present, and the resolution is thus brought up for the immediate action of the members.

In some Societies, after a report has been read, it is usual to make a motion to accept or adopt it, but this is altogether unnecessary, unless the reception of the report is objected to. It is the recommendations of the committee, as embraced in their resolutions, rather than the report itself, that are the proper subjects for the action of the meeting. The report, however, if objectionable or unsatisfactory, may be recommited, by a motion to that effect, with or without instruction, or, on leave given, before action has been had upon it, it may be withdrawn by the committee.

It has long been a subject of inquiry whether or not a meeting possesses the right to amend a report. General usage is unquestionably against the measure. After a close examination of the decisions in our State Legislature, I have been enabled to find but one instance in which it was exercised. Mr. Sutherland, however, is clearly of opinion that the House have as much right to amend a report, as a resolu

1

tion or a bill. Mr. Cushing also adopts this opinion. A more courteous plan, doubtless, is to recommit with instructions.

If the Committee have no report to offer, the chairman should say:-" Mr. President, the Committee on have no report

to make at this time," which announcement the President should repeat, and then pass to the committee next in order.

Should a committee not be unanimous in opinion, and those in the minority be desir ous of placing their views before the meeting, the matter should be introduced immediately after the majority report has been read. A member will then move that "the report and resolution thereto attached be postponed for the present, for the purpose of enabling the minority to present their report." If this motion prevails, as is almost always the case, the minority report will be immediately presented, received and read. It is then in order, on motion, to take up for consideration the resolution attached to either of the reports.

If the minority are not prepared to report, a motion may be made to postpone the ma

jority report until the next meeting, in order to enable the minority to get their report ready.*

If

6. When all the Standing Committees have been called over, the President will call for reports from Special Committees, which will be disposed of in like manner. a Special Committee, previously instructed to report at a specified day, have not been able to complete their should say, "Mr. Committee on

labors, the chairman President, the Special

not having had sufficient time to complete their investigations, report progress, and ask to be continued." This should be repeated by the President, who will ask, "Shall the Committee be continued?" If no objection be made, he will add, "The Committee will be continued."

When a Special Committee desires to be discharged without making a written report, the chairman, when that committee is called

* Mr. Onslow, at one time speaker of the House of Com. mons, justly remarked, that a check on the actions of the majority, and protection to the minority against the attempts of power, can only be secured by close attention to the rules of proceeding.

upon, should state the reasons verbally, and then move for its discharge himself.

It is not usual to record upon the minutes, at length, the reports of committees. Such a course, in some Societies, would involve the Secretary in an immense amount of labor. The most general usage is simply to state that "the Committee on

Mr.

through

chairman, made a report, accompanied with the following resolution," and then to insert the resolution, and the ac tion of the meeting upon it. All reports and documents should be folded up neatly, endorsed with their character, date of presentation, and filed among the Secretary's papers. In some cases, however, a report may embrace very important matters, which the members may desire to have immedi ately before them. All such should, by a motion, be directed to be entered upon the minutes.

7. The reports of committees being all received, the President will call for the Treasurer's report, which, if presented, he will direct the Secretary to read. In some Societies which meet monthly, the Treasurer's

report is made quarterly or semi-annually. The President should be careful to remember the proper time, so that if the Treasurer has been neglectful, he may be reminded of his duty.

When the report has been read, the President, without a motion, will direct it to be handed to the auditors, entered on the minutes, filed, or otherwise disposed of, as the by-laws may direct.

Too much attention cannot be paid to the financial affairs of a Society, and every Trea surer should be a careful, prompt, and systematic business man. Frequent reports from this officer, so that the members may be kept constantly advised of the state of the Treasury, are not only desirable, but almost essential to the prosperity of any institution, no matter what its character.

8. The next order to be announced by the President, is "to take up unfinished business," which includes all resolutions left under consideration, and all reports and communications "postponed for the present," or not finally disposed of at previous meetings. If the previous meeting adjourned while debat