Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure/Preface

by Orson B. Felt

Layout 2

PREFACE.

A book of reference, wherein each motion or principle of parliamentary procedure is described in a form at once compact and reliable, is a want that has long been felt. To partially meet this want by giving a condensed and complete outline of the subject, and to aid those who are not well informed, and do not wish to spare the time necessary to consult the many larger works of the kind, are the objects of this volume. Believing that few of the works published are practical for the use of beginners, and feeling the necessity for a book which is at once accurate and comprehensive, the author, after many years of both careful study and close observation, and urged by a desire to present to the public a work that will relieve the student of the labor which a thorough examination of the many authorities on parliamentary law necessarily involves, offers this little volume.

In preparing this book such well-known authorities as Reed, Cushing, Robert, Shattuck, and other kindred works have been consulted. These authorities have been carefully studied and compared, and, where they seem to conflict, preference has been given to those rules which seem most applicable and helpful to such assemblies as are not legislative.

While simplicity has been his chief aim, the author has endeavored to give a complete outline of the subject in as few words as possible, by omitting nothing which should be said and saying nothing which might be omitted, and to arrange and explain each motion in so concise a manner that any person, whether informed or not upon parliamentary law, will, after a careful perusal of the pages, be competent to take an active part in the proceedings of any deliberative assembly, or be able to preside at a public meeting with the ease and dignity expected of a presiding officer.

By explaining the reason for the rule, and by giving proper forms for presenting questions to the assembly, the author hopes to give the student information which will enable him to understand the basic principles of parliamentary law. While giving forms for stating the question, putting to vote and declaring the result, the author does not assert that said form are the best, but that they are good forms, which may be varied at the will of the chairman.

That this handbook of present procedure may be to the student a friend in need, and as such receive a kindly welcome, is the desire of the author.

O. B. F.