twice read, and those proposed at the third reading thrice read; as also all amendments from the other House. Town. col. 19, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28.

It is with great and almost invincible reluctance, that amendments are admitted at this reading, which occasion erasures or interlineations. Sometimes a proviso has been cut off from a bill; sometimes erased. 9 Grey, 513.

This is the proper stage for filling up blanks; for if filled up before, and now altered by erasure, it would be peculiarly unsafe.

At this reading the bill is debated afresh, and for the most part is more spoken to, at this time, than on any of the former readings. Hakew. 153.

The debate on the question whether it should be read a third time? has discovered to its friends and opponents the arguments on which each side relies, and which of these appear to have influence with the House; they have had time to meet them with new arguments, and to put their old ones into new shapes. The former vote has tried the strength of the first opinion, and furnished grounds to estimate the issue; and the question now offered for its passage, is the last occasion which is ever to be offered for carrying or rejecting it.

When the debate is ended, the speaker, holding the bill in his hand, puts the question for its passage, by saying, "gentlemen, all you who are of opinion that this bill shall pass, say ay, and after the answer of the ayes, "all those of the contrary opinion say no."-Hakew. 154.

After the bill is passed, there can be no further alteration of it in any point. Hakew. 159.

SEC. XLI.-DIVISION OF THE HOUSE.

The affirmative and negative of the question having been both put and answered, the speaker declares whether the yeas or nays have it by the - sound, if he be himself satisfied, and it stands as the judgment of the House. But if he be not himself satisfied which voice is the greater, or if, before any other member comes into the House, or before any new motion made, (for it is too late after that,) any member shall rise and declare himself dissatisfied with the speaker's decision, then the speaker is to divide the House. Scob. 24. 2 Hats. 140.

When the House of Commons is divided, the one party goes forth, and the other remains in the House. This has made it important which go forth and which remain; because the latter gain all the indolent, the indifferent, and inattentive.Their general rule, therefore, is, that those who give their vote for the preservation of the orders of the House, shall stay in ; and those who are for introducing any new matter or alteration, or proceeding contrary to the established course, are to go out. But this rule is subject to many exceptions and modifications. 2 Hats. 134. 1 Rush, p. 3, fol 92. Scob. 43, 52. Co. 12, 116. D'Ewes, 505. col. 1. Mem. in Hakew. 25, 29, as will appear by the following statement of who go forth ; Petition that it be received,*

Read,

Lie on the table,

Rejected after refusal to lie on table,

* Noes. 9 Grey 365.

Ayes.

Noes.

That a bill be now read a third time,

Noes. 398

committee,

Speaker. That he now leave the chair Noes. 291

after order to go into committee,

That he issue warrant for a new

Witness. That he be further examined, Ayes. 344

Previous question,

Blanks. That they be filled with the
largest sum,

Amendments. That words stand part of
Lords. That their amendment be read

a second time,

Messenger be received,

Noes.

Ayes.

Noes.

Orders of day to be now read, if be-Ayes.

fore 2 o'clock,

If after 2 o'clock,

Noes.

Adjournment. Till the next sitting Ayes.

day, if before 4 o clock,

If after 4 o'clock,

Noes.

Over a sitting day, (unless a pre-Ayes. vious resolution.)

Over the 30th of January,

For sitting on Sunday, or any other

day, not being a sitting day,

Noes.

Ayes.

The one party being gone forth, the speaker names two tellers from the affirmative, and two from the negative side, who first count those sitting in the House, and report the number to the speaker. Then they place themselves within the door, two on each side, and count those who went forth, as they come in, and report the number to the speaker. Men. in Hakew. 26.

A mistake in the report of the tellers may be rectified after the report made. 2 Hats. 145, note.

[But in both Houses of Congress all these intricacies are avoided. The ayes first rise and are counted, standing in their places, by the president or speaker. Then they sit, and the noes rise and are counted in like manner.]

[In Senate, if they be equally divided, the vicepresident announces his opinion, which decides.]

[The Constitution, however, has directed that "the yeas and nays of the members of either House on any question shall, at the desire of onefifth of those present, be entered on the journal." And again, that in all cases of reconsidering a bill, disapproved by the president, and returned with his objections, "the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the persons voting for and against the bill, shall be entered on the journals of each House respectively."]

[By the 16th and 17th rules of the Senate, when the yeas and nays shall be called for by one-fifth of the members present, each member called upon shall, unless for special reasons he be excused by the Senate, declare, openly and without debate, his assent or dissent to the question. In taking the yeas and nays, and upon the call of the House, the names of the members shall be taken alphabetically.]

[When the yeas and nays shall be taken upon any question, in pursuance of the above rule, no member shall be permitted, under any circumstances whatever, to vote after the decision is announced from the chair.]

[When it is proposed to take the vote by yeas and nays, the president or speaker states that" the question is whether, e. g. the bill shall pass? that it is proposed that the yeas and nays shall be entered on the journal. Those therefore, who desire it will rise." If he finds and declares that one-fifth have risen, he then states that "those who are of

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