Home › How to Conduct a Debate › Reports of Committees

Reports of Committees

The chairman of the committee, standing in his place, informs the association that the committee to which was intrusted such a matter, naming it, have directed him to report thereon, and moves that the report be received. The cry of "Receive!" or "Report!" or "Read it!" from any one, generally dispenses witl. the formality of a question. He then reads the report, whatever it may be, and delivers the written report to the secretary. Then it lies on the table until called up by a motion. The committee is dissolved, and can act no more unless reconstituted for the purpose by a vote.

MOTIONS.

1. A motion is a proposition by two members; consequently, if not seconded, it is not to be entertained. This is different, however, in the case of an appeal, where the question may be put on the demand of one member.

2. A motion must be put in writing, if any member desires it, and read, when required for information. But if the demand for the reading be repeated, so as to show itself a mere pretext for delay, the association may order it to be read no more.

3. A motion for adjournment cannot be made while one member is speaking; because it is a breach of order for one to speak when another has the floor, except to a point of order; consequently, even a privileged motion cannot be entertained. And even on a call to order, decided against him, he must still be allowed to go on, provided he does not persist in the same violation of order in his remarks. AMENDMENTS.

1. An amendment takes the place of the question it is proposed to amend, and must be decided first. So an amendment to an amendment must be decided before the first amendment.

2. But amendments cannot be piled one on the other; that is, while you can amend an amendment, you cannot amend the second amendment.

3. For example: it is moved to give the thanks of the association for his kind gift of fifty volumes to the society.

It is moved to amend by striking out the word "kind" and inserting "generous." This is an amendment. It is then moved to strike out the word "generous" and insert that of "liberal." This is an amendment to the amendment. It is then proposed to strike out the word "liberal," and insert that of "munificent." This third amendment is out of order.

4. Nor can amendments be made to certain priviliged questions. Thus, an amendment to a motion to adjourn, for the previous question, a call of the house, or to lay on the table.

5. But an amendment, though inconsistent with one previously adopted, is still in order. It is for the association alone to decide whether, by the passage of the second amendment, it will recede from its former action.

6. On an amendment being moved, a member who has spoken to the main question, may speak to the amendment.

7. If it be proposed to amend by leaving out certain words, it may be moved to amend the amendment by leaving out a part of the words of the amendment, which is equivalent to letting those words remain.

8. For example: the original words being "Resolved that we have heard with feelings of lively satisfaction that the authorities of our town propose to tax dogs, and approve their action," it is moved to amend by striking out the words "with feelings of lively satisfaction." If it be moved to amend the amendment, by striking out the words "with feelings of satisfaction," the question would be: Shall those words stand as part of the resolution ? If carried, the word "lively" is struck out and the rest remains. The question then recurs on the resolution as amended.

9. When it is proposed to amend by inserting a paragraph, or part of one, the friends of this should make it perfect by amendments; because if it be inserted it cannot be amended, since it has been agreed to in that form. So if proposed to amend by striking out a paragraph, the friends of the paragraph should also make it as perfect, by amendments, as possible; for if the striking out be negatived, that is equivalent to agreeing to it in that form, and amendments are not admissible.

10. When it is moved to amend by striking out certain words and inserting others, the manner of stating the question is, first to read the whole passage to be amended, as it stands at present; then the words proposed to be struck out; next those to be inserted; and, lastly, the whole passage as it will be when amended. And the question, if desired, is then to be divided, and put first on striking out. If carried, it is next on inserting the words proposed. If that be lost, it may be moved to insert others.

11. A motion is made to amend by striking out certain words and inserting others in their place, which is negatived. Then it is moved to strike out the same words, and to insert others of a tenor entirely different from those first proposed, which is negatived. Then it is moved to strike out the same words and insert nothing, which is agreed to. All this is in order; because to strike out A and insert B, is one proposition. To strike out A and insert C is another proposition. To strike out A and insert nothing, is another proposition. The rejection of either proposition does not preclude the offering of a new one. But a motion to strike out alone being voted down, is equivalent to voting that the words should stand, and amendments are not in order. Jefferson thinks that even if the question be divided, and taken first on the striking out, and that fails, amendments are in order, because the proposition is only half put. There is force in this, and it seems to be the practice.

12. After the paragraph is amended, it nevertheless may be further amended by striking it entirely out.