Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-21
REFORM IN SPELLING.
The Anthropologfcal Society Held q SYM
postum on the Subject.

The Anthropological Society Held q Sym
postum the Subject.
The Archaeological Society is wrestling
with the question Of a reform in spelling. The
discussions OF philologians hereabouts and else
where have melted the society TO hold
symposium upon the subject of spelling re-
form, and the symposium began last night at
the Cosmos Club.
Prof. F. A. March Of Lafayette College
opened the ball in favor Of reform. He said
that spelling reform is product of the spirit
OF the age. The elimination of useless letters
from the words daily in is the object of
the reform. The reform will result in economy
IN the preparation and printing of books and
in great saving OF time occupied by children
in learning 10 read and spell
Ii Is estimated that the removal of the silent
es alone in the language would MAKE such a
difference tiat the Encyclopedia Britannica
could be published in twenty volumes instead
of twenty-four and would cost S2i less. Glad
stone Is quoted as saying that reform in
spelling would lessen the time occupied by
children in learning to spell to the extent of
100 hours.
Prof. Marsh reviewed the efforts which have
been made in the direction of reform b. phiio-
logians in America end England and quoted
long list of names of eminent men who have
connected themselves with the movement.
Prof. Marsh was fully aware Of the difficulties
which Law In the way OF a general adop-
ton OF the reform by reason of lack of con-
cer,ed action. The chief hope of the reform
ers Is that the government NAV be induced to
take the matter up and by publishing its docu-
ments In the phonetic system gradually educate
the people up to n knowledge and familiarity
with it. II the determination of a standard
system OF reform is left &c individual discussion
and selection the world will not last long
enough 10 arrive at a decision.
Nh. sPoFFoRp OPPOSES THE REFORM.
Mr.. A. r. spofford. Librarian of Congress, fol-
lowed Prof. Marsh and opposed the reform
from start to finish in a dashing raid which he
made on the reformers' defens.s. Mr.. Spofford
depicted the influence of tine English language
upon the people and pointed out the importance
OF preserving its purity. The movements of
the reformers can only be classed as attempts
to break down the strength and purity of the
languages. There is nothing new or novel in
the schemes now put forth. They have been
advanced from time TO time for the past 800
years only to be rejected at every point. The
plausible theory OF spelling by sound has to
undergo a severe ordeal when reduced to prac-
tice. The existing English alphabet is bad. no
doubt, but is the only key to the grand English
language and We cannot throw that key away
Neither popular assent nor :he judgment of
scientists, outside of few philologians, justify
the attempt.
To sweep away the present system is to lose
all trace Of the derivation of words. Instead Of
the flesh and blood of speech the reformers
leave but a long array Of skeletons Of words
dry bones Of language from which the soul has
departed.
The argument that the reform will expedite
the mastery of the English language by for
eigners can be met by the statement confidently
advanced that the English language was not
originally intended FOR foreigners.
Mr.. William I. Harrison, commissioner Of
education, followed Mr.. Spofford "a a reforiner
lie gave the audience the benefit of his practical
experience with the reform as practiced in the
public schools OF 81. Louis when he was the
superintendent. II was demonstrated that the
children-lrish, German, italian and American
could learn to read in just about one-half the
time under tbs phonetic system. II usually re-
quired three years to get a child into the third
reader under the old system, but by the pho
netic plan Of spelling the children reached the
third reader within year and a half. They
also improved their pronunciation and lost all
traces Of brogue.
Assistant Secretary Willetts OF the Agricultural
Department made short address, in which he
siyly made fun Of the proposed reform and
deprecated its possible introduction into the
Agricultural Department by reason of its effect
upon tue honest farmers who would be COM
PEELED 10 read the publications.
4 he symposium will be continued next Tues
d. night