a barrier by which three resolute men could 
 stop all public business^ and one-fifth of the 
 House, owing to the right to call the 'Ayes 
 and Nays/ could with ease use up three hours 
 of public time by the employment of as many 
 minutes. One member could move a 'Recess,' 
 one to 'Fix Time to Adjourn/ and the third to 
 'Adjourn/ and demand the 'Yeas and I^ays' on 
 each, each taking up three-quarters of an hour. 
 With the time usually wasted on amendmeirtS to 
 two of these motions, the three hours would go on 
 and at the end the motions could be renewed and 
 another three hours destroyed, and so on until 
 the majority, tired out, would surrender. In 
 short, every road was blocked. In the Fifty-first 
 Congress this was changed. Reed became speak- 
 er. The motions to adjourn, to fix time for ad- 
 journment, and to take a recess were sent back 
 to their positions under general parliamentary 
 law. A rule was adopted, which was also a re- 
 turn to general parliamentary law, that the 
 speaker should entertain no dilatory motion. 
 "Vfhich meant that the processes of the House in- 
 tended to transact business should not be used 
 
24 
 
 to prevent business." "The great intellects of 
 the world have recognized the importance of at- 
 tending carefnlly to what some might consider 
 the small things of life/' as it is the neglect of 
 these in man}^ cases that has caused much dif- 
 ficulty. 
 
 Every assembly meets with the understanding 
 that it wdll be governed and controlled by some 
 laws, rules and customs, such as those laid 
 down by Eobert, Gushing, Eeed and others. 
 These laws, etc., rightly understood and adhered 
 to, help one to build up the law "within. We 
 need aid to self-government and self-control. 
 "The downfall of every great empire can be 
 traced to its violations of the laws of justice 
 and right." "Law is still the largest, rich- 
 est and surest source of human knowledge," and 
 we all comprehend the fact that "knowledge in 
 use is power. It is indeed that which, next to 
 virtue, truly and essentially raises one man 
 above another." "All writers upon parliamen- 
 tary law seem fond of quoting this saying of 
 HatselFs : '^It is much more material that there 
 should be a rule to go by than what that rule 
 is.' While this is doubtless true, the progress 
 which deliberative bodies have made during the 
 
25 
 
 l^ast centuries in their methods oi procedure^ 
 phiinly shows that tvhat the rules are is consid- 
 ered important.-' 
 
 A distinguished writer in parliamentary law 
 says : "The great purpose of all forms and rules 
 is to subserve the will of the assembly rather 
 than to restrain it ; to facilitate and not obstruct 
 the expression of their deliberative sense." 
 Many movements connected with education, civ- 
 ics and other forms of human progress have 
 made such an increase in public assemblies, es- 
 pecially among women, that there is more need 
 of written rules that the assembly may proceed 
 in orderly fashion, with as little discord and jar 
 as possible, and accomplish the work to be per- 
 formed, until a system has been evolved which 
 will appeal to the good sense of all, and also be 
 the experience of those w^ho have had occasion 
 to become versed in the practice. 
 
 "Woman's increasing activity in literary mat- 
 ters and great reforms obliges her to acquire a 
 knowledge of parliamentary methods. Among 
 her needs are self-confidence, self-possession, 
 clearness and precision. Familiarity with the 
 rules of public assemblies will aid her to that 
 confidence. Xo rules, however, will take the 
 
26 
 
 place of tact and common sense^ but it is safest 
 to require tliat the forms of parliamentary law 
 be observed^ as in tliem are embodied all the 
 rules of good breeding, politeness^ Christian 
 courtesy and justice to all/^ 
 
 Parliamentary law is not a series of arbi- 
 trary rnles^ but a plain^ consistent system 
 fomided on common sense and sanctioned by the 
 experience of mankind. ^^Whatever is thought 
 over by large numbers of intelligent people gets 
 infiltrated with the common sense of the many 
 and becomes adapted to their wants and needs/^ 
 "This system has grown out of the necessities 
 of the case and has become the governing law, 
 confidently appealed to by each member of a 
 deliberative body, and a presiding officer should 
 have a knowledge of these laws and sufficient 
 good sense to know when to press a rule and 
 when to let common consent have its way." 
 "The conduct of an assembly depends much 
 more upon the conduct of its presiding officer 
 than upon any other condition, or perhaps upon 
 all other conditions combined. It is the consen- 
 sus of opinion of many intelligent observers that 
 the more intelligent the assembly the worse it 
 behaves under a bad presiding officer.'^ You 
 
27 
 
 will sometimes^ perhaps^ be subjected to the 
 most lamentable instances of the mismanage- 
 ment of affairs, and the necessity of established 
 laws that are as unalterable as the legendary 
 laws of the Medes and Persians will present 
 themselves to you as never before. Laws are 
 made for the advantage of the many, not to con- 
 fer special privileges upon the few. Many of 
 our women fail to realize the importance of a 
 knowledge of parliamentary law until some 
 event occurs of a most disastrous nature, with 
 which they find themselves totally unable to 
 grapple, and which proves to them the value of 
 its possession. Men do not find the subject be- 
 neath their notice, and to this, in a great meas- 
 ure, is due their — as a rule — superior mental 
 training. It is a well-kno\ni fact that the study 
 of law, like mathematics, makes the mind strong 
 and systematic. We must remember that to 
 men has been given the training of the ages; to 
 women that of not half a century. If we find 
 a woman who has realized the importance of 
 the study and has taken advantage of her oppor- 
 tunities to perfect herself in it, we give her 
 credit, as she deserves, but we must also remem- 
 ber that we are indebted to men for all law. 
 
28 
 
 and that while in some cases we think we might 
 have improved npon them, "men have proved 
 themselves greater than the laws they have 
 made, and have from monarch to peasant been 
 23roiid to lay their best at the feet of some wom- 
 an.'^ Law must become the habit of life. This 
 is a wonderful word; analyze it. Habit. — Take 
 away the h and yon have a hit left; take away 
 the b and yon have it left; take away the i and 
 it is not t-totally nsed np then. 
 
 So it is with habits. They cling to ns and 
 form onr character; they become our natural 
 conduct, a law of our being, a kind of second 
 nature that grows up within us. So you see the 
 importance of good laws, rules and regulations. 
 "Until a man has become a law unto himself 
 he is not of much value to the rest of the 
 world.^^ 
 
 Human nature is too imperfect to be trusted 
 with absolute power; where this is given or 
 taken it results in tyranny. A wise person will 
 profit by the experience of others. All questions 
 that are not settled by intelligence will be set- 
 tled by ignorance, and this is not to be com- 
 mended in whatever state we find it. As we are 
 all possible presidents, it may not be out of or- 
 
29 
 
 der to mention here the duties and qualifica- 
 tions necessary for such officer. ''To serve suc- 
 cessfully as a presiding officer a person sliould 
 become familiar with parliamentary law and 
 cheerfully set the example of conformity to 
 its requirements. She should be of good 
 presence^ good voice, of much firmness and 
 good temper. A woman unfitted for the 
 position does herself and the organization 
 she represents great injuctice by accepting 
 the office of president.'' But there is no 
 valid reason why women today should be ignor- 
 ant of the laws governing deliberative bodies. 
 Physical culture and elocution are aids if any 
 are required to good presence and voice. In 
 fact, a woman may be whatever she has the im- 
 pulse or power to become. The women of the 
 twentieth century have no excuse for ignorance 
 upon questions that experience has proved to be 
 of so great value, not only in regulating, but a 
 powerful instrument in producing the mighty 
 civilization of the world. "She must write its 
 pages with a record of progress, improvement 
 and achievement thus far unequalled in the 
 world's history." To be able to diffuse a gener- 
 ous spirit throughout the assembly and yet to 
 
30 
 
 decide all questions impartially should be her 
 aim. "The creation of a healthy sentiment 
 among the members is as important for success 
 as the law of politeness is necessary to the com- 
 fort and well being of the commimity/' With 
 an efficient woman in the chair there will be no 
 difficulty in preserving order in a well-disposed 
 assembly. A writer of authority says : "To an 
 enlargement of mind capable of embracing the 
 most comprehensive subjects must be added the 
 faculty of descending with precision to the most 
 minute.^^ "A lack of promptness, clear percep- 
 tion and self-possession is soon discovered, and 
 the results are disastrous to good order." "While 
 promptness is greatly to be desired, it is unwise 
 to jump at conclusions, and when a presiding 
 officer imds she has erred in a decision, it is far 
 better to frankly acknowledge the error than to 
 persist in maintaining it." "When an active 
 member of an organization is made president 
 she retains all the rights of membership, in- 
 cluding the legal right, when not occupying the 
 chair, to make motions, move amendments and 
 take part in debate or discussion. But it is not 
 considered good form for her to speak for or 
 against any question before the meeting, and 
 
31 
 
 what is even more important is any evidence of 
 lack of judgment and tact on her part. Such a 
 course greatly lessens her usefulness and in- 
 fluence. She is expected to be the judge, not an 
 attorney for either side; to see what the law 
 is, and that it is justly administered. As soon 
 as she leaves the chair to speak on either side, 
 the other side at once loses confidence in her 
 ability to rule impartially and fairly on the par- 
 ticular question under discussion. Persistence 
 in this course on the part of the presiding of- 
 ficer gradually undermines and must eventually 
 destroy the confidence of the members in her.'' 
 "If this is true in the case of debate or dis- 
 cussion, it is much more improper for her to 
 make motions or move amendments. Take no- 
 tice, there is another viewpoint. Where ethical 
 truths, constitutional principles or vital ques- 
 tions are at stake, then an able president with 
 the courage of her convictions should choose loss 
 of power, resignation or even expulsion from of- 
 fice rather than fail to do all in her power for 
 the right and best interest of the organization. 
 However, the better plan is in such a case to 
 personally enlist one or more members who will 
 organize and conduct the campaign on the floor 
 
32 
 
 in lier place. A presiding officer to be efficient 
 must not only be impartial as between individ- 
 uals, but must appear so. A few months in the 
 chair tends to make a president impartial, and 
 all its influences to keep her in a judicial frame 
 of mind. Participation in the rough and tum- 
 ble of debate has just the opposite effect. De- 
 bate often produces hard feelings, gives rise to 
 sharp expressions and even to personal enmities. 
 I^one of these things tends to individual respect 
 or esteem. In addition, the position of presid- 
 ing officer is one of great power. The president 
 can not when she takes the floor divest herself 
 of that power and influence as a representative 
 of the whole body. You can readily see that 
 it would be unfair for her to take sides in a 
 debate. She should treat all members as equals 
 of each other and of herself, and should decline 
 all personal disputes. The rights of each mem- 
 ber are based upon the doctrine of equality with 
 every other member. She has therefore a right 
 to present her propositions and to debate them 
 fully. But as the right of each member leaves 
 off where the rights of others begin, there must 
 be a mutual forbearance between each member 
 and the assembly." There is no place save in 
 
33 
 
 the home circle in which good nature and a 
 courteous bearing toward associates is so much 
 needed as in a deliberative assembly. She who 
 knows her rights and is able to maintain them, 
 yet with imiform politeness, having the altruis- 
 tic principle, is the model parliamentarian. "x\ 
 popular member and speaker is one who keeps 
 quiet unless she has something new and impor- 
 tant to say, who comes to the point at once and 
 stops when she has said enough.'' Some people 
 do not know enough to stop even when they have 
 gotten through. She does not antagonize unnec- 
 essarily, does not exhibit too much fervor, and 
 yet is not prosy, does not let proceedings drag 
 for want of some one to offer or second motions 
 when needed. 
 
 We must not make a fetich of parliamentary 
 law, must not be too exacting in having laws en- 
 forced, neither be too lax. There is more dan- 
 ger, I think, of our being too careless rather 
 than too careful. "A good parliamentarian, 
 while always in order herself, does not make too 
 much of mere form, but does her part to make 
 the business run smooth, rapid and satisfactory. 
 In fact, she does the right thing, at the right 
 time, in the right way. Constant care as to 
 
34 
 
 what, when and how is a sure secret of success. 
 It is the duty of each member to maintain or- 
 der. When a point of order is raised, only those 
 should speak whose advice is asked by the chair." 
 "Ill-advised efforts to assist the chair in main- 
 taining order only adds to the confusion." 
 
CLASS ADDRESS 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 PARLIAMENTAEY PRACTICE. 
 
 It is necessary that we have an intelligent 
 understanding of the events that gave birth to 
 the system of parliamentary law if one wishes 
 to fully comprehend its importance, and we 
 must be made aware of the circumstances that 
 have contributed to the formation and original 
 nature of law, and this we can not do without 
 knowing something of the changes it has un- 
 dergone. 
 
 "Law has been gradually extending through 
 every department of knowledge." (I am quot- 
 ing from Henry Drummond.) "The natural law 
 has been discovered even in the spiritual world; 
 and has been both defined and applied." 
 
 The reign of law was never more to the an- 
 cients than a far-off vision. With Copernicus, 
 Galileo and Kepler, the first regular lines of 
 the universe began to be discovered. The dis- 
 covery of gravitation by Newton was another 
 demonstration that law was a fact. The pursuit 
 
36 
 
 of law became the passion of science. Wliat 
 the discovery of law has done for nature it is 
 impossible to estimate, and it can do much for 
 us if we give it an opportunity. 
 
 In these laws one stands face to face with 
 truth, solid and unchangeable. The laws of na- 
 ture are simply statements of the orderly con- 
 ditions of things. "Order was God's first law.'^ 
 
 The history of parliamentary law goes back 
 to very early times. It may be defined as that 
 system of rules prescribed by the usage of as- 
 semblies for their guidance in the transaction 
 of such business as may come before them. 
 
 It may not be uninteresting to you to follow 
 me in viewing some of the beginnings of the 
 people's awakening to the necessity of written 
 law, as no one can realize the remarkable 
 changes they have undergone and what has 
 led to them without a knowledge of their his- 
 tory. 
 
 Myers: It has been truly said that "One of 
 the most fascinating studies of recent growth 
 is that which reveals to us the beliefs and cus- 
 toms of our Aryan forefathers, in which we 
 discover the germs of many of the institutions 
 of the classic Greeks and Eomans, and to trace 
 
37 
 
 the origin of their senates and the national par- 
 liaments of later times." 
 
 The laws and customs of the Spartans have 
 excited more interest perhaps than any similar 
 institutions of the ancient world. A mystery 
 and halo were thrown about them by their being 
 attributed to the creative genius of a single law- 
 giver, LycLirgus, who lived about the ninth cen- 
 tury. He acquainted himself with the laws and 
 customs of different lands, studied with great 
 zeal the laws of Minos, the legendary lawgiver 
 of the Cretans. Like the great legislator, Moses, 
 he became learned in all the wisdom of the 
 Egyptians. After much opposition a system of 
 law^s and regulations drawn up by Lycurgus 
 was adonted by the Spartan people, then, bind- 
 ing his countrymen by a solemn oath that they 
 would carefully observe his laws during his ab- 
 sence, he set out to consult the Oracle at Delphi. 
 In response to his inquiry, the oracle assured 
 him that Sparta would endure and prosper so 
 long as the people obeyed the laws he had given 
 them. Lycurgus caused this message to be car- 
 ried to his countrymen, and then, that they 
 might rem^ain bound by the oath they had taken, 
 
he resolved never to return^ and went into an 
 unknown exile. 
 
 It is a proverb that ^^constitutions grow, and 
 are not made/^ "Circnmstances were the real 
 creators of all laws and institutions; nor were 
 they the creations of an hour, the fruit of a 
 happy inspiration. All the events of early con- 
 quests, the toil, danger and hardships which the 
 Dorian warriors endured in the subjugation of 
 the land, the prudence and watchfulness nec- 
 essary to the maintaining themselves as con- 
 querors, helped to determine the unusual and 
 harsh character of the laws and regulations of 
 the Spartan state. The work of Lycurgus was 
 not that of a new creation. Back of him lay a 
 long period of growth and development. His 
 labor was that of a wise and far-seeing states- 
 man, whose work it was to modify and shape al- 
 ready existing habits and customs into rule and 
 law; to make additions and improvements; to 
 anticipate growing tastes and tendencies. The 
 very fact that the legislation of Lycurgus was 
 adopted and became the system of a state shows 
 that it must have been simply the outgrowth 
 of customs and regulations already familiar, 
 and consequently acceptable to at least a large 
 
39 
 
 party among the Spartans; the legend symbol- 
 izes the inviolability of the constitution. Three 
 lands claim to hold his clnst^ and the Spartans 
 in after years perpetuated his memory and their 
 own gratitude by temples and sacrifices in Jiis 
 honor. 
 
 "That the Spartan constitution was admirably 
 adapted to the rearing of a nation of skillful 
 and resolute warriors^ the long military suprem- 
 acy of Greece abundantly attests; but when we 
 consider the aim and object of the Spartan in- 
 stitutions we must pronounce them low and im- 
 worthy. Government exists for the individual. 
 At Sparta the individual lived for the state. The 
 body is intended to be the instrument of the 
 mind. The Spartans reversed this order and at- 
 tended to the education of the mind only so far 
 as its development enhanced the effectiveness of 
 the body as a weapon of warfare. Spartan his- 
 tory teaches how easy it is for a nation, like 
 the individual, to misdirect its energies, to sub- 
 ordinate the higher to the lower. It illustrates, 
 too, the fact that only those nations that labor 
 to develop that which is best and highest in 
 man make helpful contributions to the progress 
 of the world. Sparta, in significant contrast to 
 
40 
 
 Athens, bequeathed nothing of value to poster- 
 ity. During the Heroic Age Athens was ruled 
 by kings like all other Grecian cities. Throngh- 
 out these early times the common people had 
 no part in the management of public affairs. 
 As they grew in intelligence and wealth, how- 
 ever, they naturally aspired to a place in the 
 government. Therefore, because of their 
 wretched economic condition, as well as because 
 of their exclusion from the government, the com- 
 moners were filled with bitterness against the 
 nobles and were ready for revolution. To meet 
 the demands of the people the nobles appointed 
 one of their own number, Draco, to remodel the 
 constitution and draw up a code of laws. Tra- 
 dition says that this legislator assigned to the 
 least ofiense the death penalty. The severity 
 of these laws made them so hated that they were 
 said to have been written ^not in ink, but in 
 blood.' Draco, an Athenian lawgiver, ^ and 
 Archon, one of the chief magistrates, nine in 
 number, who had charge of religious and civil 
 customs in ancient Athens, was the author of the 
 first written code of laws which resulted in the 
 establishment of a court of appeals ; that of the 
 Ephatrae. 
 
41 
 
 FIRST COURT OF APPEALS. 
 
 Deut. 17 : 8-9. 
 
 The pinciple of appeal was recognized by the 
 Mosaic law in the establishment of a central 
 court "under the presidency of the judge or ruler 
 for the time being, before which all cases too 
 difficult for the local courts were to be tried. 
 According to the above regulations, the appeal 
 lay in the time of the Judges — to the judge — ■ 
 Judges 4 : 5 — and under the monarchy, to the 
 king, who deputized certain persons to inquire 
 into the facts in the case, and record his decision 
 thereon. 2nd Sam. 15 : 3. Deborah, wife of 
 Lapidoth, was judge at this time. 
 
 Jehosaphat delegated his judicial authority 
 to a court permanently established for the pur- 
 pose. 2nd Chron. 19 : 8. 
 
 These courts were re-established by Ezra, 7: 
 25. 
 
 After the institution of the Sanhedrin tlie 
 final appeal lay to them. St. Paul, as a Roman 
 citizen, exercised a right of appeal from the ju- 
 risdiction of the local court at Jerusalem to 
 the emperor. Acts 25: 11. Since the proced- 
 ure in the Jewish courts at that period was of a 
 
42 
 
 mixed and imdefiiied character^ St. Paul availed 
 himself of his undoubted privilege to be tried 
 by the pure Eoman lav/. Moses^ as you know, is 
 called the great law giver. He was ^^educated 
 in all the wisdom of the Egyptians^ and became 
 mighty in word and deed.'' "Up to this time 
 he v/as considered an Egyptian ; but the time at 
 last arrived when he resolved to claim his na- 
 tionality; this was brought about by seeing one 
 of his countrymen, an Israelite, suffering the 
 bastinado from an Egyptian, and, thinking they 
 were alone, he slew the Egyptian and buried his 
 corpse in the sand; as he was going about the 
 next day he met two Israelites who were quarrel- 
 ing with each other; he interfered and endeav- 
 ored to reconcile them ; upon which one of them 
 rudely asked him what he wanted, and whether 
 he intended to kill either of them as he had the 
 Egyptian the day before. Moses felt it neces- 
 sary to flee the country. 
 
 It was this event that sent him into the 
 desert, where amid the solitude he was free, 
 while his mind was creative and at its best, to 
 ponder upon the eternal laws of justice and 
 right, government and education, took their rise 
 in his single brain ; and the common v/ealth today 
 
43 
 
 rests upon foundations reared by this jurist of 
 the desert; and when he had achieved freedom 
 for his people he led them into the desert and 
 taught them the principles of law, liberty and 
 government." 
 
 The sixth and seventh centuries constitute a 
 period sociologically by the incarnation of 
 Christ in the Eoman code of Justinian, the 
 cornerstone of our '^common law" and of our 
 civilization. That code, like the later ones of 
 Charlemagne and Alfred, began with the Deca- 
 logue, to which our politics owes allegiance l^e- 
 cause it is a part of our common law. 
 
 "Nations like men have their mission ; Eome's 
 mission was to give laws to the world." This 
 was accomplished by the Emperor Justinian, 
 who caused a revision and compressed collec- 
 tion of all the laws, opinions and decisions of 
 the most eminent of the old Roman jurists and 
 lawyers to be made. The "Body of the Roman 
 Law," thus preserved and transmitted, was the 
 great contribution of the Latin intellect to civ- 
 ilization. It has exerted a profound influence 
 upon all the law systems of Europe. "The re- 
 ligion of Judea, the arts of Greece, and the laws 
 
44 
 
 of Eome are three ver}^ real and potent elements 
 in modern civilization." 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte also caused the laws of 
 France to be revised and harmonized, producing 
 the celebrated "Code Napoleon/^ a work that is 
 not unworthy of comparison with the Corpus Ju- 
 ris Civilis of the Emperor Justinian. It swept 
 away iniquitous, oppressive customs, and is to- 
 day the framework of law in France, Holland, 
 Belgium, Western Germany, Switzerland and 
 Italy. "Had Napoleon done nothing else save 
 to give this code to Europe he would have con- 
 ferred an inestimable benefit on mankind.^' 
 
 "Historians trace the beginning of the Senates 
 of Greece and Eome, and the national parlia- 
 ments of later times, to the X^ouncils of Elders' 
 around the village patriarch. Social life had ad- 
 vanced to that stage where the family was the 
 unit of society. The father was the priest and 
 absolute monarch of his house. The families 
 w^ere united to form village commimities, ruled 
 by a chief or patriarch, assisted by the 'Council 
 of Elders.' The old Roman Senate was an as- 
 sembly of citizens distinguished by birth, dig- 
 nities, wealth and influence, who were invested 
 with a share in the government, more often 
 
45 
 
 elected or appointed from among the nobles hav- 
 ing supreme legislative authority and to whom 
 was entrusted the execution and control of af- 
 fairs." These Senators wore a long, loose gar- 
 ment called a toga, from which fashion comes 
 the robe of black silk worn by our Supreme 
 Court Judges while on the bench. Self-control 
 is said to be the true senatorial toga — the badge 
 of the dignity it covers. 
 
 The word '^ermine," applied to the judicial 
 office, comes from the cleanly characteristics of 
 a small animal by that name which would die 
 rather than permit its snowy whiteness stained 
 by the least impurity, and so the man who as- 
 sumes the office of a judge was in olden times 
 supposed to be far above the corrupting in- 
 fluences which so often overcome and pervert the 
 good intentions of the average specimen of ge- 
 nus homo. 
 
 In the "Last Days of Pompeii" we read of the 
 Temple of Jupiter, the Senator's Hall of meet- 
 ing, where the magistrates administered what 
 they called justice, a very different thing from 
 what is termed justice today. The inhabitants 
 of Pompeii who were saved declared that it was 
 because of "the presence of Christians in the city 
 
46 
 
 that it was destroyed by the earthquake." They 
 declared Christians to be the enemies of man- 
 kind and declared them to be the incendiaries 
 who bnrnt Eome nnder Nero^ sayings "Woe to 
 ■QS if these fellows are to give the law to so- 
 ciety/^ I am telling you this to draw your at- 
 tention to the great changes that have taken 
 place in public opinion during the centuries, and 
 that these changes for the benefit of mankind 
 have been brought about by the very people 
 who were accused of being the authors of the 
 most dire calamities, the followers of the meek 
 and lowly Jesus, and to prove to you that 
 obedience to acknowledged authority of laws 
 both natural and spiritual will bring forth hap- 
 piness and security. 
 
 China and Eg}^pt are said to be the oldest 
 civilizations of the world. "The Emperor of 
 China dare not rule tyrannically; he must rule 
 justly and in accordance with established rules 
 and ancient laws and customs." One of these 
 ancient laws reads thuswise : "Honor thy father 
 and thy mother that thy days may be long in 
 the land." The Chinese claim that they took 
 this law from the moral system of Confuscius, 
 
47 
 
 which makes filial obedience and a conformit}^ 
 to ancient customs primary virtues. 
 
 China is the oldest nation upon the earth that 
 is still a reigning power, and stands a living 
 monument of obedience to law^ It has exalted 
 family life among them, and has given won- 
 derful stability to Chinese society. Chinese chil- 
 dren are said to be the most obedient and rever- 
 ential to parents of any children in the universe. 
 But along with much good, great evil has come 
 from this blind, servile following of the past. 
 In doing this, they have failed to keep up with 
 the march of civilization. They have no orig- 
 inality; are mere imitators, and are making 
 very little progress. Their fixed and established 
 customs have a near resemblance to laws, but 
 are not the work of legislators. They may be 
 likened to the traditions, manners and customs 
 that have bound the minds of the majority of 
 our women as with bands of iron, like the great 
 wall surrounding China, preventing progress 
 among them in some most important directions 
 for ages. Women have been hedged about ever 
 since the creation of mankind by restricting cus- 
 toms. 
 
 Another example of filial obedience that had 
 
48 
 
 the approval of and was rewarded by the Great 
 Euler of the Universe is recounted in the thirty- 
 fifth chapter of Jeremiah : The Lord told the 
 proj)het Jeremiah to "Go unto the honse of the 
 Eechabites and speak nnto them, and bring them 
 into the house of the Lord ; and give them wine 
 to drink." The prophet did as the Lord com- 
 manded; I use his phrasing, "And I set before 
 the sons of the house of the Eechabites pots full 
 of wine and cups, and I said unto them, Drink 
 ye wine. But they said. We will drink no wine, 
 for Jonadab, our father, commanded us, saying. 
 Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your 
 sons, forever; thus have we obeyed our father 
 and done all that our father commanded us." 
 "And the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, 
 spake to these men. Because ye have obeyed the 
 commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept 
 all his precepts and done according unto all 
 that he hath commanded you, therefore Jonadab 
 shall not want a man to stand before me for- 
 ever.^' Obedience to law always brings its own 
 reward. 
 
 Law is called the first of human sciences. The 
 whole universe would be chaos were it not for 
 law. Justinian reduces the whole doctrine of 
 
49 
 
 law to three principles: "Live honestly; hurt 
 nobody; and give to every man his just dues.'' 
 The general principles of parliamentary law 
 requires that an assembly should reach its de- 
 cisions on matters that come before it in the or- 
 der prescribed by their introduction, after full 
 debate and amendment, in accordance with es- 
 tablished rules, and these requirements are of 
 such importance that unless two-thirds of the 
 members desire it they can not be permitted to 
 disregard or alter them. 
 
 ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The object which a body of people has in 
 view, when it assembles for the purpose of or- 
 ganization, is to provide itself with means 
 whereby it may express its opinions, facilitate 
 and control its actions, and thereby accomplish 
 the purpose of the meeting. Whatever these may 
 be, the purposes can only be effected by ascer- 
 taining the sense or will of those forming it. 
 in reference to the several subjects submitted 
 to it, and by embodying that sense or will in an 
 intelligible, authentic and authoritative form. 
 The organization must therefore be adapted to 
 the nature of the work to be done. 
 
50 
 
 Before entering upon the subject of the forms 
 and rules of proceeding in the transaction ot 
 business^ it is necessary to consider certain 
 matters of a preliminary nature which are more 
 or less essential to the regularity^ dispatch and 
 efficiency of proceedings. 
 
 In order that intelligent and effective expres- 
 sion may be given to the duties and usages of 
 deliberative assemblies^ it is important, in the 
 first place, that the assembly should be properly 
 constituted, so that it may be laiown who has 
 the right to participate in the proceedings, and, 
 secondly, there should be certain rules estab- 
 lished for the proper conduct of business. If all 
 the proceedings met with the approval or disap- 
 proval of members, and could be decided by 
 vote, yes or no, there would be small need 
 for rules, but this is not the case; there are 
 many propositions made that can not be dis- 
 posed of in this way. 
 
 When a subject is proposed the assembly may 
 be unwilling to consider it, or act upon it at all, 
 or it may wish to postpone the act, or, if acted 
 upon, may wish to reconsider the vote, hence the 
 need of established rules of procedure, which 
 
51 
 
 are denominated parliamentary^ meaning cor- 
 rect. 
 
 Organization is of two kinds, temporary and 
 permanent. At the appointed time the one who 
 has sent out the call for a meeting rises and 
 calls to order. She is presumed to know more 
 about the object for which the call was made 
 and states it, and announces: "We are now 
 ready for organization." Some one rises and 
 moves that "Mrs. A. act as chairman of this 
 meeting." This must be seconded. If Mrs. A. 
 is the one who has called the meeting to order, 
 the mover of the motion puts it to vote, as fol- 
 lows : "It has been moved and seconded that 
 Mrs. A. act as chairman of this meeting. All 
 those in favor say, 'Aye.' " xA.fter the vote is 
 taken : "Those opposed say, 'Xo,' " announcing 
 the result. 
 
 Courtesy demands that under some conditions 
 a negative vote should not be called for. For 
 instance, a motion for a vote of thanks to some 
 one present. The elected chairman takes the 
 chair and says : "The first business in order is 
 the election of a secretary." Any one may nom- 
 inate. The election then proceeds, as in the case 
 of the chairman. These are the only officers 
 
52 
 
 needed in a temporary organization. The chair 
 announces that: "We are now ready for busi- 
 ness. What is the pleasure of the assembly.'^ 
 A member rises^ addresses the chair as '"jiadam 
 Chairman/" and waits for recognition. After ob- 
 taining the floor she says : "I move that a com- 
 mittee of three be appointed to draft a constitu- 
 tion and by-laws." This must be seconded. The 
 chair says : "It has been moved and seconded 
 that a committee of three be appointed to draft 
 a constitution and by-laws; how shall the com- 
 mittee be appointed?'^ 
 
 The response by the members is^ "By the 
 chair/^ usually ; sometimes the chair asks the as- 
 sembly to nominate^ and they are elected viva 
 voce. This is the only business transacted at this 
 first meeting. The time and place of nexti 
 meeting must be arranged for. A motion to ad-' 
 journ is then made. The person making this- 
 motion must "obtain the floor/' and it must bei 
 seconded; stated by the chair; put to vote as; 
 any other motion^ and the result announced be-: 
 fore a meeting is adjourned. 
 
53 
 
 SECOND MEETING. 
 
 . Only those who intend to join should be pres- 
 ent. Chairman and secretary in their respective 
 places. Chairman, standing, calls to order, and 
 says: "We will now hear the reading of the 
 minutes." The secretary reads the minutes of 
 last meeting. Chairman always stands when 
 putting a motion or speaking, unless upon oc- 
 casion from some physical disability. "You have 
 heard the reading of the minutes. Are there 
 any corrections? If not, they stand approved." 
 If there are corrections, they are made when the 
 chair asks the question. 
 
 Never use the word objections wiien you mean 
 corrections, for no one has a right to object to 
 the minutes as read. 
 
 Eobert, p. 27 — "After approval, without re- 
 consideration, it is in order at any future time 
 for the society to further correct them, regard- 
 less of the time that has elapsed, and the num- 
 ber of times they have already been amended.'' 
 
 The minutes should be written out from the 
 original notes, and read at the next meeting 
 for correction and adoption before being copied 
 into the record book. The minutes must always 
 
54 
 
 be signed by the person who took them either as 
 
 Miss or Mrs. , Secretary, or Secretary pro 
 
 tern. 
 
 Chairman : "The next business in order is the 
 report of the committee on constitution and by- 
 laws/"^ 
 
 When a committee that has been appointed to 
 prepare a constitution and by-laws is ready to 
 report, a written report should be made as fol- 
 lows : 
 
 "Yonr committee appointed to prepare a con- 
 stitution and by-laws would respectfully submit 
 the following report, which they believe covers 
 every point necessary for the proper conduct of 
 any business that may be brought before this 
 Ksociety and would recommend that they be 
 adopted as the constitution and by-laws of this 
 organization/^ The president then asks : "What 
 will you do with the report of the committee?" 
 A member gains the floor and moves that the 
 report of the committee be accepted, and the 
 constitution and by-laws reported by the com- 
 mittee be adopted as the governing power of this 
 society, after such amendments as may be found 
 necessary to meet the wishes of two-thirds of 
 the members. This must be seconded. 
 
55 
 
 The presiding officer then says: '^^You have 
 heard the motion (repeating it). The question 
 is on the adoption of the constitution and by- 
 laws reported by the committee^ and it will now 
 be read by articles and sections, and amend- 
 ments to each are in order, and may be adopt- 
 ed when read." The chairman (receiving a 
 nod from the chair) will then read the first ar- 
 ticle, pausing. Chair: "Are any amendments 
 proposed to this article?" After a pause, if 
 no amendment is made, the sections are read, and 
 so on through the whole constitution, opportu- 
 nity being given for amendment of each. After 
 the reading and consideration seriatim has l)een 
 completed, the chair says: "The entire consti-" 
 tution, having been read and amended (if any), 
 it is now open for further amendment." 
 
 At this point amendments may ])e offered to 
 any part of the constitution, but they can not 
 be applied so as to destroy the effect of any pre- 
 vious amendment; the adoption of an amend- 
 ment being a decision by the society that such 
 portion as amended shall stand as a part of the 
 constitution finally offered for adoption, and 
 this decision can not "be changed by subsequent 
 amendment, but by reconsideration of the vote." 
 
56 
 
 that made the amendment a part of the consti- 
 tution. After fnll amendment, the chair asks : 
 "Are you ready for the question?" Pausing a 
 moment. Members respond, "Question !" The 
 chair puts the motion : "Those in favor of the 
 adoption of this constitution as the governing 
 power of this society say, ^Aye/ contrary, ^No/ 
 announcing the result. 
 
 Chairman : "Tlie constitution having been 
 adopted, it will be necessary for all who wish 
 to become members to sign the constitution, pay 
 initiation fee, if any, and dues. "Those who sign 
 the constitution at this meeting are called Char- 
 ter Members. If those who desire to become 
 members can not be present at this initial meet- 
 ing, their names may be signed at their request, 
 and they become charter members. It is custo- 
 mary to have a recess at this time, and the chair 
 can ask some one to make such motion. After 
 the constitution has been signed the meeting is 
 called to order, and chairman says : "The busi- 
 ness next in order is the adoption of the by- 
 laws.'' Only those can vote who have signed the 
 constitution. 
 
 It is not necessary for subsequent members to 
 sign the constitution, they, by the act of join- 
 
57 
 
 ing, pledged themselves to uphold the society 
 in every way. The by-laws are read one by one 
 and treated in the same way as the constitution. 
 Chairman : "The business next in order is 
 the election of the permanent officers of this so- 
 ciety (see elections on page 135). domina- 
 tions are now in order." The constitution should 
 direct how nominations should be made and 
 should be followed. As soon as the permanent 
 officers are elected they take the place of the tem- 
 porary officers. The one who has acted as chair- 
 man may be the choice for president and the sec- 
 retary pro tem. may be elected as recording sec- 
 retary. A corresponding secretary and a treas- 
 urer are now necessary. (It is never a good 
 plan to have these offices combined in one per- 
 son.) Some organizations elect a vice-president 
 at large, or from one to three vice-presidents, or 
 the president may appoint her vice-president at 
 large. If the society is one that expects to own 
 real estate, it should be incorporated accordiiig 
 to the laws of the State in which it is situated. 
 A lawyer should be consulted for this purpose. 
 The organization being now completed, it is 
 ready for business and should at once enter 
 upon its duties. 
 
58 
 
 I^OMINATION NOT ACCEPTED. 
 
 When a member is nominated from the floor 
 and does not wish to accept, the correct form 
 of conveying this intelligence to the person nom- 
 inating her, and to the assembly, is as follows : 
 (Obtaining the floor.) "Madam President, I 
 will be obliged to decline the nomination,'^ stat- 
 ing the reason therefor briefly, thanking the 
 member for the courtesy and requesting that the 
 nomination be withdrawn. Chairman: "Yon 
 
 have heard the request of Mrs. for the 
 
 withdrawal of her nomination; will Mrs. Blank 
 withdraw the nomination?" 
 
 If the reasons given are considered good and 
 sufficient, the mover may, with the consent of 
 her second, withdraw the nomination, but is not 
 compelled to do so. This is in cases where the 
 custom prevails of seconding nominations — 
 which is not necessary — but, being custom, 
 is the unwritten law of the assembly. Nomina- 
 tion by ballot causes the least friction and is 
 acknowledged to be the most satisfactory 
 method. 
 
59 
 
 BALLOT CAST BY SECEETARY. 
 
 When a motion to make the election of a can- 
 didate unanimous, and that the secretary be re- 
 quested to cast the ballot for the assembly elect- 
 ing Mrs. as president, or to other office, 
 
 it must be understood to be only a motion as to 
 how the ballot shall be cast, this must be sec- 
 onded, and the chair must allow the assembly 
 to vote upon it the same as any other motion, as 
 all may not be in favor of this method of elec- 
 tion. It can not be done if there is one dissent- 
 ing voice, for the motion was to have it unani- 
 mous. 
 
 There is, however, no valid reason why this 
 should not be done, as the majority have already 
 expressed themselves in nomination, and majori- 
 ties must rule in this democratic republic. This 
 method saves time, and is the expressed opinion 
 of the assembly. 
 
 I.NCOEEECT FOEM OF EFFUSING A 
 NOMINATION. 
 
 Madam President: "I wish to resign my 
 nomination in favor of Mrs. (another candi- 
 date.)'' This is in direct opposition to parlia- 
 
60 
 
 mentary usage; to the rights of the assembly, 
 and unjust to the member who has honored the 
 lady with her preference. A nomination can not 
 be resigned; the correct word to use is decline. 
 
 ]^o one can decline in ''favor' of another, as 
 no one has a right to give away the vote of an- 
 other. The persons who voted for the first named 
 might be directly opposed to the second. 
 
 Parliamentary terms and forms should al- 
 ways be used, as this is correct speech. 
 
 "In a sense there is nothing in all the great 
 rmiverse but law. It is a rule of action pre- 
 scribed by superior power which the inferior is 
 bound to obey. Law is the perfection of reason, 
 and that which is not reason is not law." — ■ 
 Blackstone. 
 
 In the phrase of Montesquieu and Dunlop : 
 "The substance of any science consists of certain 
 elementary rules or first principles which, as 
 they are generally the pure dictates of reason, 
 and short and simple in their phraseology, find 
 an easy access to the mind. These rules are' 
 necessarily numerous, and with their exceptions 
 constitute the entire learning of any science." 
 
 "A settled rule of action, a governing law of 
 conduct, an opinion or belief which exercises a 
 
61 
 
 directing influence on the life and behavior — 
 our principles — glide almost imperceptibly into 
 the mind, and, once settled in the memory be- 
 cause fully comprehended, is not liable to for- 
 sake us; hence the rules which have been re- 
 peatedly tested by reason and successfully ap- 
 plied to an infinite variety of cases, and finally 
 adopted as principles, have a particular conge- 
 niality with the mind and are welcomed to the 
 memory as the offspring of causes, reasons, 
 powers and laws/' 
 
 "We must realize the fact that there exists 
 within us fo7' our development the germ of every 
 greatness and the seed of every transcendent 
 power; that the only limit to what we may be is 
 what we ivill to he." "What we do is transacted 
 on a stage of which all the world are spectators. 
 What we say is transmitted in echoes that never 
 cease. What we are is influencing and acting on 
 the rest of mankind." 
 
 "ISTeutral we can not be; living we act and 
 dead we speak." 
 
 "Every day is a fresh beginning, 
 
 Every day is the world made new; 
 You who are weary of sorrow and sinning. 
 Here is a beautiful hope for you ; 
 A hope for me and a hope for you." 
 
62 
 
 HOW TO MANAGE THE PRINCIPAL MO- 
 TION. 
 
 My object is to so interpret the rules of gen- 
 eral parliamentary law in sncli a way that the 
 system may be readily comprehended by those 
 who may be called upon to 'preside over meetings 
 of deliberative bodies^ and by those who take 
 part in the proceedings. Every member of an 
 organization should understand this system. As 
 we are all possible presidents^ the importance 
 of this training can be readily seen. All busi- 
 ness must be brought before an assembly by a 
 motion; this motion is called the principal mo- 
 tion^ because of its importance, as no business 
 can be entertained unless introduced by a prin- 
 cipal motion, and to distinguish it from other 
 motions that do not introduce business, but re- 
 late to the manner by which it shall be dis- 
 posed of. 
 
 Motion in a parliamentary sense, is a desire 
 or wish to make a proposal or proposition. 
 
 A motion that has been made, seconded and 
 stated by the chair becomes the main question 
 before the house, and is said to be pending, as 
 it is awaiting the decision of the assembly. 
 
63 
 
 Business must be brought before the society 
 by a member. Even the presiding officer must 
 not present business for a non-member for ac- 
 tioUj as this would confer upon outsiders the 
 attributes of membership and would be unfair 
 to members. She may state the matter if re- 
 quested^ but if a majority of the members pres- 
 ent are opposed to any action being taken it can 
 not be done. 
 
 ITS OBJECT. 
 
 These laws are for the general advantage, 
 and for this reason are binding upon every indi- 
 vidual, as such regulations are absolutely essen- 
 tial to the existence and well being of any or- 
 ganization. ''All law arose from necessity, and 
 became the custom and habit of the people, and 
 was handed down by tradition and practice, 
 and, having become venerated by long use, has 
 become the fixed law of the land." 
 
 ''Common law derives its force and authority 
 from the universal consent and practice of the 
 people. Never having received the sanction of 
 the legislature by an express act, it is the un- 
 ivritten law/' "having been used so long that the 
 mind of man runneth not to the contrary,'' has 
 
gained the force of law. That which is com- 
 mon to the whole comitry. 
 
 "The will of the people as it is gathered from 
 long-established custom and from the expression 
 of legislative power has gradually formed a sys- 
 tem^ just, because it is the deliberate will of a 
 free people; stable, because it is the growth of 
 centuries; progressive, because it is amenable 
 to the constant revision of the people/* 
 
 This is parliamentary law as used in all de- 
 liberative bodies. 
 
 CONSTITUTION^. 
 
 ''What is iJie object of a constitution? It is 
 to guard the rights and liberties of members, and 
 to point out their rights and privileges; pre- 
 scribes the power and duties of officers, and 
 places needed restraints upon members. All 
 members have equal rights, and in joining a so- 
 ciety thereby pledge themselves to abide by these 
 provisions, which have been agreed upon by all, 
 at its organization, when its constitution was 
 adopted.^^ 
 
 ''What is a constitution? It is a fundamental 
 law upon which an organization stands. The 
 foundation of a house represents the constitu- 
 
65 
 
 tion ; the by-laws are represented by the internal 
 arrangements. If the foundation is imdermined 
 the structure will fall; hence the constitution 
 can not be suspended even by unanimous vote, 
 or consent, as the society would by that act be- 
 dissolved/^ 
 
 WHAT CONTAINED IN CONSTITUTION". 
 
 Art. 1. Name. 
 
 Art. 2. Object. 
 
 Art. 3. Membership. 
 
 Art. 4. Officers and Duties. 
 
 Art. 5. Management. 
 
 Art. 6. Elections and Nominations. 
 
 Art. 7. Dues. 
 
 Art. 8. Quorum. 
 
 Art. 9. Amendments. 
 
 The Constitution contains only that which is 
 essential to permanent organization and should 
 be amended only when notice of the proposed 
 amendment is given a certain definite period' 
 prior to a quarterly or annual meeting. 
 
 The by-laws should include additional rules, 
 not so important as to be part of the consti- 
 tution, yet of so much consequence that no sin- 
 
66 
 
 gle meeting should have the power to change 
 them. 
 
 It requires a two-thirds vote to amend either 
 constitution or by-laws. 
 
 As it is desirable that all should become fa- 
 miliar with parliamentary laws^ it is well to put 
 them in practise by adopting as few special 
 rules as practicable and consistent with the ob- 
 jects of the society. 
 
 The manner of conducting business should 
 be left to "Eules of Order.'' 
 
 STAKDIXG RULES. 
 
 In addition to the constitution, by-laws and 
 rules of order, there are standing rules. These 
 may be adopted by majority vote at any meet- 
 ing. After adoption they can not be modified 
 at the same session except by a reconsideration. 
 At any future session they may be suspended, 
 modified or rescinded. 
 
 They are also called special rules and are of 
 the highest authority. These may be adopted 
 like ordinary motions without previous notice, 
 but must never conflict with the constitution, 
 by-laws or rules of order. 
 
67 
 
 Reed is my authority for the statement that 
 you will find that no set of rules is perfectly 
 adapted to every organization. After expe- 
 rience modifications are most always found to be 
 necessary, and these the assembly are compe- 
 tent to make. Such changes may be made by 
 a majority, even if the rules already adopted 
 provide that two-thirds or any larger number 
 alone can make the changes. The assembly can 
 not deprive itself of the power to direct its 
 method of doing business. It is like a woman 
 promising herself that she will not change her 
 mind, and you can see at a glance how per- 
 fectly absurd that would be. "By unanimous 
 consent, an assembly may do anything it is com- 
 petent to do, and that notwithstanding any rule, 
 of regulation, or provision of parliamentary law 
 to the contrary." 
 
 Under some circumstances it may seem ad- 
 visable to take some action which, while desir- 
 able in this particular instance, is contrary to 
 the established rules of the assembly. In such 
 case the conflicting rule may be suspended and 
 the proposed action taken. This applies only 
 to standing rules and rules of order. 
 
68 
 
 Unless the rules themselves provide for their 
 own suspension they can be suspended by unani- 
 mous consent only. If suspension is provided 
 for it must be by a two-thirds majority^ and 
 for a definite purpose, for rules would have 
 no permanency, if a bare majority could change 
 them at will. 
 
 SUSPE^TSIOX OF EULES. 
 
 It is necessary that the question of suspen- 
 sion of rules when raised should be disposed of 
 at once and finally by a direct vote upon it. 
 
 It can not be reconsidered, nor can any sub- 
 sidiary motion be applied to it, since if it were 
 permitted to be postponed, or committed, it 
 would leave the question out of which the sus- 
 pension arose unsettled during the time of post- 
 ponement, or commitment. 
 
 Can not be debated, as the propriety should 
 be evident without debate. 
 
 If lost, this motion can not be renewed at 
 the same meeting, but may be made at another 
 meeting, even if occurring on the same day. 
 
69 
 
 The constitution and by-laws can not be sus- 
 pended even by unanimous consent. 
 
 "It is a fundamental principle of parliamen- 
 tary law that a decision, direct or implied, upon 
 any matter, when once made, shall not be dis- 
 turbed, and no motion or amendment, already 
 voted upon, can be again brought up at the 
 same session, trusting that a different decision 
 may be rendered. Endless confusion would re- 
 sult, if every matter once decided could be 
 called up again, by any member, who was dissat- 
 isfied with the former decision.^' 
 
 "The code of parliamentary procedure is a 
 valuable aid in the dispatch of business; but it 
 must be understood that the constitution, by- 
 laws and rules of order adopted by a delibera- 
 tive body contain all the law governing them.'' 
 
 PRESENTING BUSINESS. 
 
 The member wishing to present business, or 
 speak, must rise, address the chair, as Madam 
 President, and wait to be recognized. This is: 
 Obtaining the floor, i. e., the right to speak to 
 the whole house, unless you wait to be recog- 
 nized by the chair, another person rising, ad- 
 
70 
 
 dressing the chair, and, waiting, might be rec- 
 ognized, and yon would lose your chance. No 
 one has a right to interrupt a member while 
 speaking, unless by a ^^point of order,'' "ques- 
 tion of privilege," "order of the day," "par- 
 liamentary inquiry" or to "reconsider a vote 
 to be placed upon the minutes." These are all 
 "privileged motions," as they can interrupt a 
 speaker and one is not obliged to "gain the 
 floor," but rise, saying, "I rise to a point of or- 
 der," or as the case may be. 
 
 When a member has "gained the floor" she 
 states the motion. This must be seconded, to 
 show that more than one person is in favor of 
 it. Seconding a motion does not require ob- 
 taining the floor, or even rising, unless in a 
 large assembly to prevent a non-member who 
 has no right taking part in the proceedings. No 
 attention is paid to a motion that is not sec- 
 onded. 
 
 It must now be stated verbatim by the 
 chair and is ready for discussion. Opportunity 
 must always be given for discussion, as during 
 the progress of debate upon the subject it may 
 become apparent that a decision upon it in its 
 present form is not desirable, or it may be 
 
71 
 
 thought best not to consider it at all; to post- 
 pone it to some future time ; or to refer it to a 
 committee for more careful attention ; or it may 
 be found necessary to amend it^ in order that 
 it ma}^ meet the views of a majority of mem- 
 bers; the motions called "subsidiary" are used 
 for this purpose; they take precedence of the 
 "main question/' because they directly concern 
 it, and are applied to it for the purpose of 
 most appropriately disposing of it by obtaining 
 in various ways the opinion of the assembly 
 by other means than by adoption or rejection, 
 yes or no. 
 
 A motion is said to be pending when it is 
 made, seconded and stated by the chair, and is 
 awaiting the decision of the assembly. If an 
 amendment is made, it is said to be "imme- 
 diately pending," as it must be decided first. 
 
 "While motion and resolution mean the same 
 thing, it would be impossible to present some 
 propositions in the simple form "^I move.' Mo- 
 tions in parliamentary practice consist of pro- 
 posals made or propositions offered. These 
 words are from the Latin verb proponere, mean- 
 ing ^to set forth,^ and as here compared they 
 mark different forms or stages of a negotiation. 
 
72 
 
 A proposition is something presented for discus- 
 sion or consideration. A proposal is some def- 
 inite thing offered by one party to be accepted 
 or rejected by the other^ as, for instance, a pro- 
 posal of marriage. If the proposition is favor- 
 ably received it is usually followed by a pro- 
 posal that completes the arrangement." — Gush- 
 ing. 
 
 When any proposition is made to a delibera- 
 tive body it is called a motion. When it is stated 
 for acceptance or rejection, it is denominated a 
 question, and when adopted it becomes the or- 
 der or vote of the assembly. Every motion con- 
 sists of three parts : First, the subject, that is, 
 what is the motion about? Second^ it must be 
 expressed in parliamentary form. Third, the 
 matter or words and their meaning, forming 
 a complete proposition. 
 
 The proposition which introduces business to 
 an assembly for action is called a motion. This 
 is the principal motion, called so to distin- 
 guish it from those motions that do not intro- 
 duce business. Other parliamentary motions 
 relate to the manner by which this motion may 
 be disposed of after it becomes the ^^main 
 question before the house.^' (When made, sec- 
 
73 
 
 onded and stated by the chair.) There are 
 five classes of motions: Principal, subsidiary^ 
 incidental, privileged and miscellaneous. There 
 can be but one principal motion before an as- 
 sembly at the same time. There are ten sub- 
 sidiary motions. They take precedence of the 
 principal motion — if they are needed at all — 
 sometimes the main question can be decided by 
 a vote in the affirmative or negative, and there 
 is no use for these other motions, but when they 
 are needed they prevent all friction, as cour- 
 tesy demands that one yields to authority. 
 
 "A resolution is a settled conviction, some- 
 thing that has been decided upon, a determina- 
 tion formed, and which one hopes to have 
 adopted by presenting it to the assembly." 
 
 FOEM OF PliESEXTI^^G A RESOLU- 
 TION. 
 
 "After obtaining the floor say, 'I move the 
 adoption of the following resolution.' (Then 
 read the resolution beginning. Resolved, that — ) 
 This is then seconded by some other member. 
 whereupon it should be stated by the chair as 
 follows: ^It is moved and seconded to adopt 
 
74 
 
 the following resolution (reading it herself or 
 requesting the secretary to read it)'; or, ^Yon 
 have heard the resolution; are there any re- 
 marks?^ Time should always be given for dis- 
 cussion. After discussion closes the chairman 
 says : The question is on the adoption of the 
 resolution/ stating it. (The same treatment 
 necessary as for a motion.) 
 
 "To adopt a resolution or motion requires 
 only a majority vote. Majority means more 
 than half of the members voting on the ques- 
 tion, not a majority of those belonging to the 
 organization, or of the members present and 
 not voting."' — Eeed. The latter count in mak- 
 ing a quorum for the transaction of business, 
 but in nothing else. Where a vote is taken 
 without a roll call many of those present do 
 not vote. They should not be regarded as ab- 
 sent for that reason; the supposition is rather 
 that their silence gives consent to the action of 
 the assembly. An officer elected by majority 
 vote must receive more votes than all the other 
 candidates combined. A plurality refers to the 
 excess of the leading candidate's vote over that 
 of her chief opponent. A majority vote is the 
 one adopted as the safest method by Eobert, 
 Eeed and Gushing." 
 
75 
 
 EANK OF MOTIONS. 
 
 No motion of lower rank can take precedence 
 of one in higher rank; so you see the necessity 
 of memorizing the motions in regular order of 
 rank. First, privileged. Second, incidental. 
 Third, subsidiary. There are miscellaneous mo- 
 tions which this author would place among priv- 
 ileged motions, but hesitates to change the or- 
 der established by the dominant race. 
 
 The motion that introduces business is called 
 the principal motion, and, though mentioned 
 last, is of great importance, as no society could 
 accomplish business without it. The privileged 
 motions are important, as there would be no so- 
 ciety without them; they embody its beginning 
 and ending, the "Order of the Day" — that is. 
 what will be the programme for the day, and 
 the system of police. 
 
76 
 
 OFFICERS AND DUTIES. 
 
 It is as important that a woman who accepts 
 the position of presiding officer of any organi- 
 zation or meeting should have as thorough a 
 knowledge of parliamentary law, and must be as 
 ready to give instruction upon any point of the 
 law, such as what rule will reach this case, or 
 what effect will such a rule have upon this mo- 
 tion, as that a trial judge should have a knowl- 
 edge of the law of evidence, or rulings on the 
 admissibility of testimony, and must be im- 
 mediate. 
 
 These are matters that can not be taken un- 
 der advisement. They demand instant decision 
 There is no substitute for the S3^stematic study 
 of parliamentary rules, to supply the accurate 
 and ready knowledge that is demanded, remem- 
 bering always that they are not a collection of 
 arbitrary directions, but constitute a system of 
 laws, based, as all laws are, upon reason, and 
 that a knowledge of the reason is essential to a 
 proper understanding of the law. 
 
 The presiding officer is referred to as the 
 Chair and so refers to herself; never I. She 
 may vote if by ballot; to make or break a tie; 
 
77 
 
 to make or break a two-thirds vote; and by roll 
 call; this is yeas and nays. In the latter case 
 her name must be called last, that she may not 
 influence the vote. 
 
 It is the duty of the presiding officer to en- 
 force the rules and orders of the meeting with- 
 out delay. It is also the right of every member 
 who notices a breach of a rule to insist on its en- 
 forcement. When a speaker has transgressed 
 the rules of decorum she can not continue her 
 remarks if any one objects unless 'permission is 
 granted by a vote of the assembly, or a tie vote. 
 Whenever a motion is made referring to the 
 president the maker of the motion should put 
 it to the vote. All remarks must be confined 
 to the question before the assembly, avoiding all 
 personalities and reflections upon any one's mo- 
 tives. For the security of the rights of all 
 members and to preve^it mistakes, it is impor- 
 tant that any objectionable tvords that may be 
 spoken by any member should at once be taken 
 down and brought to the attention of the mem^ 
 ber making them, as the substitution of or leav^ 
 ing out a word alters the sense. 
 
 By a strict adherence to rules, the minority 
 can always be protected. There must be uni- 
 
7'8 
 
 formity in the proceedings^ not subject to the 
 caprice of the president or chairman of commit- 
 tees^ or captionsness of members. "The presi- 
 dent of an organization mnst not be a partisan, 
 and nothing can justify her in taking part in a 
 debate where much feeling is shown. The nn- 
 fortnnate habit many presiding officers have of 
 constantly speaking on questions before the as- 
 sembly, even interrupting some members, is un- 
 justifiable. She should not only be familiar 
 with parliamentary usage, but should also set 
 the example of strict conformity thereto. 
 
 An excited president can not fail to cause^ 
 trouble in a meeting. She will often find her- 
 self perplexed with the difficulties attending her 
 position. 
 
 No one has a right to accept the position of 
 presiding officer unless willing to forego taking; 
 active part in debate, or being actively partisan^ 
 in any other manner; should be unwilling to 
 take advantage of any member's ignorance of 
 parliamentary law, and should avoid making a 
 display of her own knowledge. 
 
 The official organ of the general federation 
 of Women's Clubs, "The Club Woman,'' says : 
 
 "Parliamentary law is doing much for worn- 
 
79 
 
 en. It is slowly training them to argue imper- 
 sonally and without loss of dignity. But in 
 addition to a well-trained parliamentary mind 
 there must be a broad, generous nature, a kind 
 and loving heart.'' 
 
 "Like great lawyers who come out of serious 
 lawsuits where they have figured as bitter op- 
 ponents with their friendship and good fellow- 
 ship unimpaired, so must women be able to ex- 
 press their differences of opinion, and to adopt 
 opposing sides if need be without affecting the 
 status of their personal relations each to the 
 other." 
 
 Personal feeling and personal prejudice will 
 yield to laws that give power and control action. 
 
 Experience has shown that "the assembly 
 from the call to order to the close of the session 
 should uphold its dignity and insist upon due 
 respect on the part of all present, members and 
 those not members. The right of self-preserva- 
 tion belongs to assemblies as well as individuals, 
 and every assembly has the right to protect 
 itself from disorderly persons, whether members 
 of the body or not, even to the extent of remov- 
 ing them from the assembly room. And the law 
 will justify the use of such force as may be 
 
80 
 
 necessary in the removal of such persons, and 
 members of the body may be expelled and 
 deprived of membership in it.'' 
 
 Each member should feel that as a part of 
 the assembly any affront directed to it is an 
 indignity offered to her, and it is simply due 
 to her own self-respect that she render all the 
 assistance in her power to the presiding officer, 
 in her too often arduous duty in maintaining 
 that order without which the proper transaction 
 of business is impossible. 
 
 Mrs. Benjamin: "It will be noticed some- 
 times in a convention that delegates — to say 
 nothing of visitors — conduct themselves in an 
 unseemly manner, whispering, laughing, inat- 
 tentive, transgressing all the rules of decorum^ 
 Parliamentary law enjoins propriety of manner 
 and conduct. Common sense and common 
 courtesy Avould dictate a quiet watchfulness on 
 the part of each member of an organization, or 
 delegate; promptness in seconding motions, 
 brevity and conciseness in debate, with constant 
 effort to aid the chair in her responsible and 
 ofttimes delicate task of presiding ^ver several 
 hundred w^omen." 
 
 "If each delegate should consider that the 
 
81 
 
 good name of the organizations to which she 
 belongs is imperiled by her transgressions she 
 would be a little more particular." 
 
 Parliamentary law reduces the actions of an 
 assembly of people met to transact business to- 
 intelligent order. It must be remembered, how- 
 ever, that no assembly can deprive itself of 
 power to direct its method of doing business. 
 This means that in your constitution and by- 
 laws provision must be made for conducting 
 business. 
 
 A knowledge and practice of these rules rev- 
 olutionizes the entire thought and conduct. 
 
 We can not leave the expression of our lives 
 to those better qualified than we are, however 
 dear they may be. 
 
82 
 
 YICE-PRESIDEXT- -HEE QUALIFICA- 
 TIONS AND DUTIES. 
 
 It is generally thonglit that the office of vice- 
 president is of very little consequence; that 
 there is nothing for her to do if the president is 
 present. This is a very mistaken idea. "The 
 office of vice-president is eqnal in importance to 
 any of the other f onr general officers of any or- 
 ganization ; therefore the person elected to this 
 office should never assume that it is an empty 
 honor, for there are specific duties awaiting her. 
 In the first place, a vice-president must be pre- 
 pared for emergencies." A personal reminis- 
 cence will serve to illustrate this. A lady who 
 had been elected to this position in the Fourth 
 District of the Texas Federation of Women's 
 Clubs was inclined to regard it as of little im- 
 portance, but at the first annual meeting in a 
 neighboring town, after her election, she found 
 upon entering the hall that the train on which 
 the president was expected was several hours 
 late and she was called on to preside, so, with 
 no time for preparation and scarcely any knowl- 
 edge of the programme, or how to proceed 
 with the business, she was obliged to perform. 
 
83 
 
 the duties of presiding officer. Because of these 
 emergencies, which may arise at any time, a 
 person elected to the office of vice-president 
 should study parliamentary law and familiar- 
 ize herself with the duties of the presiding of- 
 ficer. She should keep herself informed on 
 all lines of tlie work of the organization to 
 which she belongs; in short, she should know 
 everything that is important for the president 
 to know. 
 
 The vice-president can do everything that 
 can be done which does not belong to the work 
 of other officers, even assisting them if need 
 be. Taking this view of the office, the vice- 
 president should rise to the importance of her 
 duties and prove a help to the president as well 
 as to the organization which she serves. It 
 should be understood, if possible, between the 
 president and her vice, if she is to be absent, 
 and instructions given her of what business is 
 to be transacted — and of any that is liable to 
 be brought up that is not on the regular pro- 
 gramme. 
 
84 
 
 OFFICEES. 
 
 A recording secretary should have the power 
 of concentrating her mind upon the business be- 
 fore it^ and directing it into whatever channel 
 the occasion may demand. There must be 
 strength of ivill to take command of the mental 
 faculties and make them subservient to its pur- 
 pose. The secretary should have the habit of 
 close attention to the business of the hour, and 
 use wisdom and judgment in placing upon the 
 minutes only the important business trans- 
 acted. 
 
 The minutes of a woman's meeting are neces- 
 sarily different from those of the opposite sex, 
 for the reason that the meetings themselves are 
 of a different nature. It must be remem- 
 bered that there were no women's clubs^ liter- 
 ary or civic, art leagues, mothers' clubs of the 
 public schools and numerous other organiza- 
 tions of women until since what is called the 
 Civil War. The W. C. T. U. was the first or- 
 sranization formed exclusively of women, of 
 which I have any knowledge. They soon found 
 that their greatest need was the knowledge of 
 parliamentary law, and a department of parlia- 
 
85 
 
 mentary law was established, and a national su- 
 perintendent appointed, and through Mrs. A. 
 S. Benjamin, Lillian Cole Bethel and others, 
 studies, leaflets and cards were prepared, many 
 of them furnished gratuitously, or from 2 cents 
 to 50 cents, thus being brought within the reach 
 of all. From this beginning has sprung a well- 
 equipped body of women parliamentarians, 
 who are leaders, in any organization to which 
 they belong. 
 
 "Whenever officers are nominated by a com- 
 mittee, and said committee bring in only one set 
 of names, the motion should be made as follows : 
 ^I move that the report of the nominating com^ 
 mittee be accepted and the candidates declared 
 elected,' or ^I move that the secretary be re- 
 quested to cast the vote of the club, electing 
 the candidates named by the nominating com- 
 mittee, as officers of said club for the ensuing 
 year.' " 
 
86 
 THE SECEETAEY— MINUTES. 
 
 DUTIES OF SECRETARY. 
 
 The secretary should have a good knowledge 
 of parliamentary nsage^ a good voice and read- 
 ing ability and be able to write easily and con- 
 cisely. If she is a regular member of the club 
 she may engage in debate or other business, such 
 as making or seconding niotions and voting, but 
 while she is doing this she should have an as- 
 sistant to take the minutes, as much of value is 
 lost unless this rule is adhered to. 
 
 She must answer all questions regarding the 
 minutes, as they should contain all the business 
 that has been transacted and be a book of ready 
 reference of same, i. e., as to orders of the day^ 
 unfinished business, committees, etc. 
 
 She may act as treasurer and correspondent 
 of the club, subject to its rules, unless these 
 offices are separately created. 
 
 In the absence of the president or vice-presi- 
 dent, it is the duty of the secretary to call the 
 meeting to order and to move the election of a 
 chairman pro tem. 
 
 She should prepare and keep an accurate list 
 
87 
 
 of members, have the custody of the constitu- 
 tion, by-laws, rules of order, books of record and 
 all other documents belonging to the club, un- 
 less some one else is appointed for the purpose 
 as librarian. 
 
 She should stand while reading the nnn- 
 utes or papers and keep a correct record of the 
 nature, whether regular, adjourned regular or 
 called, of all acts of each meeting. 
 
 Every principal motion, whether carried or 
 lost, unless otherwise ordered, should be re- 
 corded, wdth names of its mover and second, a3 
 it is often as important to know what measures 
 were introduced, and by whom, as it is to 
 know what measures were carried or what lost. 
 
 It must be remembered that the rejection of 
 a proposition is just as much the progress of 
 business as its acceptance. "No" just as prop- 
 erly expresses the will of the assembly as ''Yes.'' 
 A verdict for the defendant is just as much 
 the progress of the business of a lawsuit as a 
 verdict for the plaintiff, and the fee is generally 
 the same. 
 
 She is required to assist the president to 
 keep the business in order, and to prepare a list 
 of same, for her guidance. Minutes should also 
 
include all resolutions and reports of commit- 
 tees. The secretary should never criticise, fa- 
 vorabl}^ or otherwise, any action taken, nor di- 
 gress upon the weather or other incident having 
 no bearing upon the regular order of the day 
 in connection with the minutes. Her minutes 
 should be a correct and faithful transcript of 
 the proceedings in their entirety; nothing more 
 and nothing less. 
 
 The secretary's desk is the "table" in connec- 
 tion with motions to lay on the table. 
 
 She should furnish the president as speedily 
 as possible with a list of all existing committees 
 as well as a statement of the business to be 
 transacted at each meeting, to read the papers, 
 etc., that are called up ; to call the roll and note 
 absentees when necessary; to call the roll when 
 the ayes and noes are demanded ; to notify mem- 
 bers of their appointment on committees, and 
 inform them of the nature of the business re- 
 ferred to them. If those appointed are present, 
 she may obtain the floor and call their attention 
 to these facts, but in large assemblies it is the 
 better plan to follow strict parliamentary usage 
 and notify them officially in writing. 
 
 She should, when requested to do so, put to 
 
89 
 
 vote all motions not appropriate for the presid- 
 ing officer to pnt^ that is to say, those pertaining 
 to said officer, unless the maker of the motion 
 prefers to put it. 
 
 The secretary of a club is also secretary when 
 the club is in ^^committee of the whole." She 
 should keep a memorandum of the proceedings 
 of the committee for its use, but such memoran- 
 dum should not be incorporated in the minutes, 
 only the report of the committee is so recorded. 
 
 She should keep such a record as will enable 
 any intelligent person to understand fnlly the 
 nature and doings of the meeting. 
 
 In elections the secretary is required to cast 
 the ballot for the club if it is found to be a 
 imanimous vote or nearly so. 
 
 Minutes should be approved by the assenibly 
 and signed by the president. It takes a unani- 
 mous vote to expunge anything from the min- 
 utes. They may be amended by a majority 
 vote. 
 
 The amendment may be laid on the table, but 
 does not carry the minutes with it. It is not 
 necessary to vote on the adoption of the min- 
 utes. After the reading the chair will say, 
 "Are there any corrections?" If any, they 
 
90 
 
 should be made at once. If none are made the 
 chair will add: ^'There are none; the minutes 
 will stand approved as read/^ 
 
 When the occupant of the chair is changed 
 during the sitting it should be noted in the 
 minutes. The journal may be corrected by a 
 majority vote. This is a book kept for the pur- 
 pose of recording the minutes of an organiza- 
 tion, the latter being in the nature of a memo- 
 randum taken hurriedly during the course of 
 the proceedings. 
 
 "Any minutes^ even though they have been 
 approved by the association^ may be amended at 
 any future time by any one who was at the 
 meeting when the minutes were taken, with no 
 time limit, and such helps may be given the sec- 
 retary in refreshing her memory as she requires 
 in the interest of accuracy.^^ 
 
91 
 THE TEBASUEER. 
 
 DUTIES OF TREASURER. 
 
 The treasurer usually acts as the banker of 
 the society, receiving the money collected as 
 dues, or contributed to the organization for any 
 other purpose. In some societies no money may 
 be received or paid out by the treasurer ex- 
 cept upon order of the society, signed by the 
 president, or secretary, or both, or otherwise at- 
 tested in such manner as the rules of the so- 
 ciety may direct. 
 
 She should make at least a yearly report, con- 
 sisting of a statement of the moneys received 
 by her during the year, and from what sources ; 
 the amount on hand at beginning of year; 
 amount paid out and for what purpose, and the 
 balance on hand. 
 
 The report should be simple and brief. Its 
 object is to enlighten the members as to their 
 general financial condition. Multiplicity of de- 
 tail would confuse rather than enlighten. A de- 
 tailed statement should be attached to the gen- 
 eral report. As soon as the treasurer makes 
 her report it must be referred to an auditing 
 committee, consisting of three persons, whose 
 
92 
 
 duty it is to make a thorough examination of 
 the treasurer's accounts before adoption, and 
 for the convenience of the committee the item- 
 ized statement, together with a copy of all 
 vouchers, should be attached to the general re- 
 port. Every officer who pays out money should 
 insist upon a receipt or voucher for each pay- 
 ment made, which should be carefully preserved. 
 and presented with the itemized report to the 
 auditing committee. The treasurer should in- 
 sist upon her accounts being audited before she 
 gives her report, as they must be, before they 
 are adopted. Sometimes a custodian is ap- 
 pointed to have charge of a special fund, and 
 unless her report agrees with the auditor's re- 
 port it would be very humiliating to say the 
 least. 
 
 The executive board should choose the bank in 
 which the funds of the society are to be depos- 
 ited, as this places the responsibility in the 
 hands of the whole, instead of the person, A 
 custodian may be permitted to choose the bank 
 in which a special fund is deposited. This makes 
 her personally responsible for the amount. 
 
93 
 CORRESPONDING SECRETARY. 
 
 DUTIES. 
 
 A corresponding secretary should have "the 
 pen of a ready writer/^ It is her duty to conduct 
 all correspondence, give all official notices to 
 individuals and the press, and answer all com- 
 munications as directed by the chair or the as- 
 sembly. The duties of a corresponding secre-» 
 tary vary according to the nature of the organ- 
 ization, and these must be outlined in the con- 
 fititution. 
 
94 
 
 CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIONS. 
 
 Privileged Motions. — These questions^ by rea- 
 son of their importance^ must when raised re- 
 ceive immediate attention and decision, snsr 
 pending whatever is before the assembly iintil 
 its determination; they do not concern them- 
 selves with the progress of business, but with 
 the existence of the assembly itself, its police 
 and good order. They concern the main ques- 
 tion incidentally, as they defer action by taking 
 up the time. 
 
 Incidental Motions are such as arise out of 
 the consideration of other questions, and must 
 be decided before the matter out of which they 
 arise. 
 
 Subsidiary Motions directly concern the main 
 question or principal motion, as they are applied 
 to it for the purpose of most appropriately dis- 
 posing of it, by obtaining in various ways the 
 opinion of the assembly by other means than by 
 adoption or rejection. 
 
 Miscellaneous Motions are of various kinds 
 that do not come under other heads. They 
 might with propriety be classed as privileged 
 and incidental. 
 
95 
 
 LIST OF MOTIONS. 
 
 This list is given in the order of precedence; 
 this ia a parliamentary sense means each mo- 
 tion ^j-elds to those which go before it. Some- 
 times it is necessary to use several motions to 
 properly dispose of a question. There is a posi- 
 tive and a negative to all of these motions. 
 The things you can and those you can not do. 
 
 PRIVILEGED MOTIONS. 
 
 1. Eeconsider to be placed on the minutes. 
 
 2. To fix time of next meeting and place. 
 Same rank. One can not take precedence of 
 
 the other. If a motion to take a recess is made, 
 the motion to adjourn would not be in order. 
 
 3. To adjourn (recess). 
 
 4. Questions of privilege. 
 
 5. For orders of the day. 
 
 INCIDENTAL MOTIONS. 
 
 1. Appeals and questions of order; brings out 
 an appeal and are points of order. 
 
 2. For the reading of papers. 
 
 3. To withdraw a motion. 
 
 4. To suspend rules. 
 
96 
 SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS. 
 
 1. Objection to consideration. 
 
 2. To lay on (or take from) the table. 
 
 3. The previous question. 
 
 4. Close or limit debate. 
 
 5. To postpone to a certain time. 
 
 6. To refer, to ac^opt, to commit or re-commit. 
 
 7. To amend. 
 
 8. To postpone indefinitely. 
 
 9. To reconsider the vote. 
 
 PRINCIPAL MOTION. 
 
 Miscellaneous motions. 
 
 SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS. 
 
 "It is a general rule that these secondary mo- 
 tions can not be used to dispose or of suppress 
 one another ; the common principle, first moved; 
 first put, applies to them. There are exceptions 
 however. A motion to amend may be applied, 
 to a motion to postpone, to commit or to amend 
 a principal motion. The reason why this mo- 
 tion is given a privilege which is not given to 
 others is because of its usefulness. It is not 
 used to dispose of or suppress, but to carry out 
 
97 
 
 the wishes of the assembly^ or improve the mo- 
 tion to which it is applied. A motion to amend 
 gives way to a motion to commit, for the reason 
 that it aids and facilitates the former/^ 
 
 The object of the motion to '^postpone to a 
 certain day" is to defer action upon the princi- 
 pal motion at that time — for good reason; 
 which must be made apparent — and takes prece- 
 dence of it; otherwise it would be useless. At 
 the time specified the postponed motion has the 
 "right of way.'^ If a question is postponed un- 
 til next session or meeting it comes up under un- 
 finished business. The object and effect upon 
 the principal motion of "objection to considera- 
 tion" is fully treated on page 114. Also Lay 
 on the Table and Take From the Table. If ob- 
 jection to consideration is lost, the motion to- 
 table can not be made. Previous Question can 
 not be debated, amended, nor have any subsi- 
 diary motion applied to it, nor to the main ques- 
 tion while it — the previous question — is pend- 
 ing, except to lay on the table. 
 
98 
 
 TO FIX TIME OF IS^EIXT MEETING— 
 PEIVILEGED. 
 
 This is the highest in rank of all parliamen- 
 tary motions, being classed first among the priv- 
 ileged motions. This motion may be amended 
 as to time or place, or both, at which the meet- 
 ing shall be held. 
 
 Not debatable when another question is un- 
 der consideration, and has no privilege over a 
 motion for recess already pending. Becomes 
 the main question when nothing else is before 
 the house. Needs no quorum. 
 
PKIYILEGED MOTIONS— ADJOURN- 
 MENT. 
 
 Adjourn; not privileged wlien no time has 
 been fixed for next meeting. 
 
 This motion, although among the priveleged 
 class, that is, takes precedence, is not always 
 in order and is not always privileged. If one 
 word is added to the motion, "I move to ad- 
 journ," or when nothing is before the house, it 
 loses its privileged character, it is qualified and 
 becomes the main question. It can be debated, 
 amended and yields to all the usual parliamen- 
 tary questions. Precedence in parliamentary 
 law means that it is in order while another mo- 
 tion is pending. 
 
 Or a motion to adjourn is not in order when 
 a member has the floor, when "to fix the time 
 to which to adjourn" is pending, while a motion 
 to reconsider is being made for entry on the 
 minutes to be taken up for action at the next 
 meeting or during the verification of a vote. 
 
 A verification means proving it, merely say- 
 ing yea or nay does not verify. A division, 
 standing while being counted, or answering to 
 
100 
 
 the roll call by responding aye or nay, a cor- 
 rect record being kept, is a verification. 
 
 While the chair is stating a question or an- 
 nouncing a rnling, while any voting is in prog- 
 ress, the motion to adjourn is not in order. But 
 it is in order as soon as the chair has stated a 
 question and before voting begins, or after a 
 vote is taken and before the resnlt of the vote 
 is fully announced. Xote the qualifying word, 
 "fnlly.^' Some progress may be made toward 
 announcing the result, as before the negative is 
 put a motion to adjourn is in order. 
 
 Eobert says : "It is better in ordinary socie- 
 ties to introduce this question as a principal mo- 
 tion." 
 
101 
 
 MOTIONS THAT DO NOT EEQUIEE OB- 
 TAINII^O THE FLOOE OE A SECOND. 
 
 Questions of privilege are privileged questions 
 as they need no recognition or second, and may- 
 interrupt a speaker if urgent. The presiding of- 
 ficer decides the matter, when stated, to be or 
 not to be a question of privilege. If it is de- 
 cided to be a question of privilege and not need- 
 ing immediate attention, action may be deferred 
 until such time as may be more convenient. The 
 chair decides only whether the question is one 
 of privilege; (an appeal may be taken from 
 her decision) not as to the required action nec- 
 essary. Questions of privilege relate to the 
 rights and privileges of the assembly or any of 
 its members. Those that affect the honor or 
 dignity of the assembly are superior to those 
 that only affect individuals. A personal explan- 
 ation is not a question of privilege. The chair 
 may, if in doubt, refer the decision to the assem- 
 bly. Or, if the question is of so much impor- 
 tance as to require investigation, such as pub- 
 lished charges against the assembly, or upon the 
 character of a member, it may be referred to a 
 
102 
 
 committee. These questions concern the secur- 
 ity of the assembly and members thereof. 
 
 Form (if referring to the assembly) : "I 
 rise to a question of privilege." (If referring 
 to an individual or oneself) : "I rise to a ques- 
 tion of personal privilege.'^ 
 
 Chair : "State your question." 
 
 If the question requires immediate attention 
 (Examples of first class : A knock at the door, a 
 telegram, room too hot or too cold and permis- 
 sion wanted to close or open windows, disorder, 
 etc. Examples of second class: A member 
 wanted at the door, sudden sickness, house on 
 fire.) stand not on the order of your going, but 
 go at once, question or no question. 
 
 Here is another example: A delegate and 
 an alternate are sent from the club to the fed- 
 eration. It is customary for an alternate to act 
 in place of the delegate if at any time the dele- 
 gate is not present when action is necessary. 
 Sometimes, however, objection is raised to the 
 capacity of the alternate to represent the dele- 
 gate. In that event it should be at once re- 
 ferred to the assembly as a question of priv- 
 ilege. The assembly can settle the matter at 
 
103 
 
 once or refer it to the committee on creden- 
 tials. 
 
 A member desiring information as to any 
 rule or form relating to any business already 
 acted upon or under consideration^ or what ef- 
 fect such parliamentary motions will have upon 
 the main question, or which she wishes to bring 
 before the assembly, may rise to a parliamentary 
 inquiry. Such inquiry needs neither recogni- 
 tion nor second, and the person making it may 
 interrupt a speaker if it requires immediate at- 
 tention; it can not be amended or debated, and 
 should be at once answered by the chair, unless 
 not of sufficient importance to justify the inter- 
 ruption of a speaker. This inquiry should not 
 be made when a memher knows that a rule is 
 teing violated, but only when in doubt. The 
 former case requires a point of order. 
 
104 
 
 OEDEES OF THE DAY. 
 
 Orders of the Day consist of those matters 
 of business and subjects to be considered during 
 the hours of meeting. Orders of the day are 
 general and special. 
 
 General orders are placed on a programme 
 or made an order of business for that day by 
 majority vote. If business is brought before 
 the assembly which needs more time for con- 
 sideration than would be possible within the 
 time limit of the society to give it, it may be 
 made a special order; this takes a two-thirds 
 vote in the affirmative, as it is in reality a sus- 
 pension of the rules. A special order is taken 
 up immediately after the reading of the min- 
 utes; they take precedence of the general or- 
 ders. Any one can call for the orders of the 
 day, and any one may object to their considera- 
 tion, as they become a principal motion when 
 there is nothing before the assembly. 
 
105 
 
 EULES OF ORDEE. 
 
 Enles of Order contain the rnles relating to 
 the orderly transaction of business in the meet- 
 ings of the society. They include all parliamen- 
 tary law and other rules pertaining to tlie 
 life of an organization, outside the constitu- 
 tion and by-laws. 
 
 OEDEE OF BUSmESS. 
 
 Call to order and preliminary exercises, if 
 any. 
 
 1. Eeading of minutes. 
 
 2. Special orders, if any. 
 
 3. Eeports of standing committees. 
 
 4. Eeports of select committees. 
 
 5. Unfinished business. 
 
 6. New business. 
 
106 
 
 POINTS OF OEDBE. 
 
 Eobert and others: 
 
 "The object of a point of order is to pre- 
 vent or rectify the violation of a rule of order, 
 b3^-laws or constitution/^ Any member of an 
 assembly has the right to insist that its busi- 
 ness shall proceed in a parliamentary manner 
 without interruption. It is, therefore, the duty 
 of the presiding officer to enforce the rules and 
 orders of the assembly, and if any member 
 violates them she should be called to order, 
 either by the presiding officer at her own in- 
 stance or upon the request of any other mem- 
 ber. Does not require "obtaining the floor," can 
 interrupt a member, does not require a second, 
 can not be amended or debated and should be 
 promptly decided by the chair whether it is Veil 
 taken' or not, or if the chair is in doubt or un- 
 willing to take the responsibility of deciding a 
 point of order, she may without a motion take 
 a vote of the assembly upon it. If the ruling 
 of the chair is unsatisfactory her decision may 
 be appealed- from by any member who is not 
 satisfied with it. This must be done at the 
 time of the decision and requires a second. The 
 
107 
 
 decision of the chair is sustained by either a 
 majority or tie vote. A tie vote sustains the 
 chair upon the principle that the decision of 
 the chair can only be reversed by a majority, and 
 if her vote was recorded, as it has a right to be, 
 it would naturally be in her own favor. When 
 the chair has announced to the assembly that 
 her decision has been appealed from, she asks : 
 "Shall the decision of the chair stand as the 
 Judgment of the assembly?" She then may give 
 a reason for her ruling, after which the ques- 
 tion is open for debate, with the following ex- 
 ceptions : 
 
 "When the appeal arises out of a trans- 
 gression of the rules of speaking, or to some 
 indecorum or to the priority of business, and 
 when the previous question was pending at 
 the time the question of order was raised." A 
 motion can not be ruled out of order after it 
 has been entertained and debated without ob- 
 jection. No appeal or question of order should 
 be entertained after the motion to adjourn has 
 been made unless the assembly refuses to ad- 
 journ, when it would be in order. It is the duty 
 of each member to maintain order. When a 
 "point of order'-' is raised only those should 
 
108 
 
 speak whose advice is asked by the chair. "Ill- 
 advised efforts to assist the chair in maintaining 
 order onl}^ adds to the confusion/^ Offenders 
 against decornm or the rules of the assembly are 
 liable in some cases to have their privileges 
 abridged or annulled by vote. "I rise to a point of 
 order^ is necessary in all such cases. It is a vio- 
 lation of parliamentary law to reflect upon the 
 acts of the assembly unless such acts are under 
 reconsideration or repeal; to misrepresent an- 
 other's remarks, or when not under discipline to 
 impute unworthy motives to her; to use lan- 
 guage insulting or disrespectful toward the as- 
 sembly or any of its members are offenses to 
 which the following penalties may be attached: 
 Expulsion, prohibition from voting, speaking 
 or taking any part in the proceedings, suspen- 
 sion for a specified time, fine and reprimand. 
 All this was found necessary to compel meu 
 to behave themselves. It goes without saying 
 that women will never need such rules to regu- 
 late them {': ) Here are some other things that 
 men are told not to do while in a meeting, and 
 yet I have been told they disregard the rule: 
 "No member is to disturb another or the assem- 
 bly itself by hissing, coughing or spitting, by 
 
109 
 
 standing up to the interruption of others, by 
 passing between the presiding officer and a mem- 
 ber speaking, going across the assembly room or 
 walking up and down on it, taking papers from 
 the table or writing there, assaults by one mem- 
 ber upon another, threats, challenges, affrays., 
 etc., are also high breaches of decorum; none 
 must enter the assembly room with his hat on." 
 I am inclined to think that a rule to this ef- 
 fect will be compulsory among the ladies' clubs 
 if all of the members are able to have a new 
 one. It might be possible to secure the upper 
 floor of Carnegie library for a hat room on club 
 afternoons. It will be in order to rise to a 
 "point of order^' if your neighbor's hat annoys 
 you in any way. 
 
110 
 
 INCIDENTAL MOTIONS. 
 
 If for any reason the chair refuses to put a 
 motion properly made, an appeal to the assem- 
 bly may be made^ and the mover can, by per- 
 mission of the assembly, put the motion herself. 
 An appeal must be seconded. Again, if the 
 chair refuses to put the appeal to vote, and 
 the member appealing does not put it herself, 
 the assembly may declare the chair vacant and 
 elect another presiding officer. The chair should 
 yield gracefully when her decision is overruled 
 without any show of feeling. This is a point 
 where self-control and great self-possession is 
 needed and it is one of the most diffi;cult posi- 
 tions in which a presiding officer can be placed. 
 
 '^Since trifles make the sum of human things. 
 And half our misery from our foibles springs, 
 Since life's best Joys consist in peace and ease 
 And though but few can serve, yet all can please. 
 Oh, let the ungentle spirit learn from hence 
 A small unkindness is a great offense." 
 
 — Hannah More. 
 
Ill 
 
 Reading of Papers. — A paper which is not 
 the subject on which the assembly is to deliber- 
 ate and act can only be read by unanimous con- 
 sen t, except as a part of the observations of a 
 member in debate^ and even then it must be 
 subject to reasonable limitations. — Reed. The 
 question upon granting such permission can not 
 be amended or debated. The paper may be both 
 amended and debated. Every member has the 
 right to have papers read before voting on them 
 if no objection is made. If objected to^ the re- 
 quest can only be granted by majority vote of 
 the assembly. 
 
 To Withdraw a Motion — Can not be amended 
 or debated. 
 
 ^'When a question is before an assembly 
 and the mover wishes to withdraw, or modify it; 
 or substitute a different one in its place, if no 
 one objects, the presiding officer grants the per- 
 mission; if objection is made, it is necessary to 
 obtain leave of the assembly to withdraw. The 
 motion may be made at the suggestion of the 
 chair or other member, who may give very 
 briefly reasons for such request. Eobert forms : 
 I wish the member would withdraw the motion 
 so as to allow the report, etc. 
 
112 
 
 Mover (obtaining the floor) : I wish to with- 
 draw the motion. 
 
 Chairman: Does the second consent? 
 
 The chairman then states the question and 
 asks is there any objection. If not, tlie motion 
 is withdrawn. 
 
 To Suspend Rides — This refers to standing 
 rules, rules of order made by the assembly itself. 
 "No rules involving parliamentary law or prin- 
 ciples can be suspended.^^ — Robert. 
 
 Constitution and by-laws can not be sus- 
 pended. Suspension of rules of order requires a 
 two-thirds vote of members present and voting. 
 
 Standing rules may be suspended by majority. 
 vote at any time. This motion is not debatable, 
 nor can it be amended, nor have any subsidiary 
 motion applied to it. The vote on it can not be 
 reconsidered, nor made (if lost) again at the 
 same meeting, but may be at next meeting. The 
 rules of an assemubly should not be suspended 
 except for a definite purpose, which must be 
 stated in the motion. Form : I move to suspend 
 the rules that interfere with; or for the pur- 
 pose of ; specifying the object of suspension. No 
 rules and regulations can be made for more than 
 one session. Every organization has a right to 
 
113 
 
 make rules for its own governance; these are 
 called standing rules, and are in force during, 
 the session unless rescinded. No one session 
 can interfere with the rights of future sessions 
 because at any moment a majority can suspend 
 or rescind them or adopt a new order. So it is- 
 improper for a session to postpone anything be- 
 yond the next succeeding session and thus at- 
 tempt to prevent the next session from consider- 
 ing the question. 
 
114 
 
 SUBSIDIARY MOTIONS. 
 
 If it is not thought best to consider the mo- 
 tion niade^ Object to consideration applies^ mnst 
 be made after stating by the chair, before a 
 word of discussion begins. It takes a two- 
 thirds vote in the negative to decide this ques- 
 tion. 
 
 Is in order when another member has the 
 floor; needs no recognition or second. Can not 
 be debated or amended, or have any other subsi- 
 diary motion applied to it except ; can be laid on 
 the table and this carries the main question with 
 it. A tivo-thirds vote in the negative defeats con- 
 sideration of the subject for the entire meeting, 
 unless reconsidered. An affirmative vote of more 
 than one-third leaves the question before the as- 
 sembly for action as though no objection had 
 been made. If the society decides to consider 
 the question, the motion to lay on the table can 
 not be made. However, the motion to lay on the 
 table may be made instead of objection to con- 
 sideration, and this requires only a majority 
 vote and can be taken from the table when no 
 other motion is pending. 
 
 It has a practical value in this connection, as 
 
115 
 
 it disposes of it for the time being and need 
 never be taken from the table. This is an easy 
 way to get rid of a question one does not wish 
 to entertain; but can be resurrected if desired. 
 Floor must be obtained to make this motion and. 
 must be seconded. 
 
 To postpone indefinitely is another way to get 
 rid of a question; does not limit the time and 
 the question may be again brought up as a prin- 
 cipal motion at another meeting. 
 
 Robert "Whenever from the nature of the 
 question it permits of no change, or debate, the 
 presiding officer puts it immediately to vote; if 
 the question is debatable, when it is thought that 
 debate has continued long enough, the previous 
 question may be called for, w^hich means, stop 
 debating and amending and vote upon the ques- 
 tion noiD before the house." The presiding of- 
 ficer asks: "Are you ready for the question'?'^ 
 The response from the assembly is : "Question, 
 question." And the chair puts it immediately 
 to vote. 
 
 Form : As many as are in favor of the motion 
 says aye (I), contrary, no. The result is an- 
 noimced as follows : The motion is carried, or, 
 the resolution is adopted, or lost, as the case 
 
116 
 
 may be. If any one doubts the vote^ a division 
 is called for. This does not require obtaining 
 the floor or a second. 
 
 Form: Madam President^ I call for a divis- 
 ion. This means stand and be counted. 
 
 The chair says : ^'All in favor of the motion 
 will stand and be counted.^' After counting: 
 "Those opposed will rise." The chair or secre- 
 tary counts in small societies. In large assem- 
 blies the chair appoints tellers to do the count- 
 ing. 
 
117 
 
 PEEVIOUS QUESTION. 
 
 So long as a considerable minority of the 
 assembly desires further discussion, debate 
 should be allowed to continue if in order. How- 
 ever, when discussion has continued as long as 
 thought necessary by the majority a call for the 
 previous question is in order. 
 
 This is a technical name for this motion 
 conveying a wrong impression of its meaning, 
 as it has nothing to do with the subject previous- 
 ly under consideration, but means stop amend- 
 ing, cease debating and vote on the question now 
 before the house. A question is said to be pend- 
 ing when it has been brought properly before 
 the body for discussion. 
 
 The previous question is not debatable, its 
 sole purpose is to stop debate, can not be 
 amended, requires a two-thirds vote to carry it, 
 but can be laid on the table and carries the 
 main question with it. It can not be postponed 
 or committed, but if lost may be reconsidered ; if 
 carried, may be reconsidered before voting be- 
 gins. The mover must obtain the floor and it 
 must be seconded. 
 
 The plain motion, ^^I move the previous ques- 
 
118 
 
 tion/^ is imlimited, and takes effect upon all 
 questions before the assembly. For instance, sup- 
 pose there is a motion, an amendment thereto, 
 and an amendment to the amendment pending. 
 If the previous question is ordered, that is to 
 say, carried, it means, unless otherwise stated, 
 that a vote be taken at once on all, beginning 
 with the amendment to the amendment. If it 
 is limited to either of the amendments or to the 
 motion, it affects only the one indicated, but 
 'the amendments must be disposed of before the 
 motion can be reached. 
 
 If the previous question is ordered and ad- 
 journment follows, the subject upon which it is 
 ordered comes up the first thing after the 
 reading of the minutes at the next meeting, and 
 the previous question still operates, making the 
 main question privileged over all other busi- 
 ness, whether new or unfinished. 
 
 If it is a question upon which much feeling 
 is evinced, it is the better plan to appoint tell- 
 ers from both sides of the question. 
 
 A majority of votes cast is sufflcient for the 
 adoption of any motion that is in order ; except 
 those that require a two-thirds vote. There are 
 eight of these. Every motion in this list has 
 
119 
 
 the effect to change some rule or custom; and 
 this always requires a two-thirds vote, i. e. : 
 "To make a special order'' suspends all the rides 
 that interfere with the consideration of the 
 question at the specified time.'' To ^^take up 
 a question out of its proper order" is a change 
 in the order of business. 
 
 "An objection to the consideration of a ques- 
 tion if sustained suspends or conflicts with the 
 right of a member to introduce a measure to 
 the assembly. It must be remembered that 
 every member has an equal right with every 
 other member to submit propositions, to explain 
 and recommend them in discussion, and to have 
 them patiently examined and deliberately de- 
 cided upon. The object of this motion is to en- 
 able the assembly to avoid altogether any ques- 
 tion which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable 
 or contentious." The chair may put this ques- 
 tion upon her own responsibility, if she sees 
 that its discussion would engender ill-feeling; 
 or if of no advantage to the assembly. If de- 
 cided in the negative it can not be again 
 brought up during this meeting. This motion 
 only applies to a principal motion. 
 
120 
 
 ''To Extend the Limits of Debate" is to sns- 
 pencl a rule of order; this must be decided at 
 once without debate. It can, however, be 
 amended and reconsidered by a majority vote. 
 Unless it is limited by the mover, applies to 
 motion and amendment. May apply to the 
 length of a speech; the times a member may 
 speak, or to the whole time allowed for de- 
 bate. "Close Debate'^ means that debate must 
 cease at a certain time; when this time arrives 
 it has the same effect as the "Previous Ques- 
 tion,^' cuts off all debate and amendment and 
 brings the pending question to vote. 
 
 ''Limit Deljate" — As to the length of each 
 speech, say, .... minutes ; number of speeches 
 to two on a side, or the whole debate to .... 
 minutes. Forms: I move that the debate on 
 this question be extended .... minutes ; I move 
 that debate be limited to .... minute speeches ; 
 I move that debate be now dosed; this may be 
 amended by striking out the words now closed, 
 and inserting ten minutes, or at 2 p. m. There 
 is a certain freedom allowed in discussion of a 
 question, but one must always be courteous to 
 opponents; when one finds oneself being beaten 
 then is the moment to guard against the least 
 
121 
 
 manifestation of a ruffled temper^ irritability, 
 snappishness or ill-humor. This is the point 
 where great self-control is needed, and where 
 one may infallibly distinguish between the ill- 
 bred and the well-bred woman. 
 
 Form : "I move that the member be allowed 
 .... minutes to finish her speech/' or "I move 
 the time for considering this report be extended 
 till 13 o'clock.'^ 
 
 "Any action of the assembly which removes 
 the main question from its consideration^ as, for 
 instance, adopting a motion to postpone, to 
 commit, or to lay on the table, closes the de- 
 bate upon such question during the period of 
 postponement or commitment or until it is 
 taken from the table." 
 
 The question under debate can be made a 
 special order for the next meeting, thereby re- 
 moving it from consideration at the present one, 
 and a motion to limit debate be made that will 
 prevent extended discussion. 
 
122 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS MOTION^S. 
 
 Rescind — When the time limit — wliicli is the 
 next meeting after which the vote to be re- 
 considered was taken — has passed in which re- 
 consider can be moved, the proper course to 
 take is to "rescind/^ which means revolve, an- 
 nul or reverse a decision. This motion stands 
 on the same footing as a new resolution. Any 
 action can be rescinded regardless of the time 
 that has elapsed. Any one session can adopt 
 a rule or resolution of a permanent nature — 
 standing rule — and it continues in force until 
 it is rescinded, but this rule can not interfere 
 with the rights of any future session, because 
 at any moment a majority can suspend or re- 
 scind them, or adopt new ones. So it is im- 
 proper for a session to postpone anything be- 
 yond the next succeeding session, and thus at- 
 tempt to prevent the next session from consider- 
 ing the question. The motion to rescind is not 
 in order when the subject can be reached by re- 
 consider. To reconsider a vote reinstates the 
 motion before the assembly for its action, and 
 is in order only at the meeting at which the 
 vote was taken or at the next regular meeting. 
 
123 
 
 To rescind a motion blots out all action pre- 
 viously taken, and is in order at any time. 
 
 Renewal of a Motion — When any principal 
 motion or amendment thereto has been once 
 acted upon by the assembly, it cannot be taken 
 up again at the same session, except by a mo- 
 tion to reconsider, or, if laid on the table, by 
 a motion to "take from the table," and, if re- 
 consider has been once acted upon, it can not 
 be renewed unless it was amended after the 
 first reconsideration. Any parliamentary mo- 
 tion, privileged, incidental or subsidiary, may 
 be renewed after progress in business has al- 
 tered the former state of aif airs. For example : 
 If a motion to lay on the table has been offered 
 and failed, and the motion to refer the ques- 
 tion to a committee is pending, it is again in 
 order to move to lay the question on the table, 
 but such a motion would not be in order if it 
 were not made till after the failure of the mo- 
 tion to commit, as the question then resumes 
 its previous condition. When a subject has 
 been referred to a committee which reports at 
 the same meeting, the matter stands before the 
 assembly as if it had been introduced for the 
 first time. A motion that has been withdrawn 
 has not been acted upon and therefore can be 
 renewed. 
 
124 
 
 PAELIAMEJSTTARY INQUIEY. 
 
 Parliamentary inquiries occupy a pecnliar po- 
 sition. They are of tlie nature of privileged 
 motions, as it is not necessary to obtain the 
 floor, and the motion needs no yeeond, but can 
 not interrupt a speaker. It is a privileged in- 
 terrogation as to the effect of a certain action 
 or how to proceed to accomplish a certain re^ 
 suit. The chair should answer to the best of 
 her ability or may call upon some member to 
 give the desired information. If the decision 
 takes the form of a ruling, it may become the 
 basis for an appeal. — Howe. 
 
 TO AMEND THE RULES. 
 
 This applies to those rules a society has made 
 and adopted for its ot\ti conduct, such as stand- 
 ing or special (Robert), and may be amended by 
 a mere majority at any meeting, without pre- 
 vious notice. Howe : "When meetings are held 
 only at long intervals, proposed amendments 
 may be referred to a committee. Their report 
 may be adopted without further notice/' 
 
125 
 
 STANDING RULES. 
 
 If it is found that a standing rule, having 
 heen adopted, becomes a fixed determination of 
 the assembly, does not have the eifect desired, 
 it may be suspended just as a "rule of order," 
 but requires a two-thirds vote. Form : I move 
 to suspend the rules that conflict with — stating 
 the proposed action. 
 
 This being a "Suspension of Rules," requires 
 a two-thirds vote, although the rule itself re- 
 quired only a majority vote, and may be sus- 
 pended by "reconsidering the vote" that made 
 it. It may be amended, annulled or modified 
 as desired, at any time, by majority vote. 
 
126 
 
 SPECIAL EULES. 
 
 Mrs. A. S. Benjamin^ national superintendent 
 of Parliamentary Usage of the W. C. T. U., 
 says : "Every organization has the right to 
 adopt special rnles^ even though they conflict 
 with some of the rules in the adopted manual. 
 * * * Many years before Eobert so stated 
 the N'ational W. C. T. U. did not require a 
 member who seconded a motion to rise and wait 
 for recos^ntion. * * * Any org^anized body 
 may have a code of Special Eules^ and when 
 these conflict with the manual the special rules 
 are enforced instead of the manual.'' — A. S. 
 Benjamin. 
 
127 
 
 PEOGEAM COMMITTEE'S EEPOET. 
 
 When a program has been prepared it be- 
 comes the Orders of the Day, and a copy is 
 given to each member — in convention, each 
 delegate. After its distribution, the chair should 
 ask the pleasure of the body concerning the pro- 
 gram. The chairman or other member should 
 then move, "that this program be adopted as 
 the Orders of the Day for this society, for the 
 club, or convention, for this session, subject to 
 such changes as may be found necessary.'' 
 
 Some standing committees are really "spe- 
 cial," for instance, auditing and programme. 
 
 If the report of a committee contains recom- 
 mendations, the report is adopted exclusive of 
 the recommendations, and they are referred to 
 the executive board, or the report may be ac- 
 cepted with recommendations. 
 
 When only a partial report is made it is un- 
 derstood that the committee is to continue its 
 work. 
 
 Eesolutions are acted upon the same as the 
 constitution and by-laws. The preamble, if any, 
 is subject to the same rules as the resolutions, 
 but is not acted upon until after the resolutions 
 
128 
 
 are adopted, as tlie action to be taken upon it is 
 determined by the vote upon the resolutions. 
 These might all be adopted '•'"as a whole/^ bnt 
 this is considered unwise without special con- 
 sideration. 
 
 A committee has a right to suppress only res- 
 olutions that the majority may decide to be 
 irrelevant or inimical to the best interests of 
 the society; bnt if a majority of the assembly 
 desire the resolutions to be presented to them, 
 they may be read and adopted, and the commit- 
 tee be in no way responsible for such resolu- 
 tions. Never forget that an assembly has rights. 
 Committees are appointed for the purpose of 
 expediting business, but are always subject to 
 the action of the assembly by majority vote, and 
 if they wish to have the resolutions included in 
 the reguar list, it can be so ordered. Its place 
 is determined by the assembly rather than by 
 a committee, but no resolution can conflict with 
 the constitution. Even if a resolution offered 
 by the committee does not meet the approval 
 of the assembly, it may be tabled or stricken 
 from the list. 
 
129 
 
 YIELDING, OR RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. 
 
 A member having gained the floor, may 
 yield it for a question addressed to herself, with- 
 out losing her right to continue, for the very 
 act of submitting to an interrogation involves 
 the retaking of the floor for a reply. 
 
 So, also, when she yields for a motion to ad- 
 journ, or to take a recess, or that the commit- 
 tee of the whole rise, she is entitled to re- 
 sume if any of these motions is negatived. She 
 is also entitled to resume at the next session 
 when the subject is again before either assem- 
 bly or committees, should any of these motions 
 be carried. But in all other cases, yielding the- 
 floor means abandoning it to the assembly. 
 
 The member on the floor has a right to yield 
 for the motions mentioned, because they are in- 
 diflerent motions aflecting the sitting of the 
 body. She has no right to yield to a particular 
 member for another kind of motion, because 
 that would be usurping the prerogative of the 
 chair, who alone has the power to give the right 
 to the floor for any purpose whatever. 
 
 The presiding officer should pay close atten- 
 tion to debates so as to be ready at all times 
 
130 
 
 to interpose for tlie preservation of order. Said 
 officer has great power over debate and decorum, 
 because she represents the consolidated power 
 and dignity of the assembly, and if she has 
 reason to believe that a member is abusing 
 her privileges of debate of other business as to 
 be in themselves disorder, she has the right to 
 disregard such action and put only such mo- 
 tions as will expedite the declaration of the will 
 of the assembly, for which action the presiding 
 officer is responsible to the assembly. 
 
 Sometimes debate is used to waste time, cause 
 delay and prevent action. Hence the promi- 
 nence given to the previous question. 
 
 Experience has sho^n the need of controll- 
 ing debate. ^'^Some method of closing debate 
 has been found necessary for the proper transac- 
 tion of business." 
 
 Motions to extend, limit and close debate ap- 
 ply to all debatable questions and rank next be- 
 low the previous question. 
 
131 
 
 VOTIXG— ITS IMPORTANCE. 
 
 In an organized society everything is settled 
 by vote. By the vote the society gives expres- 
 sion to its will. 
 
 It is the most important work of the assem- 
 bly. It is the culmination of all the other 
 work. A decision is reached by the discussion 
 of a question which aids the members in form- 
 ing an opinion. The several wills of the separ- 
 ate individuals are transformed into the will of 
 all by the vote. In no other way can the de- 
 cision and desire of the assembly be known. 
 The sole purpose of an organization is to come 
 to a decision quickly upon the main questions 
 which, come before it and to vote upon them 
 with good judgment. Various methods of vot- 
 ing have been employed and sanctioned by long 
 practice. There are five methods of voting: 
 
 First: The viva voce (by word of mouth) 
 method. The volume of sound determines the 
 result, which the chair announces. If any mem- 
 ber doubts the decision of the chair, she may 
 appeal; this must be seconded; or she may say, 
 "Doubted,^' and call for a rising vote. The 
 chair calls for those in the affirmative to stand 
 
132 
 
 and be counted^ after which they are seated, and 
 those in the negative are requested to stand, 
 and the result is announced. This is called a 
 verification of the vote. If it is desired, the 
 vote may be taken in this way at first. A mem- 
 ber may say, "A rising vote, please.^' 
 
 The chair may also call for a rising vote if 
 she is in doubt. This is the second method. 
 
 By the uplifted hand, which method is going 
 out of date, as the result must be determined 
 by the chair alone, as she faces the floor and 
 can see all the hands, although in a large meet- 
 ing this would be impossible, while members 
 upon the floor can see only a fraction of the 
 hands, and there is no appeal from the decision 
 of the chair in such a case. This is the third 
 method. 
 
 Fourth: The vote by ballot is rarely used 
 except in the election of officers, or when the 
 constitution of a society declares that appli- 
 cants for membership shall be decided by bal- 
 lot. 
 
 Fifth Method is by yeas and nays. This is 
 a vote by roll call. The secretary calling the 
 roll, each member rises and responds in an 
 audible voice yes or no, as she wishes. The 
 
133 
 
 secretary records each vote, whether in the af- 
 firmative or negative. The secretary then gives 
 the number of votes on each side to the pre- 
 siding oihcer, who then announces the result. 
 The object of this manner of voting is to put 
 each person on record and compels every one 
 present to vote. It is frequently the case that 
 a person does not vote, sometimes through dif- 
 fidence, but more often because they do not want 
 to take sides — they are on the fence — as the 
 politicians say; sometimes they are really indif- 
 ferent as to how the vote goes. In order that 
 the vote may be taken by yeas and nays, a 
 member must gain the floor and move that 
 the vote on the question before the house be 
 taken by yeas and nays. It only takes a ma- 
 jority vote to decide the question. On a vote 
 by roll call, the name of the presiding officer 
 must be called last, that she may not bias the 
 vote, as many members are undecided and will 
 be governed by her action. It is a principle of 
 parliam.entary law that a presiding officer shall 
 not bias the vote. 
 
 "By biasing a vote is not to be understood 
 that the president has not the right to make a 
 statement of any knowledge in her posses- 
 
134 
 
 sion that should come before the house, even 
 though such a statement would change the re- 
 sult. That the vote of the floor might be in- 
 fluenced by her statement would undoubtedly 
 be true, but only for the reason that the mem- 
 bers have before them additional facts.*' — Mrs. 
 A. S, Benjamin. 
 
135 
 
 ELECTIONS. 
 
 Before an election of officers, it is necessary 
 that the credential committee report — if in con- 
 yention — to show who has a right to the fran- 
 chise. This report show^s who is in good stand- 
 ing, i. e., have paid their dues, and upheld the 
 constitution and by-laws. This committee is 
 always appointed either by the chair, or, if so 
 desired, nominated by the chair and ratified by 
 the assembly. 
 
 The report of the committee on credentials 
 having been read, a motion that the report of 
 the committee be adopted — and no one who has 
 not paid their dues is entitled to vote — is made. 
 
 Only those delegates who have proper creden- 
 tials are entitled to a seat in the convention. 
 Referring the matter to a committee as to who 
 is qualified to a seat in the convention is for 
 the purpose of saving time to the assembly and 
 to secure more careful consideration than the 
 assembly would have time to give it, and which 
 would be cumbersome and unsatisfactory. 
 
136 
 
 PROXIES. 
 
 The right to vote is not transferable. There 
 are two exceptions to this — delegates to a con- 
 vention may choose one of their number to cast 
 the entire vote of the delegation. One is said 
 to vote by proxy who^ though absent from the 
 meetings votes through another member who is 
 present and who has the written authority,, 
 called a proxy, signed by the absent member, 
 but this is only allowed when provision is made 
 ior it in the constitution or by-laws. 
 
 The presiding officer, if a member, has the 
 right to vote always, except by viva voce vote. 
 .By ballot, to make or break a tie, to make or 
 break a two-thirds vote, and when the ayes or 
 nays are called, but, as I said before, in the lat- 
 ter case her vote must be given last. 
 
 In writing constitutions I have learned by ex- 
 perience that there are reasons why proxies 
 should be allowed. In the case of trained 
 nurses, when they are "on a case," it would be 
 impossible for them to be present at the meet- 
 ings, and they are allowed to vote by proxy. 
 
137 
 
 HOW CANDIDATES ARE SELECTED. 
 
 By ballot: By a nominating committee and 
 by nominations from the floor. Nominations oy 
 ballot give most general satisfaction. Tins 
 method gives each member an opportunity of 
 secretly voting for the nomination of the mem- 
 ber they prefer for the office. Tellers are ap- 
 pointed for distributing and collecting ballots, 
 two other members should be appointed as 
 counting tellers. If upon the count one person 
 has a majority of all the votes cast, that one 
 is the only nominee ; if two or three have about 
 an equal number of votes, they are declared the 
 nominees, and nominations are declared closed 
 and the ballots are distributed for election, col- 
 lected and counted ; if it is found that one nom- 
 inee has a majority of all the votes cast, it is 
 customary and legal for a member to obtain 
 the floor, and move that the recording secre- 
 tary cast the ballot for president or other of- 
 ficers. The chair states the motion, giving op- 
 portunity for remarks and takes a rising vote, 
 first in the affirmative and then in the negative. 
 The secretary then declares "I hereby cast the 
 ballot of the convention for (naming choice) as 
 
138 
 
 president of the T. W. P. A. for the ensuing 
 year/' 
 
 If there is a box^ the secretary casts the bal- 
 lot in it. The unbiased choice of each mem- 
 ber was expressed by the nominating ballot se- 
 cretly; if an objection is made to the secretary 
 casting the ballot, it conld not be done. 
 
 When nominations are made by a committee 
 and only one set of names are mentioned, the 
 same routine is in order and legal, but when 
 more than one name is mentioned for each of- 
 fice, the election must be by ballot until a ma- 
 jority over all the votes cast is obtained for one 
 person. A majority in parliamentary practice 
 is more than all the others put together; a plu- 
 rality, more than any other one. — Palmer. 
 
 ACCLAMATION. 
 
 The motion to elect by acclamation (which 
 is shouting) should never be made. Ko such 
 method of voting is recognized in parliamentary 
 practice. .It is sometimes made, the idea of the 
 mover being that the carrying of such a mo- 
 tion elects the candidate. In reality it only fixes 
 the manner in which the assembly shall elect; 
 
139 
 
 another vote taken in the manner the assem- 
 bly has fixed is found necessary to elect. 
 
 Parliamentary law is a system of rules pre- 
 scribed by the highest authority, and the usage 
 of assemblies; having been tested by both expe- 
 rience and practice, have been proved to be the 
 very best that could have been devised for the 
 purpose. These laws embody all the rules of 
 good breeding, Christian courtesy, true polite- 
 ness and Justice to all. They are guides to cor- 
 rect conduct, direction given for properly hand- 
 ling any business that is brought before an 
 assembly for action. There should be uniform- 
 ity of practice, so that the proceedings may be 
 conducted in a dignified and orderly manner, 
 that harmonious action may be taken both to 
 ascertain and carry out the will of the assembly. 
 This system, together with the Christian re- 
 ligion, brings one about as near ^^in tune with 
 the infinite" as it is possible for human beings 
 to become. 
 
 "When a reason is given for a certain par- 
 liamentary proceeding, that form of proceed- 
 ing is more easily and lastingly fixed in the 
 memory than if left as a purely arbitrary 
 statement/-' 
 
140 
 
 ANNOUNCEMEi^T OF THE EESULT. 
 
 It is important to announce the result of 
 a vote, for nntil that is done there are mo- 
 tions that conld be made that wonld be in 
 order and would destroy the vote. The an- 
 nouncement of the resnlt of a vote cinches it 
 A member has a right to change her vote until 
 the resnlt is announced, unless by ballot. It is 
 as essential to put the negative as the affirma- 
 tive and must not be omitted. Those present 
 and not voting are counted M-ith the prevailing 
 side, as silence gives consent. 
 
 Nominations are not motions and do not re- 
 quire a second, but if a society desires to have 
 a nominating speech from one nominating and 
 seconding, there can be no valid objection. I^om- 
 inations from the floor are unfair when there is 
 a committee for the purpose, for when the re- 
 port of the nominating committee is accepted 
 the floor agrees that the persons named shall be 
 the candidates, and if there are but one set of 
 names they will surely be elected. The reason 
 why we have nominations is, a name may be 
 suggested that might not otherwise be thought 
 of, who would be a better choice for the office. 
 
141 
 
 CHANGING THE VOTE— QUESTION OF 
 PEIVILEGE. 
 
 A vote may be changed before the result is 
 fully and finally announced. If a vote is taken 
 viva voce, then by a rising vote, and finally the 
 yeas and nays are ordered, a member may 
 change her vote before the result of the last 
 vote is fully announced by the chair. 
 
 The maker of a motion may vote against her 
 motion, but must not speak against it. The 
 thing to do if discussion — or any reason — has 
 caused a change of mind, is to withdraw the 
 motion. 
 
142 
 
 COMMITTEES A^D IXFOEMAL ACTIOISr. 
 
 Gushing: Committees are appointed to con- 
 sider a particular subject, either at large, or 
 "tinder special instructions, to obtain informa- 
 tion in reference to a matter before the assem- 
 bly, either by personal inquiry or inspection, or 
 by the examination of witnesses, and to digest, 
 and put into proper form for adoption by the 
 assembly, all resolutions, votes, orders and 
 other papers with which they may be charged. 
 
 Robert: A committee is a miniature assem- 
 bly that must meet together in order to transact 
 business, and one of its members must be ap- 
 pointed secretary. The quorum of a committee 
 — unless a smaller number has been decided 
 upon in the constitution or by-laws — consists of 
 a majority of its members, and what is not 
 agreed to by a majority can not form a part of 
 its report. Most of the effective work of so- 
 cieties is done through standing committees, 
 whose names, duties and powers should be fixed 
 in the by-laws, as well as the time and method 
 of appointment. These committees are per- 
 manent, and should be selected at the beginning 
 of a session, and to them are referred all matters 
 
143 
 
 relating to the subjects of which they are in 
 control, as they can give more time and careful 
 attention to the matters intrusted to tliem t]ian 
 would be possible for the assembly to give. 
 
 Eeed says: The committee is the eye, ear 
 and hand and a goodly share of the brain of 
 the assembly. 
 
 The first person named on a committee acts 
 as its chairman unless a chairman is appointed 
 by the presiding officer or the assembly, or the 
 committee itself may by a majority vote of all 
 its members elect its chairman from among 
 their number. 
 
 Freed from the very great inconvenience of 
 numbers, it can study a question, obtain full in- 
 formation, and put the proposed action into 
 shape for final action. The appointment also 
 insures the presence during debate of those 
 members who have made some examination of 
 the question and tends to preserve the assembly 
 from its greatest danger, that of being carried 
 away by some plausible harangue which excites 
 feeling, appeals to sentiment and obscures rea- 
 son. 
 
 The principle of the selection of a commit- 
 tee is that they should represent in the mem- 
 
144 
 
 bership as far as practicable the different views 
 of the members of the assembly. This insures 
 in the discussion which follows the report, such 
 a full presentation of the subject in all its as- 
 pects as will enable the assembly to decide wisely 
 and with full knowledge. The rules of the as- 
 sembly as far as possible shall apply in commit- 
 tee. However, the chairman of a committee 
 usually takes the most active part in the dis- 
 cussion and work of the committee. When 
 through with the business assigned them, a mo- 
 tion is made for the committee to "rise" (which 
 is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and 
 that the chairman make the report to the as- 
 sembly. The committee ceases to exist as soon 
 as the report is made, unless it is a standing 
 committee. No allusion can be made in the as- 
 sembly to what has occurred in committee ex- 
 cept it be by its report, or by general consent. 
 
 Sub-committee may be appointed by stand- 
 ing or special committees, if necessary help is 
 needed. 
 
 There are also select or special committees. 
 These are usualy small, and are chosen for 
 action; to do some particular thing that the 
 assembly has decided should be done. 
 
145 
 
 Joint and conference committees are select 
 committees, also those for investigation, and 
 are nsualy made up of the standing commit- 
 tees, and should be large. There is also a com- 
 mittee of the whole. An executive committee 
 is a standing committee, composed of the per- 
 manent officers of the society and chairman of 
 committees, and such appointed members as 
 the by-laws may designate. 
 
 It is the duty of this committee to have a 
 thorough knowledge of every department of 
 work which the society, of which they are a 
 part, has in charge; to plan said work and to» 
 form new devices and designs for the improve- 
 ment and advancement of the organization. 
 which they represent. This committee holds as 
 many meetings as the exigencies of the case 
 demand — usually one mid-year meeting and as 
 many as are necessary at the time of the an- 
 nual meeting. 
 
 It is customary at the close of the annual 
 meeting to move that all unfinished business 
 and all business coming up during the interim 
 between meetings be referred to the general 
 officers or to the executive committee. Unlike 
 other committees, the president of the assem- 
 
146 
 
 bly presides at these meetings. In ordinary 
 committees the person first named on a com- 
 mittee acts as its chairman so far as it relates 
 to the preliminary steps to be taken, and is 
 nsually permitted to do so through the whole 
 proceedings, but this is a matter of courtesy, 
 every special committee having a right to se- 
 lect its own chairman. 
 
 All action of a committee must be taken at 
 a regular meeting, duly called, where all are 
 notified and a quorum is present. 
 
 'No action can be taken by members not in 
 meeting assembled. The consent of all indi- 
 viduals without a regular called meeting will 
 not render any action so taken valid. It is con- 
 ference, and after that unanimous consent that 
 is required. 
 
 It is considered a breach of trust as well as 
 of good breeding to reveal anything done in 
 secret session or in executive committee meet- 
 ings. A committee controls its sessions ; it may 
 permit other members of the assembly to be 
 present or it may exclude all others. 
 
 The method of selection most in use is by 
 appointment by the presiding officer, as she 
 is supposed to understand the will of the assem- 
 
147 
 
 bly, as she M^as chosen to represent them. If 
 the presiding ofBcer prefers, any member of the 
 assembly may suggest or nominate. 
 
 Other modes of selection are by resolution 
 that creates the committee and contains the 
 names of those the mover desires to compose it. 
 When the report is to be made, the chairman 
 or member appointed to make it informs the 
 assembly that the committee to whom was re- 
 ferred such a matter is ready to report, and 
 moves that it be received now, or at some speci- 
 fied time. A very common error is, after a 
 report has been read, to move that it be re- 
 ceived, whereas the fact that it has been read 
 shows that it has already been received by the 
 assembly. Another mistake is to move that the 
 report be accepted, which is equivalent to its 
 adoption, when the intention is only to have 
 the report up for consideration and afterward 
 adopt it. 
 
 A third error is to move the report be adopted 
 and the committee discharged. When the com- 
 mittee has made a full report to the assembly 
 and their report adopted the committee has al- 
 ready ceased to exist. 
 
 If the committee has made but a partial re- 
 
148 
 
 port or only reported progress and it is thought 
 best, some one may move that the connnittee 
 be discharged from further consideration of the 
 subject, or the committee may be retained and 
 the business recommitted to them until com- 
 pleted. 
 
 A credential committee is never elected. The 
 purpose for which it is appointed is to find out 
 vi^ho has the right to vote in the convention, 
 and until this is ascertained there would be no 
 one to vote upon the selection of this committee. 
 This committee is sometimes a standing and 
 sometimes a special committee. The purpose 
 of this committee is to save time and secure 
 more careful consideration than if left to the 
 assembly. If the power to examine credentials 
 of delegates was left to the assembly, it would 
 be most unsatisfactory and cumbersome, fritter- 
 ing away the time. 
 
149 
 
 COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE. 
 
 This means all the members or tlie wliola 
 assembly. 
 
 The form of moving that the assembl}^ go 
 into a committee of the whole is as follows 
 
 "I move that the assembly do now resolve 
 itself into a committee of the whole house to 
 consider" (followed by a specification of the 
 subject to be considered). 
 
 This is designed to give the entire assembly 
 the freedom enjoyed by an ordinary committee. 
 
 If the motion is adopted the presiding officer 
 immediately calls another member to preside, 
 and takes her place as a member of the com- 
 mittee. The member so selected is designated 
 the chairman of the committee of the whole. 
 This gives the regular presiding officer of tlie 
 assembly the opportunity to take part in the 
 business of the meeting, untrammeled by any 
 of the formalities that ordinarily hedge her 
 about, as no formalities are observed, except to 
 obtain the floor in the ordinary way, each one 
 speaking as long and as often as permission is 
 obtained. A vote limiting the number and 
 length of speeches to be made and the number 
 
150 
 
 of times each member may be allowed to speak 
 on the question mider consideration may be 
 made by the assembly. 
 
 As a committee^ its power is limited. It has 
 no power to restrict debate, and can not, even 
 by imanimous consent, extend the limit fixed 
 by the assembly. They can not refer the mat- 
 ter mider consideration to another committee. 
 The qnornm is the same as in the assembly. The 
 only motions it has power to act upon are to 
 amend, to adopt, to rise and report. It can 
 not adjourn or order the yeas and nays. 
 
 If the chairman is unable to preserve order, 
 the presiding officer of the assembly may take 
 the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. 
 
 When for any reason the committee of the 
 whole wishes to close the meeting the form is: 
 
 "I move that the committee do now rise." 
 
 This motion has the same rank as the mo- 
 tion to adjourn. 
 
 As soon as carried the regular presiding of- 
 ficer resumes the chair and the chairman of 
 the committee, having taken her place in the 
 assembly, addresses the presiding officer, and, 
 upon being recognized, says : 
 
 "The committee has completed its considera- 
 
151 
 
 tion of the matter referred to it, and is ready 
 to give its report wlienever it may please the 
 assembly to receive it.'' 
 
 Can be amended, by altering, or instructing. 
 
 Sub-committees may be appointed from 
 among its own membership, by the committee, 
 the snb-committee to report the result of its 
 investigation or labor to the general committee, 
 for action. 
 
 Unless otherwise provided for, the chairman 
 of a committee presents the report of a commit- 
 tee to the assembly. 
 
 It is the duty of the chairman to call the 
 meetings of the committee where the time of 
 meeting is not otherwise fixed; but if she re- 
 fuses or neglects to do so, any two members 
 may call the committee together by notifying 
 the members thereof. 
 
 The chairman of a committee may engage ac- 
 tively in the discussion and work. 
 
 Motions in committee do not require a sec- 
 ond, 
 
 A vote upon any motion can not be reconsid- 
 ered unless every member of the committee is 
 present who voted with the majority when the 
 vote to be reconsidered is taken. 
 
152 
 
 The committee can not pimisli its members 
 for misconduct. It can only report snch mat- 
 ter to the assembly for it to take action thereon. 
 
 What has taken place in the committee can 
 he stated in the assembly only by the report. 
 Statements not contained in the report may be 
 heard by general consent of the assembly. 
 
 Form of presenting report to assembly: 
 
 "Yonr committee^ to which was referred, etc., 
 submits the following report:" (Then follows 
 subject matter of report.) 
 
 A motion is then in order to receive the re- 
 port. 
 
 This means that the assembly be requested to 
 listen to the report, which motion, if carried, 
 is followed by the reading of the report, and 
 thereupon it is considered "received.'' 
 
 The motion must then be made to adopt or 
 otherwise dispose of the report, unless the com- 
 mittee was appointed to collect statistics, or ob- 
 tain any information not calling for affirma- 
 tive action on the part of the assembly, when 
 the proper motion is to accept the report. 
 
 The acceptance is an expression of the satis- 
 faction of the assembly with the work done, and 
 
153 
 
 is used, when from the nature of the report, the 
 motion to adopt would not be appropriate. 
 
 Action is sometimes ^^approved." 
 
 A committee, unless otherwise provided, 
 ceases to exist as soon as it makes its full re- 
 port, and no motion to discharge the commit- 
 tee is necessary. 
 
 The report signed by a majority of the com- 
 mittee is the report of the committee. 
 
 A minority may also make a report, which 
 may be submitted in the following words : 
 
 "A minority of the committee to whom was 
 referred (stating the matter) desire to report 
 (stating their views)." 
 
 This minority report may, if the assembly 
 choose, be substituted for the report of the 
 committee. 
 
 ^'The reception of a report brings it before 
 the assembly for adoption, modification or re- 
 jection." 
 
154 
 
 EX-OFFICIO. 
 
 An ex-officio member of a committee or board 
 is one who by virtue of holding some particular 
 office may be made a member. If this office is 
 under the control of the society appointing her^ 
 there is no distinction between her and the other 
 members^ bnt if the ex-officio member is not 
 Tinder the authority of the society, she has all 
 the privileges, but none of the obligations of 
 membership. 
 
 This does not compel the president to be 
 present, but permits her to act if so desired. 
 This does not give her any right over other 
 members ; a committee has a right to choose its 
 own chairman, and it is not wise to elect the 
 president to this position, as the matter was 
 referred to a committee for the purpose of im- 
 partial discussion and decision, to be recom- 
 mended to the assembly, and if she is chosen 
 chairman, any one so disposed might accuse her 
 of partisanship. 
 
155 
 
 INFORMAL ACTION. 
 
 It is sometimes advisable to consider a ques- 
 tion informally; this may be done by simply 
 making the motion that, "I move that we con- 
 sider this question informally.'' This motion 
 is made instead of going into a "committee of 
 the whole/' and the presiding officer retains 
 the chair, and the time limit must be set. The 
 same rules govern as in committee of the whole. 
 Time may be extended by majority vote. This 
 informal discussion may bring to light some 
 facts concerning the subject that had not pre- 
 viously been thought of that may be of benefit, 
 or it may be found that the former action, if 
 any, is preferable. Any additional informa- 
 tion is always valuable. 
 
156 
 
 PAELIAMENTARY MOTIONS THAT 
 AEE UNDEBATABLE. 
 
 To fix time or place^ or both^ when privileged,;!, 
 1. e., when something else is before the housei: 
 To adjourn when privileged. In committee toi 
 "rise/' which is nsed instead of adjourn, as the:^ 
 committee goes into the assembly room, where 
 the assembly is in session, to make its report. 
 
 For the orders of the day, and questions re- 
 lating to the priority of business. 
 
 An appeal, if made, while the previous ques- 
 tion is pending, or if only relating to indecorum 
 or transgression of the rules, or to the priority 
 of business. 
 
 Objection to consideration. 
 
 To lay on or take from the table. 
 
 The previous question. 
 
 To reconsider, a question which is unde- 
 batable. 
 
 Questions relating to reading of papers, or 
 withdrawing a motion, or suspending the rules, 
 or extending the limits of debate, or limiting or 
 closing debate, or granting leave to continue her 
 speech to one who has been guilty of indecorum 
 in debate. 
 
157 
 
 Postpone to a certain day can not be debated, 
 except on the propriety of postponement. 
 
 When an amendment is before the assembly 
 the main question can not be debated except 
 as it is necessarily involved in the discussion of 
 the amendment. Suggestions may be made or 
 questions asked^ when they will assist the mem- 
 bers in deciding the question, to a limited ex- 
 tent. 
 
 Privileged motions are always undebatable. 
 
 QUESTIONS THAT CAN NOT BE 
 AMENDEiD. 
 
 Adjourn, unqualified. 
 
 Appeals. Lay on and take from the table. 
 
 Leave to continue speaking to one who has 
 been guilty of indecorum. 
 
 Object to consideration. Call for orders of 
 the day. Postpone indefinitely. Previous ques- 
 tion. Reconsider. Suspend rules. Take up busi- 
 ness out of order. Withdrawal of a motion. 
 
158 
 
 TO PEOMOTE ACTION. 
 
 As a rule every effort should be made to ex- 
 pedite business; but it is more courteous to uset 
 parliamentary means to secure the rights of 
 the minority than to override them. For in- 
 stance, a motion has been made, seconded, 
 stated and is "before the house.'' As soon as it 
 is discovered that an attempt is being made 
 to delay action, rise to a question of privilege, 
 or call for the "orders of the day.'' Any mo- 
 tion to delay action is in direct opposition to 
 the right of a member, and of the assembly. 
 If the chair is dilatory or hostile, appeal from 
 her decision. Eemember that a tie vote on an 
 appeal sustains the decision of the chair. 
 
 A motion to suspend the rules, if they inter- 
 fere with the desired action, or call for the pre- 
 vious question, if applicable, can be made, but 
 you would want to be sure that a two-thirds vote 
 in favor could be secured. Move to amend, if 
 by so doing you could make the motion less ob- 
 jectionable to opponents. You can also with- 
 draw your motion, or lay it on the table, if 
 you are sure of a majority vote to take from 
 the table when called up. To postpone to a 
 
159 
 
 certain day if this will secure a place in the 
 orders of the day under better conditions. 
 Finally, if applicable, move reconsideration. 
 
 Eemember, this is in order even after a vote 
 to adjourn has been taken, if not yet announced 
 by the chair, for the purpose of having it en- 
 tered on the minutes. Can interrupt a speaker, 
 may be called up whenever there is no other 
 motion under consideration, taking precedence 
 of everything except to fix time and place of 
 next meeting and to adjourn. 
 
 To Delay Action : Object to consideration, or 
 call for orders of the day, or lay the question 
 on the table, or move to postpone indefinitely. 
 Move to amend. Raise a point of order, and, 
 if decided against you, appeal, or move to re- 
 fer the question to a committee, or move to post- 
 pone to a certain day. If these all fail, try 
 the previous question if more than one-third 
 will vote against it. 
 
 Try adjourn; if you discover no quorum 
 present. As a last resort, move to fix time and 
 place of next meeting. This motion may be 
 amended by altering time or place, or both, 
 at which the meeting shall be held. Howe says : 
 These motions are all legitimate when a ma- 
 
160 
 
 jority believe that unjust or ill-considered action 
 will be taken; but this list of dilatory motions 
 should rarely be followed to the bitter end. It 
 is better to lay the question on the table if you 
 can secure a majority vote^ or if that fails, 
 move to adjourn, if in order. It takes up time 
 to debate or discuss a question, and this should 
 be allowed to continue if in order. Sometimes 
 it is known that a question is to be brought 
 up at a certain time or election of officers set 
 for a certain afternoon^ no hour having been 
 appointed, and a member moves that the elec- 
 tion of officers be taken up. This is seconded, 
 and the presiding officer must put it to vote and 
 a majority carry the day; then is the time to 
 delay action, to give those who have not ar- 
 rived time to do so. 
 
161 
 
 RECONSIDER. 
 
 "While it is necessary and right that a de- 
 cision, once rendered, should, generally speak- 
 ing, be final, yet it would be disastrous, if every 
 action of the assembly were absolutely irrevo- 
 cable; errors could not be corrected, and dam- 
 ages resulting from hasty action could not be 
 remedied. For this reason, while a motion, once 
 decided, can not be made again (except in some 
 cases after the transaction of other business),, 
 said motion may be renewed — the vote by which 
 such motion was decided may be reconsidered." 
 
 This motion may be made at any time, even 
 when another has the floor, or while the vote is 
 being taken on the motion to adjourn. This 
 high order of precedence belongs only to the 
 making of the motion and its entry on the min- 
 utes to be acted upon at the next meeting, and 
 must be made the same day or the day after. 
 I take this to mean the next meeting day after 
 the taking of vote it is proposed to reconsider. 
 
 This does not extend to its consideration, 
 which is postponed until the business is fin- 
 ished, which was interrupted by the making 
 of the motion. It then becomes a special order 
 
162 
 
 and is called up and takes precedence of every- 
 thing except the motions to adjourn and to iii 
 time to adjourn. 
 
 Eeconsideration, if by ballot^ may be moved 
 by any member, otherwise mnst be moved by one 
 who voted with the prevailing, or winning, side. 
 That is to say, a motion that passed can be re- 
 considered only upon motion of one who voted 
 for it. 
 
 _ A motion that failed to pass can be reconsid- 
 ered only upon motion of one who voted against 
 it. Otherwise there would be nothing to indi- 
 cate that a new vote would differ in any respect 
 from the old, or that there had been any change 
 of opinion in the matter, and a minority, how- 
 ever small, could harass the assembly by com- 
 pelling, through reconsideration, an additional 
 and unnecessary vote upon every question de- 
 cided. 
 
 Any one may call up the motion to reconsider 
 except when the effect of the motion outlasts the 
 meeting or session at which it is made; no one 
 can then call it up except its mover. If it is 
 desired to alter any decision after the time has 
 elapsed in which a reconsideration can be 
 moved, the proper course is to rescind or annul, 
 
163 
 
 if the motion was carried; if lost, renew at 
 next session. 
 
 Eeconsider is debatable, if the question to be 
 considered is debatable. 
 
 When to annul a resolution by rescinding does 
 not adequately express the disapproval of the 
 assembly, they may vote to expunge from the 
 minutes the offensive motion. 
 
 Form : ^^Expunged by order of the assembly 
 this day of , etc.^' 
 
 This is written across that portion of the 
 record expunged. 
 
 I^Teither the motion to rescind nor expunge 
 hiis any precedence. 
 
 No vote can be reconsidered without first re- 
 considering in inverse order all subseqent votes 
 which affect the question to be reconsidered. 
 
 Before an amendment to an amendment can 
 be reconsidered, reconsider must be carried. 
 
 1st. On resolution, or motion. 
 
 2nd. On the amendment. 
 
 3rd. Then the amendment to the amendment 
 may be reconsidered. 
 
 Must be seconded. 
 
 Needs only a majority vote even when the 
 
164 
 
 question to be reconsidered requires a two-thirds 
 vote or more. 
 
 If lost, it leaves the main question just as it 
 was before reconsider was moved; if carried, 
 it places the question before the assembly just 
 as it stood before it was voted on. 
 
 The effect of the motion to reconsider is, 
 that it suspends any action that would have 
 resulted from the vote which is to be reconsid- 
 ered, until the question of reconsideration is 
 called up and acted upon, or until the time 
 in which it may be called up has elapsed, and 
 this is the end of the session. An organization 
 having a weekly meeting for a certain time may 
 call up the motion at any meeting during the 
 session which ends with its final adjournment. 
 
 If the reconsideration has not been called 
 up and acted upon by the end of the session it 
 loses its effect. 
 
165 
 
 AMENDMENTS. 
 
 Robert : 
 
 While it is agreed that the member who in- 
 troduces a motion or resolution has a right to 
 demand that the assembly shall consider and 
 take action upon it at once, yet it would be 
 manifestly unfair to the assembly to compel it 
 to vote on a proposition in the exact form in 
 which it was introduced. For instance, the mo- 
 tion may meet the approval of the members 
 with some modifications, consequently the right 
 to amend the original motion arises. 
 
 Amendments may be hostile, that is, directly 
 opposed to the original motion, but must be 
 germane, i. e., related to or closely allied to the 
 motion, bearing upon or properly applying to 
 the case in hand. 
 
 Where there is a doubt in the mind of the 
 presiding officer as to whether or not an amend- 
 ment is germane, she should give it the bene- 
 fit of the doubt and hold it to be in order. To 
 decide whether an amendment is germane or 
 not, first ascertain what question is answered 
 by the motion, and then whether or not it will, 
 if amended, answer the same question. 
 
 Where it is a matter of such delicacy or im- 
 
166 
 
 portance that the chair is unwilling to assume 
 the responsibility of ruling upon the germane- 
 ness of the amendment, she may have the ques- 
 tion settled by the assembly. 
 
 Form: "All who think it is in order say 
 aye ; those who think it is not in order say no.'^ 
 
 If the decision is in the negative, no appeal 
 can be taken, as the decision of the assembly 
 can not be appealed from. Its decision is final. 
 A deliberative assembly is its own supreme 
 court of final resort. But it strengthens the po- 
 sition and influence of the presiding officer to 
 be able to decide all such questions for her- 
 self, in the first instance, by promptly replying 
 on well-defined rules, and referring to recog- 
 nized authorities. 
 
 No motion or proposition on a subject differ- 
 ent from that under consideration should be ad- 
 mitted under cover of an amendment. It may 
 be inconsistent or incompatible with the words 
 left in the motion, or with other amendments 
 already adopted, but must be constitutional. 
 These things are for the assembly, and not the 
 presiding officer, to decide, as it would be most 
 embarrassing to her if the assembly did not 
 agree with her, and an assembly should not be 
 
167 
 
 placed in a position where it feels compelled 
 to antagonize its presiding officer. 
 
 Kemember that ail decisions of the chair 
 may be appealed from. Such appeal needs no 
 recognition^ bnt must be seconded. 
 
 POINT OF ORDER. 
 
 A member violating a rule should be prompt- 
 ly, yet courteously, called to order. Sometimes 
 a tap of the gavel is all that is necessary, but 
 if no notice is paid to this, some member should 
 rise to a point of order. A member raising a 
 point of order needs no recognition from the 
 chair, no second, and may interrupt a speaker. 
 The chair decides whether or not the point is 
 well taken. 
 
 A tie vote on an appeal sustains the decision 
 of the chair. 
 
 While a point of order must occasionally be 
 raised to protect an assembly, and hence must 
 be studied and practiced, frequent resort to it 
 will make a person a great nuisance. Use this 
 weapon sparingly, and when in doubt keep your 
 «eat; but if you are sure of your ground do not 
 hesitate to use it. — Robert. 
 
168 
 
 Motions sometimes require more than one 
 amendment. The only limit is the will of the 
 assembly. Only one amendment to a motion 
 can be entertained at a time. 
 
 There are five forms of amendment. The 
 three common forms are: 
 
 1. To insert or add to. 
 
 2. To strike out. 
 
 3. To strike out and insert. 
 
 The words inserted must be consecutive words 
 and occupy the places of words struck out. 
 
 The two other forms are : 
 
 Substitute, and 
 
 Division. 
 
 A substitute is the substitution of one set of 
 words for another. It therefore embodies the 
 results of the first two forms of amendments 
 combined. In a substitute the words need not 
 be inserted in the same place as those stricken 
 out. 
 
 Form : "I move the adoption of the follow- 
 ing as a substitute for the resolution (or mo- 
 tion ).'' 
 
 "I move to substitute for the amendment the 
 following words." 
 
169 
 
 A substitute may be amended, but the amend- 
 ment can not be. 
 
 It is not always in order to offer amendments. 
 When the presiding officer is speaking, or a 
 member has the floor; while the secretary is 
 reading papers, while voting is going on, ex- 
 cept in a vote of ayes and noes, that is, after 
 the ayes respond and before the noes are called 
 for, a member wishing to make an amendment 
 rises and the chair is compelled to recognize her. 
 
 Amendments may be moved by the maker 
 of the original motion and must be seconded. 
 After a motion has been stated by the chair, 
 if an amendment is offered, the maker of the 
 motion may notify the chair that she accepts 
 the amendment. The chair then asks if there 
 is any objection. If not, she then states that 
 the amendment has been accepted. 
 
 An amendment is debatable only when the 
 motion to be amended is debatable. Debate 
 must be confined to the question before the as- 
 sembly. If on the amendment it may include 
 the resolution only so far as the discussion of 
 the amendment involves the discussion of the 
 resolution itself. 
 
 An amendment can not be renewed in the 
 
170 
 
 same form as when first offered except by a mo- 
 tion to reconsider. Only one who voted with 
 the prevailing or winning side can move to re- 
 consider. The affirmative is not always the pre- 
 vailing side. "No" is just as much the progress 
 of business as "yes." An amendment takes pre- 
 cedence of nothing but the question it pro- 
 poses to amend. 
 
 To amend by division is a form used to se- 
 cure separate votes on different parts of a mo- 
 tion or resolution. All laws that apply to other 
 amendments apply also to division. — E-eed. 
 
 PRIISrCIPAL MOTION. 
 
 When the main question, or principal motion, 
 is composed of more than one proposition, it 
 may be divided so as to enable the assembly to 
 vote on each proposition separate^, but each 
 must be independent of the other, so that either 
 can be adopted alone and still be the opinion of 
 the assembly. 
 
 Form: "I move to divide the resolution (or 
 
 motion) into parts.'' Two or more, as 
 
 the case may be. 
 
 An amendment may be laid on the table, and 
 
171 
 
 carries with it all it proposes to amend, except 
 an amendment to the minutes does not carry 
 the minutes with it. 
 
 A majority vote carries an ordinary amend- 
 ment. It takes a two-thirds vote and previous 
 notice to amend the constitution, by-laws and 
 rules of order unless the society has a special 
 rule to the contrary. It requires four separate 
 votes to carry a question with two amendments : 
 
 First, the amendment to the amendment. 
 Shall the amendment be amended? 
 
 Second, on the amendment as amended. 
 
 Third, Shall the original motion be 
 amended ? 
 
 Fourth, on the original motion as amended. 
 
172 
 
 DEBATE. 
 
 The right to debate begins as soon as the 
 presiding officer has formally stated the ques- 
 tion to the assembly, and continues until the 
 vote is taken. Debate consists of the speeches 
 made for and against a measure by those favor- 
 ing or opposing it, for the purpose of influenc- 
 ing the vote thereon. Unless the mover of a 
 motion claims her right to speak in its favor, 
 the member who rises first and addresses the 
 chair is entitled to recognition and the floor for 
 debate. The question of who has risen first, if 
 more than one has arisen, is to be decided by 
 the presiding officer. An appeal from the decis- 
 ion of the chair may be made by two members, 
 if they think the chair's ruling unfair — one 
 making the motion of appeal, the other second- 
 ing it. 
 
 Appeals must always be seconded, but it is 
 not necessary to obtain the floor to make an 
 appeal. In this case the assembly decides the 
 question, from which there is no appeal. 
 
 Eeed : "The purpose of debate is to produce 
 unity of sentiment in the assembly, by such a 
 comparison of views as will enable a majority 
 
173 
 
 to form a just judgment on the subject before 
 them for action. As the interchange of views 
 in debate necessarily involves criticism of th§ 
 views presented, and as such criticism is liable 
 to pass into a criticism of the author, a debate 
 may degenerate into a dispute, and the object of 
 the debate be entirely lost sight of. To avoid 
 this and to render discussion an appeal to rea- 
 son and sentiment, and not to personal passions, 
 there are many parliamentary devices. Among 
 them is the requirement that the member shall 
 never address any one but the presiding officer. 
 She must never allude to any member by name, 
 but by some descriptive expression, as, ^The 
 lady who last spoke,' or, in a Federation meet- 
 ing, 'The lady from Beeville.' In a general fed- 
 eration meeting the state should be mentioned." 
 
 The presiding officer must always speak of 
 herself as "The Chair,'' never "I." Such expres- 
 sions import respect and are in themselves a 
 great restraint. 
 
 "The mover of a proposition, or a member 
 who presents a report, has the right to be first 
 recognized when the question is opened to de- 
 bate, even though another member has arisen 
 and addressed the chair first. To allow the 
 
174 
 
 member making a motion or report to explain 
 at the first opportunity its intent and advan- 
 tages, with which she is naturally supposed to 
 be most conversant, is a benefit to the assembly 
 as well as a courtesy to such member. One can 
 vote against her own motion, but is not per- 
 mitted to speak against it. In a sense debate 
 and discussion mean the same thing. However, 
 there is a shade of difference. We speak of de- 
 bating a question when we discuss it in mutual 
 argumentation before opposing parties. Debate 
 often elicits important truths from the conflict 
 of minds which might otherwise be overlooked. 
 Do not make the mistake of supposing that de- 
 bate consists in abusing or ridiculing your oppo- 
 nent or in indulging in a harangue which ex- 
 cites feeling, appeals to sentiment only and ob- 
 scures reason. It should be a dignified discus- 
 sion, involving only the real merits of the ques- 
 tion at issue. It is not a dispute or controversy. 
 No member may speak twice in debate until all 
 others have had the opportunity to be heard 
 once, if they so desire; but the maker of a mo- 
 tion has the right to close the debate, even 
 though the previous question has been ordered. 
 (That is, carried.) We speak of discussmg a 
 
175 
 
 subject when we examine it thoroughly in its 
 distinct parts. Discussion often serves for 
 amusement rather than for any solid purpose. 
 If a member is called to order for words spoken 
 in debate, upon motion by another member she 
 may be permitted to explain, and if the decision 
 is in her favor she is at liberty to proceed, but 
 not otherwise. The consequences of a measure 
 may be reprobated in strong terms, but to ar- 
 raign the motives of those who propose to advo- 
 cate it is a personality, and is against order. 
 No one must disturb the assembly by walking 
 about, whispering or passing between officers 
 and members, unless absolutely necessary and 
 with permission of the presiding officer, espe- 
 cially if a member is speaking. Nevertheless if 
 the speaker finds there is no inclination to hear 
 her, it is the most prudent and less humiliating 
 way to submit gracefully to the will of the as- 
 sembly and sit down, for it rarely ever happens 
 that such a piece of ill-manners is resorted to 
 without sufficient reason, or inattention to a 
 member who says anything worth their hearing. 
 "If repeated calls do not produce order, the 
 chair may call the person or persons guilty of a 
 breach of order by name and the assembly may 
 
176 
 
 require the offender to withdraw. A question of 
 order may be postponed to afford time to look 
 into precedents/^ 
 
 PAELIAMENTARY DEFmiTIOJSTS OF 
 TERMS. 
 
 The "Table" is the secretary's desk. 
 
 The "Chair/' the presiding officer. 
 
 The "House/' the assembly/' i. e., members 
 of a club, etc. 
 
 "Gaining the Floor/' the right to speak, to 
 make a motion, or debate. 
 
 "Majority/' more votes for one candidate 
 than ail the others combined. 
 
 "Plurality/' more than any other one. 
 
 "Debate/' the discussion of a question by 
 which is determined the general will of the 
 assembly. 
 
177 ' • 
 
 SESSION. 
 
 The meaning of the term session as used in 
 parliamentary practice is the assembling of the 
 members of an organization for the transaction 
 of business, and also the time between the first 
 meeting and adjournment. Robert says: "A 
 session of an assembly is a meeting which, 
 though it may last for days, is virtually one 
 meeting," such as, for instance, the annual 
 meeting of the Woman's Press Association, 
 which may hold three daily meetings for a 
 length of time during which there is no separa- 
 tion of the members except an adjournment 
 to meet again at some other time, even the 
 same day, terminates the meeting, but not the 
 session. A recess may be taken, which requires 
 only the motion : "I move that we take a re- 
 cess of minutes for the purpose of paying 
 
 dues, meeting visitors, or for any other reason." 
 The purpose and time must always be stated; 
 this is not an adjournment, and when the ap- 
 pointed time has expired the meeting must be 
 caled to order at once. 
 
 The unity of an organization is not altered 
 by the fact that temporary adjournments di- 
 
178 
 
 vide the session into a number of meetings. Each 
 society should decide for itself what shall con- 
 stitute a session and adopt a standing rule to 
 this effect. This is important, as there are par- 
 liamentary motions that are applied to the 
 ^^main cjuestion" that lose their influence over 
 it at the termination of the session, such as "in- 
 definitely postpone," "objection to considera- 
 tion," "renewal of a motion" and "lay on the 
 table." If this included a whole year, it will 
 be readily understood that it would be unreason- 
 able, and it is a principle of law that "what is 
 not reasonable is not lawful." "In the absence 
 of any special rule on the matter the general 
 parliamentary law will prevail, and each regular 
 meeting will constitute a ^session.' " 
 
 If the meetings are frequent, and the fact 
 that each one constitutes a session is taken ad- 
 vantage of by the annoying renewal of rejected 
 motions at subsequent meetings, a rule should 
 be adopted prohibiting the introdction of any 
 motion, once rejected, until the expiration of a 
 reasonable time thereafter, the time to be def- 
 initely fixed by the rule. I should suggest the 
 placing such a rule in the constitution or by- 
 laws. "ISTo one session of an assemblv can 
 
179 
 
 interfere with the rights of the assembly at any 
 future session; this has reference to the rules 
 that each session has a right to make for its own 
 conduct or proceeding/' 
 
 ^0 vote taken at a previous session can be 
 reconsidered at a subseqent one^ except that the 
 motion to reconsider made and entered upon 
 the minutes at the last day of the session can 
 be called up to be acted upon at the next suc- 
 ceeding session. 
 
180 
 
 QUOEUM. 
 
 A quorum of an assembly is such a number as 
 is competent to legally transact its business. Un- 
 less a special rule has been adopted in the con- 
 stitution, the quorum is a majority of all the 
 members of the assembly. But when a society 
 has a permanent existence, it is usual to adopt 
 a much smaller number, the quorm being often 
 less than one-twentieth of its members. This 
 becomes a necessity in large societies, where 
 only a few are ever present at a meeting. While 
 a quorum is competent to transact any business, 
 it is usually not desirable to transact business 
 of importance unless there is a fair attendance 
 at the meeting, or else previous notice has been 
 given of the action to be taken, thereby giving 
 every member an opportunity to be present, and 
 either consent, or object, to the proposed action; 
 if they neglect their duty and a small quorum 
 legally transacts the business in v^hich all the 
 memhers should have had a voice, they have no 
 right to murmur at any action taken, but must 
 forever hold their peace. It must be remem- 
 bered that unanimous consent can not be given 
 unless there is a quorum present. ''The regula- 
 
181 
 
 tion that a quorum be present has been deemed 
 essential to secure fairness of proceeding, and 
 to prevent matters from being concluded in a 
 hasty manner, or agreed to by so small a num- 
 ber as not to command a due and proper re- 
 spect/' This number may be fixed by law, by 
 usage, or by the assembly itself, but if no rule 
 is established in any of these ways, a majority is 
 requisite. Bear in mind that the assembly is its 
 own supreme court, and there is no appeal from 
 its decision. Unanimous consent even has no 
 power over a quorum that has been decided upon 
 by the assembly in its constitution. Any rule 
 changing this must be sanctioned by the same 
 power that adopted the constitution. The 
 weight of authority inclines to the principle 
 that a present quorum only is necessary to give 
 legality to the action taken, and this may be 
 taken as an established rule. This is in accord 
 with the common practice, which has not re- 
 quired the record to show that a quorum 
 voted. If those present do not vote, they are 
 counted to make a quorum the same as if they 
 voted, on the principle that silence gives con- 
 sent to the action taken, so, if you do not want 
 to be counted on the prevailmg side, be sure and 
 
182 
 
 ^^voice 5^our sentiments.'^ Do not forget that the 
 prevailing side is not always the affirmative. No 
 is jnst as much progress in business as yes, and 
 yon may wish to negative a proposition. In 
 many instances business of importance has to be 
 postponed for lack of a qnornm, when the num- 
 ber is a majority this frequently happens ; expe- 
 rience has sho^wTi that for this reason a small 
 number should constitute a quorum; if a small 
 number is empowered to legally transact busi- 
 ness in which the whole assembly is equally in- 
 terested they will be apt to be present. A quo- 
 rum is presumed to be present if no member 
 raises the question. Otherwise business would 
 be blocked. 
 
183 
 
 COEPORATIONS. 
 
 "A corporation is a body consisting of one or 
 more persons, established by law for some spe- 
 cific purpose, and continued by a succession of 
 members. It is this last characteristic of a 
 corporation prolonging its existence beyond the 
 term of natural life and thereby enabling a 
 long continued effort and concentration of 
 means to the end it was designed to answer that 
 constitutes its principal utility. A corporation is 
 modeled after a state or nation, and to this day 
 is called a body politic, as well as corporate, 
 thereby indicating its origin and derivation.'' 
 
 "All corporations are moulded and controlled 
 both as to what they may do and the manner 
 of their doing it by their charter or act of in- 
 corporation, which to them are the laws of 
 their being, which they can neither dispense 
 with or alter, subject to such limitations as gen- 
 cral statute or constitutional law may impose. 
 
 "Every corporation aggregate, by virtue of in- 
 corporation and incidental thereto, has first: 
 The power of perpetual succession, including 
 the admission, and the removal for cause of 
 members. Second : The power to sue and be 
 
184 
 
 sued, to grant, and receive grants, and to do all 
 acts which it may do at all in its corporate name. 
 Third: To receive, purchase and hold lands 
 and other property, and to transmit them in 
 succession, as the church is an example of apos- 
 tolic succession established on Whitsunday. 
 Fourth : To have a common seal ; to 
 make, break, alter or renew it at pleasure. (A 
 seal is an engraved stamp used for making an 
 impression either in wax or ink to be attached 
 to a document, or otherwise used by way of 
 authentication or security.) Fifth: To make 
 by-laAvs for its government so that they be con- 
 sistent with its charter and the law of the land. 
 The manner of making them and who shall 
 make them, if not stated in the charter, resides 
 in all the members. Those members of a cor- 
 poration who succeed to the position of their 
 predecessors are the same as heirs." 
 
 Blackstone's definition : To form into a legal 
 body or body politic; to constitute into a cor- 
 poration recognized by law, having the capacity 
 of perpetual succession with special rights and 
 duties, a society having the capacity of transact- 
 ing business as an individual. A corporate so- 
 ciety is preserved by a succession of members 
 
185 
 
 either forever or until dissolved by the power 
 that formed it ; by the death of all its inemjjers ; 
 by the surrender of its charter or franchise; or 
 by forfeiture. 
 
 Incorporation gives an organization of any 
 kind the exclusive right to the name it has 
 adopted and all the privileges that have been ac- 
 corded it at the time ; a written evidence of cer- 
 tain privileges given by a legislature that no 
 one can infringe upon without being liable to 
 prosecution. 
 
186 
 
 QUESTIOiSrS AI^D ANSWERS. 
 
 When a club indorses a candidate for election 
 at a convention, would it be right or proper 
 for the clnb to send their delegates unin- 
 structed? Some contend that an indorsement 
 of a candidate is equivalent to a pledge of sup- 
 port, and that the delegate could not be sent un- 
 instructed. 
 
 Answer — The verbal indorsement of a candi- 
 date has no legal power, but gives expression to 
 the club's approval of the candidacy merely. In 
 order to secure the support of the club it is nec- 
 essary that a written statement to that effect be 
 made officially, and the delegate be instructed 
 to vote for and use her influence in favor of 
 the person named. It is the part of wisdom, 
 however, to send delegates to a convention un- 
 instructed, as it may be necessary for the sake 
 of peace and harmony to vote for the "^^dark 
 horse,'' as politicians say, that is, a candidate 
 upon whom a majority may unite, that hereto- 
 fore had not been thought of. 
 
Ig7 
 
 EFFECT OF ADJOURNMENT UPON UN- 
 FINISHED BUSINESS. 
 
 The business interrupted by adjournment is 
 the first in order after the reading of the min- 
 utes at the next meeting. However, in cases 
 where meetings are held but once a year, it is 
 customary .to move that all unfinished business 
 be referred to the executive board during the 
 interim between meetings, and this is acted upon 
 at the mid-year meeting of the executive board, 
 or any meeting of that body antedating the an- 
 nual meeting. 
 
188 
 
 EXECUTIVE BOARD. 
 
 An executive board is a standing committee 
 composed of the general officers of a society and 
 a number of appointed members, and, if desired, 
 chairmen of committees and the parliamen- 
 tarian. The presiding officer is always the chair- 
 man, and the recording secretary of the society 
 is secretary of the board. This committee^s 
 duties are always outlined in the constitution or 
 by-laws of the organization; they have charge 
 of all business of a private nature regarding ap- 
 plications for membership, or to investigate 
 charges miade against a member. The action 
 taken may be presented to the assembly for 
 approval, but if thought best, in the interest of 
 justice and mercy, may be confined to the 
 board. 
 
 OFFICIAL BOARD 
 
 Is composed of the general officers only. 
 
 In the W. C. T. U., instead of chairmen of 
 committees, they are designated as superinten- 
 dents of departments, as it has been found best 
 to make one person responsible for a special line 
 of work. 
 
189 
 
 QUESTION AND ANSWER. 
 
 When a speaker will not yield the floor in 
 debate, and is utterly regardless of parliamen- 
 tary procedure, or the rights of others, or will 
 not pay any attention to the presiding officer, 
 what is to be done? Page 80 gives one answer. 
 Then, again : You can all walk out and leave 
 her talking to empty chairs, or, as in the W. 
 C. T. U., some one — if such a circumstance ever 
 arose — would rise and suggest ^^that we join in 
 the Lord's Prayer," or Sister S. J. Sweeney, the 
 State evangelist, would rise and say gently, "Sis- 
 ters, let us pray," and by the time she had fin- 
 ished we'd all be glad we were not the one. 
 
190 
 DELEGATE AND ALTERNATE. 
 
 In selecting a delegate to represent yonr club 
 it is important for the good name of the society 
 that the best material for the purpose should be 
 chosen. While it is important, especially if one 
 is going away from home, to be well and hand- 
 som.ely gowned, it is much more important to be 
 well equipped mentally. It is presumed that a 
 delegate has found out what will be required of 
 her as such; and has prepared herself for her 
 work by a report to the convention, and that 
 she has a written report of what was done at 
 the convention for the information of her club, 
 at the first meeting after her return ; this report 
 should be handed to the recording secretary to be 
 kept among the archives of the society she rep- 
 resents, as valuable history. It is necessary for a 
 delegate to study the annual report of the organ- 
 ization to which she belongs, which always con- 
 tains the most useful and valuable information, 
 that she may be informed upon the questions 
 that are liable to come up for debate, so as to 
 intelligently discuss them. 
 
 The above applies also to an alternate, for, 
 like a vice-president, who upon occasion must 
 
191 
 
 take the place of the presiding officer, so the 
 alternate must, if she takes the place of the 
 delegate, prepare herself for the position. 
 
 FORM OF CEEDEFTIAL. 
 
 At (such a convention, or, at the regular 
 
 meeting of club) held at on 
 
 (date), the following named person 
 
 or persons were elected delegates to, etc., .... 
 
 to be held at (date 
 
 following), and are entitled to seats in said 
 body as representatives of this club or society. 
 Alternates to be named. 
 
 Signed by president and secretary. 
 
 IMPORTANT DON'TS. 
 
 Don't say, I would like to make a motion, or, 
 I make a motion, or, I move you, but simply 
 say, I move that, or to ; The simple form I move 
 is all that is necessary. 
 
 Don't says prec-e-dence, when you mean pre- 
 ced-ence. A prec-e-dent is an established fact; 
 pre-ced-ence is going before. 
 
 Read and study the constitution, bv-laws and 
 rules of order of the society to which you be- 
 long. 
 
192 
 
 FINALE. 
 
 We have now completed a brief resume of the 
 structure and necessity of parliamentary law, 
 and have shown how admirably these laws are 
 adapted, for a wholesome and dignified exercise 
 of the powers that have been confided to them. 
 
 All the checks which human ingenuity all up 
 and down the ages has been able to devise to 
 protect the interests of the minority and con- 
 duct business according to the rules and customs 
 governing polite society are embodied here, and 
 have been introduced with skill, wisdom and 
 cleverness, not by the author, but by the com- 
 bined authorities of past and present ages. 
 
 "Manner is of great importance. It is that 
 invisible quality which insensibly pervades, with 
 the happiest effect, a presiding officer or speaker. 
 It can not perhaps be absolutely acquired, but it 
 may be improved. It communicates itself by a 
 thousand mediums to the actions, bearing and 
 conduct; it is an indescribable combination of 
 ease and dignity. It is felt in the tones of the 
 voice ; which is the power of utterance." 
 
 The voice is an indicator; an expression of 
 tense or disturbed nerves. 'No voice is without 
 
193 
 
 gignification ; the loud, the angry, the querlous, 
 the irritable, the anxious, the pedagogic, the 
 monotonous, are each to be avoided. 
 
 The "Vox Humana" is of the most delicate 
 workmanship; it may be attuned to the finest, 
 the most beautiful expression, that will be a 
 rest and a pleasure to the hearer; such a voice 
 may be cultivated, and with the manner spoken 
 of gives the possessor an undeniable stamp of 
 culture and good breeding. 
 
 "The expression of the mind and soul through 
 speech is God's highest and best gift to man- 
 kind. The voice is the personal, vital and only 
 organ of the soul.'^ 
 
 "It is not so much ivhat you say, 
 As the manner in which you say it. 
 
 It is not so much the language you use, 
 As the tones in which you convey it.'' 
 
 There are qualities of the mind that are of a 
 very noble nature; a clear intellect, by which 
 is meant the faculty of darting in a moment 
 upon the truth, is a natural gift, but may be 
 cultivated and improved. 
 
 Quick perception is a wonderful power. Who- 
 ever can be made to comprehend with readiness 
 
194 
 
 can soon understand the system of parliamen- 
 taxj law^ and whoever can think minutely may 
 soon be master of the plan. It is practice that 
 is required. 
 
 "In solitude one may think correctly and rea- 
 son clearly/'' but when one faces an audience 
 and every eye is turned on the speaker, every 
 idea that found entrance into the brain may 
 "flee as a bird/' and one may find no thought or 
 word with which to express oneself. 
 
 In conclusion I quote from recent reading: 
 
 "If mythical gods and goddesses had a sys- 
 tem by which the act of self-control was made 
 a duty, should we not in this enlightened age 
 make double the effort to improve with the 
 many advantages at our disposal?" 
 
 Henry Ward Beecher left this message to 
 the world : 
 
 "We should so live and labor in our time 
 that what came to us as seed may go to the next 
 generation as blossom, and what came to us as 
 blossom may go to them as fruit. This is what 
 is meant by progress. It is God's law for every 
 period." 
 
 "Law and the love that is the fulfillment of 
 the law must be united in order to bring about 
 
195 
 
 the altruistic principles that are the embodi- 
 ment of true social power." 
 
 ''Gather up all the moral and spiritual force 
 within yourself; you will gain power through 
 the use of these, and it will fill your body with 
 a divine dignity." 
 
 "In self-reliance lies the secret power of abil- 
 ity to influence those with whom you are as- 
 sociated, and I reiterate a truth that will bear 
 repetition : 
 
 "To be able to diffuse a generous spirit 
 throughout the assembly and yet decide all 
 questions impartially, should be the aim of a 
 presiding officer." 
 
 "The creation of a healthy sentiment among 
 the members is as important for success as the 
 law of politeness is necessary to the comfort and 
 well being of the community." 
 
 "You never can tell what your thoughts will do 
 
 In bringing you hate or love, 
 For thoughts are things, and their airy wings 
 
 Are swifter than carrier doves ; 
 They follow the law of the universe, 
 
 Each thing must create its kind. 
 And they fly o'er the track to bring you back. 
 
 Whatever went out from your mind." 
 
196 
 
 IN CONCLUSION. 
 
 It must be remembered that "Our human 
 laws are but the copies, more or less imperfect, 
 of the eternal iaws^ so far as we can read them." 
 Law is the revelation of time, the priceless in- 
 heritance of antiquity ! Ignorance of the rules 
 and regulations of parliamentary law does not 
 exempt one from paying the penalty attached 
 to disobedience of these laws, for no one has. a 
 right to be ignorant upon a subject so important 
 to the existence and well being of an organiza- 
 tion. 
 
p 
 
 INDEX 
 
 This index will be a complete guide to the con- 
 tents of this treatise. There will be no confusing 
 references to figures or sections. Everything per- 
 taining to one subject will be found in one place, 
 so far as possible, to avoid unnecessary delays, as 
 the purpose is to expedite matters. 
 The page only is referred to. 
 
 Page 
 
 Alternate and Delegate 80, 102, 190, 191 
 
 Adjourn — Motion to fix time to which to.... 23, 98 
 
 Not alv/ays privileged 99 
 
 When qualified — changed — becomes a princi- 
 pal motion, can be debated, amended, etc.. 99 
 
 When not in order 99, 100 
 
 When in order 100 
 
 Effect on unfinished business 187 
 
 Adopt, Accept, Approve 147, 158 
 
 Assembly — its duty 
 
 and rights 79, 80, 81, 102, 121, 128, 181 
 
 Amendments 165, 170, 171 
 
 Who has a right to make 165 
 
 Must be "germane" 165 
 
 Presiding officer's action with relation 
 
 thereto 165, 166 
 
 No motion or resolution on a subject different 
 from that under consideration can be al- 
 lowed under form of 166 
 
 Limit of 168 
 
 Forms of 168 
 
 How placed 168 
 
 Not always in order 169 
 
 When debate is in order upon 157, 169 
 
198 
 
 Page 
 
 Renewal, when in order 170 
 
 Of Rules of Order, Constitution and 
 
 By-Laws 55, 56, 65, 66 
 
 To minutes 53, 89, 90 
 
 Amend rules 124 
 
 How vote taken 118 
 
 How many votes to carry 171 
 
 Appeal, first court of 41, 42 
 
 Appeal from the decision of the 
 
 chair 106, 107, 110, 172 
 
 Announcing the vote 140 
 
 Acclamation — voting by 138 
 
 Ballot — Nominations by 58, 59, 137, 138 
 
 Cast by Secretary 59 
 
 When in order 132 
 
 Business — By whom introduced .63, 69 
 
 Order of and how presented. . . .72, 73, 74, 75, 105 
 
 Priority of 104, 105, 127 
 
 Unfinished, effect of adjournment upon 145 
 
 By-Laws — What they should contain 65 
 
 Definition of 65, 66 
 
 Adoption of 57 
 
 Amendment of 66 
 
 Suspension of 69 
 
 Report of 54 
 
 Committees — Appointment of 142 
 
 Object of 128, 142 
 
 Quorum of 142 
 
 Report of 144, 147, 148, 152, 153 
 
 Principle of selection 143, 147 
 
 Chairman of 143, 144, 146 
 
 Kind of. Duties of 144, 145, 148 
 
 Executive 145, 146, 147 
 
 Committee of the Whole 149, 150, 151, 152 
 
 Common errors 147, 148 
 
 Credential 148 
 
199 
 
 Page 
 
 Ex-officio member 154 
 
 Minority report 153 
 
 Sub-committees 151 
 
 Who can call meeting 151 
 
 Reconsideration of vote in 151 
 
 How meeting is closed 150 
 
 Committee program 127 
 
 Rights of 128 
 
 Change of vote 141 
 
 Classification of motions 94 
 
 Corresponding Secretary 93 
 
 Close debate, motion to 120 
 
 Consent, unanimous 26, 146, 180, 181 
 
 Constitutions — What they should contain 65 
 
 Adoption of 54, 55, 56 
 
 Amendment of, tvs^o-thirds vote 66 
 
 Cannot be suspended 112 
 
 Consideration of a question, objection 
 
 to 114,119,178 
 
 Constitutions — The object of 64 
 
 What is a 64 
 
 What contained in 65 
 
 Why necessary 50 
 
 Suspension of 112 
 
 Resolution or motion cannot conflict 128 
 
 Charter members 56 
 
 Corporations 183, 184, 185 
 
 Conclusion ,. . . 196 
 
 "Club Woman," official organ women's clubs, 78, 79 
 
 Common sense and common courtesy 80 
 
 Corresponding Secretary 93 
 
 Classification of motions 94 
 
 Candidates, how selected 137 
 
 Class address 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40 
 
 Court of Appeals 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 
 
 Chair, the presiding officer. .76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 124 
 
200 
 
 Page 
 
 Courtesy, its demands 51 
 
 Credential, form of 191 
 
 Code Justinian 43, 44, 49 
 
 Code Napoleon 44 
 
 Christianity, its effect upon law 45, 46 
 
 Candidates, how selected 137 
 
 Delay action 159, 160 
 
 Debate — When in order, its purpose 70, 172 
 
 How often member may speak in .174 
 
 Member making motion has the right to 
 
 open and close 173, 174 
 
 Closing, limiting or extending. .115, 120, 121, 130 
 Decorum in, controlling. .32, 77, 129, 130, 173, 175 
 
 To postpone 121 
 
 Right to floor in 172 
 
 Its meaning 176 
 
 Right of chair to take part in 78 
 
 Right of assembly to protect itself in. .79, 80, 108 
 
 Ex-off icio 154 
 
 Election of officers 51, 57, 135, 137 
 
 Unanimous election 59 
 
 Secretary cast the ballot 85 
 
 Errors 147 
 
 Expulsion requires two-thirds vote 108, 109 
 
 Experience 79 
 
 Executive Board 188 
 
 Expunge from minutes 165 
 
 Fix time to vfhich to adjourn 
 
 Floor — How to obtain 69 
 
 V/hy necessary 69, 70 
 
 "What is meant by gaining the .176 
 
 Forms — Of making motions 71 
 
 Of a resolution 73, 74 
 
 Of stating and putting motions, the 
 
 same 69, 72, 73, 74 
 
 Favor of, decline in 60 
 
201 
 
 Page 
 
 First court of appears 41 
 
 Finale 192 
 
 General parliamentary laws 23,79 
 
 General orders 104 
 
 General usage 20 
 
 How to manage the principal motion 62 
 
 How candidates are selected 137 
 
 History's influence upon law 44 
 
 Habit — its influence and analysis 28 
 
 House, question before the 18 
 
 Important Don'ts 191 
 
 Incidental motions 75,94,95,110,111,112 
 
 Explanations of and how managed 110 
 
 Introduction 15 
 
 Its object 63 
 
 Informal action 155 
 
 Indefinite postponement 115 
 
 Indecorum in debate, leave to continue 
 
 after 108, 157, 175 
 
 Incorrect form of refusing nomination 59 
 
 Incorporation 183, 184, 185 
 
 Judgment 19 
 
 Journal, or record book 53, 90 
 
 Jefferson's Manual . .- 21 
 
 Knowledge 19 
 
 Lay on the table 88, 97, 114, 115, 176 
 
 List of motions 95 
 
 Main question 62, 71, 72, 114, 157, 164 
 
 Majority vote 74, 90, 107, 118, 120, 143, 176 
 
 Majorities, rights of 122, 160 
 
 Of committee report 153 
 
 Meeting — Its meaning and conduct 51, 52, 53, 77 
 
 Difference in 84 
 
 To fix time of 98 
 
 Held at long intervals 124 
 
202 
 
 Page 
 
 Miscellaneous motions 122,123,124,125, 
 
 126, 127, 128, 129, 130 
 
 Minorities, protection of 117, 158 
 
 Members, rights and duties of 32,69,70,77, 
 
 79, 80, 81, 103 
 
 Minutes 84, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 
 
 Manner, its importance 187 
 
 Motions, undebatable 156, 157 
 
 Motions tiiat cannot be amended 157 
 
 Motions that do not require obtaining the floor. 101 
 Nominations not accepted 58 
 
 Incorrect form of refusing 59, 60 
 
 Most satisfactory method 58 
 
 Negative vote not taken 51 
 
 Organization — Two kinds of 49, 50, 51 
 
 How conducted 52, 53, 54, 55 
 
 Obedience to law 47, 48 
 
 Officers and duties 76, 77, 78, 79 
 
 Officers, Secretary 84, 85 
 
 Official Board 188 
 
 Orders of the day 104 
 
 Order, points of and appeals 106, 107, 110 
 
 Principal motion, when composed of more 
 
 than one proposition 170, 171 
 
 Privileged motions 99, 100, 101, 102 
 
 Parliamentary law 15, 16, 17, 18, 
 
 19, 20, 24, 25, 26 
 
 Definitions of terms 176 
 
 Point of order 106, 167 
 
 Parliamentary inquiry 103, 124 
 
 Pending motions and amendments 71 
 
 Parliamentary motions that are undebatable. . .156 
 
 Proxies 136 
 
 President, duties 76, 77, 78, 79, 129, 130 
 
 Promote action, to 158, 159 
 
 Previous question 117, 118 
 
203 
 
 Page 
 
 Quorum 180, 181, 182 
 
 Questions and answers 186, 189 
 
 Questions that cannot be amended 157 
 
 Qualifications of President 29,30,31,32 
 
 Reconsider 161, 162, 163, 164 
 
 Recording Secretary 86, 87, 88, 89, 90 
 
 Reed, his contribution to good government. .22, 23 
 
 Resolutions, form of presenting 71, 72, 73, 74 
 
 Reading of papers Ill 
 
 Rescind, to .122 
 
 Renewal of a motion, or amendment 123 
 
 When debatable 163 
 
 How vote can be reconsidered 163 
 
 Effect of upon the motion or resolution 164 
 
 Suspension of rules 68, 69, 112, 113 
 
 Constitution and By-Laws 68, 69 
 
 Standing rules 66, 67 
 
 Seconding motions 70 
 
 Subsidiary motions, precedence of 71, 94, 96, 97 
 
 Special rules 126 
 
 Session 177, 178 
 
 Reconsider the vote cannot be made at sub- 
 sequent 179 
 
 Treasurer, duties of 91, 92 
 
 Tact 18, 19, 31 
 
 Unanimous vote and consent 26, 146, 180, 181 
 
 Unfinished Business 187 
 
 Unwritten will 20 
 
 Vice-President, qualifications and duties 82,83 
 
 Voting — Its importance 131, 132 
 
 Methods of 132, 133 
 
 Biasing a vote 133, 134 
 
 Withdraw a motion, to Ill, 112 
 
 Voice and vox humana 193 
 
 Yeas and nays 132 
 
 Yielding the right to the floor 129 
 
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