The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-01-09
Parliamentary LAW
FOR FAB0R OFFICERS
SUBJECT SHOULD At ALL TIMES
BE OF INTEREST TO LABOR.
How to Proeeed~In Complicated Cues
tions, Where Amendment upon
Amendtmants are Made: President
Of Labor Organizations Should Be.
come ParIiamentarians. Will Save
Much Time and Trouble.

Lire SuOJecL OF parliamentary law
should at all times be of vital interest
to labor organizations. We are all too
we'll aware of the kicking and con-
tumacy Of certain Intelligent" men,
bers of the unions on nunparliamentary
practices, which was questioned by a.
liberal Interpretation of the constitu-
tions.
The ridiculous and compromising ex-
hlbltions we are often constrained to
witness on the floor of the union by
dllletanti parliamentarians and egois-
tic presiding officers, more especially
In the process of amendments, where
the intention is to place before the un-
Ion a complete proposition in the place
OF the main motion. The main motion
may not have been clearly expressed.
Or it may have suffered metamorphois
and mutilation by Numerous amend
ments, in which case new motion en-
bodying the substance of the main
motion and more lucidly expressed
may be offered to advantage. A SUBJ
st1tute motion is used to present an
entirely different proposition, though
on the same general subject as the one
contained In the main motion. This af-
fords an opportunity for the union to
express It's choice between distinct pro-
positions. Unless there is a special
rule to the contrary, a substitute mo-
ton ranks as an. amendment of the
first degree, and to it are applied all
the rules OF an amendment Of that
rank. In taking the vote when a SUBJ
stltute motion is pending the presiding
officer should make perfectly clear: to
the union that the first vote is taken
upon the substitution of the complete
amendment for the main motion.
An affirmative vote on this question
has the effect of defeating the main
motion, inasmuch as it shows the pre-
ference of the union for the proposition
contained in the substitute, But this
merely places the latter motion on the
position the main had held. It now
becomes the main motion as amended.
and final vote must be taken on it's
adoption.
1t must be remembered that a substi-
tute motion must be relevant, to the
main notion, as: when main. motion
|eraprQl0s1t tipn $50 eg1hekare house
sitTsealas 'n6ts sbe superseded: by g pfopSsf!
tionAon another subject under the 1guise
Of an amendment.
The following will serve as an illus
tration of a main motion, substitute
motion and an amendment of the Sec
ond degree: Mr.. Bughouse secures the
floor and presents the following resolu-
tion-"Resolved, That we establish a
refernce library, and each member be
required to contribute two book" After
this proposition is seconded, stated by
the chair. and debated, or not, as the
case may be, Mr.. Brown secures the
floor and says: II move as a substi-
tute motion the following: That we
establish librare of historical and
reference works, and that $500 be ap-
propriated fro mthe union treasury for
the purpose This amendment is
seconded and stated by the chair. Mr..
Smith gets the floor and says: II move
to amend the amendment (or substi-
tute motion) by striking out $500 and
inserting $500" This amendment Of the
second degree is seconded. stated, vot-
ed upon and carried. The substitute
motion as amended is put to vote as
follows:
Moderator: 1.-THE question is upon
the substitution Of the substitute mo-
tion rs amended Estate it) for the main
motion. Are you ready for the ques-
ton? All in favor say aye All op-
posed say no The ayes have it and
the amendment is carried
Presiding officers require consider
able poise and self-control when mat
ters become complicated with shower
Of amendments and questions fired at
the chair by would-be parliamentari.
ans, especially if the incumbent of
the chair belongs to the category OF
the etudinous-nervous-s -sanguineous
stripe of huma nitY.