The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-10

Inc 4IIe OF i court reporter for daily
newspaper is not as dreary- and irk-
some as may be supposed. or course,
there is the daily routine. but then there
are instances both amusing and inter
esting which frequently interrupt and
enliven the days work. Under these
circumstances 1t can readily be seen
that the daily life of the court reporter
is not all work and no play. This is
true Of the reporters life everywhere,
SO it may be accepted as true of his life
at the City Hall. the. home of the Su-
preme Court and the Court of Appeals
for the District
The hardest part of the reporters
work belongs to the fall term, when
begins in October. From then until the
middle Of the spring term all is hustle
and hustle about the courthouse. In
this period nearly all the practitioners at
the District bar. and also many at
torneys from neighboring States are
seen pleading in the District courts. The
District bar numbers among its mem
bers some Of the most prominent plead
ers in the country.
The Big Four.
Among local practitioners is a quartet
known to courthouse reporters as the
big four" So 1t is that when any one OF
the "big four" is to appear as counsel in
any cause the court reporters are snre
TO be a part of the audience. When 1t
happens that two or more of the big
four are pitted~ against each other,
which is frequently the case, the court
house reporter loses no chance to be on
hand, for there are sure to be many
interesting tits and much brilliant
sparring between these legal lights.
There IS another class OF practitioners
who also have the court reporters fer
an audience when it is known that some
one or more OF them are to appear as
counsel IN behalf of some unfor tunate
client Often the efforts OF one of these
In behalf Of his client afford great
amusement to the court, the jury, and
his auditors. 1t is these occasions
worth living. They afford him pleasure
and rest. and make break in the mo-
notony OF the routine work. which IS
nealthiul as we'll as reStful.
"Sent Jenny Hill"
An incident is recalled which happen.
ed soon after the close OF the Spanish
American war which caused much
amusement to persons gathered in Grim,
inal Court No. 2. A negro who had
served as a volunteer in the Union army
was called to trial on a charge of lar
ceny. The volunteer was dressed ia the
uniform of an American soldier. He had
served, it is said. in the campaign In
Cuba, and participated in the San Juan
Hill fight. The volunteer was defended
by a negro lawyer. The evidence
against him was clear and direct, and
the volunteer was promptly found guilty
1t was then that the fun commenced.
The soldiers counsel appealed to the
court for clemency for his client He
said: Your honor. I appeal to you for
mercy for this American soldier. He is
an honest, true, brave man. He Of
fered his life IN defense of his coun-
try. and the honor and the liberty of
the poor Cubians.' He went to Cuba
and when Mr.. Roosevelt led the Rough
Riders up Sent Jenny Hill this man
(pointing to his CLIENT was in the front
ranks. He had as much to do with the
victory as anyone else. He helped TO
capture Sent Jenny Hill. and. your
honor. ask that this American soldier
who so nobly wore the blue on Sent