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PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE
tically the same as one that the assembly has already had before it during the same session, or is in the possession, or under the control of the assembly so that the main motion can be brought before it again for action when the assembly so desires. Confusion would result from allowing any member to introduce to the assembly a question practically the same as one that is then in the hands of a committee, or on the table, or that has been postponed to another time, or that may be reached by calling up the motion to reconsider. In all these cases the question is in the possession of the assembly, or under its control, and may be brought before it by discharging the committee, or taking the question from the table, or taking up the postponed question before its proper time, or calling up the reconsideration, as shown hereafter. The principle involved prohibits the introduction of any main motion, or amendment to it, which would interfere with the freedom of the assembly in acting upon any question in its possession or under its control. Thus, if a motion to have a banquet on a certain evening has been laid on the table it would be out of order to move that a concert be given on that evening, because if the latter motion were adopted it would interfere with and probably prevent the adoption of the prior motion when it is taken from the table. When the first motion is taken from the table, the second can be moved as a substitute for it.
Debate. In order to debate a pending question a member must obtain the floor as already described and address his remarks to the chairman. A motion is pending after it has been stated by the chair until it has been disposed of either permanently or temporarily. There may be a number of motions pending at the same
