posed of, and shall, after that hour, have preference over all
ordinary business.

OF DECORUM, DEBATE, &c.

VIII.

Every Member shall take his seat when the Speaker takes
the Chair.

IX.

No member shall absent himself from the service of the
House, unless he have leave, or be sick and unable to attend.

X.

When a Member is about to speak in debate, or deliver
any matter to the House, he shall rise from his seat, uncov-
ered, and respectfully address himself to "Mr. Speaker."
He shall confine himself to the question under debate ; shall
avoid personality, and shall use some other distinction than
the proper name of any other member to whom he may refer
in debate.

XL

If two or more Members shall rise to speak at the same
time, the Speaker shall determine which shall speak first,
and no Member shall speak more than twice on the same
question; nor more than once, until every Member choosing
to speak, shall have spoken.

XII.

If any Member shall, in any manner, trangress the rules
of the House, the Speaker shall, or any Member may call
him to order; in which case, the Member so called to order
shall immediately sit down, unless permitted to explain; and
the House shall, if appealed to, decide on the case, but with-
out debate. If there be no appeal, the decision of the Chair
shall be submitted to. If the decision be in favor of the
Member called to order, he shall be at liberty to proceed; if
otherwise; he shall not be permitted to proceed without leave