e formality of this question; it is "Letters are usually sent under cover to the peaker. He announces them, as follows: A etter, addressed to the Speaker, signed A. B.; it will be read,' and hands it to the Clerk, who eads it. As soon as it is read, if it refers to a subject committed to a standing committee, the Speaker says, It will be referred to the committee entrusted with that subject.' If it is a special subject, and no motion is made to refer it, he says, It will be laid on the table."" Sutherland, 125. Sec. 27.-Bills, &c., in Committee. "The person first named is, as a matter of courtesy, permitted to act as Chairman, although every committee have a right to elect their own Chairman." 1 Grey, 122. "That all committees appointed at the first sitting, shall continue during every subsequent sitting of the same Legislature, or until they have reported on the business committed to them, or have been discharged."-Rule 17 of Assembly. "Committees cannot receive a petition but through the House." 9 Grey, 412. "When a committee is charged with an inquiry, 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 inquire 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 Hats. 319. In private bills, which might come fairly before the House, the majority of the committee usually permit their chairman to report a bill, as a matter of courtesy, although they might be opposed to its merits, reserving to themselves the right to oppose its passage in the House. No one who speaks against the whole bill shall be appointed on the committee. The committee must report their amendments on a separate paper; and, when through, they will rise, upon motion, "to rise and report the paper to the House, with (or without) amendment.” seats him man is not present, there is absent m rises and "That the rules and orders of the House shall be binding on Committees of the whole House, as far as they may be proper and applicable in any case.” Rule 10 of Assembly. matter o proceed t If a me or Cound the Spea receive i No pre mittee d never ca as often Commit Commit "A quorum in committee is the same as a quorum in the House." Sutherland 183. The form of going into a Committee, is for the Speaker, upon motion, to put the question "that the House do now resolve itself into a and ask Whole tee. T order i address from hi membe ommittee of the Whole to take into consideration," uch a matter, naming it,) and the question eing agreed to, he nominates some member as Chairman, who takes the chair, and the Speaker eats himself in any vacant seat. If the Chairnan is notified, or perceives that a quorum is not resent, he stops further proceedings and says, there is not a quorum present;" and if the absent members do not appear, the Committee rises and the Chairman reports the same to the house. The Speaker will then send the Sergeantat-arms in quest of the absentees. If a quorum is present the Chairman will state the subject matter of reference, and the Committee will proceed to its consideration. If a message is announced from the Governor or Council, during the sitting of the Committee, the Speaker will immediately take the Chair and receive it. No previous question can be put in a Committee of the Whole. The yeas and nays are never called. A member has a right to speak as often as he chooses. Amendments made in Committee are not inserted in the journal. The Committee cannot adjourn but must rise, report, and ask leave to sit again. A Committee of the Whole cannot refer a matter to another committee. The Committee cannot punish a breach of order in the house or in the gallery. A member addressing the Committee, is not obliged to rise from his seat, and in discussion, can mention a member hv name fthis motio an of the reports 665 having und the subject fions to th beg leave t have ma "In a Committee of the Whole, the tellers in a division, differing as to numbers, great heats and confusion arose and danger of a decision by the sword. The 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." Grey, 128. had time t me to ask made that and the 3 "A Committee of the Whole being broken up in disorder, and the chair being 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. The committee having finished the matter referred, or progressed therein, and not having time to proceed farther, or the discussion having become disorderly; a motion is made that the committee now rise and the Chairman report, &c. nation, question If no op reject b reading of Rep Bills |