Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1867-04-10
PHONETIC SYSTEM, OR SPELL
ING ACCORDING TO SOUND.

We have been unable as yet, to pro-
cure the GLOBE or other paper, that re-
ports the precise form in which Senator
CONFESS proposed q National endorse
ment Of the Phonetic system of printing.
But we are grati6ed to know that the
subject has been brought to the stten-
ton Of Congress. The French decimal
system which the Senate has already
endorsed, and which will undoubtedly
o be incorporated in a Federal stat
ute, for the direction Of all general gov
eminent transactions, is really not half
so important to the convenience and
eivilizing advancement Of the people, as
the adoption, we may say and the na-
tional encouragement even of the Pho
netic reform.
In opposition to Senator Conness'
proposition we hear the old, worn out
talk about genealogical necessities"
for keeping and adhering to the present
most absurd mode Of photography.
Granted, that etymology would be a
more difficult study than now, after sew
eral centuries of universal phonetic
spelling-what does that amount to in
objection to the acceptance Of 8 style Of
spelling that is consistent and true; and
which, when adopted, will save the
children of the land several years o.
hard, unnecessary, tOrturing study. But
as g matter. of demonstrated fact, ETY.
mology would become an easier branch
Of study than it now is.
It seems almost impossible to induce
Boards Of Education, School Superin-
tendents and teachers to introduce the
phonetic system Of learning to read, into
the teachings under their charge. Every
other great reform in modes Of instruct
ing they will readily adopt; but against
this, the grandest improvement in pri-
mary instruction that has been suggest
ed, there appears to be q general and
almost insurmountable prejudice. This
fact We have noted for years, with pro-
found regret; and We have experienced
for ourselves the hostility Of Educational
Boards to every attempt to establish
phonetic reading classes. From our
own experience we know that with a
Theoretically taught preface to the Ro-
man mode of orthography, a saving Of
at least two years Of toll on the part OF
the young child, in the primary depart
ment, can be saved. And were the pho
netic system absolutely adopted by our
people, cleaning to read" would amount
to q short pastime for little Mary, and
Sammy, John and Julia.
We believe that the phonetic reform
is destined to rapidly rise in recognition
and Importance; and Senator CONFESS
motion will materially aid in furthering
the cause of spelling BY sound. Andrew
J. Graham, of New York, has recently
issued . very superior set Of Phonetic
Spoilers and Readers. If any Of oui
booksellers should procure an invoice
of Graham's publications, referred to,
we shall take great pleasure in emphati'
cally recommending their purchase BY
"parents and guardians" for by thei'
aid a child may readily be taught by ar
intelligent parent, at home, to read NJ
to three-syllable words, in less than two
months from the day the alphabet il
given in a first lesson.
We shall refer to this subject again
90 soon as we can obtain a copy Of Sen
ator Conness' proposition. We wish w
could induce our Educational Board tc
give the system a trial in the Storey
county schools.