|
at 10:00. Some of them are. I would hope
they will be on your desk by this after-
noon. They will not be considered by the
Convention until this afternoon.
Delegate Malkus.
DELEGATE MALKUS: I uderstand if
they are not on our desk by 10:00 you will
not take them up until the next day?
THE PRESIDENT: I just indicated to
the contrary. There are reports that are
on your desk, that will be on your desk
this afternoon that I hope we will reach
this afternoon.
Delegate Malkus.
DELEGATE MALKUS: My next ques-
tion is, if we sit in our seats, which you
know I do not do too much of the time,
and if we sit here and listen to these talks,
when will we have time to read them and
have time to prepare the necessary amend-
ments? Heaven knows there are going to
be a lot of amendments necessary on the
second readers.
We want time to legislate in a good and
sound manner. I ask you to give us enough
time at home to read these, this important
subject matter, and get our amendments in.
THE PRESIDENT: The whole conduct
of the Convention has indicated that every
effort has been made to give delegates
ample time to consider and debate and dis-
cuss all matters before the Convention and
the Committee of the Whole.
One thing that must be kept in mind is
that we do have a date by which the labors
of this Convention must be concluded.
Delegate Chabot, do you have a question?
DELEGATE CHABOT: Yes, sir, I would
like to understand just how the three-hour
rule applies. Let us assume that the other —
THE PRESIDENT: Three-hour rule
means that the amendment in written form
is in the hands of the Chief Clerk at least
three hours before the convening hour of
the session.
DELEGATE CHABOT: With regard to
reports that we will get this afternoon,
does this mean before 7 a.m. tomorrow or
if the reports are to be taken up in the
afternoon, does it mean at least three hours
prior to the time that the afternoon session
begins?
THE PRESIDENT: I think it would be
three hours before the afternoon session,
but I would suggest -to you that the reports
|
that are under consideration which are
going to be distributed today for considera-
tion tomorrow are such that you could cer-
tainly consider any amendments that you
may have with respect to them this evening.
Do you have a further question?
DELEGATE CHABOT: Yes, sir. With
regard to the automatic movement of the
previous question, will there be any oppor-
tunity for those who were not present who
have amendments either to have them dis-
tributed or to briefly indicate what the
amendments are before a vote is taken on
the previous question?
THE PRESIDENT: I cannot answer
that, Delegate Chabot, without knowing
more about it at the time.
The whole purpose of this is to permit
and encourage orderly consideration of
amendments and discussion.
Now, quite obviously, if you are going
to have a flurry of people suggesting last
minute amendments, it would defeat that
purpose.
The question of whether the motion for
the previous question is adopted is, of
course, for the Convention or the majority
of the delegates.
Delegate Chabot.
DELEGATE CHABOT: Yes, sir, but the
motion for the previous question is not
debatable?
THE PRESIDENT: That is correct.
DELEGATE CHABOT: I did not want
to suggest that thare be an opportunity for
debate but simply that the people could
have some opportunity to at least look at
the alternatives that would be foreclosed
if the previous question were adopted.
Would there be some opportunity?
THE PRESIDENT: I should think that
the delegates would be able under the rules
laid down to have their amendments printed
except in the most extraordinary circum-
stances.
I think you know the attitude of the
Chair well enough to appreciate that under
extraordinary circumstances, there would
be no desire to shut off amendments or
debates.
Delegate Marion.
DELEGATE MARION: I understood
you to say that at some point in the de-
bate on each of these reports the Chair
|
