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Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/171

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§ 65]
FORMS OF STATING QUESTIONS.
171

defeat a measure by prolonging his speech, and declining to yield the floor except for a motion to adjourn. In ordinary assemblies two speeches should be allowed each member (except upon an appeal), and these rules also limit the time for each speech to ten minutes. A majority can permit a member to speak oftener or longer whenever it is desired, and the motion granting such permission cannot be debated. However, if greater freedom is wanted, it is only necessary to consider the question informally, or if the assembly is large, to go into committee of the whole.[1] If, on the other hand, it is desired to limit the debate more, or close it altogether, it can be done by a two-thirds vote, as shown in § 58 (b).

65. Forms of Stating and Putting Questions. Whenever a motion has been made and seconded, it is the duty of the Chairman, if the motion is in order, to state the question, so that the assembly may know what question Is before them. The seconding ofa motion is required to prevent the introduction of a question when only one member is in favor of it, and consequently but little attention is


  1. See §§ 32, 33.