(d) To Read Papers.—This is a motion to have the pending motion read again for the information and guidance of members, or to have other material read which seems likely to help in the intelligent consideration of the question. When such a motion is made, the chairman usually says, “If there is no objection, the paper” (or the motion) “will be read.” If any one objects, the motion must be put to vote. A majority vote carries it.
(e) Objection to Consideration.—Sometimes silly or needless motions are made, or motions which are likely to stir up ill feeling. Objection to the consideration of such business may be made by any member as soon as the motion has been stated by the chair. No second is needed, no debate is allowed, and a two-thirds vote is required. The proceeding is often a useful one, but it requires quick wit to employ it; for as soon as debate has actually begun, the objection is out of order. In such a case the indefinite postponement already described is the best way of suppressing the troublesome motion.
It should be noted that when the objection is put to vote, all those who are in favor of considering the question are asked to vote “Aye”; those who oppose its consideration and sustain the objection are asked to vote “No.”
(f) Points of Order.—The chairman is, of course, in constant charge of the meeting, enforcing the rules of order and the principles of parliamentary law, and calling to order members whose language is unduly violent or discourteous. If he fails to perform any of these duties, it is proper for a member to “rise to a point of order,” and call the chair’s attention to the infraction of the rules.
Thus if a member moves to commit a motion while the assembly is debating on the proposal to postpone it to a definite time, a member may say:
“Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.”
The Chair: “State your point.”
“The motion to refer to a committee is not in order until the motion to postpone has been voted on.”
“The point is well taken; the motion to refer to a committee is out of order.”