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Sec. 20. A majority of the whole number of members elected
to each. House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business; .but a smaller number may adjourn from day to
day, and compel the attendance of absent members, in such
manner, and under such penalties, as each. House may pre-
scribe.
Sec. 21. The doors of each House, and of the Committee
of the Whole, shall be open, except when the business is such
as ought to be kept secret.
Sec. 22. Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceed-
ings, and cause the same to be published. The yeas and nays
of members on any question shall, at the call of any five of
them in the House of Delegates, or one in the Senate, be en-
tered on the Journal.
Sec. 23. Each House may punish by imprisonment, during
the session of the General Assembly, aay person, not a mem-
ber, for disrespectful or disorderly behaviour in its presence,
or for obstructing any of its proceedings, or any of its officers
in the execution of their duties; provided, such imprison-
ment shall not, at any one time, exceed ten days.
Sec. 24. The House of Delegates may inquire, on the oath
of witnesses, into all complaints, grievances and offences, as
the Grand Inquest of the State, and may commit any per-
son, for any crime, to the public jail, there to remain until
discharged by due course of Law. They may examine and
pass all accounts of the State, relating either to the collection
or expenditure of the Revenue, and appoint Auditors to state
and adjust the same. They may call for all public, or offi-
cial papers and records, and send for persons whom they may
judge necessary, in the course of their inquiries, concerning
affairs relating to the public interest, and may direct all of-
fice bonds which shall be made payable to the State, to be
sued for any breach thereof; and with the view to the more
certain prevention, or correction* of the abuses in the expen-
ditures of the money of the State, the General Assembly shall
create, at every Session thereof, a Joint Standing Committee
of the Senate and House of Delegates, who shall Lave power
to send for persons, and examine them on oath, and call for
public or official papers and records, and whose duty shall
be to examine and report upon all contracts made for print-
ing, stationery, and purchases for the public offices and the
Library, and all expenditures therein, and upon all matters
of alleged abuse in expenditures, to which their attention
may be called by Resolution of either House of the General
Assembly.
Sec. 25. Neither House shall, without the consent of the
other, adjourn for more than three days, at any one time, nor
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