The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-09-15
UP ALL NIGHT WITH
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

In normal times all opposed business
In the House of Commons stops at II
o'clock; ana q few minutes later the
light on the clock tower. which tells
London that the representatives of the
people are at work, Is extinguished.
But there are occasions every session
when members are unable to get away
from Westminster till the small and
wan hours OF the morning. The house
has to sit up all aight to get on with
q bill which the government declares
Is urgently needed In the peoples IN
terest but which the opposition pro-
test would bring still closer the down.
fall Of the nation, says Tit-Blts.
Talking All Night.
Once n late sitting OF the House be-
gins 1t is rarely possible to tell how
long 1t will last. All depends upon
whether a spirit of good will or hos
tiity In developed between the two
sides bv the progress Of events. The
outcome Is always uncertain. Often
word dropped by the minister In charge
of the bill or the leader Of the oppo-
sftion, according an 1t 10 bitter or con-
ciliatory. brings about an abrupt end
ing of the proceedings or arouses on
each side q grim determination 10
fight to the bitter end.
through the night. 1t Is carried on
almost entirely by few members OF
the opposition who possess the capac-
itv OF taIkativeness. The minister IN
charge of the bill sits on the treasury
bench and intervenes as little as pos
sible. When he rises 1t Is to say
few words in rejection OF new
amendment proposed by the opposition
or to move the closure. A few OF his
cnlies CUES lend him the light of their
cnuntenances through the night, but
NOT the help of their tongues. AS
rule. each minister has to fight his
own battles unaided. save by the law
officers when points of law are in dis
pute
The number of members in the
chamber on such occasions varies. Not
all of them, however. are following
the discussion Though the proceed
ings are occasionally lively-every lit
tie incident out OF the way. or remark
with the faintest pretension to humor
or smartness, being greeted with
cheers and laughter-much of the talk
IL prosy and pointless. as is natural IN
hours when the mental and physical
energies are at their lowest ebb. Con
saauently. several members are unable
to keep themselves awake. and with
heads hanging back over the benches
or sunk low on their breasts. fall in
to deep slumber. Shores, even, are
then heard in the august House Of
Commons. other members lie at full
length on the benches within the
shadow of the side galleries. The
sleep OF all Is, however. but fitfu1
When the House is in committee on q
bill divisions are frequent; and as
amendment after amendment is pro-
posed and the talk upon 1t quickly be.
comes exhausted. the slumbering mem.
hers are aroused to record their votes.
The bulk of the members appear ir
the chamber only when they are thus
summoned by the division bells.
They are filling up the long and
weary hours with such comfort and
consolation as they can find In the
smoking and dining-rooms in the IL
brary or on the terrace. The walters
are busy all night serving suppers, The
favorite dish of our legislators to
sustain them through the ordeal of
an alI-niRht sitting is grilled marrow
bones with plenty of pepper, and next
in the order OF popularity come cur
ries scrambled eggs and grilled chops
and steaks. Special provision is made
In larder and kitchen for these late
hours of the House. But few years
ago. during an unexpected all-night
sitting. the supplies were soon ex-