Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-17
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.

&.
Report OF the committee on Rules OF
Order-Other Matters of Interest.
Dover, Dec. 10. Yesterdays session
Of the Constitutional Convention was
lively. Most of the members appeared
to be in shape for discussion, and
every matter brought up was con-
Ridered from various points of view.
DIR. Cooper presented the following
report of the committee on rules and
moved it's adoption:
Rule Livery member shall be in
his place at the time to which the con
vention stands adjourned.
Rule 2-Eyely day before the con-
vention proceeds 10 other business. the
chaplain shall offer prayer and the
secretary shall call the names of the
members in alphabetical order and
read the journal of the previous ses-
sion, which latter shall be corrected If
necessary and adopted.
Rule 3-Every motion, and Except
motion for adjournment) the name of
the member moving tho same, on
which vote is taken, shall be entered
on the journal.
Rule mo member shall be allowed
to speak upon any subject more than
twice, except in explanation, without
leave obtained through the president,
and no member shall interrupt another
while speaking, unless on points of
order, and then only by permission of
the president.
Rule 5--.All motions shall be subject
to debate except motions to adjourn.
to lay on the table, and for the pre-
vious question.
Rule 6--All motions and resolutions
except for the reading of reports, ad.
journments. to refer, or to postpone
shall, ii requested by the president or
any momber, be reduced to writing by
the mover thereof, and il seconded,
shall be repeated by the president be.
fore any debate or decision is had
thereon. Eas
Rule 7-Questiuns of order shall be
determined by the president, without
debate, from whose decision, however,
an appeal may be had to the eonven-
tion at the request of three members.
Rule S-Petitions, memorials and all
other papers addressed to the 4conven-
ton, shall be presented by the presi-
don't, or member, who shall briefly
state the contents thereof without
reading, unless called for by the con-
vention.
Rule 9-All committees shall be APP
pointed by the president unless other
wise ordered by the convention.
Rule 10-Special notice of action on
any report of committee or other matter
pertaining to the special ultimate work
of the convention, i. g., the framing Of
new Constitution, shall be given the
day preceding that on which said
action is taken, and vote of two
thirds OF the members present shall be
necessary to its adoption.
Rule ia vote Of the majority shall
prevail except where special rule ia
had to the contrary.
Rule l2-Unlese otherwise ordered
by majority vote, the convention
shall meet every day, in one or more
sessions, as may be cessary-Sunday
excepted-at IL o'clock in the morn
ing, and majority shall constitute a
quorum.
Rule 13-I'he rules of parliamentary
practice as contained ia Gushing S
Manual" shall govern this convention
whenever ana wherever applicable, and
when not in conflict with the standing
rules.
Rule 14-The rules of proceeding in
the convention shall as far as appli-
cable, be observed in committee Of the
whole. ~
Rule 15-No rule of this convention
shall be changed or suspended except
by vote Of two thirds of the members
present.
Ruls 16-The daily order OF business
shall be, after the opening service, as
follows:
/. Calling the roll. Fl
w. Reading the Journal and its
adoption.
g. Reports from standing committees
in the order named.
A. Reports from special committees.
s. Presentation of petitions, me-
MORALS, &c.
G. Business on the calendar.
z. Miscellaneous business.
The secretary shall keep calendar
of business on which reports from com
mittees, resolutions and other matters
undisposed of, indicating the subject
OF each item, shall be placed in the
order in which they are presented, a
copy of which calendar be, (secretary,
shall furnish to the president at the
opening of the first session OF each
day. The business on the calendar
shall be taken up and disposed of in
the order in which it stands thereon,
and vote of two-thirds of the mem
bers present shall be required to take
up any matter OUT of its order on said
calendar or to make any matter the
order of the day for particular time.
Following the reading of the report,
Mr.. Spruance objected to the proposed
rule requiring two thirds vote to
adopt any amendment to the Consti-
tuition, and moved that further consid
Grafton of the report be postponed to a
future date; that is, to postpone action
on the motion to adopt the report. DR..
Cooper. who had moved the adoption of
the report, stated that he was willing
to 30 alter his motion that all save the
two thirds rule. which had caused
comment, he adopted Mr.. Spruance
favored having the rules printed before
their presentation for final adoption, in
order to give the members an oppor.
tunity to familiarize themselves with
the proposed rules, and it was decided,
on Mr.. Spruance's motion, to lay the
motion to adopt the report on the table
for further consideration. The COM,
mittee on printing was instructed to
have SO copies of the report printed for
the Use of the members.
On motion Of DIR. Pratt, the secretary
was instructed to purchase from the
Argus Printing Co. of New York 10
copies of work entitled american
Constitutions, for the use OF the
several standing committees.
The following communication signed