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 majority. 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.
In a committee of the whole, the tellers, on a division, differing as to
numbers, great heats and confusion arose, and dangers 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.--3 _Grey_, 139.
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 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.
In other things the rules of proceedings are to be the same as in the
House.--_Scob._ 39.