no other report than to inform the House of the cause of their dissolution. If a message is announced during a committee, the Speaker takes the chair, and receives it, because the committee cannot. 2 Hats., 125, 126.

In a Committee of the Whole, the tellers, on a division, differing as to numbers, great heats and confusion arose, and danger of a decision by the sword. The Speaker took the chair, the mace was forcibly laid on the table; whereupon the members retiring to their places, the Speaker told the House "he had taken the chair without an order to bring the House into order." Some excepted against it; but it was generally approved, as the only expedient to suppress the disorder. And every member was required, standing up in his place, to engage that he would proceed no further, in consequence of what had happened in the grand committee, which was done. 3 Grey, 128.

A Committee of the whole being broken up in disorder, and the chair resumed by the Speaker without an order, the House was adjourned. The next day the committee was considered as thereby dissolved, and the subject again before the House; and it was decided in the House, without returning into committee. 3 Grey, 130.

No previous question can be put in a committee, nor can this committee adjourn as others may; but if their business is unfinished, they rise, on a question, the House is resumed, and the chairman reports that the Committee of the Whole have, according to order, had under their consideration such a matter, and have made progress therein; but not having had time to go through the same, have directed him to ask leave to sit again. Whereupon a question is put upon their having leave, and on the time the House will again resolve itself into a committee. Scob., 38. But if they have gone through the matter referred to them, a member moves that the committee may rise, and the chairman report their proceedings to the House; which being resolved, the chairman rises, the Speaker resumes the chair, the chairman informs him that the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that he is ready to make report when the House shall think proper to receive it. If the House have time to receive it, there is usually a cry of "Now, now," whereupon he makes the report; but if it be late, the cry is, "To-morrow, tomorrow," or, "Monday," etc.; or a motion is made to that effect, and a question put, that it be received to-morrow, etc. Scob., 38.

In other things the rules of proceedings are to be the same as in the House. Scob., 33.

SECTION XIII.

EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.

Common fame is a good ground for the House to proceed by inquiry, and even to accusation. Resolution House of Commons, 1 Car., 1, 1624; Rush., L. Parl., 115; 1 Grey, 16-22, 92; 8 Grey, 21, 23, 27, 45.

Witnesses are not to be produced but where the House has previously instituted an inquiry, (2 Hats., 102,) nor then are orders for their attendance given blank. 3 Grey, 51.

When any person is examined before a committee, or at the bar of the House, any member wishing to ask the person a question, must address it to

the Speaker or chairman, who repeats the question to the person, or says to him, "you hear the question-answer it." But if the propriety of the question be objected to, the Speaker directs the witness, counsel and parties to withdraw, for no question can be moved or put, or debated, while they are there. 2 Hats., 108. Sometimes the questions are previously settled in writing before the witness enters. Ib., 106, 107; 8 Grey, 64. The questions asked must be entered in the journals. 3 Grey, 81. But the testimony given in answer before the House is never written down; but before a committee it must be, for the information of the House, who are not present to hear it. 7 Gray, 52, 334.

If either House have occasion for the presence of a person în custody of the other, they ask the other their leave that he may be brought up to them in custody. 3 Hats., 52.

A Member, in his place, gives information to the House of what he knows of any matter under hearing at the bar. Jour. H of C., Jan. 22, 1744-'45.

Either House may request, but not demand, the attendance of a member of the other. They are to make the request by message to the other House, and to express clearly the purpose of attendance, that no improper subject of examination may be tendered to him. The House then gives leave to the Member to attend, if he chooses it; waiting first to know from the Member himself whether he chooses to attend, till which they do not take the message into consideration. But when the Peers are sitting as a court of criminal judicature, they may order attendance, unless where it be a case of impeachment by the Commons. There, it is to be a request. 3 Hats., 17; 9 Grey, 306, 406; 10 Grey, 133.

Counsel are to be heard only on private, not on public bills, and on such points of law only as the House shall direct. 10 Grey, 61.

SECTION XIV.

ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS.

The Speaker is not precisely bound to any rules as to what bills or other matter shall be first taken up; but is left to his own discretion, unless the House on the question decide to take up a particular subject. Hakew., 136.

A settled order of business is, however, necessary for the government of the presiding person, and to restrain individual members from calling up favorite measures, or matters under their special patronage, out of their just turn. It is useful also for directing the discretion of the House, when they are moved to take up a particular matter, to the prejudice of the others having priority of right to their attention in the general order of business.

[In Senate, the bills and other papers which are in possession of the House, and in a state to be acted on, are arranged every morning, and brought on in the following order:]

[1. Bills ready for a second reading are read, that they may be referred to committees and so be put under way. But if, on their being read, no motion is made for commitment, they are then laid on the table in the general file, to be taken up in their just turn.]

[2. After 12 o'clock, bills ready for it are put on their passage.]

[3. Reports in possession of the House, which offer grounds for a bill, are to be taken up, that the bill may be ordered in.]

[4. Bills or other matters before the House, and unfinished on the preceding day, whether taken up in turn or on special order, are entitled to be resumed and passed on through their present stage.]

[5. These matters being dispatched, for preparing and expediting business, the general file of bills and other papers is then taken up, and each article of it is brought on according to its seniority, reckoned by the date of its first introduction to the House. Reports on bills belong to the dates of their bill.] [The arrangement of the business of the Senate is now as follows:] [1. Motions previously submitted.]

[2. Reports of Committees previously made.]

[3. Bills from the House of Representatives, and those introduced on leave, which have been read the first time, are read the second time; and if not referred to a committee, are considered in Committee of the Whole, and proceeded with as in other cases.]

[4. After twelve o'clock, engrossed bills of the Senate, and bills of the House of Representative, on third reading are put on their passage.]

[5. If the above are finished before one o'clock, the general file of bills, consisting of those reported from committees on the second reading, and those reported from the committees after having been referred, are taken up in the order in which they were reported to the Senate by the respective committees.]

[6. At one o'clock, if no business be pending, or if no motion be called to proceed to other business, the special orders are called, at the head of which stands the unfinished business of the preceding day.]

[In this way we do not waste our time in debating what shall be taken up. We do one thing at a time; follow up a subject while it is fresh, and till it is done with, clear the Honse of business gradatim as it is brought on, and prevent to a certain degree, its immense accumulation towards the close of the session.]

[Arrangement, however, can only take hold of matters in possession of ths House. New matter may be moved at any time when no question is before the House. Such are original motions and reports on bills. Such are bills from the other House, which are received at all times, and receive their first reading as soon as the question then before the House is disposed of; and bills brought in on leave, which are read first whenever presented. So messages from the other House respecting amendments to bills are taken up as soon as the House is clear of a question, unless they require to be printed for better consideration. Orders of the day may be called for even when another question is before the IIouse.]

SECTION XV.

ORDER.

[Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings; punish it Members for disordely behavior; and, with the concurrance of two-thirds, expel a Member. Const., I, 5.]

In Parliament, "instances make order," per Speaker Onslow. 2 Hats., 141. But what is done only by one Parliament, cannot be called custom of Parliament; by Prynne. 1 Grey, 52.

SECTION XVI.

ORDER RESPECTING PAPERS.

The Clerk is to let no journals, records, accounts or papers, be taken from the table or out of his custody. 2 Hats., 193, 194.

Mr. Prynne having at a Committee of the Whole amended a mistake in a bill without order or knowledge of the committee, was reprimanded. 1 Chand., 77.

A bill being missing, the House resolved that a protestation should be made and subscribed by the members "before Almighty God, and this honorable House, that neither myself nor any other to my knowledge have taken away, or do at this present conceal a bill entitled," etc. 5 Grey, 202.

After a bill is engrossed, it is put into the Speaker's hands, and he is not to let any one have it to look into. Town., col. 209.

SECTION XVII.

ORDER IN DEBATE.

When the Speaker is seated in his chair, every member is to sit in his place. Scob., 6; Grey, 403.

When any member means to speak, he is to stand up in his place, uncovered, and to address himself, not to the House, or any particular member, but to the Speaker, who calls him by his name, that the House may take notice who it is that speaks. Scob., 6; D'Ewes, 487, col. 1; 2 Hats., 77; 4 Grey, 66; 8 Grey, 108. But members who are indisposed may be indulged to speak sitting. 2 Hats. 75; 1 Grey, 143.

[In Senate, every member, when he speaks, shall address the chair, standing in his place, and when he has finished, shall sit down. Rule 3.]

When a member stands up to speak, no question is to be put, but he is to be heard, unless the House overrules him. 4 Grey, 390; 5 Grey, 6, 143.

If two or more rise to speak nearly together, the Speaker determines who was first up, and calls him by name; whereupon he proceeds, unless he voluntarily sits down and gives way to the other. But sometimes the House does not acquiesce in the Speaker's decision, in which case the question is put, "Which member was first up?" 2 Hats., 76; Scob., 7; D'Ewes, 434, col. 1, 2.

[In the Senate of the United States, the President's decision is without appeal. Their rule is in these words: When two members rise at the same time, the President shall name the person to speak; but in all cases the member who shall first rise and address the Chair shall speak first. Rule 5.]

No man may speak more than once on the same bill on the same day; or even on another day, if the debate be adjourned. But if it be read more than once in the same day, he may speak once at every reading. Co., 12, 115; Hakew., 148; Scob., 58; 2 Hats., 75. Even a change of opinion does not give a

right to be heard a second time. Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3; Arcan Parl., 17.

[The corresponding rule of the Senate is in these words: No member shall speak more than twice, in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the Senate. Rule 4.]

But he may be permitted to speak again to a clear matter of fact, 3 Grey, 357, 416; or merely to explain himself (2 Hats., 73) in some material part of his speech, (Ib., 75;) or to the manner of words of the question, keeping himself to that only, and not traveling into the merits of it, (Memorials in Hakew., 29,) or to the orders of the House, if they be transgressed, keeping within that line, and not falling into the matter itself. Mem. Hakew., 30, 31.

But if the Speaker rise to speak, the member standing up ought to sit down, that he may be first heard. Town.col., 205; Hale Parl., 133; Mem. in Hakew., 30, 31. Nevertheless, though the Speaker may of right speak to matters of order, and be first heard, he is restrained from speaking on any other subject, except where the House have occasion for facts within his knowledge; then he may with their leave, state the matter of fact. 3 Grey, 38.

No one is to speak impertinently or beside the question, superfluously or tediously. Scob., 31, 33; 2 Hats., 166, 168; Hale Parl., 133.

No person is to use indecent language against the proceedings of the House; no prior determination of which is to be reflected on by any member, unless he means to conclude with a motion to rescind it. 2 Hats., 169, 170; Rushw., p. 3, v. 1, fol. 42. But while a proposition under consideration is still in fieri, though it has even been reported by a committee, reflections on it are no reflections on the House. 9 Grey, 508.

No person in speaking, is to mention a member then present by his name, but to describe him by his seat in the House, or who spoke last, or on the other side of the question, etc., (Mem. in Hakew., 3; Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3;) nor to digress from the matter to fall upon the person (Scob., 31; Hale Parl., 133; 2 Huts., 166) by speaking reviling, nipping, or unmannely words against a particular member. Smyth's Comw., L. 2, c. 3. The consequences of a measure may be reprobated in strong terms; but to arraign the motives of those who propose to advocate it, is a personality, and against order. Qui digreditur a materia ad personam, Mr. Speaker ought to suppress. Ord. Com. 1604, Apr. 19.

[* * When a member shall be called to order by the President or a Senator, he shall sit down, and shall not proceed without leave of the Senate; and every question of order shall be decided by the President, without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate; and the President may call for the sense of the Senate on any question of order. Rule 6.]

[No member shall speak to another or otherwise interrupt the business of the Senate, or read any newspaper while the journals or public papers are reading, or when any member is speaking in any debate. Rule 2.]

No one is to disturb another in his speech by hissing, coughing, spitting, (6 Grey, 332; Scob., 8; D'Ewes, 332, col, 1,640, col., 1,) speaking or whispering to another, (Scob., 6; D'Ewes, 487, col., 1;) nor stand up to interrupt him,

6-MANUAL.