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§ 27 either purpose. Until the presiding officer has stated it to the assembly, the member offering the motion may modify it, or, with the consent of the seconder, he may even withdraw it entirely. When the mover modifies his motion, the member who seconded it may withdraw his second. On the other hand, after it has been stated by the chair, the question is in the possession of the assembly to adopt, postpone, modify, reject or suppress according to its pleasure, and cannot be withdrawn except by unanimous consent of the assembly, or by a motion and vote granting leave to withdraw (37), nor can it be modified except by unanimous consent, or by the regular process of amendment (106). The proposition thus before the assembly is called the “main or principal question.”  

27. The main or principal question is any particular subject brought before the assembly for its consideration. It takes precedence of nothing except another principal question, and therefore cannot be in-