Page:Bourinots Rules of Order 1918.djvu/20

 cannot be changed at the mere will of the body they govern, but only by the superior legislative authority that enacted them. But to all bodies, generally speaking, there are given either in express terms, or by ness cary implication, the right to make such rules, regulations and by-laws as are essential to their usefulness and very existence as legislative, deliberative, or busibodies.

4. How regulations can be changed—All such rules, regulations and by-laws are left necessarily to be modified, amended or changed by these bodies themselves. As long as they remain in force, and are not in direct conflict with statutory enactment or in excess of the powers given by law, they must regulate the proceedings of the bodies that have passed them.. They cannot be changed or altered except in accordance with the methods laid down in the regulations or the law, and any violation of them may be prevented by any member asking the intervention of the chair under the rules.

5. Suspension of rules not to be encouraged.—At times, it may be necessary and convenient to suspend rules by unanimous consent, but this should rarely be permitted even in the society of the most humble object, and never, except in cases of urgency or routine business, in municipal or other bodies, regulated by law and immediately dealing with the rights and interests of individuals. Every assembly having legislative and large responsibilities, should have a rule prohibiting a