profits of which shall have been increased, during such
term.

SEC. 18. No Senator or Delegate shall be liable in any civil
action or criminal prosecution whatever for words spoken in
debate.

SEC. 19. Each House shall be judge of the qualifications
and elections of its members, as prescribed by the Constitu-
tion and laws of the State; shall appoint its own officers,
determine the rules of its own proceedings, punish a member
for disorderly or disrespectful behavior, and with the consent
of two-thirds of its whole number of members elected, expel
a member; but no member shall be expelled a second time for
the same offence.

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 mem-
bers in such manner and under such penalties as each House
may prescribe.

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
entered on the Journal.

SEC. 23. Each House may punish by imprisonment, during
the session of the General Assembly, any person, not a mem-
ber, for disrespectful or disorderly behavior in its presence,
or for obstructing any of its proceedings, or any of its officers
in the execution of their duties; provided such imprisonment
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 com-
mit any person 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 official 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 office bonds which shall be made payable