Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/182

182 the house. To prevent this privilege from being used improperly, it is well to provide that when the call is made the members cannot adjourn or dispense with further proceedings in the call until a quorum is obtained. A rule like the following would answer for city councils and other similar bodies that have the power to enforce attendance:

Rule. When no quorum is present, — members may order a call of the house and compel the attendance of absent members. After the call is ordered, a motion to adjourn, or to dispense with further proceedings in the call, cannot be entertained until a quorum is present, or until the Sergeant-at-Arms reports that in his opinion no quorum can be obtained on that day.

If no quorum is present a call of the house takes precedence of everything, even reading the minutes, except the motion to adjourn, and only requires in its favor the number specified