A Manual of Parliamentary Practice SEC. XII: Committee of the Whole
by Thomas Jefferson
The speech, messages and other
matters of great concernment, are usually referred to a committee of the whole
House. 6 Grey 311. Where general principles are digested in the form of
resolutions, which are debated and amended till they get into a shape which
meets the approbation of a majority. These being reported and confirmed by the
House, are then referred to one or more select committees, according as the
subject divides itself into one or more bills. Scob. 36, 44. Propositions
for any charge on the people are especially to be first made in a committee of
the whole. 3 Hats. 127. The sense of the whole is better taken in
committee, because in all committees every one speaks as often as he pleases.
Scob. 49. They generally acquiesce in the chairman named by the Speaker:
but, as well as all other committees, have a right to elect one, some member, by
consent, putting the question. Scob. 36. 3 Grey 301. The form of
going from the House into committee, is, for the Speaker, on motion, to put the
question that the House do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole, to
take under consideration such a matter, naming it. If determined in the
affirmative, he leaves the chair, and takes a seat elsewhere, as any other
member; and the person appointed chairman seats himself at the clerk's table.
Scob. 36. Their quorum is the same as that of the House; and if a defect
happens, the chairman, on a motion and question, rises, the Speaker resumes the
chair, and the chairman can make no other report than to inform the House of the
cause of their dissolution. If a message is announced during a committee, the
Speaker takes the chair, and receives it, because the committee cannot. 2
Hats. 125, 126.
In a committee of the whole, the tellers on a division, differing as to the
numbers, great heats and confusion arose, and danger of a decision by the sword.
The Speaker took the chair, the mace was forcibly laid on the table, whereupon,
the members retiring to their places, the Speaker told the House "he had taken
the chair without an order, to bring the House into order." Some excepted
against it; but it was generally approved as the only expedient to suppress the
disorder. And every member was required, standing up in his place, to engage
that he would proceed no further in consequence of what had happened in the
grand committee, which was done. 3 Grey 128.
A committee of the whole being broken up in disorder, and the chair resumed
by the Speaker without an order, the House was adjourned. The next day the
committee was considered as thereby dissolved, and the subject again before the
House; and it was decided in the House, without returning into committee. 3
Grey 130.
No previous question can be put in a committee; nor can this committee
adjourn as others may; but if their business is unfinished, they rise, on a
question, the House is resumed, and the chairman reports that the committee of
the whole have, according to order, had under their consideration such a matter
and have made progress therein; but not having had time to go through the same,
have directed him to ask leave to sit again. Whereupon a question is put on
their having leave, and on the time when the House will again resolve itself
into a committee. Scob. 38. But if they have gone through the matter
referred to them, a member moves that the committee may rise, and the chairman
report their proceedings to the House; which being resolved, the chairman rises,
the Speaker resumes the chair, the chairman informs him that the committee have
gone through the business referred to them, and that he is ready to make report
when the House shall think proper to receive it. If the House have time to
receive it, there is usually a cry of "now, now," whereupon he makes the report;
but if it be late, the cry is "to-morrow, to-morrow," or "on Monday, &c," or
a motion is made to that effect, and a question put that it be received
to-morrow, &c. Scob. 38.
In other things the rules of proceeding are to be the same as in the House.
Scob. 39.
