14 REPORT OF BOARD ON GEOGRAPHIC NAMES. 
The extent to which geographic names have been modified without 
being radically changed is scarcely appreciated. A large proportion, 
pro'bably a majority, of the names of natural features have undergone 
alterations in spelling to a greater or less extent since they were first 
applied, while of the names of political divisions, although established 
by formal act, a considerable proportion have also changed, and such 
variations have, in thousands of cases, become firmly established. 
Therefore, the position assumed by some persons, that we should revert 
to the original forms of names, would, if carried out, result in changing 
the names of a large proportion of our natural and artificial features. 
POLICY OF THE BOARD. 
The Board is agreed that in general the name which is in common 
local use at present should be adopted. This is a broad, general 
principle, and summarizes the policy of the Board, with the excep¬ 
tion of certain classes of names. It covers cases of changes or cor¬ 
ruptions of names, except where the} r are considered to be unworthy 
of perpetuation. 
The Board clearly recognizes that the importance and value of its 
decisions depend upon their general adoption. To change corrupted 
forms back to pure forms, after the corrupted form has been estab¬ 
lished, is to make a decision which will not be followed. Such deci¬ 
sions are not merely useless; they are positively harmful. The}^ tend 
not to settle, but to unsettle usage. To restore such names as Port 
Townsend to Port Townshend, Pysht to Psyche, Ozan to Aux anes, 
Low Freight to L’eau frais, Sitka to Shitka, Possum to Opossum, is 
not always possible, however desirable. The aim, therefore, of the 
Board is to discover and support by its decisions the forms in use in 
all cases, except those where specific and positive objections thereto 
are found to exist. That it should always succeed in this aim is obvi¬ 
ously impossible. Changes are constantly occurring. The Board can 
not if it would, and would not if it could, oppose change. 
The difficulties encountered in carrying out this principle are found 
mainly in determining what is the established usage, or the prevailing 
local practice where it is divided between different forms. Where it 
is so divided, opportunity is afforded for the selection of the more 
appropriate and euphonious of the names in use. 
The Board considers it desirable to depart from local usage in certain 
cases in order to effect reforms in nomenclature. Among these depar¬ 
tures approved by the Board are the following: 
(a) The avoidance, so far as seems practicable, of the possessive 
form of names. 
(b) The dropping of the final 44 h” in the termination 44 burgh.” 
( c ) The abbreviation of “borough” to 44 boro.” 
