The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-11-01
MODERN
Graham's Claims as an Author Contested
by a ChanNpl0n Qf Isaac Pitman.

Wy = NHhuIhbh1A w A188 ttAhMA
To THE EDITOR or THE SuN-Sirs Re-
fsrring to his communication which recently
appeared in THE SUN respecting the author
ship Of modern shorthand. l submit that "A.
p. b." needs to go to his library for further
light. He. says he has been a student of the
history OF shorthand for lmost a lifetime.
but his facts are badly mixed. Isaac Pit
man was the father Of modern shorthand.
10 was not until 1854 that Mr.. Graham's name
appeared IN a text book on the subject. l
refer to his Reporters Manual" twenty
Ave OF the most valuable pages OF which were
appropriated bodily from a smaller work by
Isaac Pitman. with a few words added. and
the term word signs" substituted for gram
malogues": all this without the slightest
mention OF the name OF the originator OF the
system.
In the same manner Graham Originated
the principles OF high sbbreviatlon included
In his 1858 handbook" principles which he
appropriated from earlier writer's. notably
the venerable Henry NJ. Parkhurst, q resident
OF Brooklyn, from whom "A. p. B." could get
interesting and valuable Information.
In 1855. while Mr.. Graham was at work
on his handbook. Isaac Pltman sent to this
country two manuscript copies OF a new book.
one going to his brother In Cincinnati and the
other to Fowlers 4 Wells. New York dealers
In books on phrenology. photography. &c1.
and through them to Mr.. Graham. who at
that time had charge OF their photographic
business. Mr.. Pitman's idea In forwarding
the manuscripts was to sell the right OF pub
LEGATION in America. and although they were
declined by Messrs. Fowlers d Wells. Mr..
Graham appropriated all that he deemed
valuable. again without acknowledgment.
Nevertheless, in 1852 Mr.. Graham sued
Benn Pitman for alleged infrin cement OF
copyright. because Benn Pitman had used
some of the same principles which Graham
had adopted In his handbook The case
dragged along for years without being pushed
by Graham. Finally. in 1871. II was dismissed
for want OF prosecution at the compliments
cost, and execution was awarded to Mr.; Pit
man to recover the costs. About the last day
on %ot tSat w ssr% fled Hs ' by Grsham's' attorney to
reinstate the case. The motion was never
called up. and the only effect Of i was to Inn
paid the money due 70 Mr.. Pltmsn.-
The above facts will give A I. B. clear
insight into the methods OF the man whom
o NJ S sksU tim as s stSs S fstSer Of modern shoStt
hand" 40. Graham was preceded by a host
Pearl Andrews. Augustus +. Boyle. Epinetus
Webster, James 9. Booth, Henry M. Park
hurst. blias Lon Mbose ah pe;t last S6o 1St a nSs isSst;
generally used than those OF any other author
In this country, having been sold by the hun
when, in referring to GTaham's ability as
q shorthand writer I. y. says that Isaac
PltmAnS OTOIneT Is MOI Ill the hdIue Sldhb
with him i think I can see a smile on A P.
B.'s" face and a wink OF his left eye. 1t is
generally known that Benn Pltman was one
OF the ablest reporters Of his time. He rem
dered important service in reporting the, Lin
coin assassination trial, Unlike some short
hand authors and writer's, he was always
gifted wife, Jane Bragg Pitman, transcribed
nearly all his notes, which were forwarded
document was distributed broadcast without
Bonn Pitman having seen the manuscript
The Interesting letter Of Mr.. Dudley W.
Walton deserves a few words In passing.
The speed trials to which he refers in such
for the Isaac Pitman system as. It IL now
taught, but he must not forget that the in
yentor Of shorthand attempted a few years
TO his system as presented in his ninth edition,
which Is commonly known here as the Ben9
Pitman system. Unfortunately. he had
turned his copyrights over to his sons. who
refused to permit him to make any changes.
The reading books conform to the text books
would have cost a good deal. Moreover.
the privilege was denied to the grand old man
Phonetic Journoi' which he had established
and conducted for over half a century;
When MIR. Walton intimates that Edward
V. Murphy, the able Congressional reporter,
Ii an Isaac Pitman writer. he tells but half
the truth. Isaac Pitman Ph1nOSraphy as It
which MIR. Murphy writes. Both he and his
Iamented brother and the late, David Wolfe
browne, I0ftt OF llf dUitSl INV iNIOi tVlst
learned shorthand from Isaac Pitnan's ninth
edition, which is now known as benn Ptman
followed Isaac Pitman into the wilderness
of his tenth edition.
To say that Mr.. Munson obtained his ideas
on shorthand from Graham Ia to say what Is
impossible. Let A, T.. B." examine thu. two
two authors are absolutely differoit.
suggest that A, p. B." procure from the
COMMISSIONS of Education at Washin gton
a cory OF the latest report on shorthand
eaching by Mr.. Julius Ensign Rockwell, the
only historian and photographic Of shorthand
thus far produced by this country.
PHILADELPHIA, October 30, j. T. A. II.