It is with great, and almost invincible reluctance, that amendments are admitted at this reading, which occasion erasures or interlineations. Sometimes the 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 ayes, "All those of the contrary opinion, say no."—Hakew. 154.
After the bill has passed, there can be no further alteration of it in any point.—Hakew. 159.
SECTION 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 is 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 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,[5] | Ayes. | |
| Read, | Ayes. | |
| Lie on the table, | Noes. | |
| Rejected after refusal to lie on the table, | Noes. | |
| Referred to a committee, or farther proceeding, | Ayes. | |
| Bill, that it be brought in, | Ayes. | |
| Read 1st or 2d time, | Ayes. | |
| Engrossed or read 3d time, | Ayes. | |
| Proceeding on every other stage, | Ayes. | |
| Committed, | Ayes. | |
| To a committee of the whole, | Noes. | |
| To a select committee, | Ayes. | |
| Report of a bill to lie on table, | Noes. | |
| Be now read, | Ayes. | |
| Be taken into consideration three months hence, | 50 P. J. 251. | |
| Amendments be read a 2d time, | Noes. | |
| Clause offered on report of bill be read 2d time, | Ayes. | 334 |
| For receiving a clause, | Ayes. | |
| With amendments be engrossed, | Ayes. | |
| That a bill be now read a 3d time, | Noes. | 398 |
| Receive a rider, | Ayes. | 260 |
| Pass, | Ayes. | 259 |
| Be printed, | Ayes. | |
| Committees. That A take the chair, | Noes | |
| To agree to the whole or any part of report, | Noes. | |
| That the House do now resolve into a committee, | Noes. | 291 |
| Speaker. That he now leave the chair,after order to go into committee, | Noes. | |
| That he issue warrant for a new visit, | Noes. | |
| Member. That none be absent without leave, | Noes. | |
| Witness. That he be farther examined, | Ayes. | 344 |
| Previous questions, | Noes. | |
| Blanks. That they be filled with the largest sum, | Ayes. | |
| Amendments. That words stand part of, | Ayes. | |
| Lords. That their amendments be read a 2d time, | Ayes. | |
| Messenger be received, | Ayes. | |
| Orders of the day to be now read, if before 2 o'clock, | Ayes. | |
| If after 2 o'clock, | Noes. | |
| Adjournment till the next sitting day, if before 4 o'clock, | Ayes. | |
| If after 4 o'clock, | Noes. | |
| Over a sitting day, (unless a previous resolution) | Ayes. | |
| Over the 30th January, | Noes. | |
| For sitting on Sunday, or any other day, not being a sitting day, | Ayes. |