What does the end of this French sentence mean?

"d�put�" is translated "deputy" (not in the sense of deputy sheriff, as in america, but a member of the lower house of the french parliament). l'h�tel de lay is the residence of the speaker of that house (officially, the president of the national embly). au perchoir 'on the perch' is used when referring to being a member of a body like the parliament. i am not sure, but i am guessing that vider la cave means drinking up the wine cellar.