362 THE HOME, FARM AND BUSINESS CYCLOPAEDIA. 



11. If a motion for amendment be followed by one for commitment, the 

 latter shall be put first. 



1 '2. The previous question cannot be put on the motion to postpone, 

 commit, or amend the main question. 



13. The motion for the previous question, or for commitment or amend- 

 ment, cannot be postponed. 



14. A motion made for reading papers relative to the question discussed, 

 must be put before the main question. 



15. A motion made and seconded cannot be withdrawn without leave, 

 though, if no member object, it is not necessary to put the question. 



1C. When different sums or dates are used in filling blanks, the 'question 

 shall first be put on the largest sum and the longest time. 



17. In commitment, the motions to commit are privileged in the follow- 

 ing order : 1. Committee of the Whole ; 2. Standing Committee; 3. Spe- 

 cial Committee. 



18. A motion to lay on the table must be put before either postpone- 

 ment, commitment, or amendment, although neither of these last can be 

 laid on the table. 



19. A postponement can be amended as to time, and an amendment 

 can be amended ; but if it be proposed to amend by inserting anything, a 

 motion to amend or perfect the matter proposed to be inserted must be 

 put to a vote before the question to insert. The same rule follows in re- 

 gard to striking out. 



20. A question of privilege, such as a quarrel between members, or af- 

 fecting the character of members, or the main body, must be disposed of 

 before the original question be disposed of. 



21. Questions on leave to withdraw motions, or appeals from the deci- 

 sion of the chair, have a precedence over the main question. 



PREVIOUS QUESTION. 



1. When an} r question is before the association, any member may move 

 that the main question be put ; and this is termed moving the previous 

 question. If the motion pass in the affirmative, the main question is put 

 immediately, and no further debate is allowed upon the matter at issue. 



2. This is frequently styled " the gag law," because its adoption cuts off 

 all debate. When a subject in the judgment of the majority has been ex- 

 hausted, or when personalities have been introduced, and disorders are 

 threatened, it is a very proper and wise thing ; but it should not generally 

 be brought to bear so long as members who desire to speak are unheard. 



