upon an appeal, he should stand; during debate he should be seated and give attention to each speaker; at other times it is optional with him whether he sits or stands. If the chairman thinks it necessary for him to take part in the debate, he must call some one else to the chair, as chairman pro tem. (a vice chairman if one is present) and take the floor as a member, not as presiding officer. By doing this in a case where there is strong feeling he destroys the confidence of the opposite side in his impartiality, and therefore he should not resume the chair until that question is disposed of. In case of his absence the vice president calls the meeting to order and presides. If no vice president is present the secretary calls the meeting to order and a chairman pro tern, is elected. The president cannot appoint any one to act in his place except during a meeting, and the appointment terminates with the meeting.
The chairman should be familiar with the By-laws, Rules of Order, and Standing Rules of the society, at least sufficiently to refer to them quickly when needed. If the meetings of a society are frequently disorderly it is nearly always due to the ignorance or incompetence of the presiding officer. No one should accept the office of president of a society who is unwilling to fit himself for performing the duties of presiding officer. These duties are fully explained in R. O. R., pages 236-244.
In addition to his duties as presiding officer, in
