The morning times., 1895-10-13
Board on Geographic Names and
Its Methods.
RULES THAT GUIDE THEM
Thousands of. Terms Changed and
Popular Errors Kept From Per-
petuation-Some Notable Examples
of Its Work-Men Who Compose 1t.
How 1t Was Created.

During an existence of but five years the
United States Board on Geographic Names
has rendered 1854 decisions, each of
which has established uniformity in spell
ing proper names heretofore in dispute.
Prior to September 4, 1890, there was
no court of last resort so far as nomen-
stature was concerned, and the various
maps prepared by the several departments
of the Government differed materially in
the geographic designation of rivers, coun-
ties, mountains, and cities.
A number of gentlemen here interested in
maps and map-making reached the conclu-
sion that something should be done to rec
tify the constantly recurring discrepan-
cies. These gentlemen accordingly formed
voluntary association and arrived at GER
tain determinations regarding a uniform
lty of spelling. But it was found that in
order to give their decisions proper stand
ing some manner of official recognition
was necessary, and IL was due to this fact
that President Harrison, on September 4,
1890, issued the following executive Or
der:
OFFICIALLY CREATED.
LAS it is desirable that uniform usage
in regard TO geographic nomenclature and
orthography obtain throughout the eXecu
tive departments of the Government, and
particularly upon the maps and charts is
sued by the various departments and
bureaus, l hereby constitute n Board on
Geographic Names, and designate the fol-
lowing persons, who have heretofore CO.
operated for a similar purpose under the
authority of the several departments, bu-
reaus and institutions with which they are
connected, as members of said board:
Prof. Thomas c. Mendenhall, United
States Coast and Geodetic Survey, chair
man; Andrew H. Allen, Department of
State; Capt. Henry L. Howison, Light
House Board, Treasury Department: Capt
Thomas Turtle, Engineer Corps, War De-
partment; Lieut., Richard Glover, Hydro
graphic Office, Navy Department: Pier r
son H. Bristow, Postoffice Department;
Otis T. Mason, Smithsonian Institution;
Herbert &. Ogden, United States Coast and
Geodetic Survey; Henry Gannett, United
States Geological Survey; Marcus Baker,
Geological Survey.
ITO this board shall be referred all un-
settled questions concerning geographic
names which arise in the departments,
and the decisions of the board are to be
accepted by these departments as the
standard authority in such matters
Department officers are instructed to
afford such assistance as may be proper to
carry on the work of the board.
"The members of this board shall serve
without additional compensation, and
its organization shall entail no expense
on the Government"
EXTENT OF ITS WORK.
Under this authority the board, during
its first year, held seventeen meetings,
adopted a code of bylaws for the transac-
ton of business, agreed upon certain general
principles for guiding its decisions, and de-
cided about 1000 cases.
1t was determined that the affirmative
vote of majority of all the members of
the board should be required in the final
decision in any case, and that all motions
presented for consideration should be in
writing.
The Census Office submitted to the board
sll cases of difference of usage in county
and township names, and the names of
corporate towns and cities.
With the exception of the names of politi-
cal subdivisions, geographic names in
this country have not, as a rule, been be-
slowed by any formal authority. The names
OF natural features, rivers, lakes, mount
aims, capes, etc, and of unchartered bodies
of population, have received their names
originally from explorers, surveyors, and |
early settlers, and these names have been
perpetuated by common consent. Thenames
of States, counties, and municipalities of
all classes, on the other hand, have been
applied either by legislative enactment or
charter, aud therefore possess some de-
gree of formal authority.
ERRORS PERPETUATED.
By far the greater number of differences in
usage have their origin in carelessness
or ignorance on the part of those making
use of the names. Such errors appearing in |
print are frequently perpetuated, especially |
in popular works, and often supplant the |
original name in usage.
The board agreed that ingeneral the name |
which is in common local use at present |
should be adopted. This is a broad gen. |
eral principle. and summarizes the policy |
of the board, with the exception of certain |
classes of cases mentioned below.
The difficulties encountered in carry |
ing out this principle are found mainly in |
determining what is local usage, or the