Chapter XI: Section IX: Speaker

$The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.--_Const. U. S._ Art I. Sec. 3.

The Senate shall choose their other 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.--_Const. U. S._ Art. I. Sec. 3.

The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers.--_Const. U. S._ Art. I. Sec. 3.$

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 14 days.--1 _Chand._ 331, 335.

$In the Senate, a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, is proposed and chosen by ballot. His office is understood to be determined on the Vice-President's appearing and taking the chair, or at the meeting of the Senate after the first recess.--_Vide Rule_ 23.$

Where the Speaker has been ill, other Speakers pro tempore have been appointed. Instances of this are, 1 _H._ 4, Sir John Cheney, and for Sir William Sturton, and in 15 _H._ 6, Sir John Tyrrell, in 1656, Jan.27; 1658, Mar. 9; 1659, Jan. 13.

Sir Job Charlton ill, Seymour chosen, 1673, }
Feb. 18. }
} Not merely
Seymour being ill, Sir Robert Sawyer chosen, } pro tempore.--1
1678, April 15. } _Chand._
} 169, 276, 7.
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 _Lex. Parl._ 263.

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