Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/50

50 previous question has been moved, and while it is still pending.

To Illustrate the Effect of the previous question under all kinds of circumstances, take the following examples:

(a) Suppose a question is before the assembly, and an amendment to it offered, and then it is moved to postpone [§ 21] the question to another time: the previous question now being ordered stops the debate and forces a vote on the pending question—the postponement. When that vote is taken the effect of the previous question is exhausted. If the assembly refuses to postpone the subject, the debate is resumed upon the pending amendment.

(b) Suppose the subject under consideration is interrupted by a question of privilege [§ 12], and it hasbeen moved to refer this latter question to a committee: the previous question being now ordered brings the assembly to a vote first on the motion to commit, and, if that motion fails, next on the privileged question. After the privileged question is voted on, the previous question is exhausted, and the consideration of the subject which was interrupted is resumed.