ABSENCE.
$No member shall absent himself from the service of the Senate without
leave of the Senate first obtained. And in case a less number than a
quorum of the Senate shall convene, they are hereby authorized to send
the sergeant-at-arms, or any other person or persons by them authorized,
for any or all absent members, as the majority of such members present
shall agree, at the expense of such absent members respectively, unless
such excuse for non-attendance shall be made, as the Senate, when a quorum
is convened, shall judge sufficient, and in that case the expense shall
be paid out of the contingent fund. And this rule shall apply as well to
the first convention of the Senate, at the legal time of meeting, as to
each day of the session, after the hour is arrived to which the Senate
stood adjourned.--_Rule_ 19.$