extent of his duties. In many Societies it is necessary to open a ledger account with every member;-such is the case in Beneficial Societies, where money is paid in regu larly by each member, at short periods.

5. The duty of collecting in the revenues of the Society usually rests with the Treasurer, although in many instances he is instructed to employ a collector for the purpose, at a per centum allowance. Sometimes a collecting committee is appointed by the meeting.

6. The Treasurer should strenuously endeavour to keep his books well posted up, so as to be able to exhibit, at any and every meeting, a succinct account of the state of the treasury. This is often a matter of the highest importance, and the information may frequently materially influence the action of a meeting.

7 As often as the by-laws require, the Treasurer should have his books and papers ready for the examination of the auditors, and when the accounts are gone over, the result should be reported to the Society by the auditors, and entered on the Secretary's

minutes. In many cases the certificate of

the auditors is written in the Treasurer's books. From the date of settlement the Treasurer, of course, commences a new account.

8. In many Societies the Treasurer is required to give bond for the faithful performance of his duties. These bonds should be deposited with the President. They should be renewed at every successive election, unless otherwise ordered by the Society.

9. At the expiration of his term of office, the Treasurer should carefully settle up his books and accounts, and deliver over all the books, papers, documents, funds and other property belonging to the Society, to his successor in office, without unnecessary delay or hinderance. Neglect or inattention to this duty, under any pretence, is justly regarded as a serious breach of propriety.

OF COMMITTEES.

It is elsewhere stated that the usual custom is, to make the gentleman upon whose motion a committee is raised, chairman of

that committee. In all Legislative bodies, when standing or special committees are appointed, the individual first named is considered as the chairman, although, according to Parliamentary usage, each committee has a right to elect its own chairman. This right, however, is seldom, if ever, exercised. In some Societies the by-laws provide for the appointment of chairmen of committees in this manner, and in many instances the efficiency of a committee is thereby increased.

In the Senate of the United States the members elect the standing committees, first balloting for a chairman of each, and afterwards for the balance of the requisite number. In the House of Representatives, committees are sometimes chosen by ballot, and in that case the rule is, that if a sufficient number are not chosen, by a majority of votes, on the first ballot, a second ballot is taken in which a plurality of votes prevail. In case a greater number than is required shall have an equal number of votes, the house proceeds to a further ballot or ballots. In Congress, any member may excuse

himself from serving on any committee, at the time of his appointment, if he is then a member of two other committees.

The object of committees is to consider some particular subject or subjects; to gain information; to digest certain business, and place it in a shape suitable for the action of the Society, or to attend to some details of business in which the whole Society, as a body, cannot conveniently act. Committees are required, by Parliamentary usage, to meet and attend to the matters assigned them with system and regularity, and not by separate consultation, or in a loose and in. definite manner.

*

Unless otherwise ordered by the Society, the President will appoint all committees. A majority of a committee is necessary to constitute a quorum.

In appointing committees, those who take exceptions to some particulars in the matter

* Should a committee not make report in due season, on any matter committed to them, they may be instructed to report at a certain time, or they may, on motion, be dis charged from the further consideration of the subject, and then the matter may be taken up in the Society.

proposed to be examined, may be of the committee, but none who speak directly against the whole matter. "For," as Hatsell justly remarks, "he that would totally destroy will not amend it. The child is not to be put to a nurse who cares not for it." It is therefore a constant rule that no man is to be employed in any matter who has declared himself against it. And when any member who is against the bill, hears himself named, he ought to ask to be excused.*

The rules of Parliament allow any member to be present at the sittings of a select committee, but he cannot vote, and must give place to all the committee, and sit below them.

Standing committees are those which continue from year to year; Special committees are raised from time to time, and are discharged, on motion, when they have made a final report.

* This rule, though undoubtedly a good one, is not very closely adhered to, either in Congress or in our State Legislature.