The course to be pursued in the examination of witnesses is a matter resting largely within the discretion of the court. Whatever method will best elicit the truth from biased, disinterested and non-intelligent witnesses should be adopted, and the usual rule may, in the court's discretion, be so relaxed or changed as to most effectually attain the ends of justice.

While the great weight of authority inclines to the belief that it cannot be demanded as a matter of right, according to a practice that has obtained for over four hundred years, upon the request of either party, courts may, in their discretion, order the exclusion from the court room of all witnesses except the parties litigant themselves.