The Republican journal., 1913-01-23
WILLIAM r. ROlX.
Clerk of TIE Maine House. A Popular Off
cial with Voice
Especial to the Portland Press


AUGUSTA, Jan. II, On the morning Of
islature formally began its sessions, a
House of Representatives
A man spoke who could be heard in
every part of the big hall Not only
could be heard, bus he could be under
stood.
His voice, powerful and clear, and yet
SO easily handled that it seemed as il it
must have been trained for the occasion,
made sleepy legislators sit up and won
der if Gabriel's horn had been sounded
The voice was that of William R. Roix
o + Ashland He had just taken his office
as new clerk of the House. Since that
first day he has been known as the man
with a voice. Never before has there
been a clerk with such vocal pow ers
never before have such stentorian tones
reverberated through the remode lied
rooms of the Stare House. 1t is not
stretching it much to say that Roix
standing on the cupola OF the State
House might be heard all over Augusta,
even if there are hills here. 1t is good
to hear man who can speak the way
RoiX can.
The great beauty of his voice comes
from the fact that he never has to exert
himself He never tests the capacity of
his vocal organs. He has been warned
not to by Andrew McFadden, the SUPER
intendent of the building, for even re-
modelled State House might not be equal
to the strain.
William r. ROiX, so far as known,
was never town crier. for they seem to
have passed out. But he could be any
time he wanted to and make good money
a. it.
He was born in Bangor 80 years ago
and attended the University of Maine
Law school, from which he graduated in
1906 with honors. He practiced law and
in 1909 was assistant clerk of the House
of Representatives. He made good with
crash and this year he came back to be-
come candidate for clerk. This time he
made good with a voice. Mr.. Roix is
married and has two beautiful daughters
whom he regards as about the best ever,
and he is not to be blamed for 1t.
Since he has taken Office, Mr. Roix has
come 10 be regarded as one of the most
capable clerks the House has ever had
One thing is certain; no member can 60
to sleep while he is talking. But if his
voice is big, his other qualifications for
the position of clerk seem to be COM
mensurate with his vocal attachments.
He is a decidedly handy man to have
around. Sometimes, John A. Peters,
the Speaker of the House, does not wish
to read whole bill, so he turns it over
to Mr.. Roix. 1t is then read so that
every person in the House knows just
what the measure provides.
Of course, Mr.. Roix made big ac-
quaintance when he was here four years
ago. He has widened his circle of friends
so that everyone in and about the State
House knows him. He has an unfailing
good nature that is as much in evidence
as his voice. If display of labial, lin
quail and gutteral pyrotechnics on his
part is brilliant, it is as nothing COM
pared with his sunny smile. When the
corners Of his mouth turn up and his
eyes twinkle, good humor is infectious
and glooms take to the tall and uncut
frs in front of the State House. He can
dispeI crouch just as easily as he can
read the roll, and that is going some
around the State House these days.