e previous question can be
ordered on it so as to stop debate, or it can be laid on the table, or
referred to a committee to examine and report upon it. As soon as the
question of privilege is in some way disposed of, the debate which was
interrupted is resumed.
63. To Close the Meeting. (a) Fix the time to which to adjourn. If it
is desired to have an adjourned meeting of the assembly, it is best some
time before its close to move, "That when this assembly adjourns, it
adjourns to meet at such a time," specifying the time. This motion can
be amended by altering the time, but if made when another question is
before the assembly, neither the motion nor the amendment can be
debated. If made when no other business is before the assembly, it
stands as any other main question, and can be debated. This motion can
be made even while the assembly is voting on the motion to adjourn, but
not when another member has the floor.
(b) Adjourn. In order to prevent an assembly
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from being kept in session an unreasonably long time, it is necessary to
have a rule limiting the time that the floor can be occupied by any one
member at one time.* [Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.] When it is
desired to close the meeting, without the member who has the floor will
yield it, the only resource is to wait till his time expires, and then a
member who gets the floor should move "to adjourn." The motion being
seconded, the chairman instantly put the question, as it allows of no
amendment or debate; and if decided in the affirmative, he says, "The
motion is carried;--this assembly stands adjourned." If the assembly
is one that will have no other meeting, instead of "adjourned," he says
"adjourned without day," or "sine die." If previously it had been
decided when they adjourned to adjourn to a particular time, then he
states that the assembly stands adjourned to that time. If the motion
to adjourn is qualified by specifying the time, as, "to adjourn to
to-morrow evening," it cannot be made when any other question is before
the assembly; like any other main motion, it can then be amended and
debated.** [For the effect of an adjournment upon unfinished business see
Sec. 69.]
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64. Order of Precedence of Motions. The ordinary motions rank as
follows, and any of them (except to amend)
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