OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. 113 
election is to “proceed with all practicable speed to elect 
one of its members to be Speaker.” The House might 
evidently under this provision at once elect its Speaker, and 
such election would be complete without any confirmation 
by the Governor-General. 
The customary method of proceeding to the election is Roegioisf 
peaker. 
as follows: — 
Shortly before the hour fixed for the opening of Parlia- 
ment, the members re-assemble. On the Usher of the Black 
Rod presenting himself at the door, which he strikes three 
times with his rod, he is admitted. Advancing up the floor 
of the House he makes three obeisances and says in French 
and in English— 
“Gentlemen [or Mr Speaker in subsequent sessions], 
his Excellency the Governor-General desires the im- 
mediate attendance of this honourable House in the 
Senate chamber.” 
The Usher then retires and the members proceed to the 
Senate chamber in order to hear the message relating to the 
election of Speaker. The Speaker of the Senate thereupon 
addresses the members as follows : 
“His Excellency the Governor-General does not see fit 
to declare the causes of his summoning the present Parlia- 
ment of the Dominion of Canada until a Speaker of the 
House of Commons shall have been chosen according to law, 
but to-morrow, at the hour of — his Excellency will declare 
the causes of his calling this Parliament.” 
The Commons then return to their chamber. The clerk 
Presides and the election of Speaker is proceeded with, any 
Question relating thereto being put to the House by the 
clerk. The member duly elected is conducted to the Chair 
by his proposer and seconder, where he returns his thanks to 
the House for the honour conferred on him. The mace is