proposition in the main, but dissatisfied with certain particulars that can be easily changed in the assembly. In this case, they entertain the proposition, and proceed to perfect it by amendments. These questions directly affect the principal motion, and are therefore called subsidiary or secondary questions. The following then is the list of subsidiary or secondary questions: (1) to lie on the table; (2) to postpone to a time definite; (3) for the previous question; (4) to postpone indefinitely; (5) to commit; (6) to amend. To this list, for want of a better place, may be added, (7) the motion to reconsider a form of question peculiar to this country. 78. During proceedings on principal or on subsidiary motions, questions may arise incidental to them. First, Exceptions may be taken to the manner or order of proceeding. These give rise to questions of order. Second, It may be thought important at any stage of proceedings to have a document read that bears upon the question. This gives occasion to the motion to read papers. Third, The mover of a proposition may have changed his mind, and may desire to remove it from before the assembly after it has been voted on. For this he can ask leave to withdraw his motion. Fourth, There may exist a rule which prevents the assembly from entertaining a proposition or from prosecuting it in the way it then desires. To meet this case, a motion to suspend the rule is in order. The incidental questions then are: (1) questions of order; (2) motions for the reading of papers; (3) leave to withdraw a motion; and (4) suspension of a rule. Incidental questions take precedence of a principal motion, and of those of the subsidiary questions out of which they grow. Some of these questions merely supersede the main motion for a time, and, when decided, leave it as it was before; as, e. g., motions for the reading of papers, and some questions of order. Some of them supersede the main motion until they are decided, and, when decided one way, dispose of it entirely; as, e. g., when leave is granted to withdraw, or when, on a point being

raised, it is decided that the main motion is out of order. If they are decided in another way, they leave the main motion in the condition it was in, when it was arrested by the incidental question.

79. But there are circumstances in which an assembly may be placed which render it indispensable that there should be forms of question paramount to all others. First, The assembly may be exhausted by long attention to business, and needs a method by which to obtain relief. For this purpose, it needs the motion to adjourn. Second, It may wish to set apart a particular time for a particular subject. This it does by what it calls orders of the day. Third, Its meetings may be disturbed by the intrusion of strangers, or by rencounters among its own members; or the rights and privileges of its individual members may be infringed. This gives rise to motions relating to rights and privileges. These three forms, because they take precedence of all other questions, are called privileged questions. The last is distinguished from the first two by the distinctive title, questions of privilege.

80. It will be seen then that of questions that can supersede principal motions, there are three classes:

I. Subsidiary Questions: Lie on the table; Postpone to a time definite; Previous Question; Postponement indefinite; Commitment; and Amendment. To this list let there be added the Motion to Reconsider.

II. Incidental Questions: Questions of Order; Reading of Papers; Withdrawal of a Motion; Suspension of a Rule.

III. Privileged Questions: Adjournment; Questions of Privilege; and Orders of the day.

81. The following may be given as an example of the way in which questions may accumulate by superseding and suspending one another for the time: (1) There is a principal motion pending; (2) a motion is made to amend; (3) another motion is made to amend the amendment; (4) a proposition is made to commit;

(5) a point of order is raised; (6) a question of priv ilege is raised; (7) it is moved to adjourn. The proper mode of proceeding in such a case is to put the ques tion first on the motion to adjourn. If that be de cided in the negative, then to settle the question of privilege; after that decide the point of order; then, to put the question on the motion to commit. If the assembly refuse to commit, the questions are to be taken on the amendments in the reverse order, and finally on the principal motion amended or unamended.

CHAPTER VI.

SUBSIDIARY QUESTIONS.

82. As has been said, subsidiary or secondary questions are those which are used to dispose of the main motion either permanently or temporarily, in the manner desired by the assembly. These questions are designed to postpone, to suppress, to commit, or to amend.

SECT. I. MOTIONS TO POSTPONE.

83. There are two forms of motion to effect the postponement of a question: the motion to lie on the table; and the motion to postpone to a time definite. While these are alike in the fact that each effects a removal of the question temporarily from before the assembly, they differ in grade, and somewhat also as to the occasions on which they are moved, and in regard to the influence exercised on the questions thus removed. The motion to postpone to a time definite within the session is usually, if not always, made by the friends of the proposition; and is induced by the desire to obtain information, or to secure a larger attendance of the members, or a longer time for its consideration:

the motion to lie on the table is as often made by the enemies as by the friends of the measure; and may be employed not only to give way to a measure of more pressing importance, but to get rid of the proposition altogether. A proposition postponed to a time definite, becomes a privileged question for that time: a proposition laid on the table remains there until called up, on motion, by the vote of a majority. A motion to lie on the table is of higher grade than a motion to postpone to a time definite; and the former can suppress the latter.

1.- To Lie on the Table.

84. The motion to lie on the table takes precedence of all other subsidiary questions. But it is subordinate to all three of the privileged questions: viz., to adjourn; for the orders of the day; and questions of privilege. This is according to the general parliamentary code. In Congress, by special rule, it is subordinate only to the motion to adjourn.

85. If the motion to lie on the table be decided in the affirmative, it removes from the assembly the principal motion together with all the subsidiary and incidental motions attached to it at the time. When the proposition is again taken from the table, it revives and stands in the exact form, and with all the appendages pertaining to it at the time the motion to lie on the table prevailed.

86. If decided in the negative, it may be renewed whenever new business intervenes, or when the matter has progressed so far as in effect to become a new proposition. If decided in the negative, the business proceeds as if the motion had not been made.

87. It is in order to move to take the subject from the table at any time; and, should the motion be decided in the negative, to renew it again and again, provided any business has intervened between the votes.

88. This motion is sometimes used abusively, and

made to perform the office of the previous question and indefinite postponement combined; since the same majority that lays a proposition on the table can keep it there permanently. This is to pervert it from its legitimate use, and make it a motion to suppress instead of one to postpone a proposition. Nothing can be legitimately laid on the table excepting what can be taken up again. Hence the usage in Congress is disorderly and abusive which allows a member, when an appeal is taken from the decision of the speaker, to move that the appeal do lie on the table.

89. This motion is not debatable, and is not subject to amendment.

In the United States House of Representatives, April 16, 1852, the Report of the Committee on Printing being under consideration,

"Mr. Gorman having concluded the debate, Mr. Polk moved that the whole subject be laid on the table. Mr. Howard made the point of order, that, inasmuch as the character of the question was unchanged since a similar motion had been made and voted down, it was not in order at this time to submit the motion. The speaker stated, that since the former motion to lay on the table, there had not only been intervening motions, but further debate; he therefore overruled the point of order. From this decision of the chair, Mr. Howard appealed; when, on motion of Mr. Stanley, it was ordered that the appeal be laid on the table. So the decision of the chair was sustained."

January 27, 1853. "Mr. Stanley moved that the said bill be committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union, and printed; pending which, Mr. Sweetser moved that the bill be laid on the table; and the question being put, it was decided in the affirmative. So the bill was laid on the table. Mr. Stanley having called up the motion submitted by him, to print the bill, the speaker decided that the effect of the vote to lay the bill on the table had been to lay upon the table the motion to print, and all other motions connected therewith; it was too late, therefore, to call up the motion to print. From this decision of the chair Mr. Stanley appealed; when, on motion of Mr. Orr, the appeal was laid on the table," etc.

2. Postpone to a Time Definite.

90. As has been said, a motion to postpone to a time definite is subordinate to a motion to lie on the table, and may be suppressed by it; but it is of the same grade with all the other subsidiary motions, excepting