M1ANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE.


85


   Disorderly words spoken in a committee must be written down as in the
 House; but the committee can only report them to the House for animadver-
 sion. 6 Grey, 46.
 [The rule of the Senate says: 11 If the member be called to order by a Sen-
 ator for words spoken, the exceptionable words shall immediately be taken
 down in writing, that the Presideut may be better enabled to judge of the
 matter." Rule 7.]
   In Parliament, to speak irreverently or seditiously against the King is
 against order. Smyt/t's Comw., L. 2, c 3; 2. Hats., 170.
   It is a breach of order in debate to notice what has been said on the
same
 subject in the other House, on the particular votes or majorities on it
there;
 because the opinion of each House should be left to its own independency,
 not to be influenced by the proceedings of the other; and the quoting them
 might bezet reflections leading to a misunderstanding between the two
 Houses. S Grey, 22.
 Neither House can exercise any authority over a member or officer of the
 other, but should complain to the House of which he is, and leave the pun-
 ishment to them. Where the complaint is of words disrespectfully spoken
 by a member of another House, it is difficult to obtain punishment, because
 of the rules supposed necessary to be observed (as to the immediate noting
 down of words) for the security of members. Therefore it is the duty of
the
 House, and morO particularly of the Speaker, to interfere immediately, and
 not to permit expressions to go unnoticed, which may give a ground of com-
 plaint to the other House, and introduce proceedings and mutual accusations
 between the two Houses, which can hardly be terminated without difficulty
 and disorder. 3 Hats., 51.
 No member may be present when abill or any business concerning himself
 is debating; nor is any member to speak to the merits of it till he withdraws.
 2 Hats., 219. The rule is, that if a charge against a member arise out of
a re-
 port of a committee, or examination of witnesses in the House, as the member
 knows from that to what points he is to direct his exculpation, he may be
 heard to those points, before any question is moved or stated against him.
 He is then to be heard, and withdraw before any question is moved. But if
 the question itself is the charge, as for breach of order, or matter arising
in
 the debate, then the charge must be stated, (that is the question must be
 moved,) himself heard and then to withdraw. 2 Mlts., 121,122.
 Where the private interests of a member are concerned in a bill or question,
 he is to withdraw. And where such an interest has appeared, his voice hal
 been disallowed, even after a division. In a case so contrary, not only
to the
laws of decency, but to the fundamental principle of the social compact which
denies to any man to be a judge in his own cause, it is for the honor of
the
House that this rule, of immemorial observance, should be strictly adhered
to. 2 Hats., 119, 121; 6 Grey, 363.
  No member is to come into the House with his head covered, nor to remove
from one place to another with his hat on, nor is to put on his hat in coming
fn or removing, until he be set down in his place. Scob., 6.