Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/23

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§ 2]
INTRODUCTION OF BUSINESS.
23

question.[1] (c) As the interests of the assembly are best subserved by allowing the floor to alternate between the friends and enemies of a measure, the Chairman, when he knows which side of a question is taken by each claimant of the floor, and their claim is not determined by the above principles, should give the preference to the one opposed to the last speaker.

From this decision of the Chairman any two members can make an appeal [§ 14]. Where there is doubt as to who is entitled to the floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the question by a vote—the one getting the largest vote being entitled to the floor.

After the floor has been assigned to a member he cannot be interrupted by calls for the question,[2] or by a motion to adjourn, or for any purpose, by either the Chairman or any member, except (a) to have entered on the minutes a motion to reconsider [§ 27]; (b) by


  1. See § 26 for an explanation of what is necessary to technically change the question before the assembly.
  2. It is a plain breach of order when a member has the floor for any one to call for the question or an adjournment; and the Chairman should protect the speaker in his right to address the assembly.