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Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/169

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§ 63]
TO CLOSE THE MEETING.
169

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 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.[1] When it is desired to close the meeting, unless 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 puts 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, “ad-


  1. Ten minutes is allowed by these rules.