dered to lie on the table, the subject which it is proposed to amend goes there with it. The following cases are exceptional: (a) An appeal [§ 14] being laid on the table, has the effect of sustaining, at least for the time, the decision of the Chair, and does not carry the original subject to the table. (b) So when a motion to reconsider [§ 27] a question is laid on the table, the original question is left just where it was before the reconsideration was moved. (c) An amendment to the minutes being laid on the table does not carry the minutes with it. Even after the ordering of the Previous Question up to the moment of taking the last vote under it, it is in order to lay upon the table the questions still before the assembly.
20. The Previous Question[1] takes precedence of every debatable question [§ 35],
- ↑ The Previous Question is a technical name for this motion, conveying a wrong impression of its import, as it has nothing to do with the subject previously under consideration. To demand the previous question is equivalent in effect to moving “That debate now cease, and the assembly immediately proceed to vote on the pending question” [or ‘‘questions” in some cases, as shown above under the effect of the previous question.] So when the Chairman puts the question, ‘‘Shall the main question be now put?” it means, “Shall the pending question be now put?” for “questions,” as just stated.] The origin of this question, and the changes that have taken place in its effects, are described in the note at the close of this section.
