298 RAILWAYS AND CANALS, COMMITTEE ON-READING PAPERS.

RAILWAYS AND CANALS, COMMITTEE ON.

When appointed, and number of members of.-Rule 74, p. 119. Duties of.-Rule 94, p. 125.

READING OF PAPERS.

"Where papers are laid before the House or referred to a committee, every member has a right to have them once read at the table before he can be compelled to vote on them," but it is a great though common error to suppose that he has a right, toties quoties, to have acts, journals, accounts, or papers on the table read independently of the will of the House. The delay and interruption which this might be made to produce evince the impossibility of the existence of such a right. There is, indeed, so manifest a propriety of permitting every member to have as much information as possible on every question on which he is to vote, that when he desires the reading, if it be seen that it is really for information and not for delay, the Speaker directs it to be read without putting a question, if no one objects; but if objected to, a question must be put.-2 Hats., 117, 118.

It is equally an error to suppose that any member has a right, without a question put, to lay a book or paper on the table, or have it read, on suggesting that it contains matter infringing on the privileges of the House.-Ib.

For the same reason, a member has not a right to read a paper in his place, if it be objected to, without leave of the House. But this rigor is never exercised but where there is an intentional or gross abuse of the time and patience of the House-Manual, p. 72— and this applies to the reading of papers on a motion to refer them.-Journal, 1, 34, p. 1146. And so in regard to any proposi tion submitted for a vote of the House; but, it being a right derived from the rules, he may at any time (when a motion to suspend the rules is in order) be deprived of it by a suspension of the rulesJournals, 1, 32, p. 1116; 3, 44, p. 618; 2, 35, p. 572; 2, 38, pp. 397, 398; 1, 44, p. 1331-even after the main question is ordered to be put.-Journal, 3, 34, p. 386.

"When the reading of a paper is called for, and the same is objected to by any member, it shall be determined by a vote of the House."-Rule 141, p. 139.

RECEDE, MOTION TO-RECESS.

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[The rule above recited is not construed to apply to the single reading of a paper or proposition upon which the House may be called upon to give a vote, or to the several regular readings of a bill, but to cases where a paper has been once read, or a bill has received its regular reading and another is called for, and also where a member desires the reading of a paper having relation to the subject before the House.] But it does not apply to the case of an amendment which a member, by leave, has given notice of his intention at a future time to offer.-Journal, 1, 31, p. 1149.

The reading of a report relating to a pending proposition cannot be called for after the previous question is seconded, as it would be in the nature of debate.-Journal, 1, 23, p. 726.

RECEDE, MOTION TO.

The motion to recede takes precedence of the motions to insist and ask a conference and to adhere.-Manual, p. 82. [And even though the previous question may be pending on either of the last motions, the motion to recede may be entertained, because if it prevails, the disagreement between the houses is removed and the bill is passed.] A vote to recede from a disagreement to an amendment is not equivalent to an agreement.-Journal, 1, 20, pp. 695, 697. [But, in making a motion that the House recede from its disagreement, there should be coupled with it "and that the House agree to the same."]

(See also AMENDMENTS BETWEEN THE TWO HOUSES and CONFERENCE COMMITTEES.)

RECEPTION.

(See CONSIDERATION.)

RECESS.

Where it is convenient that the business of the House be suspended for a short time, as for a conference presently to be held, &c., it adjourns during pleasure.-Manual, p. 92. [The practice of the House in regard to the privileged character of the motion for a recess has varied in different Congresses, but of late years it has been held to be a privileged question-see Journals, 1, 36, pp. 753, 759; 2, 37, pp. 718, 719-and the latter practice is manifestly that

300

RECOMMIT, MOTION TO-RECONSIDER, MOTION TO.

contemplated in the Manual.] But it is not in order pending a motion to suspend the rules, so as to take an immediate vote on a pending proposition.-Journal, 2, 39, pp. 572, 573.

It is not in order for less than a quorum to take a recess-Journals, 1, 29, p. 356; 2, 32, p. 388-nor, pending a call of the House, can a recess be taken unless by unanimous consent.-Ibid., 1, 26, p. 843.

Where it is proposed to take a recess, by adjournment, for more than three days, the Senate must consent before it can be takenConst., 1, 5, 9-and a resolution for that purpose is held to be privileged.-Journal, 2, 37, pp. 718 to 720. (See ADJOURN, MOTION TO.)

RECOMMIT, MOTION TO.

"After commitment and report thereof to the House, or at any time before its passage, a bill may be recommitted."-Rule 124, p. 133. But not after the main question is ordered to be put.-Journal, 1, 29, p. 643. [Nor, according to the practice, even pending the demand for the previous question.] "And should such recommitment take place after its engrossment, and an amendment be reported and agreed to by the House, the question shall be again put on the engrossment of the bill."-Rule 124, p. 133. (See COMMIT, MOTION TO.)

RECONSIDER, MOTION TO.

When a motion has been once made and carried in the affirm ative or negative, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move for the reconsideration thereof on the same or succeeding day; and such motion shall take precedence of all other questions, except a motion to adjourn; and shall not be withdrawn after the said succeeding day without the consent of the House, and thereafter any member may call it up for consideration."-Rule 49, p. 112. A fair construction of this rule will permit a member who has voted with the prevailing side on a tie vote to move a reconsideration. Such is evidently the spirit of the rule.-Journal, 1, 30, p. 1081. [So, also, it is the practice to permit any member to move a reconsideration who has voted with the prevailing side in a case where less than a majority prevails.]-Cong. Globe, 1, 39, p. 3892. Where a vote is not taken by yeas and nays, and consequently