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The Question

1. The question is first to be put on the affirmative, and then on the negative

2. After the question has been put, debate upon it is out of order; but after the presiding officer has put the affirmative, any member who has not spoken before on the question may speak before the negative be put, for it is not a full question until the negative be put.

3. But on trifling matters, such as leave to bring in reports of committees, withdrawing motions, reading papers, and such like, the consent of the main body will be supposed without the formality of a question, unless some one should object, for the absence of an objection in such cases testifies to unanimous consent. DIVISION.

1. The affirmative and negative voices having been heard upon a question, the presiding officer declares by the sound what is the result. If he has doubts as to the relative strength of the yeas and nays, or if any member demands it, before other business has been gone into, then a division is ordered.

2. The mode of dividing is for those in the affirmative to rise, when the presiding officer counts those up, and announces the number. These sit, and those in the negative arise, to be counted in like manner.

3. One-fifth of the members present may call for the yeas and nays, each member's name being called, and his answer entered by the secretary. In case of any disorder during a division or calling of the yeas and nays, the presiding officer decides the question of order; and the decision is not the subject of appeal at this time, although it may be revised after the division or call is over. RECONSIDERATION.

1. A question which has been decided either in the affirmative or in the negative, may be reconsidered upon the motion of a member who has voted with the majority. But this motion for reconsideration will not be in order, unless made during the meeting whereat the question was decided.

2. The effect of the adoption of a motion to reconsider is to place the question in the position it occupied before the vote on its adoption or rejection was taken; consequently it is as open to amendment, postponement, commitment, or laying on the table, as it was at that time.

APPEALS.

1, An appeal from the decision of the chair is a matter of right, and brings under review and opens to debate the grounds of such decision.

2. The presiding officer, by usage and courtesy, has the right to assign his reasons for his decision before the question is put on the appeal.

3. The question on an appeal is, whether the decision of the presiding officer shall stand as the judgment of the body itself. If a majority vote in the affirmative, the decision stands; if not, it is reversed.

4. An appeal cannot be put on an appeal; that is, a second appeal cannot be entertained while the first remains undisposed of.

5. A mere opinion of the chair, drawn out by an interrogation on points of order, is not subject to an appeal. To be appealed from, it must be an actual decision on a question coming up legitimately in the progress of business. PAPERS.

1. When papers have been laid before the main body, or referred to a committee, every member has a right to hear them once read at the secretary's table, before he can be compelled to vote on them.

2. But he has not a right, therefore, to have papers read independently of the will of a majority of his colleagues. If the reading be demanded purely for information, and not for delay, and no one objects, the chairman will direct it to be done, without putting it to the question. But should any one object, the question must be put.

3. Nor can any member have a right, without a question first put, to have any thing read, which is not before the body.

4. Nor can a member have a right to read a paper, in his place, not even his own speech, if it be objected to, without the leave of the body. But this rule is not usually enforced, unless there be a gross or intentional abuse of the time and patience of the body.

COMMUNICATIONS.

When a communication addressed to the main body is presented, the question is to be put whether it shall be received. But a general cry of "Receive!" or, even if there be no objection, the silence of the body, is sufficient to dispense with the formality of the question. In that case, or in case the vote on its reception be in the affirmative, it is to be read, unless otherwise disposed of.