right to elect one, some member, by consent, putting the question. Scob. 36. 3 Grey, 301. The form of going from the house into committee, is for the speaker, on motion, to put the question that the house do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take under consideration such a matter, naming it. If determined in the affirmative, he leaves the chair, and takes a seat elsewhere, as any other member; and the person appointed chairman seats himself at the clerk's table. Scob. 36. Their quorum is the same as that of the house; and if a defect happens, the chairman, on a motion and question, rises, the speaker resumes the chair, and the chairman can make no other report than to inform the house of the cause of their dissolution. If a message is announced during a com mittee, the speaker takes the chair, and receives it, because the committee cannot, 2 Hats. 125, 126.

In a committee of the whole, the tellers on a division, differing as to numbers, great heats and confusion arose, and danger of a decision by the sword.

The

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speaker took the chair, the mace was forcibly laid on the table, whereupon, the members retiring to their places, the speaker told the house he had taken the chair without an order, to bring the house into order.' Some excepted against it; but it was generally approved as the only expedient to suppress the disorder. And every member was required, standing up in his place, to engage that he would proceed no further in consequence of what had happened in the grand committee, which was done. .3 Grey, 128.

A committee of the whole being broken up in disorder, and the chair resumed by the speaker without an order, the house was adjourned. The next day the committee was considered as thereby dissolved, and the subject again before the house; and it was decided in the house, without returning into committee. 3. Grey, 130.

No previous question can be put in a committee; nor can this committee adjourn as others may; but if their business is unfinished, they rise, on a question, the house is resumed, and the chairman reports that the committee of the whole

have, according to order, had under their consideration such a matter and have made progress therein; but not having had time to go through the same, have directed him to ask leave to sit again. Whereupon a question is put on their having leave, and on the time when the house will, again resolve itself into a committee, Scob. 38. But if they have gone through the matter referred to them, a member moves that the committee may rise, and the chairman report their proceedings to the house; which being resolved, the chairman rises, the speaker resumes the chair, the chairman informs him that the committee have gone through the business referred to them, and that he is ready to make report when the house shall think proper to receive it. If the house have time to rcceive it, there is usually a cry of now, now,' whereupon he makes the report: but if it be late, the cry is to-morrow, to-morrow,' or

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on Monday, &c.' or a motion is made to that effect, and a question put that it be received, to-morrow, &c. Scob. 38.

In other things the rules of proceeding

care to be the same as in the house, Scob. :39.

SEC. XIII. EXAMINATION OF WITNESSES.

Common fame is a good ground for the house to proceed by enquiry, and even to accusation. Resolution House Commons, 1 Car. 1. 1625. Rush. L. Parl. 115. 1 Grey, 16-22. 92. 8 Grey, 21, 23, 27, 45.

Witnesses are not to be produced but where the house has previously instituted an enquiry, 2 Hats. 102. nor then are orders for their attendance given blank, 3 Grey, 51.

When any person is examined before a committee, or at the bar of the house, any member wishing to ask the person a question, must address it to the speaker or chairman, who repeats the question to the person, or says to him 'you hear the question, answer it.' But if the propriety of the question be objected to, the speaker directs the witness, counsel and parties, to withdraw; for no question

can be moved or put, or debated while they are there. 2 Hats. 108. Sometimes the questions are previously settled in writing before the witness enters, ib. 106, 107. 8 Grey, 64. The questions asked mist be entered in the journals. 3 Grey, 81. But the testimony given in answer before the house is never written down; but before a committee it must be, for the information of the house who are not present to hear it. 7 Grey, 52, 334.

If either house have occasion for the presence of a person in custody of the other, they ask the other their leave that he may be brought up to them in custody. 3 Hats. 52.

A member, in his place, gives information to the house of what he knows of any matter under hearing at the bar. Jour. H. of C. Jan. 22, 1744—5.

Either house may request, but not command the attendance of a member of the other. They are to make the request by message to the other house, and to express clearly the purpose of attendance, that no improper subject of examination may be tendered to him. The house then gives