 In describing the Conclave's reaction to the Maternite emergency, the author is making a comparison to:
It was a day soft and clear; a day accepted by the young, cherished by we old. "Sias," they were saying, "the Maternite's gone." Everything has evaporated in Maternite. In moments of emergency, it is wise to speak with caution. They were aware that they stood in the midst of an unprecedented happening; indeed, an emergency. Indeed, the watcher is more a tradition than a necessity. I hastened to the City Hall and found the Conclave assembled, waiting for me to bring them to order. At such a time, many men feel impelled to make speeches, and one must not be disrespectful. Prayers and supplications were offered to the gods, priests were sent to sacrifice, and finally, as the light of the sun was falling between the pillars, the High Priest of the Maternite Machine was heard. He rambled through the customary opening remarks and then, continually smoothing his white beard—of which he is excessively proud—approached the crux of the matter and the Conclave finally heard the facts it had assembled to hear. By this time, unfortunately, many of the Conclave had departed for home and supper. The machines bear the exact number of children each year to balance the number of us whom the gods claim. "But now," he continued, however, with less assurance and indeed with even a stutter here and there, "an unprecedented situation has arisen. It is at such times that I most revere the wisdom of the ancients, who decreed seventy years the minimum age for a member of the Conclave. Such heresy could have brought a sad end to the priest had not the Conclave been so exhausted by the events of the day. Rocsates leaned forward and asked, "Must there not—must there not have been a beginning to Prelife? "I know well the legend of the animals, but what does it have to do—" The heads of the Conclave were turning to me, quizzically. Rocsates' voice made itself heard. "If it be so," I said, quieting the hub-bub that followed, "and I would not doubt your word, Rocsates, for all know you are the wisest of men—if it were so, then, what of it?" "May it not be," Rocsates put in, "that these animals had no machines to reproduce their kind? And indeed, if they had Maternite Machines, why then we would yet have these animals among us."
 how modern leaders revert to ceremony and argument instead of problem-solving
 how authoritarian governments, though less humane, are often more effective in executing policies  how modern leaders revert to ceremony and argument instead of problem-solving  how the filibuster prevents governments from making real progress for its people  how young members and elder members of governments typically reach an impasse