[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 104th Congress]
[104th Congress]
[House Document 103-342]
[Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
[Pages 228-229]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 

                   SEC. XXXIV.--THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.



Sec. 461. The previous question of 
Parliament.

  When any  question is before the House, any Member may move a 
previous question, ``Whether that question (called the main question) 
shall now be put?'' If it pass in the affirmative, then the main 
question is to be put immediately, and no man may speak anything further 
to it, either to add or alter. Memor. in Hakew., 28; 4 Grey, 27.





Sec. 462. Manner of putting the previous 
question.

  The previous  question being moved and seconded, the question from the 
Chair shall be, ``Shall the main question be now put?'' and if the nays 
prevail, the main question shall not then be put.



  In the modern practice of the House of Representatives the previous 
question is put as follows: ``The gentleman from ------ demands the 
previous question. As many as are in favor of ordering the previous 
question will say aye; as many as are opposed will say no'' (V, 5443).


[[Page 229]]



Sec. 463. History, use etc., of the previous 
question of Parliament.

  This kind of  question is understood by Mr. Hatsell to have 
been introduced in 1604. 2 Hats., 80. Sir Henry Vane introduced it. 2 
Grey, 113, 114; 3 Grey, 384. When the question was put in this form, 
``Shall the main question be put?'' a determination in the negative 
suppressed the main question during the session; but since the words 
``now put'' are used, they exclude it for the present only; formerly, 
indeed, only till the present debate was over, 4 Grey, 43, but now for 
that day and no longer. 2 Grey, 113, 114. 


  Before the question ``Whether the main question shall now be put?'' 
any person might formerly have spoken to the main question, because 
otherwise he would be precluded from speaking to it at all. Mem. in 
Hakew., 28.


  The proper occasion for the previous question is when a subject is 
brought forward of a delicate nature as to high personages, &c., or the 
discussion of which may call forth observations which might be of 
injurious consequences. Then the previous question is proposed, and in 
the modern usage the discussion of the main question is suspended and 
the debate confined to the previous question. The use of it has been 
extended abusively to other cases, but in these it has been an 
embarrassing procedure. 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.




  As explained in connection with rule XVII, the House of 
Representatives has changed entirely the old use of the previous 
question (V, 5445).