Chapter VI · OF MOTIONS TO SUPPRESS.
Reading edition
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.
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.