Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-18
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Tho Pay OF steno rra pliers,

The proposed action of the Legislature In
regard to court stenOgraphers Is short sighted
economy. Comparatively few who commence
the study OF short hand succeed in gaining a
practical knowledge of the art. In order to
practice it successfully in court the reporter
must possess quick hands. a retentivc mem
DRY, an active mind, and have a general
knowledge of law and the trial of causes.
Stenographers do not have constant employ
mcnt and only receive pay when courts are in
session. Courts can do nearly twice as much
work with them as without them. bill is
now before the Legislature to reduce the per
diem to So. What an inducemcnt for one to
learn short hand?-f Portland Press.
1t is feared that the proposed reduction of
the pay of stenographers TO So per day would
virtually drive these useful appcndages from
the courts. The expense of running a court
is large, and anything that tends to lessen that
should be encouraged. The employment of
stenographer shortensa term at least one-third.
Shorthand is exceedingly difficult to learn.
Most every place contains those who have taken
il up AS a study, but who have dropped it as
something impossible for them to acquire
practical knowledge Of After mastering the
forms used long practice is necessary in or
der to become SO familiar with them that
they will be at the pens end as rapidly as
needed. Then, in order to be successful
court reporter, general knowledge of law
and court proceeding is essential. Taking
all these matters into consideration and the
fact that strenographers are under pay only
when court is in session and not every day in
the year we think that the present allowance
is none too much. - Portland ArQus.
Among the items of retrenchment reported by the
committee on civil service reform at Augusta is one
TO reduce the pay of court stcnographers from the
present price Of o. per day when actually employed
in court, TO g.
To one unacquainted with the matter, this may
appear reasonable, but II seems TO unjus and
wise. II requires years Of study and practice
quire the profession, and this is arduous that not
more than in twenty five of those wso begin the
study ever become verbatim reporters.
The sienogrnphers have work in court but little
over onethird OF the time, on an average and this,
together with the time required to make the tran
scripts ordered by the parties does not give them
plOyment more than half the wear. and yet a less
number of reporters cannot do the work there
employed in court they are usually away from home.
at extra expense for board. II l. best to pay suiii
cient compensation to command competent reporters,
too large interests are involved in our courts to
allow Of this work being done by inexperienced and
incompetent persons.
The force of these reasons are appreciated in other
states where reporters employed and they all
far as We have learned, pay $40 day more except
Iowa, which pays IS The fees for transcripts In
these States (which, rs In ours, paid by the par
ties ordering them, al least equal 10 those al
lowed In the state, and in some cases double
II we were paving reporters such prices a. these,
perhaps a reduction would not he unreasonable but
this state in order TO get living compensation
IylriSfDu Journal