ons
require only a majority vote for their adoption. In the Senate, to the
contrary, not even two-thirds of the members can force a measure to its
passage without allowing debate, the Senate rules not recognizing the
above motions.

59. To Suppress the Question. (a) Objection to the consideration of a
question. Sometimes a resolution is introduced that the assembly do not
wish to consider at all, because it is profitless, or irrelevant to the
objects of the assembly, or for other reasons. The proper course to
pursue in such case, is for some one, as soon as it is introduced, to
"object to the consideration of the question." This objection not
requiring a second, the chairman immediately

=== Page 139 ===========================================================

puts the question, "Will the assembly consider this question?" If
decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote, the question is
immediately dismissed, and cannot be again introduced during that
session. This objection must be made when the question is first
introduced, before it has been debated, and it can be made when another
member has the floor.

(b) Postpone indefinitely. After the question has been debated, the
proper motion to use in order to suppress the question for the session,
is to postpone indefinitely. It cannot be made while any motion except
the original or main question is pending, but it can be made after an
amendment has been acted upon, and the main question, as amended, is
before the assembly. It opens the merits of the main question to debate
to as great an extent as if the main question were before the assembly.
On account of these two facts, in assemblies with short sessions it is
not very useful, as the same result can usually be more easily attained
by the next motion.

(c) Lie on the table. If there is no possibility during the remainder
of the session of obtaining a majority vote for taking up the question,
then the quickest way of suppressing it is

=== Page 140 ===========================================================

to move "that the question lie on the table;" which, allowing of no
debate, enables the majority to instantly lay the question on the table,
from which it cannot be taken without their consent.

From its high rank [Sec. 64] and undebatable character, this motion is very
commonly used to suppress a question, but, as shown in Sec. 57 (b), its
effect is merely to lay the question aside till the assemb