_In filling a blank with a sum, the largest sum shall be first put to the question, by the 18th Rule of the Senate_, contrary to the rule of Parliament, which privileges the smallest sum and longest time.--5 _Grey_, 179; 2 _Hats._ 8, 83; 3 _Hats._ 132, 133. And this is considered to be not in the form of an amendment to the question, but as alternative or successive originals. In all cases of time or number, we must consider whether the larger comprehends the lesser, as in a question to what day a postponement shall be, the number of a committee, amount of a fine, term of an imprisonment, term of irredeemability of a loan, or the _terminus in quem_ in any other case. Then the question must begin _a maximo_. Or whether the lesser includes the greater, as in question on the limitation of the rate of interest, on what day the session shall be closed by adjournment, on what day the next shall commence, when an act shall commence, or the _terminus a quo_ in any other case, where the question must begin _a minimo_. The object being not to begin at that extreme, which, and more, being within every man's wish, no one could negative it, and yet, if we should vote in the affirmative, every question for more would be precluded; but at that extreme which would unite few, and then to advance or recede till you get to a number which will unite a bare majority.--3 _Grey_, 376, 384, 385. "The fair question in this case is not that to which and more all will agree, whether there shall be addition to the question."--1 _Grey_, 365.
Another exception to the rule of priority is, when a motion has been made to strike out or agree to a paragraph. Motions to amend it are to be put to the question, before a vote is taken on striking out, or agreeing to the whole paragraph.
But there are several questions, which, being incidental to every one, will take place of every one, privileged or not; to wit, a question of order arising out of any other question, must be decided before that question.--2 _Hats._ 88.
A matter of privilege arising out of any question, or from a quarrel between two members, or any other cause, supersedes the consideration of the original question, and must first be disposed of.--2 _Hats._ 88.