The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-04-22
Committee Room IS.

Once he took copy of last years Han
sard down from a shelf; he wished t
contradict what he said then as little a
. possible.
There was a knock at the door.
messenger entered, handed letter TO tn
minister, and then prepared to withdraw
The envelope was pink and emitted
pleasant perfume. The first lord wa
about to call the messenger back and eros
examine him when the first Whit of hello
| trope made him hesitate. The beckoninl
gesture was discreetly turned into
thoughtful tapping of the forehead. Wher
the door was shut the leader Of the hous,
opened the missive. His hand shool
slightly. 1t was anonymous, and read a:
follows:
Walk along the committee-room CORR
dor, from east to west. during the dinner
interval"
The minister's first impulse was to throw
the note contemptuously into the waste
paper basket. But a sharp glance told
him that the handwriting was indisputably
feminine. He frowned. Then he smiled
and placing the scented missive in his
breast pocket went on with his work.
u wonder what's up" muttered the
messenger to himself. as he retraced his
steps to the lobby. That's the third of
them billy docs I've delivered to the trea-
sury bench today. And there's more of
! EN- about. If I'm not mistaken"
| An important debate on imperial policy
was imminent. The opposition contem-
plated drawing a definite statement of
the governments intentions from the re-
sponsible ministers of the crown Later
on there would be a division, and an ur-
gent whip had been issued to secure a
full attendance. But members required no
such reminder. 1t was the beginning of
the session, and the prospect OF any ex-
element was sufficient to draw the entire
ministerial support.
A little disappointment was felt on ac-
count of the prospective absence of the ma
tionalist members during the greater por-
ton Of the debate, for a general meeting
Of the Irish party was to take place at
$3.50 in committee room Is But the lib
erals had mustered in full force, and it
was generally felt that the encounter
would prove lively one in spite of sub
sequent empty benches.
The attack was led by the leader of the
opposition at O'Clock. It was q master
piece of logic, and there was a universal
feeling among the rank and file of the
supporters of the government that only
one of the ablest debaters on the treasury
effective answer. The speech had lasted
for an hour, and the house was adjourned
until $3.50 for dinner.
After the interval members hurried back
to take their seats All eyes were fixed
expectantly on the front bench A cou-
pie or so under secretaries to the treasury
and admiralty, and several Scotch and
Irish officials were in their places. But no
member Of the cabinet had taken his seat
There was an awkward pause. 1t was
imperative that somebody should be put
up to speak. One of the junior lords hur-
ried off to find the leader of the house.
The financial secretary arose amid de-
risive opposition cheers
1t was impossible for him to ATTEMPT a
proper defense of the government policy.
The task must be left for the f1rstlord,
who had undertaken to reply. The tao
tics of the unhappy secretary were to act
as stop-gag and gain time until his chiefs
return. Ten, twenty minutes passed in
this way. The minister's circumlocution
created great diversion on the opposite
side of the house. But in half an hour he
had exhausted himself. He sat down. and
was followed by one of the skilled bores
to whom he had sent a whispered mes
sage. In this manner the debate dragged
on. Messenger after messenger was vain
ly dispatched in search of the leaders. Not
a trace of them could be discovered None
Of them had dined in the refreshment
room of the house. AS hour after hour
passed and the responsible ministers fail
ed to put in an appearance, the supporters
Of the government began to murmur.
Their position was becoming supremely ri |
1culous.
BY II o'clock the debate collapsed. A |
division was challenged The speaker. |
rising in thechair, put the question His |
;all to Order was followed by the in |
5erting of the sand-glasS The division |
BELLS rang.
They were scarcely audible in the COM
nittee room corridor, so great was the |
lproar that proceeded from No Is A
waiter, recently appointed, passing down
hepassage shortly after $50, and asked
he constable on duty in the immediate
Ticinity what the matter was.
The constable laughed.
It's only meetin' Of the Hirish par
y" he remarked.
The waiter stared.
well, it's your business, not mine" he
aid; but l should ha' said there was a
murder goin' on in there
The row continued without intermission
Until midnight. Even the policeman ac-
afterward that he had
bought once or twice they was a bit
oisier than usual"
But the ringing of the division bell WAS
he signal for the most unearthly tumult.
he constable expected every moment to
ee what was left of the Irishmen rush
ut in order to take part in the division. /,
But the door remained shut. Only the
ound Of form being used as a batter
1g ram gave him an indication that some
hing was wrong. He ran TO the door
nd tried to open It 1t was locked. He
apped violently against the panels. and
houted Division Above the din rose
he cry distinctly and learly. LET US OUT"
Bless my soul. however did you get
'cked in?" muttered the constable. He
houted and waved to his colleague at the :
cad Of theweStern staircase. The man
urried to the spoht.
Whats wrong?" he asked.
They can't set out" was the reply. |
Put your shoulder TO it, mate"
They burst open the door.
The first lord of the treasury, his face
roaming with perspiration, holding a !
roken chair leg in his clenched hand. :
ished out and disappeared in the direc-
on of the house. He was followed by
everal colleagues. all OF whom bore sim d
ar traces OF exertion.
But they were too late to vote The :
oors overlooked and when the figures
ere read out a few minutes later the
ovrenment was announced to be in the
inority. Many OF the ministerialists @
Sgusted with the conduct OF their leaders {
absenting themselves at & critical time, 5
10 voted against their party. .
Nothing was ever said about the pink .
AlGtS or committee X Tsts - !
Ia Irish members wore perpetual smiles q