The Washington times., 1923-03-10
NEVER Ill.
A SINGLE
DAY
Dean OF Senate Corps Believes
Man Is at His Best
[ After Fifty.
By GEORGE FRANKLIN.


Congress has assembled and adj
3ourned many times since Theo-
dore F. Shuey, now dean OF the
Senate reporting corps, was in
Quoted into the little group OF
shorthand reporters who each ses.
sion cover the proceedings OF the
upper branch Of Congress.
1t was in 1868, fifty-five years
ago, at the close of the civil war,
that Shuey, then twenty-three
years old, was picked ~ Richard
Sutton, founder of the Senatorial
reporting body, as a member OF
his staff of shorthand writers.
Reported 20 Sessions.
Through the following twenty
eight sessions of Congress he has
reported each session of the Senate
and what is strikingly remarkable
in connection with his service. he
has never been forced by illness
10 absent himsef day from at
tendance on the Senate while the lat.
ter was in session.
Truly see nothing remarkable
In my service record, said Shuey
today. II have reported the Sena'
I, torial sessions of twenty-eight Con.
gressioral assemblings. But what
is that? ! shall be on hand to re-
sumo work when the Sixty-eighth
Congress convenes in December,
and / expect to report the Senate
In many more that will follow.
Why, am just as fit today as
when began my work in 1858, and
/ expect to continue in that condi-
ton, for. do not know how much
longer"
The years that have passed since
Ehuey became Senate reporter
have done little more than sharpen
his faculties. Physically he gives
every evidence of being as fit as
the best of the ''link exponents.
He confesses he has yet to expert
ence the sensation described by
fatigue"
Never Tired I'm Life.
''I do not know that / was ever
tired out In my life." he said. Il
have always found it easy to per.
form my work. suppose con.
slant application has taught me to
do it with the least possible physi'
cal exertion or mental strain"
Commenting on past sessions OF
Congress and the Senators whom he
remembers as among the brilliant
members of that body. Shuey de.
clares that while in sense oratory
is less a feature of Senatorial SEES
sions. SITS loss has been more than
compensated for by the greater
average brain power and the con.
version of the Senate into a bust.
ness rather than a political body OF
legislators.
''The DAYS of the brilliant ora
tnricaI contests in the Senate are
seemingly past" said Shuey, but in
their place their exists the efficiency
of business. The popular election OF
United States Senator's has changed
the complexion of the Senate some
what, perhaps, and may be charge
able with lessening the number OF
orators elected. There are number
OF brilliant speakers in the Senate,
however, who are always certain Of
an appreciative audience on the floor
and in the galleries when 1t Is
known they will address the Senate"
Picking the ofators among the
present members OF the Senate,
Shuey asked to be excused from
doing.
I'VE all have our opinions Of
speakers" he said, "and we all
never agree on them. ! am certain
the Senatorial sessions of the COM
ing Congress will be featured by
many brilliant addresses. There are
always issues d inspire oratory in
each session"
Engrossed in his preparations to
spend the summer on his estate in
Augusta county, Va. Shuey exhi-
bited all Of the enthusiasm of a
small boy with country vacation
ahead of him.
When Congress adjourns 1 am
free" said Shuey, "and l make 1t a
point to forget everything con,
nected with senatorial reporting
until Congress reconvenes. That is
the best way know of keeping
fit. will go down into Virginia