efficient parliamentarian. The attempt is made here to present the subject systematically as a science. The distinction of questions into debatable and nondebatable is not arbitrary, but based upon principle; and it is important that the cases should be discriminated, and the reasons given which govern them severally. This the author has done. In the discussion of every form of question, he takes care to state when debate is not in order, and to give the reason for it, if necessary. This manual will, of course, be found to differ from the special rules of legislative bodies. It is based upon General Parliamentary Law, and is an attempt to develop the American form of it; while legislative rule is an intentional departure from the General Code. The author hopes, however, that it will be found useful to members of legislative bodies; indeed, distinguished legislative presiding officers have been kind enough to say to him that they used his former publication as their text-book. The hope is indulged that this manual will be found adapted to deliberative bodies of all kinds; and that intelligent presiding officers, even though they have not had the advantage of legislative training, will find in it. hints and instructions which will enable them, with dignity and efficiency, to perform the duties of their office. P. H. M. UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA, Feb. 9, 1876. A MANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE. CHAPTER I. DELIBERATIVE BODIES. 1. A Deliberative Body is an organized assembly of persons convened to consider and act upon questions that may be legitimately presented to them according to the principles and forms sanctioned by immemorial usage. In all true deliberative bodies, the members are on an equality, and the officers are but the instruments and agents of the assembly. SECT. I.-DIFFERENT KINDS OF DELIBERATIVE BODIES. 2. Some deliberative bodies are permanently estab lished, and others are occasional. 3. Permanently established bodies are such as are required by constitutional provision to meet at stated times, with no provision for their final dissolution. These are subdivided into two classes. I. In the first class are found those bodies whose members have no constituencies, but maintain the relation at will, or for life; or such elective bodies as always have a sufficient number holding position to qualify them for the transaction of business. Of the (7) former, are local churches in their business capacity, and the House of Peers in England, whose members hold the relation in the main by hereditary right; of the latter is the Senate of the United States, where the expiration of terms is so arranged as always to leave at least two-thirds of the members in position. These may be called, par eminence, permanent bodies. II. Of the second class are such bodies as in form continue perpetually, but whose members retire from position either all together or in such numbers as to leave those who hold over so reduced as not to form a quorum. To this class belong Legislative assemblies, Boards of Managers, and religious constituent organizations. 4. Occasional deliberative bodies are such convocations as are called together for temporary purposes, which transact once for all the business for which they assemble, and then dissolve. Of these bodies also there are two classes: I. The first class of occasional deliberative bodies are those whose members represent constituencies — to whom evidences of appointment are necessary to entitle them to a seat. Under this head are constitutional State conventions, Political conventions,-County, State or National, councils, or "Committees of Help," appointed at the instance of a church to aid it in a case of discipline, &c., &c. II. The second class of occasional deliberative bodies are those whose members have no constituencies, and need no credentials, but who are present at the instance of a legitimate public call in which they consider themselves embraced. Such are all meetings of citizens called for any special purpose. 5. There are certain permanently established bodies that are only quasi deliberative. Such are some ecclesiastical assemblies presided over by those who assert the prerogative to decline to put to the question any motion that they do not approve. These are not, in strictness, deliberative bodies. |