Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/122

100 usually by taking a rising vote on questions requiring a two-thirds vote.

Requests Growing Out of the Business of the Assembly. During the meeting of a deliberative assembly there are occasions when members wish to obtain information, or to do or to have done things that necessitate their making a request. When any request is to be made the member rises and addresses the chair, and as soon as he secures the chairman's attention states why he rises. He should rise as soon as a member yields the floor and, though the floor is assigned to another, he still makes his request. He should never interrupt a member while speaking unless he is sure that the urgency of the case demands it. As a rule all such questions are settled by general consent, or informally, but if objection is made a vote is taken. An explanation may be requested or given, but there is no debate. As these requests arise, they should be treated so as to interrupt the proceedings as little as is consistent with the demands of justice. Among these requests are the following:

(a) Parliamentary Inquiry. When a member needs information as to what motion to make to accomplish a certain object, or as to the effect of a certain motion, etc., he rises and without obtaining the floor, says, "Mr. Chairman, I rise to a parliamentary inquiry." The chairman asks him to state his inquiry, and if he considers it proper, answers the question. If the inquiry is made when another has