OF MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS.
62. When a proposition is moved, which it is supposed may be regarded
by the assembly as useless or inexpedient, and which it may therefore
be desirous to get rid of, such proposition may be suppressed for a
time by means of the previous question, or altogether by a motion for
indefinite postponement.
Sect. I. Previous Question.
63. The original and proper parliamentary use of the previous question
being, as above stated, the suppression of a main question, it seems
proper to consider it as one of the subsidiary motions, for that
purpose; although, in this country, it has been perverted to a wholly
different use, namely, the suppression of debate. This consideration,
in connection with the difficulty of the subject, and the importance
of a correct understanding of it, makes it proper to devote more room
to the previous question, than needs to be given to most of the other
subsidiary motions. It will first be considered according to its
original use and intention: and, afterwards, as used in this country.
64. There are several motions, which give rise to questions previous
in their nature to other questions to which they relate; but the term
_previous_ has been applied exclusively to a motion denominated the
_previous question_, which has for its object the suppression of a
principal motion or question. This motion was introduced into the
house of commons in England, more than two centuries ago, for the
purpose of suppressing subjects of a delicate nature, relating to high
personages, or the discussion of which might call forth observations
of an injurious tendency. When first made use of, the form of the
motion was, _shall the main question be put?_ and the effect of a
decision of it in the negative was to suppress the main question for
the whole session. The form of it was afterwards changed to that which
it has at present, namely, _shall the main question be now put?_ and
the effect of a negative decision of it now is to suppress the main
question for the residue of the day only. The operation of this
motion, in suppressing the question to which it is applied, results
from the principle, that no further consideration or discussion can
regularly be had of a subject, which it has been decided shall not be
put to the question; and, therefore, when on the motion of the
previous question, it has been decided, that the principal question
shall not now be put, that question is disposed of for the day, and
cannot be renewed until the next or some succeeding day. This is the
purpose for which the previous question was originally invented, and
for which it is still used in the British parliament.
65. But the previous question may be decided in the affirmative, as
well as the negative, that is, that the main question shall now be
put; in which case, that question is to be put immediately, without
any further debate, and in the form in which it then exists. This
operation of the previous question, when decided affirmatively, has
led to the use of it for the purpose of suppressing debate on a
principal question, and coming to a vote upon it immediately; and this
is ordinarily the only object of the previous question as made use of
in the legislative assemblies of the United States.[10] The operation
of a negative decision is different in different assemblies; in some,
as, for example, in the house of representatives of Congress, it
operates to dispose of the principal or main question by suppressing
or removing it from before the house for the day; but in others, as in
the house of representatives of Massachusetts, and the house of
assembly of New York (in the former by usage only, and in the latter
by a rule), the effect of a negative decision of the previous question
is to leave the main question under debate for the residue of the
sitting, unless sooner disposed of by taking the question, or in some
other manner.
66. In England, the previous question is used only for suppressing a
main question; the object of the mover is to obtain a decision of it
in the negative; and the effect of such a decision, though in
strictness only to suppress the question for the day, is, practically
and by parliamentary usage, to dispose of the subject altogether. In
this country, the previous question is used chiefly for suppressing
debate on a main question; the object of the mover is to obtain a
decision of it in the affirmative; and the effect of a decision the
other way, though in some assemblies operating technically to suppress
the main question for the day only, is, in general, merely to suspend
the taking of the question for that day; either leaving the debate to
go on during the residue of the day, or the subject to be renewed on
the next or some other day. The operation of an affirmative decision
is the same, in both countries, namely, the putting of the main
question immediately, and without further debate, delay, or
consideration.
Sect. II. Indefinite Postponement.
67. In order to suppress a question altogether, without coming to a
direct vote upon it, in such a manner that it cannot be renewed, the
proper motion is for indefinite postponement; that is, a postponement
or adjournment of the question, without fixing any day for resuming
it. The effect of this motion, if decided in the affirmative, is to
quash the proposition entirely; as an indefinite adjournment is
equivalent to a dissolution, or the continuance of a suit, without
day, is a discontinuance of it. A negative decision has no effect
whatever.[11]
10. Mr. Jefferson (Manual, § xxxiv.) considers this extension of the
previous question as an abuse. He is of opinion that “its uses
would be as well answered by other more simple parliamentary
forms, and therefore it should not be favored, but restricted
within as narrow limits as possible.” Notwithstanding this
suggestion, however, the use of the previous question, as above
stated, has become so firmly established, that it cannot now be
disturbed or unsettled.
11. “The motion to indefinitely postpone cannot be amended. When a
motion to indefinitely postpone prevails, the proposition so
postponed con not be renewed during the session.”—Ed.