THUS WE SEE
that upon resolutions, motions, references and all other matters that come before this House, although required to keep a journal, the yeas and nays were not entered thereon, together with the names of members, "unless two members demand it. We find by Section 18, Article 4, of our Constitution the following:
"Section 18. Every bill shall be read by sections on three several days in each House, unless, in case of emergency two-thirds of the House where such bill may be depending shall; by a vote of yeas and nays, deem it expedient to dispense with this rule; but the reading of the bill by sections, on its final passage, shall in no case be dispensed with, and the vote on the passage of every bill and joint resolution shall betaken by yeas and nays."
Neither this section nor the one first quoted requires the yeas and nays to be "entered" on the journal except demanded by two members. A vote on the passage of a bill by yeas and nays need not necessarily be placed upon the journal. There is nothing mandatory or directory requiring their entry upon the journal except at the "demand of two members," when they shall be so entered. It need not be done, so far as the Constitution is concerned, at all upon the passage of any bill or other matter. You may ask why. By the common law the presiding officer is presumed to know several things in connection with the business pertaining to the House over which he presides He is a sworn officer, and the law sup poses that every officer will do his duty. It is therefore presumed that he would allow no business transacted unless a quorum was present to act. It is presumed that he knows whether a resolution or motion has been adopted or rejected. It is also presumed that
