aft has been previously prepared by one of their members or a
sub-committee); they do not vote on the separate paragraphs, but having
completed the amendments, they vote on the adoption of the entire
report. When there is a preamble, it is considered last. If the report
originates with the committee, all amendments are to be incorporated in
the report; but, if the resolutions were referred, the committee cannot
alter

=== Page 56 ============================================================

the text, but must submit the original paper intact, with their
amendments (which may be in the form of a substitute, Sec. 23) written on a
separate sheet.

A committee is a miniature assembly that must meet together in order to
transact business, and usually one of its members should be appointed
its clerk. Whatever is not agreed to by the majority of the members
present at a meeting (at which a quorum, consisting of a majority of the
members of the committee, shall be present) cannot form a part of its
report. The minority may be permitted to submit their views in writing
also, either together, or each member separately, but their reports can
only be acted upon, by voting to substitute one of them for the report
of the committee. The rules of the assembly, as far as possible, shall
apply in committee; but a reconsideration [Sec. 27] of a vote shall be
allowed, regardless of the time elapsed, only when every member who
voted with the majority is present when the reconsideration is moved.*
[Both the English common parliamentary law and the rules of Congress
prohibit the reconsideration of a vote by a committee; but the strict
enforcement of this rule in ordinary committees, would interfere with
rather than assist the transaction of business. The rule given above
seems more just, and more in accordance with the practice of ordinary
committees, who usually reconsider at pleasure. No improper advantage
can be taken of the privilege, as long as every member who voted with
the majority must be present when the reconsideration is moved.] A
committee (except a committee

=== Page 57 ============================================================

of the whole, Sec. 32] may appoint a sub-committee. When through with the
business assigned them, a motion is made for the committee to "rise"
(which is equivalent to the motion to adjourn), and that the chairman
(or some member who is more familiar with the subject) make its report
to th