Objection to the Consideration of a Question. An objection can be made to any principal motion [§ 6], but only when it is first introduced, before it has been debated. It is similar to a question of order [§ 14,] in that it can be made while another member has the floor, and does not require a second; and as the Chairman can call a member to order, so can he put this question if he deems it necessary, upon his own responsibility. It can not be debated [§ 35] or have any subsidiary motion [§ 7] applied to it. When a motion is made and any member "objects to its consideration," the Chairman shall immediately put the question, "Will the assembly consider it?" or, "Shall the question be considered" [or discussed]? If decided in the negative by a two-thirds vote [§ 39], the whole matter is dismissed for that session [§ 42]; otherwise the discussion continues as if this question had never been made.
The Object of this motion is not to cut off debate (for which other motions are provided, see § 37), but to enable the assembly to avoid altogether any question which it may deem irrelevant, unprofitable or contentious.* [In Congress, the introduction of such questions could be temporarily prevented by a majority vote under the 41st Rule of the House of Representatives, which is as follows: "Where any motion or proposition is made, the question, 'Will the House now consider it?' shall not be put unless it is demanded by some member, or is deemed necessary by the Speaker." The English use the "Previous Question," for a similar purpose [see note to § 20]. The question of consideration is seldom raised in Congress, but in assemblies with very short sessions, where but few questions can or should be considered, it seems a necessity that two-thirds of the assembly should be able to instantly throw out a question they do not wish to consider. The more common form, in ordinary societies, of putting this question, is, "Shall the question be discussed?" The form to which preference is given in the rule conforms more to the Congressional one, and is less liable to be misunderstood.]
Original Main Motion: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Postpone Indefinitely: Requires Second, Debatable, Majority
Amend: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Refer to Committee: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Postpone to a Certain Time (Postpone Definitely): Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, Majority
Limit or Extend Limits of Debate: Requires Second, Amendable, 2/3
Previous Question (Close Debate): Requires Second, 2/3
Lay on the Table: Requires Second, Majority
Call for Orders of the Day: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Raise a Question of Privilege: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Take a Recess: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Adjourn: Requires Second, Majority
Fix the Time to Which to Adjourn: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Point of Order: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Appeal: Can Interrupt speaker, Requires Second, Debatable, Majority
Questions or Points of Information: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Suspend the Rules: Requires Second, 2/3
Object to Consideration: Can Interrupt speaker, 2/3
Division of a Question: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Consideration by Paragraph-Seriatim: Requires Second, Amendable, Majority
Division of the Assembly: Can Interrupt speaker, -
Rescind: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, 2/3
Reconsider: Requires Second, Debatable, Amendable, 2/3