pat. There is force in this, and it seems to be the practice.

12. After the paragraph is amended, it nevertheless be further amended by striking it entirely out.

may

XIV. Privileged Questions.

1. "When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lay on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to commit, or to amend; which several motions shall have precedence in the order they stand arranged; and the motion to adjourn shall be always in order, and shall be decided without debate."

2. These privileged questions shall not only be entertained while the main question is pending, but will be put before it.

3. A motion to adjourn takes precedence of all others, because otherwise the body might be kept sitting against its will, and indefinitely. Yet even this question cannot be entertained after another question is actually put, and while members are voting upon it.

4. An order of the day—that is, a question which has previously been set down to be argued or determined on that day-takes place of all questions except adjournment. If, for instance, a matter be set down for 7 o'clock, then at that hour, although another question be before the body, a motion to proceed to take up the order of the day must be received by the chair.

5. These privileged questions sometimes conflict with each other, but are reconciled under known rules.

6. If the previous question be first moved, it is first put. This cuts off all the others. The society, having decided to take the question, must vote on it as it stands

-postponement, commitment, and amendment being out of order.

7. If postponement be carried, of course the question cannot be either committed, amended, nor the previous question be carried, for the subject is not before the body. 8. If committed, the same rules and reasons follow. 9. If amendment is first moved, the question on that must be determined before the previous question.

10. If amendment and postponement are proposed, the latter is put first. The reason is, that the amendment is not suppressed, but comes up again in its order whenever the main question is again considered.

11. If a motion for amendment be followed by one for commitment, the latter shall be put first.

12. 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 amendment, 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.

16. 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 following order: 1. Committee of the Whole; 2. Standing Committee; 3. Special Committee.

18. A motion to lay on the table must be put before either postponement, 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 any thing, 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 regard to striking out.

20. A question of privilege, such as a quarrel between members, or affecting 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 decision of the chair, have a precedence over the main question.

XV. Previous Question.

1. When any 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 question 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 exhausted, 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.

XVI. Division of the Question.

1. A question which contains more parts than one may be divided, on the demand of a member, provided the main body concur. If the question contain parts which are evidently incompatible, the presiding officer

may divide them of his own will, unless the body deny him the power.

2. When a question is divided, after the question has been taken on the first member of it, the second member is still open to amendment and debate, unless the previ ous question be taken upon it.

XVII. Coexisting Questions.

1. Occasionally there are two questions up at the same time-one primarily, and the other secondarily. Are both subject to debate?

2. When it has been moved to commit a question, the main question is debatable under that motion; but no amendment can be entertained, because the question of commitment will be first put.

XVIII. Equivalent Questions.

Where questions are equivalent, so that the rejection of one is the affirming the other, that necessarily determines the latter. Thus, a vote against striking out is virtually the same as a vote to agree; a vote to reject, is equivalent to a vote to adopt; but, on a motion to strike out A and insert B, being decided in the negative, this does not preclude the motion to strike out A and insert C, these being separate questions.

XIX. The Question,

1. The question is first to be put on the affirmative, and then on the negative side.

2. After the question has been put, debate upon it is out of order; but after the presiding officer has put the affirmative, any member who has not spoken before on the question, may speak before the negative be put, for it is not a full question until the negative be put.

3. But on trifling matters, such as leave to bring in reports of committees, withdrawing motions, reading papers, and such like, the consent of the main body will be supposed without the formality of a question, unless some one should object, for the absence of an objection in such cases testifies to unanimous consent.

XX. Division.

1. The affirmative and negative voices having been heard upon a question, the presiding officer declares by the sound what is the result. If he have doubts as to the relative strength of the yeas and nays, or if any member demands it, before other business has been gone into, then a division is ordered.

2. The mode of dividing is for those in the affirmative to rise, when the presiding officer counts those up, and announces the number. These sit, and those in the negative arise, to be counted in like manner.

3. One-fifth of the members present may call for the yeas and nays, each member's name being called, and his answer entered by the secretary.

In case of any disorder during a division or calling of the yeas and nays, the presiding officer decides the question of order; and the decision is not the subject of appeal at this time, although it may be revised after the division or call is over. (See Rule XXXIII.)

XXI. Reconsideration.

1. A question which has been decided either in the affirmative or the negative, may be reconsidered upon the motion of a member who has voted with the majority. But this motion for reconsideration will not be in order, unless made during the meeting whereat the question was decided.