utes to do more than give an abstract of its contents, or a sentence or two indicating its nature. The report should, however, be indorsed with its title, and the date of its report, and filed. A list of the orders of the day should always be made out previous to every meeting, for the convenience of the presiding officer. III. Corresponding Secretary. In addressing a letter for the body, write the words "Corresponding Secretary," as concluding part of the signature, and retain a copy of the letter sent, with a record of the time it was dispatched, stating whether by mail or private hand. IV. The Treasurer. The form of account of the treasurer is very simple. The following will give an idea of the plan which will answer, in most cases, for an annual statement; but where the accounts are complicated, a regular set of books should be opened, and kept by double entry : DR. The Bergen Institute, in account with John Smith, Treasurer. CR July 1To Cash paid for one quarter's rent. 1To Cash paid for one 2 To Cash paid for clean- V. The Librarian. The catalogue of books and MSS. should be numbered and classified by size. For this matter see title "Libraries and Museums," post. Then the record of loans should be made out somewhat in this fashion: LENDING BOOK-LIBRARY OF [insert name]. The abbreviations O., D., Oct., V., and T., mean severally octavo, duodecimo, 18mo, 24mo, and 32mo. A separate column may be added to the above, headed "Remarks," in which the librarian may enter an account of the condition of the books, etc., when returned. VI. The Curator. The curator's catalogue should have three columns: the first containing the name or description of each article in charge; the second, how obtained; and the third, the mode of its acquisition, whether by purchase, donation, or exchange. If minerals, shells, or natural curiosities, another column is to be added for the original locality of the specimen. VII. The Committees. The chairman of the committee of the whole, when the committee has risen, will say to the president of the main body, if it have concluded its business: "Mr. President: The committee of the whole has, ac cording to order, gone through the business assigned to it, and asks leave to report.' Leave being granted, he reports what has been done. Or, ot having concluded— "The committee of the whole has, according to order, considered the business assigned to it, and made progress therein, but not having time to conclude the same, ask leave to sit again.” Or, if rising from want of a quorum "The committee of the whole has, according to order, considered [or proceeded to consider] the business assigned to it, but has risen for want of a quorum." In putting the question for rising "It has been moved and seconded that this committee do now rise and report [or report progress]. So many as are in favor," etc. All written reports are headed after a similar form. If from a standing committee, thus: "The committee on [insert name of committee] respectfully report" And then let the report follow. If a special committee— "The committee to which was referred [here state the special matter of reference], have considered the same, and respectfully report," etc. And all reports conclude with: "All of which is respectfully submitted." A minority report is headed : "The undersigned, the minority of a committee to which was referred," etc. And concludes as in a majority report. 60 PART V. RULES OF ORDER. I. Quorum. 1. A QUORUM is a sufficient number to legally transact business. A majority of the members of any associa tion constitutes a natural quorum; but a smaller number is usually made a quorum, by a provision to that effect in the constitution or by-laws, through motives of convenience. 2. If there be a quorum present at the hour named for the meeting, or within thirty minutes thereafter, the presiding officer takes the chair, and calls the association to order; if not, he waits a reasonable time, and from the chair announces that no quorum is present. Thereupon no further business is in order, except to adjourn for want of a quorum. But it will be in order to call the roll of members, and to make endeavor to obtain the presence of enough to form a quorum. 3. During the transaction of business, should it be observed that no quorum is present, the chair may announce the fact, or any member may call for a count. If, on counting, it be found that there is no quorum, business is suspended until a quorum be found. If not to be had, the meeting must be adjourned. 4. If, on calling the ayes and noes, or on division, a quorum be not found, the vote is null, and at the next 64 meeting the unfinished business is in the exact state it was when the absence of a quorum was discovered. II. Call. 1. On a call of the body, each member rises as he is called, and answers to his name, and the absentees aro noted. In a small body it is not necessary to rise. III. Minutes. 1. The presiding officer having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the minutes are read. If there be any mistakes in the record, these are amended, and then the minutes are adopted. If, under circumstances requiring haste, or in the absence of the journal, the reading of the minutes be suspended, they may be either read and adopted at another stage of the proceedings, or at the next succeeding meeting. Nevertheless, the minutes being a record of facts, any error subsequently discovered may be amended at any time. This may be done by unanimous consent; or, if objections be made, then any member who voted in the affirmative on their adoption, can move a reconsideration of the motion to adopt. This last motion prevailing, the minutes are open to amendment; and after being amended, the motion on their adoption as amended is put. 2. The rule of record in ordinary associations is somewhat different from that in legislative bodies. The minutes of the former stand in lieu of the journals of the latter. The former never contain a question which is interrupted by a vote to adjourn, or to proceed to the order of the day; the latter always do. Even propositions withdrawn, or ruled out of order, may be entered, as so treated. The minutes are to be full and explicit, |