In all original proceedings commenced under this chapter in the Supreme Court, either party shall have compulsory process to compel the attendance of witnesses, to be issued by the clerk of the court and served by the marshal of the court or by any sheriff of the state. Such witnesses shall be sworn and examined on the trial in open court. The examination of such witnesses shall be conducted and defaulting witnesses shall be subject to similar proceedings and penalties as in criminal cases in the circuit court; but, on the written consent of the defendant, the court or a justice thereof, in term time or vacation, may appoint one or more examiners, whose duty it shall be, jointly or severally, as may be directed in the order of appointment, to take and certify by such day as may be fixed in the order of appointment the evidence against and for the defendant on the several specifications contained in the information, and the charges shall be tried by the court on such evidence so taken and certified and such documentary evidence as may be offered. The court for the trial and impeachment may sit or continue its sessions at any time without reference to the terms as prescribed by law.