Ordered, That Mr. King, of Alabama, be chairman of the Committee on Commerce.

Whereupon, on motion of Mr. Clay, by unanimous consent, Resolved, That so much of the 34th rule as requires the appointment of the several standing committees by ballot, at the present session, be suspended, and that their appointments be made by the president of the Senate."

In the course of the first week, it is usual for each House to choose a chaplain of a different denomination, to serve during the session. When the chaplains have been elected, they alternate between the Houses, and open each day's session with prayer. Each chaplain performs his duty a few minutes before the presiding officer takes the chair.

After the Journal is read, the president shall first call for petitions, and then for reports from standing committees; and every petition, or memorial, or other paper, shall be referred of course, without putting a question for that purpose, unless the reference is objected to by a member, at the time such petition, memorial, or other paper is presented. And before any petition or memorial, addressed to the Senate, shall be received and read at the table, whether the same shall be introduced by the president or a member, a brief statement of the contents of the petition

or memorial shall verbally be made by the introducer.

One day's notice at least shall be given of an intended motion for leave to bring in a bill; and all bills reported by a committee shall, after the first reading, be printed for the use of the Senate, but no other paper or document shall be printed for the use of the Senate without special order.

Every bill shall receive three readings previous to its being passed; and the president shall give notice at each whether it be the first, second, or third: which readings shall be on three different days, unless the Senate unanimously direct otherwise.

The Vice President, or president of the Senate pro tempore, shall have the right to name a member to perform the duties of the chair; but such substitution shall not extend beyond an adjournment.

No bill shall be committed or amended until it shall have been twice read; after which it may be referred to a committee.

All bills on a second reading shall first be considered by the Senate in the same manner as if the Senate were in committee of the whole, before they are taken up, and proceeded on by the Senate agreeably to the standing rules, unless otherwise ordered.

When the Senate is equally divided, the

secretary shall take the decision of the president.

In filling up blanks, the largest sum and longest time shall be first put.

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 Senate, and without debate.

The unfinished business in which the Senate was engaged at the last preceding adjournment, shall have the precedence in the special orders of the day.

When the yeas and nays shall be called for by one-fifth of the members present, each member called upon shall, unless for special reason he be excused by the Senate, declare openly, and without debate, his assent or dissent to the question. In taking the yeas and nays, and upon a call of the House, the names of the members shall be taken alphabetically.

When the yeas and nays shall be taken upon any question, in pursuance of the above rule, no member shall be permitted, under any circumstances whatever, to vote after the decision is announced from the chair.

On motion made and seconded to shut the doors of the senate, on the discussion of any business which may, in the opinion of a member, require secrecy, the president shall direct the gallery to be cleared; and, during

the discussion of such motion, the doors shall remain shut.

When a question has been once made and carried in the affirmative or negative, it shall be in order for any member of the majority to move for the re-consideration thereof: but no motion for re-consideration of any vote shall be in order after a bill, resolution, message, report, amendment, or motion, upon which the vote was taken, shall have gone out of the possession of the Senate, announcing their decision: nor shall any motion for re-consideration be in order, unless made on the same day on which the vote was taken, or within the two next days of actual session thereafter.

No motion shall be debated until the same be seconded.

When a motion shall be made and seconded, it shall be reduced to writing, if desired by the president, or any member, and delivered in at the table, and read before the same shall be debated.

When a question is under debate, no motion shall be received but to adjourn, to lie on the table, to postpone indefinitely, to postpone to a day certain, to commit, or to amend; which several motions shall have precedence in the order they stand arranged: and the motion for adjournment shall always

be in order, and be decided without debate.

When a member shall be called to order by the president, or a senator, he shall sit down; and every question out of order shall be decided by the president, without debate, subject to an appeal to the Senate; and the president may call for the sense of the Senate on any question of order.

If a member be called to order by a senator for words spoken, the exceptionable words shall immediately be taken down in writing, that the president may be better enabled to judge of the matter.

The two houses appoint a joint committee on the library.

The president of the Senate pro tempore, and the speaker of the House of Representatives shall, during their services respectively, receive eight dollars per diem, in addition to their compensation as members of congress, for every day's attendance on their respective Houses.

The senators and representatives, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States, and of the several states, shall be bound, by oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any of