Convention puzzle

Puzzle

"Mr. Chairman," said the secretary, "the call for a standing vote showed the motion to be carried by a majority equal to one-third of the opposition, but as that result was due to a lack of chairs to permit eleven members from sitting down so as to record their votes in the negative, we wish to report that we find the minority has defeated the motion by a majority of one vote." Can you tell just how many votes were cast at this meeting?

Answer

References

• Loyd, Sam [1914]. in Loyd, Sam, Jr.: Sam Loyd's Cyclopedia of 5000 Puzzles Tricks and Conundrums (in English). New York: Lamb Publishing company, page 22.