while it is scarcely possible that any individual, possessing ordinary experience and good common sense, will be at a loss in satisfactorily directing the business of a meeting, yet, it is evident, that with some knowledge of the legislative mode of propounding and deciding questions of order, great facility will be possessed by the Chairman, and a degree of regularity, propriety and dignity, given to the doings of a meeting, not to be hoped for under less favorable circum stances. Uniformity of proceeding can never be obtained while every presiding officer is allowed to decide questions of order according to his own will, or on the mere ground of temporary expediency. Invariably the object of a meeting is, or should be, to obtain a free, full and unbiassed expression of opinion; and to secure this, the rights and privileges of both officers and members, majorities and minorities, must be properly guarded. Rules of order have been found necessary to promote these ends, and hence their adoption in all deliberative assemblies. Without such rules, the influence of a pre siding officer, which is very great, or the pertinacity of a popular member or members, in advocating a favorite scheme, might wholly frustrate the real object of a meeting, and render its proceedings altogether nugatory. Fixed fundamental rules are therefore essentially necessary, as well to carry out the true purposes of a meeting, as to protect the rights of every member. The deficiency heretofore felt in this particular, it is now, with much diffidence, proposed to supply in this publication. The rules for conducting business here laid down, are based upon those in use in our State Legislature, with such suggestions, modifications and alterations, as appear to be necessary to make them applicable to the purposes intended. The leading objects areto relieve presiding officers from embarrassment, to give greater facility in the transaction of business, to economize time, and to produce uniformity and impartiality in the government of societies and meetings-and if these should be in any degree promoted, the design of this work will be fully accomplished. MODE OF CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN A TOWN OR WARD MEETING. The usage is now well established that no anonymous call for a Town or Ward meeting, is entitled to any attention whatever, from discreet and sober-minded citizens. Every call should have one or more signatures, or the endorsement of some committee, in order that the public may know something of the source whence the call emanates. The call should also state, in brief but explicit terms, the object of the meeting. Vagueness in this matter sometimes leads to serious difficulty. A call for a meeting of citizens "on the Oregon Question," would give any one, whether in favor or otherwise of possessing Oregon, the right to be present, although the authors of the call might have intended it to embrace those only in favor of claiming the whole of that territory. So also, with a call for a meeting "to consider the expediency of abolishing the Death Penalty," which phraseology opens the door to those who sustain Capital Punishment, as well as to those who denounce it. The words "friendly to," or "opposed to," are generally sufficient to render the whole matter clearly understood. Very many meetings in this city have been rendered entirely abortive, and many converted into scenes of confusion and disorder, from the want of proper attention to these particulars. 1. At the appointed hour, one of the gentlemen whose name appears to the call of the meeting, should open the business, by nominating a Chairman, as follows:"Gentlemen-as the hour designated for this meeting has arrived, I propose that we proceed to organize, and beg leave to nominate Mr. as Chairman." This motion being seconded, he will immediately proceed" It is moved and seconded that Mr. take the chair-gentlemen in favor of that motion will please to say ‘aye,'” -and, (after a short pause,) "those of the contrary opinion will please to say no."" If the ayes are a majority, he will add, "the motion is agreed to-Mr. will please take the chair.” 2. The Chairman thus chosen will immediately proceed to the stand, and say:"The meeting will please come to orderwill the meeting nominate a Secretary?" Some other individual, who has also been prominent in calling the meeting, will then nominate a Secretary or Secretaries, as the case may be, and upon these nominations the Chairman will put the question as follows:-"Gentlemen, you have heard the nominations just made-shall these gentlemen be your Secretaries? As many as are in favor, say aye,'-contrary opinion, 'no.'' If the ayes prevail, as is almost always the case, he will declare the gentlemen to be chosen, and invite them to take their seats at the desk. In case Vice Presidents are appointed, they should be nominated previous to, or in connection with the Secretaries. When the business of a meeting is thus opened, it rarely happens that any opposition is made to the regular nominations for officers. All opposers may safely be set down as disorganizers, as the right to nominate officers clearly rests with those who called the meeting. Upon them rests the |