record the proceedings of the committee on the
minutes, but should keep a memorandum of the proceedings for the use of
the committee. In large assemblies the clerk vacates his chair, which
is occupied by the chairman of the committee, and the assistant clerk
acts as clerk of the committee. Should the committee get disorderly,
and the chairman be unable to preserve order, the presiding officer can
take the chair, and declare the committee dissolved. The quorum of the
committee of the whole is the same as that of the assembly [Sec. 43]. If
the committee finds itself without a quorum, it can only rise and report
the fact to the assembly, which in such a case would have to adjourn.

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33. Informal Consideration of a Question (or acting as if in committee
of the whole).

It has become customary in many assemblies, instead of going into
committee of the whole, to consider the question "informally," and
afterwards to act "formally." In a small assembly there is no objection
to this.* [In the U. S. Senate all bills, joint resolutions and
treaties, upon their second reading are considered "as if the Senate
were in committee of the whole," which is equivalent to considering them
informally. [U. S. Senate Rules 28 and 38.] In large assemblies it is
better to follow the practice of the House of Representatives, and go
into committee of the whole.] While acting informally upon any
resolutions, the assembly can only amend and adopt them, and without
further motion the Chairman announces that "the assembly acting
informally [or as in committee of the whole] has had such a subject
under consideration, and has made certain amendments, which he will
report." The subject comes before the assembly then as if reported by a
committee. While acting informally, the Chairman retains his seat, as
it is not necessary to move that the committee rise, but at any time the
adoption of such motions as to adjourn, the previous question, to
commit, or any motion except to amend or adopt, puts an end to the
informal consideration; as for example, the motion to commit is
equivalent to the following motions when in committee of the whole: (1)
That the committee rise; (2) that the committee of

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the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the subject,
and (3) that it be referred to a com