The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1908-08-20
THURSDAY AUGUST 20. 1908.
Some Rules Governing the Use
of Capitals and Some Com
ments Thereon.


To the Editor of The Robesonian
l have been asked to write a !
few rules governing the use of |
capital letters. With your permis-
sion, I venture to offera few which
are frequently disregarded.
Q Begin with capital letters,
North, East, South, and West,
when applied to regions of the
country, as, North Carolina is
situated in the South, south
(direction) Of Va.
~ Names of special bodies
of men; at, the last Legislature
created a Board of Audit and
Finance to settle with the Board
Of Commissioners.
(3) Common names used as
specific names; as the Governor
of the State will speak in the
County near Lumber River, by
invitation Of the Sheriff.
(D Religious sects and polit-
ical parties; as Baptists, Metho-
dists, and Jews belong to the
Republican and Democratic par
ties.
(5) A direct quotation; as,
God said, 'Let there be light t."
| (6) A direct question; as,
Answer this: Do you know
these rules?
T While there are many others,
the following general rule from
Prof. D. ]. Hill will be of assist
ance if judiciOusly applied:
Capital letters are used for
the sake of giving distinction to
, certain words, so that their sense
may be more obvious" but they
are "of advantage only when us
ed so sparingly as to contrast
l with small letters" The follow
} ing is not a violation of above
rules: Bodies of men and in.
5 dividual rulers such as sheriffs,
Y governors, kings, legislatures,
? boards of audit, and county com
e missioners, are necessary tt
govern the affairs of states
= counties, and towns. There art
e many rivers in the country, bu
t when we are in Lumberton W.
r say the River is west from town
o In the last sentences most of th'
nouns are used in common, O
: general way and therefore begil
: with small letters.
: H. L. EDENs
l. Pembroke, N. C. Aug. IL, 1905
le Some Of the rules submitte
e by Prof. Edens do not squar
20 with the best newspaper usage
a The fact is, except in few in
/. stances, no hard and fast rule
TX can be laid down for the us
lp of cap ital letters, and this fac
$, Prof. Hill, from whom Pro
II Edens quotes, recognizes in tn
O. general rule quoted. The te!
r of all language is its effective
IN ness, and usage largely dete
is mines. Whether one write
at board of audit and finance" G
er Board of Audit and Finance
is depends very much upon tt
lg connection or the prominent
as one wishes to give, and in ord
ge nary use it is certainly not il
correct to write the board (
r audit and finance" without Il
rt use of capitals. And certain
IN good usage does not demand,
Ie the sentence he gives about TT
t. Governor Of the State w
in speak," etc, that sheriff,
county or river be write
lis with capital. Prof. Ede1
n would not, we think, write ''Tl
d Governor of the State will spes
b. near the Whiteville Road by i
ur vitation of the Teacher" l
n, would use lower case in writir
We road and teacher; And OF
t. would not write ''The River
west from town." any more tn;
to one would write "The Street {
'sss designating any particular stree
ed runs North and South" using
ID capital letter to write street.
de EDITOR.