Robert's Rules of Order

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Excerpt: ...in preserving order. If the chairman has even the appearance of being a partisan, he loses much of his ability to control those who are on the opposite side of the question. The unfortunate habit many chairmen have of constantly speaking upon questions before the assembly, even interrupting the member who has the floor, is unjustified by either the common parliamentary law, or the practice of Congress. One who expects to take an active part in debate should never accept the chair. "It is a general rule, in all deliberative assemblies, that the presiding officer shall not participate in the debate, or other proceedings, in any other capacity than as such officer. He is only allowed, therefore, to state matters of fact within his knowledge, to inform the assembly on points of order or the course of proceeding, when called upon for that purpose, or when he finds it necessary to do so, and on appeals from his decision on questions of order, to address the assembly in debate." Cushing's Manual, page 106. "Though the Speaker chairman may of right speak to matters of order and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on any other subject except where the assembly have occasion for facts within his knowledge, then he may, with their leave, state the matter of fact." Jefferson's Manual, sec. xvii, and Barclay's "Digest of the Rules and Practice of the House of Representatives, U. S., " page 195. The chairman should not only be familiar with parliamentary usage, and set the example of strict conformity to it, but he should be a === Page 85 ============================================================ man of executive ability, capable of controlling men, and it should never be forgotten, that, to control others, it is necessary to control one's self. An excited chairman can scarcely fail to cause trouble in a meeting. A chairman will often find himself perplexed with the difficulties attending his position, and in such cases he will do well to heed the...