explanation).

Shall the Question be Considered (or discussed)? This question, which
is put as soon as a subject is brought before an assembly, if any member
"objects to its consideration" (or "discussion," or "introduction"), is
not intended to merely cut off debate, but to prevent the question from
coming before the assembly for its action. If decided by a two-thirds
vote in the negative, the question is removed from before the assembly
immediately [see Sec. 15].

Whenever the word "assembly," which is used throughout these rules,
occurs in forms of motions (as in Appeals, Sec. 14), it is better to
replace it by the special term used to designate the particular
assembly; as for instance, "Society," or "Convention," or "Board." The
term "Congress," when used in this Manual, refers to the House of
Representatives of the U.S.

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Part I.

Rules of Order.

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Art. I. Introduction of Business.
[Sec.Sec. 1-5.]

1. All business should be brought before the assembly by a motion of a
member, or by the presentation of a communication to the assembly. It
is not usual, however, to make a motion to receive the reports of
committees [Sec. 30] or communications to the assembly; and in many other
cases in the ordinary routine of business, the formality of a motion is
dispensed with; but should any member object, a regular motion becomes
necessary.

2. Before a member can make a motion or address the assembly upon any
question, it is necessary that he obtain the floor; that is, he must
rise and address the presiding officer

=== Page 18 ============================================================

by his title, thus: "Mr. Chairman" [Sec. 34], who will then announce the
member's name. Where two or more rise at the same time the Chairman
must decide who is entitled to the floor, which he does by announcing
that member's name. From this decision, however, an appeal [Sec. 14] can
he taken; though if there is any doubt as to who is entitled to the
floor, the Chairman can at the first allow the assembly to decide the
question by a vote--the one getting the largest vote being entitled to
the floor.

The member upon whose motion the subject under discussion was brought
before the assembly (or, in case of a committee's report, the one who
presented the report) is entitled to be recognized as having the floor
(if he has not already had it during th