10. A committee is _discharged_ by a vote, when its business is done, and its report accepted. But usually, in routine business, a committee is considered discharged by the acceptance of its report. _Standing Committee_ A committee appointed to act for a given period or during the recess of the body is called a _standing committee._ It has charge of a given department of business assigned by the body, and acts either with power, under instructions, or at discretion, as may be ordered. A standing committee is substantially a minor board, and has its own chairman, secretary, records, and times of meeting. _Appeal_ The moderator announces all votes, and decides all questions as to rules of proceeding, and order of debate. But any member who is dissatisfied with his decisions may _appeal_ from them to the body. The moderator then puts the question, _"Shall the decision of the chair be sustained?"_ The vote of the body, whether negative or affirmative, is final. The right of appeal is undeniable, but should not be resorted to on trivial occasions. _Previous Question_ Debate may be cut short by a vote to take the _previous question._ This means that the original, or main, question under discussion be immediately voted on, regardless of amendments and secondary questions and without further debate. Usually a _two-thirds_ vote is necessary to order the previous question. 1. If the motion for the previous question be _carried,_ then the main question must be immediately taken, without further debate. 2. If the motion for the previous question be _lost,_ the debate proceeds, as though no such motion had been made. 3. If the motion for the previous question be _lost,_ it cannot be renewed with reference to the same question, during the same session. _To Lay on the Table_ Immediate and decisive action on any question under discussion may be deferred, by a vote to _lay on the table_ the resolution pending. This disposes of the whole subject for the present, and ordinarily is in effect a final dismissal of it. But any member has the right subsequently to call it up; and the body will decide by vote whether, or not, it shall be taken from the table. 1. Sometimes, however, a resolution is laid on the table for the present, or until a specified time, to give place to other business. 2. A motion to lay on the table must apply to a resolution, or other papers. An abstract subject cannot be disposed of in this way. _Postponement_ A simple _postponement_ is for a specified time or purpose, the business to be resumed when the time or purpose is reached. But a question _indefinitely postponed_ is considered as finally dismissed. _Not Debatable_ Certain motions, by established usage, are _not debatable,_ but when once before the body, must be taken without discussion. These are: The _previous question,_ for _indefinite postponement,_ to _commit,_ to _lay on the table,_ to _adjourn._