Weekly Trinity journal. [volume] (Weaverville, Calif.) 1857-1972, 1875-06-19
A GENTLEMAN FROM BEDFORD.

The following from a book just pub
lished, entitled "Secrets of the Sanctum"
suggests the idea that the author must
have recently reported the proceedings Of
the Pennsylvania Legislature:
1t once became my province to report
the proceedings of the "most numerous
branch" of a certain State Legislature in
which, while it embraced Il number of
able men, the rural element was largely
represented. The Speaker, himself, Sc
lected on account of his influence, was
leading politician in small city, and, |
believe, II courteous gentleman as regard-
ed his private life but he was not fin
ishod parliamentarian, unaccustomed to
positions Of mark, and failed to preside
over the deliberations of 1.-THE House"
with the calm demeanor, the stately ease
and grace | have seen exhibited by the
presiding officers of some legislative bod
les. Some men seem born to preside
over asSemblageS but this Mr.. Speaker
was not one of them. He was not calm
he was not serene he was not selt-posess.
ed and he made many-l have to say it
-bunders which, however amusing in II
general way, were very annoying to "us
reporters" whose duty it was to faithfully
report the proceedings. For example:
A gentleman arises to address the chair,
He is Mr.. Miller, the member from Bed
ford. He says:
Mr.. Speaker"
1t is now the duty of the Speaker to
recognize" him in this term;
"The gentleman from Bedford, Mr..
Miller"
Let him do this correctly and distinctly
and the reporter will proceed to write:
"Mr. Miller of Bedford said that"
But our Speaker owing to his ineXperi-
ence, bashluness, and general unhtness
for his position, finds it difficult to articu-
late the words either plainly or connect.
eddy. He sputters out:
"The gentleman from Miller, Mr.
Bedford"
The reporter does not know Mr.. Miller
and, following the confused and errlng
Speaker, proceeds to put him down ms
"Mr. Bedford" which is merely the name
of the town he lives in-without the Mr..
A slight smile floats over portion OF
the body at the Speakers mistake and he
becoming more confused and frightiully
red in the face, stammers
"The-the Mr.-the gentleman from
Bedford. Mr.. Milford"
The smile extends like contagion the
reporter does not know what TO write, OF
whether to write anything Mt all or not,
and tho Speaker, whose confusion and
modification now amount to torture, tries
il again with this result:
"The gentleman from Milford, Mr..
Beller."
The smile Of tho amused members who
see the Speakers blunder, and Of others,
who did not ut first notice it, now mergos
into an "audible grim" and the Speaker,
wishing that the earth would open and
swallow him up, makes more desperate
essay to announce the name OF the waiting
member and in trembling and barely in.
tclligible tones utters:
The-nh-I would say the gentleman
from Meliold- 1.-The gentleman from JillOrC
the Mr.. from Beddleiord- Middle
ford-the bentle-the Beddle-tho middle
the meddle-the-"
BY this time the House is in an uproaI
and bursts of laughter, with no further
effort to control them, roll out as they dc
in the audience Of n minstrel show wher
the comic part is at its height; the clerI
gets up and whispers to the Speaker wh'
finally manages to recognize the membe
from Bedford butthe reporter must hav
remained very attentive during the con
fusion, if he has succeeded in correct,
understanding and recording the name o
"Mr. Miller of Bedford" If he has no
done so, he mas no time to ask the clerk
near whom he sits, (but will try TO thnl
OF it before he sends his manuscript 10 th'
office for he must proceed rs the confusion
subsidies, to take down every word uttere'
by "the gentleman from Bedford, MI
Miller"