The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-07
REEDS RULES.
Not the Famous Rulings, sbut a Book on
Parliamentary Law.

[From the ST. Louis Globe Democrat.l
Washington, November 3.-Ex-Speak-
er Reed has written a book. 1t is trea-
tise on parliamentary law. 1t will be a
duodecimo of about 175 pages-a con-
venient form and size. 1t will be known
as ''Reed's Rules.' The author did not
name his bantling, but the happy sug-
gestion came from his publishers. AS a
successor in sense to ''Jefferson's Man
| ual," "Cushing's MANUAL and ''Rob-
erts's Rules Of Order,'' the name is de-
cidedly appropriate The scope of the
work may be set forth by giving the
| preface in full. 1t runs as follows:
1T should be understood at once that
this manual has nothing to do with the
political differences which have existed
as to the rules of the House of Represen-
tatives, except so far as any treatise
would incidentally refer to them. The
| object of this book is to present the
rules of general parliamentary law in
such way that the system can be COM
pretended by persons who may be called
upon to preside over meetings of delib-
erative bodies and by those who may de-
sire to participate in the proceedings.
The aim has been to so explain each
motion that it may be understood by it.
self and also in relation to other mo-
tions. Paragraphs also have been in
serted to show the changes made in gen.
eral parliamentary law by the rules and
usages of the United States House of
Representatives. This, it was thought
would be useful to enable those who de-
sired so to do to comprehend, in gem
eral way, the practice of that body.
Forms and suggestion have been added.
If it should seem to any one versed in
parliamentary law that many of the
forms are too simple to need printing.
the author ventures to suggest that
beginner does not know the simpler
things, and needs them the most. If the
student has once fixed in his mind the
idea that parliamentary law is not a Sc
ries of arbitrary rules, but plain. con-
sistent system, founded on common
sense and sanctioned by the experience
of mankind. he will have gone far tow
ard understanding it. That this little
volume will complete his education is
too much to hope for, but that 1t will aid
and assist the learner is the hope of the
author.
"T. B. REED.
portland, Me-, October, 1882
Enough 10 kAoWH VI Gue contents to as
sure the public that it will prove valua-
BILE addition to existing publications on
the subjects of parliamentary law. One
of it's chief points of value will be found
to be it's explanation of the history and
reason for each rule, and the modifica-
tions that have developed in parliamenta-
ry laws. Mr.. Reed takes up, for instance,
the previous question, and shows how it
has changed its nature into a fundamen-
tally different motion from it's original
intent He has has brought 6agE !, together Ell many
rated in the form of notes. For instance
the Roman Senate used to have simple
but effective form of filibustering, and
that may be incorporated. There will
be discussion of the duties of presid-
ing officers in suppressing disorder and
preventing filibustering. The bearing of
certain rules under peculiar conditions