HtstORY OF VEltMONT. i337 



member was a republican, and that the other 

 two were federalists. In a few days, on motion 

 of the republican member, it was ordered that 

 two new members should be added to the com- 

 mittee ; and that they should join such a com- 

 mittee, as the council might also appoint. The 

 two new members were taken from the repub- 

 lican party, and of course the majority of the 

 committee were now republicans. The council 

 refused to join in the inquiry, alledging that if 

 there should be any impeachments, they were 

 the body before whom the trial must be had. 

 After' several meetings the committee made a 

 report, which was read, and by order of the 

 house the resolution was recommitted. On the 

 last day of the session the committee made the 

 same report as before^ It stated many cases 

 and facts in which the fees had been taken, 

 which were complained of as being new, illegal 

 and oppressive ; contrary to the practice of all 

 former judges of the suprem.e court, iind to what 

 was then the practice in th« county courts ; but 

 considered the conduct of the judges in requir- 

 ing such fees, as not illegal. " Your commit- 



* tee further report, that in their opinion, the 



* said fees were taken in conformity with a fair 



* construction of the fee bill." The report be- 

 ing read, it was accepted so far as related to the 

 fiicts stated therein, but not as to the opinion 

 given of the legality of the proceeding.* The 

 same da}* the house adjourned, and left the mat- 

 ter in this state of indecision, for the people to 

 wonder, doubt, or believe, as best suited their 

 own particular wishes or system of politics* To 



• Journal for 1804, p. 155. 861. 273. 321, 369, 3»o. 



YOL, II S :^ 



