192 COURTS. [ART. 29.

ARTICLE XXIX.
Courts.

SEC. 1. The judges of the several courts of law and of equity
may make such rules and orders from time to time, for the well-
governing and regulating their respective courts, and the officers
and suitors thereof, and under such fines and forfeitures as they
shall think fit, not exceeding twenty dollars for any one offence
—all of which fines shall go to the State.

2. The judges of the several courts of this State exercising
civil jurisdiction, shall prescribe by rule of court the manner
in which suits may be dismissed by the parties or their attorneys
during the recess.

3. No person shall sue or be sued in privilege.

4. The power of the several courts of this Stjate to issue
attachments, and inflict summary punishments for contempts of
court, shall not be construed to extend to any cases except the
misbehavior of any person or persons in the presence of the said
courts, or so near thereto as to obstruct the administration of
justice; or the misbehavior of any of the officers of the said
courts in their official transactions; or the disobedience or resist-
ance by any officer of the said courts, party, juror, witness, or
any other person or persons to any lawful writ, process, order,
rule, decree or command of the said courts.

5. In case of the absence of the judge of any court, (except
the Court of Appeals,) the clerk may adjourn the court from
day to day; or he may by written order from the judge adjourn
the court to the next term thereof, or to such other day before
the next term as by said order he may be directed.

6. Any judge in the recess of his court, may order his clerk to
enter a judgment by confession with the assent of the parties or
their attorneys, in writing, which shall be filed with the order of
the judge, and a judgment so entered shall, from the date of its
entry by the clerk, have the same effect as if entered during the
session of the court.