Subsidiary Motions
10—To lay on the table (non-debatable).
11—The previous question (non-debatable).
12—To postpone to a certain day (debatable).
13—To refer to committee (debatable).
14—To amend (debatable).
15—To postpone indefinitely (debatable).
16—Main or principal motion (debatable).
In order to learn the sequence, it is simply necessary to make a Reminder Picture of the motion, and Hitch it to the corresponding number, which of course, must be represented by the words in your Code List. For this purpose the following pictures are suggested, using the list of Code Words. The pictures given here are merely suggestions. Make any pictures which will serve to call the motion to mind.
1—TIE.—To Fix the Time to Adjourn.
See some men seated around a table playing a game of cards. The prize for the winner is a large red TIE lying on the table. One man points to the clock and says, "We will play until ten-thirty o'clock, and then go home." The TIE stands for 1, and the picture suggests fixing the time to adjourn.
2—SNOW.—To Adjourn.
See some people seated around a dinner table. Their attention is directed to the fact that it is snowing and they all rise and go home.
3—HOME.—Questions of Privilege.
See some people leaving a meeting and starting HOME, other jumping up and objecting, raising the question of their privilege to leave.
4—WIRE.—Call for Orders of Day.
See a messenger boy all bound up with WIRE, calling the orders of the day.
5—WHEEL.—Appeal.
See a man waving a WHEEL to gain attention and calling for an appeal.
6—SASH.—Objection to the Consideration of the Question.
See a member of the assembly pulling another away by a SASH, to keep him from getting a chance to ask a question which he wishes to have considered. The first man objects to the consideration of the second man's question.
7—EGG.—The Reading of Papers.
See an officer taking the papers out of a large EGG shell and reading them.
8—IVY.—Leave to Withdraw Motion.
See a man reaching over with a piece of IVY and trying to get a copy of the motion off from the desk.
9—WHIP.—To Suspend the Rules.
See a WHIP dangling a ruler suspended at its end.
10—TOES.—To Lay on the Table.
See a member come up and put his TOES on the table.
11—DOT.—The Previous Question.
See a man trying to cover the previous question with a large DOT.
12—TOWN.—To Postpone to a Certain Day.
See a town with posters all over it, with a large date referring to a day set for meeting.
13—DIME.—To Refer to Committee.
See a committee standing up in line and a large dime being handed to them.
14—DEER.—To Amend.
See some hunters trying to mend the DEERS antlers.
15—TOWEL.—To Postpone Indefinitely.
A TOWEL is rolled up and placed on a high shelf, its use is indefinitely postponed.
16—DISH.—The main or Principal Question.
See a large DISH carried in and put in the middle of the table, indicating that it is the principal dish.
The question of whether or not these motions are debatable is an important one. You will notice that each question is marked "debatable" or "non-debatable." The easiest way to fix this in mind is to take them in groups. Notice that the motions from 1 to 11 are non-debatable, and that the motions from 12 to 16 are debatable.
The exceptions to this fact are the motions 3 and 5 which are debatable. In our Number Code M stands for 3 and L for 5, represent the motions 3 and 5, by M and L, made into the word MULE. These are debatable, or can be "kicked" about, which idea is easily associated with MULE. This will always keep in mind that the only debatable motions of the first set are the motions Mule.
Another question is, which motions require a two-thirds vote to carry? They are the motions 6, 9 and 11. These three Numbers are represented by the words SASH, WHIP and DOT, which can easily be fixed in mind.
Whether the motion, TO LAY ON THE TABLE, or the motion, TO SUSPEND RULES, should have precedence can be decided by referring to your pictures. To suspend the Rules brings the picture of the Whip Suspending the Ruler from a string. To lay on the Table brings the picture of a man putting his Toes on the Table. Whip is 9 and Toes is 10, therefore you know that to Suspend the Rule has the precedence.