Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-07-11

l.
In the State and one of the most accu-
rate and prominent, 1T might be added,
Is Colonel Henry c. Demming, of this
city.
During the sessions of the state Court
Stenographers Association here during
naHer TINS week G&olonei Col Demmlng read a
cases. In his time the Colonel has taken
sstenographic s reports Of fifty five mur-
most men of the difficulties encounter
| ed in this end of the work.
colonel Demming in 1884 was presi-
dent of the Worlds Congress of YER
ronto. In 1885 this orL anization was
convened in Harrisburg. Colonel Dem
here this week is as follows:
THE reporter of a homicide case is
always subjected to unusual strain, and
especially so If serving in an official
capacity. In the first place the prisoner
is battling for his very life. Then the
counsel Tor the Commonwealth, as we'll
as Tor the defense, are wrought up to
the highest pitch of mental activity.
after delving into every feature of the
case; and have committed to memory
ready for instant action the main points
OF the case, even to the impanelfng of
the jury. The near relatives of the de-
ceased, as we'll as of the prisoner at
tators, and frequently also as witnesses.
The trial judge sits with unwonted
SERIOUSNESS, and all the other officials
with the importance of the occasion.
To all this we have the crowded court
room, often to near suffocation, and
| every hour an extra quantity of foul
| atm osphere, to be partly eliminated by
| a. Few lowered windows during the ses-
slons, and almost entirely cleared out
by every door and window being thrown
open as soon as court adjourns. And
| here is where Immortality begins with
many an expert brother reporter; for,
II any one is wrought up to the high
est degree of perspiration at such ses-
sions 1t is the verbatim note taker.
Generally, he cannot leave on the in
slant, and before the trial is over the
seeds of disease have been firmly sown,
and in too many instances he becomes a
martyr to the profession.
tended to be simply preliminary. The
heavier task comes later on. A juror
Is called, and he is sworn to make true
answers. Then questions by Common
wealth's attorney. and answers by the
juror and in the midst thereof the in
terrogatory, Have you conscientious
ishment" The Conscientious scruples'
part is a poser. and the mumbled
answer, equally so. Lawyers do not
catch the reply, and the trial judge is
uncertain, and there is a general cram
ing of necks of the audience. There
upon the Court: The Stenographer will
here comes in the first crucial test OF
the reporter. He reads or pretends to
read. what the answer was. Almost in
variably this is satisfactory; first, be-
cause nobody really heard all the
words of the jury; and, secondly, be-
cause the juror Is either too frightened
or too lacking in versatility to make il
different Thus the first snag is passed
| over.
! The Battle Goes On
Juror after juror is called, until
eled. Some times so many weak Oh
shady reasons are given that pane
CURED number are in the jury box. One
instance is recalled nearly two years
ago. where nearly 400 men were ques-
toned before the requisite dozen sat
"As rule the direct evidence for the
Commonwealth is submitted with more
examination by the defending atttor.
ney. This has no reference to the
squabbles that will occasionally occur
between contending counsel both in di
anathemas of one or the other; or thu
J contentious that the witness said 81
hnd So and did SHn not say Ss this bsrS or
may lean over the judicial desk am
! say Mr.. Reporter, in order to settl
the question. please read & exactly nIs, wha
turning of leaves, and an awful silenc
in the courtroom, and it seems an ag'
; until the place is found; and the stenog
rapher reads as much as he can silently
} and then pronounces aloud-now AM
then until told to stop, but generally o
his, own volition; for stenographelr
|
only that which he is required to, bu
in tone of voice that all can hear ant
! understand. Some excellent reporter
/ are poor readers in open court, and il
the most important caseS-as homi
cide-stumble and stammer more thai
, at any other time. We recall one in
stance where the reporter-an autho
of photography as well-announced t
! the Court that while stenography is al
exact science, and the characters coul'
be accurately taken down, there wer'
times when they could not be read off
hand, and this is one of them
'As the trial of the case is proceeded
with. the testimony is often more rap
, idly presented and not infrequentl!
away down in the rebuttal, and sur
rebuttal, questions are asked anC
answers given with frightful rapidity
and astounding flippancy, and 1t is theI
that the notetaker's metal is put to thu
II severest test
The Expert Makes 1t Worse
1--WE have not overlooked the learned
expert-medical, surgical, archaeological
or whatever he may be-or the laby
rinthean hypothetical questions, or the
cunningly devised offers and objections
all of a trying nature to the oldest anC
most experienced shorthand writer; no.
1T ECTRTC