The New International Encyclopædia/Speaker

SPEAKER. The name given to the presiding officer in various legislative bodies. In the English House of Commons the office of Speaker seems to have existed as early as the reign of Henry III., but the title Speaker was first given to Sir T. Hungerford in the reign of Edward III. (1377). The Speaker of the House of Commons presides over the deliberations of the House, and enforces the rules for preserving order. He puts the question and declares the determination of the House. As the representative of the House, he communicates its resolutions to others, and conveys its thanks or its censures. He issues warrants in execution of the orders of the House for the commitment of offenders, for the issue of writs, the attendance of witnesses, the bringing up prisoners in custody, etc. He cannot speak or vote on any question, but on an equality of voices he has a casting vote. The office is non-political; and hence a Speaker may hold during several successive and opposing administrations. A retiring Speaker is usually rewarded with a peerage. See Parliament.

Unlike the English prototype, the Speakership of the United States House of Representatives is a political office of the highest importance. The first Speaker, chosen in 1789, was a moderator on the British pattern. But beginning with the right to appoint the standing committees in 1790, the powers of the office have gradually expanded until the Speaker has become the acknowledged leader of the House and the chief of his party. Henry Clay (1811-25) developed the political resources of the office, especially through the constitution of committees. The modern Speaker has been well called the American Premier. So far has the office departed from its original character that the Speaker now has the right to dispense the privileges of the floor in the interest of his party. He may even refuse to ‘recognize’ on the ground of personal dislike. Moreover, since 1860, as chairman of the Committee on Rules, he may in effect control the whole course of legislation. He “practically decides what shall be considered, how long debates shall last, and when the votes shall be taken.” Through this function a kind of substitute for the right of the English Ministry to introduce and promote so-called ‘Government bills’ has been found. The Speaker is a member of the House chosen by the members; and he freely exercises his privilege of voting on any measure. Since 1874 his salary has been $8000 a year. He signs all bills, resolutions, and acts of authority: certifies to the mileage, etc., of members; and appoints three of the regents of the Smithsonian Institution. He may be removed from his office by an act of the House.

For the early history of the Speakership, consult Stubbs, Constitutional History, and in general, Todd, Parliamentary Government (London, 1869). The most important work on the American office is Follett, The Speaker of the House of Representatives (New York, 1896). This was preceded by Hart, “The Speaker as Premier,” in Atlantic Monthly, March, 1891; reprinted in his Practical Essays (New York, 1893).