Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Practical Lessons

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

PRACTICAL LESSONS.

145. For the purpose of illustrating by practice some of the questions that may arise in any assembly, let us suppose a meeting has been called to discuss some of the current topics or political questions of the day. Shortly after the time for which the meeting was called some member will rise, face the assembly, and say: “The meeting will please come to order.” He may here state briefly the object of the meeting, and conclude his remarks by saying, “Nominations for chairman are in order.”

Mr. Newton (rising): I nominate Mr. Adler for chairman.

The Acting Chairman: Mr. Adler has been nominated. Are there other nominations? (After a short pause.) As many as favor Mr. Adler for chairman say Aye. Those opposed, No.

If the ayes are in majority he will say: “The ayes have it. Mr. Adler is elected and will please take the chair.”

Or if the noes are in majority he will say: “The noes have it. There is no election. Nominations for chairman are again in order.”

When the chairman is elected he takes the chair and proceeds to complete the organization by the election of a secretary. This election is conducted the same as the election of a chairman, except that since the chairman is elected he has the power of recognition in deciding who has the floor. Therefore, when any member desires to introduce any business, or speak on any subject, he must first obtain the floor by rising and saying, “Mr. Chairman,” and wait until recognized.

146. Mr. Hansell (rising): Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman: Mr. Hansell.

Mr. Hansell: I nominate Mr. Newton for secretary.

The Chairman: Mr. Newton has been nominated. Are there other nominations?

. . . As many as favor Mr. Newton for secretary say aye. Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. Mr. Newton is elected and will please assume the duties of secretary.

147. Mr. Briggs (rising): Mr. Chairman.

The Chairman: Mr. Briggs.

Mr. Briggs: I move the adoption of the resolution. Resolved, That Education should be compulsory.

Mr. Brown (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to adopt the resolution. Resolved, That Education should be compulsory. Are you ready for the question?

Mr. Dalton (obtaining the floor): I move to amend the resolution by inserting the words “in the grammar grades” after the word education.

Mr. Kane (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to amend the resolution by inserting the words “in the grammar grades” after the word education. So that the resolution, if amended, will be, Resolved, That education in the grammar grades should be compulsory. Are you ready for the question? (Amendment debatable.) As many as favor the amendment say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now recurs on the amended resolution, Resolved, That education in the grammar grades should be compulsory. Are you ready for the question? As many as favor the amended resolution say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The amended resolution is adopted.

148. Mr. Colvin (obtaining the floor): I move the adoption of the resolution, Resolved, That High Schools should be maintained at public expense.

Mr. Little (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to adopt the resolution, Resolved, That High Schools should be maintained at public expense. Are you ready for the question?

Mr. Lissenden (obtaining the floor): I move to amend the resolution by striking out the word High.

Mr. Newton (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to amend the resolution by striking out the word High. So that the resolution, if amended, will be: Resolved, That schools should be maintained at public expense. Are you ready for the question? (Amendment debatable.) As many as favor the amendment say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now recurs on the amended resolution, Resolved, That schools should be maintained at public expense. Are you ready for the question? As many as are in favor say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. The ayes have it. The amended resolution is adopted.

149. Mr. Rollins (obtaining the floor): I move we adjourn.

Mr. Clancy (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded that we adjourn. Are you ready for the question? (Undebatable.)

Mr. Scales (obtaining the floor): I move that when we adjourn it shall be to meet in Handel Hall next Tuesday, 7:30 p. m.

Mr. Kane (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded that when we adjourn it shall be to meet in Handel Hall next Tuesday at 7:30 p. m. Are you ready for the question?

(The question is now open to amendment as to the time or place of meeting; but since it interrupts the undebatable motion—to adjourn—it cannot be debated.)

Mr. Colvin (obtaining the floor): I move to amend by striking out the word Handel and inserting the word Studebaker.

Mr. Peters (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out the word Handel and inserting Studebaker. So that the motion, if amended, will be: That when we adjourn it shall be to meet in Studebaker Hall next Tuesday to 7:30 p. m. Are you ready for the question (Undebatable.)

Mr. Harter (obtaining the floor): I move to amend by striking out 7:30 and inserting 8.

Mr. Kane (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: The chair rules the amendment offered not in order, because it does not apply to the amendment before the assembly—striking out the word Handel and inserting Studebaker. It is in fact an amendment to a different part of the motion, and therefore cannot be entertained until the amendment now before the assembly is disposed of. As many as are in favor of the amendment—striking out the word Handel and inserting Studebaker—say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now recurs on the amended motion. That when we adjourn it shall be to meet in Studebaker Hall next Tuesday at 7:30 p. m. Are you ready for the question? (Undebatable.)

Mr. Harter (obtaining the floor): I move to amend by striking out 7:30 and inserting 8.

Mr. Kane (rising): I second the motion.

The Chairman: It is moved and seconded to amend the motion by striking out 7:30 and inserting 8. Are you ready for the question? (Undebatable.)

Mr. Scales (obtaining the floor): The hour 7:30 is too early for those residing in the suburbs. I am in favor of——

The Chairman (interrupting): The gentlemen is not in order. In this case the question before the assembly—fixing the time and place—interrupts the undebatable motion—to adjourn—and cannot be debated. The question is on the amendment striking out 7:30 and inserting 8. As many as favor the amendment say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The amendment is adopted. The question now recurs on the amended motion. That when we adjourn it shall be to meet in Studebaker Hall next Tuesday at 8 p. m. As many as are in favor say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. The motion is adopted. The question now recurs on the motion to adjourn. As many as favor adjournment say aye. . . . Those opposed, no. . . . The ayes have it. We are adjourned to meet in Studebaker Hall next Tuesday at 8 p. m.