DIGEST

OF THE

RULES AND PRACTICE OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE

UNITED STATES.

FIRST SESSION, FIFTY-NINTH CONGRESS.

[References to the journals and records of debates are preceded by figures indicating the session and the Congress; for example, 1-56 indicating the first session of the Fifty-sixth Congress. The figures in parentheses refer to sections of "Parliamentary Precedents of the House of Representatives."]

ABSENCE.

(a) Granting leave of.

(b) Revoking leave of.

(a) Granting leave of.

By usage of the House, requests for leaves of absence may be presented pending the announcement of the vote that the House adjourn. (443) 1-43, Record, p. 2338.

Less than a quorum may not grant, to a Member. (304) 2–53, Journal, pp. 326, 327.

(b) Revoking leave of.

A resolution or motion revoking leaves of absence does not require a quorum, being a proceeding to compel the attendance of absent Members. (312, 314) 1-48, Journal, p. 621; 1-51, Journal, p. 1031, Record, p. 9949.

A resolution revoking leaves of absence is in order pending a call of the House, although a quorum may have been disclosed. (315) 2-53, Journal, pp. 256-258, Record, p. 3156.

It has been held that a resolution revoking leaves of absence, directing that absent Members be notified to attend and dispensing with proceedings under a call, had precedence of a simple motion to dispense with proceedings under the call. (343) 2-53, Journal, pp. 330, 331, Record, pp. 3705, 3715.

ABSENT MEMBERS.

See "Quorum" and "Call of the House."

ACCOUNTS, COMMITTEE ON.

(a) Clerks, relations to.

(b) Duties of.

(c) Reports of.

(d) Temporary committee of.

(a) Clerks, relations to.

Conditions of the employment of clerks by Members. (24) Decisions
Comptroller, '93-'94, Bowler, pp. 43, 44.

The Committee on Accounts authorizes and assigns clerks to com-
mittees. (1737) 2-55, Record, pp. 264, 265.

(b) Duties of.

Its powers, duties, jurisdiction, number of members, and history. (652) Rule X, Rule XI, section 54.

The Doorkeeper's inventory of furniture, etc., is referred to the Committee on Accounts for examination, etc. (1719) Rule V, section 2. It is the duty of the Committee on Accounts to inquire into and report violations of the rule forbidding officers or employees to be claim agents. (1703) Rule XLIII.

The Committee on Accounts is required to investigate (with power
to send for persons and papers and administer oaths) the manage-
ment of the employees by the officers of the House, and report to the
House once every session their compliance with this duty. 31 Stat.
L., p. 968.

The Clerk keeps the contingent fund and stationery accounts. (1712)
Rule III, section 3.

The approval of the Committee on Accounts is conclusive as to lawful
expenditures from the contingent fund. (1735) Decisions of the
Comptroller, Bowler, Vol. II, p. 24.

(c) Reports of.

Committee has leave to report at any time on certain measures.

Rule XI, section 61.

(398)

The privilege of the Committee on Accounts is confined to resolutions making expenditures from the contingent fund of the House. 3-55, Record, p. 2761; 2-58, Record, pp. 3763, 3764, 5281.

A resolution from the Committee on Accounts, relating to management of the House restaurant, was not received as a matter of privilege. 2-58 Record, p. 5581.

A resolution from the Committee on Accounts to authorize an appropriation for extra compensation to an employe, is not privileged. 3-58, Record, p. 1781.