JANUARY SESSION, 1898.

THE DUTIES OF THE SPEAKER.

RULE 1.

The Speaker shall take the Chair every day precisely at
the hour to which the House stands adjourned; shall imme-
diately call the members to order, and after Divine service
has been performed, on the appearance of a quorum, shall
cause the Journal of the preceding day to be read.

RULE II.

He shall preserve decorum and order; may speak to points
of order in preference to other members; shall decide ques
tions of order, subject to an appeal to the House by any two
members; and his decision of any such question shall be
final, unless the same shall be reversed on appeal, by aye and
nay vote; and he may vote on every question, except on an
appeal from the decision of the Chair on a question of order.

RULE III.

The Speaker shall examine and correct the Journal before
it is read; he shall have a general direction of the hall; he
shall have a right to name from time to time any member to
perform the duties of the Chair, but such substitution shall
not extend beyond a term of seven days; he shall appoint all
conferees and committees, and may admit stenographers
willing to take down debates, and assign them such places
on the floor or elsewhere to effect their object as shall not
interfere with the business or convenience of the House.

RULE IV.

In case of any disturbance or disorderly conduct in the
lobby the Speaker (or Chairman of the Committee of the
Whole House) shall have power to order the same to be cleared.