of it reply that they have no report to make. Or, when the chairman
knows that there are but few if any reports to make, it is better, after
making the announcement of the business, for him to ask, "Have these
committees any reports to make?" After a short pause, if no one rises
to report, he states, "There being no reports from the standing
committees, the next business in order is hearing the reports of select
committees," when he will act the same as in the case of the standing
committees. The chairman should always have a list of the committees,
to enable him to call upon them, as well as to guide him in the
appointment of new committees.] At the next meeting the officers of the
previous meeting, if present, serve until the permanent officers are
elected. When the hour arrives for the meeting, the chairman standing,
says, "The meeting will

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please come to order:" as soon as the assembly is seated, he adds, "The
secretary will read the minutes of the last meeting." If any one
notices an error in the minutes, he can state the fact as soon as the
secretary finishes reading them; if there is no objection, without
waiting for a motion, the chairman directs the secretary to make the
correction. The chairman then says, "If there is no objection the
minutes will stand approved as read" [or "corrected," if any corrections
have been made].

He announces as the next business in order, "the hearing of the report
of the committee on the Constitution and By-Laws." The chairman of the
committee, after addressing "Mr. Chairman" and being recognized, reads
the committee's report and then hands it to the chairman.* [In large and
formal bodies the chairman, before inquiring what is to be done with the