Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/166

166 the rules that interfere with,” etc., stating the object of the suspension. If this motion is carried by a two-thirds vote, then the particular thing for which the rules were suspended can be done. By “general consent,” that is, if no one objects, the rules relating to the transaction of business can at any time be ignored without the formality of a motion.

(d) Questions of Order. It is the duty of the Chairman to enforce the rules and preserve order, and when any member notices a breach of order he can call for the enforcement of the rules. In such cases, when he rises he usually says: “Mr. Chairman, I rise to a point of order.” The Chairman then directs the speaker to take his seat, and, having heard the point of order, decides the question and permits the first speaker to resume his speech, directing him to abstain from any conduct that was decided to be out of order. When a speaker has transgressed the rules of decorum he cannot continue his speech if any one objects, unless permission is granted him by a vote of the assembly. Instead of the above method, when a member uses improper language, some one says: “I call the gentleman to order,” when the Chairman decides as before whether the language is disorderly.