EXCHANCE PROCEEDINGS OF THE State Board of Equalization SESSION OF 1913 SPRINGFIELD, ILL., August 12, 1913 In pursuance of the provisions of "An Act for the assessment of property and providing the means therefor, and to repeal a certain Act therein named," approved February 25, 1898, the members-elect of the State Board of Equalization met in the Senate Chamber in the city of Springfield, at 10:00 A.M. on the first Tuesday after the 10th day of August (the same being the 12th day of the month), the following persons being present: All the members were present with proper credentials, and the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution was duly executed by each member and filed with the Auditor of Public Accounts. On motion of Mr. Hirsheimer, Mr. Brady was selected as temporary chairman, and Mr. John J. Coffey as temporary secretary. Mr. Malone moved that the chairman appoint a committee of five on permanent organization and on formation of the standing committees. The motion prevailed, and The chairman appointed Messrs. Malone, Sullivan, Martin, Baker, and Hirsheimer. Mr. Crawford moved that the chairman appoint a committee of five to prepare rules for the use of the board. The motion prevailed, and The chairman appointed Messrs. Crawford, Evans, Becker, Murphy, and Watson. On motion of Mr. Hirsheimer, The board took a recess of one hour. The board was called to order by the temporary chairman at the close of the recess. The Committee on Rules reported through its chairman, Mr. Crawford, as follows: SPRINGFIELD, ILL., August 12, 1913 To the Honorable State Board of Equalization. GENTLEMEN: The committee appointed by you to draft and report rules for the State Board of Equalization, respectfully reports that they met and elected A. W. Crawford, Chairman, and Charles J. Murphy, Secretary, and that they unanimously recommend the adoption by the State Board of Equalization of the following rules of order: RULES OF ORDER RULE 1.-The chairman shall take the chair at the hour to which the board may have adjourned. Provided, that in the absence of the chairman, the board may elect one of its members temporary chairman, who shall preside, have the same powers, and perform the same duties as the chairman; shall immediately call the board to order, and on the appearance of a quorum shall cause the minutes of the preceding meeting to be read, and the following order of business to be observed: First-Petitions and communications. RULE 2.-The chairman shall decide all questions of order, subject to an appeal to the board at the request of any two members. When an appeal is taken the chairman may address the board upon the point of order in dispute and the question shall be put, "Shall the decision of the chair stand?" RULE 3.-When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be stated by the chairman or secretary before being debated. RULE 4.-Every motion shall be reduced to writing, if the chairman or any member requires it, and any member may call for a statement of the question, which the chairman may give sitting. RULE 5.-After a motion is stated by the chairman or read by the secretary, it shall be considered as in the possession of the board, but may be withdrawn by the member making the motion, by leave of the board, before decision. RULE 6.-While the chairman is putting the question, no member shall walk across the room, and while a member is speaking, no member shall pass between the member speaking and the chair. RULE 7.-When a member is about to speak in debate, he shall rise from his seat and address the chair, and when two or more members shall rise at the same time, the chairman shall name the member who shall speak first. RULE 8.-No member shall speak more than twice on the same question, nor more than once without leave of the board, until every member wishing to speak shall have spoken. RULE 9.-When the debate or discussion of a question shall have been concluded, the chairman shall put the question in this form, to-wit: You who are of the opinion (as the case may be) say "Aye;" those of the contrary opinion say "No;" and the yeas and nays may be called and entered upon the journal at the request of any member. RULE 10.-If the chairman doubt, or a division be called for, the members shall decide by rising-those in the affirmative first, and afterwards the negative-and the chairman shall determine by count, telling the number. RULE 11.-Every member present when the question is put shall vote, unless excused by the board. RULE 12. In case there is not a quorum present, any number of members shall have power to adjourn; six to call the board to order and send for the absent members. RULE 13. Upon the call of the board, the names of the members shall be called by the secretary and the absentees noted; and absentees may be excused by the chairman when, in his judgment, the excuse is valid. RULE 14.-No member shall absent himself from the board without leave, and all resolutions shall be referred to the Committee on Resolutions without debate, who shall consider same and report to the board some time during the session. RULE 15.-When a question is under consideration no motion shall be received except to postpone, lay on the table, amend the previous question, commit or adjourn. RULE 16.-A motion to adjourn shall always be in order and shall be decided without debate. RULE 17.-The previous question shall be put in this form: "Shall the main question be now put?" and until it is decided shall preclude all amendments or debate. When, on taking the previous question, the board shall decide that the main question shall not now be put, the main question shall be considered as still remaining under debate. The effect of the main question being ordered, shall be to put an end to all debate, and bring the board to a direct vote-first upon all amendments reported or pending, being first applied to the amendment last moved, and then on the main question. The board may, at any time, by a majority vote, close all debate upon a pending amendment or an amendment thereto, and cause the question to be put thereon, and this shall not preclude further amendment or debate upon the main subject. RULE 18. Any member may call for a division of the question when the sense will admit of it; and when the question be considered divisible by the chair, the same shall be divided, from which decision of the chair an appeal may be taken by any member as a point of order. RULE 19.-In forming the committee of the whole, the chairman may leave the chair and appoint a chairman to preside. RULE 20. The rules of proceedings in the board shall be observed in committee of the whole, so far as may be applicable. RULE 21. In all cases not provided for in these rules, the rules of parlia mentary practice comprised in Cushing's Manual shall govern. RULE 22.-The committees of the board shall consist as follows: First-Committee on Equalization of Personal Property. Second-Committee on Equalization of Lands. Third-Committee on Equalization of Town and City Lots. Fourth-Committee on Assessment of Capital Stock of Corporations. Fifth-Committee on Assessment of Railroad Property (including the capital stock of railroads). Sixth-Committee on General Equalization. Said committees shall be appointed by the board and shall not be changed during the present membership of this board, except to fill any vacancy that may occur by death or resignation. RULE 23. Upon the completion of the work of either of the first three mentioned committees, their report shall be submitted to the board, where said report shall be opened to alteration or amendment by the board, or in committee of the whole, for at least forty-eight hours after the same has been reported, after which it may be referred to the Committee on General Equalization. RULE 24. After the report of the first three named committees shall be referred to the Committee on General Equalization, it shall be the duty of said committee to compare the values of the different classes of property with each other, and make such alterations as said committee shall find necessary to equalize the different classes of property with each other, and report its action thereon to the board: Provided, that for a more equitable equalization of the different classes of property, as aforesaid, if it is thought necessary by said committee to make any changes in the classification of property, as found in the several reports, such changes shall be reported to the board for instructions thereon before making final report. |