LEGISLATIVE PRACTICE. NOTE.-The requirements and limitations prescribed by the constitution for governing the Legislature are but few and brief, Statute law makes but few additional rules. All other rules are prescribed by the Legislature itself, and each successive Legislature prescribes the rules by which its proceedings are governed-being in nowise bound by those of former Legislatures. But, in addition to requirements of the constitution, and of statute law, and of parliamentary law, there are customs established by precedent and experience, and forms for doing business, which are as necessary for the prompt, orderly and comfortable dispatch of business as the printed rules. It is for the purpose of explaining these customs that the following pages have been prepared. THE AUTHOR. ORGANIZATION. The constitution prescribes (sec. 25, of art. 2) that the Legislature shall meet at the capital on the second Tuesday of January. Hour of Meeting. No hour has been fixed by law at which the first session shall be opened, but custom has fixed the hour of meeting at 12 M., and at that hour the members of each body assemble in the room set apart for their use. Where Sworn. No law prescribes by whom the oath of office shall be administered to members elect. The members elect may be sworn by any officer qualified to administer an oath. It is customary, however, for the members to be sworn in the room where the sessions of the body are held. If the member should be sworn elsewhere than in the legislative chamber, he should present to the presiding officer the form of oath, properly signed and certified, to be entered upon the journal of proceedings of the body of which he is a member. ORGANIZATION OF THE SENATE. President of the Senate. The Lieutenant Governor is, by authority of the constitution (sec. 12, art. 1.), President of the Senate. |