The new hand offered to withdraw his suggestion re the Three Loggerheads in favour of the Semi-drunks proposition, but the latter said it didn't matter; it could go as it was.
As it was getting rather late, several men went home, and cries of `Put the question' began to be heard on all sides; the chairman accordingly was proceeding to put Harlow's proposition when the new hand interrupted him by pointing out that it was his duty as chairman to put the amendments first.This produced another long discussion, in the course of which a very tall, thin man who had a harsh, metallic voice gave a long rambling lecture about the rules of order and the conduct of public meetings.He spoke very slowly and deliberately, using very long words and dealing with the subject in an exhaustive manner.A resolution was a resolution, and an amendment was an amendment; then there was what was called an amendment to an amendment; the procedure of the House of Commons differed very materially from that of the House of Lords - and so on.
This man kept on talking for about ten minutes, and might have continued for ten hours if he had not been rudely interrupted by Harlow, who said that it seemed to him that they were likely to stay there all night if they went on like they were going.He wanted his tea, and he would also like to get a few hours' sleep before having to resume work in the morning.He was getting about sick of all this talk.(Hear, hear.) In order to get on with the business, he would withdraw his resolution if the others would withdraw their amendments.
If they would agree to do this, he would then propose another resolution which - if carried - would meet all the requirements of the case.(Applause.)The man with the metallic voice observed that it was not necessary to ask the consent of those who had moved amendments: if the original proposition was withdrawed, all the amendments fell to the ground.
`Last year,' observed Crass, `when we was goin' out of the room after we'd finished our dinner at the Queen Elizabeth, the landlord pointed to the table and said, "There's enough left over for you all to 'ave another lot."' (Cheers.)Harlow said that he would move that it be held on the last Saturday in August; that it be for half a day, starting at one o'clock so that they could work up till twelve, which would mean that they would only have to lose one hour's pay: that they go to the same place as last year - the Queen Elizabeth.(Hear, hear.) That the same committee that acted last year - Crass and Bundy - be appointed to make all the arrangements and collect the subscriptions.(Applause.)The tall man observed that this was what was called a compound resolution, and was proceeding to explain further when the chairman exclaimed that it did not matter a dam' what it was called - would anyone second it? The Semi-drunk said that he would - in order to get on with the business.
Bundy moved, and Sawkins seconded, as an amendment, that it should be a whole day.
The new hand moved to substitute the Loggerheads for the Queen Elizabeth.
Easton proposed to substitute Madame Tussaud's Waxworks for the Queen Elizabeth.He said he moved this just to test the feeling of the meeting.
Harlow pointed out that it would cost at least a pound a head to defray the expenses of such a trip.The railway fares, tram fares in London, meals - for it would be necessary to have a whole day - and other incidental expenses; to say nothing of the loss of wages.It would not be possible for any of them to save the necessary amount during the next four months.(Hear, hear.)Philpot repeated his warning as to the danger of visiting Madame Tussaud's.He was certain that if she once got them in there she would never let them out again.He had no desire to pass the rest of his life as an image in a museum.
One of the new hands - a man with a red tie - said that they would look well, after having been soaked for a month or two in petrifying liquid, chained up in the Chamber of Horrors with labels round their necks - `Specimens of Liberal and Conservative upholders of the Capitalist System, 20 century'.
Crass protested against the introduction of politics into that meeting.(Hear, hear.) The remarks of the last speakers were most uncalled-for.
Easton said that he would withdraw his amendment.
Acting under the directions of the man with the metallic voice, the chairman now proceeded to put the amendment to the vote.Bundy's proposal that it should be a whole day was defeated, only himself, Sawkins and the Semi-drunk being in favour.The motion to substitute the Loggerheads for the Queen Elizabeth was also defeated, and the compound resolution proposed by Harlow was then carried nem.con.
Philpot now proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman for the very able manner in which he had conducted the meeting.When this had been unanimously agreed to, the Semi-drunk moved a similar tribute of gratitude to Crass for his services to the cause and the meeting dispersed.
