The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-03-23
[Signed1

..... ALICE l.. CROssMAN.
The above resolutions were adopted by the
members of the Institute. Prof. Hassell,
chairman on spelling reform, reported recon-
mendations which gave rise to the following
discussions: O.. .sH. .' .......ru :"
Prot. Smith was opposed on two principles;
that of philosophy and authority. There is
no philosophy III the method proposed and
certainly no authority founded on that of the
best usage. The question as to whether the
English were recommending a reform in
spelling was answered in the affirmative by
Mr.. Marcum.
Mr.. Hassell ably argued the claims of the
spelling reform as a saving of labor, time and
money. He believed that a change should
be gradually brought about at first, and that
the educators of our LAND should set them
selves at work at once in bringing about this
change.
DR.. Holmes thought the change proposed
demoralizing and tending to carry lis back to
the condition Of the savage. He would be in
favor of waiting 800 or 400 years rather than
make the change too radical. Changes with
language of a nation or people should be
gradually made and that a people should be
careful in attempting to tear their language
to pieces and thus cause a sudden death of
the language in present use. Would prefer
to see a gradual change.
Addison Smith thought that the phonetic
system had its advantages, but that the Eng
disappearing people were SO scattered that
there was danger of drifting into provincial
isms and thereby losing the purity of the
language as it now exists. Unless they could
adhere strictly to the phonetic system, the
only true method Of spelling, there can be
but little hope of securing a change which
shall be OF advantage to the lovers OF pure
English.
Mr.. Anderson was highly in favor of the
reform proposed, as being the most natural
method, and could see no reason why we
should remain in the old ruts. Professor
Reed also favored the reform. As regards the
etymologY of our language no great loss
would be incurred by the change, since there
are a large lumber of words which cannot be
traced back to their origin. Many changes
have been made in the present century in the
spelling books and dictionaries which are in
use. We must become used to the new forms
before we can be pleased with the change.
Professor Smith thought that unless we
could establish our claims to that of recog-
nized authority and best usage we should not
attempt to recommend the change.
Mr.. Russell did not believe in any halfway
at once Or not attempt any reform at all. by
Illustrating the difference in sound. OF the same
absurdity of the present system of spelling.
The EngIishalangua Is changing every year.
The spelling OF several hundred years ago Is
very interesting. In the time OF Chaucer there
was probably as much phonetic spelling as there
is now. He would have a regular method of
pronunciation before he would adopt the pho
netic method. There is not uniformity enough
in the dictionaries as regards the pronunciation
Supt. Hardenbrook expressed himself as nav
ing long been in favor of the reform change.
The first resolution, was adopted, the second
was lost and the third was adopted.
The on General Resolutions re-
ported us follows:
Your committee on Spelling Reform begs leave
to submit the following:
Whereas, since our last Institute, noteworthy
progress has been made by the advocates ofspei-
ling reform and the movements seem to be TAX
ing definite shape, and whereas, we esteem it
desirable that the photography of our language
should be simplifed as much as possible, and
whereas, this simplifcation must come about
gradually, and whereas, many of our journals
and their correspondents have begun to follow
the rules laid down by the National Committee
on spelling reform, and whereas, the general
favor of a change, therefore be it
now in session,
Territory as the real educators of the public to
adopt the rules laid down by the National Com
mittee.
Second, that as teachers we will use them in
all our writings, in school and out.
Thlrd, that we will instruct our pupils as to
these changes.
The rules adopted by the National Spelling
Reform ASSOCIATION are as follows. LIST, omit
short, as in stead health, etc. ID, omit silent e
after q short vowel, except after soft & and C,
T.. G: where final C shows the preceding 6 or G to
be like J or S, as in hav, Civ, liv, defnit, forbad,
etc. but college, practice, to be spelled as be-
fore. Sd, write for phi in such woIds as alfabet,
fantom, etc. 4th, when a word ends with a
double consonant, omit the last when preceded
by a short vowel, 1. e. spell call, hall, etc, not
cal, hal, etc. 9Th. change ed final to t where it
has the sound of t, as in lasht, imprest, fixt.
r E. Hassell, Alice Crossman, Kate Fegtly,
Query: Should the parents of children judge
or the teacher without visiting the schools?
more than we would judge OF dry goods without
first looking at them. Parents should visit the
school in order to judge properly of the merits
of the teacher.
President Hardenbrook made a closing adj
dress to the teachers of the Institute and ali who
were present, after which Miss Lincoln sang q
beautiful piece. which closed the last session.