$No member shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without leave of the Senate first obtained. And in case a less number than a quorum of the Senate shall convene, they are hereby authorized to send the sergeant-at-arms, or any other person or persons by them authorized, for any or all absent members, as the majority of such members present shall agree, at the expense of such absent members respectively, unless such excuse for non-attendance shall be made, as the Senate, when a quorum is convened, shall judge sufficient, and in that case the expense shall be paid out of the contingent fund. And this rule shall apply as well to the first convention of the Senate, at the legal time of meeting, as to each day of the session, after the hour is arrived to which the Senate stood adjourned.--_Rule_ 19.$ SECTION IX. SPEAKER. $The Vice-President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no vote unless they be equally divided.--_Const. U. S._ Art I. Sec. 3. The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore in the absence of the Vice-President, or when he shall exercise the office of President of the United States.--_Const. U. S._ Art. I. Sec. 3. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers.--_Const. U. S._ Art. I. Sec. 3.$ When but one person is proposed, and no objection made, it has not been usual in Parliament to put any question to the House; but without a question, the members proposing him, conduct him to the chair. But if there be objection, or another proposed, a question is put by the clerk.--2 _Hats._ 168. As are also questions of adjournment.--6 _Grey_, 406. Where the House debated and exchanged messages and answers with the King for a week, without a Speaker, till they were prorogued. They have done it de die in diem for 14 days.--1 _Chand._ 331, 335. $In the Senate, a President pro tempore, in the absence of the Vice-President, is proposed and chosen by ballot. His office is understood to be determined on the Vice-President's appearing and taking the chair, or at the meeting of the Senate after the first recess.--_Vide Rule_ 23.$ Where the Speaker has been ill, other Speakers pro tempore have been appointed. Instances of this are, 1 _H._ 4, Sir John Cheney, and for Sir William Sturton, and in 15 _H._ 6, Sir John Tyrrell, in 1656, Jan.27; 1658, Mar. 9; 1659, Jan. 13. Sir Job Charlton ill, Seymour chosen, 1673, } Feb. 18. } } Not merely Seymour being ill, Sir Robert Sawyer chosen, } pro tempore.--1 1678, April 15. } _Chand._ } 169, 276, 7. Sawyer being ill, Seymour chosen, }