PART I

ELEMENTS OF SELF-GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER I

PARLIAMENTARY LAW

1. Rules for Meetings. When a number of people meet to discuss any important matter it is necessary for them to have rules so that their discussion may not fall into confusion. They attend such meetings for the purpose of saying what they think and of hearing what others have to say. They can accomplish neither of these objects unless the meeting is conducted according to rules which will prevent several different things from being discussed at the same time. The rules are not to keep members from being heard, but to keep the discussion to one subject until it is settled, and to give each member a chance to speak on this subject without interruption.

2. Parliamentary Law. English-speaking people call such rules parliamentary law because the English Parliament was the first great Assembly to make use of this special kind of orderly discussion. The Parliament is a meeting of representatives of the English people for the purpose of discussing political questions and making laws. These représentatives come together to decide what is best for their country, and, because their government is democratic, each member of the Parliament must have received a fair chance to be heard on every subject that comes up for decision. Parliament is a French word which means discussion or

speaking together. The English adopted this French word because England was for a long time governed by the Normans, a French-speaking people, who conquered the country in 1066. A great many years of conflict were necessary before England became democratic.

3. Different Names for Meetings. In America we call meetings for public discussion by a number of different names. We are here interested only in those that have a political purpose. The meeting in Washington of representatives from the whole country to make laws for the nation is called the Congress of the United States. The word congress is derived from the Latin, and means a coming together. A meeting of representatives to make laws for a State is usually called a legislature. A meeting. of delegates to talk over the affairs of a political party is called a convention. This word is also from the Latin and means a coming together. It is clear that all of these words, parliament, congress, assembly, convention, mean about the same thing; and they will all be clearer to us if we think of each of them as describing a group of people who gather together for the purpose of discussing some subject that is of interest to all who attend the meeting. All such bodies use the same parliamentary law; but each is free to make such special rules as will fit the general law to the particular meeting.

4. The Importance of Rules. Nearly every person who works with his fellow men is now and then called upon to take part in some kind of meeting. If as many as twentyfive people assemble in a room to discuss some plan, it is necessary for them to use parliamentary law. For such a gathering only the simplest rules may be sufficient; but at least some must be used. We may compare these rules with

those for a game of ball. If a few boys meet on a field for a game they may not need many rules, but those which they do use are the same as those used by great ball teams. If the boys decide to form a regular team to play a match game with the boys of another town, they get a book of printed rules and study them carefully. The more important the game or the meeting, the more fully the rules must be learned. But in the least important game or meeting some of the regular rules are needed.

5. The Chairman of a Meeting. The first thing a meeting does is to elect a chairman, for nothing can be done in an orderly way without some one in charge. A member rises, calls for attention, and nominates some popular person for the position. If there is likely to be a contest over the chairmanship, a temporary chairman is first selected, it being understood that he will hold the position only until a permanent chairman can be regularly elected. Besides the permanent chairman, it is also customary to elect a vicechairman, who presides when the chairman is away or when he wishes to speak in the debate. It is not proper for the chairman, while he is presiding, to take any part in the discussion; he must be a sort of umpire between the speakers. The word preside also comes from Latin roots, and means to sit out in front. Therefore the words president and chairman mean very much the same thing.

6. The Chairman's Duty. It is the first duty of the chairman to keep the meeting in order; and it is necessary for him to be strict. If he does not compel every member to obey the rules, the discussion is likely to fall into confusion and so fail to be beneficial. If any member refuses to obey the chairman, such a member may be requested to leave the room. If this request is not sufficient, the

chairman may declare the meeting at an end and leave the chair. His second duty is to restate the subject under discussion so that it may be understood by all members, and to call the attention of the speakers to the subject when they seem to be talking about something else. It is his duty to keep the discussion moving along so that business may be promptly completed. If he is not a firm chairman the meeting is likely to be a failure.

7. The Secretary of the Meeting. It is important that a written record be kept of the meeting. In the excitement of debate members often forget just what has been done, and if a record is not prepared they are likely to have different opinions about what they have voted on. It is usual, therefore, to elect a secretary or to direct the chairman to appoint one. The latter is the simpler and generally the better method. The record of the meeting is called the minutes. These are read at the opening of the next meeting so that they may be corrected. If no one objects to them when they are read they are accepted as the official record. If there is objection, a vote is taken as to their correct form. It is particularly important that every motion be carefully recorded; but the secretary may decide what other things are important enough to be written into the minutes.

8. Beginning Debate. There should be no general discussion until a motion has been made by one member and seconded by another. The purpose of requiring that a motion be seconded is to prevent the discussion of a subject unless at least two members wish to have it discussed. No member should try to speak without saying "Mr. Chairman" and receiving some reply showing that he is permitted to speak. A good chairman will prevent any speaking whatever except on a motion which has been made and