THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
97. The term “previous question” is misleading, and is in itself perplexing, as it seems to refer to the question previous to the one under discussion, when in fact it is the name of a motion which is used to bring the matter before the assembly immediately to vote. In other words it is a motion to suppress debate on the question then under discussion, or one subsidiary to it, and to stop further compilation of new amendments or motions by bringing it to vote at once in the form in which it exists. To illustrate—a question before the assembly is being debated, when some member moves the previous question. If this is seconded and there is no objection the question then under consideration will be put to a vote first on the pending question or amendment, if any, and then the main question; or the chairman may say “the previous question has been moved and seconed, the question before you is, Shall the question be now put?” (making this the previous question) and a vote is then taken. This motion requires a two-thirds vote for
