MANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE.


67


sion, not being able, as a committee is, to avoid it by returning into the
House, fol
the moment it would resume the same subject there, the 2Sth rule declares
it again
a Quasi-Committee. 5. It would doubtless exercise its powers as a House on
any
breach of order. 6. It takes a question by yea and nay as the House does.
7. It
receives messages from the President and the other House. 8. In the midst
of a
debate it receives a motion to adjourn, and adjourns; as a House, not a committee.]


                               SECTION XXXI.

                     BILLS9 SECOND READING IN THE HOUSE.

  In Parliament after the bill has been read a second tinie, if on the motion
and
question it be not committed, or if no proposition for commitment be made,
the
Speaker reads it by paragraphs, pausing between each, but putting no question
but
on amendments proposed; and when through the whole, he puts the question
whether it shall be read a third time? if it come from the other IHouse;
or, if
originating with themselves whether it shall be engrossed and read a third
time?
The Speaker reads sitting, but rises to put questions. The Clerk stands while
he
reads.
   [*But the Senate of the United States is so much in the habit of making
many
and material amendments at the third reading, that it has become the practice
not
to engross a bill until it has passed-an irregular and dangerous practice,
because
in this way the paper which passes the Senate is not that which goes to the
other
House, and that which goes to the other House as the act of the Senate has
never
been seen in the Senate. In reducing numerous, difficult and illegible amendments
into the text, the Secretary may, with the most innocent intentions, commit
er-
rors which can never be again corrected.]
   The bill being now as perfect as its friends can make it, this is the
proper stage
for those fundamentally opposed to make their first attack. All attempts
at
earlier periods are with disjointed efforts, because many who do not expect
to be
in favor of the bill ultimately are willing to let it go on to its perfect
state, to
take time to examine it themselves and to hear what can be said for it, knowing
that after all they will have sufficient opportunities of giving it their
veto. Its last
two stages, therefore, are reserved for this-that is to say, on the question
whether
it shall be engrossed and read a third time, and lastly, whether it shall
pass? The
first of these is usually the most interesting contest, because then the
whole sub-
ject is new and engaging; and the minds of the members having not yet beea
declared by any trying vote, the issue is the more doubtful. In this stage,
there-
fore, is the main trial of strength between its friends and opponents', and
it
behooves every one to make up his mind decisively for this question, or he
loses
the main battle; and accident and management may, and often do, prevent a
successful rallying on the next and last question, whether it shall pass.
  When the bill is engrossed, the title is to be indorsed on the back and
not within
  the bill. Hakew., 250.

  *The former practice of the Senate referred to In this paragraph has been
  changed by the following rule:
  [RULE 29. The final question upon the second reading of every bill, resolution,
  constitutional amendment or motion, originating in the Senate, and requiring
  three readings previous to being passed, shall be, "Whether it shall
be engrossed
  and read a third time?" and no amendment shall be received for discussion
at
  the third reading of any bill, resolution, amendment or motion, unless
by unani-
  mous consent of the members present; but it shall at all times be in order
before
  the final passage of any such bill, resolution, constitutional amendment
or mo-
  tion, to move its commitment; and should such commitment take place, and
any
  amendment be reported by the committee, the said bill, resolution, constitutional
  amendment or motion, shall be again read a second time, and considered
as in
  Committee of the Whole, and then the aforesaid question shall be again
put.]