# Robert's Parliamentary Practice/Chapter 5

CHAPTER V.
SECONDARY AMENDMENTS.
During the debate on an amendment it may develop that members wish to modify the amendment, in which case some one obtains the floor and moves to amend the amendment by one of the three methods (a), (b), (c) heretofore explained. This amendment of an amendment is called a secondary amendment, or an amendment of the second degree. A primary amendment may be amended as follows:
(a) A primary amendment to insert or add may be amended by inserting or adding, or by striking out, or by a combination of these, namely by striking out and inserting.
(b) A primary amendment to strike out certain words may be amended only by striking out some of the words of the primary amendment. The effect of adopting this secondary amendment is to leave in the main motion the words struck out by the secondary amendment. The effect is similar to that of a double negative. Suppose the following resolution pending: "Resolved, That the seniors, sophomores, and juniors have a hallowe'en party." While the primary ​amendment to strike out the words "sophomores and juniors" is pending, the secondary amendment to strike out of the primary amendment the words "and juniors" is offered. If this is adopted, the primary amendment becomes a motion to strike out the word "sophomores." If this primary amendment is adopted, the pending resolution becomes "Resolved, That the seniors and juniors have a hallowe'en party."
A primary amendment to strike out a paragraph may be amended by any or all of the methods of amending a paragraph to be inserted. Words struck out of a paragraph by a secondary amendment stay out of the resolution whether the primary amendment to strike out is adopted or not. For example, suppose there is pending the resolution offered by Mr. H on page 20 and a motion to amend by striking out the second resolution: a secondary amendment to strike out the words "our mayor and" is now adopted. The words "our mayor and" are struck out and remain out of the resolution regardless of whether the second resolution is struck out or not. While the motion is pending to strike out a paragraph or resolution, its friends must be given an opportunity to modify it by amendment before the vote is taken on striking out.
(c) A primary amendment to strike out and insert cannot be divided, but for the purpose of amendment is treated as two motions, each motion being under the rules of amendment as given above. No amendment of the words to be inserted is in order until after ​reasonable opportunity has been given for amendments to be proposed to the words to be struck out. When no further amendments are proposed and no one claims the floor, the question is put on the complete motion to strike out and insert.
A motion to substitute is treated in the same way. The friends of the paragraph to be struck out are first given an opportunity to modify it by amendments so as to diminish the chances of their defeat. The friends of the proposed new paragraph are then given a similar opportunity to modify it with a view to gaining votes for their side. When both paragraphs are thus perfected the question is put on substituting the new one for the old one. After this the question is put on adopting the main motion as it then stands, whether the amendment is adopted or not. This is illustrated in the Drill, page 43.
While one secondary amendment is pending no other secondary amendment of the same motion is in order. A secondary amendment cannot be amended. After an amendment of the first or second degree has been disposed of, another amendment of the same degree is in order. Great care must be taken that after every motion and every vote the question before the assembly is clearly stated, especially when several amendments have been offered. To illustrate: There is pending the resolution "Resolved, That John will saw wood." The primary amendment to add the words "because he loves to do so" is offered; while this is pending the ​secondary amendment to strike out of the primary amendment the words "he loves" and insert the words "his mother causes him" is offered. The chair says: "It is moved and seconded to strike out of the primary amendment the words 'he loves' and insert the words 'his mother causes him.' If this secondary amendment is adopted, he continues, "The question is now on the adoption of the primary amendment to add to the resolution the words 'because his mother causes him to do so.' [In a complex case it might be well for the chair to state at this point just what the resolution will be if the amendment is adopted.] Are you ready?" etc. If this is adopted, he continues, "The question is now on the adoption of the resolution as amended 'Resolved, That John will saw wood because his mother causes him to do so.' Are you ready?" etc.
Practice Work.
(1) What is a secondary amendment? What other name is given to it?
(2) In what three ways may a primary amendment to insert or add be itself amended?
(3) In what way may a primary amendment to strike out words be itself amended?
(4) What is the effect on the resolution of adopting a ​secondary amendment to strike out certain words from a primary amendment to strike out words? Illustrate.
(5) What methods may be employed in amending a primary amendment to strike out a paragraph?
(6) Given a primary amendment to strike out and insert: what must be done before the words to be inserted may be amended?
(7) What is the process necessary for amending a substitute? Can a secondary amendment be amended?
(8) Give an illustration of your own to show that striking out a word from a primary amendment to strike out words leaves in the resolution the words struck out by the secondary amendment.
(9) In the case of the motion to substitute one paragraph for another, what is the effect of striking out words in the original paragraph if the motion to substitute is lost?
(10) In the last illustration in the text, assume that both the primary and the secondary amendments are lost. Give in full the chair's part in stating the question on the secondary amendment, the primary amendment, and the resolution.