[106th Congress House Rules Manual -- House Document No. 106-320]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office Online Database]
[DOCID:hrulest-24]

[Page 193-194]

                           sec. xix--petition

<>   A
petition prays something. A remonstrance has no prayer. 1 Grey, 58.

  The Rules of the House make no mention of remonstrances, but do
mention petitions and memorials (clause 3 of rule XII). Resolutions of
state legislatures and of primary assemblies of the people are received
as memorials (IV, 3326, 3327), but papers general or descriptive in form
may not be presented as memorials (IV, 3325).

  Petitions <> must be subscribed by the petitioners Scob., 87; L. Parl.,
c. 22; 9 Grey, 362, unless they are attending, 1 Grey, 401 or unable to
sign, and averred by a member, 3 Grey, 418. But a petition not
subscribed, but which the member presenting it affirmed to be all in the
handwriting of the petitioner, and his name written in the beginning,
was on the question (March 14, 1800) received by the Senate. The
averment of a member, or of somebody without doors, that they know the
handwriting of the petitioners, is necessary, if it be questioned. 6
Grey, 36. It must be presented by a member, not by the petitioners,

[[Page 194]]

and must be opened by him holding it in his hand. 10 Grey, 57.

  In the House petitions have been presented for many years by filing
with the Clerk (clause 3 of rule XII). Members file them, and
petitioners do not attend on the House in the sense implied in the
parliamentary law. In cases where a petition set forth serious changes,
the petitioner was required to have his signature attested by a notary
(III, 2030, footnote).

  Regularly <> a motion for receiving it must be made and seconded, and a
question put, whether it shall be received, but a cry from the House of
``received,'' or even silence, dispenses with the formality of this
question. It is then to be read at the table and disposed of.

  Prior to the adoption of the provisions of clause 3 of rule XII,
petitions were presented from the floor by Members, and questions
frequently arose as to the reception thereof (IV, 3350-3356). But under
the present practice such procedure does not occur.