[3] Under the rules no member has a right to be absent from a session unless excused or sick.  Unexcused absentees, unless sick, may be arrested and brought to the capitol by the sergeant-at-arms or a special messenger.

When fewer than fifteen members are present, they usually adjourn.

Clause 2.—­Discipline.

Each house may determine the rules of its proceedings,[1] punish its members for disorderly behavior, and with the concurrence of two-thirds, expel a member.[2]

[1] The rules are intended to facilitate business, by preventing confusion and unnecessary delay.  They are designed also to check undue haste.

The rules of each house are based upon the English parliamentary practice, as are the rules of all legislative or deliberative bodies wherever the English language is spoken. (See “Manuals” of Senate and House.)

[2] It seems unlikely that even in times of great excitement two-thirds of either house would favor expulsion unless it were deserved.  This is also, it will be observed, the number necessary to convict in case of impeachment.

Clause 3.—­Publicity.

Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and, from time to time, publish the same,[1] excepting such parts as may, in their judgment, require secrecy;[2] and the yeas and nays[3] of the members of either house, shall at the desire of one-fifth of those present, be entered on the journal.[4]

[1] This is to give publicity to the proceedings of congress, for the benefit of both legislators and constituents.  This provision is a valuable one, in spite of the fact that demagogues are sometimes able thereby to gain cheap glory.

To give still further publicity to the proceedings, spectators and newspaper reporters are admitted to the gallery of each house, and members may have their speeches printed and distributed.

[2] The House of Representatives rarely has a secret session.  But the Senate still keeps its executive sessions secret.

[3] For methods of voting see page 314.

[4] The purpose of this provision is to make members careful how they vote, for the record is preserved.  It will be noticed that the number necessary to secure the record is small.

While this provision is intended to protect the minority, by enabling them to impose responsibility upon the majority, it is open to abuse.  It is sometimes used by a minority to delay unnecessarily the proper transaction of business. (For a graphic account of “filibustering,” see Among the Law Makers, 165-173.)

Clause 4—­Adjournment.

Neither house, during the session of congress, shall without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.

The purpose of this provision is evident.

The sessions of congress may end in any one of three ways: