The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-08
NEWSPAPER MEN AND THEIR WAYS

lspocia, Correspondence

PHILADELPHIA, July Bl.-Whcn q lot OF
Journalists yet together md exchange cx-
perisnces, they unconsciously eay things
that deserve TO "a into print and be per-
poti1ated. Such was the case Il night or
two ago, when a dozen or more of tho craft
met and enjoyed over their ''cakcs and alc'
an informal symposium. While speaking
of curious occurrences In the profession
one of the gentlemen present, n veteran
congressional reporter, was reminded of tho
following incidents:
During ths debate in 1853 on the nd
mission Of Kansas" he said, 1--WE were
nearly worn out. The sessions OF the house
OF representatives frequently lasted until
daylight, and the excitement was intense.
At that time the turns were 20 minutes
Or Il half hour long, and there being no
~alnanuenses, as at present, double duty de-
volycd on the reporter. l remember that
Charlie Collar was ut the desk, and, like
the rest Of us, thoroughly worn out by "a
hours of continuous labor.
"As the time approached for him to stop,
McElhone, another member OF the official
staff, slipped into the seat by his side for
the purpose Of following him. A conven-
lent pause occurring, he nudged Charlie
In the usual way, but Collar kept right on
and probably wrote five minutes before
Mac got n chance to speak to him. Then
Collar stopped with a dazed sort of express
sion, shook himself and looked around. He
had been fast asleep, yet had mechanically
taken notes of some of the most rapid talk
ers in the house. Fancy writing 200 words
q minute in that condition.
when he began transcribing, every word
was there, although he remembered moth
ing about it, and the only question he had
to ask was concerning the point where he
should have stopped work. Ears, eyes and
fingers had been alive, but the brain was
as dead as a doornail. 1t was IN uncon-
scious exercise OF purely automatic skill"
Photography, blythe way, with it's "hooks
and trammels," plays queer pranks when
the writer Is not intelligent and depends
more upon the shape Of signs than their
sense. Here, for instance, are a few exam
Piles Of sentences in which the photographic
outlines are the anne, yet a occasioned
the most ludicrous mistakes:
"They live together and ache like other
mortals." instead Of "they love to go and
come like other mortals." HE laughs,
copying we'll his empty screed." for the
lives, keeping we'll his mighty secret"
"She moves and gads and she lacks a conn.,
for "she moves q goddess and she looks a
queen" "E'en in her shoes live other
wounded f%uries," for 'e'en in our ashes live
their wonted fires"
During my experience in the United
States senate LII the days Of Cass, Calhoun,
Clay, Webster and other famous states
men," said the Nestor Of our party. II my.
self made a mistake quite as ridiculous as
any one Of those quoted. Thomas II. Ben
ton had made a long and elaborate speech,
and as was the custom of the time it was
submitted to him for revision before send.
ing the copy to the government printer.
"In the curse of his remark Mr.. Benton
made use of the phrase, You might as well
attempt to sing a maniac to sleep with q
lullaby etc. The next afternoon soon after
the opening of the senate Benton came to
my desk with a half angry, half amused
expression on his face, and extending the
manuscript said, Young man, did you
write that2' I did, Mr.. Benton. What's
wrongp' Look at it, sir and he pointed
to the line, You might as we'll attempt tc
sing a monkey to sleep with a hullaboo.
THAT'S idiotic. sir! That's Internal non.
sense! Humph! I never said anything OF
the kindl You must be a fool, sirl
"Well, I felt like one, for when / turnedt c
my shorthand notes I found that in the
haste Of transcribing them at 8 ora in the
morning ! had used the wrong words fol
similar outlines. When l explained to the
old gentleman that in photography mink
stood for monkey as we'll as maniac and
that lib without the vowels was very sug-
gestive of hullaboo, he laughed good ma.
turedly and went to his seat"
ROBERT GORDON.