Page:Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies (1876).djvu/87

§ 36] quently this motion allows of free debate, even involving the whole merits of the original question.

To “Postpone to a certain time” prevents the assembly taking up the question till the specified time, and therefore allows of limited debate upon the propriety of the postponement.

To “Lie on the Table” leaves the question so that the assembly can at any time consider it, and therefore should not be, and is not debatable.

To “Commit” would not be very debatable, according to this rule, but it is an exception, because it is often important that the committee should know the views of the assembly on the question, and it therefore is not only debatable, but opens to debate the whole question which it is proposed to refer to the committee.

[see § 2]. In debate a member must confine himself to the question before the assembly, and avoid personalities. He cannot reflect upon any act of the assembly, unless he intends to conclude his remarks with a motion to rescind such action, or else while debating such motion. In referring to another member, he should, as much as possible, avoid using his name, rather referring to him as “the member who spoke last,” or in some other way describing him. The officers of the assembly should always be referred to by their official titles. It is not allowable to arraign the motives of a member, but the nature or consequences of a measure