New-York tribune., 1911-02-12

dom from the House rollcall that thrusts
itself up at the astonshed and sometimes
frightened candidate What would you do
with Mr.. Estopinal. Mr.. Legare, Mr. Lev
er. Mr. Pearre Mr.. Pujo," the first time
you saw their names, or even the second
or third time?
Before the new candidate is a third Of
the way through the rollcall he is con-
vinced that il is made up Of names that
he is pronouncing in a manner that their
owners would never recognize, and in many
cases he is right. The first advent of a
tyro into the rollcan of the House is thing
for him TO fear.
The two men who are supervising the
contest now under way for their posts, and
who AZ the end Of this session retire from
Offices which they have developed 10 the
highest point Of efficiency know what most
Of the candidates do not-that the places
demand a physical and mental alertness
and endurance exceeded by no posts In the
scheme Of legislative government.
A strong voice and deep lungs are not the
only REQUISITES 1t is not enough even that
these qualifications shall be backed up by
great endurance and a quality Of voice
that remains strong after long strain and
constant usage There must be added to
these the best of health and bodily "condi-
ton" The reading clerk must eat and
sleep well: must hardly know what sick
ness is. and must al all times be in con-
dition TO undergo long physical strain.
Added TO this. there is the demand for
keen attention 10 the proceedings Of the
House and general knowledge that covers
the whole field Of public business. The
ha Writ
House when it is in session. He does not
simply read what the Speaker or the House
directs him TO; he keeps the House In
formed as to what it should take up; has
the matter at hand. and directs both the
House and the Speaker in the procedure
that is in order.
II is from the reading clerks hands that
the completed bills go 10 the enrolling
clerks. and later TO the Senate or the Presi-
dent as completed laws. There is no
check" upon the reading clerk; he must
not only perform his reading duties, but
must note unfailingly in the legislation be-
fore him every amendment. every thing
that is stricken out and every change that
may be made in the bill.
Z. ]. Lampson and Dennis E. Award
have presided Jointly over the reading
clerks desk for fourteen years. Mr.. Lamp
son came there when the Republican House
was organized sixteen years ago. and Mr..
Award joined him two years later. after
two or three candidates had been tried out
in the session with Mr.. Lampson and had
failed 10 meet the demands OF the office.
In their joint service these two men. the
one from the Ohio Legislature and the
other from the Michigan Legislature. have
esta blished a remarkable record. Through
nlibusters innumerablc they have strained
their leather lungs and kept the House ma
chinery in motion. Both have never been
III at the same time or disabled for the
physical work at the desk. In his fourteen
years Of work Mr.. Award has never been
absent a day when the House was In ses-
sion. and never more than thirty minutes
away from the reading desk at any time.
THE rollcall is the hardest work Of the
reading clerk, when IL comes with regular
ity" says Mr.. Award. 1T is like the
stroke OF a blacksmith. hour after hour,
with a single set of muscles"
The ilibuster-that deliberate attempt 10
delay legislation-is always picturesque 10
the country at large. but II is torture 10
the men who have 10 call the roll and
carry out the hlibustering plans devised
by the party leaders. In the hlibuster leo
by John Sharp Williams two years ago, the