The House sustains the Speaker.-Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 610, 611.

The point of order was raised that the House having fixed a day for the consideration of a bill, that bill cannot be called up before the time fixed upon by the House for its consideration. The Speaker decided the point of order to be well taken. An appeal is taken from the Speaker's decision. The House sustained the Speaker.-Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 612, 613, 614.

The Speaker decided that it will require a twothirds vote to adopt a resolution to hold special sessions, when it changes the rule of the House in relation to adjournment on Friday, during the months of January, February, and March.-Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 622, 623.

The point of order raised was that advertisement of local or special bills shall be in at least two newspapers, published in each of the counties to be affected. The Speaker submitted the question to the House for its decision. The House decided the point of order well taken.-Journal H. R., 1876, p. 790.

On third reading of bill, No. 224, the point of order was raised that the bill affects the counties of Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Greene, and Washington; that the notice of this bill was only advertised in Allegheny, in one paper, and in two papers in Washington, and not published in Westmoreland, Fayette, or Greene, and, therefore, not properly advertised, the principal office of the corporation being situated in the city of Pittsburg. The Speaker decided the point of order well taken. An appeal was taken from the decision of the Chair.

The House sustained the decision of the Chair.Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 825, 826, 827.

That a bill making an appropriation to an individual will require a two third vote to pass it. The Speaker submitted the question to the House. The House decided the point of order not well taken.Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 855, 856.

The point of order was raised that the report of a committee, having incorporated in a resolution a subject different from that under consideration, is not in order. The Speaker decided the point of order not well taken. An appeal was taken from the decision of the Speaker. The Speaker's decision sustained by the House.-Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 863, 864.

The Speaker submitted to the House the following question, viz: When the votes cast on the expulsion of a member is 118, in the affirmative, and 46 in the negative, is such vote the two thirds vote that is required by the Constitution,? The House decided affirmatively.-Journal H. R., 1876, pp. 1048-50.

The Speaker decided that no private bill could be considered, unless notice of intention to apply therefor, had been published in two newspapers, for at least four consecutive weeks, thirty days prior to its introduction, as required by section eight of article three of the Constitution, and unless said notice states specifically the title and objects of the bill, which notice shall be signed by at least one person, applying therefor, affidavits of the same being furnished to this House.-Journal H. R., 1877, p. 334.

The point of order was raised, that Rule 59 requires that the House shall adjourn at or before 10 o'clock,

P. M. on Monday, and a resolution fixing a special session for the same day, after that hour, requires a two-thirds vote. The Speaker decided the point of order not well taken. On an appeal, the House sustained the decision.-Journal H. R., 1877, pp. 552-63.

The point of order was raised that without special authority, given by resolution, to the Resident Clerk, he cannot make a calendar exclusively of Senate bills on second and third reading, during the last four days of the session, while there remains a general calendar of Senate and House bills on third reading undisposed of, notwithstanding the fact that the seventh joint rule prohibits the transmission of House bills to the Senate, during the last four days of the session. The House decided the point of order not well taken.-Journal H. R., 1877, p. 592.

A Chapter on Legislative Practice and Proceedings in the Legislature of Pennsylvania.

BY JOHN A. SMULL.

Organization of the Legislature.

In the House of Representatives the mode of proceeding is as follows:

The members elected and returned meet in the hall of the House of Representatives, at Harrisburg, the place designated by law, on the 1st Tuesday in January of each year, the time appointed by the Constitution.* At 11 o'clock, A. M., of that day, one of the oldest members, that is, one who had been a member for previous years, announces from the Speaker's stand, "that the members of the House of Representatives will meet this day at 12 o'clock, M., for the purpose of organization." When that time arrives, the Clerk rises and says: "This being the day appointed by the Constitution for the meeting of the General Assembly, and there being present a sufficient number of gentlemen elected members to constitute a quorum, the House will come to order."

As soon as this announcement is made by the Clerk, and order restored, the Secretary of the Commonwealth presents himself at the bar of the House. The Sergeant-at-Arms immediately arises and announces, "The Secretary of the Commonwealth." The Clerk

* After 1878 the sessions of the Legislature will be biennial.

then announces to the House, "The Secretary of the Commonwealth." When this is done, the Secretary of the Commonwealth advances a few feet within the bar of the House, and says: “Mr. Clerk, I have the honor to present the returns of the late election of members of the House of Representatives for the several cities and counties of this Commonwealth, agreeably to the provisions of the Constitution and laws relating to the elections of this Commonwealth."

As soon as the Secretary of the Commonwealth retires, some member rises in his place, and moves "that the returns of the election be opened and read." This motion being regularly stated by the Clerk, and agreed to by the House, the Clerk proceeds first, with the returns from the city of Philadelphia, and then with those of the several counties in the Commonwealth, in alphabetical order.

When the returns are all read, and the names of the members returned as such announced, the Clerk then calls over the roll of members alphabetically, each member, when his name is called, signifying his presence by simply answering "present." The oath of office is then administed by a judge learned in the law, (see Art. III, Con.,) and signed in a book prepared for the purpose. It is usual for those who swear by holding in their hands the Bible to be sworn first; then those who swear by the uplifted hand; and lastly, those who affirm.

A motion is now made by some member, "that the members present do now, in conformity with the ninth section of the second article of the Constitution, proceed to the election of Speaker." This motion being stated by the Clerk, and adopted by the House, the clerks proceed to call over the names of