New-York tribune., 1910-09-24
PASS BILLS AT DAWN
COMMONS UP ALL NIGHT.
Night Sessions tn London WeGry
Afa;rs.

In normal times all opposed business In the
House of Commons stops at II o'clock. and Few
minutes later the light 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 TIL
ihe small and wan hours of the morning. The
House has 10 sit Up all night TO get on with
bin which the government declares is urgently
needed in the peoples interest. but which. the
opposition protest would bring stin closer the
downfall Of the nation
Once late sitting of the House begins it IS
rarely possible to tell how long it win last All
depends upon whether spirit of good VIII or ef
hostility is developed between the two SIDES by
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-
sition according as 1t is bitter or conciliatory,
brings about abrupt ending Of the proceedings
or arouses on each side grim determination to
fight to the bitter end
Discussion goes on increasingly through the
might. 1t is carried almost entirely by few
members Of the opposition who possess the ca
pacity of talkativeness. The minister in charge
of the bill sits on the treasury benches and inter-
venes as little as possible When he rises IT is to
say few words in rejection Of a new amend
ment proposed by the opposition to move the
closure A few of his colleagues lend him the
light Of their countenances through the night but
not The help OF their tongues. AS a rule, each
minister has to fight his own battles unaided,
save by the law officers when points of law In
dispute.
The number Of members IN the chamber
such occasion varies. Not all of them, how
ever, are following the discussion. Though the
proceedings are occasionally lfvely-every little
incident out of the way Or remark with the
saintest pretension to humor smartness be-
ing greeted with cheers and laughter-much Of
the talk is prosy and pointless as is natural in
hours when the mental and physical energies
are at the lowest ebb. Consequently, seyerai
members are unable to keep themselves awake.
and e1th heads hanging back over the benches
or sunk low their breasts fall into eeep
tlumber Shores, even, are then heard IN the
august House of Commons. Other members
lie at full length the benches within the
shadow of the side galleries. The sleep OF all
is however, only fitful When the House IS IN
committee on bill divisions are frequent; and
as amendment after amendment is proposed ana
the talk upon It quickly becomes exhausted the
sIumbering members are aroused to record their
votes The bulk of the members appear in the
chamber only when they are thus summoned by
the division bells.
They are filing up the long and weary hours
with such comfort and consolation as they can
find in the smoking and dining rooms, IN the
library or on the terrace. The walters are busy
all night serving suppers. The fayorite dish OF
our legislators to sustain them through the or
deal of an all night sitting is griiled marrow
bones with plenty Of pepper, and next in the
order of popularity come curries, 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. dur