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ing, and not sitting: though there is reason to conjec ture it was formerly otherwise. D'Ewes 630. col. 1, 4. Parl. Hist. 440. 2 Hats. 77.

Their proceedings are not to be published, as they are of no force till confirmed by the house. Rushw. Parl. 3. vol. 2. 74. 3 Grey, 401 Scob. 39. Nor can they receive a petition but through the house. 9 Grey 412.

When a committee is charged with an enquiry, if a member prove to be involved, they cannot proceed against him, but must make a special report to the house, whereupon the member is heard in his place, or at the bar, or a special authority is given to the committee to enquire concerning him. 9 Grey 523.

So soon as the house sits, and a committee is notified of it, the chairman is in duty bound to rise instantly, and the members to attend the service of the house. 2 Nals. 819.

It appears that on joint committees of the Lords and Commons, each committee acted integrally in the following instances. 7 Grey 261, 278, 285, 338. 1 Chandler 357, 462. In the following instances it does not appear whether they did or not. 6 Grey 129. 7 Grey 213, 229, 321.

Every message from the honorable the senate, communicating any bill for the concurrence of this house, shall, after the second reading of the said bill, be referred to a select committee, with the accompanying documents, if any, to consider and report thereon. R. of A. 38.

SECTION XII.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE.

The speech, messages and other matters of great concernment, are usually referred to a committee of the whole house. 6 Grey 311. Where general principles are digested in the form of resolutions, which are debated and amended till they get into a shape which meets the approbation of a maiority. These being reported and confirmed by the house, are then referred to one or more select committees, according as the subject divides

itself into one or more bills Scob. 36, 44. Propositions for any charge on the people are especially to be first made in a committee of the whole. 3 Hats. 127. The sense of the whole is better taken in committee, because in all committees every one speaks as often as he pleases. Scob. 49. They generally acquiesce in the chairman named by the speaker; but, as well as all other committees, have a 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 committee, the speaker takes the chair, and receives it, because the committee cannot. 2 Hats. 125, 126.

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

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

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In other things the rules of proceeding are to be the same as in the house. Scob. 39.

In forming a committee of the whole house, the speaker shall leave the chair, and a chairman shall be appointed to preside. R. of A. 25.

The rules of the house shall be observed in a committee of the whole house, except the rules respecting divisions, and limiting the time of speaking. R. of A. 35.

No motion shall be debated or put, unless the same be seconded. When a motion is seconded, it shall be stated by the speaker, before debate; and every such motion shall be reduced to writing, if the speaker, or any member, desire it. R. of A. 9.

A motion that the chairman leave the chair, shall always be in order, and shall take place of any other motion. R. of A. 32.

No motion for reconsideration, shall be in order, unless on the same day, or day following that on which the decision proposed to be reconsidered took place, nor unless K

one of the majority shall move such reconsideration. A motion for reconsideration being put, and lost, shall not be renewed; nor shall any subject be a second time reconsidered, without unanimous consent. R. of A. 34.

On a motion in committee of the whole house, to rise and report, the question shall be decided without debate. R. of A. 53.

SECTION 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.

As the heads of impeachment were severally read against the Lord Clarendon in 1667, some member in his place, stated to the house, that several persons had undertaken to make that head good." Or, "that the member had heard this from a certain great lord." Or, "that this was too public to stand in need of proof." Or, in one instance," that the member did not doubt that it will be made out." St. Tr. 558. 4 Hats. 137.

Witnesses are not to be produced but where the house has previously instituted an inquiry, 2 Hats. 102. nor then are orders for their attendance given blank. 3 Grey 51. The process is a summons from the house. 4 Hats. 255, 258.

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 must be entered in the journals. 3 Grey 81. But the testimony giv

en 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. January 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 leave to the member to attend, if he choose it; waiting first to know from the member himself whether he chooses to attend, till which, they do not take the message into consideration. But when the peers are sitting as a court of criminal judicature, they may order attendance; unless where it be a case of impeachment by the Commons. There it is to be a request. 3 Hats. 17.9 Grey 306, 406. 10 Grey 133. Counsel are to be heard only on private, not on public bills, and on such points of law only as the house shall direct. 10 Grey 61.

SECTION XIV.

ARRANGEMENT OF BUSINESS.

The Speaker shall cause the clerk of the house to make a list of all bills, resolutions, reports of committees, and other proceedings in the house, which are committed to a committee of the whole house, and which are not made the order of the day, for any particular day, which list shall be called "the general orders of the day." R. of A. 39.

On the meeting of the house, after the reading of the journal, the presentation of petitions shall be first in order; and it shall be the duty of the speaker to call for the same.-R. of A. 40.

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