The Speaker said, the House might authorize the Committee of the Whole to hear evidence.
Mr. Sewall moved the report to be committed. If gentlemen wished evidence to be heard before the committee, they would, of course, make an addition to his motion. For his own part he thought it unnecessary.
Mr. Nicholas had no objection to evidence being heard before a Committee of the Whole, except that it might involve the subject in some embarrassment; as it was possible that a majority of the committee might come to a decision which, according to the constitution, it would require two-thirds of the House to confirm. He saw no reason for going into a committee, except that the Speaker would have to give his testimony; but he did not see why the Speaker might not give his testimony from his seat, as well as from any other place. By going into a committee, the subject would take up a longer time than it otherwise would do, as they should have twice to go over the same ground.
Mr. R. Williams was in favor of hearing the evidence before the committee.
Mr. Thatcher was not of opinion, with the gentleman from Virginia, that this matter should be run over as soon as possible. He thought it of infinite importance, as it respected the dignity of the House and the people at large, and he hoped it would go through every form of the House.
The question for a commitment was put and carried, and it was made the order for this day.
Mr. Nicholas then moved that the Committee of the Whole be authorized to examine testimony, and called for the yeas and nays upon the question; which being agreed upon, they were taken, and, so little opposition was there to this mode of proceeding that the question was carried, 88 to 4. The negatives were Messrs. Gordon, Sewall, Sitgreaves, and Thatcher.
Mr. D. Foster moved that the committee should be authorized to report the whole of the evidence, as he thought it was important it should be entered upon the journals. Carried.
The House then resolved itself into a Committee of the Whole, Mr. Dent in the chair, on this subject.
Mr. Thatcher said it would be necessary that a Judge should attend to administer an oath to the members who should be called upon to give their testimony.