When a member desires to bring a bill on any subject, he states to the House, in general terms, the causes for doing it, and concludes by moving for leave to bring in a bill, entitled, &c. Leave being given, on the question, a committee is appointed to prepare and bring in the bill. The mover and seconder are always appointed on this committee, and one or more in addition.—Hakew. 132; Scob. 40.
It is to be presented fairly written, without any erasure or interlineation; or the Speaker may refuse it.—Scob. 31; 1 Grey, 82, 84.
SECTION XXIV.
BILLS, FIRST READING.
When a bill is first presented, the clerk reads it at the table, and hands it to the Speaker, who, rising, states to the House the title of the bill; that this is the first time of reading it; and the question will be, Whether it shall be read a second time? Then, sitting down, to give an opening for objections; if none be made, he rises again, and puts the question, Whether it shall be read a second time?—Hakew. 137, 141. A bill cannot be amended at the first reading,—6 Grey, 286; nor is it usual for it to be opposed then, but it may be done and rejected.—D'Ewes, 335, col. 1; 3 Hats. 198.
SECTION XXV.
BILLS, SECOND READING.
The second reading must regularly be on another day.—Hakew. 143. It is done by the clerk at the table, who then hands it to the Speaker. The Speaker, rising, states to the House the title of the bill, that this is the second time of reading it, and that the question will be, Whether it shall be committed, or engrossed and read a third time? But if the bill came from the other House, as it always comes engrossed, he states that the question will be, Whether it shall be read a third time? And before he has so reported the state of the bill, no one is to speak to it.—Hakew. 143, 146.
In the Senate of the United States, the President reports the title of the bill, that this is the second time of reading it, that it is now to be considered as in a committee of the whole, and the question will be, Whether it shall be read a third time? or, that it may be referred to a special committee.
SECTION XXVI.
BILLS, COMMITMENT.
If, on motion and question, it be decided that the bill shall be committed, it may then be moved to be referred to a committee of the whole House, or to a special committee. If the latter, the Speaker proceeds to name the committee. Any member also may name a single person, and the clerk is to write him down as of the committee. But the House have a controlling power over the names and number, if a question be moved against any one; and may in any case put in and put out whom they please.
Those who take exceptions to some particulars in the bill, are to be of the committee. But none who speak directly against the body of the bill. For he that would totally destroy, would not amend it.—Hakew. 146; Town. col. 208; D'Ewes, 634, col. 2; Scob. 47; or, as is said, 5 Grey, 145, the child is not to be put to a nurse that cares not for it.—6 Grey, 373. It is therefore a constant rule, "that no man is to be employed in any matter who has declared himself against it." And when any member who is against the bill, hears himself named of its committee, he ought to ask to be excused. Thus, March 6, 1606, Mr. Hadley was, on the question being put, excused from being of a committee, declaring himself to be against the matter itself.—Scob. 48.