RULES FOR THE REGULATION AND GOVERNMENT

OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF MARYLAND,

WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING FORMS

AND USAGES FOR THE PREPARATION,

INTRODUCTION, AMENDMENT AND

PASSAGE OF BILLS, AND FOR

MESSAGES TO THE SENATE.

THE DUTIES OF THE SPEAKER.

RULE I.

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 inter-
fere with the business or convenience of the House.