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Sec. 26th. Each House may punish by imprisonment during
the session of the General Assembly any person not a member, for
disrespectful or disorderly behaviour in its presence, or for obstruc
ting 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. 27th. The members of each House shall in all cases, ex
cept treason, felony or breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest
during their attendance at the sessions of the General Assembly,
and in going to and returning from the same, allowing one day for
every thirty miles such member may reside from the place at
which the General Assembly is convened.

Sec. 28th. No senator or delegate shall be liable in any civil
action or criminal prosecution whatever for words spoken in debate

Sec. 29th. 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 commit 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, re
lating either to the collection or expenditure of the revenue, or
appoint auditors to state and adjust the same,—they may call for
all public on official papers and records, and send for persons whom
they may judge necessary in the course of their enquiries concern
ing 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 of duty.

Sec. 30th, In case of the death, disqualification, refusal to act,
expulsion or removal from the county or district for which he shall
have been elected, if any person shall have been chosen as a De
legate or Senator, or in case of a tie between two or more qualified
persons, a warrant of election shall be issued by the Governor, or
person exercising the fun ctions of Governor for the time being, for
the election of a Senator or Delegate as the may be, to supply the
vacancy, of which not less than ten days notice, exclusive of the
day of notice and day of election shall be given; provided how
ever, that unless a meeting of the General Assembly may intervene,
or the vacancy shall occur during the session of the General As
sembly, the election to fill the same shall take place on the day of
the ensuing general election.

Sec. 31st. The senators and delegates shall receive such come
pensation for their services as may be allowed by law; but no law
increasing or diminishing the compensation shall be made to take
effect until after the general elections next ensuing the passage
thereof. No book or other printed matter not appertaining to the
business of the session shall be subscribed for for the use of the
members, or be distributed among them.

Sec. 32nd. No law passed by the General Assembly shall take
effect until the expiration of days, from the closing of
the sessions at which it may be passed, unless it be expressly de