Page:Felt’s Parliamentary Procedure Upload 2.pdf/128

124 The form is, “I appeal from the decision of the chair.” An appeal must be made at once or the question is presumed to have been correctly decided and is not afterward subject to appeal. This does not require recognition from the chair, is debatable, unless it refers to indecorum, or a violation of the rules, or to priority of business. The presiding officer has precedence, and also the right to speak without leaving his chair.

While a point of order (32) is undebatable, unless so requested by the chair, an appeal from a decision of the chair on a point of order is debatable. If, however, any appeal has interrupted an undebatable question, it is then undebatable.

125. When an appeal is made to the chairman may or may not state his reasons for his decision without leaving the chair, and say, “Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?” when a vote will be taken. If the vote is in the affirmative, the chair is sustained, or if the vote is a tie the chair is sustained, because a decision of the chair can only be reversed by a majority of the assembly. If the vote is in the negative