Evening star., 1933-05-19
THEODORE F. SHUEY.
CLAIMED BY DEATH.
Dean of Official Reporters
of Debate in Senate
Dies at SO.

The man with the nimblest fingers
and quickest brain in the United
States Senate"-Theodore F. Shuey,
dean Of official reporters of debate in
the Upper House of Congress-died
last night at his home near Staun-
ton, Va.
In his seth year, the veteran scribe
until few weeks ago was still carry
ing on after IS years of nursing limp
ing phrases and doctoring up thousands
of halting sentences and mixed meta
phors in Senate debates, which have
ranged from the sublime to the
ridiculous.
Career Started by Chance.
Mr.. Shuey began his long career at
the Capitol more or less by chance.
In 1868, Col. Crutchfeld of Richmond,
publisher of Literary Pastime, decided
to remove to Baltimore and establish
weekly paper and offered him a
position. Mr.. Shuey started for Balti-
more, but, never having seen Washing
ton, decided to stop off and get a
glimpse of the city. Washington
appealed to him, he found an opening
at the Capitol and remained there.
When Schuyler ColfaX of Indiana was
sworn in as Vice President, on March
4, 1869. Mr.. Shuey, youthful and vigor-
ous sat in the Senate chamber and re-
corded the proceedings. Last March 4,
when John N. Garner became Vice
President, Mr.. Shuey was in his ac-
customed place in the Senate, still
actively participating in the preparation
of the record. During all the inter-
vening years he had witnessed every
inaugural ceremony at the Capitol.
Mr.. Shuey once expressed the opinion
that Senator Charles Sumner of MaSsa-
chusetts was the greatest orator the
Senate has seen in the last half CEN
tury, although Senator John Sherman
of Ohio was probably the most effective.
He thought Vice President Dawes was
one of the best presiding officers the
Senate ever had.
On April Mr. Shuey left Washing
ton to go to his home at Swope, Va,
for a much-needed rest. Until that
time he had not missed single day
from his duties as official recorder of
Senate debate in IS years.
Shortly after the Senate convened this
morning, Senator Robinson of Arkansas,
the Democratic leader, interrupted the
proceedings to inform his colleagues of
Mr.. Shuey's death.
Cites Remarkable Record.
Referring to the fact Mr.. Shuey had
not missed day from work in IS years,
Senator Robinson said: 81 doubt if in
the history of this country there is a
comparable record to that made by Mr..
Shuey. His record is remarkable, not
alone for long service, but for notable
and exceptional efficiency"
Senator Vandenberg, Republican, of
Michigan said: Our affection and our
respect and veneration for Mr.. Shuey
will respond to the roll call of his mem
ory even though he no longer responds
to the roll call of our service"
Senator Fess, Republican, of Ohio
added this tribute: IF appreciation for
service rendered, If gratitude for the
courtesies shown, If loving affection for
his associates, which covered almost
every Senator's life for two generations,
are bases for happiness, surely Mr..
Shuey will now be happy man.
Mr.. Shuey was soldier in the Union
Army during the Civil War and par
ticipated in the Battle of Gettysburg.
About year ago John D. Rhodes, one
of his associates at the Capitol, took
Mr.. Shuey for a ride to- Gettysburg, the
first time he had been there in more
than half century. In walking over
the battlefield, he found his name in
scribed on one of the markers of a
Pennsylvania regiment to which he be-
longed.
Mr.. Shuey Is survived by his widow
and two children, Mrs. Charles j. Kap-
pier and Miss Dorothy Shuey. He is
also survived by two children by a
former marriage, Phillip v. Shuey and
Mrs. Agnes Scymmers.