A manual of parliamentary practice, composed originally for the use of the Senate of the United States. By Thomas Jefferson. With references to the practice and rules of the House of representatives. The whole brought down to the practice of the present time; to which are added the rules and orders, together with the joint rules of both houses of Congress. And accompanied with copious indices.

86 BILLS, THIRD READING.
121, 122, 124, 126. Every one is at liberty to bring
in a rider without asking leave.-10 Grey, 52.
It is laid down as a general rule, that amendments
proposed at the second reading shall be 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 with 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.-Hlakew. 159.