have the power, in ordinary societies, to adopt or reject a question, or
prevent its consideration, without debate. [See note at end of § 35,
Rules of Order, on the principles involved in making questions
undebatable.] The only way to accomplish this, is to move that the
question "lie on the table." This motion

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allowing of neither debate nor amendment, the chairman immediately puts
the question; if carried, the whole matter is laid aside until the
assembly vote to "take it from the table" (which latter motion is
undebatable and possesses no privilege). Sometimes this motion is used
to suppress a measure, as shown in § 59 (c).

58. To Suppress Debate. (a) Previous Question. While as a general
rule free debate is allowed upon every motion,* [Except an "objection to
the consideration of the question" [§ 59 (a)]. See note to § 35, Rules
of Order, for a full discussion of this subject of debate.] which, if
adopted, has the effect of adopting the original question or removing it
from before the assembly for the session,--yet, to prevent a minority
from making an improper use of this privilege, it is necessary to have
methods by which debate can be closed, and final action at once be taken
upon a question.

To accomplish this, when any debatable question is before the assembly,
it is only necessary for some one to obtain the floor and "call for the
previous question;" this call being seconded, the chairman, as it allows
of no debate, instantly puts the question, thus: "Shall the main
question be now put?" If this is carried by a two-thirds vote [§ 68],
all debate instantly