All cannot be allowed to speak at once.

There is no chance to apply the shop rule, "first come first served," for numerous applications for the floor come at the same time.

Shall the Speaker choose at random or according to some definite principle of selection?
In view of the Speaker's interest in the welfare of the party which raised him to the office, he would naturally inquire in advance the purpose for which the recognition of the chair was desired.

It was a manifest step towards orderly procedure in session, however, when instead of crowding around the clerk's desk bawling for recognition, members applied to the Speaker in advance.

In Speaker Blaine's time, this had become a regular practice and ever since then, a throng of members at the Speaker's office trying to arrange with him for recognition has been a daily occurrence during a legislative session.