er's Functions and Powers.*--The functions of the Speaker
are regulated in part by custom, in part by rules of the House, and
in part by general legislation. They are numerous and, in the (p. 122)
aggregate, highly important. The Speaker is, first of all, the
presiding officer of the House. In this capacity he is a strictly
non-partisan moderator whose business it is to maintain decorum in
deliberations, decide points of order, put questions, and announce the
result of divisions. The non-partisan aspect of the English speakership
sets the office off in sharp contrast with its American counterpart.
"It makes little difference to any English party in Parliament," says
Mr. Bryce, "whether the occupant of the chair has come from their own
or from hostile ranks.... A custom as strong as law forbids him to
render help to his own side even by private advice. Whatever
information as to parliamentary law he may feel free to give must be
equally at the disposal of every member."[176] Except in the event of
a tie, the Speaker does not vote, even when, the House being in
committee, he is not occupying the chair. In the second place, the
Speaker is the spokesman and representative of the House, whether in
demanding privileges, communicating resolutions, or issuing warrants.
There was a time when he was hardly less the spokesman of the king
than the spokesman of the Commons, but the growth of independence of
the popular chamber enabled him long ago to cast off this dual and
extremely difficult role. The Speaker, furthermore, declares and
interprets, though he in no case makes, the law of the House. "Where,"
says Ilbert, "precedents, rulings, and the orders of the House are
insufficient or uncertain guides, he has to consider what course would
be most consistent with the usages, traditions, and dignity of the
House, and the rights and interests of its members, and on these
points his advice is usually followed, and his decisions are very
rarely questioned.... For many generations the deference habitually
paid to the occupant of the chair has been the theme of admiring
comment by foreign observers."[177] Finally, the fact should be noted
that by the Parliament Act of 1911 the Speaker is given sole power,
when question arises, to determine whether a given measure is or is
not to be considered a money bill.[178] Upon his decision may hinge
the entire policy of the Government respecting a measure, and even the
fate of the measure itse