The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-14
SIMPLIFIED SPELLING DEAD.
THE PRESIDENT ACQUIESCES IN
ITS TAXING OFF
And VIII Issue a New Order to the Public
Prlnter-The Death warrant Was
Omered by the House Committee on
Printing aud Was Unanimously Adopted

WASHINGTON, Dec. -Simpliied spell
ing, the cherished dream Of Brsnder
Matthews, Andrew Carnegie and Josh Bill
ings, not to Mention the President, is 20
be no more. After a brief but bitter
struggle to supplsnt the spelling OF the
fathers, il is, by the action OF the House
to-day, dead as far as the Government OF
the United States is concerned. 1t will
take its place among the things which
were but which are not, and stink quietly
into innocuous desuetude.
After having been an apple OF much
tumultuous disoord in the Legislative arena
for the last two weeks its taking of to-day
was most peaceful, 30 much so that it was
almost pitiful. Even the President, its
sponsor, has been obliged to acquiesce in
it's death, and within a day or two he will
issue another proclamation regarding its
demise.
The end Of simplifed spelling and the
resumption OF the old style came at the
close OF to-day's session OF the House.
Representative lands OF Indiana, chair
man of the House Committee on Printing,
arose in his seat Just before the adjourn
ment and offered a simple resolution to
| the effect that 1T in the sense OF the House
that hereafter in the printing OF House
documents or other publications used
by law or ordered by Congress, or either
! branch thereof, or ~emanatiug from any
! executive depa rtment or bureau OF the
Government, the House printer should
observe and adhere to the standard OF
photography prescribed in generally ac-
cepted dictions ries Of the English language.
When the clerk read the resolution and
there WAS a pause for reply il seemed Tor
a moment that there was 10 be neither a
pa ring kick nor word of farewell to
phonetic spelling.
The Speaker was about t. put the ques-
ton on the adoption of the resolution to a
vote when Representative Gillett of Massa-
chusetts, the champion Of simplified spelling
in the House, arose and pronounced the
eulogy over the corpse. Mr.. Gillett said
that while he was willing that the resolu-
ton should be adopted he wanted it under
stood that he had not in any way changed
his opinion as to the advisabllity Of the
adoption Of the simpliRed form. He real
lied, however, the necessity of having a
uniform system of spelling in public docu-
ments and the confusion which would re-
suit by the use of two forms. If it was the
sense of the House that the old style should
be maintained he would move the adoption
of the resolution.
The motion was put by the Speaker and
carried without a dissenting vote.
The resolution was drafted this after
noon by Mr.. Lands and Mr.. Perkins oil
New York after the former had had a con-
ference on the subject with the President
The President assured Mr.. Lands that il
it was the sense of the House that the ole
form OF spelling should be maintained ir
public documents he would interpose nc
objection. but would issue a new order &c
the Public Printer directing its use. This
will end the matter as far as the Govern
ment publications are concerned.