Speaker

The title of the presiding officer of the house of representatives of the United States. The position is one of great importance, as the speaker appoints 7 the standing committees of the house. The presiding officer of either branch of the state legislature generally is called the speaker. See Hinds, Rules of the House of Representatives. Both houses of parliament are presided over by a speaker. That of the House of Lords is commonly the Lord Chancellor, or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, though the latter office is practically merged in that of Lord Chancellor. This is by prescription. Or the appointment may be by royal commission. In the commons, he is elected by the house, with the approval of the crown. He holds over from one parliament to another, without regard to the political complexion of the majority of the house. He never votes, except when the votes are equal, nor debates, but when the house is in committee, the speaker leaves the chair, and may then address the committee. In the lords, if he be a peer, he has a vote with the rest of the house. See May, P. L. ch.

7.

The first speaker of the house was in 1377.

See Quorum; Prolocutor; Mac Conochie, Congressional Committees; Follett, The Speaker; 2 Steph. Com. 483.