Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/155

§ 56] the amendment is adopted. He then states that the question is on the adoption of the amendment, which is open to debate, the remarks being confined to the merits of the amendment, only going into the main question so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the propriety of adopting the amendment.

This amendment can be amended, but an “amendment of an amendment” cannot be amended. None of the undebatable motions mentioned in § 35, except to fix the time to which to adjourn, to extend the limits of debate, and to close or limit debate, can be amended, nor can the motion to postpone indefinitely.

(b) Commit. If the original question is not well digested, or needs more amendment than can well be made in the assembly, it is usual to move “to refer it to a committee.” This motion can be made while an amendment is pending, and it opens the whole merits of the question to debate. This motion can be amended by specifying the number of the committee, or how they shall be appointed, or when they shall report, or by giving them any other instructions. [See §53 on committees, and § 46 (c) on their appointment. ]