Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/27

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§ 6]
CLASSIFICATION OF MOTIONS.
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presiding officer, it is in the possession of the assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any one objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [§ 17], or by moving an amendment.[1]


Art. II. General Classification of Motions.[2]

[§§ 6–9.]

6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the assembly. It takes precedence of nothing,


  1. Rule 40 H. R. is as follows: “After a motion is stated by the Speaker, or read by the Clerk, it shall be deemed to be in the possession of the House, but it may be withdrawn at any time before a decision or amendment.” The practice under this rule has been, not to allow a motion to be withdrawn after the previous question has been seconded. This manual conforms to the old parliamentary principle, which is probably better adapted to ordinary societies. In certain organizations it will, doubtless, be found advisable to adopt a special rule like the Congressional one just given.
  2. In § 54, the ordinary motions will be found classified according to their object.