mittee, and yet not for reasons contained in this report. To meet this difficulty, a member usually prepares what he calls a substitute, containing the reasonings of the opposition to the report, and ending with a resolution; and when the question comes before the House, he makes the following motion: "Mr. Speaker,—I move that the resolution, together with the report, (on the subject, stating it) be postponed, for the purpose of introducing the following, as a substitute;" which motion, if seconded, the Speaker states, and by this expedient the substitute is placed upon the journals with the original report; and he thus obtains a vote thereon, expressive of the wish of the House.

Reports of Committees Amended.

During the session of 1823-4, a report was made upon an item of the governor's message relative to the choosing of electors of President and Vice-President of the United States. The report was accompanied by a resolution requesting that the committee might be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. Many of the members said, that the report was not such an one as ought to be

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adopted by the house. That it was drawn up with the view of supporting the caucus system. On page 362, we find, on motion of R. Smith and Mr. Roberts, the house resumed the consideration of the resolution attached to the report of the committee, relative to changing the time and place of meeting of the electors of President and Vice President of the United States, postponed on the fifth instant; when a motion was made by Mr. Todd and Mr. Holgate, That the house resolve itself into committee of the whole for the express purpose of "amending the report, so that it will contain no expression for or against ei ther a congressional or state caucus;" and on agreeing to the question, the yeas were 62, nays 26. So it was determined in the affirmative. Page 379, the house resolved itself into committee of the whole, and the chairman reported the same with one amendment. Whereupon the house resumed the second reading of the report, and the resolution thereto attached was considered and adopted. And the report being under consideration, a motion was made by Mr. Norbury and Mr. Roberts to amend the same by inserting after the word "public" in the fortieth line from the top of

the 4th page these words: "to maintain this principle seems to become a serious duty, whether it be assailed directly and openly or by implication, and firmly to adhere to the example set by those who have gone before." These were the words that had been stricken out in committee of the whole. See the whole report, 339.

I have gone somewhat into a detail upon this question, to show, that here the Legislature allowed the report to be amended in committee, and no objections were made as to Mr. Norbury's motion being out of order to amend the report when it was before the House on a second reading. In this instance, therefore, the report was reached without introducing a substitute, and will be a very good mode of correcting reports hereafter: for in this case the report was every thing, the resolution nothing-to pass upon the resolution was therefore a subject of no importance. Indeed I can see no good reason why a report to which a resolution is attached, should not be subject to amendment or correction in the same manner as preambles to bills.

4. Bills on third reading.

5. Reports and resolutions may, on motion, be considered.

It frequently happens that reports or original resolutions are offered, and laid on the table. On the next or some subsequent day, it is in order to move, to proceed to the second reading and consideration thereof. This rule points out the time when it can be done : "The resolution read on the fourth instant, relative to authorising the inhabitants of the city of Lancaster, to raise money by way of lottery, for the purpose of introducing water into the said city, was read a second time; and on the question, 'Will the house agree to the same?' the yeas and nays being required by Mr. Chandler and Mr. Potts, were as follows, yeas 38, nays 40." Thus it appears, that the resolution was not agreed to."

6. Motions to reconsider may be made.

The preceding resolution was negatived, Jan. 6, 1826, page 145, Journals 25, 26. On January the 7th, the next day, page 158, Mr. Ellis, seconded by Mr. Petriken, moved, that the house re-consider the vote given yesterday on the resolution relative to authorising the

inhabitants of the city of Lancaster to raise money by way of lottery," &c. The mover and seconder, having waited till the Speaker announced the proper time for motions of reconsideration, and having brought themselves within the 19th rule, which provides that "no motion for reconsideration shall be permitted, unless made and seconded by members in the majority on the vote on the original question, and within six days, exclusive of Sundays." After the decision, the Speaker states: "It has been moved and seconded to reconsider the vote given on the 6th instant, relative to granting a lottery for the introduction of water into the city of Lancaster," "As many as are in favour of reconsideration will say Aye. The contrary will say No. The ayes have it. The reconsideration is agreed to." And the question recurring : "Will the house agree to the resolution?' a motion was made that the house adjourn, which was agreed to.

This motion for adjournment was received in pursuance of the 18th rule, which prescribes that "a motion for adjournment shall always be in order, and shall be decided without debate, except that it cannot be received when