amendment only. After the amendment is
voted on, the main question is again open to debate and amendments. [In
this case the form of the question would be similar to this : "Shall
the amendment be now put to the question?"]

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The Object of this motion is to bring the assembly to a vote on the
question before it without further debate. In ordinary assemblies it is
rarely expedient to deprive a large minority of the right of debate, and
yet two-thirds of the members should have the right to close the debate
when they think it best.

It applies to questions of privilege [Sec. 12] as well as any other
debatable questions. It is allowable for a member to submit a
resolution and at the same time move the previous question thereon.

To illustrate the Effect of this motion, suppose it is adopted when we
have before the assembly, (a) the main question; (b) an amendment; (c) a
motion to commit; (d) a motion to amend the last motion by giving the
committee instructions. The previous question being carried, the
presiding officer would immediately put the question on the last motion
(d); then on the motion to commit, (c); and if this is adopted, of
course the subject is referred to the committee and disposed of for the
present; but if it fails, the amendment (b) is put, and finally the main
question.

Exceptions: If the Previous Question is

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carried while a motion to Postpone is pending, its effect is only to
bring the assembly to a vote on that motion; if it is voted not to
postpone, the subject is again open for debate. So if an Appeal [Sec. 14]
or a motion to Reconsider [Sec. 27] is pending when the Previous Question
is ordered, it applies only to them and is exhausted by the vote on
them.

An affirmative vote on the motion to Commit [Sec. 22] exhausts the Previous
Question, and if the vote is reconsidered, it is divested of the Previous
Question.

[For other methods of closing debate see Sec. 37 and Sec. 58].

21. To Postpone to a Certain Day. This motion takes precedence of a
motion to Commit, or Amend, or Indefinitely Postpone, and yields to any
Privileged [Sec. 9] or Incidental [Sec. 8] question, and to the motion to Lie
on the Table, or for the Previous Question. It can be amended by
altering the time, and the Previous Question can be applied to it without
af