SECTION XVII.
ORDER IN DEBATE.
When the Speaker is seated in his chair, every member is to sit in his place.—Scob. 6; Grey, 403.
When any member means to speak, he is to stand up in his place, uncovered, and to address himself, not to the House, or any particular member, but to the Speaker, who calls him by his name, that the House may take notice who it is that speaks.—Scob. 6; D'Ewes, 487, col. 1; 2 Hats. 77; 4 Grey, 66; 8 Grey, 108. But members who are indisposed may be indulged to speak sitting.—3 Hats. 75, 77; 1 Grey, 195.
In Senate, every member, when he speaks, shall address the chair, standing in his place; and when he has finished, shall sit down.—Rule 3.
When a member stands up to speak, no question is to be put; but he is to be heard, unless the House overrule him.—4 Grey, 390; 5 Grey, 6, 143.
If two or more rise to speak nearly together, the Speaker determines who was first up, and calls him by name; whereupon he proceeds, unless he voluntarily sits down, and gives way to the other. But sometimes the House does not acquiesce in the Speaker's decision; in which case, the question is put, "which member was first up?"—2 Hats. 76; Scob. 7; D'Ewes, 434, col. 1, 2.
In the Senate of the United States, the President's decision is without appeal. Their rule is in these words:—When two members rise at the same time, the President shall name the person to speak; but in all cases, the member who shall first rise and address the chair, shall speak first.—Rule 5.
No man can speak more than once to the same bill, on the same day; or even on another day, if the debate be adjourned. But if it be read more than once, in the same day, he may speak once at every reading.—Co. 12, 116; Hakew. 148; Scob. 58; 2 Hats. 75. Even a change of opinion does not give a right to be heard a second time.—Smyth. Comw. L. 2. c. 3; Arcan. Parl. 17.
The corresponding rule of the Senate is in these words:—No member shall speak more than twice in any one debate on the same day, without leave of the Senate.—Rule 4.
But he may be permitted to speak again to clear a matter of fact.—3 Grey, 357, 416. Or merely to explain himself, 3 Hats. 73, in some material part of his speech, ib. 75; or to the manner or words of the question, keeping himself to that only, and not travelling into the merits of it, Memorials in Hakew. 29; or to the orders of the House, if they be transgressed, keeping within that line, and falling into the matter itself.—Mem. Hakew. 30, 31.