Note Return to text — Chapter XIII · OF THE QUESTION.

238. The question being stated by the presiding officer, he first puts it in the affirmative, namely: As many as are of opinion that—repeating the words of the question,—say aye; and, immediately, all the members who are of that opinion answer aye; the presiding officer then puts the question negatively: As many as are of a different opinion say no; and, thereupon, all the members who are of that opinion answer no. The presiding officer judges by his ear which side has “the more voices,” and decides accordingly, that the ayes have it, or the noes have it, as the case may be. If the presiding officer is doubtful as to the majority of voices, he may put the question a second time, and if he is still unable to decide, or, if, having decided according to his judgment, any member rises and declares that he believes the ayes or the noes (whichever it may be) have it, contrary to the declaration of the presiding officer,[Footnote 34] then the presiding officer directs the assembly to divide, in order that the members on the one side and the other may be counted.