[Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 104th Congress]
[104th Congress]
[House Document 103-342]
[Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
[Pages 185-186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 

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

                          SEC. XIX.--PETITION.


  The rules of the House of Representatives make no mention of 
remonstrances, but do mention petitions and memorials (rule XXII). 
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).


[[Page 186]]
presented by a member, not by the petitioners, and must be opened by 
him holding it in his hand. 10 Grey, 57.



Sec. 390. Signing and presentation of 
petitions.

  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 



  In the House of Representatives petitions have been presented for many 
years by filing with the Clerk (clause 1 of rule XXII). 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).




Sec. 391. Parliamentary law for the reception of 
petitions.

  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 1 of rule XXII, 
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.