The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-11

Knowledge is power-snd Statistical Bu'
resu will certainly furnish knowledge. we
append Mr.. Pnlt's able Report on the subject
Ma. PRArr, from the Select Committee on Sta
tlstics, made the following
REPORT:
The Select Committee appointed on me 7h %
.y.lnuary, on the subject Of statistical tnJor-
NATION. and 10 lohOm lDds referred me letter
from The Secretary of The Treasury upon
he same subject, begs Leaue 10 report
That the Developments of public sentiment within
the last year have indicated the lively interest exc-
ted among rejecting men by the project submitted 70
your honorable body IN the resolution UNDER Wnoa
The first committee this subject was organized al
thei last session Of Congress- Rarely, indeed mas
sny MEASURE of the kind been productive oil more OK
tended and approving comment by cluLeps eAPao,o
of approaching the importance OF INC suplec.
would be derogatory TO the character oil the hmefi
can people 10 suppose that stsslcai researches apy
reuorts should meet with less favor In The Opitsd
states than is bestowed upon them in the monsrches
of Europe but your committee are highly grsunsu
Ia being able 10 state that the degree oil popularity
which has followed the project OF statistical bureau
as part Of our Government, furnishes Satisfactory
evidence that the intelligent reemen Of our country
are ready in this as in all other cases. TO approve oi
knowledge Of the multiludnous facts concerning Tie
interests and resources Of every State IN our Repu6
lican confedsrscy. Results would richly repay oil
expense incurred in this matter.
Your committee deem il proper in this connection
10 bring 10 review some Of the numerous pro
srnted last year. the Of the report approving
the project 81 a statistical bureau. Those reasons
are nov again respectfully submitted for the consde-
ration Of Congress- 10 connexon with the present ei-
forts for giving greater efficiency to the movement on
this Subsection creating what may properly De
termed Bureau Of Statistics, with adequate means
TO promote the objects which led TO its creation, in
stead of the very restricted plan which was adopted
last year, account OF the deficiency Of means fur
nished by the simple provision for allowing the em-
ployment Of single extra clerk lat 81 5OO) TO at
tend TO tins important duty. 1 he bill now before
the House contempates the appropriation Of reason
able salaries for several officers competent TO the
discharge Of duty In this valuable branch Of the pub
lie Offices and your committee feryently invoke the
attention Of gentlemen who have not yet fully re-
hected the subject, TO the reasons herewith sub
mItted land many others might be enumerated) for
sustaining the proposition for rendering the orgsnza-
ton Of the Bureau Of Siaiisties consonant with
the la poItAnt matters committed TO its charge-maI
lers which require a high order Of intellect, and
much intelligence and zeal on the part Of all EN-
ployed about the business Of that bureau. We re-
peat what was stated last year, when this subject
was first presented for your confederation IN the
solution for bureau Of statistics that
!. BY furnishing correct and official information
relating all the great interests Of the country, il
would prevent unintenonal partial legislation IN ia
yor Of one or more, to the injury Of the rssi The
knowledge which such bureau would annually pre-
sent, would form the safest basis for both Nation
al aud State legislation.
2 1t would facilitate legislation, by supplying
dy information TO the national legislature upon all
subjects which it might wish to The replies
given to all calls for information would be prompt;
and, when compared with those which are OBJ
tanned, after weeks or months of delay, they would
be found TO be more complete and accurate, more
compact and better digested, giving the information
sought in a smaller compass and more con venent
shape Thus correct and ready information would
be furnished TO the inquirer the hurry and inconve'
nence, and often injurious Delay to the regular work
Of the Departments, would lie avoided and the pub
lie service be promoted, by ready and accu-
rate despatch OF public business.
g. The establishment Of such a bureau would
greatly facilitate the business Of the departments BY
enabling The respective officers thereof to ascertain
by brief inspection, the absolute and relative condi-
ton Of every interest," the amount of every source OF
venue, and every obect Of expenditure and every
question which the dulles Of their Office the wishes
of the Legislature, the interests OF the public
might prompt, would receive a ready and correct re
ply.
4. Such bureau would, in a comparatively short
time, furnish correct information respecting the
commercial, financial, the navigating and shipping
the manufacturing, aud the agricu ura interests OF
the country digested body of facts relative to the
revenue, the custom house, the post office the land
Office, and the Indian Department; correct statements
respecting the population the expenses and details o
the army and navy, the progress of internal improve
ments the state OF banks and other Institutions and
Of monetary affairs and exchanges and, in short a
regular, connected, and methodized arrangement oil
every subject to which facts and figures bear any
N W tpn wi he
history, the progress and the condition of the nation
at large, and those of the various States and Terrific
rIes. And here it may be remarked that, by full
and complete arrangement of the prices of stocks
the rates Of exchanges the quantity of unemployed
capital, Gas exhibited by the amouht Of deposes il
banks, and other variations in the money market,
the best opportunities for the execution of Govern
ment financial operations would be ascertained and
materially promoted
5. The duties of the bureau would extend to the
| arrangement, condensation, and elucidston Of the
statistics Of foreign nations, and to all the various
branches OF international commercial inter course
Materials for this part eli the business daily accu
mulating especially from consus and other public
| agents abroad. The information contained in the va
| rious documents received is Always of importance
and often of the highest value; but it is now only
partial service to the legislature and the public, by
its not being methodlzed and arranged and the va
rous insulated facts rendered valueless for
of collocatlon and juxtaposton.
6. The abors of a statistical bureau would most
essentially contribute TO the increase of sound know
ledge upon all subjects connected with national and
! international affairs among the people. The theo-
rles (oen conhcting) Of political economists, would
give place to the practical results Of experience, the
sober truths of figures, and the unerrng demonstra-
ton Of facts. The true interests of the people oil
the country, as people and indpisibe, would be
perceived and understood. knowledge of the mos
important kind would be given to the community
additional power, the result of Knowledge, would be
placed in the hands of the legislature; the welfare
of the country would be advanced by its interests
being better understood and legislation would be
consistent and onwards, uniformly conducting to in
dydua happiness AMI national honor and prosperity
1t hoped that nations will no longer seek to conquer
by war or physical force but by honorable rivalry
in the cultivation OF the arts of peace of commerce
of agriculture, of manufactures, and OF science
Practical and useful information must be furnished
to our people, 10 enable them TO compete with Other
nations in this laudabIe The object of this
bureau would be to furnish this informa un and thus