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§ 168 Members who are not well informed in the rules of procedure frequently make motions to effect purposes for which other motions would be more suitable, and when such motions are made the chairman may, with propriety, suggest how the desired object may be accomplished—for example, “if it be moved that a certain question be laid on the table until a certain time,” the chair might suggest that the proper motion is “to postpone to that time,” or if it be moved to “reconsider the vote by which some question had been laid on the table,” he might suggest that it be taken from the table.

168. A judicious presiding officer will remember there are many things, such as inconsistency, incompatibility, or unconstitutionality of proposed action, which are for the assembly to decide, and while he may offer suggestions in reference to the subject, he should not attempt to dictate or to usurp the rights of the assembly by suppressing such action as being out of order, for in all such cases the will of the majority is the supreme power and the de-