Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/176

154 question. The chair is supposed to look out for the interests of the assembly and to see that this liberty is not abused so as to interfere with business. Now for the gentleman's inquiry: He is correct in his statement that the vote requiring a nominating ballot for delegate was, in this case, a hindrance to business and perfectly useless. The only object of a nominating ballot is to ascertain the preferences of the members to serve as a guide in voting on the electing ballot. Having a nominating ballot and afterwards declaring it to be the electing ballot does away with all the advantages of a nominating ballot and is identical in effect with having an electing ballot without any nominations. If there is to be but one ballot it should be the electing ballot after nominations have been made from the floor, or by a nominating committee and nominations from the floor.

I move to amend the motion by striking out the word "and" and inserting the words "by a committee of three appointed by the chair, and that they be," so that the motion will read, "that the alternates be nominated by a committee of three appointed by the chair, and that they be elected by ballot."

Mr. President, that is not a proper amendment to my motion. The nominating ballot is an essential part of my motion.

The chair thinks the amendment is germane, though it would have been in better form if offered as a substitute. The question is on the amendment———