holding any office under the United States, shall be a member of either House, during his continuance in office.-Const. U. S. Art. 1. Sec. 6. SECTION VI. QUORUM. A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.-Const. U. S. Art. I. Sec. 5. In general, the chair is not to be taken till a quorum for business is present; unless after due waiting, such a quorum be despaired of, when the chair may be taken, and the House adjourned. And whenever, during business, it is observed that a quorum is not present, any member may call for the house to be counted: and being found deficient, business is suspended.-2 Hats. 125, 126. The President having taken the chair, and a quorum being present, the journal of the preceding day shall be read, to the end, that any mistake may be corrected that shall have been made in the entries.-Rules of the Senate, 1. On a call of the House, each person rises up as he is called, and answereth; the absentees are then only noted, but no excuse to be made till the House be fully called over. Then the absentees are called a second time, and if still absent, excuses are to be heard.-Ord. H. of C. 92. They rise, that their persons may be recog nized; the voice, in such a crowd, being an insufficient verification of their presence. But in so small a body as the Senate of the United States, the trouble of rising cannot be neces sary. Örders for calls on different days may subsist at the same time.-2 Hats. 72. SECTION VIII. ABSENCE. No member shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave of the Senate first obtained. And in case a less number than a quorum of the Senate shall convene, they are hereby authorized to send the sergeant-at-arms, or any other person or persons by them authorized, for any or all absent members, as the majo rity of such members present shall agree, at the expense of such absent members, respectively, unless such excuse for non-attendance shall be made, as the Senate, when a quorum is convened, shall judge sufficient, and in that case the expense shall be paid out of the contingent fund. And this rule shall apply as well to the first C convention of the Senate, at the legal time of meeting, as to each day of the session, after the hour is arrived to which the Senate stood adjourned.-Rule 8. SECTION IX. SPEAKER. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.-Const. U. S. Art. I. Sec. 3. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore in the absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.-Const. U. S. Art. I. Sec. 3. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers.-Const. U. S. Art. I. Sec. 2. When but one person is proposed, and no objection made, it has not been usual in Parliament to put any question to the House; but without a question, the members proposing him, conduct him to the chair. But if there be objection, or another proposed, a question is put by the clerk.-2 Hats. 168. As are also questions of adjournment.-6 Grey, 406. Where the House debated and exchanged messages and answers with the king for a week, without a Speaker, till they were prorogued. They have done it de die in diem for 14 days.-1 Chand. 331, 335. In the Senate, a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice President, is proposed and chosen by ballot. His office is understood to be determined on the Vice President's appearing and taking the chair, or at the meeting of the Senate after the first recess.- Vide Rule 23. Where the Speaker has been ill, other Speakers pro tempore have been appointed. Instances of this are, 1 H. 4, Sir John Cheney, and for Sir Wm. Sturton, and in 15 H. 6, Sir John Tyrrell, in 1656, Jan. 27—1658, Mar. 9—1659, Jan. 13. Sir Job Charlton ill, Seymour chosen. not merely pro tempore. Chand. 169, 276, 277. Thorpe in execution, a new Speaker chosen -31 H. VI—3 Grey, 11; and March 14, 1694, Sir John Trevor chosen. There have been no later instances-2 Hats. 161.-4 Inst.-8 Lex. Parl. 263. A Speaker may be removed at the will of the House, and a Speaker pro tempore appointed.2 Grey, 186-5 Grey, 134,-Vide Rule Sen. 23. SECTION X. ADDRESS. The President shall, from time to time, give to the Congress information of the state of the Union, and re commend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.-Const. U. S. Art. II. Sec. 3. A joint address from both Houses of Parliament is read by the Speaker of the House of Lords. It may be attended by both Houses in a body, or by a committee from each House, or by the two Speakers only. An address of the House of Commons only, may be presented by the whole House, or by the Speaker.-9 Grey, 473, 1 Chandler, 298. 301, or by such particular members as are of the Privy Council.-2 Hats. 276. Standing committees, as of privileges and elections, &c. are usually appointed at the first meeting, to continue through the session. The person first named is generally permitted to act as chairman. But this is a matter of courtesy; every committee having a right to elect their own chairman, who presides over them, puts questions, and reports their proceedings to the House.-4 Inst. 11, 12—Scob. 7—1 Grey 112. *Mode of appointing Committees.-Vide Senate Rules 34. Rules H. R. 9. |