When the 93rd Congress began impeachment hearings to oust President Richard Nixon, Mississippi’s William “Fishbait” Miller held all the cards to watching the public hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nixon resigned, boarded a helicopter on the White House lawn, and the hearings were never held.
But Fishbait Miller, Mississippi’s colorful Doorkeeper of the U. S. House of Representatives was ready for a historic House hearing that was certain to attract thousands to the nation’s capital. Miller, born in Pascagoula, was responsible for the House Galleries and moved quickly to prepare to control the situation. He printed tickets for gallery seats for an expected 10 days of House hearings.
Each set of tickets was printed to admit only one person on each of the anticipated 10 days of hearings. Special tickets were also printed for press, including a Roving Still Photographer ticket to provide access to “all galleries except two, three and eight.
According to the New York Times, Miller arrived in Washington in 1933 and achieved national fame when he introduced presidents as they addressed the Congress. He bellowed out “Mr. Speaker, The President of The United States” as the president entered the House chamber.
Miller was known to welcome all, even royalty, including the Queen of England, with “Howdy, Ma’am.”
Miller’s historic collection of personal papers is held by Ole Miss. As he retired from Washington service, Miller drove his early model car to Oxford and presented it to Ole Miss.
The collection held in the University Libary’s Archives contains bound volumes, photographs, magazines, and miscellaneous documents related to the life of William “Fishbait” Miller from 1935-1975.
By Jim Roberts, a HottyToddy.com contributor
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