Dr. Quinlan: This is a debatable subject.
Mr. Lonergan: My amendment, Mr. President, is to Mr. Crimmins’ motion, that this revised constitution by the committee be sent to the Executive body, and I wish to say here that the Executive body is more representative of this Society than this gathering here today; and why, because there are a thousand members in the Society, and we have less than a hundred here today. I therefore move that this revised constitution be sent to the Executive Council, with power to amend and revise, and that a copy thereof be sent forward to every member within three months’ time.
Mr. O’Brien: This proposed constitution has been signed and approved by Judge Lee, Mr. Joseph T. Ryan, Mr. Patrick J. McCarthy and John E. O’Brien. It has had considerable study, and its provisions are very simple. We think it is more businesslike and a little more artistic, perhaps, than the present one. It has not been submitted in writing to the members of the Society for two reasons: first, the present constitution does not require any such submission; and in the second place, it would take time and there would be considerable expense.
Now, these terms are very plain and simple. They are drawn in a businesslike way rather than in beautiful language; there is no attempt at that. And since the statement of the purpose of the Society has been particularly spoken of, I will say that the matter was brought to our attention by former officers of the Society, who thought the present statement, while couched in beautiful language, was rather out of place in a businesslike constitution.
I do believe, now, after considering the matter and talking with Judge Lee, that this might be passed upon. He has approved it, it has been in effect approved by the Executive Council, and I don’t think it should be delayed for another year. If necessary, it might be read; I can read it in ten minutes, perhaps.
Dr. Quinlan: The amendment of Mr. Lonergan is before the house. All who are in favor of the same signify by saying “aye.”
Mr. Lonergan: It seems to me before the question is put everybody should have a chance to speak, so that when we vote we can do so intelligently.
Dr. Quinlan: We have so much business on hand this afternoon that my idea was to get this question disposed of, not that we wish to curtail anything; but these matters take up so much time and there is so much scientific matter, our programme is so lengthy, that I simply want to be fair and just to everybody.
General Collins: I have no desire to take up the time unnecessarily, but it seems to me we do not make a constitution every day in the week, and I am heartily in accord with the suggestion made by Mr. Lenehan that it should be left over. I do not think, as a matter of fact, we have any right to adopt a constitution. It is a question to me why every member of the Society ought not to be notified. Where members are living in all parts of the country and it is practically impossible for some of them to attend the meetings, it seems to me every member should be notified or a copy of the new constitution should be served on them. We do not make a constitution every day in the week, and the matter can very well wait over. It seems to me no detriment would be incurred by reason of holding over.
Dr. Quinlan: You have heard the motion that this constitution be referred to the Executive Council for revision.