The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-27
REPORTERS OF CONGRESS.
HOW THEY RENDER IMMORTAL
THE SAYINGS OF STATESMEN.


Life Positions and Big Pay-Every
Long Tariff Debate Kills One of
Them-RepOrters of Debates and
Reporters of Ommittees-ShOrt
hand Writing For the Senate Civ
en- Out by Contract.
From the Hartford Times.
With the exception of twelve consular
clerks, the only life posi- lions in the civil
service of the government are held by the
reporters of the House and Senate. These
men get the same pay as members of con-
gress, and they earn 1t. There is no other
kind of stenographic ork that requires
so much skill and intelligence, and the
labor is so hard that, according to COM
mon saying, every long tariff debate kills
one of these experts. At the same time,
the places they occupy are of sufficient
honor and emolument to be regarded as
extremely desirable. and during about
half of the time-i. e., when congress is
not in session-they are not obliged to do
anything at all. From the fourth day of
next March to the following December,
unless there should be an extra session,
they VIII draw their salaries while enjoy
ine; the luxury of absolu &c idleness.
Five men attend to the stenographlc
blu siness on the floor of the House. They
get So 600 per annum each, and are called
OH cially reporters of Debates" Their
names are Brown, White, Deyine, Welch
ami Irland. Brown is the oldest in years
anil in length of servi ce, and he is con-
sidered, therefore. as the dean" of the
corps. However, this is a matter purely
honorary the reporters taking charge or
'pODV'
about. There used 10 be a chief stenog-
rapher named McE1hone, who had gen
eraI supervision of the work. He received
81, 900 per annum; but he died three years
ago. and the office and extra pay were
abolished.
Two large and well-lighted rooms in the
basement of lhe capitol are provided for
the exclusive use of the reporters of the
House. Each man has his own desk,
amanuenss, 2raphophone, and typeWrit-
er. He must pay the amanuensis out of
his salary, and is also Obliged to hire the
graphophone: but for the latter expense
he is reimbuI -sed. 1t is here that all the
work of prep airing the House copy for
the Congressi Onal Record is done After
a member has made speech on a subject
which he cons ders important, he drops in
and looks over the typewriter copy
which has been made from the shorthand
notes. He alters it as much as he likes
and sometimes. very materially, though
there is a sort of understanding to the
effect that he has no right to change the
sense. Abuses of this privilege gave rise
last session of congress-
Even a keen witted person in the House
gallery is puzzled to imagine how the re-
| porters on the floor keep track of all that
| is said. To follow a set speech may not
be difficult but it is quite a different mat
ter when in a lively debate members are
speaking from. different parts Of the
chamber, interrupting each other and
talking two or three at once. Now and
then there is a regular oratorical scrim-
mage, so that the effect to an unframed
observer is that of averitable Babel But
IN the business, as in anything else fa-
| cility is obtained by practice III Is rarely
that a word is missed by the Reporter
who does not sit at his table at such times
but travels about the floor, placing him
selI IN the very midst Of the disputants
and often standing at the elbow Of a
| speaker, note book and fountain pen I'm
| hand. Members are always willing 10 get
| vacant near by.
or course. the greatest activity ana
aleitness are required. The reporter
| learns 70 recognize members by their
| voices. In a tumult. If he fails TO iden
/ Try speaker, he credits the words IN
member; but this Is rare. At the OPEN
| ing OF new congress there is trouble In
! learning the names and faces of new mem
| pers OF whom there are likely to be hum
eie sIs r repressnay however freshly
| dicted 20 talking: they wait "A while IN
J silence TO get their bearings Meanwhile
ave rePor nl hn ny. out who. they are and
lAes them on the tablets OF his brain III
easy enough IN an emergency 10 mt
a own brlef description OF a man. sileh
as red Whiskers and bald head" and 10
lin ] out afterwards who ne al a. eeT
rap. d takers $50 words minute rs fast
for congressman. The record I'M me
preee n congress Is held By johnson ~
indian a, who speaks at the rafo Of 9ie
words minute. with the utmost cIearnees
of deliv Fry and enuncatlon. Berry Of
kenmch ana Mcclure OF California are
yerv faaf takers. az
Tw6 oil pc 1--WE reporters Of debates ara
always pre sent on the floor when ne
House rs IN session. One. OF them ls walt
tales 1000 w0a ds OF notes.-the knows inat
about how ma " pages OF hts notebook
thar much make and then holds up Ms
second man. whoN has been watching for
the signal, takes "a the thread INSTANTLY
ANA proceeds. Mean while the first man
where De- dictates his 900 words 10 ne
sfaDh0phQne. AficiSar, ~ DE- amonuenels