Richard Seddon asleep during committee

Premier Richard Seddon sleeps at the Table of the House while the Old-age Pensions Bill is in Committee of the Whole House on the night of 23 September 1898. A major stonewall occurred around this legislation. Seddon had introduced the bill on 21 September 1898, and it was debated continuously in committee for 90 hours. More than 1400 speeches were delivered. Seddon slumbered during parts of the debates, spreading an opossum-skin rug over his lap and resting his head on a crimson cushion.