Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/111

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
PRIVILEGED MOTIONS
89

a member upon rising, simply states the trouble thus: "Mr. Chairman, there is too much noise for us to hear the speaker." [For illustration see page 64.]

Take a Recess. When an assembly is in session all day, it is necessary to take recesses during the day. This motion can be made when any question is pending except the motion to "fix the time for an adjourned meeting" or to "adjourn." If a program has been adopted specifying the time for the recess (that is for adjourning that meeting and for reconvening) the chair at that time declares the assembly adjourned, or in recess, to the stated time. If he neglects it, the motion to adjourn may be made or the orders of the day may be called for.

If the recess is desired at a time which the assembly has not appointed for an adjournment, a motion may be made to take a recess until a certain time, which time may be changed by amendment. It is undebatable if made while another question is pending. If adopted, the chairman immediately declares the assembly in recess until the specified time. To take a recess at a future time is a main motion with no privilege. When a session lasts several days sometimes a recess is taken over an entire day.

Adjourn. When it is desired to close a meeting, the proper motion to make is to "adjourn." This motion may be made when any motion is pending except the motion to "fix the time to which to adjourn." It cannot be debated or have any subsidiary motion