Copyright 1904, by Henry Martyn (H. M.) Roberts, and now in the public domain

(continued from last week)…The Second Part is a simple explanation of the common methods of conducting business in ordinary meetings. The motions are classified here according to their uses, and those used for a similar purpose are compared with each other. This part is intended for that large class in every community who are almost wholly unacquainted with parliamentary usages, and are not able to devote much study to the subject, but would be glad with little labor to learn enough to enable them to take part in deliberative assemblies without being out of order.

The Third Part contains some useful information, including the legal rights of assemblies, call of the house, etc.

The object of Rules of Order is to assist an assembly to accomplish the work for which it was designed, in the best possible manner. To do this it is necessary to restrain the individual somewhat, as the right of the individual, in any community, to do what he pleases, is incompatible with the interests of the whole. Where there is no law, but everyone does what is right in his own eyes, there is the least of real liberty. Experience has shown the importance of definiteness in the law; and in this country, where customs are so slightly established and the published manuals of parliamentary practice so conflicting, no society should attempt to conduct business without having adopted some work upon the subject, as the authority in all cases not covered by their own special rules.

It has well been said by one of the greatest of English writers on parliamentary law: “Whether these forms be in all cases the most rational or not is really not of so great importance. It is much more material that there should eb a rule to go by, than what that rule is, that there may be a uniformity of proceeding in business, not subject to the caprice of the chairman, or captiousness of the members. It is very material that order, decency and regularity be preserved in a dignified public body.

H. M. R.

Intervening “NOTE” on events of past 23 years and questions referred to author “for decision.” The more important ones, “not readily deducible from the text,” are incorporated in editions “after the one hundred and forty-fifth thousand…” . Next time: Introduction to “Parliamentary Law!”