Part Ii, Lesson Outlines, and the Index.

=Table of Contents.= This gives a clear, systematic idea of the arrangement of subjects treated in the Manual.

=Order of Precedence of Motions and Table of Rules.= A careful study of these tables so as to be able to use them quickly will enable any one in an emergency to ascertain whether a motion is in order, and whether it may be debated, or amended, or reconsidered, or requires a second, or a two-thirds vote, or is in order when another member has the floor.

=Part I=, comprising the main part of the Manual, contains a set of Rules of Order systematically arranged, as shown in the Table of Contents. It begins with showing how business is introduced in a deliberative assembly, and then follows it step by step until the vote is taken and announced. The next section, =10=, shows what is the proper motion to use to accomplish certain objects, referring at the same time to the section where the motion will be found fully treated. Next, the motions are classified as usual into Privileged, Incidental, Subsidiary, and Main, and the general characteristics of each class given.

Then each class is taken up in order, beginning with the highest privileged motion, and a section is devoted to each motion, including some motions that are not classified. Each of these twenty-six sections is complete in itself, so that one unfamiliar with the work need not be misled in examining any particular subject. Cross-references, in heavy-face type, are used wherever it was thought they would be helpful, the references being to sections, the number of the section being placed at the top of each page. The following is stated in reference to each motion, except some of the incidental ones, the first six points being mentioned at the beginning of each section:

(1) Of what motions it takes precedence (that is, what motions may be pending and yet it be in order to make and consider this motion).

(2) To what motions it yields (that is, what motions may be made and considered while this motion is pending).

(3) Whether it is debatable or not (all motions being debatable unless the contrary is stated).

(4) Whether it can be amended or not.

(5) In case the motion can have no subsidiary motion applied to it, the fact is stated [see Adjourn, =17=, for an example: the meaning is, that the particular motion, to adjourn, cannot be laid on the table, postponed, committed, or amended, &c.].

(6) The vote required for its adoption, when it is not a majority.

(7) The form of making the motion when peculiar.

(8) The form of stating and putting the question when peculiar.

(9) The object of the motion when not apparent.

(10) The effect of the motion if adopted, whenever it could possibly be misunderstood.

=Part II= contains an explanation of the methods of organizing and conducting different kinds of meetings, giving the words used by the chairman and speakers in making and putting various motions; and also a few pages devoted to the legal rights of deliberative assemblies and ecclesiastical tribunals, and to the trial of members of such societies. The beginner, especially, will find it useful to read sections =69-71= in connection with sections =1-10=, thus obtaining correct ideas as to the methods of conducting business in deliberative assemblies.

=The Plan for the Study of Parliamentary Law=, pages 305-312, gives some helpful suggestions to clubs and individuals wishing to study parliamentary law, together with a series of eighteen Lesson Outlines.

=The Index= refers to pages, not sections, and at the beginning are given some suggestions as to the best method of finding anything in these Rules.

DEFINITIONS.

In addition to the terms defined above (taking precedence of, yielding to, and applying to [see p. 21]), there are other terms that are liable to be misunderstood, to which attention is called.

Accepting a report is the same as adopting it, and should not be confused with receiving a report, which is allowing it to be presented to the assembly.

Assembly. This term is used for the deliberative assembly, and should be replaced in motions, etc., by the proper name of the body, as society, club, church, board, convention, etc.

The Chair means the presiding officer, whether temporary or permanent.

The terms Congress and H. R., when used in this Manual, refer to the U. S. House of Representatives.

Meeting and Session. Meeting is used in this Manual for an assembling of the members of a deliberative body for any length of time during which they do not separate for longer than a few minutes, as the morning meeting, or the evening meeting, of a convention. In a society with rules providing for regular meetings every week, or month, etc., each of these regular meetings is a separate session. A called or special meeting is a distinct session. Should a regular or special meeting adjourn to meet at another time, the adjourned meeting is a continuation of the session, not a separate one; the two meetings constitute one session. In the case of a convention holding a meeting every year or two, or rather a series of meetings lasting several days, the entire series of meetings constitute one session. [See =63=.]

Pending and Immediately Pending. A question is said to be pending when it has been stated by the chair and has not yet been disposed of either permanently or temporarily. When several questions are pending, the one last stated by the chair, and therefore the one to be first disposed of, is said to be the immediately pending question.

A Main motion is one that is made to bring before the assembly any particular subject. No main motion can be made when another motion is pending.

A Subsidiary motion is one that may be applied to a main motion, and to certain other motions, for the purpose of modifying them, delaying action upon them or otherwise disposing of them.

Privileged motions are such that, while having no relation to the pending question, are of such urgency or importance as to require them to take precedence of all other motions.

An Incidental motion is one that arises out of another question which is pending or has just been pending, and must be decided before the pending question, or before other business is taken up. Incidental motions have no fixed rank but take precedence of the questions out of which they arise, whether those questions are main or subsidiary or privileged.

The Previous Question does not refer, as its name would imply, to the previous question, but is the name given to the motion to close debate and at once to take the vote on the immediately pending question and such other questions as are specified in the motion.

A Substitute is an amendment where an entire resolution, or section, or one or more paragraphs, is struck out and another resolution, or section, or one or more paragraphs, is inserted in its place.

Plurality, Majority, and Two-thirds Vote. In an election a candidate has a plurality when he has a larger vote than any other candidate; he has a majority when he has more than half the legal votes cast, ignoring blanks. In an assembly a plurality never elects except by virtue of a rule to that effect. A majority vote when used in these rules means a majority of the legal votes cast, ignoring blanks, at a legal meeting, a quorum being present. A two-thirds vote is two-thirds of the votes just described. For an illustration of the difference between a two-thirds vote, a vote of two-thirds of the members present, and a vote of two-thirds of the members, see page 204.

TO THE READER.

The reader is advised to read this Manual in the order suggested in the Plan for the study of Parliamentary Law, page 305.