Pennsylvania Act 1842-19 — WITNESSES BROUGHT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE

Act text

WITNESSES BROUGHT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE
                      Act of 1842, P.L. 491, No. 19                   Cl. 46
                               A RESOLUTION

     Relative to witnesses before either branch of the Legislature.
        Section 1.  Witnesses; power to issue subpoenas, compel
     attendance, and commit to prison; payment of expense of
     imprisonment
        That each branch of the Legislature shall have the power to
     issue their subpoena, as heretofore practiced into any part of
     the Commonwealth, and by attachment to compel the attendance of
     all persons summoned as witnesses, and in case any witness
     brought to the Bar of either House, shall refuse to be sworn or
     affirmed, or having been sworn or affirmed, shall refuse to
     render an answer to all legal questions duly propounded, the
     Speaker of the House before which such refusal shall be made,
     shall have full power by the direction of the said House to
     issue to the Sergeant-at-Arms, a warrant of commitment to the
     prison of Dauphin county, the inspectors and keepers thereof,
     are hereby authorized and required to receive and confine such
     delinquent so committed until discharged in due course, and the
     expense of such imprisonment, shall be paid out of any money in
     the state treasury not otherwise appropriated.  1842, June 13,
     P.L. 491, Sec. 1.
        Compiler's Note:  This is section 1 of Resolution 19 passed
            June 13, 1842.
        Section 2.  That if any such person so committed to prison,
     shall persist in his refusal to swear or affirm, or being sworn
     or affirmed, shall still, on being brought before such House
     from the prison, refuse to testify, such House may make a
     further order for the detention of such delinquent in said
     prison, until the next succeeding legislature shall have met,
     and until the proper House succeeding the one which ordered the
     commitment originally, shall make an order for his further
     detention or discharge as to them shall seem expedient.  1842,
     June 13, P.L. 491, Sec. 2.
        Compiler's Note:  This is section 2 of Resolution 19 passed
            June 13, 1842.