Page:Robert's Parliamentary Practice.djvu/36

14 should assign the floor to one opposed to the last speaker.

Indefinite Postponement. Instead of voting down the motion, it may be killed just as effectually by adopting the motion to postpone it indefinitely. An affirmative vote on it is identical in effect with a negative vote on the main question. This motion cannot be made if any other than the main motion is pending. Postpone indefinitely is debatable, and while it is pending the merits of the main question may be debated the same as if this motion had not been made. It cannot be amended. If this motion is adopted, it kills the main question for the session just as if the main motion had been voted down. If it is lost, the consideration of the main question is resumed and the opposition has another opportunity to defeat it. This motion is used by the enemies of a main motion when they are in doubt as to whether they are strong enough to defeat the main motion. Sometimes it is used with the idea that postponing a question indefinitely is not so harsh as voting it down.

(1) Present a main motion in the form of a resolution, and one not in that form.

(2) Must the seconder obtain the floor in order to second the motion? Give two forms of seconding a motion. If no