Col. Bigger Was Master of Jest

By The Major

Legislators and State Officers who were familiar with the General Assembly up to a few years ago--about twenty-five--will recall Colonel John Bell Bigger, the venerable clerk of the House of Delegates. He was one of the best-known men of the State, and his hold on the members of the house was remarkable. So far as is recalled, he never had opposition among the members of his party, and the minority was not sufficient to cause him any worry.

He always had any information the members desired, he was ready with an answer for all questions propounded him, and he was always ready with some quip or good-natured thrust for any one who sought to "get gay" with him. In fact, he was a witty, lovable and esteemed man.

At each biennial session he was pulled forth from his office, brought before the caucus and informed that he had been nominated for the office of clerk. On the occasion of his last nomination, when he was getting quite old, he was sent for and his appearance brought forth many rounds of applause. Informed of the reason for his appearace, the chairman of the caucus asked him for a speech. They got it, about as follows:

"Gentlemen of the Caucus--You have heard what your chairman has said to me. I am an old man, and I thank you for the information that has been imparted to me. Let me say gentlemen that this thing has taken me so by surprise that I am almost speechless. I expected nothing of the sort. But as you have seen fit to impose this task upon me, I shall accept it and do my best."

The hall of the house was packed and jammed with friends and the members, seekers of jobs with the house, candidates for various offices to be filled, and they burst forth in one great laugh at the conclusion of Colonel Bigger's few remarks. Had there been one negative vote in the caucus of the Democrats it would have caused him sorrow, for he had always won unanimously.

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As clerk of the house and keeper of the rolls, he was the peer of any man who has held the post. He was invariably affable, courteous and took keen delight in accomodating the newspaper men, was never too tired or busy to aid them in any way that they demanded , and they were always the friends of the clerk of the house.

Several years ago it was stated that one of the members of the Fourth Estate undertook to get a rise out of the colonel, and meeting him just outside of the Capitol, informed him he had been a little brusque to him in the closing days of the session that ended a few days before, and announced that he had determined to oppose him when the Legislature next met.

"Come in here with me," replied the colonel, his hands behind his back as he climbed the long stone steps to the second floor--before the building was so much improved. "Come into my office, as I desire to have a good talk with you." He walked in slowly, the reporter going with him, and Colonel Bigger suddenly stopped and delivered himself of a few remarks to this effect:

"You have been my friend for a long time, and I want to say to you that if you persist in opposing me it will cause trouble. The fact is that I must have this job in order to live. That is one reason. Another reason is that you will get beat like the very devil, and in the third place this is no time for any of your dratted foolishness." And that was the end of the opposition to the colonel.

The late Judge Richard H. Cardwell of the Supreme Court of Appeals was speaker of the house while Colonel Bigger was clerk, and they were the best of friends.--it being John and Dick with them for many years. It was the duty of the clerk to refer all bills, etc., that came from the members, and when he had any doubt he would appeal to the speaker for his decision. It so happened that one day a matter came up and Colonel Bigger sent it to one of the committees.

"Mr. Clerk," said the speaker, "that resolution should go to the committee on (and he designated the committee). I will have you understand that I am the speaker and will direct things on this floor," all of which was sotto voce.

"That is all right, Mrs. Speaker," replied the colonel. "I will have you understand that while the speaker of the House of Delegates of Virginia is a big man, the clerk of the house is Bigger."