[135[!-- TN: original reads "137" --]. All these motions take the place of the principal motion, or main question, as it is usually called, and are to be first put to the question; and, among themselves, also, there are some, which, in like manner, take the place of all the others. Some of these questions merely supersede the principal question, until they have been decided; and, when decided, whether affirmatively or negatively, [p80] ]leave that question as before. Others of them also supersede the principal question, until they are decided; and, when decided one way, dispose of the principal question; but, if decided the other way, leave it as before.
Sect. I. Privileged Questions.
[136]. There are certain motions or questions, which, on account of the superior importance attributed to them, either in consequence of a vote of the assembly, or in themselves considered, or of the necessity of the proceedings to which they lead, are entitled to take the place of any other subject or proposition, which may then be under consideration, and to be first acted upon and decided by the assembly. These are called privileged questions, because they are entitled to precedence over other questions, though they are of different degrees among themselves. Questions of this nature are of three kinds, namely, first, motions to adjourn; secondly, motions or questions relating to the rights and privileges of the assembly, or of its members individually; and, thirdly, motions for the orders of the day.
[p81]
]Adjournment.
[137]. A motion to adjourn takes the place of all other questions whatsoever;[Footnote 18] ] for, otherwise, the assembly might be kept sitting against its will, and for an indefinite time; but, in order to entitle this motion to precedence, it must be simply to “adjourn,” without the addition of any particular day or time. And, as the object of this motion, when made in the midst of some other proceeding, and with a view to supersede a question already proposed, is simply to break up the sitting, it does not admit of any amendment by the addition of a particular day, or in any other manner; though, if a motion to adjourn is made, when no other business is before the assembly, it may be amended like other questions.
[p82]
][138]. A motion to adjourn is merely “that this assembly do now adjourn;” and, if it is carried in the affirmative, the assembly is adjourned to the next sitting day; unless it has previously come to a resolution, that, on rising, it will adjourn to a particular day; in which case, it is adjourned to that day.
[139]. An adjournment without day, that is, without any time being fixed for reassembling, would, in the case of any other than a legislative assembly, be equivalent to a dissolution.[Footnote 19] ]
[140]. When a question is interrupted by an adjournment, before any vote or question has been taken upon it, it is thereby removed from before the assembly, and will not stand before it, as a matter of course, as its next meeting, but must be brought forward in the usual way.
Questions of Privilege.
[141]. The questions, next in relative importance, and which supersede all others for the [p83] ]time being except that of adjournment, are those which concern the rights and privileges of the assembly, or of its individual members; as, for example, when the proceedings of the assembly are disturbed or interrupted, whether by strangers or members; or where a quarrel arises between two members; and, in these cases, the matter of privilege supersedes the question pending at the time, together with all subsidiary and incidental ones, and must be first disposed of. When settled, the question interrupted by it is to be resumed, at the point where it was suspended.