called, should keep a record of the proceedings, the character of which
depends upon the kind of meeting. In an occasional or mass meeting, the
record usually amounts to nothing, but he should always record every
resolution or motion that is adopted.

In a convention it is often desirable to keep a full record for
publication, and where it lasts for several days, it is usual, and
generally best, to appoint one or more assistant clerks. Frequently it
is a tax on the judgment of the clerk to decide what to enter on the
record, or the "Minutes," as it is usually called. Sometimes the points
of each speech should be entered,

=== Page 121 ===========================================================

and at other times only the remark that the question was discussed by
Messrs. A., B. and C. in the affirmative, and Messrs. D., E. and F. in
the negative. Every resolution that is adopted should be entered, which
can be done in this form: "On motion of Mr. D. it was resolved that,
&c."

Sometimes a convention does its work by having certain topics previously
assigned to certain speakers, who deliver formal addresses or essays,
the subjects of which are afterwards open for discussion in short
speeches, of five minutes, for instance. In such cases the minutes are
very brief, without they are to be published, when they should contain
either the entire addresses or carefully prepared abstracts of them, and
should show the drift of the discussion that followed each one. In
permanent societies, where the minutes are not published, they consist
of a record of what was done and not what was said, and should be kept
in a book.