People's Pilot, Volume 6, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 January 1897 — SHORTHAND IN THE SENATE. [ARTICLE]

SHORTHAND IN THE SENATE.

Mr. Mason of Illinois the Latest Pothook Expert to Be Elected. The election of Billy Mason will add another competent shorthand reporter to the membership of the United States senate. Several years ago he was considered one of the best in the country. Judge Withrow of the Rock Island railI road used to say that a first class stenographer was spoiled when Mason went into politics. It is not generally known that Senator Chandler of New Hampshire is also a proficient stenographer, like Representative Hitt of Illinois. Both of them have been professionals, and both still use the shorthand system in making notes during debates, committee meetings, etc. Although he has not had active practice for 25 or 30 years Mr. Chandler is able to make and transcribe his notes as rapidly as when he was a young man in daily practice as reporter for the supreme court of New Hampshire. One day in a committee meeting of senators there was a lively dispute between Mi-. Chandler and a Democratic colleague. As it grew' heated Mr. Chandler, who is always an exasperating antagonist in a controversy, accused his opponent of contradicting himself, which the latter stoutly denied. “I will tell you exactly what you said,’’ retorted Mr. Chandler. .“I thought you were speaking, recklessly and would disavow it sooner or later, so I trek your words down in shorthand.’’ Then he began to' read from a page covered with pothooks, and the other mende rs of the committee testified to the accuracy ct his report. Several year's ago.in New Hampshire an important legal case arose which rested upoif the accuracy of the translation of the notes of the shorthand reporter who had been employed by an attorney in the case, and Senator Chandler was called upon as an expert. A great deal depended upon whether a certain sign in the notes should be translated “at” or “of. ” Mr. Chandler took an envelope cut of his pocket and on the buck of it made two marks with a lead pencil. “Now,” he said to the attorney, “if you can tell me winch of those characters was used in the copy I will tell you without looking at it which word it was intended for. The characters used for ‘at’ and ‘of’ are generally similar, but any stenographer can distinguish them at a glance. ’ ’ —Chicago Record.