but also 100 years ago, two powerful republicans, thomas brackett reed and joe cannon of illinois -- they were powerful figures who set the agenda of the country. the first speaker, bill and berg of pennsylvania, in the first congress, he simply was the presiding officer. he was paid two dollars more than the other members, six dollars a day. and for that eight dollars a day, he said, oh, i spent most of it on things for the members. he did not feel like it was much of a bonus. he felt like he was losing money on the deal. but even he felt like he was elevated above the members. >> what does this say about the speaker's authority? >> the speaker is great authority and that was changed in 1897 with the secession act which brought the speaker up to a higher position as the highest elected officer after the president and vice president. then it goes to the president pro tempore of the senate after that. the speaker is in line to succeed. that act was an effort to look at having someone in line that was an elected official. in the old days, it was the secretary of state. but since 1947,

most of those in recent times but also 100 years ago, two powerful republican speakers thomas brackett reed and joe cannon of illinois. reed was from massachusetts. they were powerful figures who set the agenda of the country. first speaker, muhlenberg of pennsylvania, in the first congress, he simply was a presiding officer. he was paid $2 more than the other members. $6 a day. he got $8 a day. and for that $8 he said i spent most of it on oyster suppers for the members so he didn't feel like it was much of a bonus. he thought he was losing money on the deal. but even muhlenberg, quickly as he got power to appoint committees, found that he was elevated above the other members. >> the door to the house chamber is behind you. the speaker is second in line to succeed the president after the vice president. what does this say about the speaker's authority? >> the speaker has great authority in the constitution in that respect. that was changed in 1947 with the secession act which brought the speaker up into a higher position as the highest elected officer after the president and vice president