The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-16
COMMITTEE ROOM IS


The frst lord of the treasury sat In his
private room In the house Of commons.
He was making notes for speech. Every
now and then he referred to blue book.
Once he took copy Of last years Han
sard down from a shelf; he wished to
contradict what he said then as little as
possible.
There was knock at the door. A mes
eeneer entered, handed letter to the
minister and then prepared to withdraw.
The envelope was pink and emitted
pleasant perfume. The first lord was
about to call the messenger back and
cross-examine him when the first whin
Of heliotrope made him hesitate. The
reckoning gesture was dlscreetly turned
into thoughtful tapping of the fore
head. When the door was shut the leader
of the opened the missive. His hand
shook slightly. 1t was anonymous and
read as follows:
walk along the committee room cor
ridor from east to west during the dinner
interval"
The minister's first impulse was TO
throw the note CONTEMPORARY into the
waste paper basket. But sharp glance
told him that the handwriting was indis-
putably feminine. He frowned. Then he
smiled, and placing the scented missive
in his breast pocket, went on with his
work.
II 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
treasury bench today. And there's more
Of 'em about, if I'm not mistaken"
An important debate on imperial policy
was imminent. The opposition contem-
plated drawing definite statement Of
the governments intentions from the re-
sponsible ministers Of the crown. Later
there would be division, and an urgent
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 suff1cientto draw the entire
ministerial support.
A little disappointment was felt on &C.
count Of the prospective absence of the
Nationalist members during greater
portion Of the, debate. for, general meet
ing Of the Irish party was to take place
at $3.50 in committee room Is. But the
Liberals 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 lead by the leader of
the opposition at Z o'clock. 1t was mas
terful piece of logic, and there was uni
versal feeling among the rank and file
OF the supporters Of the government that
only one OF the ablest debaters Of the
treasury bench would be capable Of maxi
ing an effective answer. The speech had
lasted for an hour, and the house ad-
journed until $3.50 for dinner.
After the interval members hurried
back to take their seats. All eyes were
fixed expectantly upon the front bench.
A couple or so Of under-secretaries, the
Junior lords, the secretaries Of the treas
ury and admiralty and several Scotch
and Irish officials were in their places.
But no member of the cabinet had taken
bis seat. There was an awkward pause.
It was imperative that somebody should
be put UP to speak. One of the Junior
lords hurried of to find the leader of the
house. The financial secretary arose amid
derisive opposition cheers.
It wa impossible for him to attempt a
proper defense of the government policy
The task must be left to the first lord
who had undertaken to reply. The tao
tics Of the unhappy secretary were to act
= stop zap 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 whispered mes
sage. In this manner the debate dragged
on. Messenger after messenger was
vainlv dispatched in search of the lead
ers. No trace of them could be discov-
cred, None of them had dined in the re-
freshment rooms Of the. house. As hour
after hour passed and the responsible
ministers failed to put in an appearance,
the supporters of the government began
TO murmur. Their position was becom-
ing supremacy ridiculous.
Nv ~ o'clock the debate collapsed. A
division was challenged. The speaker.
rising in the chair, put the question. His
call to "order" was followed by the in
vertinr Of the sand glass. The division
bells rang.
ME, ,yore scarce,v audibla in the. conn.,
It,. roo,,, corr;dor On great was the m
roor hat nroceeded from No. liz. A wait
or recentIxs appointed. passing down the
massage shortly before $3.50 had asked the
constable on duty in the immediate vlcin-
itv what the matter was.
The constable laughed.
"It's honly a meetin' of the Hirish par
~ 3" he repiied.
I The waiter stared.