Manual of Style governing Composition and Proof Reading in the Government Printing Office

Clear and positive rules for composition and proof reading are needed in printing offices to prevent confusion and unnecessary delay and expense. Inflexible rules for style in all works can not be given, but for the general work of the Government Printing Office the rules herein contained will be observed. When important changes are to be made, written or printed instructions will be furnished or there will be a special preparation of copy.

All persons connected with the typographical divisions of this office are requested to preserve this book and study carefully and well the rules and suggestions offered for their guidance.

Department editors are requested to make their copy conform as nearly as possible to the style here presented, and to specify fully when sending work to this office any general deviation therefrom that may be desired.

Authors are advised to so prepare their copy that it can be clearly understood by the printer. Nothing should be left for conjecture. Measurable perfection can be secured by first transcribing copy on the typewriter, and before releasing it for publication giving it as careful revision as is afterwards given proof sheets. In the end this will not only save time, but Department printing funds frequently exhausted in making author’s corrections in proof will be available for other work. Typewritten copy is always preferable, when not on paper too thin, but plain copy is absolutely essential to good work.

The following are offered as suggestions which, if heeded, will enable this office to achieve the best results:

1. All paragraphs should be clearly marked on copy, thus avoiding vexatious misprints due to overrunning in proof.

2. Objects, photographs, or drawings for illustration should accompany manuscript. Each should bear the name of the publication to which it belongs, together with the figure or plate number, and necessary titles or legends for the same should be inserted at the proper place in copy. A complete list of plates and figures should always accompany the paper.

3. When a work is made up of several parts, or papers, a carefully prepared schedule of the desired arrangement should be forwarded with the manuscript.

4. Proper names and technical terms should be plainly and carefully written, using CAPITAL letters if necessary, and each should be verified before the copy is sent to the printer.

5. Details of capitalization and punctuation may be safely left to the printers and proof readers. It is part of their profession; they make a study of the subject, and will generally meet the author’s taste.

6. Write only on one side of the paper. When printed matter covering more than one side of a sheet is used as copy, a DUPLICATE should be furnished; otherwise much trouble is caused in cutting.

7. When, as an afterthought, new matter making more than a line is inserted, it should be written on a separate sheet and the place for its insertion clearly indicated.

8. Galley proofs will be furnished when desired. It is important that all corrections be made on the first proofs; later ones should be used only for purposes of verification.

9. Corrections in stereotype or electrotype plates usually do more harm than good. They weaken the plate and render new errors probable through damaged letters.

10. Authors and compilers are requested to direct those handling their manuscript to transmit the same to the Printing Office in flat form—never to roll it if it can be avoided.

RULES GOVERNING WORK IN THE DOCUMENT DIVISIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.

(Adopted December 3, 1894.)

1. Follow Webster’s International Dictionary.

2. Observe the spelling of the following words:

3. Use the following forms of words:

4. Omit the dieresis in such words as reexamine, cooperation, preemption, zoology.

5. The following is a list of words in common use in which accented letters occur. Follow it, except in works of the United States Geological Survey and United States Coast and Geodetic Survey, in which no accented letters are permissible:

1. In the spelling of geographic names give preference as follows: Decisions of the United States Board on Geographic Names, United States Postal Guide, Lippincott’s Gazetteer, and Rand, McNally & Co.’s Atlas, in the order named.

2. The following are the general rules governing the decisions of the Board on Geographic Names:

1. Follow Postal-Guide contractions for States and Territories (except Oregon, for which use Oreg.) after names of forts, barracks, arsenals, navy-yards, naval stations, post-offices, counties, military or Indian reservations, and Indian agencies. Note the following examples:

POSTAL-GUIDE CONTRACTIONS.

2. Titles of courtesy and professional titles preceding names will be contracted or spelled according to the following list:

Note.—When any of the titles marked with an asterisk, with or without the Christian name, precedes “de,” use lower-case “d;” otherwise use capital “D.” This rule applies also to “du,” “von,” “van,” etc.

3. Military and official titles preceding names will be spelled out in text when the Christian name or initial is not used, but in tabular work and where the Christian name or initial is used the annexed list will be the guide:

4. Distinguishing titles and college degrees, following names, will always be contracted, as jr., sr., esq.; Ph. D., LL. D.; U. S. A., U. S. N. (See also under “Capitalization.”)

Note.—The contractions “U. S. A.” and “U. S. N.,” for United States Army and United States Navy will be used when so written. When written “U. S. Army” or “U. S. Navy,” spell in full, as—

5. In parenthetic references to books use “p.” and “pp.” for page and pages, and “sec.” and “secs.” for section and sections.

6. “St.” will be used for Saint, but Fort and Mount will not be abbreviated.

7. Use “etc.” instead of “&c.” Use the character “&” in firm names, but not in titles of companies having geographic or commercial words as part of the corporate name, nor in literary, scientific, artistic, or musical companionships. Examples:

8. Comprehensive examples of the use of the word “Company” and its contraction “Co.” are given above. (See also “Contractions” under “Tabular work.”)

9. Do not use abbreviation “U. S.” except in connection with naval and other vessels of the Government, as U. S. S. Kearsarge, U. S. gunboat Katahdin, U. S. monitor Miantonomoh, U. S. torpedo boat Ericsson, U. S. light-house tender Maple, etc.; but the contraction may be used in signature and address lines where extreme length makes it desirable.

10. Set references to scriptural texts as follows: Genesis xv, 24; II Samuel viii, 9–13; St. Matthew vii, 5.

11. Streets of the District of Columbia: Fifth street NW.; Florida avenue NE.; Four-and-a-half street SW.

12. Where compass directions are contracted, use the forms NE., NNW., etc.

13. Use “F.” for Fahrenheit and “C.” for centigrade when temperatures are given.

14. Use “Pl.” and “Fig.” for plate and figure before roman numerals, as Pl. VI, Fig. XII; “pl.” and “fig.” before figures, as pl. 6, fig. 12.

15. Use “Rev. Stat.” for Revised Statutes, and “Stat. L.” for Statutes at Large, in citations.

16. Set abbreviations for section, township, range, etc., thus: SE. ¼ sec. 5, T. 9 N., R. 2 E.

17. Use “loc. cit.” for loco citato; “op. cit.” for opere citato; “sp. gr.” for specific gravity, and “sp. nov.” for species nova.

18. Where the metric system of weights and measures is used, follow copy, and where contractions occur use roman lower-case or superior letters, according to indicated preference, as “cm. or ^cm,” for centimeter; “mm. or ^mm,” for millimeter; “c. c. or ^cc,” for cubic centimeter.

19. After “per cent” and “viz” omit the period.

20. References to Congressional documents: House Ex. Doc. No. 6, Forty-seventh Congress, second session; Senate Mis. Doc. No. 10, Forty-sixth Congress, first session.

21. Use “v.” (versus) in all cases except “fol.” and “fol. lit.”

22. The symbol “^m/_n,” used in connection with South American financial statements, will be spelled “national money,” in parentheses, immediately following the amount, as $146 (national money); Rs. 146 (national money).

23. English money will be expressed by the use of the symbols “£” “s.” “d.” when amounts are given, as £227 14s. 6d.

(See also “Contractions” under “Tabular work,” “Supreme Court records,” and “Court of Claims opinions, briefs, and decisions.”)

1. Use caps for roman numerals designating pages, chapters, articles, or plates.

2. Use caps for college degrees, viz, D. D., Ph. D., LL. D., A. M., B. A., etc.

3. Use lower-case “r” in Sr. and Jr., and “sq.” in Esq. in addresses and signatures.

4. Capitalize, both singular and plural, “department,” “bureau,” “survey,” “corps,” and “service,” when referring to an Executive Department or important bureau, of the United States Government; “congress,” referring to the United States Congress; “house,” referring to the United States Senate or House of Representatives.

5. Capitalize, singular and plural, Senator, Representative, Delegate, and Member of the United States Congress and the principal officers of both Houses. Observe the following:

6. Capitalize the legislative bodies, with their sections, of Governments:

7. The words “president,” “king,” “queen,” “czar,” “emperor,” etc., when used definitely and referring to rulers of countries, should be capitalized, as the President, the Emperor, the Emperor of China, the Chinese Emperor, etc.

8. Capitalize the first word of a direct quotation. Example: Solomon says, “Pride goeth before destruction.” Do not capitalize such indirect quotations as “a wise man says that pride goeth before destruction.”

9. Capitalize the first word of such indirect quotations as the following, but do not quote:

10. Capitalize all commissions and boards authorized by act of Congress when given in full, singular and plural, as Fish Commission, Civil Service Commission, Mississippi River Commission, District of Columbia Board of Commissioners, Light-House Board, etc.; also the words “commission,” “commissioner,” and “board” where standing alone and referring to the above.

11. Capitalize all words denoting the Deity; “Reformation” (the), “Revolution” (1776), “Revolutionary war,” “French Revolution.”

12. Capitalize the words “army” and “navy” only when they mean the entire Army and Navy of the United States, and lower-case when used as adjectives. Examples:

13. When any word is used specifically as a synonym for “Government” and refers to any nation, as “crown,” “empire,” “kingdom,” “republic,” “administration,” or “state,” capitalize it, singular or plural. When indefinite or applied to dependencies, lower-case it. Examples:

14. Capitalize “state,” “territory,” “district” (applied to a Federal district, as District of Alaska, District of Columbia), “canton” (in Switzerland), “province” (in Canada and Australia), etc., both singular and plural, when referring to administrative divisions of any country.

15. When the word “state” is used in contradistinction to “church,” lower-case it, as “A union of church and state;” also “secretary of state of New York,” “state policy,” “affairs of state,” etc.

16. Capitalize heads of Departments and Bureaus (of the United States Government only), but lower-case division and section officers.

17. Capitalize names of political parties: Republicans, Democrats, Tories, Home Rulers, Populists, People’s Party, Prohibition party, Prohibitionists, Farmers’ Alliance, Liberals, etc.

18. Capitalize names of societies: Odd Fellows, B’nai B’rith, etc.

19. Capitalize names of geological ages, eras, and periods:

20. Capitalize all designations in connection with capital letters or roman numerals, as Title XV, Schedule C, Finding VI, Exhibit K, Statement B, Article IV, Art. V, Chapter IX, Chap. XI, Volume XX, Vol. X, Section VII, Sec. VI, etc.; but lower-case when used with figures, as chapter 10, volume 5, chap. 8, vol. 2, etc. “Exhibit,” “Appendix,” and “Table” will be capitalized in all cases when preceding numerals or figures.

21. Capitalize the principal words in full titles of books, plays, and pictures, but do not quote. Also short titles of books, when in the singular, as Brown’s Grammar, Bancroft’s History, Webster’s Dictionary, etc. When referring to a subject in a book, quote, but capitalize only the first word.

22. Capitalize “Presidential,” “Congressional,” “Senatorial,” and “Territorial,” referring to the President, Congress, Senate, and a Territory of the United States.

23. Signature and address names will be set in caps and small caps, with title or direction following in italics, in the same line if not over half the line is used for the purpose; otherwise hanging two ems or more. Capitalize principal words in lines connected with signatures and addresses. Make signatures and addresses compact, using partially filled lines where the contiguous matter is open enough to give a signature proper prominence. It is well to have a white line between text and signature, but this is not imperative; general appearance must govern. Signatures are placed at the right of the page, indented 1, 3, or 5 ems from the right, as may be necessary; addresses are placed to the left, flush if at the top of a paper, indented one em if at the bottom, italic lines following indented as much as necessary to a good appearance. Do not use slugs to separate dash lines from signature or address lines where the dash will bear off one or more blank lines if solid. The following examples cover the most common forms:

the Clerk of the House of Representatives on the 4th day of December, A. D. 1893.
▢▢▢Very respectfully,

James Kerr,▢▢▢
Clerk of the House of Representatives.▢

▢Hon. Charles F. Crisp,
▢▢▢Speaker of the House of Representatives.

▢▢▢I am, very respectfully, yours, etc.,

John Randolph,▢▢▢
Assistant Clerk Court of Claims.▢

disposed of, both as a record of the fact and as a limitation of the authority conferred.
▢▢▢(Signed)

John S. Henderson,▢▢▢
Jno. A. Caldwell,
Committee on the part of the House of Representatives.▢

[Observe lead.]

Wm. F. Vilas,
James McMillan,
Committee on the part of the Senate.▢

bia, on account of the sewer debt of the District of Columbia to the United States.
▢▢▢Very respectfully,

A. C. Matthews,▢▢▢
Comptroller.
By J. R. Garrison,
Deputy Comptroller.▢

▢John Jay, Washington, D. C.

report, which has been received, and is herewith transmitted with my concurrence.
▢▢▢Respectfully, yours,

J. G. Carlisle, Secretary.

▢Hon. George D. Wise,
▢▢▢Chairman Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce,
House of Representatives.

Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Casey,
▢▢Chief of Engineers, U. S. A., Washington, D. C.
▢Dear Sir:

*******

of Maryland, this 28th day of May, A. D. 1885.
▢[SEAL.]

T. Watkins Ligon.▢

▢By the governor:
▢▢▢Nathaniel Cox, Secretary of State.

the day and year first above written.

J. M. Wilbur.[SEAL.]▢
Bartlett, Robins & Co.▢[SEAL.]▢

▢In presence of—
▢▢▢A. T. Brown.
A. B. W. Dew.

▢▢▢I am, General, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

C. G. Sawtelle,▢▢▢
Colonel and Chief Quartermaster Military Division of the Gulf.▢

▢Maj. Gen. M. C. Meigs,
▢▢▢Quartermaster-General United States Army, Washington, D. C.

▢▢▢I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. P. Langley, Secretary.▢

Note.—In cases like the two preceding observe use of lead between text line and signature.

24. Titles preceding names will always be capitalized: Senior Warden Brown; Grand Master Williamson; Master Workman Sovereign; Sergeant Murphy; Private O’Donnell; Boatswain Given; Tinsmith Harris, etc.

25. Lower-case participles derived from proper names, such as anglicized, frenchified, romanized, gallicized; also adjective or qualifying nouns indirectly derived from and compounded with proper names, as tropical, arctic, transatlantic, etc.

26. Geographic zones or sections of the world, when used as proper nouns, take the capital, as the Tropics, the Arctics, the Levant, the Orient. When used as adjectives, use lower-case, as antarctic ice, tropical plants, oriental customs, levantine silk, morocco or russia leather, china or wedgwood pottery. Such words as india rubber, india ink, paris green, london purple, prussian blue, venetian red, roman type, gothic letter (but Gothic architecture), that describe things and are also used as nouns, do not take the capital, although they are, or are derived from, proper names.

27. Capitalize titles clearly intended as synonyms of proper names. Examples:

28. Titles not clearly used as synonyms, or when used in a general way, will not be capitalized. Examples:

29. Where the word “o’clock” occurs in phrases or headlines involving the use of capitals, always set it “o’clock;” never use the form o’Clock, O’Clock, or O’clock.

30. In caps-and-small-caps cross headings, or headings of any kind in which capitals are used, capitalize principal words. [Copy preparers will take full responsibility for uniformity in this matter and mark copy plainly.]

31. In tables of contents which are set in small caps capitalize only the first word and proper names.

32. Capitalize the titles of standing and select committees of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States and the different forms of the same, both singular and plural, as Committee on Ways and Means; Ways and Means Committees. The following list gives the official nomenclature of Congressional committees, with the proper capitalization:

HOUSE.

SENATE.

33. Capitalize “county,” “township,” and “ward” (singular form only), when used with the proper name.

34. Capitalize “river,” “bay,” “cape,” “harbor,” “mount,” “island,” etc. (singular form only), when used with the proper name.

35. Capitalize such words as “building,” “asylum,” “bridge,” “bank,” “school,” “hospital,” etc. (singular form only), when used with the proper name.

36. The following list will be found convenient as a guide to capitalization:

1. In compounding words the International Dictionary will be followed, with but few exceptions.

2. The following words are so common in the work of this office that the usage of many years will be continued:

3. Make one word of horsepower, candlepower, and hundredweight, and use adjectively as laid down in the succeeding paragraph.

4. Compound adjectives take the hyphen: A 2-foot rule, 10-horsepower engine, 16-candlepower light, 6-hundredweight load, many-colored coat, light-armed soldier, asked-for opinion, fine-grained wood, light-green color, etc.

5. Compound the following:

6. Follow compounding, etc., in the appended list of fishes and fishery appliances:

7. Fractions, when spelled, will be compounded: One twenty-first, one-fifth, eighty-one one-hundredths, one one-hundredth, the one-hundredth part.

8. The words “well,” “so,” and “ill” will be used as follows: He is an ill-tempered man; he is very ill tempered. Well-meant intentions; his intentions are well meant. His so-called poem; his poem (so called) is, etc. But generally adverbs are not compounded with adjectives which they qualify: A divinely inspired book; a finely modeled statue; a nicely kept lawn.

1. Where figures are used to express the time of day, use the period to separate the hours and minutes: It was 5.30 p. m.; 10.02 a. m.

2. Use degree and minute marks after figures in all cases referring to degrees and minutes, and where whole numbers and decimals are used place the marks after the decimals, as 14.25°; 13.5′; 24.36″.

3. In straight matter and reading columns of tables, where decimal fractions occur without a unit, put a cipher in the unit’s place: 0.38; but a .38-caliber revolver.

4. Omit the comma in serial numbers: No. 165473; section 2436.

5. Use inferior figures in all chemical symbols, and omit spaces between the letters and signs.

6. Use superior figures in connection with reference letters, as A¹, A², a¹, a².

7. It is impossible to give definite rules that will govern in all cases as to what should go in figures and what should be spelled out. It is a question which must be left to the judgment of the workman. General rules which will serve as a guide to the tendency of the style follow:

Put in figures—

Spell out—

1. Length of time: It lasted fifteen years; we were three days on the way; four hours and ten minutes.

2. Amounts or numbers larger than 1,000, if spelled, are expressed thus: One thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars; A. D. eighteen hundred and fifty; number seventeen hundred and twenty-two. But in serial numbers, where even multiples of one thousand occur, use the word “thousand,” as section two thousand and four (not twenty hundred and four); paragraph seven thousand and sixty-nine.

3. When beginning a sentence: Five million dollars’ worth; in other cases, $5,000,000 worth.

4. All amounts beginning sentences or paragraphs, except when, in testimony, an answer begins with a serial or complex number, in which case use figures. Examples:

5. Numbered streets of all cities, except in tabular matter.

6. Regimental numbers of United States Regular or Volunteer Army, as Eighth Infantry, One hundred and ninth Ohio Regiment, Third Massachusetts Cavalry.

7. Sums of money, when they are referred to in a general way, as “four or five millions,” or “I would not contribute one dollar to such a purpose.” [This is not to be construed as meaning round numbers, but simply a general or indefinite statement.]

8. Isolated fractions not connected with whole numbers, as one-fourth, three-tenths.

9. Isolated enumerations less than 10: “I saw three men at work.” “There were four horses in the field.”

10. Number of persons, when not in statistical matter or when general or indefinite: “There were thirty or forty persons in the town.”

11. When numbers are mentioned casually, or by way of illustration, or in connection with serious and dignified subjects, they should be spelled out:

12. When a paper is divided into clauses numbered “1, 2, 3,” etc., in the copy, put in figures; but if written “1st, 2d, 3d,” etc., spell out.

Box heads.—Box heads should be run across whenever practicable; if it is necessary to run them up, reduce to the minimum depth.

In boxes of two or more lines which run across, or where two or more boxes occur in the same head, use en quads above and below the greater number of lines.

In boxes of three lines or more in depth and 10 ems or more in width over reading columns or over several figure columns, and in all run-up heads of three lines or more, make hanging indention; otherwise center each line.

In boxes containing two lines the first line must be the longer when possible.

Contractions.—In columns of names of persons, follow copy in the use of contractions of given names; but to avoid overruns always contract such names as William and Charles. Use “Co.” for “Company” where the name of the company is given; use “R. R.” for railroad and “Rwy.” for railway where the name of the railroad or railway is given, and use Bro. and Bros. in firm names. Contract names of months whenever the day of the month is given, excepting in first columns consisting of dates only, which may, however, be contracted to save overruns. All other well-known contractions can be used, by direction of copy preparer, to save overruns. The following contractions for months of the year will be used:

Use of “dittoes.”—Ditto whenever it can properly be done, and ditto under blank spaces in all cases excepting center heads, but never ditto under leaders.

In columns less than 6 ems in width use 1½ ems of quads (in addition to en quad used for bearing off) or 2 ems of leaders, as may be required, before the “do.”; in columns of 6 ems and over, use 2 ems of quads (in addition to en quad used for bearing off) or 2½ ems of leaders.

In first columns, where flush headings are used with indentions under them, proportionate allowance must be made for those indentions, and it will generally be indicated by the copy preparer.

Date columns.—In 7-em date columns, bear off 3-em space from rules, use only en commas after day of month, and put the remaining space between month and day. Observe same style in 5-em date columns, with the exception of using en quads instead of 3-em spaces in bearing off from rules.

Ditto in both 5 and 7 em columns.

Leading from top or bottom lines.—Where there is only one reading column, lead from the bottom; if more than one, from the top.

Date columns are not classified as reading columns in connection with leading from top line.

In parallel tables, where the lines are numbered on the outside of each page, lead from the top.

Where the last word in a leader line runs close to the rule, use en leader if space permits; if not, use a thin space, but never use a full point, excepting where a reference mark follows an abbreviation.

Unless specially directed otherwise, continue leaders across entire width of tables when the right-hand columns are of figures; when the last column is a reading column, omit the leaders from that column only.

Figures in reading columns.—Numerical expressions in reading columns will be expressed in figures, even at the beginning of the sentence: 155 days from Dec. 1; trains 3 times a day.

Figures from or against rules.—In figure columns bear off an en quad from rules on right of figures; and so make the cast as to bear off the longest line of figures an en quad from the rule on the left where possible. If crowded, and but few figures will touch, close up on the left; if still more crowded, close up on the right. If found necessary to set the figures in one column against the rule on the right (which, by the way, must always be done before closing up on the left when the mass of figures is of nearly even width), do the same with the remaining columns of the table. Exceptions will be marked by copy preparer.

Common fractions to be set against rules unless otherwise indicated.

Decimals.—In columns of figures containing decimals omit the point and ciphers where no decimal occurs. This rule does not apply to money columns consisting of both dollars and cents, where the points and ciphers will be used. Always align the decimal points.

Dollar mark.—Repeat dollar mark under rules in continuous tables; also in leader work where center heads occur indicating a separate or independent statement. But in statements where amounts are added to make a general aggregate do not repeat the dollar mark, even where center heads occur.

Parallel dashes.—Use parallel dashes in figure columns in all cases where necessary to cut off from figures following. This rule will apply also to leader work.

Tables in rules.—In tables inclosed in rules, where the first column consists of figures, do not use leaders. [This rule will not apply to date columns or to reading columns clearly requiring leaders.] Bear off matter one em from side rules.

Full point in leader lines.—Use full point between abbreviation and reference mark in leader lines, as Boston, Mass.† ...

Blanks for center heads.—Use full blank line above and below all center heads in stubs or reading columns, excepting where leaders run back far enough to clear the head, in which case use only a line of en quads below.

Plus and minus marks.—Plus and minus marks in figure columns must be aligned when occurring at left of figures.

Dates and figures in reading columns.—Do not range dates or figures in first or reading columns unless figures are added up to make a total. This rule will apply also to leader work.

En-quadded tables.—Use en quads in runovers [copy preparers will give instructions when change is desired]; scabbard will not be allowed; all box heads solid.

Reference marks.—Set off all reference marks a 5-em space when preceding words or figures. Use superior figures (¹, ², ³, etc.) for reference marks and footnotes in all cases, unless otherwise instructed. In a series of short footnotes range the reference marks, and also the first letter of the note.

Words in figure columns.—Range all words occurring in figure columns one en from rule on right; also capitalize and use full point.

Indention from rules.—An indention from a rule means so many ems in addition to the en quad used for bearing off.

Word “number.”—Spell the word “number,” referring to quantity or things, in box heads where possible. Where necessary to abbreviate or where used in connection with serial figures, use “No.”

Flush and sub heads.—Use colons after flush heads and em dashes after heads subordinate thereto.

Units of quantity.—Units of quantity to the right of reading columns and over figure columns will be spelled where possible. Where the space available demands a contraction, use the following forms: Dolls., galls., lbs., oz., bbls., cwt., yds., ft., in. (inches), doz., bush., M, sq. feet, M feet, cub. feet, kilo., kilos. Observe style of the following table:

Leader work.—Leader work is not classified as tabular work.

Continued heads.—Continued heads over tables must be condensed into one line where possible.

1. Copy marked “fol.” means to follow figures, italics, abbreviations, idiomatic words and expressions, and &c. or etc., but not capitalization or punctuation. The exceptions are: (1) Always spell out the & except in firm names; (2) always spell out the % mark; (3) always use “at” or “to,” as the case may be, instead of the commercial @. All orthography in “fol.” matter is good that has the sanction of any dictionary.

2. Copy marked “fol. lit.” means follow everything—caps, punctuation, and contractions.

COURT OF CLAIMS OPINIONS, BRIEFS, AND DECISIONS.

1. In the case of The United States v. Union Pacific Railroad Company (99 U. S., 22), the court

2. In the case of United States v. The Union Pacific Railroad Company (99 U. S., 33), the court

3. (The United States v. Union Pacific R. R. Co.)

4. (United States v. The Union Pacific R. R. Co.)

5. In Taylor’s Case (16 C. Cls. R., 14) the claimant. (Taylor’s Case, 16 C. Cls. R., 14.)

6. In Taylor v. Smith the court held

7. Edwards’s Lessee v. Darby (12 Wheat., 210)

8. Legal-Tender Case (110 U. S., 334)

9. (Ex parte Robinson, 19 Wall., 304)

10. In Taylor’s Case the court say; in the case of Taylor there was

11. In the case of Payne (7 U. S., 252)

12. By the Act of March 3, 1881, chapter 34, section 4 (Rev. Stat., § 33).

13. Bowman Act (22 Stat. L., ch. 4, § 9, p. 284); the Bowman Act was referred to.

14. Act 5th August, 1882 (Supp. Rev. Stat., 284; Stat. L., 84).

15. In the petition (Rec., p. 7) there is

16. In the record (p. 7; Test., p. 7; Ev., p. 7; Rec., p. 9; q. 7; c. q. 7; int. 7; c. int. 7; qq. 6–9; c. qq. 7–9; ints. 9, 10)

17. Finding VI—the sixth finding; section 6—the sixth section.

18. Omit quotation marks for exhibits in all cases except “fol. lit.”

19. “United States” to be used in the singular number where practicable.

20. In Court of Claims records, when questions are numbered, let the number precede the question: 23. Question.

21. Spell out “Question” and “Answer” and make separate paragraphs.

22. When the title of the case is braced to the left, the rule is to have the braced portion occupy two-thirds of the line; but this may be varied to avoid bad divisions or when there is but little matter inside the brace.

23. Make sentences of citations, excepting (p. 84) or (pp. 90–95).

(See also “Follow—fol. lit.”)

SUPREME COURT RECORDS.

1. Follow copy literally, except italics (which stand for errors only), capitalization, and punctuation.

2. Use italic letters to indicate errors of orthography and apostrophes to indicate errors of omission. In case of a doublet, italicize the repeated portion. Use no dashes, but indicate blanks with quads.

3. Make paragraphs of answers in Q. and A. matter.

4. Use apostrophes in unusual abbreviations, such as Feb’y, c’t, etc.; but in well-established abbreviations use the period, as Mr., deft., plff.

5. Many words, although not spelled according to Webster, if sanctioned by other authorities, should be set without italic letters.

6. Italics should not be used to indicate errors of syntax, or errors of orthography, in foreign languages, except in law terms, as fiari fecias; nor should italics be used in variations of orthography of proper names of persons or places.

7. Where the name of a corporation occurs beginning with the word “the,” use a cap. T, thus: the said The B. & O. R. R. Co.; The Sun v. The Globe; The City of Washington v. The B. & O. R. R. Co.; the defendant The Davies County Bank.

8. Errors in italics will always be indicated by roman letters, thus: fiere fecias, conplaineants.

9. Names of vessels will be set in roman, quoted.

10. Do not change the spelling of proper names, nor use italics to indicate errors therein.

(See also “Follow—fol. lit.”)

1. Contract the first Q. and A., as well as the following ones.

2. Make one paragraph of question and answer, connecting the question and its answer by an em dash.

3. Where the answer is not introduced by the usual “A.,” “Ans.,” or “Answer,” or where the name or title of a participant is used, make a new paragraph.

4. The following examples illustrate the use of brackets, colons, and parentheses:

5. Observe punctuation in the following paragraphs:

(See also “Follow—fol. lit.” and paragraph 3 under “Miscellaneous.”)

1. Names of vessels and generic names should be set in italic, except in tabular matter, indexes, lists set in columns, and Supreme Court work.

2. The words “see,” “see also,” etc., in italic in indexes only.

3. Italic will not be followed in general work, either for foreign words or for emphasis, unless special instructions to that effect are given.

4. When letters are used as references in explaining diagrams, figures, etc., use italic for lower-case references and roman for caps, not quoted: Cogwheel a; pinion B; angle ab; line CD; points a, b, c, d, e.

(See also “Follow—fol. lit.”)

1. Use spaces in place of hyphens in Indian names.

2. Treat all side and cut-in notes as paragraphs.

3. Observe the following examples of punctuation:

4. “Line of stars” means seven asterisks in a full-measure line, indented two ems at each end, the remaining space to be evenly divided between the stars. Exception: In briefs, etc., set in “general-order” measure, use but five asterisks, indented two ems at each end.

5. Avoid, by overrunning, the use of a dash at the beginning of a line, two-letter divisions, and the repetition of divisions at the end of three or more contiguous lines.

6. After addresses at the head of communications use the period, as—

7. Use en quads in cap and small-cap lines in addresses and in signatures, and a proportionate increase of space in heads of extended type.

8. In illustrating certain shapes or forms, as ⟙ rails, use gothic letters (case 288 cap. in long-primer text, and case 287 cap. in brevier text).

9. In solid matter, when extracts, etc., are set in smaller type, separate by using two leads; in leaded matter use three leads.

10. Use two leads before footnotes in all cases.

11. Where slugs are called for specially, use a slug of same body as type.

12. Separate center heads from text by slugs one size less than type used.

13. When two consecutive years are intended, set: 1875–76, 1801–2; when more than two consecutive years are intended: 1875–1879, 1895–1904; when two or more distinct years are intended: 1894, 1895; 1873, 1876; 1888, 1891, 1894.

14. When laws are set in long-primer type, document measure, the first line of the enacting clause must be set so as to conform to the following examples:

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States

15. In indexes, when the page folios overrun, retain only the first folio number in the leader line; but when necessary to save an overrun, figures may be run back to within an em leader of the words. When the folios overrunning make two or more lines, indent evenly not less than seven ems on the left, the folios in excess of even-length lines to be worked into the leader line. When the figures extend back into the leader line, use an en quad between the leaders and the first figure.

16. Never divide a word in a headline if it can possibly be avoided. In subhead and legend lines it is not necessary to make the first line full.

17. Always keep together, at the beginning or end of a line, such abbreviations as U. S. N.; D. C.; N. Y.; N. J.; M. D., etc. The contractions esq., sr., and jr. should always be in the same line with the name they follow.

18. Never divide the last word of a paragraph if it can be avoided; overrun if necessary. The last line of a paragraph should contain at least a four-letter word.

Unless special directions are given—sometimes necessary in particular cases—the following rules govern the printing of bills:

Type.

1. Bills are always set in English type, full-slugged.

2. A new bill is always all roman, italic being used only for the enacting clause and the word “Provided.”

Side Folios.

3. The direction “Allow for two figures” means that TWO 1-EM quads (not one 2-em quad) are to be used in allowing for side folios at left of text. “Allow for three figures” means indent two 1-em quads and 1 en quad.

4. Always supply the word “That” immediately following the section number, and after the word “Provided” of a proviso.

5. Begin side folios with figure 1 at the first line of each section. Exceptions to this are sometimes made for convenience in handling, and side folios begun with figure 1 at the top of each page; but in such cases special instructions will be given.

Engrossed and Enrolled Bills.

6. A bill is said to be engrossed when it has passed one House of Congress; to be enrolled when final action has been taken in both Houses.

7. Follow literally in engrossed and enrolled bills. This applies to the title of the bill on the filing or indorsement as well as to the text, but not to the caption of engrossed amendments.

Heads and Indorsements.

8. The “indorsement” on a bill is the form printed on the back for convenience of reference when folded. “Document style” prevails on indorsements until the bill reaches the “engrossed” stage. Senate bills differ from House bills in the forms used in heads and indorsements. As a bill progresses new “actions” appear, which should be set in the same style as the “actions” that precede. The “style” of a head or indorsement is governed by the “style” for the branch of Congress in which the bill is pending. Examples of a new bill in each House are given on the following page:

HEADING OF HOUSE BILL.

Be it enacted, etc., That

HEADING OF SENATE BILLS.

Be it enacted, etc., That

INDORSEMENTS.

9. In indorsements on bills in the Senate use a 9-em dash under the bill number; on bills in the House a parallel dash.

10. The name of the introducer of a bill or resolution is carried under the title in the indorsement, in long primer caps and small caps, between parallel rules, in both Houses, through each printing until bill or resolution passes one House.

11. When the title of a bill on the indorsement makes more than two lines, indent the runovers 1½ ems; center the title when it makes but one or two lines. On the face of the bill where a title makes more than one line, set the first line to full measure, centering the runover if there be two lines in the title; if more than two lines, indent the runovers 2 ems.

12. Titles for House bills are taken from the INDORSEMENT of copy; for Senate bills from the FACE of copy.

13. Preambles are set full measure, the first line of each “whereas” being flush and the runovers indented 2 ems. Where an agreement or treaty is part of a preamble, follow literally, indenting the paragraphs 4 ems and runovers 2 ems, full measure.

14. Titles and preambles following the head of a bill are always half-slugged.

15. Set “Calendar No.—,” on both face and indorsement of bills which have reached the Senate Calendar, in each case at the upper right-hand corner.

16. Set “Report No.” on both face and indorsement of reported bills in both Houses, centering under the number of the bill.

[It is impracticable to give illustrations of the minutiæ of headings and indorsements of bills in all their stages. Samples and information can always be had upon inquiry at the foreman’s desk. Compositors and others must familiarize themselves with the forms called for by the clerks’ notes on copy.]

Amendments.

17. “Line type” and italic are used only to show amendments. When it is proposed to strike out certain portions in a bill that is “reported with amendments,” such portions will be set in “line type.” Example:

in accordance with existing proposed plan, twenty twenty-five thousand dollars.

18. When new matter is inserted, it is set in italics.

19. When it is proposed to strike out and insert, always let the italics FOLLOW the line type.

20. Do not complicate amendments. When one amendment can be made to cover the sense, as in the complete changing of a sum of money, so set it, rather than divide into two or more short amendments.

21. Proposed Senate amendments are printed in bill form, all roman. The general style of the head may be either that of bills or of “miscellaneous documents.” These headings are generally in proper form as they come from the bill clerk.

22. When it is proposed in the Senate to make several short amendments, the caption should read as follows:

23. When a proposed amendment in the Senate is expressed by one or more full paragraphs, the caption should read:

Reported Bills.

24. Observe the difference in form of action taken on Senate and House bills reported with amendments:

House.—

Senate.—

[The wording varies with the necessities of the case, but the style remains the same.]

General Instructions.

25. Spell out everything, except “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” and classification of vessels, as “A 1.” On indorsements follow document style.

26. Make the contractions “&c.” and “etc.” read “and so forth,” and in the title and body of a bill make “viz” read “namely.”

27. When, in the use of figures, the comma is used in ordinary work to show notation, in bills thousands and hundreds are spelled; as, for 1,750, make it “one thousand seven hundred and fifty.”

28. In serial numbers, or where the comma is not used in general work, spell by hundreds all numbers less than 10000; as, for 2742, make it “twenty-seven hundred and forty-two;” but in serial numbers where even multiples of one thousand occur, use the word “thousand,” as “section two thousand and four,” “paragraph seven thousand and sixty-nine” (not “twenty hundred and four” or “seventy hundred and sixty-nine”).

29. Years and dates are expressed thus: June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and ninety-three.

30. When the expression usually indicated by “No.” occurs, use the word “numbered.” Observe, in this connection, the capitalization for kindred expressions: House Executive Document Numbered Eighteen.

31. References to the Revised Statutes, Statutes at Large, court reports, etc., are expressed thus: Revised Statutes, page two hundred and forty-two; Twelfth Statutes, page eleven hundred and sixteen; Tenth Court of Claims Reports, page ten.

32. Capitalize the word “act” wherever it occurs as a synonym for “bill” or “law.”

33. The indorsement on a printed bill must always fall on an even page. In House bills 4 lines of text may be worked in with the indorsement, and in Senate bills 7 lines.

Special Instructions for Enrolled Bills.

34. Set in quarto measure, paragraphs indented 2 ems.

35. Lead with 3-to-pica leads. When center heads occur use a full pica slug above and below.

36. Set entirely in roman type, except the enacting clause and “Provided,” which go in italic.

37. Avoid divisions of words and space evenly. Two-letter divisions must not be made.

38. In enrolled bills of the Senate place the bill number (using the form “S. 146”) in pica antique, at the upper left-hand corner. In enrolled bills of the House the number goes at the upper right-hand corner, using the form “H. R. No. 4864.”

39. In enrolled bills of the Senate use a parallel dash above and below title; in those of the House use the parallel dash above only, with two full slugs below.

GENERAL DIRECTIONS.

Spell out States after county in both Journals.

The Journals are set in brevier, solid, Record measure, and as a rule Record style prevails.

Compositors will observe the style of the following paragraphs:

HOUSE.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1894.

A message from the Senate, by Mr. Cox, its Secretary, announced that the Senate had passed a bill entitled:

S. 2905. An act for the relief of John M. Smith.

It also announced that the Senate had passed bills of the following titles, in which the concurrence of the House was requested:

S. 2000. An act for the relief of James Robinson; and

S. 2001. An act granting a pension to Sam Jones.

It further announced that the Senate had passed, without amendment, the bill (H. R. 10241) to amend “An act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes,” approved July 4, 1894.

The committees were called for reports;

When,

Bills were reported, the reports thereon ordered to be printed, and referred to the Calendars as follows:

By Mr. Black, of Illinois, from the Committee on Military Affairs, the bill entitled (S. 527) an act to construct a road to the national cemetery at Dover, Tenn.—to the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

The amendments recommended by the Committee of the Whole were then agreed to, and as amended the bill was ordered to be engrossed, was read a third time, and passed.

The Speaker laid before the House the bill entitled:

S. 1262. An act for the relief of Paul McCormick;

Which was referred to the Committee on Claims.

The Speaker pro tempore laid before the House the bill—with amendments of the Senate thereto—entitled:

H. R. 3458. An act extending the time for final proof on land claims under the public land laws.

On motion of Mr. Sweet the amendments were concurred in.

Mr. Pearson, from the Committee on Enrolled Bills, reported that the committee had examined and found truly enrolled bills of the following titles; which were thereupon signed by the Speaker, to wit:

H. R. 868. An act for the relief of John Smith;

S. 1896. An act for the relief of Mrs. Lucinda Brown; and

H. R. 3858. An act to pension John Jones.

By Mr. Maguire: A resolution for the appointment of a special committee to investigate Pacific railroads—to the Committee on Rules.

By Mr. Holman:

Whereas it appears by an act passed June 4, 1894, the sum of $10,000 was appropriated to enable the Secretary of War, etc.; and

Whereas it is alleged that trouble exists, etc.;

Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affairs be authorized to settle the difficulty— to the Committee on Military Affairs.

The Committee on Indian Affairs was called;

When,

On motion of Mr. Lynch, on behalf of said committee, the House resolved itself into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill (H. R. 6557) providing for opening the Uintah Indian Reservation in Utah; and after some time spent therein, the Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Dockery reported that the committee having had under consideration the said bill (H. R. 6557) had come to no resolution thereon;

When the morning hour expired.

The question being on agreeing to the second resolution, to wit:

Resolved, That John J. O’Neill was not legally elected and is not entitled to a seat in this House;

And being put,

Will the House agree thereto?

After further debate,

The Speaker appointed Messrs. Bailey and Ray tellers.

The question being put,

Shall the bill be engrossed and read a third time?

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the members present,

[One line only.]

The Speaker laid before the House the following joint resolution of the Senate:

S. R. 91. A joint resolution providing for printing a digest of the laws relating to compensation of officials in United States courts;

Which was referred to the Committee on Printing.

Mr. Allen suggested that the House should take a recess, under Rule XXVI.

And then, in pursuance of Rule XXVI, the House took a recess until 8 p. m.

A message from the President of the United States, by Mr. Pruden, one of his secretaries, announced that the President had approved and signed bills and a joint resolution of the following titles:

On June 29, 1894:

H. R. 4701. An act to incorporate the Supreme Lodge of the Knights of Pythias; and

H. R. 274. An act to authorize the city of Hyattsville, Md., to construct a wagon bridge.

On July 6, 1894:

H. Res. 196. Joint resolution to provide temporarily for the expenditures of the Government.

The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses to the bill (H. R. 6518) making appropriations for rivers and harbors do recommend to their respective Houses as follows:

That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 27, and agree to the same with an amendment as follows: Strike out all the matter preceding and insert on page 77, after line 7, the following as a new item:

Baltimore Harbor, Maryland: To widen the ship channel to one thousand feet, one thousand nine hundred and sixty-nine dollars and fifty-one cents.

And the Senate agree to the same.

That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate numbered 20, and agree to the same with an amendment as follows: Strike out “eight hundred dollars” and insert in lieu thereof the following: three hundred and fifty dollars; and the Senate agree to the same.

Amend section 2 to read as follows:

Sec. 2. For an exhibit by the Government of the United States at the Cotton States International Exposition to be held at Atlanta, Georgia, in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-five, one hundred thousand dollars.

And the House agree to the same.

Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Cobb of Alabama and Mr. Black of Illinois, indefinitely; to Mr. Pigott, for two days; to Mr. Bartlett, until Saturday next; and to Mr. Lacey, for four days.

And then,

On motion of Mr. Cummings, at 5 o’clock and 20 minutes p. m., the House adjourned.

SENATE.

MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE.

A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Towles, its chief clerk.

Mr. President: The House of Representatives has disagreed to the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 6913) making appropriations for the current expenses of the Indian Department. It asks a conference with the Senate thereon, and has appointed Mr. Holman, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Wilson of Washington managers at the same on its part.

ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED.

Mr. Caffery reported from the committee that they had examined and found duly enrolled the following bill:

H. R. 2350. An act making appropriations for the Military Academy;

Whereupon,

The President pro tempore signed the same, and it was delivered to the committee to be presented to the President of the United States.

The Senate proceeded, by unanimous consent, to consider the said bill as in Committee of the Whole; and no amendment being made, it was reported to the Senate.

Ordered, That it pass to a third reading.

The said bill was read the third time.

Resolved, That it pass, and that the title thereof be as aforesaid.

The Senate proceeded to consider, as in Committee of the Whole, the bill (S. 1296) for the relief of Andrew Gray; and

On motion by Mr. White,

Ordered, That it be postponed indefinitely.

Mr. Allison called for a division of the question; and

On the question to recede from the amendment No. 87, viz: Insert as an additional paragraph the following:

109. Iron ore, forty cents per ton,

On motion by Mr. Hill,

The yeas and nays being desired by one-fifth of the Senators present,

[One line only.]

Those who voted in the affirmative are,

Messrs. Allen, Hill, Irby.

Those who voted in the negative are,

Messrs. Jones of Arkansas, Jones of Nevada, Mitchell of Wisconsin.

[Note.—Observe that commas are left out after names when there are a number of them, like the above.]

The question being on the motion of Mr. Hill that the Senate recede from its amendment No. 87,

Pending debate,

Mr. Jones, of Arkansas, raised a question as to the presence of a quorum;

[Note.—Observe that comma is used when but a single name occurs.]

Whereupon,

The Presiding Officer (Mr. Mitchell, of Oregon, in the chair) directed the roll to be called;

When,

Fifty-nine Senators answered to their names.

A quorum being present,

EXECUTIVE SESSION.

On motion of Mr. Jones, of Arkansas,

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of executive business; and

After the consideration of executive business the doors were reopened;

When,

On motion of Mr. Gorman, at 3 o’clock and 40 minutes p. m.,

The Senate adjourned.

SIGNATURE NUMBERS FOR EIGHTS.

SIGNATURE NUMBERS FOR SIXTEENS.

APPENDIX.

Key for headings:
A = Pica.
B = Small pica, old style.
C = Long primer.
D = Long primer, old style.
E = Brevier.
F = Brevier, old style.
G = Nonpareil.
H = Nonpareil, old style.
I = Brevier.
J = Nonpareil.
K = Brevier.
L = L.primer.
M = Pica.