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YOR

CONDUCTING BUSINESS

IN THE

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

OF THE UNITED STATES.

REPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE ON RULES DECEMBER 19, 1879.
ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MARCH 2, 1880.

WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

1880.

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RULES OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

RULE I.

DUTIES OF THE SPEAKER.

1. The Speaker shall take the chair on every legislative day precisely at the hour to which the House shall have adjourned at the last sitting, immediately call the members to order, and on the appearance of a quorum, cause the journal of the proceedings of the last day's sitting to be read, having previously examined and approved the same.

2. He shall preserve order and decorum, and in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct in the galleries, or in the lobby, may cause the same to be cleared.

3. He shall have general control, except as provided by rule or law, of the hall of the House, and the disposal of the unappropriated rooms in that part of the Capitol assigned to the use of the House until further order.

4. He shall sign all acts, addresses, joint resolutions, writs, warrants, and subpœnas of, or issued by order of the House, and decide all questions of order subject to an appeal by any member, on which appeal no member shall speak more than once, unless by permission of the House. 5. He shall rise to put a question, but may state it sitting; and shall put questions in this form, to wit: "As many as are in favor (as the question may be) say Ay"; and after the affirmative voice is expressed, "As many as are opposed say No"; if he doubts, or a division is called for, the House shall divide; those in the affirmative of the question shall first rise from their seats, and then those in the negative; if he still doubts, or a count is required by at least one-fifth of a quorum, he shall name one from each side of the question, to tell the members in the affirmative and negative; which being reported, he shall rise and state the decision.

6. He shall not be required to vote in ordinary legislative proceedings, except where his vote would be decisive, or where the House is engaged in voting by ballot; and in all cases of a tie vote the question shall be lost.

7. He shall have the right to name any member to perform the duties of the chair, but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment: Provided, however, That in case of his illness, he may make such appointment for a period not exceeding ten days, with the approval of the House at the time the same is made; and in his absence and omission to make such appointment, the House shall proceed to elect a Speaker pro tempore, to act during his absence.

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