198 HISTORY OK THE WHEEL AND ALLIANCE. 



tion to debate. The previous question is exhausted on 

 this motion and does not, therefore, shut off debate when 

 indefinite postponement is lost. When this question 

 prevails it removes the question for the entire session. 



19. PRINCIPAL MOTION. Fourth-class. It does 

 not take precedence of anything but another principal 

 motion, and therefore it yields to everything except 

 another principal motion, and cannot be made when any 

 other question is before the house. It should be in writ- 

 ing when requested by the President. 



20. To RECONSIDER. Is one of the miscellaneous 

 motions and may belong to either the first, second, third 

 or fourth-class of motions according to circumstances. It 

 cannot be reconsidered. It may be introduced when 

 another question is before the house, but cannot be acted 

 on till the question is disposed of. No question can be 

 twice reconsidered. A motion to adjourn, or suspend the 

 rules, or an affirmative vote to lay on the table, or take 

 from the table, cannot be reconsidered. It may be laid 

 on the table. The previous question partly executed, or 

 any vote which has caused action that cannot be reversed, 

 cannot be reconsidered. It must be made on same day 

 that the motion to be reconsidered was passed, and must 

 be offered by one who voted on the prevailing side. It is 

 always in order till the vote on adjournment has been 

 announced by the Chair, must be seconded and only 

 requires a majority vote. When it is made while other 

 business is pending that would make action or considera- 

 tion of the question to reconsider out of order, the person 

 introducing it should introduce the motion to ' ' reconsider 

 and spread upon the minutes." This arrests all force or 

 action in pursuance of the motion sought to be recon- 

 sidered until such time as the motion to reconsider is 

 called up and disposed of. By courtesy no one calls up 

 the motion to reconsider except the one making or sec- 



