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A Democratic Meeting: McGillicuddy

Every one hereupon suspends conversation, and, so soon as all is quiet, Mr. Hart continues: "I move that Mr. Timothy McGillicuddy act as President of this meeting." Mr. John Smith says: "I second the motion."

Then Mr. Hart puts the question thus: "It has been moved and seconded that Mr. Timothy McGillicuddy act as president of this meeting. So many as are in favor of the motion will signify their assent by saying 'aye'!"

As soon as those in the affirmative have voted, he will say: "Those who are opposed, will say 'no'!"

If there are more ayes than noes, as there will be, unless Mr. McGillicuddy be very unpopular indeed, he will say: chair." "The ayes have it. The motion is carried. Mr. McGillicuddy will take the If, on the contrary, the noes prevail, he will say: "The noes have it. The motion is lost."

Thereupon he will nominate some other, or put the question upon other nominations.

As soon as a chairman is chosen, he will take his place. Mr. Thomas French then says: "I move that Mr. Porter Heap act as secretary of this meeting." This motion is seconded, and the chairman puts the question and declares the result.

The form of putting the question to the chairman may be simplified thus: "Mr. Timothy McGillicuddy has been nominated as president of this meeting. Those in favor, will say 'aye'!-Contrary opinion, 'no'!" The meeting is now organized. The chairman will direct the secretary to read the call. When that has been done, he will say: "You have heard the call under which we have assembled; what is your further pleasure?"

Hereupon Mr. Frederick Kennell says: "I move that a committee of three be appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting."

This is seconded.

The chairman then says: "Gentlemen, you have heard the motion; are you ready for the question?" If any one desires to speak against the resolution, he arises and says: "Mr. Chairman!"

The chairman turns toward the speaker, and listens to him, and so to each in succession. When they are all done, or in case no one responds to the call, he puts the question in the customary form previously given, and declares the result. The resolution being adopted, the chairman says: "How shall that committee be appointed?"

If there be no reply, or a reply of "chair," the chairman names the mover of the resolution and two others as a committee. The committee withdraws to prepare the resolutions, or to examine those previously prepared for the purpose. During the absence of the committee is a proper time for the speaker or speakers to address the meeting. When the speeches are over, the chairman of the committee comes forward and says: "Mr. Chairman, the committee begs leave to report the following resolutions:" He then reads the resolutions, and hands them to the secretary. The chairman now says: "You have heard the report of the committee; what order do you take on it?" Some one now moves that the report be accepted, and the resolutions be adopted. To save time, the chairman will put the question solely on the adoption of the resolutions. If no objection is made, and no amendment offered, he will put the question, and declare the result.

As a general thing, a committee may be avoided, as a useless formality, and the resolutions be offered by one of the projectors of the meeting. So soon as the resolutions are adopted, and the speeches are over, the chairman should ask : "What is the further pleasure of this meeting?"

If there be no further business, some one moves an adjournment. The chairman does not ask if the meeting be ready for the question, since an adjournment is not debatable, but puts the question direct. If carried, he says: "This meeting stands adjourned without day."

If the meeting thinks proper to adjourn to meet at another time, the time is fixed by a previous resolution, and then, when it adjourns, the chairman declares it adjourned to the time fixed upon.

It will be seen that the foregoing form, by varying the call, and changing the business to suit, will answer for any other political party, or for any other purpose. When a public meeting is called by any executive or other committee, the name of the chairman of that committee should be appended to the call, and the committee itself should prepare business for the action of the meeting, as much as possible.

The duty of the secretary of a public meeting is merely nominal, unless it is desired to publish an account of its proceedings. In the latter case, the record of the foregoing meeting, which is a form for any other meeting, varied, under the circumstances of the case, would read thus: " At a meeting of the Democratic citizens of Blank, held pursuant to public notice, on Monday evening, October 20th, at 7 o'clock, at the house of John Thompson, Mr Timothy McGillicuddy was called to the chair, and Mr. Porter Heap appointed secretary. "On motion of Mr. John Casey a committee of three, consisting of Messrs. John Casey, Thomas McCall, and Johnston Thorpe, was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. "During the absence of the committee, the meeting was effectively addressed by Godfrey Shilling, Esq. "The committee, through its chairman, reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : [Here the secretary inserts the resolutions.] "On motion the meeting adjourned."