55. Motions Classified According to their Object. Instead of immediately adopting or rejecting a resolution as originally submitted, it may be desirable to dispose of it in some other way, and for this purpose various motions have come into use, which can be made while a resolution is being considered, and for the time being, supersede it. No one can make any of these motions while another member has the floor, excepting as shown in § 64, which see for the circumstances under which each motion can be made.
The following list comprises most of these motions, arranged in eight classes, according to the object for which each motion is used. [The names of the motions are printed in Italics; each class is treated separately, as shown by the references.]
Motions Classified.
(1) To Amend or Modify ………………………………… [§ 56]
(a) Amend.
(b) Commit.
(2) To Defer action …………………………………… [§ 57]
(a) Postpone to a certain time.
(b) Lie on the Table.
(3) To Suppress Debate ………………………………… [§ 58]
(a) Previous Question.
(b) An Order limiting or closing Debate.
(4) To Suppress the question …………………………… [§ 59]
(a) Objection to its Consideration.
(b) Postpone Indefinitely.
(c) Lie on the Table.
(5) To Consider a question the second time ………………. [§ 60]
(a) Reconsider.
(6) Order and Rules …………………………………… [§ 61]
(a) Orders of the day.
(b) Special Orders.
(c) Suspension of the Rules.
(d) Questions of Order.
(e) Appeal.
(7) Miscellaneous …………………………………….. [§ 62]
(a) Reading of Papers.
(b) Withdrawal of a Motion.
(c) Questions of Privilege.
(8) To close a meeting ………………………………… [§ 63]
(a) Fix the time to which to Adjourn.
(b) Adjourn.
56. To Amend or Modify. (a) Amend. If it is desired to modify the question in any way, the proper motion to make is to “amend,” either by “adding” words, or by “striking out” words; or by “striking out certain words and inserting others;” or by “substituting” a different motion on the same subject for the one before the assembly; or by “dividing the question” into two or more questions, as the mover specifies, so as to get a separate vote on any particular point or points. Sometimes the enemies of a measure seek to amend it in such a way as to divide its friends, and thus defeat it.
When the amendment has been moved and seconded, the chairman should always state the question distinctly, so that every one may know exactly what is before them, reading first the paragraph which it is proposed to amend; then the words to be struck out, if there are any; next, the words to be inserted, if any; and finally, the paragraph as it will stand if the amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of adopting the amendment.
This amendment can be amended, but an “amendment of an amendment” cannot be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in § 66, except to fix the time to which to adjourn, can be amended, nor can the motion to postpone indefinitely.
(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to move “to refer it to a committee.” This motion can be made while an amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or by giving them any other instructions. [See § 53 on committees, and § 46 (c) on their appointment.]
57. To Defer Action. (a) Postpone to a certain time. If it is desired to defer action upon a question till a particular time, the proper motion to make, is to “postpone it to that time.” This motion allows of but limited debate, which must be confined to the propriety of the postponement to that time; it can be amended by altering the time, and this amendment allows of the same debate. The time specified must not be beyond that session [§ 70] of the assembly, except it be the next session, in which case it comes up with the unfinished business at the next session. This motion can be made when a motion to amend, or to commit or to postpone indefinitely, is pending.
(b) Lie on the table. Instead of postponing a question to a particular time, it may be desired to lay it aside temporarily until some other question is disposed of, retaining the privilege of resuming its consideration at any time.* [In Congress this motion is commonly used to defeat a measure, though it does not prevent a majority from taking it at any other time. Some societies prohibit a question from being taken from the table, except by a two-thirds vote. This rule deprives the society of the advantages of the motion to “lie on the table.” because it would not be safe to lay a question aside temporarily, if one-third of the assembly were opposed to the measure, as that one-third could prevent its ever being taken from the table. A bare majority should not have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of § 35, Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the question “lie on the table.” This motion allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the assembly vote to “take it from the table” (which latter motion is undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used to suppress a measure, as shown in § 59 (c).