    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 108th Congress]
    [108th Congress]
    [House Document 107-284]
    [Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
    [Page 203]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

                         sec. xxiv--bills, first reading

    Sec. 399. Obsolete requirements as to first reading of
    bills.

      When  a bill is first presented, the Clerk reads it at the table, and
    hands it to the Speaker, who, rising, states to the House the title of
    the bill; that this is the first time of reading it; and the question
    will be, whether it shall be read a second time? then sitting down to
    give an opening for objections. If none be made, he rises again, and
    puts the question, whether it shall be read a second time? Hakew., 137,
    141. A bill cannot be amended on the first reading, 6 Grey, 286; nor is
    it usual for it to be opposed then, but it may be done, and rejected.
    D'Ewes, 335, col. 1; 3 Hats., 198.

      This provision is obsolete, the practice under clause 8 of rule XVI
    now governing the procedure of the House.