Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies/Table of Rules Relating to Motions
TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS.
[If information is desired in reference to a motion, look first in this Table, which decides seven points in regard to each motion, and also shows the section in the Manual treating fully of each, thus serving as an index of motions. A list of the motions belonging to each of the seven classes indicated by the headings to the columns, can be found by noticing the stars in each column.
The motions are classified into Principal, Subsidiary, Incidental and Privileged in §§ 6–9. The common motions are classified in § 55 according to the object for which each is used. If other information is required about motions in general, look in the Index under the title Motions.] TABLE OF RULES RELATING TO MOTIONS.
[Containing Answers to Two Hundred Questions in Parliamentary Practice.]
Section in Pocket Manual.
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Explanation of the Table.—A Star shows that the rule heading the column in which it stands, applies to the motion opposite to which it is placed; a cipher shows that the rule does not apply; a figure shows that the rule only partially applies, the figure referring to the note showing the limitations. Take, for example, ‘‘Lie on the Table;” the Table shows that § 19 of the Pocket Manual treats of this motion; that it is ‘‘undebatable” and ‘‘cannot be amended;” and that an affirmative vote on it (as shown in note 5) “cannot be reconsidered;’’—the four other columns containing ciphers show that this motion does not “open the main question to debate,” that it does not ‘‘require a ⅔ vote,” that it does “require to be seconded,” and that it is not “in order when another member has the floor.” | Undebatable [§ 35].
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Opens Main Question to Debate [§ 35].
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Cannot be Amended [§ 23].
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Cannot be Reconsidered [§ 27].
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Requires a ⅔ Vote [§ 39].—See Note 1.
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Does not require to be Seconded [§ 3].
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In order when another has the floor [§ 2].
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NOTES. (1) Every motion in this column has the eflect of suspending some rule or established right of deliberative assemblies (as shown in the note to § 39), and therefore requires a two-thirds vote, unless a special rule to the contrary is adopted. (2) Undebatable if made when another question is before the assembly. (3) An Amendment may be either (1) by “adding” or (2) by “striking out” words or paragraphs; or (3) by “striking out certain words and inserting others;” or (4) by “substituting” a different motion on the same subject; or (5) by “dividing the question” into two or more questions, as specified by the mover, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. (4) An Appeal is undebatable only when relating to indecorum, or to transgressions of the ⟨rules of speaking⟩, or to the priority of business, or when made while the Previous Question is pending. When debatable, only one speech from each member is permitted. On a tie vote the decision of the Chair is sustained. (5) An affirmative vote on this motion cannot be reconsidered. (6) The objection can only be made when the question is first introduced, before debate. (7) Allows of but limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement. (8) The Previous Question, if adopted, cuts off debate and brings the assembly to a vote on the pending question only, except where the pending motion is an amendment or a motion to commit, when it also applies to the question to be amended or committed. (9) Can be moved and entered on the record when another has the floor, but cannot interrupt business then before the assembly; must be made on the day the original vote was taken, and by one who voted with the prevailing side. |
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| 11 | Adjourn | * | 0 | * | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Adjourn, Fix the Time to which to | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | Amend [3] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | Amend an Amendment | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 45 | Amend the Rules | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | Appeal, relating to indecorum, etc. [4] | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | |
| 14 | Appeal, all other cases | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | |
| 14 | Call to Order | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | * | * | |
| 37 | Close Debate, motion to | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 22 | Commit | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 34 | Extend the Limits of Debate, motion to | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 10 | Fix the time to which to Adjourn | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 36 | Leave to Continue Speaking after Indecorum | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | Lie on the Table | * | 0 | * | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 37 | Limit Debate, motion to | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Objection to Consideration of a Question [6] | * | 0 | * | 0 | * | * | * | |
| 13 | Orders of the Day, motion for the | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | * | * | |
| 21 | Postpone to a Certain Time | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | Postpone Indefinitely | 0 | * | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | Previous Question [8] | * | 0 | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 44 | Priority of Business, questions relating to | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Privilege, Questions of | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 16 | Reading Papers | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | Reconsider a Debatable Question | 0 | * | * | * | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
| 27 | Reconsider an Undebatable Question | * | 0 | * | * | 0 | 0 | 9 | |
| 22 | Refer (same as Commit) | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 11 | Rise (in Committee equals Adjourn) | * | 0 | * | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Shall the Question be Discussed? [6] | * | 0 | * | 0 | * | * | * | |
| 13 | Special Order, to make a | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | Substitute (same as Amend) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Suspend the Rules | * | 0 | * | * | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | Take from the Table | * | 0 | * | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 44 | Take up a Question out of its Proper Order | * | 0 | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | Withdrawal of a Motion | * | 0 | * | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
See next page for Order of Precedence of Motions and Forms of Putting Certain Questions.
ADDITIONAL RULES TO ACCOMPANY TABLE.
Order of Precedence of Motions.
The ordinary motions rank as follows, and any of them (except to amend) can be made while one of a lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order:
To Fix the Time to which to Adjourn.
To Adjourn (when unqualified).
For the Orders of the Day.
To Lie on the Table.
For the Previous Question.
To Postpone to a Certain Time.
To Commit.
To Amend.
To Postpone Indefinitely.
The motion to Reconsider can be made when any other question is before the assembly, but cannot be acted upon until the business then before the assembly is disposed of [see note 5 above], when, if called up, it takes precedence of all other motions except to adjourn, and to fix the time to which to adjourn. Questions incidental to those before the assembly, take precedence of them and must be acted upon first.
Forms of Putting Certain Questions.
If a motion is made to Strike out certain words, the question is put in this form: “Shall these words stand as a part of the resolution?” so that on a tie vote they are struck out.
If the Previous Question is demanded, it is put thus: “Shall the main question be now put?”
If an Appeal is made from the decision of the Chair, the question is put thus: “Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgment of the assembly [convention, society, etc.]?”
If the Orders of the Day are called for, the question is put thus: “Will the assembly now proceed to the Orders of the Day?”
When, upon the introduction of a question, some one objects to its consideration, the chairman immediately puts the question thus: “Will the assembly consider it?” or “Shall the question be considered [or discussed]?”
If the vote has been ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, the question is put in a form similar to the following: “As many as are in favor of the adoption of these resolutions, will, when their names are called, answer yes, [or aye] those opposed will answer answer no.”