    [Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and the Rules of the House of Representatives, 113th Congress]
    [113rd Congress]
    [House Document 112-161]
    [Jeffersons Manual of ParliamentaryPractice]
    [Pages 173-174]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    * * * * *
                                 sec. xv--order

    Sec. 351. Precedent in Parliament and the
    House.

      In  Parliament, ``instances make order,'' per Speaker Onslow. 2
    Hats., 141. But what is done only by one Parliament, cannot be called
    custom of Parliament, by Prynne. 1 Grey, 52.

    [[Page 174]]

    an updated compilation of such precedents every two years (H. Res. 988,
    93d Cong., Oct. 8, 1974, p. 34470). The Speaker feels constrained in
    rulings to give precedent its proper influence (II, 1317), because the
    advantage of such a course is undeniable (IV, 4045). But decisions of
    the Speakers on questions of order are not like judgments of courts that
    conclude the rights of parties, but may be reexamined and reversed (IV,
    4637), except on discretionary matters of recognition (II, 1425). It is
    rare, however, that such a reversal occurs.

      In the House the Clerk is required to note all questions of order and
    the decisions thereon and print the record thereof as an appendix to the
    Journal (clause 2 of rule II). The Parliamentarian has the
    responsibility for compiling and updating the precedents (2 U.S.C. 28).
    The Committee Reform Amendments of 1974 gave the Speaker the
    responsibility to prepare