    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 106th Congress]
    [106th Congress]
    [House Document 105-358]
    [Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
    [Pages 191-192]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                                 sec. xx--motion

    Sec. 392. Parliamentary law as to making, withdrawing, and
    reading of motions.

        When a motion has been made, it is not to be put
    to the question or debated until it is seconded. Scob., 21.

      It is then, and not till then, in possession of the House, and can not
    be withdrawn but by leave of the House. It is to be put into writing, if
    the House or Speaker require it, and must be read to the House by the
    Speaker as often as any Member desires it for his information. 2 Hats.,
    82.

      The Rules of the House (clause 1 of rule XVI) have long since
    dispensed with the requirement of a second for ordinary motions (V,
    5304). Clause 2 of rule XVI provides further that a motion may be
    withdrawn before decision or amendment; and clause 1 of the same rule
    provides that the motion shall be reduced to writing on the demand of
    any Member. In the practice of the House, when a paper on which the
    House is to vote has been read once, the reading may not be required
    again unless the House shall order it read (V, 5260).

    [[Page 192]]

    not. When two Members offer to speak, he who rose first is to be heard,
    and it is a breach of order in another to interrupt him, unless by
    calling him to order if he departs from it. And the question of order
    being decided, he is still to be heard through. A call for adjournment,
    or for the order of the day, or for the question, by gentlemen from
    their seats, is <> not a motion. No motion
    can be made without rising and addressing the Chair. Such calls are
    themselves breaches of order, which, though the Member who has risen may
    respect, as an expression of impatience of the House against further
    debate, yet, if he chooses, he has a right to go on.

    Sec. 393. Interruptions of the Member having the
    floor.

      It  might be asked whether a motion for adjournment or for the
    orders of the day can be made by one Member while another is speaking?
    It can

      The practice of the House has modified the principle that the Member
    who rises first is to be recognized (clause 2 of rule XVII); but in
    other respects the principles of this paragraph of the law of Parliament
    are in force.