Roberts Rules of Order | Page 7

move
that the question be divided, specifying in his motion how it is to be
divided. Any one else can move as
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an amendment to this, to divide it differently.
This Division of a Question is really an amendment [§ 23], and subject
to the same rules. Instead of moving a division of the question, the
same result can be usually attained by moving some other form of an
amendment. When the question is divided, each separate question must
be a proper one for the assembly to act upon, even if none of the others
were adopted. Thus, a motion to "commit with instructions," is
indivisible, because if divided, and the motion to commit should fail,
then the other motion to instruct the committee would be improper, as
there would be no committee to instruct.* [The 46th Rule of the House
of Representatives requires the division of a question on the demand of
one member, provided "it comprehends propositions in substance so
distinct that one being taken away, a substantive proposition shall

remain for the decision of the House." But this does not allow a
division so as to have a vote on separate items or names. The 121st
Rule expressly provides that on the demand of one-fifth of the
members a separate vote shall be taken on such items separately, and
others collectively, as shall be specified in the call, in the case of a bill
making appropriations for internal improvements. But this right to
divide a question into items extends to no case but the one specified.
The common parliamentary law allows of no division except when the
assembly orders it, and in ordinary assemblies this rule will be found to
give less trouble than the Congressional one.]
The motion to "strike out certain words and insert others," is indivisible,
as it is strictly one proposition.
5. After a question has been stated by the presiding officer, it is in the
possession of the
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assembly for debate; the mover cannot withdraw or modify it, if any
one objects, except by obtaining leave from the assembly [§ 17], or by
moving an amendment.
Art. II. General Classification of Motions. [§§ 6-9.]
6. A Principal or Main Question or Motion, is a motion made to bring
before the assembly, for its consideration, any particular subject. No
Principal Motion can be made when any other question is before the
assembly. It takes precedence of nothing, and yields to all Privileged,
Incidental and Subsidiary Questions [§§ 7, 8, 9].
7. Subsidiary or Secondary Questions or Motions relate to a Principal
Motion, and enable the assembly to dispose of it in the most
appropriate manner. These motions take precedence of the Principal
Question, and must be decided before the Principal Question can be
acted upon. They yield to Privileged and Incidental Questions [§§ 8, 9],
and are as follows (being arranged in their order of precedence among
themselves):

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Classification of Motions. Lie on the Table .................... See § 19. The
Previous Question ............... '' § 20. Postpone to a Certain Day ........... ''
§ 21. Commit .............................. '' § 22. Amend ............................... '' §
23. Postpone Indefinitely ............... '' § 24.
Any of these motions (except Amend) can be made when one of a
lower order is pending, but none can supersede one of a higher order.
They cannot be applied* [See Plan of Work and Definitions, in
Introduction, for explanation of some of these technical terms.] to one
another except in the following cases: (a) the Previous Question applies
to the motion to Postpone, without affecting the principal motion, and
can, if specified, be applied to a pending amendment [§ 20]; (b) the
motions to Postpone to a certain day, and to Commit, can be amended;
and (c) a motion to Amend the minutes can be laid on the table without
carrying the minutes with it [§ 19].
8. Incidental Questions are such as arise out of other questions, and,
consequently, take precedence of, and are to be decided before, the
questions which give rise to them. They yield to Privileged Questions
[§ 9], and cannot be amended. Excepting an Appeal,
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they are undebatable; an Appeal is debatable or not, according to
circumstances, as shown in § 14. They are as follows:
Appeal (or Questions of Order) ........................... See § 14. Objection to
the Consideration of a Question ............. '' § 15. The Reading of
Papers .................................... '' § 16. Leave to Withdraw a
Motion ............................... '' § 17. Suspension of the
Rules .................................. '' § 18.
9. Privileged Questions are such as, on account of their importance,
take precedence over all other questions whatever, and on account of
this very privilege they are undebatable [§ 35], excepting