The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-02-11

reau will certainly furnish knowledge. We
append Mr.. Pratt's able Report on the subject.
Mr. PRATT, from the Select Committee on Sta
tlstics, made the following
REPORT:
The Select Committee appointed on the 7th Of
January, on The subject Of statistical infor-
nation and 10 lphonl apas referred The letter
from The Secretary of The Treasury upon
the same subject, begs ledre TO 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 to
your honorable body In the resolution under which
the first committee on this subject organized at
thel last session Of Congress Rarely, indeed, has
any of the kind been productive of ex-
tended and approving comment by citizens capable
of appreciatDg the Importance OF the subject. Ii
would be derogatory to the character OF the Ameri-
people TO suppose that statistical researches and
reports should meet with less favor in the United
States than is bestowed upon them in the monarchies
of Europe; but your committee are highly gratlhed
in being able to state that the degree of popularity
which has followed the project of statistical bureau
ID part of our Government, furnishes satisfactory
evidence that the intelligent freemen of country
ready in this, as in all other cases. to approve OF
any reasona bic expenditure for promoting correct
nowedge of the muittudinous facts concerning the
interests and resources of every State in Repub-
can confederacy. Results would richly repay all
expense incurred in this matter,
Your committee deem it proper in this connection
to bring review some of the numerous reasons pre-
scented last year, the of the report approving
the project Of statistical bureau. Those reasons
now again respectfully submitted for the conside
ration of Congress, in cOnnexion with the present eff
forts for giving greater efficiency to the movement on
this subject-ior creating what may properly be
termed Bureau of Statistics, with adequate means
he ObIeCls q IN
stead of the very restricted plan which adopted
last year, on account OF the deficiency of means fur
nished by the simple provision for allowing the en-
ployment OF single extra clerk Cat 81, 5OO) to at
tend to this important duty. he bill now before
the House contemplates 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 ferventy invoke the
attention of gentlemen who have not yet fully re-
hected on the subject to the herewith sub
mitted (and many others might be enumerated) for
sustaining the proposition for rendering the organiza
ton of the Bureau Of Statistics consonan with
the Important matters committed to its charge-mal-
ers 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 stated last year, when this subject
was first presented for your consideration the
solution for bureau of statistics that
!. BY furnishing correct and official information
relating to all the great interests of the country, it
vor OF one or more, to the injury Of the rest The
knowledge which such bureau would annually pre-
sent, would form the safest basis for both Nation
al and State legislation
1t would facilitate legislation, by supplying rea-
dy information to the national legislature upon all
subjects on which it might wish to The replies
given to all calls for information would be prompt;
and when compared with those which are now OBJ
tanned, after weeks or months of delay, they would
be found to be more complete and accurate, more
compact and better dgested, giving the information
sought in a smaller compass and more convenient
shape. Thus correct and ready information would
be furnished to the inquirer; tn. hurry and inconve
nience and often injurious Delay to the regular work
Of the Departments, would be avoided aud The pub
lie service be promoted, by more ready and accu-
rate despatch of public business.
g. The establishment of such bureau would
greatly facilitate the business of the departments bv
enabling The respective officers thereof to ascertain,
by brief inspection, the absolute and relative cond-
ton of every interest," the amount Of every of
revenue and every bect OF expenditure and every
question which the duties of their Office, the wishes
of the Legislature, or the interests of the public
might prompt, would receive ready and correct re-
ply.
4. Such bureau would in comparatively short
time, furnish correct information respecting the
! commercial, financial the navigating and shipping
the manufacturing and the agcul ural interests Of
the country digesed 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 Of
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
regular, connected, and methodzed arrangement of
every subec TO which facts and figures bear any re-
laon, and which are in any way connected with the
history, the progress and the condition Of the nation
at large, and those of the various States and Terrific.
rles. And here II may be remarked that, by full
complete arrangement If str ks
the rates OF exchanges the quantity of unemployed
capital, Gas exhibited 10y the amoukt Of deposiles in
banks, aud other variations in the money market,
the pest opportunities Tor the execution Of Govern
ment financial operations would be ascertaned and
materially promoted
5. The duties of the bureau would extend TO the
arrangement, condensation, and elucidstion of the
statistics Of foreign nations and to all the various
branches of International commercial inter COURSE
Materials for this part eff the business daily accu
mulaing, especially from coDsuls 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 only Of
partial service to the legislature and the public, by
It's not being methodlzed and arranged and the va
rious insulated facts rendered yaueless for want
of coocaton and juxtaposition.
g. The labors OF a statistical bureau would most
essentially contribute 10 the increase of sound know
ledge upon all subjects connected with national and
international affairs among the people. The theo-
rle (oiteD conhlctng) oil 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 Of
the country, as people and indpisibe would be
perceived and understood. knowledge of the most
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 onwaids, uniformly conducting TO in
diyIdual happiness AMI national honor and prosperity
1t hoped tnst nations will no longer seek to conquer
by or physical force, but by honorable rivalry
of agriculture, of manu- actures, and OF science.
r actIca and useful information must be furnished
to people, enable them TO compete with other
nations in this laudabe The object Of this
bureau would be to furnish this informstun and thus