34
Freedom of
debate. |
MARYLAND MANUAL. [ART. III.
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 |
Powers of
each House. |
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 con-
sent 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.
Covington v. Buffett, 90 Md., 569.
SEC. 20. A majority of the whole number of members |
|
Quoroum. |
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 |
Sessions to be
open. |
of the Whole shall be open, except when the business is such
as ought to be kept secret. |
Journals to be
published. |
SEC. 22. Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceed-
ings, and cause the same to be published. The yeas and nays |
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 |
Disorderly
persons. |
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 im-
prisonment shall not at any time exceed ten days. |
Powers of
House. |
SEC. 24. The House of Delegates may inquire, on the oath
of witness, into the complaints, grievances and offences, as |
Grand in-
quest. |
the grand inquest of the State, and may commit any person
for any crime to the public jail, there to remain until dis- |
May call for
persons and
papers. |
charged 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 to the State to be
sued for any breach thereof; and with the view to the more |
