Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-09-04
CAN'T LISP AND
GET EN- RIGHT
Tongue Must Be Willing if
You Would Talk Abre=
Waited English.

The president has authority to sug-
gest or require phonetic spelling in
executive departments, but there are
two branches of the federal govern
ment that can ignore his wishes in
this matter II they wish. one of them
is the national legislature and the
other the supreme court. The latter
may continue its present practices.
although nothing can be learned of
the intentions of the body, in view of
the fact that 1t Is not in session. nor
is the congress here to say what 1t
will do. 1t will probably continue to
spell cat with &C" and not disturb
the re" in whiskey.
Spelling in the federal service, in
the opinion of officials here means a
good deal for the movement that was
started through the munificence of
Andrew Carnegie. There are nearly
10000 government employees of
Washington who will be required to
spell addressed "addresst," AFFIXED
"affixt" and drop the ne from cata-
logue and decalogue. In addition the
practice will be extended to postoffices
and revenue offices and other govern
ment branches extending into every
hamlet and city In every state and
territory In the Union. The presi-
dents order means that English will
be spelled Theoretically by a good many
people in every city In the United
States, by consular officials abroad In
every country, and in the islands Of
the sea. wherever American control
and Influence extends.
To overcome popular prejudice the
have had a hard and uncertain fight
had 1t not been for President Roose-
velt's action but by giving the move
ment the seal of official approval he
has insured it's success, i'm this coun-
try at all events; and If England and
her colonies fail to follow this exam
pie the president will have created,
1t Is thought. a distinctive American
language.
The Presidents Order.
President Roosevelts order rela-
tive to spelling was issued to Public
Printer Stillings. 1t provides that
all messages from the president. and |
all other documents emanating from
the White House shall be printed In
accordance with the recommendations
Of the
headed by Brander Matthews, pro-
lessor of English at Columbia univer- |
sity. This committee has published |
a list of 800 words In which the spell |
ling Is reformed. The presidents Of |
fetal sanction of this reform is re-
garded as the most effective and the |
speediest method of inaugurating |
the new system of spelling through
out the country. Not only will |
the president utilize the reform spell I
ling. but his correspondence also will
he spelled in the new style Secre-
tory Loeb has sent for the list of
words that have been reformed, and
upon its arrival will Immediately or
der all correspondence of the presi-
lent and the executive force Of the
White House spelled In accordance
herewith, AS the spelling reform
committee shall adopt new reforms
hey VIII be added to the presidents
ISL ana also that of the public print
r.
While the order to the printer does
lot contemplate an immediate reform
n the spelling of official documents
rom the executive department in
1t is regarded as more
nan likely that the respective heads
I departments will fall in line with
he presidents ideas and have their
mcial documents printed in the new
pelling.