Meantime, Mr.Mellor had ruled that Mr.Sexton had been guilty of gross disorder, and had called upon him to leave the House.

Mr.Sexton had steadily refused, basing his refusal on the demand that there had been no vote of the House.

The point was this: There are two rules for dealing with disorder.

Under the one a member is named, and then a division takes place, in which the House may refuse or consent to the suspension of a member.

Under the other rule, the presiding officer has the right to suspend on his own motion, and without any appeal to the House.