In the House of Commons, every member must give his vote the one way or the other.--_Scob._ 24. As it is not permitted to any one to withdraw who is in the House when the question is put, nor is any one to be told in the division who was not in when the question was put.--2 _Hats._ 140.
This last position is always true when the vote is by yeas and nays; where the negative as well as the affirmative of the question is stated by the President at the same time, and the vote of both sides begins and proceeds _pari passu_. It is true, also, when the question is put in the usual way, if the negative has also been put. But if it has not, the member entering, or any other member may speak, and even propose amendments, by which the debate may be opened again, and the question greatly deferred. And, as some who have answered aye, may have been changed by the new arguments, the affirmative must be put over again. If, then, the member entering may, by speaking a few words, occasion a repetition of the question, it would be useless to deny it on his simple call for it.
While the House is telling, no member may speak, or move out of his place; for, if any mistake be suspected, it must be told again.--_Mem. in Hakew._ 26; 2 _Hats._ 143.
If any difficulty arises in point of order, during the division, the Speaker is to decide peremptorily, subject to the future censure of the House, if irregular. He sometimes permits old experienced members to assist him with their advice, which they do sitting in their seats, covered to avoid the appearance of debate; but this can only be with the Speaker's leave, else the division might last several hours.--2 _Hats._ 143.
The voice of the majority decides. For the _lex majoris partis_ is the law of all councils, elections, &c., where not otherwise expressly provided.--_Hakew._ 93. But if the House be equally divided, "_semper presumatur pro negante_:" that is, the former law is not to be changed but by a majority.--_Towns. col._ 134.
$But, in the Senate of the United States, the Vice-President decides, when the House is divided.--_Const. U S._, Art. I. Sec. 2.$
When, from counting the House, on a division, it appears that there is not a quorum, the matter continues exactly in the state in which it was before the division, and must be resumed at that point on any future day.--2 _Hats._ 126.