Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 . A MANUAL OF PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICE / From The Writings of Thomas Jefferson: Volume 2
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SECTION XXXII.

READING PAPERS.

   
Where papers are laid before the House, or referred to a committee, every
member has a right to have them once read at the table, before he can be
compelled to vote on them. But it is a great, though common error, to suppose
that he has a right, toties quoties, to have acts, journals, accounts, or
papers, on the table, read independently of the will of the House. The delay
and interruption which this might be made to produce, evince the impossibility of the existence
of such a right. There is indeed so manifest a propriety of
permitting every member to have as much information as possible on every
question on which he is to vote, that when he desires the reading, if it be
seen that it is really for information, and not for delay, the Speaker directs
it to be read without putting a question, if no one objects. But if objected
to, a question must be put.-a Hats. 117, 118.

It is equally an error to suppose, that any member has a right, without a
question put, to lay a book or paper on the table, and have it read, on
suggesting that it contains matter infringing on the privileges of the House.-a
Hats. 117, 118.

For the same reason, a member has not a right to read a paper in his place, if
it be objected to, without leave of the House. But this rigor is never
exercised but where there is an intentional or gross abuse of the time and
patience of the House.




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A member has not a right even to read his own speech, committed to writing,
without leave. This also is to prevent an abuse of time; and therefore is not
refused, but where that is intended.-2 Grey, 227.

A report of a committee of the Senate on a bill from the House of Representatives being under
consideration, on motion that the report of the committee of
the House of Representatives on the same bill be read in the Senate, it passed
in the negative.-F eb. 28, 1793,

Formerly, when papers were referred to a committee, they used to be first read;
but of late, only, the titles; unless a member insists they shall be read, and
then nobody can oppose it. -- 2 Hats. 117.