Chapter XLVI: Section XI: Speaker

[The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided. _Constitution_, I, 3.]

[The Senate shall choose their officers, and also a President pro tempore in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States. _Ib._]

[The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers. _Const._, I, 2.]

When but one person is proposed, and no objection made, it has not been usual in Parliament to put any question to the House; but without a question the members proposing him conduct him to the chair. But if there be objection, or another proposed, a question is put by the clerk. 2 _Hats._, 168. As are also questions of adjournment. 6 _Grey_, 406. Where the House debated and exchanged messages and answers with the king for a week, without a Speaker, till they were prorogued. They have done it de die in diem for fourteen days. 1 _Chand._, 331, 335.

[In the Senate, a President pro tempore in the absence of the Vice-President is proposed and chosen by ballot. His office is understood to be determined on the Vice-President’s appearing and taking the chair, or at the meeting of the Senate after the first recess.]

Where the Speaker has been ill, other Speakers pro tempore have been appointed. Instances of this are 1 _H._, 4. Sir John Cheyney, and for Sir Wm. Sturton, and in _15 H._, 6. Sir John Tyrrell, in 1656, January 27; 1658, March 9; 1659, January 13.

Sir Job Charlton ill, Seymour chosen, }
1673, February 18. }
Seymour being ill, Sir Robert Sawyer } Not merely pro tempore,
chosen, 1678, April 15. } 1 _Chand._, 169, 276, 277.
Sawyer being ill, Seymour chosen. }

Thorpe in execution, a new Speaker chosen, _31 H._ VI. 3 _Grey_, 11; and March 14, 1694, Sir John Trevor chosen. There have been no later instances. 2 _Hats._, 161; 4 _Inst._; 8 _E. Parl._, 263.

A Speaker may be removed at the will of the House, and a Speaker pro tempore appointed.[38] 2 _Grey_, 186; 5 _Grey_, 134.