Dec. 31. To rent of hall .. $500 00 Jan. 1. By balance on hand
” Gas ……….. 80 00 from last year’s
” Stationery …. 26 50 account ………. $ 21 13
” Janitor ……. 360 00 Dec. 31. By initiation fees 95 00
” Balance on hand 24 63 ” members’ dues .. 875 00
———- ———-
$991 13 $991 13
We do hereby certify that we have examined the accounts and vouchers of the treasurer, and find them correct; and that the balance in his hands is twenty-four dollars and sixty-three cents. R. V., J. L., Audit Comm.
53. Committees. In small assemblies, especially in those where but little business is done, there is not much need of committees. But in large assemblies, or in those doing a great deal of business, committees are of the utmost importance. When a committee is properly selected, in nine cases out of ten its action decides that of the assembly. A committee for action should be small and consist only of those heartily in favor of the proposed action. A committee for deliberation or investigation, on the contrary, should be larger and represent all parties in the assembly, so that its opinion will carry with it as great weight as possible. The usefulness of the committee will be greatly impaired, if any important faction of the assembly be unrepresented on the committee. The appointment of a committee is fully explained in § 46 (c).
The first member named on a committee is their chairman, and it is his duty to call together the committee, and preside at their meetings. If he is absent, or from any cause fails or declines to call a meeting, it is the duty of the committee to assemble on the call of any two of their members. The committee are a miniature assembly, only being able to act when a quorum is present. If a paper is referred to them they must not deface it in any way, but write their amendments on a separate sheet. If they originate the paper, all amendments must be incorporated in it. When they originate the paper, usually one member has previously prepared a draft, which is read entirely through, and then read by paragraphs, the chairman pausing after each paragraph and asking, “Are there any amendments proposed to this paragraph?” No vote is taken on the adoption of the separate paragraphs, but after the whole paper has been read in this way, it is open to amendment, generally, by striking out any paragraph or inserting new ones, or by substituting an entirely new paper for it. When it has been amended to suit the committee, they should adopt it as their report, and direct the chairman or some other member to report it to the assembly. It is then written out, usually commencing in a style similar to this: “The committee to which was referred [state the matter referred], beg leave to submit the following report;” or, “Your committee appointed to [specify the object], would respectfully report,” etc. It usually closes thus: “All of which is respectfully submitted,” followed by the signatures of all the members concurring in the report, or sometimes by only that of the chairman.
If the minority submit a report, it commences thus: “The undersigned, a minority of the committee appointed,” etc., continuing as the regular report of the committee. After the committee’s report has been read, it is usual to allow the minority to present their report, but it cannot be acted upon except by a motion to substitute it for the report of the committee. When the committee’s report is read, they are discharged without any motion. A motion to refer the paper back to the same committee (or to re-commit), if adopted, revives the committee.
Art. XI. Introduction of Business.
54. Any member wishing to bring business before the assembly, should, without it is very simple, write down in the form of a motion, what he would like to have the assembly adopt, thus:
Resolved, That the thanks of this convention be tendered to the citizens of this community for their hearty welcome and generous hospitality.
When there is no other business before the assembly, he rises and addresses the chairman by his title, thus: “Mr. Chairman,” who immediately recognizes him by announcing his name.* [If the chairman has any special title, as President, for instance, he should be addressed by it, thus: “Mr. President.” Sometimes the chairman recognizes the speaker by merely bowing to him, but the proper course is to announce his name.] He, then having the floor, says that he “moves the adoption of the following resolution,” which he reads and hands to the chairman.** [Or, when he is recognized by the chair, he may say that he wishes to offer the following resolutions, which he reads and then moves their adoption.] Some one else seconds the motion, and the chairman says, “It has been moved and seconded that the following resolution be adopted,” when he reads the resolution; or he may read the resolution and then state the question thus: “The question is on the adoption of the resolution just read.” The merits of the resolution are then open to discussion, but before any member can discuss the question or make any motion, he must first obtain the floor as just described. After the chairman states the question, if no one rises to speak, or when he thinks the debate closed, he asks, “Are you ready for the question?” If no one then rises, he puts the question in a form similar to the following: “The question is on the adoption of the resolution which you have heard; as many as are in favor of its adoption will say aye.” When the ayes have voted, he says, “As many as are of a contrary opinion will say no.”* [There are many other ways of putting a question; see § 67, and Rules of Order, § 38. Other illustrations of the ordinary practice in introducing business will be seen in §§ 46-48.] He then announces the result, stating that the motion is carried, or lost, as the case may be, in the following form: “The motion is carried—the resolution is adopted;” or, “The ayes have it—the resolution is adopted.” A majority of the votes cast is sufficient for the adoption of any motion, excepting those mentioned in § 68.